Directs BPU to establish public information campaign concerning public utility meter inspection and calibration.

A1332

ASSEMBLY, No. 1332

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman DAN HUTCHISON

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA

District 34 (Essex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Directs BPU to establish public information campaign
concerning public utility meter inspection and calibration.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

An Act

requiring the establishment of a public
information campaign concerning utility meter inspection and calibration and
supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� a.� As used in
P.L. , c.
(C. )
(pending before the
Legislature as this bill):

���� �Board� means the Board of
Public Utilities or any successor agency.

���� �Electric public utility� means a public
utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes electricity
to end users within the State.

���� �Gas public utility� means a public utility, as
that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes gas to end users within
the State.

���� �Water public utility� means a
public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that transports and
provides water to end users within the State.

���� b.��� The Board of Public
Utilities shall establish and implement a public information campaign to inform
electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility customers
about utility meter inspection and calibration, including information concerning:

���� (1)�� the requirements of
utility meter calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing,
including how often meters are required to be tested and calibrated and which
entities are authorized to test and calibrate utility meters;

���� (2)�� the procedures available
to electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility
customers who wish to dispute a meter reading or a utility bill, including the
timelines and methods for initiating disputes;

���� (3)�� the availability of
independent verification of meter accuracy through the board and third-party
entities in compliance with existing regulations; and

���� (4)�� any other information
the board deems necessary.

���� c.���� The public information
campaign shall include, but not be limited to, the preparation, publication,
and distribution of information through the board�s and the electric public
utilities�, gas public utilities�, and water public utilities� Internet websites,
booklets, pamphlets, or other pertinent materials.� The information shall be
made available in English and Spanish.� The board shall also provide a
toll-free telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or
make an inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric public
utilities, gas public utilities, and water public utilities utility.

���� 2.��� The Board of Public
Utilities may adopt, pursuant to the �Administrative Procedure Act,� P.L.1968,
c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
implementation of P.L. , c. (C. )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires the Board
of Public Utilities (board) to establish and implement a public information
campaign to inform electric, gas, and water public utility customers about
utility meter inspection and calibration, as well as the process for disputing
a utility bill.� The public information campaign is required to provide
customers with information including: (1) the requirements of utility meter
calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing, including how
often meters are required to be tested and calibrated, which entities are
authorized to test and calibrate utility meters; (2) the procedures available
to electric, gas, and water public utility customers who wish to dispute a
meter reading or a utility bill, including the timelines and methods for
initiating disputes; (3) the availability of independent verification of meter
accuracy through the board and third-party entities in compliance with existing
regulations; and (4) any other information the board deems necessary.

���� The public information
campaign is also to include, but not be limited to, the preparation,
publication, and distribution of information through the board�s and the
electric, gas, and water public utilities� Internet websites, booklets,
pamphlets, or other pertinent materials.� The information is to be made
available in English and Spanish.� The board is to also provide a toll-free
telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or make an
inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric, gas, and water
public utility bills.