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119-hr-7214119th Congress

End PG&E Lobbying Act

Sponsored By: Representative Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

Introduced

Summary

A federal two-year lobbying ban on former state utility regulators would bar them from appearing before or being paid to influence decisions of their former state regulatory authority. The bill would also require each state regulatory authority to start considering that standard within one year and finish a determination within two years, while exempting states that already implemented or recently considered a comparable rule for the same electric utility.

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  • Former state regulators would be prohibited for two years after leaving office from appearing, lobbying, or practicing before their former commission to influence decisions or to obtain nonpublic information. They also could not be paid to provide services tied to any case, proceeding, or application before the authority.
  • State regulatory authorities would have to open reviews under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act for each electric utility they oversee within one year and complete consideration and a determination within two years, with exceptions where a State already implemented or recently considered a comparable standard.
  • Electric utilities, law firms, and consulting firms would face limits on hiring former commissioners as paid advocates for two years, which could change how firms staff regulatory cases and advisories.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

State deadlines for two-year ban

If enacted, the bill would require each State regulatory authority to start considering the two-year post‑tenure lobbying standard for each electric utility within 1 year. States would have to finish the consideration and make a determination within 2 years. The bill would exempt the timing rules for a given utility if, before enactment, the State had already implemented the standard (or a comparable one), held a proceeding to consider it, or the State legislature voted on it in the prior three years. It would also make certain date cross-references apply to the date when the two-year standard (paragraph (22)) is enacted.

Two-year lobbying ban for former regulators

If enacted, the bill would bar a person who is a former member of a State regulatory authority from appearing, lobbying, or practicing before that same authority for 2 years after their membership ends. It would also bar being paid to provide services related to any case, proceeding, application, or other matter before that authority during those 2 years. The restriction would begin on the date the membership terminated and would take effect when the bill is enacted.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

CA • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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