STACK BILL ALLOWING ADJUSTED SEWERAGE RATES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ADVANCES

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Brian P. Stack that would allow local authorities and utilities to provide affordable sewerage service rates to eligible low-income individuals and families was released today from the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

The bill, S-276, enables county and municipal sewerage authorities, utilities authorities and sewerage utilities to reduce rates for people with incomes at or below a certain percentage of the most recent federal poverty guidelines, with the percentage set by the service provider.

“Sewerage service is a basic necessity for every household in our State and one that can’t be denied based on income or an inability to pay standard rates,” said Senator Stack (D-Hudson).  “This is the kind of assistance those at or near the poverty line depend on and the kind of help New Jerseyans extend to one another.”

The bill expands on current law which already allows local authorities and utilities to reduce or totally abate general sewerage service rates for persons who are 65 years of age or older or who are disabled and who also meet certain statutorily-based income requirements.

The bill was released from committee with a vote of 4-0 and next goes to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.