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Bill

S 4354

Provides final discipline authority over civilian complaints to the civilian complaint review board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 5 co-sponsors

Prohibits surcharges for non-auto-pay customers who pay via listed one-time methods, forcing utilities to absorb processing costs; takes effect immediately.

REFERRED TO CITIES 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4354

Summary of Bill S 4354 (New Jersey)

Note on title vs. content: The bill’s listed title (“Provides final discipline authority over civilian complaints to the civilian complaint review board”) does not match the introduced text, which concerns public utility payment transactions and surcharges. The summary below reflects the introduced version content as provided.

Overview

  • Bill: S 4354
  • Introduced: May 12, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Senate Cities 1 (with prior listings showing an earlier referral)
  • Primary sponsor: Jamaal Bailey (with multiple cosponsors)
  • Related bills: Companion A 5494; S 5252; S 2108; A 126 (companion)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to regulate how public utilities impose charges related to payment processing. Specifically, it would prohibit surcharges when customers do not enroll in automatic payments and instead choose an alternative one-time form of payment.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions:

    • Public utility: As defined by R.S.48:2-13.
    • Surcharge: An additional amount added at the time of a payment transaction to recover the cost of third-party payment processing services.

  • Prohibition on Surcharges:

    • A public utility may not impose a surcharge on a customer who has not enrolled in automatic payments and who instead uses an alternative form of payment.
    • Approved alternative forms of payment (one-time payments) include: 1) Online credit card transaction 2) Online debit card transaction 3) Automated telephone system 4) Direct withdrawal from the customer’s bank account

  • Effect:

    • The bill seeks to limit or eliminate surcharges for non-auto-pay customers who pay via specified alternative methods.

  • Effective date:

    • Immediate effect upon enactment (the act states it shall take effect immediately).

Who/What is Affected

  • Public utilities regulated under Title 48 of the Revised Statutes (as defined in R.S.48:2-13) operating in New Jersey.
  • Customers who have not enrolled in automatic payments but choose alternative one-time payment methods listed above.
  • Public utilities’ payment processing cost recovery practices, particularly those relying on surcharges to offset third-party processing fees.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Initial Introduction and Referrals:
    • Introduced in the Senate on May 12, 2025.
    • Referred to Senate Cities 1 (with earlier entries indicating a prior referral to another committee, and later to Senate Economic Growth).
  • Movement:
    • As of the introduced version, the bill has been referred to committees for consideration; no floor vote information is provided.
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Jamaal Bailey
    • Cosponsors: Gustavo Rivera, Robert Jackson, Julia Salazar, Leroy Comrie, Jabari Brisport

Practical Considerations and Implications

  • Financial Impact on Utilities:

    • Utilities may be required to bear the costs of third-party payment processing that would otherwise be recovered via surcharges for non-auto-pay customers.
    • Could influence pricing structures, rate design, or internal cost allocations if surcharges are eliminated or limited.

  • Customer Behavior:

    • The bill could encourage auto-pay enrollment by removing a potential surcharge for non-auto-pay customers using certain payment methods.

  • Administrative Considerations:

    • Utilities would need to ensure compliance with the prohibition across billing systems and confirm that only permitted payment methods are treated as non-surcharge transactions.
    • Clarification may be needed on whether other payment methods (not listed) are subject to surcharges.

Summary

S 4354 would prohibit surcharges on non-auto-pay customers who pay via specified alternative methods, redefining how public utilities recover processing costs for those payments. The bill defines surcharge and requires immediate effectiveness, with committee referrals indicating ongoing legislative review. The discrepancy between the stated title and introduced text should be noted for readers seeking the final enacted content. Readers should monitor committee actions and any amendments for a complete understanding of the bill’s final scope and impact.

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

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