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A 5512

Relates to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 16 co-sponsors

The bill restricts residential electric and gas utility rate increases from taking effect during key summer and winter periods and requires at least 30 days’ advance notice.

PRINT NUMBER 5512A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5512

Summary — A5512A (Print No. 5512A)

Title (cataloged): Relates to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife
Note: The legislative text for A5512A as printed concerns electric and gas public utility rate increases (Title 48 R.S.), not wildlife devices. This summary addresses the printed A5512A utility-rate text.

Purpose

A5512A restricts when residential rate increases proposed by electric and gas public utilities may take effect, and requires advance notice to residential customers. The intent is to limit the imposition of new residential utility rates during high-demand seasons when consumers are most vulnerable and to ensure at least 30 days’ notice before increases take effect.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:

    • “Board” means the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).
    • “Electric public utility” and “gas public utility” are defined consistent with R.S.48:2‑13.

  • Timing restrictions (notwithstanding any other law, rule, regulation, or order):

    • Electric public utility residential rate increases may not go into effect during:
    • Summer season: June 1 through August 31; or
    • Winter season: January 1 through March 31.
    • Gas public utility residential rate increases may not go into effect during:
    • Winter season: January 1 through March 31.

  • Notice requirement:

    • Electric and gas public utilities must provide residential customers at least 30 days’ advance notice of a rate increase going into effect. Notice may be provided by mail or electronic mail.

  • Effective date:

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Residential customers of electric and gas public utilities in the State (i.e., individuals/households served by utilities defined under R.S.48:2‑13).
  • Electric and gas public utilities operating in-state, and indirectly the BPU (in oversight or enforcement roles).
  • Utility financial planning and rate-case scheduling could be affected because timing of effective dates is restricted.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Consumer protection during peak cooling (summer) and heating (winter) seasons by preventing new residential rate increases during those specified windows.
  • Utilities may time filings/implementation to avoid the prohibited windows, potentially causing clustering of rate changes in allowed periods (e.g., spring, fall).
  • Could affect utility cash flow and regulatory scheduling; may require adjustments in interim rate orders or BPU approval processes.
  • Enforcement/interpretation questions may arise (e.g., whether BPU-approved effective dates set by order are subject to the prohibition).

Procedural status & related legislation

  • Introduced in Assembly: March 24, 2025. Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.
  • Subsequent referrals/amendments: Referred/amend and recommit to Environmental Conservation; Print No. 5512A issued Sept 10, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Marianne Buttenschon; multiple cosponsors listed (see bill sheet).
  • Companion/related bills: S 2145 (companion), several prior-session related bills (S 2953, S 548, S 4213, S 3542, S 372, S 260, S 3494, A 6891, etc.).

If you would like, I can draft a short memo on likely operational or regulatory questions the BPU would need to address if this bill becomes law (e.g., treatment of rates approved before enactment, interim emergency increases, or grandfathering rules).

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

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