Bill

A 5377

"Joe Piscopo Utility Emergency Call Center Act of 2025"; requires percentage of electric and gas public utilities' emergency call centers to be located within NJ.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth

Requires electric and gas utilities to maintain 40% of emergency call center operations in New Jersey to boost local outage response.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee

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Bill Summary · A 5377

Bill Summary: A 5377 — Joe Piscopo Utility Emergency Call Center Act of 2025

Overview

A 5377 introduces the Joe Piscopo Utility Emergency Call Center Act of 2025. The bill would require electric and gas public utilities to maintain a specified share of their emergency call center operations within New Jersey. It is currently introduced in the New Jersey Assembly and referred to committees for consideration.

Purpose and intent

To ensure a substantial portion of emergency call center operations for electric and gas utilities are located within New Jersey.
Aims to improve local emergency responsiveness and customer service during outages or emergencies by maintaining in-state call center operations.

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).
- Gas public utility: a public utility that distributes gas to end users in New Jersey (per R.S. 48:2-13).
- Emergency call center: a facility or operation that handles incoming calls, emails, or other communications for customer assistance or related services, including during emergencies.
Requirement:
- Each electric public utility and each gas public utility must maintain 40 percent of its emergency call center operations within New Jersey.
Effective date:
- The act would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Scope and applicability

Applies to all electric public utilities and all gas public utilities operating within New Jersey, as defined by the statute references above.
Focus is specifically on emergency call center operations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the Assembly on February 13, 2025.
Referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on February 13, 2025, and subsequently to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (by February 27, 2025).
Related companion bill: S 3943 (Senate).

Potential impact

Operational: Utilities may need to adjust locations of call centers or establish in-state operations to meet the 40% threshold.
Economic: Could affect capital and operating costs, employment distribution, and facility planning for utilities.
Customer service: Potentially improved responsiveness during outages due to greater in-state presence.

Related legislation

Companion: S 3943

This summary provides the essential information about the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential effects based on the introduced text and legislative actions to date.

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