HB 2313
An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in rates and distribution systems, further providing for recovery of advertising expenses.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s public utility laws to prevent utilities from including certain expenses, such as political advertising and lobbying costs, in their rate calculations. It requires utilities to disclose detailed information about these expenditures and prohibits specific types of spending, including trade association memberships, entertainment, and certain travel expenses. The goal is to ensure that consumer rates are not inflated by political activities.
Key provisions
- Utilities cannot charge consumers for political advertising or lobbying expenses in rate determinations.
- Utilities must file detailed reports with the commission outlining advertising expenses, including employee time and third-party vendor costs.
- Utilities with over 75,000 customers must file annual reports detailing lobbying and political activity costs.
- The report must include information on employee salaries and hours spent on lobbying activities.
- Specific types of expenses, like trade association memberships and certain travel, are prohibited as operating expenses.
- The commission has the authority to disallow advertising expenses that are not ‘reasonable’.
- The bill defines ‘political advertising’ and ‘lobbying or political activity’ for clarity.
- The bill requires utilities to disclose billing amounts from third-party vendors related to lobbying or political activities.
Who is affected
- Public Utility Companies
- Pennsylvania Consumers
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Christopher Rabb
Cosponsors
Danielle Friel Otten
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