Bill > HB467

This bill establishes new regulations for public utilities (electric light, gas, and natural gas companies) regarding political expenditures. The bill defines political expenditures broadly, including contributions to political candidates, parties, committees, trade associations, lobbying expenses, and activities aimed at influencing public opinion. Public utilities are prohibited from recovering any costs associated with these political expenditures from their customers through rates, fees, or other charges. If a utility is found to have improperly charged customers for political expenses, they will be required to provide full refunds with interest. Additionally, the public utilities commission can impose a fine equal to twenty times the amount of the improper charges. These fines will be collected in a political activity fine fund, which will be administered by the department of development and used to help customers pay past-due utility bills. Public utilities must also submit annual reports detailing their political expenditures to the public utilities commission, which will then compile and publish these reports. The bill aims to increase transparency and prevent utilities from passing political spending costs onto their customers, effectively creating a financial disincentive for political expenditures by utility companies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb467