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CHIVUKULA, RAMOS, JOHNSON, COUTINHO & QUIJANO BILLS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH UTILITY BILLS CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW

(TRENTON) – Two bills sponsored by five Assembly Democratic lawmakers to make it easier for consumers and businesses to pay utility bills electronically have received final legislative approval.
The bills are sponsored by Assembly members Upendra Chivukula, Ruben J. Ramos Jr., Gordon Johnson, Albert Coutinho and Annette Quijano.
“Technology is so readily at our fingertips in this day and age, but our laws haven’t kept pace when it comes to paying a utility bill,” said Chivukula (D-Somerset/Middlesex). “With these bills, we would make it easier for consumers and businesses alike.”
“Using technology to help businesses save money and to make it easier for both consumers and businesses to pay their bills just makes common sense,” said Ramos (D-Hudson).
“We can do many, many things electronically these days, so this is just the logical next step to help consumers and businesses save money and time,” said Johnson (D-Bergen).
“Anything we can do to promote economic development and make it easier to live and do business in this state is the smart thing to do,” said Coutinho (D-Essex).
“Consumers can do so many things electronically these days, so it only makes sense that we would open this option to them when it comes to paying utility bills,” said Quijano (D-Union).
The first bill (A-909) sponsored by Chivukula, Johnson and Quijano would permit any company under BPU jurisdiction to offer, upon the request of a customer, the ability to pay bills and receive information electronically.
The other bill (A-911) sponsored by Chivukula, Coutinho, Johnson and Ramos would permit any public provider of water, sewerage or electric services to offer, upon the request of a customer, the ability to pay bills and receive information electronically.
The bills were approved by the Assembly in February and by the Senate on Monday. They now go to the governor.