H.R.1373 - Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1373, the Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025, aims to increase the transparency of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by requiring more open meetings and public access to information. The bill amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to broaden the definition of 'meeting' to include all deliberations of the TVA Board, committees, and subcommittees. It also mandates the publication of meeting notices and other relevant information on the TVA's website.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased public scrutiny of the TVA's decision-making processes. This could lead to greater accountability and potentially influence the TVA's policies and actions. However, it could also create administrative burdens and potentially hinder the TVA's ability to negotiate contracts effectively.
Potential Benefits
- Increased public awareness of TVA activities.
- Greater accountability for TVA board members.
- Potential for improved decision-making due to public scrutiny.
- Enhanced public trust in the TVA.
- More informed public participation in TVA-related issues.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative costs associated with transparency requirements.
- Possible delays in decision-making due to open meeting requirements.
- Risk of compromising the TVA's competitive position in contract negotiations.
- Potential for misuse of publicly available information.
- Possible chilling effect on internal deliberations due to public scrutiny.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the US Constitution. While the Constitution does not explicitly address the transparency of government agencies like the TVA, the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press supports the idea of open government. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional provision.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).