ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5442

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 5, 2025

      The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5442.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires members of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to have certain experience and complete certain training.  Under the bill, at least two members of the BPU are required to have a minimum of three years of professional experience in: energy policy; energy infrastructure; public utility regulation; public utility management or operations; environmental policy related to energy and public utilities; telecommunications or broadband infrastructure; economic growth; land-use planning; or labor and workforce training.  Additionally, at least one member of the BPU is required to have a minimum of three years of professional experience in: consumer advocacy; ratepayer representation; or public interest regulation.

      To the maximum extent possible, the bill requires members of the BPU to reside in diverse geographical areas throughout the State, including urban, suburban, and rural areas.

      The bill requires members of the BPU to complete a minimum of 12 hours of training, on an annual basis, in one or more subject areas as described in the bill.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to expand the list of subject areas in which at least two of the members of the board are required to have a minimum of three years of professional experience.  These additional subject areas are economic growth, land-use planning, and labor and workforce training.