New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A1959: Billing due date-proh. telecommunications/utility companies from charging prior
Status: Passed one chamber, May 4, 2026
Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date.
What the bill says
From the amended text, February 12, 2026:
A1959 1R [First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No. 1959 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION Sponsored by: Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO District 20 (Union) Assemblyman WILLIAM B. SAMPSON, IV District 31 (Hudson) Assemblyman KEVIN P. EGAN District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset) Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Scharfenberger, Assemblywomen Murphy, Brennan, Carter, Speight, Assemblyman Bhalla and Assemblywoman Haider SYNOPSIS Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As reported by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee on February 12, 2026, with amendments. concerning certain customer billing practices and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes. the State of New Jersey: 1. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill): "Board" means the Board of Public Utilities or any successor agency. "Cable television company" or "CATV company" means a company as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-3), that provides cable television service to the public within this State. "Credit card customer" means a customer who agrees to allow a telecommunications company, electric public utility, gas public utility or cable television company to automatically bill the customer's credit card for service received during each billing cycle. "Direct debit customer" means a customer who agrees to allow a …
Sponsors
- Annette Quijano (D, 20) · primary sponsor
- William B. Sampson, IV (D, 31) · primary sponsor
- Kevin P. Egan (D, 17) · primary sponsor
- Gerry Scharfenberger (R, 13)
- Carol A. Murphy (D, 7)
- Katie Brennan (D, 32)
- Linda S. Carter (D, 22)
- Shanique Speight (D, 29)
- Ravi S. Bhalla (D, 32)
- Shama A. Haider (D, 37)
Latest actions
- : R/S REF SEG
- : PA (72-0-0)
- : REP/ACA 2RA
- : INT 1RA REF ACO
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Billing due date-proh. telecommunications/utility companies from charging prior (March 23, 2026): 72 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee: Reported with committee amendments (Aca) (February 12, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: COMMUNICATIONS - TELEPHONE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS - CONSUMER PROTECTION, PUBLIC UTILITIES, COMMUNICATIONS - TELEVISION
Common questions
- What is A1959?
- A1959 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Billing due date-proh. telecommunications/utility companies from charging prior.
- What does A1959 do?
- Prohibits telecommunications, utility or cable television companies from charging certain customers prior to actual billing due date.
- What is the status of A1959?
- Passed one chamber as of May 4, 2026. Latest action: R/S REF SEG (May 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored A1959?
- Annette Quijano (D, 20), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A1959?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1959
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.