Bill Text: NJ SJR148 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Respectfully urges Congress to pass "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [SJR148 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-SJR148-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.
District 9 (Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Respectfully urges Congress to pass "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution respectfully urging Congress to pass the "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act."
Whereas, In recent years, New Jersey has prioritized the adoption of clean energy programs and policies, most notably through the enactment of the "Clean Energy Act" in 2018; and
Whereas, The prioritization of clean energy required electric public utilities to upgrade their infrastructure to participate in and comply with the State-mandated clean energy programs; and
Whereas, The costs of implementing the State's clean energy programs, and particularly the electric vehicle programs and related infrastructure upgrades, are often passed through to New Jersey ratepayers through the distribution component of their electric public utility bills, known as the delivery charge; and
Whereas, New Jersey residents are facing rising utility bills, with delivery charges and increased electricity demand related to the growing number of electric vehicles contributing to these rising costs; and
Whereas, At the federal level, in response to rising energy costs, United States Congressman Jefferson Van Drew introduced a package of bills aimed at protecting ratepayers, including the "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" (GRID Act); and
Whereas, The GRID Act calls for the repeal of federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs that are currently funded through certain delivery charges; and
Whereas, Specifically, the GRID Act would repeal provisions of the "Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978" (16 U.S.C. s.2601 et seq.) that concern electric vehicle charging programs to prevent the costs of electric vehicle charging infrastructure upgrades from being passed through to residential ratepayers; and
Whereas, Enacting the GRID Act is a first step in providing relief to New Jersey ratepayers from rising electric public utility costs; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges Congress to pass the "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act."
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution respectfully urges Congress to pass the "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" (GRID Act) to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.
In recent years, New Jersey has prioritized the adoption of clean energy programs and policies, most notably through the enactment of the "Clean Energy Act" in 2018. The prioritization of clean energy required electric public utilities to upgrade their infrastructure to participate in and comply with the State-mandated clean energy programs. The costs of implementing the State's clean energy programs, and particularly the electric vehicle programs, are often passed through to New Jersey ratepayers through the distribution component of electric public utility bills, known as the delivery charge. New Jersey residents are facing rising utility bills, with delivery charges and the increased electricity demand related to the growing number of electric vehicles contributing to these rising costs.
At the federal level, in response to rising energy costs, United States Congressman Jefferson Van Drew introduced a package of bills aimed at protecting ratepayers, including the GRID Act. The GRID Act would repeal provisions of the federal "Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978" concerning electric vehicle charging programs to prevent the costs of electric vehicle charging infrastructure upgrades from being passed through to residential ratepayers. Enacting the GRID Act is a first step in providing relief to New Jersey ratepayers from rising electric public utility costs.
