Bill
Bill > S397
NJ S397
NJ S397Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages.
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 requires an electric, gas, and water public utility (utility) to develop and implement a plan to notify customers that opt into receiving such information about service outages in duration of one hour or longer. The utility is to provide notifications in a format requested by the customer, which format may include an autodialed telephone call (robocall), text message, or electronic mail alert service maintained by the utility. The notifications are to include information such as: the location and estimated length of the service outage; contact information for the utility and emergency services; information on how to report any other service problem related to the service outage; and any relevant updates as the situation progresses. The bill also allows appropriate State, county, and municipal entities to disseminate information made available by a utility.
AI Summary
This bill requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to create and use a plan to inform customers who choose to receive these alerts about service outages lasting an hour or longer, with notifications delivered in the customer's preferred format, such as an autodialed telephone call (a "robocall" that uses pre-recorded messages), text message, or email. These alerts must include details like the outage's location and expected duration, contact information for the utility and emergency services, instructions on reporting other related issues, and any updates. Additionally, government agencies like the Office of Emergency Management and State Police are permitted to share this outage information. A "service outage" is defined as a disruption of service not caused by the customer's failure to pay their bills.
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/S397 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/397_I1.HTM |
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