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Bill > A1254
NJ A1254
NJ A1254Prohibits adoption of any State rule or regulation mandating electric heating or water heating systems in buildings prior to issuance of DCA report.
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 prohibit the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), or any other State agency from adopting rules and regulations that mandate the use of electric heating systems or electric water heating systems as the sole or primary means of heating buildings or providing hot water to buildings, including, but not limited to, residences or commercial buildings. The prohibition would remain in effect until the DCA issues a report on the costs and benefits of electric heating, as required by the bill. The bill would not prohibit a State agency from offering incentives for the voluntary installation or use of an electric heating or electric water heating system. In addition, the bill would not prohibit a person from installing or using an electric heating system as the sole or primary means of heating a building or an electric water heating system as the sole or primary means of providing hot water to a building. The bill would require the DCA, in cooperation with the DEP and the BPU, to hold at least six public hearings throughout the State, within 18 months after the bill's enactment, to solicit information on topics related to the costs and benefits of electric heating systems and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from residential and commercial buildings in the State. The bill would then require the DCA, in consultation with the DEP and the BPU, to publish, within 24 months after the bill's enactment, a report that summarizes the information submitted at the public hearings held pursuant to the bill, and recommends legislative and regulatory actions. After the report is published, the bill's prohibition on regulatory actions to mandate the installation of electric heating systems or electric water heating systems would expire.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits state agencies, including the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), from mandating the use of electric heating or electric water heating systems as the sole or primary method for heating buildings or providing hot water until the DCA releases a comprehensive report on the costs and benefits of such systems. This prohibition is intended to allow for a thorough evaluation of the financial and environmental implications before any mandatory regulations are put in place. The bill does not prevent state agencies from offering incentives for the voluntary adoption of electric heating or water heating, nor does it stop individuals from choosing to install or use these systems on their own. To inform the required report, the DCA, in collaboration with the DEP and BPU, must hold at least six public hearings across the state within 18 months of the bill's enactment to gather input on various aspects, such as the costs of retrofitting buildings, the impact on electricity infrastructure and ratepayers, potential greenhouse gas emission reductions, and effects on workers in the fossil fuel industry. Following these hearings, the DCA will publish a report within 24 months, summarizing the findings and recommending future legislative and regulatory actions, after which the prohibition on mandating electric heating and water heating systems will expire.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Michael Inganamort (R)*,
Aura Dunn (R),
Dawn Fantasia (R),
Sean Kean (R),
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),
Alex Sauickie (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's 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/A1254 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1254_I1.HTM |
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