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A 3781

Relates to correctional facility visits by the correctional association

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Alvarez and 8 co-sponsors

The bill requires NJ's BPU to create a program promoting energy businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals, with annual procurement targets rising to 25

PRINT NUMBER 3781A
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Bill Summary · A 3781

Summary — A3781 (Print No. 3781A)

Title: Program to promote women‑, minority‑, veteran‑, and LGBTQ‑owned energy businesses
Introduced: Feb 22, 2024 — Print No. 3781A (May 30, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Assemblyman David Weprin (with multiple cosponsors)
Companion: S2862

Purpose

Require the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to develop and run a program to promote energy businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals through outreach, incentives, and other measures, and to set procurement participation targets for those firms.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: “Energy business” includes brokers, electric power suppliers, energy agents, gas suppliers, marketers, and (per committee amendment) board‑licensed energy agents, energy consultants, and private energy aggregators.
  • Program development: BPU must establish the program no later than one year after the act’s effective date. The program may include public information campaigns, marketing, advertising, incentives, or other measures chosen by BPU.
  • Procurement targets (measured in the context of energy procured by businesses and public entities that utilize board‑licensed energy agents, energy consultants, or private energy aggregators):
    • 1st energy year: 5% sourced from qualifying firms
    • 2nd energy year: 11%
    • 3rd energy year: 18%
    • 4th energy year and thereafter: 25%
  • Eligibility: To qualify, a business must be certified as women‑, minority‑, veteran‑, or LGBTQ‑owned by an appropriate State or national certifying organization, be registered to do business in NJ, and have filed a current NJ Annual Report.
  • Enrollment & listings: BPU will create an application process with a 60‑day annual enrollment period. BPU and each electric and gas public utility must post lists of approved energy businesses on their websites.
  • Tracking/reporting: BPU must track progress toward the targets and post regular updates on its website.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect immediately.

Who is affected

  • Positive effect on certified women‑, minority‑, veteran‑, and LGBTQ‑owned energy businesses seeking to expand market share.
  • Business customers and public entities using retail choice and third‑party procurement channels (via agents/aggregators).
  • BPU and electric/gas public utilities (administrative responsibilities to implement, monitor, and publish lists).

Fiscal impact & implementation notes

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimate: an indeterminate but likely incidental annual State expenditure increase to establish and administer the program; costs depend on BPU choices (extent of outreach/incentives). Some tasks may be absorbed by existing staff; scope of marketing or incentive programs will affect costs.

Legislative status & actions (selected)

  • Passed Assembly: 6/28/2024 (62‑9‑4)
  • Committee reports: Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities (with amendments) 6/3/2024; Assembly Appropriations 6/24/2024; Senate Environment & Energy reported favorably 5/22/2025.
  • Referred / Recommitted: Referred to Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee (6/19/2025); various committee referrals and print numbering occurred through May 2025.

For implementation, BPU must act within one year of the law’s effective date and then administer annual enrollments and ongoing tracking to meet the graduated procurement targets.

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

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