ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1725

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1725.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires certain telecommunications, cable television, and public utility service providers to notify the Division of Customer Assistance in the Board of Public Utilities, in writing, of any pending service discontinuance due to an unpaid bill at least 14 business days prior to discontinuing service to any property owned or operated by a board of education, local government unit, or State agency.  The notice is to include the name of the customer of record, the location of the premises, the amount owed, a statement of account including payment history, the method of and attempts made for negotiation and resolution, and the scheduled service discontinuance date.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to require a telecommunications, cable television, and public utility service provider to notify, in writing, the Division of Customer Assistance in the Board of Public Utilities at least 14 business days prior to discontinuing service to any property owned or operated by a board of education, local government unit, or State agency.  The notice is to include the information as stated above.