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Bill

S 4667

Prohibits certain public utilities from charging residents of multi-unit dwellings meter-reading fees in certain circumstances.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Benjie Wimberly

New Jersey bill prohibits utilities from charging meter-reading fees to multi-unit dwelling residents in specified situations, reducing recurring costs for apartment and condo dwellers.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4667

Legislative bill overview

S 4667 prohibits public utilities in New Jersey from charging meter-reading fees to residents of multi-unit dwellings (apartments, condos, etc.) under specified circumstances. The bill targets a practice where utilities charge individual residents for the cost of reading their meters, which can be a recurring monthly expense in buildings with multiple units.

Why is this important

For residents in multi-unit dwellings, meter-reading fees represent an additional utility cost that single-family homeowners typically don't face. These fees can add $5-15+ monthly per unit, creating a financial disparity between residents based on housing type rather than actual utility consumption. The bill addresses potential fairness concerns around utility billing practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost shifting: Utilities may argue that prohibiting meter-reading fees shifts infrastructure costs to other ratepayers or reduces revenue needed for system maintenance and upgrades
  • "Certain circumstances" vagueness: The bill's language around "certain circumstances" is undefined in this summary, leaving unclear which situations trigger the prohibition and which allow fees to continue
  • Multi-unit building variations: Different building types (large condos vs. small duplexes) and metering systems may have vastly different administrative costs, making a blanket prohibition potentially inequitable

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

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