Relates to high income personal income tax rates

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Emily Gallagher and 3 co-sponsors

Consolidates residential utility aid into one online DCA form via MOUs with state agencies/nonprofits to streamline applications and surface temporary programs.

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

Summary — Assembly Bill A5435 (1R): Consolidated Internet Application for Residential Utility Assistance

Status
- Introduced: March 10, 2025
- Assembly passage: May 22, 2025 (77-0-1)
- Received in Senate, referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee: May 29, 2025
- As reported (1R) by Assembly Aging & Human Services and Assembly Appropriations Committees (May 8 & May 15, 2025)
- Effective date: upon enactment (immediate)

Primary sponsors (per printed 1R): Assemblyman Chris Tully; co-sponsors include Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Balvir Singh (additional co-sponsors listed in bill text). Companion Senate bills: S4308 and S4437.

Purpose
- To simplify and centralize access to State- and nonprofit-administered residential utility assistance programs by creating a consolidated, user‑friendly Internet application hosted on the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website.

Key provisions
- The Division of Housing and Community Resources (the Division) in the DCA must enter into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with each State agency and each Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organization that administers its own financial assistance program for residential utility customers.
- The MOUs require those agencies/organizations to assist the Division in developing a consolidated, web‑based application form and to alert the Division to temporary utility assistance or energy-efficiency programs so they can be integrated into the consolidated application.
- The DCA is authorized to adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (P.L.1968, c.410) to implement the law.
- Committee amendments clarify: (1) the requirement applies only to agencies/nonprofits that administer their own utility assistance programs; and (2) the Division is not required to build a new portal but should add programs not already included in the existing consolidated application.

Who is affected / likely impacts
- Residential utility customers: easier access to apply for multiple assistance programs through a single online form, potentially improving program awareness and enrollment.
- State agencies and Statewide nonprofit energy assistance organizations (designated under P.L.2000, c.132): required to enter MOUs and collaborate on application integration and information-sharing about temporary programs.
- DCA/Division: responsibility for hosting the consolidated application, coordinating MOUs, and conducting rulemaking; likely requires IT work and interagency coordination.
- Utilities and program administrators may see administrative efficiencies from consolidated intake; fiscal effects depend on implementation choices.

Fiscal/administrative considerations
- The bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note. However, implementation may involve non‑specified IT, staff, and coordination costs associated with modifying the DCA website, integrating various program eligibility logics, and completing rulemaking.

Implementation timeline
- Takes effect immediately upon enactment. The DCA must complete any required rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act; specific deadlines for MOUs or technical deployment are not set in the bill.