State • New Jersey

A 796: Requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs.**

Bailey, David, Jr.Introduced

A 796 status: Introduced — Approved P.L.2026, C.32 (updated Jul 7, 2026).

1

What this bill does

Overall score

Score85/100 civic fit
RiskLow risk
ImpactHigh impact 80/100

Bill summary

Official

This bill would require power companies to create special rules for big data centers. The goal is to make sure those companies pay their fair share so that regular families don't get stuck with higher electric bills. It is currently being debated in the state Assembly.

Key analysis

Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan90%
Public opinion95%
2

Impact analysis

Environment

Positive Outlook
65%

Benefits

  • Incentivizes clean energy and on-site generation procurement.
  • Encourages energy efficiency and waste heat recovery technologies.

Risks

  • Supports continued expansion of energy-intensive computing infrastructure.

Economy

Positive Outlook
60%

Benefits

  • Protects general utility ratepayers from cost-shifting.
  • Increases transparency in grid infrastructure cost allocation.

Risks

  • Increases direct infrastructure costs for large data center operators.
  • May alter the competitive landscape for data center investment in New Jersey.

Society

Positive Outlook
80%

Benefits

  • Shields residential ratepayers from potential utility rate hikes.
  • Prioritizes residential power service during system emergencies.

Risks

  • None identified.
3

How trustworthy & consequential it is

Source

LegiScan

Confidence

high

high

Analysis status

LegiScan full bill text

Warning

Grandfathering provisions for existing data centers may delay full ratepayer protection.

Limitation

Implementation effectiveness depends on the BPU's upcoming rulemaking process.

4

Where it stands

1

Introduced

Current

Approved P.L.2026, C.32.

2

Committee

Upcoming
3

Floor

Upcoming
4

Governor

Upcoming
5

Enacted

Upcoming
5

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6

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