This bill mandates that electric public utilities in New Jersey develop and submit a response plan to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for managing major emergency events that disrupt service. The plan must include provisions for training municipal emergency management coordinators and designated public works employees to safely move and secure detached, above-ground distribution lines that obstruct vehicular traffic. Additionally, the utilities are required to provide necessary equipment for this task and ensure real-time communication with the utility until a utility employee can reattach the line.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that utilities must indemnify and defend municipalities and their designated employees against claims related to injuries or damages incurred while performing these duties. It also requires utilities to reimburse municipalities for the time spent by designated employees in these efforts, at a minimum rate of half their hourly wage or the equivalent rate for volunteer services. The BPU will review and approve these plans, and if it does not act within 60 days, the plan will be automatically approved.