Public Utility Expenditures Amendments

SB 153 prohibits large electric and natural gas utilities from charging customers for expenses related to advertising (outside specific exceptions like safety messages), lobbying, or political activities. Utilities must file annual reports by March 1st detailing all such expenses, including employee roles and salary allocations, and face penalties if they improperly recover these costs. The bill explicitly excludes advertising required by law, energy efficiency programs, safety communications, and job postings from the prohibition. If a utility violates the rule, it must reimburse customers for the improperly charged amounts plus interest and pay a penalty equal to the recovered cost.