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
Prohibits electric and gas public utility rate increases except in extraordinary circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning electric and gas public utility rates and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised States.
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.
“Electric public utility” means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that transmits and distributes electricity to end users within the State.
“Extraordinary circumstances” means a sudden, large-scale non-recurring event that significantly disrupts the operations of an electric public utility’s or gas public utility’s normal operations and ability to provide services in the State. “Extraordinary circumstances” include, but are not limited to, major natural disasters like a hurricane, severe earthquake, widespread flooding, or an unexpected power grid failure impacting a large area, causing widespread outages and requiring immediate, extensive response efforts beyond typical maintenance or repairs. “Extraordinary circumstances” include disasters or emergencies declared at the State or federal level.
“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 this State.
b. An electric public utility or gas public utility shall not increase its rates for residential customers in excess of five percent during any one-year period, unless required by extraordinary circumstances.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits an electric or gas public utility from increasing its rates for residential customers in excess of five percent during any one-year period, unless required by extraordinary circumstances.