Requires automatic enrollment into utility bill payment assistance programs for certain individuals and households.*
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to share eligibility data for certain low-income assistance programs (like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, and Supplemental Security Income) with agencies managing energy assistance programs. It mandates that those agencies automatically enroll eligible households into utility bill payment assistance or energy efficiency programs without requiring separate applications. The policy directly affects households already receiving federal or state needs-based aid, streamlining access to energy help. Key provisions include data-sharing agreements between state departments and automatic enrollment for qualifying individuals, as permitted by federal law. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Jun 16, 2025
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (28-10)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (52-23-0)
lower
Dec 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
Dec 11, 2025
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Jun 16, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
lower
5 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
P
Carmen Morales
DDemocratic
P
Linda Carter
DDemocratic
P
Shirley Turner
DDemocratic
P
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
Co
Benjie Wimberly
DDemocratic
Co
Clinton Calabrese
DDemocratic
Co
Gary Schaer
DDemocratic
Co
Paul Moriarty
DDemocratic
Co
Shama Haider
DDemocratic
Co
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
Co
Tennille McCoy
DDemocratic
Co
Teresa Ruiz
DDemocratic
Co
Troy Singleton
DDemocratic
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