This bill aims to protect public utility customers in New Jersey by prohibiting public utilities from imposing certain surcharges and fees. Specifically, it forbids public utilities from assessing a surcharge on any customer, as well as fees for customers who choose not to enroll in automatic payment systems or opt for paperless statements. The bill defines a surcharge as an additional charge that utilities impose to cover the costs associated with third-party payment processing services.

The legislation is designed to ensure that customers who prefer traditional payment methods or paper statements are not penalized with extra fees. By eliminating these charges, the bill seeks to promote fairness and accessibility in utility billing practices. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.