To establish the Ratepayer Justice Fund and a Federal process to reimburse ratepayers and communities harmed by utility and utility executive misconduct, including corruption, and to hold accountable those responsible for such misconduct, and for other purposes.
Key claim: HR9700 would establish a Ratepayer Justice Fund and a federal process to reimburse ratepayers and communities harmed by utility and utility executive misconduct, including corruption, and to hold those responsible accountable.
Abstract
(HR9700 · 119th Congress) Latest action (2026-07-16): Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4617)
Why this matters
Utility misconduct and corruption cases (e.g., rate-recovery of imprudent costs or bribery-linked plant approvals) can push billions in unjustified charges onto captive ratepayers, but federal remedies have historically been limited to state PUC actions and criminal prosecutions. A dedicated federal Ratepayer Justice Fund would create a direct reimbursement pathway and accountability mechanism, potentially reshaping how enforcement risk and cost-recovery decisions flow through regulated utility rates.