This bill mandates that electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey cannot charge residential customers who are enrolled in a budget billing plan for utility services during periods when their service is interrupted due to damage from a major emergency event. A major emergency event is defined as any significant natural or human-caused occurrence that disrupts service to at least five percent of customers or leads to a state of emergency declaration. The bill specifies that the prohibition on charging customers remains in effect until their service is restored.

Additionally, while the bill prevents utilities from charging for service during the interruption, it allows for the collection of payments for services rendered prior to the major emergency event. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is tasked with enforcing this prohibition, ensuring that affected customers are not financially burdened during such emergencies. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.