New Jersey § 48:3-2

§ 48:3-2.

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.