OH SB245

Electric, gas, and natural gas companies (including affiliates and subsidiaries) are prohibited from passing political expenditure costs to customers through rates, fees, riders, or other charges

"Political expenditures" broadly includes contributions to candidates, parties, PACs, ballot issue campaigns, trade associations, chambers of commerce, 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) organizations, industry association dues, lobbying expenses, and public opinion/reputation campaigns

Violations result in mandatory customer refunds plus interest, and fines equal to 20 times the amount improperly charged to customers

A new "political activity fine fund" is created in the state treasury, administered by the Department of Development, to help customers pay past-due utility bills through the percentage of income payment plan program

Utilities must submit annual expenditure reports by January 1 detailing all political expenditures (payee, amount, purpose), which the Public Utilities Commission must publish online and compile into an annual report to the General Assembly by February 1