AL HB392

Public Service Commission members would shift from elected to appointed positions beginning after the November 2026 elections, with the president appointed by the Governor (starting November 2028) and two associate commissioners appointed by the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate (starting November 2030), all subject to Senate confirmation for four-year terms.

Conflict of interest restrictions would expand to prohibit commissioners and commission clerks from having financial interests in or providing professional services to nonutility entities participating in matters before the commission, not just regulated utilities.

Commissioners accepting gifts, gratuities, emoluments, or employment from nonutility entities with pending matters before the commission would face forfeiture of office and potential impeachment.

The commission must hold at least annual public meetings with utility representatives to provide information on cost trends, reliability, infrastructure investment plans, and competitiveness with peer states.

The commission must ensure utility lobbying expenses are not charged to ratepayers through its system of accounts.