SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3329

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 13, 2022

      The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3329 (1R).

      As reported, this bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in consultation with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), to prepare and submit, within 30 days after the conclusion of a board proceeding concerning the response to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, to the Governor and to the Legislature, a written report that is to make findings and recommendations concerning the effects of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on local utility and public utility service to commercial and residential customers in New Jersey.

      The data collected from the BPU’s proceeding concerning the response to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic is to be posted on the BPU’s Internet website and updated monthly until 180 days after the date of the termination of the state of emergency declared on March 9, 2020 by the Governor, pursuant to Executive Order No. 103 and continued, where applicable, by subsequent executive orders. The data is to be formatted in a manner determined by the BPU and is to include certain information enumerated in the bill.

      The bill requires a public utility, within 21 days of the effective date of the bill and monthly thereafter, until 180 days after the termination of the state of emergency, to file with the BPU, in a form and manner determined by the BPU, the information required pursuant to the bill. A local utility is, within 21 days of the effective date of the bill and monthly thereafter, until 180 days after the termination of the state of emergency, to file with the DCA, in a form and manner determined by the BPU, the information required pursuant to the bill. The DCA is to provide this information to the BPU in a timely manner.

      The bill directs the BPU to provide on its Internet website the information required pursuant to the bill. The information provided on the Internet website is not to include personally identifiable information of any customer.

      The bill provides that, not more than 180 days after the date of the termination of the state of emergency declared on March 9, 2020 by the Governor, pursuant to Executive Order No. 103 and continued, where applicable, by subsequent executive orders, the BPU, in consultation with the DCA, is to continue to collect and compile, on a quarterly basis, information concerning local utility and public utility service and commercial and residential customer information, which is to include, but not be limited to, certain information enumerated in the bill. A public utility is to file with the BPU, in a form and manner determined by the BPU, the information required pursuant to the bill. A local utility is to file with the DCA, in a form and manner determined by the BPU, the information required pursuant to the bill. The DCA is to provide this information to the BPU in a timely manner.

      The bill requires the BPU to provide on its Internet website the information required pursuant to the bill simultaneously with the completion of each report, which is to be updated on a quarterly basis. The information provided on the Internet website is not to include personally identifiable information of any customer.

      As reported, Assembly Bill No. 3329 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 994, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.