[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2956

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED MARCH 24, 2014

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA

District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman  VINCENT PRIETO

District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)

Assemblyman  GARY S. SCHAER

District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  MILA M. JASEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen McKeon, Benson, Assemblywomen Tucker, Spencer, Senators Turner, Vitale, Lesniak, Weinberg, Pou, Gordon, Ruiz, Assemblymen Wimberly, Danielsen, Assemblywomen Pintor Marin, Lampitt and Assemblyman Gusciora

SYNOPSIS

     Provides $21 minimum annual energy assistance to qualified families; qualifies families to receive additional nutritional assistance.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on June 23, 2014, with amendments.

An Act concerning nutrition and 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 ²[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.)² shall receive a minimum annual ²energy assistance² payment of $21 ¹[, or such amount as required by federal law,]¹ in order to qualify the household for a ²heating and cooling² standard utility allowance under the ²[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) established pursuant to Pub. L. 95-113, Title XIII (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.) and administered by the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services] 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, 2013².  This annual payment shall be disbursed ²[by the Department of Community Affairs]² in accordance with the provisions of the ²[LIHEAP program] Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), established pursuant to Pub.L. 97-35, Title XXVI (42 U.S.C. s.8621 et seq.) or other energy assistance program for which the household is eligible, as applicable.  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 regulation².

     2.    The Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with 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.