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A 5463

Authorizes municipalities in the county of Orange to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs and fines to such municipalities' annual tax levy

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Eachus and 1 co-sponsor

Electric public utilities in NJ must annually report to the BPU their recorded PJM votes (and affiliates), with meeting details and how the votes advance state energy goals.

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Bill Summary · A 5463

Summary — Assembly Bill A5463 (A5463A) — PJM Voting Reporting by Electric Public Utilities

Status: Enacted P.L.2025, c.129 (approved Aug. 15, 2025)
Introduced: March 17, 2025 | Sponsors: Asm. Jonathan Jacobson; Co-sponsor: Asm. Christopher Eachus
Companion: S4363

Purpose

Require greater public accountability and transparency by having electric public utilities report annually to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) on recorded votes they (and their affiliates) cast at meetings of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) — including committees, user groups, task forces, and similar bodies. The intent is to disclose how utilities vote on matters that can affect ratepayers and whether those votes align with State energy goals.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:
    • “Electric public utility” — a public utility that transmits and distributes electricity to end users in New Jersey (per R.S.48:2‑13).
    • “Affiliate” — any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the utility.
    • “Meeting” — any PJM committee, user group, task force, or similar body.
    • “Recorded vote” — any vote tabulated (individually or by industry sector) at a meeting, regardless of whether it represents a final position or whether the voter has decision‑making authority; includes endorsements by acclamation when the utility was present.
  • Annual reporting requirement:
    • Each electric public utility must file with the BPU by February 1 each year a report covering recorded votes cast during the immediately preceding calendar year.
    • Report must: (1) list each recorded vote by the utility and its affiliates at PJM meetings; (2) briefly describe what transpired at the meeting (purpose, agenda if any, and the utility’s/affiliate’s role); and (3) explain whether/how each vote furthers State goals prioritizing affordability, reliability, and sustainability of electricity, and furthers the purposes of specified State laws (including P.L.1999, c.23; P.L.2007, c.340; and the Global Warming Response Act).
  • BPU obligations:
    • Summarize the received reports and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature.
    • As amended, BPU must also provide copies of the individual utility reports to the Governor and Legislature.
    • Adopt any needed implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective Date: Immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Electric public utilities that transmit and distribute electricity to New Jersey end users, and their affiliates — required to prepare and file the reports.
  • BPU — responsible for collecting reports, preparing summaries, maintaining records, and rulemaking.
  • PJM bodies — their meeting activities and voting by member participants will be subject to additional public reporting requirements as they relate to NJ utilities.
  • Ratepayers, legislators, and the public — stand to gain increased transparency into utilities’ positions on regional market and reliability matters.

Procedural / Timeline notes

  • Reports due annually by February 1, covering the prior calendar year.
  • BPU to adopt rules as necessary to set form and manner of filings.
  • The law was passed by both houses (final Assembly vote 63–16–1; Senate 29–8) and approved into law Aug. 15, 2025 (P.L.2025, c.129).

Potential impacts

  • Increases transparency about utilities’ participation in PJM decision‑making and how their votes relate to State energy objectives.
  • Creates modest administrative/reporting obligations for utilities and oversight duties for BPU.
  • Provides legislators, regulators, and the public information to evaluate whether regional voting by utilities aligns with New Jersey policy goals; it does not itself change PJM voting rights, utility authorities, or impose penalties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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