State Representatives Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) introduced House Bill 444 today.

This legislation would ensure that ratepayers are not burdened with the cost of their public utility provider's lobbying expenses by enforcing substantial penalties if a utility violates the law. 

The bill would also require robust disclosure of all political spending done by these companies.

"We are introducing this legislation to protect consumers from unfair and extreme utility bills. The citizens of Ohio are essentially paying a corruption tax every month and it is unacceptable for the hard-working families of Ohio to have to shoulder these costs. In the aftermath of the House Bill 6 Scandal, we must pass legislation that protects consumers and ensures that corruption ends in Ohio," said Rep. Miranda. 

HB 444 will prohibit public utilities like gas, natural gas, and electric light companies from recovering the costs of their political expenditures from their customers. These include things like lobbying expenditures, contributions to a political candidate, party, or committee, and contributions to certain tax-exempt organizations. 

It will authorize the Public Utilities of Ohio to order a public utility to refund, with interest, customers charges that have been imposed in violation of this new bill to a fine equal to 20 times the amount that was charged to customers.

HB 444 was announced back in February during a press conference with Statehouse Democrats, highlighting anti-corruption measures stemming from the HB6 scandal.