119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 10080
The Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act would restrict former state energy regulators from lobbying on behalf of electric utilities before their former agencies for a limited time period. Specifically, it would ban former state regulatory officials from advocating for utilities in matters they personally handled while employed, and would extend this ban to two years after they leave office for any utility matter that was pending during their final year of service. To enforce these restrictions, states would need to investigate violations, impose penalties, and allow affected parties to recover damages. The bill ties compliance to federal funding by requiring the Department of Energy to withhold 10 percent of State Energy Program financial assistance from states that do not adopt these restrictions, though states would have a 90-day cure period and could regain withheld funds if they later comply. The Department of Energy would have nine months to issue regulations, must conduct annual compliance reviews, and is required to maintain a public database tracking each state's compliance status.