New Jersey Assembly Bill A5494

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/24/25
• Refer: 3/24/25

Caption

Prohibits public utilities from imposing surcharge on certain payment transactions.

Impact

If enacted, A5494 will have significant implications for both public utilities and consumers. It is designed to enhance consumer rights by ensuring that they are not charged extra fees for utilizing alternative payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, or automated telephone payments. This could lead to greater satisfaction among customers as they gain more options without incurring additional costs, potentially reshaping the way public utilities approach payment processing and customer service.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5494, introduced in New Jersey's 221st Legislature, aims to protect consumers by prohibiting public utilities from imposing additional surcharges on customers who opt not to enroll in automatic payment plans. The bill clearly defines a 'surcharge' as any additional fee added to a base charge for the services provided, specifically to recover costs associated with third-party payment processing services. This legislation targets consumers who utilize alternative payment methods, ensuring that they are not penalized financially for their payment choices.

Contention

Discussions surrounding the bill may involve points of contention regarding the operational and financial implications for public utilities. These entities might express concerns about absorbing the costs previously covered by surcharges, which could impact their revenue models and overall service pricing. Stakeholders may argue the merits of maintaining consumer protections against the financial sustainability concerns of the utilities, potentially leading to a broader dialogue on regulation and consumer rights in utility services.