reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-87 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-87 - Illegal excavation; disorderly persons offense, third degree crime

48:2-87. Illegal excavation; disorderly persons offense, third degree crime  15. Any person who knowingly engages in an excavation without: a. First using the One-Call Damage Prevention System to determine the location of underground facilities in the area being excavated; or b. Heeding appropriate location information or markings established by any operator; or c. Otherwise complying with the provisions of this act; is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. If, because of the violation, damage occurs to an underground facility resulting in death, serious bodily harm, or actual damage to property or loss of service revenue exceeding $50,000, or damage occurs to an underground hazardous liquid pipeline facility resulting in the release of more than 50 barrels of product, the person shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the third degree. Nothing in this section shall limit the jurisdiction of the board with respect to natural gas pipeline safety or limit the jurisdiction of the board or a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the civil administrative penalty and enforcement provisions of this act. L.1994,c.118,s.15; amended 1997, c.7, s.3.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-88 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-88 - Penalty for operator violations

48:2-88. Penalty for operator violations  16. a. An operator or excavator, or the person who operates the One-Call Damage Prevention System, who violates any provision of this act or any rule or regulation or order adopted pursuant thereto shall be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,500 per day for each day the violation continues, except that the maximum civil penalty may not exceed $25,000 for any related series of violations.  b. Any civil action pursuant to subsection a. of this section may be brought in a court of this State by the board or by an affected operator. Nothing in this act shall affect any civil remedy for damage to an operator's underground facility or for actual damage to any person's property.  L.1994,c.118,s.16.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-89 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-89 - Notice failure, prima facie evidence of negligence

48:2-89. Notice failure, prima facie evidence of negligence  17. Evidence that an excavation or demolition that results in any damage to an underground facility was performed without providing the notice required pursuant to section 10 of this act shall be prima facie evidence in any civil or administrative proceeding that the damage was caused by the negligence of the person engaged in the excavation or demolition.  L.1994,c.118,s.17.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-90 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-90 - Civil penalties to the State

48:2-90. Civil penalties to the State  18. All civil penalties recovered pursuant to this act shall be paid into the General Fund.  L.1994,c.118,s.18.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-91 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-91 - Board's jurisdiction not affected

48:2-91. Board's jurisdiction not affected  19. Nothing in this act shall limit the jurisdiction of the board: a. Over public utilities pursuant to R.S.48:2-1 et seq., notwithstanding the fact that a public utility may be an operator or excavator as defined in section 3 of this act; or  b. Concerning natural gas pipeline safety pursuant to R.S.48:9-33. L.1994,c.118,s.19.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-92 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-92 - Short title.

48:2-92 Short title.  1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "BPU Business Ombudsman Act." L.2005,c.215,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-93 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-93 - Findings, declarations relative to BPU Business Ombudsman.

48:2-93 Findings, declarations relative to BPU Business Ombudsman.  2. The Legislature finds and determines that: a. The attraction and retention of new and existing businesses is vital to the continued economic development of the State. b. The increasing complexity of energy issues and the creation of a competitive energy marketplace, has resulted in obstacles to the attraction and retention of new and existing businesses in this State, especially since other states have developed marketing and promotional materials and programs designed to offer businesses the means to quickly determine energy savings from relocating to another area of the country. c. An effective strategy to counter such efforts, attract new businesses and retain existing businesses in this State, is to provide for the appointment of a BPU Business Ombudsman within the Board of Public Utilities who shall be responsible for providing information to businesses concerning energy costs in the State and to assist businesses with the application for and processing of State energy programs, subsidies and grants to reduce their energy costs. d. It is in the public interest to remain competitive with other states by authorizing the President of the Board of Public Utilities to appoint a BPU Business Ombudsman to act as a centralized resource for businesses to obtain information and assistance concerning State energy costs, potential benefits resulting from switching to or utilizing third-party energy suppliers, State energy programs, subsidies and grants to reduce energy costs and to promote energy efficiencies. e. The appointment of a BPU Business Ombudsman to oversee and coordinate the dissemination of energy information needed by businesses is intended to encourage businesses to remain and expand in this State, to attract businesses from other states to relocate to this State and to stimulate business investment. L.2005,c.215,s.2.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-94 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-94 - Definitions relative to BPU Business Ombudsman.

48:2-94 Definitions relative to BPU Business Ombudsman.  3. As used in this act: "Act" means the "BPU Business Ombudsman Act." "Board" means the Board of Public Utilities. "Business project or activity" means a new commercial or industrial business or enterprise or the expansion or improvement of an existing commercial or industrial business or enterprise in this State. "BPU Business Ombudsman" means the person appointed by the President of the Board pursuant to section 4 of this act. L.2005,c.215,s.3.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-95 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-95 - BPU Business Ombudsman; appointment, powers, duties, funding.

48:2-95 BPU Business Ombudsman; appointment, powers, duties, funding.  4. a. There is hereby created a BPU Business Ombudsman in the board to provide information and assistance to any business, located in this State or seeking to relocate in this State, with regard to energy costs, potential benefits from switching to or utilizing third-party energy suppliers, State energy programs, subsidies or grants available to businesses to reduce their energy costs and promotion of energy efficiencies. b. The ombudsman office shall be headed by a BPU Business Ombudsman who shall be appointed by the President of the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the President of the Board. The BPU Business Ombudsman shall be a person qualified by training, experience, or both, to direct the work of the office. In appointing an Ombudsman, the President of the Board may select from, but shall not be restricted to, candidates from within the board as presently constructed. c. The Ombudsman, under the supervision of the board, shall organize the work of that office and employ such professional, technical, research and clerical staff as may be necessary, proper and expedient to carry out the purposes of P.L.2005, c.215 (C.48:2-92 et seq.). The board, in consultation with the Ombudsman, may formulate and adopt rules and regulations and prescribe duties for the efficient conduct of the business, work and general administration in connection with P.L.2005, c.215 (C.48:2-92 et seq.). The Ombudsman may delegate to subordinate employees such of the Ombudsman's powers as the Ombudsman may deem desirable, to be exercised under the Ombudsman's supervision and direction. d. The BPU Business Ombudsman and staff shall be funded through use of a portion of the monies received by the board as a result of the board's inclusion of a retail margin on certain hourly-priced and larger non-residential customers pursuant to the board's continuing regulation of Basic Generation Service pursuant to sections 3 and 9 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-51 and 48:3-57). Nothing in P.L.2005, c.215 (C.48:2-92 et seq.) should be interpreted to restrict the board's discretion to set the level of the retail margin. Should the board determine to reduce or eliminate the retail margin or take any action that might implicate the funding of the activities or position, or both, of the BPU Business Ombudsman, the board shall assess the continuing need for the Ombudsman and upon a determination that the position remains necessary and useful shall consider alternative funding options. L.2005,c.215,s.4.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-96 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-96 - Function of office of BPU Business Ombudsman.

48:2-96 Function of office of BPU Business Ombudsman.  5. It shall be the function of the office to: a. Assist businesses with obtaining information concerning energy costs in response to requests from businesses; b. Monitor the impact of State energy costs on business projects and activities and on business decisions to relocate to this State, and identify and recommend energy cost reduction strategies including State programs, subsidies and grants that may be available for businesses to reduce their energy costs; c. Participate in the application process for State energy programs, subsidies and grants on behalf of a business, if in the BPU Business Ombudsman's judgment, such participation may be necessary to assist a business in order for a project or activity to proceed; d. Work with board staff to assist in creating public information programs designed to acquaint and educate businesses and the public about the duties and responsibilities of the office; and e. Interface with energy marketers seeking to provide service in this State and, where appropriate, work to bring them together with businesses concerned about energy costs. L.2005,c.215,s.5.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-97 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-97 - Annual report to board.

48:2-97 Annual report to board.  6. The Ombudsman shall make an annual report to the board of the office's operations, and render such other reports as the board shall from time to time request or as may be required by law. L.2005,c.215,s.6.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:2-98 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:2-98 - Rules, regulations.

48:2-98 Rules, regulations.  7. The board may, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt such rules and regulations, as shall be necessary to implement the provisions of this act. L.2005,c.215,s.7.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-1 - Unjust or unreasonable discriminations or classifications of rates; "board" defined

48:3-1. Unjust or unreasonable discriminations or classifications of rates; "board" defined  No public utility shall: a. Make, impose or exact any unjust or unreasonable, unjustly discriminatory or unduly preferential individual or joint rate, commutation rate, mileage and other special rate, toll, fare, charge or schedule for any product or service supplied or rendered by it within this state; b. Adopt or impose any unjust or unreasonable classification in the making or as the basis of any individual or joint rate, toll, fare, charge or schedule for any product or service rendered by it within this state. The word "board" as used in this chapter shall mean the board of public utility commissioners.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-2 - Unjust or unreasonable regulations

48:3-2. Unjust or unreasonable regulations  No public utility shall adopt, maintain or enforce any regulation, practice or measurement which shall be unjust, unreasonable, unduly preferential, arbitrarily or unjustly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of law.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-2.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-2.1 - Interest on utility overpayments

48:3-2.1. Interest on utility overpayments  A public utility shall pay or credit interest at a rate prescribed by the Board of Public Utilities on any overpayment made by a residential customer due to a billing error, unless the overpayment is fully refunded or credited to the customer's account within two billing cycles after written notification by the customer to the utility of the alleged error. For the purposes of this act, "billing error" means a charge to a residential customer in excess of that approved by the board for the type of service supplied to that customer, or in excess of the charge due for the service supplied to that customer as measured or recorded by meter or other device, except that neither the amount of an estimated bill in and of itself, nor the amount due on a budget account installment, shall constitute a billing error. The board shall set and from time to time revise the interest rate in accordance with appropriate prevailing marketplace interest rates.  L. 1987, c. 211, s. 1.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-2.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-2.2 - Notice to customers

48:3-2.2. Notice to customers  The board shall require each public utility to annually provide written notice of the provisions of this act to each of its residential customers.  L. 1987, c. 211, s. 2.   L.2003, c.247, s.1; amended 2013, c.181, s.2.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-2.3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-2.3 - Assessment of late charge on unpaid utility bill, conditions.

48:3-2.3 Assessment of late charge on unpaid utility bill, conditions.   1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary, the board shall not allow a utility to assess a late payment charge on an unpaid bill unless the charge is provided for in the utility's applicable rate schedule approved by the board. A late payment charge shall not be approved by the board if the charge is applicable to bills less than 25 days after rendering. A late payment charge shall not be approved for a rate schedule applicable to a State, county or municipal government entity or any residential ratepayer. As used in this subsection, a "utility" means a public utility, as public utility is defined in R.S.48:2-13 and including a natural gas pipeline utility as natural gas pipeline utility is defined in section 2 of P.L.1952, c.166 (C.48:10-3), and a municipally-operated utility, insofar as the board's jurisdiction is extended to the municipally-operated utility under any applicable law. "Utility" shall not mean a local exchange telecommunications company or interexchange telecommunications carrier providing a competitive service as determined by the board pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.428 (C.48:2-21.19). b. The board may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of subsection a. of this section. L.2003, c.247, s.1; amended 2013, c.181, s.2.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-3 - Improper service; refusal or withholding of service

48:3-3. Improper service; refusal or withholding of service  48:3-3. a. No public utility shall provide or maintain any service that is unsafe, improper or inadequate, or withhold or refuse any service which reasonably can be demanded or furnished when ordered by the board.  b. The board, upon receipt of a notification of refusal to provide solid waste collection services within a municipality pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.170 (C.40:66-5.2), may order the solid waste collector to provide these services in accordance with the provisions of R.S.48:2-23.  Amended 1991,c.170,s.5.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-3.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-3.1 - Refusal to furnish service for nonpayment of bill by previous occupant prohibited

48:3-3.1. Refusal to furnish service for nonpayment of bill by previous occupant prohibited  No public utility shall refuse to furnish or supply service to or for any building or premises by reason of a bill remaining unpaid by a previous occupant, providing the person applying for service shall not be in arrears to such company for service previously furnished to or for such building or premises or furnished to or for any other building or premises. L.1962, c. 198, s. 45.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-4 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-4 - Undue preferences

48:3-4. Undue preferences  No public utility shall make or give, directly or indirectly, any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person, locality or particular description of traffic, or subject any particular person, locality or particular description of traffic to any prejudice or disadvantage. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 48:3-1 of the Revised Statutes and this section a public utility engaged in the distribution and sale of gas and electricity or either thereof may supply such services to its employees at reduced rates. Amended by L.1969, c. 69, s. 1, eff. May 29, 1969.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-4.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-4.1 - Reduced fare for transporting persons over age 65

48:3-4.1. Reduced fare for transporting persons over age 65  Notwithstanding any of the provisions of chapter 3 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes or of any other law to the contrary, any citizen and resident of this State of the age of 65 or more years may be transported by any street railway, traction railway, autobus company, or railroad company at less than the usual and ordinary fare charged to one person, under such reasonable regulations as may be established by the carrier concerning the time period of any day or the day or days of the week during which such reduced fare may apply. Any such regulations may prescribe the method by which any such citizen and resident shall pay the aforesaid lesser fare; said method may prescribe the use of any reasonable form of age identification and may require the payment of a full fare with a procedure for rebating the difference in such fare to a qualifying citizen and resident at the general or other office or offices of the carrier. L.1969, c. 275, s. 1, eff. Jan. 12, 1970.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-5 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-5 - Capitalizing franchises or contracts for consolidation

48:3-5. Capitalizing franchises or contracts for consolidation  No public utility shall: a. Capitalize any franchise to be a corporation; b. Capitalize any franchise in excess of the amount, exclusive of any tax or annual charge, actually paid to the state or any political subdivision thereof as the consideration of the franchise; c. Capitalize any contract for consolidation, merger or lease; or d. Issue any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness against or as a lien upon any contract for consolidation, merger or lease. Nothing herein shall prevent the issuance of stock, bonds or other evidence of indebtedness, subject to the approval of the board, by any lawfully merged or consolidated public utilities not in contravention of this section.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-6 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-6 - Gratuities to public officials

48:3-6. Gratuities to public officials  No public utility shall give, grant or bestow upon any local, municipal or county official any discrimination, gratuity or free service. Nothing herein shall prevent the entry into any public conveyance or in or upon the property of any public utility of any such official in the pursuit of his public duties in connection with the particular conveyance or property so entered by him, upon exhibiting his authority so to do.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-7.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-7.1 - Certain contracts between public utilities and corporations or persons owning or controlling utility stock; approval of board; disapproval

48:3-7.1. Certain contracts between public utilities and corporations or persons owning or controlling utility stock; approval of board; disapproval  No management, advisory service, construction or engineering contract that in itself or in connection with another contract relating to the same work, project, transaction or service involves the expenditure of a sum exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars, made by any public utility with any person or corporation owning, holding or controlling separately, or in affiliation with another person or corporation, five per cent or more of the capital stock of such public utility or with any corporation five per cent of the capital stock of which is owned, held or controlled by a person or corporation owning, holding or controlling separately, or in affiliation with another person or corporation, five per cent of the capital stock of such public utility shall be valid or effective until approved in writing by the board. The board shall disapprove such contract if it determines that such contract violates the laws of this state or of the United States, or that the price or compensation thereby fixed exceeds the fair price or fair compensation for the property to be furnished or the work to be done or the services to be rendered thereunder or is contrary to the public interest: otherwise the board shall approve such contract. No order shall be made by the board disapproving such a contract except after hearing upon notice.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-7.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-7.2 - Loans to corporations or persons owning or controlling public utility stock; approval of board required

48:3-7.2. Loans to corporations or persons owning or controlling public utility stock; approval of board required  Except with the approval in writing of the board first had and obtained, no public utility shall loan any of its money or property to any other person, firm, group, association, company, trust or corporation owning, holding or controlling separately or in affiliation with others, five per cent or more of the capital stock of any such public utility or to any corporation five per cent or more of the capital stock of which is owned, held or controlled by any person, firm, group, association, trust, or corporation owning, holding or controlling separately or in affiliation, five per cent or more of the capital stock of such public utility.
NJ Rev Stat § 48:3-7.3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 48 - Public Utilities|Section 48:3-7.3 - Investment of depreciation fund in certain securities; approval of board

48:3-7.3. Investment of depreciation fund in certain securities; approval of board  No public utility shall, without the approval in writing of the board first had and obtained, invest any part of its depreciation fund in obligations or securities of any kind, except obligations and securities that are legal investments for savings banks under the laws of this state, and except obligations and securities of the underlying or subsidiary public utility corporations of this state, of such public utility.