HR7214-119

What This Bill Does

The End PG&E Lobbying Act uses PURPA's State-consideration structure rather than directly imposing a federal criminal ban. It adds a new section 111(d) standard for a two-year lobbying ban covering former members of State regulatory authorities. During the two years after leaving the authority, a former member could not appear, lobby, or practice before that authority to influence decisions or obtain nonpublic information, and could not render paid services related to a case, proceeding, application, or other matter before that authority. Section 112 is amended so each State regulatory authority with ratemaking authority over electric utilities must begin considering the new standard or set a hearing date within one year and complete consideration and make a determination within two years. Existing State action is respected if, before enactment, the State had implemented, considered, or had its legislature vote on the same or a comparable standard.

Who Benefits and How

Electric utility customers, ratepayers, public-interest advocates, ethics watchdogs, State utility commissions with existing comparable rules, and lawmakers concerned about regulatory capture benefit from a federal nudge toward cooling-off periods for former utility regulators. State commissions gain a clear standard they can adopt, reject, or compare against existing ethics rules through the PURPA process.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Former State utility regulators, utility lobbying firms, regulated electric utilities seeking insider representation, State regulatory authorities, commission hearing staff, and State legislatures face new or renewed ethics proceedings, lobbying limits, paid-representation restrictions, hearing deadlines, and implementation decisions. Former regulators may lose paid advocacy opportunities before their old commission for two years if the State adopts the standard.

Key Provisions

• Adds a PURPA standard for a two-year lobbying ban on former State regulatory authority members.
• Bars former regulators from appearing, lobbying, or practicing before their former authority to influence decisions or gain nonpublic information.
• Bars paid services connected to cases, proceedings, applications, or other matters before the former authority.
• Requires State regulatory authorities to begin consideration or set a hearing date within one year.
• Requires State regulatory authorities to complete consideration and make a determination within two years.
• Exempts utilities in States that already implemented, considered, or legislatively voted on comparable standards before enactment.