ASSEMBLY, No. 2663
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 14, 2022
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman ANGELICA M. JIMENEZ
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Assemblyman REGINALD W. ATKINS
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 10, 2022, with amendments.
An Act concerning energy assistance and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, every household in the State that is eligible to receive 1[low-income home energy assistance benefits issued under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), established pursuant to Pub.L. 97-35, Title XXVI (42 U.S.C. s.8621 et seq.)]benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) established pursuant to the “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.)1 shall receive a minimum annual energy assistance payment of $211[. This annual payment shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the LIHEAP program. Any costs associated with increasing LIHEAP payments shall first be charged to the unexpended balance of federal funds available for the LIHEAP program, to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation.] 1in order to qualify the household for a heating and cooling standard utility allowance under the SNAP program, in accordance with 7 U.S.C. s.2014(e)(6)(C), unless a standard utility allowance would have been unavailable to the household under the State and federal criteria for SNAP and any applicable energy assistance programs that were in place as of July 1, 2013.1.
2. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, shall adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.