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S 4572

Relates to the level of acceptable light transmittance of automobile window tint and film

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kristen Gonzalez and 3 co-sponsors

Requires the Board of Public Utilities to include a plain-language summary in rate-increase orders, outlining the petition, rationale, customer impact, rates, and effective date.

COMMITTED TO RULES
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4572

Summary of S 4572 (Introduced Version)

Note on discrepancy: The bill’s stated title relates to automobile window tint/light transmittance. The text provided for the introduced version, however, addresses public information requirements for public utility rate increase filings. The sections below summarize the introduced version content as it appears in the provided text.

Overview

  • Bill number: S 4572
  • Title (as listed): Relates to the level of acceptable light transmittance of automobile window tint and film
  • Introduced: June 5, 2025
  • Status: Committed to Rules
  • Classification: bill
  • Primary sponsor: Julia Salazar
  • Co-sponsors: Toby Ann Stavisky (cosponsor), Jessica Ramos (cosponsor), Kristen Gonzalez (cosponsor)
  • Related bills: A 5660 (companion), A 8484 (prior-session), S 7025 (prior-session), S 601 (prior-session), A 5306 (companion)

Note on content discrepancy

  • The “Introduced Version” text provided addresses public information on public utility rate increase filings and amends Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. It does not include provisions about automobile window tint or light transmittance. Readers should verify the bill’s final language for provisions specific to window tint, if any, as the current text focuses on utility rate transparency.

Key Provisions (Based on the Introduced Version Text)

  • Requirement for plain-language summaries in final board orders:
    • The Board of Public Utilities (or successor agency) must include in its board order a plain-language summary of the order when ruling on a public utility’s petition to increase rates or related charges.
  • Contents of the required plain-language summary (minimum items): 1) A summary of the contents of the utility’s petition. 2) Justification for the board’s final decision on the petition. 3) The petition’s impact on affected customers, if any. 4) The utility’s current rate(s), the new rate(s), and the total amount of the increase. 5) The utility’s rate of return. 6) If the increase recovers infrastructure or other investments, an expected time frame to recover those costs. 7) The effective date when the new rate(s) will take effect. 8) Any other information deemed necessary by the board.
  • Effective date: Immediate.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Consumers and customers who pay for public utility services (electricity, gas, water, etc.) subject to rate increases.
  • Regulator: Board of Public Utilities (BPU) or successor agency.
  • Utilities: Public utilities filing rate increase petitions.

Legislative Actions and Timeline

  • 2025-02-07: Referred to Transportation (as part of the record, though the committee for this bill is listed as Senate Economic Growth later)
  • 2025-05-27: 1st Report cited (committee activity referenced)
  • 2025-05-28: 2nd Report cited
  • 2025-05-29: Advanced to Third Reading
  • 2025-06-05: Introduced in the Senate
  • 2025-06-13: Committed to Rules (listed twice in the record)

Purpose and Intended Impact

  • Purpose: To enhance consumer understanding of utility rate decisions by requiring a clear, plain-language summary in board orders that approve rate increases.
  • Rationale: Current order language may be difficult for many consumers to understand; the bill aims to improve transparency and help customers grasp what decisions mean for their bills, rate changes, and recovery of infrastructure costs.

Summary

S 4572 (as introduced) focuses on increasing transparency of public utility rate decisions by mandating plain-language summaries in final board orders. The summary must cover the petition contents, justification, customer impact, current versus proposed rates and total increase, rate of return, cost-recovery timelines for infrastructure investments, the effective date, and any other board-determined information. The act would take effect immediately upon enactment. The bill is sponsored by Julia Salazar with several cosponsors and has related companion and prior-session bills. Note: The current introduced text does not address automobile window tint/light transmittance, which would require verification against the final bill language.

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

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