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Bill

S 2239

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

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 18 co-sponsors

Bill prohibits Massachusetts utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional spending, and executive perks, redirecting mandatory customer fees toward actual utility operations.

Accompanied H5175
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Bill Summary · S 2239

Legislative bill overview

S 2239 prohibits Massachusetts utilities from using ratepayer funds—money collected through customer bills—to pay for lobbying activities, promotional campaigns, or executive perks. The bill restricts how utilities can spend the revenue generated from residential and business customers' utility payments.

Why is this important

Utility companies are natural monopolies with captive customer bases who have no choice but to pay their bills. Without restrictions, utilities could use mandatory customer payments to lobby for policies that benefit shareholders rather than ratepayers, creating a conflict of interest. This bill aims to ensure ratepayer funds serve actual utility operations rather than corporate advocacy or marketing.

Potential points of contention

  • Utility industry opposition: Utilities argue that certain advocacy and public relations spending protects their ability to operate efficiently and that separating costs is administratively complex and costly
  • Definition ambiguity: Determining what qualifies as "lobbying" versus legitimate regulatory compliance communication or "perks" versus necessary business expenses could be contentious and subject to litigation
  • Rate impact debate: Supporters say this lowers costs; utilities counter that restrictions could increase rates by forcing duplicative accounting systems or shifting costs to other categories
  • Competitive disadvantage claims: Utilities may argue that preventing them from promoting energy efficiency programs or grid modernization could harm public interest and their competitive position
  • Regulatory jurisdiction overlap: Questions about whether state utility commissions already have authority to regulate such spending, making this bill redundant or contradictory

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

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