Committee advances bill to shift Public Service Commission from elections to appointments after heated hearing

The Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure committee voted to give House Bill 392 a favorable report as amended after a lengthy debate and public hearing that split consumer advocates, business groups and farmers.

Representative Brown introduced the measure, saying HB 392 would require utilities to hold at least one public hearing annually, strengthen ethics rules for commissioners and bar commissioners and family members from working for regulated companies or owning stock. "This legislation will provide accountability," he said, arguing appointments would reduce political influence and potential conflicts of interest.

The bill prompted sustained questioning from committee members about voter control, oversight and rate regulation. Representative Easterbrook and others asked whether appointing commissioners would remove voters’ ability to hold regulators accountable; Representative Brown replied the proposal would increase technical qualifications and institute public hearings for transparency.

The committee opened a two-minute public-comment period. Daniel Tate, executive director of Energy Alabama, urged members to oppose the bill and accused its provisions of creating a loophole for utility influence: "By passing this legislation, you are essentially legalizing bribery," he said, arguing the bill would allow utilities to shift influence to the officials who appoint commissioners. Robin Hayen, executive director of Alabama Arise, said the measure was "a major step backwards" that would strip voters of accountability and urged a roll-call vote.

Speakers were divided. Agricultural and business witnesses, including Bill Cook and Paige Hutto of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, said appointment would improve regulatory expertise and help keep energy costs competitive and reliable in rural and business communities. Several citizen speakers, including Ashton Kennedy and Sabri Mlan, urged preserving voters’ rights and warned the change would be perceived as a "power grab."

During committee consideration members adopted an amendment from Representative Crawford to add 'agricultural' to the list of relevant qualifications and to require staff to convene public utility hearings providing information about cost trends and reliability. Representative McCbell’s amendment clarified the nomination and appointment mechanics (lists submitted by legislative leaders to the governor) and preserved Senate confirmation.

Representative Crawford moved and the committee recorded votes on the amended bill; the clerk's roll call in the transcript records multiple votes (for example, Representative Crawford: yes; Representative Gibbons: yes; Representative Hollis: no; Representative Pauly: yes; Representative Kirkland: yes; Representative Marcus: yes; Representative Wilcox: yes). The chair announced the bill as amended passed in committee.

The committee adjourned after the vote. The recorded committee action advances HB 392 to the next legislative stage; the transcript does not include a final tally for every member on the roll call or the subsequent floor disposition.