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A 2319

Relates to interest rates on judgments

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John McDonald and 2 co-sponsors

BPU must create a rebate program for zero-emission lawn equipment, covering 25% of purchase cost with caps, funded by the societal benefits charge.

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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Bill Summary · A 2319

Summary — A-2319 (As reported with committee amendments)

Note: The bill text and accompanying documents provided concern a rebate program for zero-emission lawn equipment. The bill header in the submission (“Relates to interest rates on judgments”) appears inconsistent with the bill content below; this summary follows the legislative text and fiscal documents addressing zero-emission lawn equipment rebates.

Main purpose

Direct the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create and administer a rebate program, funded from the societal benefits charge (Clean Energy Fund), that encourages residents and businesses to purchase zero-emission lawn equipment (expanded from an earlier focus on electric leaf blowers).

Key provisions

  • BPU must establish a rebate program for purchases of zero-emission lawn equipment and determine program terms, eligibility, application form, and funding level from the societal benefits charge.
  • Rebate amounts are calculated as 25% of the sale price, capped by tier:
    • Equipment costing $250 or less: rebate = 25% of cost or $50, whichever is less.
    • Equipment costing more than $250 up to $500: rebate = 25% of cost or $100, whichever is less.
    • Equipment costing more than $500: rebate = 25% of cost or $150, whichever is less.
  • BPU must advertise the availability of rebates in the same manner it promotes New Jersey Clean Energy Program appliance incentives.
  • Committee amendments broadened eligibility from only electric/battery leaf blowers to all types of zero-emission lawn equipment and added/updated definitions (e.g., “lawn equipment,” “zero-emission lawn equipment,” and replacing “gas-powered leaf blower” with “gas-powered lawn equipment”).

Definitions / scope

  • The amended bill covers a broad class of lawn equipment (examples in related materials include mowers, trimmers, edgers, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, chainsaws, and snow blowers), so long as they meet the bill’s zero-emission definition as implemented by BPU.

Who would be affected

  • Residents and businesses in New Jersey who purchase eligible zero-emission lawn equipment.
  • BPU (program administration, outreach, and advertising duties).
  • Retailers and manufacturers could see demand shifts as rebates reduce consumer costs.

Fiscal impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates an indeterminate annual State expenditure increase. Rebates and program costs would be paid from societal benefits charge revenue; total cost depends on BPU funding choices and participant uptake.
  • OLS could not estimate participation; a comparator (Utah proposal) placed similar supports at ~$1.6M one-time and ~$7M ongoing, but New Jersey costs will vary.
  • BPU will incur administrative and outreach/advertising expenses.

Procedural history and next steps

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024; reported out of Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee with amendments on September 23, 2024 (then referred to Appropriations).
  • Status (as provided): Referred to Judiciary (January 16, 2025).
  • Effect clause in earlier versions: immediate upon enactment. Final application timing and implementation details would be set by BPU after enactment.

Sponsors / related bills

  • Sponsors listed in the provided metadata: John T. McDonald III (primary), Carrie Woerner (cosponsor), Albert A. Stirpe (cosponsor).
  • Companion / related measures: S3834 (companion), and several prior-session bills (A9879, A3875, A3208, A1110).

If you want, I can draft a one-page explainer for stakeholders (municipalities, retailers, consumers) or extract likely administrative steps BPU will need to implement the program.

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

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