Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-8568119th CongressWALLET
Lowering Utility Bills Act
Sponsored By: Representative Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a standardized return-on-equity (ROE) framework for interstate electricity transmission providers and bars many corporate and political expenses from being recovered in customer rates. It would require regulators to set implementing rules within 120 days and tighten what counts as prudent transmission spending.
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- Transmission providers would face a set ROE range based on three midpoint estimates drawn from the prior five years: estimates from financial academics, large financial institutions, and Global Systemically Important Banks. The allowed ROE would default to the lowest value in that range unless the provider proves by clear and convincing evidence that a higher ROE is needed to attract capital and maintain financial integrity.
- Utilities could not pass a long list of costs into rates, including lobbying and many membership dues, advertising (unless approved), board travel and entertainment, investor relations, outside attorneys and expert fees for rate proceedings, charitable or political contributions, nonregulated goods, and fines.
- Companies seeking cost recovery must show, with substantial evidence, that they prioritized grid-enhancing technologies and lower-cost alternatives and that projects went through a compliant regional planning process. The bill defines key terms such as "financial academic" and a "financial institution" (entities managing at least $2 trillion) and repeals Section 219 with related cross-reference updates.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stop customers paying corporate utility costs
If enacted, the bill would ban utilities from recovering many corporate, political, and nonregulated business costs through customer rates. Banned items include lobbying and political costs, membership dues to certain trade groups, many advertising and public-influence expenses (unless specifically approved), director travel and entertainment, corporate aircraft, investor relations, many attorney and expert costs related to rate proceedings, charitable and political contributions, and penalties or fines. Some advertising or communications could still be recovered if a specified State or federal authority specifically approves them.
Lower allowed utility returns for consumers
If enacted, the bill would make the regulator set a new standardized method for transmission ROE. The ROE range would come from three five-year averages of market-return estimates from financial academics, very large financial institutions, and Global Systemically Important Banks. The regulator would normally pick the lowest value in that range unless the utility proves by clear and convincing evidence it needs a higher ROE. The bill would also require implementing regulations within 120 days and updates related definitions and cross-references.
Stricter rules for transmission projects
If enacted, the bill would require transmission providers to show by substantial evidence that they prioritized grid-enhancing technologies and lower-cost alternatives before getting cost recovery. The bill would also require that projects were subject to a regional planning process that meets Commission orders. If a provider cannot make these showings, the Commission could deem the expenditure imprudent and deny recovery from customers.
Protect existing utility labor contracts
If enacted, the bill would say that nothing in this section should be read to preempt, reduce, or interfere with any collective bargaining agreement that exists on the enactment date. The protection covers only agreements already in place when the bill is enacted.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]
TX • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
MD • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1]
IN • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/3/2026
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
TX • D
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov