Bill · H.R. 10139· House(119-HR-10139)
Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/24/2026
- Last activity
- 8/24/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Henry Cuellar
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Ratepayer Bill of Rights Act of 2026. It requires public disclosure of electricity and water use, infrastructure costs, and related commitments for large data centers. The legislation applies to data centers with a peak electricity demand of at least 50 megawatts or a water withdrawal of at least 100,000 gallons per day. It establishes ten specific rights for ratepayers and communities affected by these data centers. The bill protects everyday people from paying for data center costs and ensures reliable community water and electricity. Federal agencies are directed to issue rules and enforce the act within their jurisdictions.
Yes· 3 of 20
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
Specifically protects agricultural water rights and provides compensation for water supply harm.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Protects rural aquifers and ensures that data centers do not prioritize their needs over local residents.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+8
Grants ratepayers rights to transparency, refunds for improper charges, and protection of utility reliability.
The opposite
Would billionaires be better off under this?-5
Increases operational costs and transparency requirements for owners of large data center conglomerates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Right one gives ratepayers the right to know a covered data center's projected and actual electricity and water use, sources, and wastewater discharge, which helps keep the public informed under section 2(b)(1).
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Right three protects households, farmers, ranchers, small businesses, schools, and hospitals from subsidizing a covered data center by requiring the company to pay all project-driven costs and sign a binding cost-recovery agreement under section 2(b)(3).
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Right four ensures an independent assessment confirms sufficient water will remain for households, agriculture, and existing businesses, and states that a data center may not receive priority over households, hospitals, or schools during a water emergency under section 2(b)(4).
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Right five provides private wells, rural water systems, farmers, and ranchers with the right to monitoring, notice, and fair compensation if a covered data center harms their water supply under section 2(b)(5).
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Right seven gives affected residents and ratepayers the right to at least 60 days' notice and a local public meeting before a final decision, and requires public officials and their families involved in these decisions to disclose relevant financial interests under section 2(b)(7).
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Right ten protects employees who report violations from retaliation, and allows Federal and State regulators to audit compliance, order refunds, and assess civil penalties under section 2(b)(10).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no explicit negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States. The text focuses entirely on establishing rights, protections, and disclosures for ratepayers and communities.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+9Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Middle Class Households+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Billionaires-5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+8Improves Small Business Support+6Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+8Improves Due Process+4Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7Improves Environmental Protections+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia