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Assembly committee advances bill to bar utilities from charging ratepayers for political ads and lobbying
Summary
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee on Oct. 26 advanced SB 24, which would prohibit investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying and efforts opposing municipalization; the measure passed the committee as amended and was referred to appropriations.
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy on Oct. 26 voted to pass SB 24 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, a bill by Senator McNerney that would prevent investor-owned utilities (IOUs) from charging utility customers for political advertising, lobbying and spending to oppose municipalization efforts.
SB 24’s author, Sen. McNerney, told the committee the bill is “common sense” and aims to stop IOUs from using ratepayer dollars for political campaigns and ads. Supporters said ratepayer funds should pay for service, infrastructure and affordability programs — not political communications. Adria Tinnan, director of race, equity and legislative policy at TURN, said SB 24 “prohibits utilities from abusing rate payer dollars to pay for lobbying, advertising, and to work…
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