FL S7066

Exempts Public Service Commission hearings or portions thereof from public meetings requirements when discussing confidential information, proprietary business data, or information previously made confidential by commission order, with the exemption finding required at least 20 days before the scheduled hearing.

Requires certified court reporter transcription of all hearings including confidential portions, with only redacted transcripts subject to public records disclosure, and parties must request confidentiality treatment within 21 days of filing or forfeit the exemption.

Prohibits livestreaming and website recording of closed hearings under the new exemption, while maintaining the general requirement that all other Public Service Commission meetings be streamed live and archived online.

Establishes a statement of public necessity finding that disclosure of proprietary confidential business information would harm utilities' negotiating ability, competitive position, and ratepayer interests, and that such harm outweighs public disclosure benefits.

Subjects the new exemptions to the Open Government Sunset Review Act, with automatic repeal on October 2, 2026, unless the Legislature reenacts the provision.