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Bill > S1248
NJ S1248
NJ S1248Requires municipalities to provide certain information to property owners served by municipal water systems.
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 would require municipalities providing water services to property owners through either a water district or a municipal water or sewer utility, or water and sewer utility, to provide each property owner with written terms and conditions of receiving services from the water district or utility. The written terms and conditions shall include, but shall not be limited to, the financial responsibility of the property owner for payment of services from the water district or utility, and the level of responsibility of the water district or utility, and the property owner, for the maintenance, repair, or installation of new or existing service lines, or any other physical connection to the real property for receiving services from the water district or utility. The bill requires that the written terms and conditions be posted on the municipality's website, if one exists, and also be mailed to each property owner annually, together with the first billing statement of the year. Thereafter, when a property changes ownership, the written terms and conditions are to be mailed to the new owner or owners within 45 days of the date of the change in ownership. The purpose of this bill is to provide transparency for property owners in their dealings with water districts and municipal utilities. In many cases, property owners are presented with substantial bills for repairs to leaky pipes that connect their properties to these water systems and are not aware of their financial responsibility for these repairs. This bill is intended to rectify this problem through the requirement that all property owners be advised of the terms and conditions of receiving services from these municipal entities, and the financial responsibilities attendant to the receipt of these services.
AI Summary
This bill requires municipalities that provide water services through water districts or municipal water and sewer utilities to provide property owners with written terms and conditions for receiving these services, which will be a separate document from any municipal ordinance. These terms must clearly outline the property owner's financial responsibility for services and specify who is responsible for the maintenance, repair, or installation of service lines connecting to their property. This information must be posted on the municipality's website, if available, and mailed annually to property owners with their first bill, and also sent to new owners within 45 days of a property sale, aiming to increase transparency regarding costs and responsibilities, especially concerning unexpected repair bills.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs 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/S1248 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1248_I1.HTM |
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