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Proposal to shift Public Service Commission majority to gubernatorial appointments prompts heated testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 561 would convert the Public Service Commission to a hybrid model (two elected seats, three gubernatorial appointments confirmed by two-thirds of the Senate); proponents said appointments improve technical expertise, opponents warned of loss of voter accountability and potential capture by regulated utilities.
Senate Bill 561, introduced by Sen. Daniel Zomikov, would change the composition of the Public Service Commission (PSC): two commissioners would be elected (Eastern and Western districts) and three would be appointed by the governor with staggered six‑year terms and two‑thirds Senate confirmation. The bill also prescribes qualification standards for appointed commissioners and cooling-off/conflict restrictions.
Proponents including the Montana…
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