Bill > H3400

This bill prohibits gas and electric utility companies from recovering certain costs from ratepayers through their energy rates. Specifically, the bill prohibits utilities from charging ratepayers for expenses related to political and promotional advertising, lobbying, charitable contributions, membership dues, executive travel and entertainment, investor relations, and legal efforts to challenge existing regulations. The bill requires utilities to submit an annual report to the state department detailing all such expenses, and empowers the department to investigate and penalize utilities that improperly record or attempt to recover these types of costs. If a utility is found to have improperly charged ratepayers for prohibited expenses, the department can assess a non-recoverable penalty at least equal to the total improperly recorded amount and require the utility to refund customers with interest. The bill defines key terms like "political advertising" and "promotional advertising" and provides specific exceptions, such as allowing advertising about energy conservation, safety measures, service interruptions, and employment opportunities. The goal is to prevent utility companies from using customer money for activities that do not directly benefit ratepayers or relate to core utility services.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3400