Sponsors
The bill prevents new state-level RGGI-specific fees and administrative programs—reducing direct charges and regulatory complexity for taxpayers and state governments—but at the cost of reducing funding and tools for energy-efficiency and emissions reductions and potentially shifting costs onto other taxpayers or ratepayers.
State taxpayers will face fewer new state-level charges tied specifically to RGGI funding, reducing out-of-pocket costs for residents in states that would otherwise impose such fees.
State governments will be prevented from creating new administrative fee programs tied to RGGI funding, reducing regulatory complexity and administrative overhead at the state level.
Low-income households, homeowners, and renters may receive less funding for energy-efficiency programs, meaning fewer home upgrades and smaller reductions in household energy bills.
Communities across urban and rural areas could see slower emissions reductions because the bill limits a tool states might use to deliver energy-efficiency upgrades and related climate benefits.
Taxpayers, utilities, and ratepayers could face shifted costs if funding for programs is moved from RGGI-tied fees to state budgets, federal funding, or utility charges, creating tradeoffs and possible higher taxes or utility rates.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced March 18, 2026 by Jefferson Van Drew · Last progress March 18, 2026
Prohibits states from creating or levying any fee, assessment, or other charge that is intended to fund the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Energy Efficiency Program. It also designates two permissible short-form citations for the act. The measure does not provide federal funding, set deadlines, or name enforcing agencies.