This bill amends R.S.48:19-18 to prohibit water companies from imposing more than one charge or fee per fire hydrant on any periodic bill for fire departments, fire districts, or volunteer fire companies. The new legal language specifies that no tariff shall be approved that allows for multiple charges for the use of fire hydrants, ensuring that these entities are not overburdened with fees. Additionally, the bill maintains that water companies can still require separate dedicated service lines for fire protection and may meter these lines, without altering existing maintenance and repair liabilities.

The bill also includes provisions that prevent the imposition of standby fees for residential customers with smaller water service lines and limits fees for sprinkler systems in certain residential health care facilities and boarding houses to the actual cost of water used. This legislation aims to provide financial relief to fire service entities while ensuring that water companies can still manage their infrastructure effectively. The act will take effect immediately but will remain inoperative for 60 days following its enactment.