ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 804

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 12, 2026

      The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 804.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to report to the Governor and the Legislature in January and October of each year on the revenues and expenditures related to the societal benefits charge.

      The bill requires the report to include, for the five most recently completed fiscal years and the current fiscal year, information concerning the total revenues generated by the societal benefits charge in each fiscal year, as well as an itemized statement of the amount of societal benefits charge revenues allocated, committed for expenditure, and expended for:  (1) all energy demand side management programs, energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy improvements; (2) energy assistance programs supported through the Universal Service Fund; and (3) incentive programs supported through the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Incentive Fund.  The report is also required to include information concerning the amount of societal benefits charge revenues expended by each electric public utility and gas public utility for any other program or purpose not specifically listed within the bill.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to: 

      (1)  require the board to prepare the reports on the societal benefits charge and provide the reports to the Governor and the Legislature in January and October of each year instead of requiring the Governor to include the report within the Governor’s annual budget message;

      (2)  clarify the report is to also include an itemized statement of the amount of societal benefits charge revenues expended by each electric public utility and gas public utility for any other program or purpose not specifically listed within the bill;

      (3)  update the bill’s title and synopsis; and

      (4)  make technical changes.