Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.

This New Jersey bill (A 659) stops utilities from charging customers directly for infrastructure upgrades needed due to construction on the customer’s property to prevent natural disaster damage. It requires customers to submit a contractor’s certification within 90 days proving the construction was for disaster mitigation. Instead of direct billing, utilities can recover these costs through regular rate increases paid by all customers. Customers who fail to provide certification on time may still be charged directly for the upgrades.