Bills · HR 4785
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4785Energy
Ethics in Energy Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 29· LAST ACTION JUL 29
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
12
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care because this bill directly addresses whether they should have to fund utility companies' political lobbying efforts or public relations campaigns through their monthly energy bills. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to greater transparency in how utility companies spend their money and could potentially prevent ratepayers from subsidizing activities they may not support. Without this bill, utilities would likely continue to be able to include many of these political and public relations costs in the rates they charge, meaning consumers continue to foot the bill for these activities. It aims to ensure that utility rates only reflect the actual costs of providing electricity and natural gas, not political advocacy.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create rules preventing covered utility companies from charging their customers for 'political influence activities.'
This stops utility customers from unknowingly paying for lobbying or public relations campaigns on their energy bills.
PROVISION 02
Defines 'political influence activity' broadly to include expenses for influencing regulations, elections, public opinion, and certain public relations or trade association dues.
This provision clearly outlines a wide range of expenses utilities cannot pass on to customers, covering various forms of political engagement.
PROVISION 03
Requires covered utilities to submit annual, detailed reports to FERC listing all expenses related to political influence activities, including payee identities and billing amounts.
This increases transparency by making utilities disclose exactly how they are spending money on political activities, rather than obscuring it in general costs.
PROVISION 04
Establishes a penalty system where utilities that illegally charge customers for prohibited political expenses must pay fines, in addition to refunding the money.
This creates a strong financial deterrent to prevent utilities from violating the new rules and improperly charging customers.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 12
D· Florida
YRS IN OFFICE
19
BILLS LED
26
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 12 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 29
Introduced in House
JUL 29
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4785
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 29, 2025
Last actionJul 29, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 29, 2025
House BillHR 4785Energy
Ethics in Energy Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 29, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 29, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
7 min
COSPONSORS
12
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
