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Bill

Bill

A 653

Prohibits municipal corporations from adopting local laws, ordinances, regulations, or policies that prohibit certain utility services from being delivered based on the type or source of energy

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 19 co-sponsors

Preempts local bans on utility service by energy type or source; requires cities to deliver services without discrimination by energy, ensuring universal access.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 653

Bill A-653 — Summary

Overview

Bill A-653 would prohibit municipal corporations from adopting local laws, ordinances, regulations, or policies that prohibit the delivery of certain utility services based on the type or source of energy. In short, it aims to prevent local restrictions on providing energy-related services to customers because of the energy source or technology used.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibition: No municipal corporation may adopt or enforce a local law, ordinance, regulation, or policy that prohibits the delivery of utility services to any person based on the type or source of energy used or proposed.
  • Scope: The prohibition is targeted at local actions by municipalities but the exact definitions of “utility services” and the energy types/sources are not specified in the provided summary.
  • Effect: If enacted, the bill would restrict local governments from banning or restricting service delivery on the basis of energy type or source, thereby limiting potential local energy-restriction policies.

Affected Parties

  • Municipal corporations (cities, towns, villages) would be constrained from enacting energy-based service prohibitions.
  • Utility providers operating within municipalities would be affected insofar as local policies could no longer bar or condition service delivery by energy type/source.
  • Residents and businesses seeking utility services would be indirectly affected, aiming to ensure continued access regardless of energy type or source.

Legislative Status and Timeline

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025
  • Current status: Referred to the Committee on Local Governments
  • Legislative actions recorded: Referred to Local Governments (on January 8, 2025; appears twice in the record)

Sponsors

  • Primary Sponsor: William A. Barclay
  • Notable cosponsors include: John Lemondes, Matthew Simpson, Brian Manktelow, Angelo J. Morinello, Jeff Gallahan, Paula Bologna, Chris Tague, Joe DeStefano, Doug Smith, Karl Brabenec, Brian D. Miller, Andrea Bailey, Joe Angelino, Philip Palmesano, Matthew Slater, Mary Beth Walsh, Kenneth Blankenbush, Stephen Hawley (along with numerous additional cosponsors listed)

Related Legislation

  • A 8436 (prior-session)
  • A 3836 (prior-session)
  • S 2573 (companion bills)

Potential Impact and Policy Considerations

  • Policy alignment: The bill preempts local authority to restrict utility service delivery based on energy type or source, which could limit local clean-energy or fossil-fuel-reduction initiatives.
  • Energy access: May enhance uniform access to utility services across municipalities, reducing the chance of local “energy bans” affecting customers.
  • Local control vs. state preemption: Balances municipal autonomy with statewide consistency in utility service provision.
  • Fiscal and administrative effects: Potentially reduces local regulatory complexity, but could shift focus to state-level energy policy oversight.

This summary covers the essential purpose, provisions, affected parties, and procedural status based on the available information.

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

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