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 its meetings to be more open to the public. The bill amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to include all deliberations of the TVA Board, committees, and subcommittees under the requirements of section 552b of title 5, United States Code (the Government in the Sunshine Act). It also mandates the publication of meeting notices and other relevant information on the TVA's website.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely result in greater public scrutiny of the TVA's decision-making processes. This increased transparency could lead to more informed public discourse and potentially influence the TVA's actions. However, the bill also includes exemptions that allow the TVA to withhold certain information related to power availability requests and contract negotiations, which could limit the scope of transparency.
Potential Benefits
- Increased public access to information about TVA operations.
- Greater accountability of TVA board members and staff.
- More informed public participation in TVA-related issues.
- Potential for improved decision-making by the TVA due to increased scrutiny.
- Enhanced public trust in the TVA.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Exemptions for certain information (power availability, contract negotiations) could limit transparency.
- Increased administrative burden for the TVA to comply with the new requirements.
- Potential for delays in decision-making due to the need for more open meetings.
- Risk of politicization of TVA operations due to increased public scrutiny.
- Possible chilling effect on internal deliberations if board members are overly concerned about public perception.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the principles of open government and transparency, which are generally considered consistent with the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press. While the Constitution does not explicitly address the transparency of government agencies like the TVA, promoting transparency can be seen as supporting a more informed electorate, which is essential for a functioning democracy. The legislative power to enact such a law is derived from Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
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).