SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 2129

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 14, 2018

 

      The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2129.

      As reported, this bill provides that beginning in the 2019 State fiscal year, the Board of Public Utilities (board) is to dedicate $25 million from available balances collected through the societal benefits charge, to provide grants to help pay the electric and gas public utility (utility) bills of households seeking temporary assistance from a Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organization.

      Within one year after the board completes the disbursement of the $25 million in grant monies to the Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organization, the organization is to issue a report to the board providing the number of applicants applying for household utility assistance grants, the number of households receiving utility assistance grants, the average amount of assistance provided, the average gross income of households receiving assistance, the methods and procedures used for the verification of income or hardship, and any other information the board requires.

      The provisions of this bill are to expire on the 30th day after the submission of the report to the Governor and the Legislature.