Congress targets utility regulator revolving door with two-year lobbying ban
H.R. 7214 — End PG&E Lobbying Act · Filed by Josh Harder (D-CA) · Introduced Jan 22, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends federal utility law to impose a two-year lobbying ban on former members of state utility regulatory authorities, preventing them from lobbying, appearing before, or providing paid services to the same regulatory body they recently left. It also requires state utility regulators to consider and rule on this standard within specific timeframes, with exemptions for states that have already implemented similar rules.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a straightforward two-year post-employment lobbying ban for former state utility regulators. It is a standard ethics/conflict-of-interest measure, not a substantive utility policy change.
What the text implies
- The bill may indirectly pressure utilities (including PG&E) to reduce lobbying spending or shift lobbying to other channels (federal, non-regulatory consultants) if they lose access to recently-departed regulators.
- State regulatory authorities may face administrative burden implementing the standard and conducting required proceedings within the 1–2 year timeline, potentially delaying other utility matters.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill reduces the revolving-door risk where regulators leave office and immediately lobby their former agencies on behalf of utilities, which can undermine independent regulation and consumer protection. Citizens benefit from reduced regulatory capture and more impartial utility oversight.