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A4502 • 2026

Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.

Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Sauickie, Alex
Last action
2026-03-09
Official status
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.

Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.
  • Topic: Telecommunications and Utilities Fiscal note: This bill has not been certified by OLS for a fiscal note.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-09 New Jersey Legislature

    Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee

Official Summary Text

Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.
Topic:
Telecommunications and Utilities
Fiscal note:
This bill has not been certified by OLS for a fiscal note.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A4502

ASSEMBLY, No. 4502

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 9, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Scharfenberger

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its
final decision on rate increase filings.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act

concerning public information on public utility
rate increase filings 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 this
section:

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

���� �Public utility� or �utility�
has the same meaning as defined in R.S.48:2-13.

���� b.��� When the board issues a
board order with the board�s final decision regarding a public utility�s
petition to increase the utility�s individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge,
or schedule, the board shall include in the board order a plain language
summary of the board order.� At a minimum, the summary shall:�

���� (1)�� summarize the contents
of the utility�s petition;

���� (2)�� justify the board�s
final decision on the petition;

���� (3)�� state the petition�s
impact on affected customers, if any;

���� (4)�� list the utility�s
current individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule, the new
individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule, and the total amount of
the increase;

���� (5)�� state the utility�s rate
of return;

���� (6)�� if the increase is
implemented to recover the costs of infrastructure or other investments,
provide an expected period of time by which the utility plans to recover those
costs;

���� (7)�� state when the new
individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule will take effect; and

���� (8)�� include any other
information, as determined by the board.�

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

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires the Board
of Public Utilities to include in a board order with the board�s final decision
regarding a public utility�s petition to increase the utility�s individual
rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule a plain language summary of the
board order.� Under the bill, the summary is to include: (1) a summary of the
contents of the utility�s petition; (2) a justification for the board�s final
decision on the petition; (3) a statement of the petition�s impact on affected
customers, if any; (4) the utility�s current individual rate, joint rate, toll,
charge, or schedule, the new individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or
schedule, and the total amount of increase; (5) the utility�s rate of return;
(6) if the increase is implemented to recover the costs of infrastructure or
other investments, an expected period of time by which the utility plans to
recover those costs; (7) when the new individual rate, joint rate, toll,
charge, or schedule will take effect; and (8) any other information, as
determined by the board.�

���� With this bill, the sponsor
intends to ensure that consumers know what decisions are being made and how
those decisions impact their utility rates and payments, especially at a time
when utility rates are increasing.� Language currently used in board orders
makes it difficult for many consumers to fully understand the board orders�
impact.