PUBLIC UTILITIES – Adds to existing law to prohibit public utilities from using customer funds for certain lobbying expenses.

Idaho bill H 434 prohibits public utilities (like electricity and gas companies) from charging customers for lobbying or political spending through their rates. It directly affects utilities and their customers by banning the recovery of such costs in rate increases, fares, or fees. The bill requires utilities to submit annual reports detailing all political spending, including amounts, recipients, and purposes, to the Public Utilities Commission by January 31 each year. Violations would trigger refunds to customers with interest and fines up to 20 times the illegal charge.