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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill requires utilities to notify customers of rate-increase hearings and shifts public meetings to largest municipalities
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities CommitteeSponsor: Azzariti Jr., John V., M.D.
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What This Bill Would Do
Electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities in New Jersey must now provide direct customer notice of rate-increase hearings via service bills or mail and newspaper publications. The bill also requires rate-increase public hearings to be held in the most populous municipality of each affected county rather than a centrally located one, and mandates that utilities and the address public comments.
Utility customers gain direct notification of rate hike proceedings and guaranteed local public hearings in their county's most populous town, directly involving ratepayers in utility pricing decisions.
- The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities regulates rates and services for investor-owned gas, electric, water, and sewer utilities in the state. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public utility customers
Customers will receive direct written notices of utility rate-increase hearings on or with their service bills and gain guaranteed local public hearings in the most populous municipality of their county.
gas, electric, water, and sewer public utilities
Utilities must print or mail hearing notices to every customer, publish notices in local newspapers across affected counties, and host public hearings in specific large municipalities.
Board of Public Utilities
The board must enforce new notification rules, hold hearings in specified populous municipalities, and make reasonable efforts to address public comments received during hearings.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will utility customers be notified about proposed rate increases?
Which types of utilities are covered by this requirement?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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