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Senate approves Public Service Commission overhaul, banning rate increases until 2029 and expanding the commission
Summary
The Senate passed HB475 as amended to freeze rate increases until 2029 (while allowing reductions), expand the elected Public Service Commission from three to seven members with staggered six-year terms, ban contributions from regulated entities to regulators, create a secretary of energy position, and require additional oath-bound public hearings with subpoena power.
Senator Chamblas brought House Bill 475 to the floor and explained a suite of reforms to the state's utilities oversight. The committee substitute and a floor amendment were adopted. Key elements of the amended bill included:
- A prohibition on utility rate increases through 2029 while preserving the ability for rate reductions. - Expansion of the elected Public Service Commission from three to seven commissioners with staggered six-year terms to promote continuity. - Prohibitions on contributions from regulated entities to regulators. - Creation of a secretary of energy position. - Additional public hearing requirements (moving from one to three annual public hearings in certain circumstances), with those hearings under oath and subject to subpoena power.
Senator Chamblas summarized the bill on the floor, saying it "outlaws any rate increase until 2029, but leaves open the ability of rate reduction," and described ethics and structural changes to the commission and its oversight. Senators adopted the amendment by unanimous consent and the amended bill passed on final action.
Floor passage does not itself set implementation details for the new office or the staged transition of commissioners; sponsors said implementing rules and timing will follow through committee work and statutory effective dates embedded in the enacted text.
