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Bill > S4697
NJ S4697
NJ S4697Prohibits electric public utilities from billing customers for certain services during service interruptions and requires repair of certain street lights.
summary
Introduced
10/20/2025
10/20/2025
In Committee
10/20/2025
10/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits an electric public utility from charging a customer for the usage or provision of electricity during a service interruption. In addition, the bill requires an electric public utility, for each billing cycle in which a service interruption occurs, to reduce the amount of any fixed charges, which charges are not tied to a customer's electricity usage, on a customer's monthly bill by an amount proportionate to the length of time that a customer was without electric service due to a service interruption. Under the bill, "service interruption" means the cessation of electricity service to a customer of an electric public utility. In addition, the bill requires an electric public utility to repair any damaged or otherwise defective street lights that are under the utility's jurisdiction or otherwise maintained by the utility within 10 business days of the utility receiving notice that a street light has been damaged or is otherwise defective. Under the bill, an electric public utility is prohibited from charging a customer for electric service to the street light until the repair has been completed.
AI Summary
This bill requires electric public utilities in New Jersey to provide financial relief to customers during power outages and address street light maintenance. Specifically, the bill prohibits electric utilities from charging customers for electricity usage during a service interruption and mandates that fixed charges on monthly bills be proportionally reduced based on the duration of the power outage. Additionally, the bill requires utilities to repair damaged or defective street lights within 10 business days of being notified of the issue, and prevents the utility from charging customers for electricity or fixed charges related to the street light until it is repaired. The bill defines key terms such as "electric public utility" as a utility that transmits and distributes electricity to end users, and "service interruption" as the cessation of electric service to a customer. These provisions aim to protect consumers from being billed for services they are not receiving and ensure timely maintenance of public infrastructure.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 10/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4697 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S5000/4697_I1.HTM |
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