New Jersey A 2854: Requires electric public utilities to file with BPU and implement distribution infrastructure protection plans; prohibits rate increase pending implementation of plans.

Bill Text

A2854 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2854 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman BRIAN E. RUMPF

District 9 (Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires SHBP commission to use funds from 2025 False 
Claims Act settlement with Horizon to lower local public employee health care 
contribution costs.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act concerning funding for public employee health 
benefits and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.).

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� Notwithstanding any other 
law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, all monies received by the Division 
of Pensions and Benefits on behalf of the State Health Benefits Program from 
the 2025 New Jersey False Claims Act settlement between the State and Horizon 
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey shall be used to lower the contribution 
amount paid by public employees of employers other than the State for health 
care benefits coverage in the State Health Benefits Program for the employee 
and any dependents, except that employers other than the State shall not 
include independent State authorities.

���� 2.� This act shall take effect 
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires the State 
Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) to use the proceeds of the 2025 New Jersey 
False Claims Act settlement between the State and Horizon Blue Cross Blue 
Shield of New Jersey to lower the cost of health care contributions for public 
employees and dependents of employers other than the State who receive health 
care coverage through the State Health Benefits Program.� Under the bill, an 
employer other than the State does not include an independent State authority.

���� Under the settlement, Horizon 
is required to pay a lump sum of $100 million to the State within 25 calendar 
days of the effective date of the agreement.� Of that amount, $78 million will 
be distributed to the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of 
the Treasury on behalf of the SHBC and the School Employees� Health Benefits 
Commission.