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H 3400

An Act prohibiting the use of ratepayer funds for utility lobbying, promotions, or perks

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 43 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill prohibits utilities from using customer bills to fund lobbying, advertising, and executive perks, forcing ratepayers to stop subsidizing corporate political influence.

Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
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Bill Summary · H 3400

Legislative bill overview

H 3400 prohibits Massachusetts utilities from using ratepayer funds—money collected through utility bills—for lobbying activities, promotional campaigns, or executive perks. The bill aims to prevent utilities from spending customer money to influence legislation or policy decisions that affect those same customers.

Why is this important

Ratepayers have no choice in their utility provider and cannot opt out of paying bills that fund corporate lobbying. This creates a situation where customers effectively subsidize advocacy that may work against their own interests, such as lobbying against clean energy mandates, grid modernization requirements, or rate caps. The bill directly addresses concerns about misaligned incentives in utility regulation.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry opposition: Utilities argue that strategic communication about their operations, regulatory positions, and public affairs is necessary business conduct, and that restricting this limits their ability to participate in policy discussions
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language around what constitutes prohibited "promotions" and "perks" may be difficult to enforce—does this include advertising, sponsorships, executive compensation, or all of the above?
  • Free speech concerns: Utilities may challenge restrictions on corporate speech as limiting First Amendment rights, particularly around regulatory advocacy
  • Regulatory effectiveness: Critics question whether this addresses the core problem or merely shifts lobbying costs to parent companies and affiliated entities that face no such restrictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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