Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1373

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T20:43:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 aims to increase public access and transparency in the decision-making processes of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal corporation that manages electricity production, flood control, and economic development in parts of seven U.S. states. It requires TVA Board meetings to follow open meeting rules, allowing greater public oversight while balancing operational needs.

Key Provisions

• Meeting Frequency: The TVA Board must hold at least four meetings per year.
• Application of Open Meeting Laws: The bill applies the Government in the Sunshine Act (a federal law requiring certain government meetings to be open to the public, found in 5 U.S.C. § 552b) to all Board deliberations. This includes discussions by the full Board, committees, or subcommittees, even if they do not lead to final actions on official business.
• Notice Requirements:
• Public announcements of meetings must be posted on the TVA Board's website.
• Emergency special meetings, designated by the Board chair, do not need the standard one-week advance notice.
• Public Access to Information: Any details required to be shared or certified under the Sunshine Act (such as meeting agendas or minutes) must be published on the TVA Board's website.
• Exemptions from Disclosure: The Board can close portions of meetings or withhold related information if it involves:
• Requests for power availability (e.g., discussions on energy supply demands).
• Contract negotiations, including labor relations or procurement (purchasing processes), where disclosure could harm the TVA's competitive position in the market.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This act amends Section 2(g)(2) of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, which previously did not fully subject TVA Board meetings to the Sunshine Act's requirements. The changes expand the definition of a "meeting" to cover informal deliberations and mandate online publication of notices and documents, overriding some prior exemptions for non-action discussions. It also introduces flexibility for emergency meetings and specific exemptions tailored to TVA's energy and contracting operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The TVA, as a federal entity, will face increased administrative burdens to ensure compliance, such as preparing public notices and website updates, potentially slowing some internal discussions but enhancing accountability to Congress and oversight bodies.
• On Citizens: Residents in the TVA service area (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) gain better access to Board activities, fostering public trust and allowing input on issues like energy pricing and environmental projects. However, exemptions may limit transparency on sensitive commercial matters.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic operations of a U.S. federal corporation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• TVA Board and Employees: Directly responsible for implementing new transparency rules, which may require procedural changes in how meetings are conducted and documented.
• Public and Ratepayers: Individuals and communities served by TVA benefit from greater visibility into decisions affecting electricity rates, infrastructure, and regional development.
• Congress and Oversight Entities: Gains stronger tools for monitoring TVA, potentially leading to more effective legislative oversight.
• Business Partners and Contractors: Affected by exemptions protecting negotiations, which could maintain TVA's market edge in energy deals.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens application of the Sunshine Act to quasi-governmental entities like TVA, promoting the principle of open government without fully overriding agency-specific needs. Exemptions align with existing Sunshine Act allowances for protecting trade secrets or negotiations.
• Constitutional: Supports First Amendment values of public access to government proceedings but does not raise separation of powers issues, as it refines an existing federal statute.
• Political: Encourages accountability in a major federal program established during the New Deal era, potentially reducing perceptions of secrecy in public utilities. It may inspire similar transparency reforms for other federal corporations, though exemptions could draw criticism for limiting full openness.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-10: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
• 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-06-09: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2554)
• 2025-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2554)
• 2025-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1373.
• 2025-06-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2554-2555)
• 2025-06-09: Mr. Ezell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-06-05: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 109.
• 2025-06-05: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-140.
• 2025-06-05: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-140.
• 2025-04-02: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
• 2025-04-02: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-04-02: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
• 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
• 2025-02-14: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Bill Versions

• Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-09 — PDF (6 pages)
• Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-14 — PDF (2 pages)
• Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (4 pages)
• Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (6 pages)