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Bill

S 4098

Requires certain notice prior to placing liens related to water utility service.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight

The bill requires water utilities to give advance notice with amounts, remedies, deadlines, and contact info before placing liens for unpaid water charges.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4098

Summary of Bill S. 4098 (New Jersey), 222nd Legislature

Title

Requires certain notice prior to placing liens related to water utility service.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to establish or enhance notice requirements before water utility providers place liens for unpaid water service charges.
  • The goal is to increase transparency for customers facing potential liens and to provide an opportunity to address delinquent accounts before a lien is filed.

Key provisions and changes (proposed)

  • Notice prerequisites before lien placement: Water utility service providers would be required to provide customers with specific notices prior to recording or enforcing a lien for unpaid water charges. The exact timing and content of the notices are not detailed in the summary alone, but the mechanism is designed to ensure customers are informed ahead of lien action.

  • Content of notices (anticipated elements):

    • Amount due and any late fees or interest assessed.
    • Actions the customer can take to avoid a lien (e.g., payment arrangements, payment plan options, or financial assistance programs if applicable).
    • Deadline by which the customer must respond or cure the delinquency to prevent lien filing.
    • Contact information for the utility and any relevant state or local agencies that provide support or guidance.

  • Liens related to water service: The bill focuses specifically on liens associated with water utility charges, potentially excluding other utility liens unless otherwise stated in the full text.

  • Protections or exemptions: The summary does not specify exemptions, but typical provisions may address hardship considerations (e.g., senior citizens, low-income households) or caps on penalties. The bill would most likely include some procedural protections to ensure liens are not filed without proper notice.

Who would be affected

  • Water utility providers: Required to implement the notice process prior to lien placement.
  • Water customers/utility customers: Benefit from advance notice and a clearer path to address delinquent charges to avoid liens.
  • Potentially, local governments or state agencies: If oversight, reporting, or assistance programs are involved, these bodies could play a role in implementation or enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: May 4, 2026.
  • Referral: Senate Economic Growth Committee.
  • Status: As of the latest action, the bill has been referred to a committee for consideration. No floor vote or enactment date is indicated in the current action history.

Additional context

  • Co-sponsor: Senator Angela McKnight.
  • This summary reflects the publicly available information on the bill’s title and stated purpose. The full text would specify exact notice timelines (e.g., days before lien filing), notice delivery methods (mail, electronic, in-person), and any procedural steps (appeals, disputes, or waivers) that accompany the lien process.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to different audiences (e.g., policymakers, utility customers, or advocacy groups) or extract the precise statutory language once the bill’s text is available.

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

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