A 1959 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date.

This bill prohibits telecommunications, utility, and cable companies from charging customers' credit cards or bank accounts before the regular billing due date that would apply if the customer paid by cash, check, or money order. It directly affects customers who use automatic payment methods (credit card or direct debit) for their service bills. Companies may only charge early if the customer provides written consent or requests it via phone or another method approved by the Board of Public Utilities. The Board of Public Utilities will enforce these rules, ensuring customers have clear control over payment timing. The bill prevents unexpected early charges without explicit customer agreement.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

General Assembly Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 4, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 3 edits

MINOR

Bill A1959 moved from its introduced version to a first reprint after being reported by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee on February 12, 2026, with amendments. The key substantive change relaxes the consent requirement for early billing: utilities no longer need a customer's 'express' written agreement to charge before the standard billing due date - any form of agreement now suffices. Co-sponsors were also expanded from one member to seven.

REQUIREMENT

Section 2(a) removed the words 'expressly' and 'in writing' from the customer consent requirement for early billing charges. Previously, a utility could only charge a credit card or direct debit customer before the standard billing due date if the customer expressly agreed in writing. Now, any form of agreement is sufficient, making it easier for utilities to bill customers earlier.

SCOPE

Co-sponsor list expanded from Assemblyman Scharfenberger alone to include Assemblywomen Murphy, Brennan, Carter, Speight, Haider and Assemblyman Bhalla, indicating broader legislative support.

TECHNICAL

Bill status updated from 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel' to 'As reported by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee on February 12, 2026, with amendments,' reflecting committee action.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the General Assembly by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 4, 2026

Committee

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed by the Assembly (72-0-0)

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee

lower

2 primary · 6 co-sponsors