The Turnpike Authority has approved temporary rules while a more permanent policy is discussed and legislation is considered that would prohibit their removal.
JCP&L bore the brunt of the criticism as lawmakers summoned the power company leaders to a virtual hearing on the outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.
Legislation would require refunds if phone, cable or internet service is down for 72 hours or longer. An earlier version of the plan kicked in at 24 hours.
A plan to increase recycling of food waste in New Jersey, rather than send it to incinerators or landfills, took one step back and then one forward Thursday.
A bill advancing in the Legislature would give electric utilities wide latitude to trim or remove vegetation, even if local shade tree commissions object.