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Bill > S2670
NJ S2670
NJ S2670Prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits an electric, gas, or water public utility (utility) from discontinuing service to a residential customer for utility bill nonpayment during an epidemic, such as during the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, except when the utility experiences a utility emergency. A utility is to resume service, as soon as practicable, during an epidemic, to any residential customer whose service was discontinued prior to the existence of an epidemic and who is located at the same residence where the service was discontinued prior to the epidemic. This prohibition is no longer to apply once the Governor declares a public health emergency and a state of emergency due to the epidemic no longer exists. The bill provides that a residential customer who does not pay in full a utility bill on or before the date the bill is due during an epidemic is liable for any bill payment balance for service rendered by the public utility once the Governor determines that the epidemic no longer exists. The bill defines the terms "epidemic," "residential customer." and "utility emergency."
AI Summary
This bill prohibits electric, gas, or water public utilities from shutting off service to residential customers for non-payment during an epidemic, which is defined as a widespread disease outbreak declared by the Governor as a public health and state of emergency, unless the utility faces a "utility emergency" (a situation posing a danger to life, health, or property requiring immediate service interruption). The bill also requires utilities to restore service to any residential customer whose service was disconnected before the epidemic began, as soon as possible, at the same residence. This protection ends once the Governor declares the epidemic over and rescinds the related emergencies, at which point customers will be responsible for any unpaid bills accumulated during the epidemic.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S2670 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2670_I1.HTM |
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