This bill amends existing legislation to redirect unclaimed electric, gas, and water public utility deposits from the Unclaimed Utility Deposits Trust Fund to designated Statewide nonprofit public utility assistance organizations. These organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having a network of at least 200 partner organizations across all counties, a board of directors with a minimum of five utility representatives, and a customer service call center capable of assisting in at least 150 languages. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is responsible for designating these organizations and ensuring that the funds are used to provide temporary financial assistance to residential customers experiencing short-term difficulties in paying their utility bills.

Furthermore, the bill allocates $25 million from the societal benefits charge to fund grants for households seeking assistance with their utility bills. The designated nonprofit organizations are required to report on their activities, including the number of applicants and households receiving assistance, the average amount of aid provided, and the verification methods used for household income or hardship. The bill mandates that the assistance organization designated by the BPU must issue a report within 10 months of receiving grant funds and annually thereafter, detailing various metrics related to the assistance provided. The provisions of the bill are set to take effect immediately, with certain sections having staggered implementation dates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48:2-29.38, 48:2-29.39, 48:2-29.40, 48:2-29.41