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Senate committee reports bill to bar public-service corporations from using ratepayer funds for campaigns
Summary
SB 502, tailored to prohibit public-service corporations from using ratepayer money to support candidates, was presented, drew broad public support from advocacy groups and residents and opposition from utilities and trade groups, and was reported out of the committee.
A Senate committee in Richmond reported SB 502 after a full hearing that featured testimony for and against a proposal to prevent public-service corporations from using ratepayer funds for political donations.
Senator Roem (presenting the bill) said SB 502 revises a broader bill from last year and targets public-service corporations specifically so that ratepayer dollars cannot be used to influence elections. The sponsor said employees of those companies would still be allowed to form PACs and make personal donations.
Supporters included the League of Women Voters and Big Money Out, who argued the bill would reduce conflicts of interest and the appearance of pay-to-play by ensuring that consumers are not effectively underwriting political spending. A resident from Lynchburg said high rates made the measure particularly important to hold utilities accountable.
Dominion Energy and industry representatives opposed the measure. Counsel for Dominion said the bill had been introduced multiple times and objected to singling out one sector. The Virginia Oil and Gas Association and electric cooperatives also objected, saying the bill would create an uneven regulatory environment and suppress industry speech.
Committee members questioned whether the bill should be broader and whether exemptions and definitions were clear. Sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the measure was narrowly aimed at ratepayer dollars and would not bar employees from participating politically.
After debate the committee moved to report the measure. The clerk recorded a vote and announced the bill was reported; the transcript includes a clerk note about the tally that referenced an abstention and then stated the bill "fills the report." SB 502 now advances in the legislative process.
