HB 1352 Summary

• Converts Indiana utility regulatory commission membership from governor-appointed positions to elected offices beginning with the 2012 general election, effective January 1, 2013.

• Establishes candidacy requirements: commission chair candidates must be Indiana residents for 2+ years, admitted to practice law in Indiana for 5+ years, and satisfy conflict-of-interest standards; other members must be Indiana residents for 2+ years and satisfy conflict-of-interest standards.

• Sets commission chair salary at $107,500 and member salaries at $105,000 annually, beginning January 1, 2013, with automatic annual adjustments based on state employee salary increases.

• Designates commission chair and members as "state officers" and "public officers" subject to financial disclosure, ethics, and conflict-of-interest laws applicable to other elected state officials.

• Repeals IC 8-1-1.5 establishing the utility regulatory commission nominating committee, effective January 1, 2013; transitions all existing appointed members' terms to expire January 1, 2013.