Sponsor
Eugene Simon Vindman
Representative · D-VA
The bill increases ethics and transparency in state energy programs—protecting public trust and preserving federal support for compliant states—while imposing potential funding penalties, administrative burdens, and hiring restrictions that could strain some states and utilities.
State governments retain full federal State Energy Program funding if they adopt and enforce post‑employment lobbying restrictions, preserving federal support for state energy projects and programs.
State governments that adopt strong post‑employment lobbying rules reduce conflicts of interest in utility rate and policy decisions, improving public trust in energy regulation.
Citizens and local governments gain transparency because the bill creates an annual public compliance database showing whether states restrict revolving‑door lobbying by former regulators.
State governments that fail to meet the lobbying restriction requirements risk losing 10% of federal State Energy Program funds each year, potentially cutting resources for state energy projects and programs.
States may need to pass new laws or administrative rules to comply, creating legislative and regulatory costs and delays that could slow energy program implementation.
Electric utilities may face limits on hiring former regulators for certain advocacy roles (and potential legal challenges), narrowing hiring options and raising compliance and legal costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Conditions 10% of State Energy Program grants on States adopting and enforcing lifetime and 2‑year post‑employment bans and enforcement for former state utility regulators.
Representative · D-VA
Requires the Secretary of Energy to withhold 10% of a State’s annual State energy program grants unless the State has specific post‑employment lobbying bans and enforcement for former state regulatory officials. The bill defines a lifetime ban for advocacy in particular matters a former official personally worked on, a two‑year ban for matters pending under their responsibility, and required enforcement tools (investigation, penalties, private damages), and it sets review, guidance, database, appeals, and reporting duties for the Secretary of Energy.
Official title: To impose lobbying restrictions on former officers and employees of State regulatory authorities, and to condition State energy program financial assistance on State compliance with those restrictions.
Introduced August 10, 2026 by Eugene Simon Vindman · Last progress August 10, 2026