Permits certain local units and authorities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees and other charges for low-income persons.*

This bill permits New Jersey municipalities, sewerage authorities, and water utilities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees for low-income residents. To qualify, households must have income at or below a percentage of federal poverty guidelines (capped at the threshold used for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program), and residents must provide documentation about their income, household, and housing status. Local authorities must establish clear eligibility procedures, advertise the program to residents, and demonstrate through a rate study that the fee reductions won't cause unreasonable rate increases or compromise infrastructure maintenance. The bill appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund to cover costs for conducting the required rate studies. This program directly affects low-income households who pay for essential utility services in New Jersey communities.