ASSEMBLY, No. 5513 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 221st LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED MARCH 24, 2025
ASSEMBLY, No. 5513
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MARCH 24, 2025
Sponsored by: Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester) Assemblyman DAN HUTCHISON District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester) SYNOPSIS Directs BPU to establish public information campaign concerning public utility meter inspection and calibration. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced.
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman DAN HUTCHISON
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Directs BPU to establish public information campaign concerning public utility meter inspection and calibration.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act requiring the establishment of a public information campaign concerning utility meter inspection and calibration and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill): "Board" means the Board of Public Utilities or any successor agency. "Electric public utility" means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes electricity to end users within the State. "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 the State. "Water public utility" means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that transports and provides water to end users within the State. b. The Board of Public Utilities shall establish and implement a public information campaign to inform electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility customers about utility meter inspection and calibration, including information concerning: (1) the requirements of utility meter calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing, including how often meters are required to be tested and calibrated and which entities are authorized to test and calibrate utility meters; (2) the procedures available to electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility customers who wish to dispute a meter reading or a utility bill, including the timelines and methods for initiating disputes; (3) the availability of independent verification of meter accuracy through the board and third-party entities in compliance with existing regulations; and (4) any other information the board deems necessary. c. The public information campaign shall include, but not be limited to, the preparation, publication, and distribution of information through the board's and the electric public utilities', gas public utilities', and water public utilities' Internet websites, booklets, pamphlets, or other pertinent materials. The information shall be made available in English and Spanish. The board shall also provide a toll-free telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or make an inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric public utilities, gas public utilities, and water public utilities utility. 2. The Board of Public Utilities may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). 3. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and implement a public information campaign to inform electric, gas, and water public utility customers about utility meter inspection and calibration, as well as the process for disputing a utility bill. The public information campaign is required to provide customers with information including: (1) the requirements of utility meter calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing, including how often meters are required to be tested and calibrated, which entities are authorized to test and calibrate utility meters; (2) the procedures available to electric, gas, and water public utility customers who wish to dispute a meter reading or a utility bill, including the timelines and methods for initiating disputes; (3) the availability of independent verification of meter accuracy through the board and third-party entities in compliance with existing regulations; and (4) any other information the board deems necessary. The public information campaign is also to include, but not be limited to, the preparation, publication, and distribution of information through the board's and the electric, gas, and water public utilities' Internet websites, booklets, pamphlets, or other pertinent materials. The information is to be made available in English and Spanish. The board is to also provide a toll-free telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or make an inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric, gas, and water public utility bills.
An Act requiring the establishment of a public information campaign concerning utility meter inspection and calibration and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
"Board" means the Board of Public Utilities or any successor agency.
"Electric public utility" means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes electricity to end users within the State.
"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 the State.
"Water public utility" means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that transports and provides water to end users within the State.
b. The Board of Public Utilities shall establish and implement a public information campaign to inform electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility customers about utility meter inspection and calibration, including information concerning:
(1) the requirements of utility meter calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing, including how often meters are required to be tested and calibrated and which entities are authorized to test and calibrate utility meters;
(2) the procedures available to electric public utility, gas public utility, and water public utility customers who wish to dispute a meter reading or a utility bill, including the timelines and methods for initiating disputes;
(3) the availability of independent verification of meter accuracy through the board and third-party entities in compliance with existing regulations; and
(4) any other information the board deems necessary.
c. The public information campaign shall include, but not be limited to, the preparation, publication, and distribution of information through the board's and the electric public utilities', gas public utilities', and water public utilities' Internet websites, booklets, pamphlets, or other pertinent materials. The information shall be made available in English and Spanish. The board shall also provide a toll-free telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or make an inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric public utilities, gas public utilities, and water public utilities utility.
2. The Board of Public Utilities may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and implement a public information campaign to inform electric, gas, and water public utility customers about utility meter inspection and calibration, as well as the process for disputing a utility bill. The public information campaign is required to provide customers with information including: (1) the requirements of utility meter calibration and the procedures for ensuring accurate billing, including how often meters are required to be tested and calibrated, which entities are authorized to test and calibrate utility meters; (2) the procedures available to electric, gas, and water public utility customers who wish to dispute a meter reading or a utility bill, including the timelines and methods for initiating disputes; (3) the availability of independent verification of meter accuracy through the board and third-party entities in compliance with existing regulations; and (4) any other information the board deems necessary.
The public information campaign is also to include, but not be limited to, the preparation, publication, and distribution of information through the board's and the electric, gas, and water public utilities' Internet websites, booklets, pamphlets, or other pertinent materials. The information is to be made available in English and Spanish. The board is to also provide a toll-free telephone number for customers to obtain additional information or make an inquiry regarding a meter, meter readings, or disputed electric, gas, and water public utility bills.