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S 4813

Establishes the crimes of aggravated threat of mass harm in the first degree and aggravated threat of mass harm in the second degree

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Ryan

Prohibits solar subscription fees from community solar bills; utilities must remove any such fees from subscribers’ consolidated electric bills to enhance transparency.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4813

Summary of S 4813 (New Jersey)

Note: The header of the bill text references “aggravated threat of mass harm,” but the introduced version provided entirely concerns community solar billing. The summary below reflects the introduced content about prohibiting solar subscription fees within the community solar program.

Overview and intent

S 4813 directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the Board) to prohibit the collection of solar subscription fees within the state’s community solar program. The bill requires electric public utilities to develop and implement a process to remove any solar subscription fee from a community solar subscriber’s electric bill. The aim is to increase bill transparency and ensure subscribers are not paying separate subscription fees to subscriber organizations through their consolidated electric bills.

Key provisions

  • Definitions (to be used in the section):

    • Board: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities or successor.
    • Community solar program: Program established by the Board under the relevant statute.
    • Subscriber: A person who participates in a community solar project by paying for capacity or energy.
    • Electric public utility: As defined by statute.
    • Solar subscription fee: Any fee or charge on a subscriber’s consolidated bill paid to a subscriber organization.
    • Subscriber organization: An entity registered with the Board that participates in the program (acquires original and replacement subscribers or manages subscribers).

  • Prohibition and implementation:

    • The Board must require each electric public utility to develop and implement a method to remove any solar subscription fee from a subscriber’s electric bill.
    • The bill defines “solar subscription fee” specifically as any fee paid to a subscriber organization.

  • Administrative rules:

    • The Board must adopt rules and regulations, under the Administrative Procedure Act, to implement these provisions.

  • Effective date:

    • The act is to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Affected entities

  • Electric public utilities operating in New Jersey that participate in the community solar program.
  • Subscriber organizations registered with the Board.
  • Community solar subscribers (bill payers) who participate in or benefit from community solar projects.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to Codes (and introduced in the Senate on November 6, 2025; committee assignment noted as Senate Economic Growth).
  • Legislative history:
    • Referred to Codes on February 13, 2025 (listed actions show two references).
    • Introduced in the Senate on November 6, 2025; sponsor listed as Christopher Ryan (primary).
  • Related bills: Companion and related legislation include A 6019, S 8795 (prior-session), A 8457 (prior-session), and A 1092 (companion).

Potential impact

  • Substantive impact: Removes the practice of collecting solar subscription fees through the electric utility bill via subscriber organizations, potentially reducing total charges visible to subscribers and increasing transparency.
  • Financial implications: Subscriber organizations may face changes in billing flows and revenues; utilities will adjust billing systems to remove the subscription fee line item.
  • Program compatibility: Aligns with program rules under P.L. 2018, c. 17 and the current community solar framework.

Note: The bill’s stated purpose, and the content in the introduced version align around consumer protection and cleaner bill presentation for community solar participants.

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

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