SB-24
This bill prohibits electrical and gas corporations from charging ratepayers for expenses related to political influence activities, promotional advertising, or efforts opposing municipalization, and requires clear disclosure in advertising about whether costs are paid by shareholders or ratepayers. It mandates annual reporting of these expenses to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), with reports made publicly available, and authorizes civil penalties for noncompliance. Additionally, the bill prohibits service termination for residential customers on days when the air quality index (AQI) is “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse, and for three days afterward, while requiring service restoration during such periods if termination occurred due to nonpayment. The bill includes findings to satisfy constitutional requirements for limiting public access to certain information.