S 4286 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Expands Fresh Start Program to include electric and gas public utility payment forgiveness for nonprofit organizations.

This bill expands New Jersey's Fresh Start Program to allow nonprofit organizations to receive payment forgiveness for unpaid electric and gas bills. To implement this change, the state's Board of Public Utilities must update its rules to include these organizations as eligible recipients of the assistance. Additionally, utility companies are required to automatically review their customer accounts and enroll qualifying nonprofits in the program without waiting for an application. The program specifically targets small, tax-exempt nonprofits with annual budgets of $500,000 or less that are currently behind on their utility payments.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 14, 2026 Last action May 14, 2026
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May 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Angela McKnight
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
NJ
31