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S 3845

Prohibits residential landlords from charging tenants a fee for a dishonored rent check in excess of the actual costs or fees incurred by such landlord as a result thereof

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Requires New Jersey BPU to weigh ratepayer affordability when judging electric base-rate increases, guiding decisions on what customers pay.

SUBSTITUTED BY A56B
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Bill Summary · S 3845

Summary — S.3845

Status: SUBSTITUTED BY A56B
Introduced: October 28, 2024
Primary sponsor: Sen. Brad Hoylman‑Sigal

Note on document sources: the bill packet provided contains conflicting material. The bill title and header describe a landlord/tenant prohibition on excess dishonored‑check fees, while the official "Introduced Version" text (and printed/committee activity) corresponds to a different measure that would require the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to consider ratepayer affordability when evaluating electric utility base‑rate increases. S.3845 was later substituted by A56B. This summary focuses on the introduced text (affordability and electric rates) and also notes the alternate title for transparency.

Purpose / Intent (Introduced Version)

To require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to include consideration of “affordability to ratepayers” as a factor when determining whether proposed electric utility base‑rate increases (or other rate changes) are just and reasonable.

Key provisions (Introduced Version)

  • Amends the standards applied under R.S.48:2‑21, R.S.48:2‑21.1, and section 31 of P.L.1962, c.198 (C.48:2‑21.2) so that the BPU, in determining whether proposed electric rates are just and reasonable, must consider affordability to ratepayers in addition to existing factors (e.g., rate base, expenses, rate of return).
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.
  • Applies to petitions submitted to the BPU under the cited statutes on or after the date of enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Electric public utilities filing base‑rate cases before the BPU.
  • Residential, commercial and industrial electric ratepayers (the bill adds affordability as an express consideration in rate proceedings).
  • The Board of Public Utilities (procedural and substantive review standards).

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced in the NJ Senate on 2024‑10‑28; referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee.
  • Subsequent committee referrals to Judiciary and multiple amendments/prints recorded (S.3845A, S.3845B).
  • Advanced to third reading (6/4/2025).
  • 2025‑06‑12: SUBSTITUTED BY A56B (the Assembly substitute is now the vehicle reported).

Notes and potential impact

  • Adding “affordability” formally as a factor makes the BPU’s rate review explicitly consider rate impacts on customers when weighing whether a utility’s requested increases are just and reasonable. That could influence the outcome of rate cases, settlements, amortizations, or rate design decisions.
  • The final policy effect depends on implementing guidance, evidentiary standards, and how courts interpret and BPU applies the affordability factor relative to traditional utility cost‑of‑service principles.
  • Separately, the bill packet’s title refers to limiting residential landlords’ dishonored‑check fees; that appears to be a mismatched metadata entry and is not reflected in the introduced text summarized above. Users should consult the legislative history and the text of A56B (the substitute) for the final enacted language.

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

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