Senate Bill 1126 Summary

• Relocates the Michigan Public Service Commission to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and maintains its composition of 3 members with no more than 2 from the same political party, appointed by the governor with senate consent.

• Establishes eligibility restrictions requiring commission members to be U.S. citizens and Michigan residents who cannot have financial interests in utilities or persons subject to commission jurisdiction, and prohibits them from serving in political party positions or holding other state offices.

• Bars individuals who have ever been employed by regulated utilities from serving as commission members and extends the prohibition for 1 year after leaving the commission.

• Prohibits commission members who are Michigan State Bar members from practicing law or serving as attorneys during their tenure on the commission.

• Adds restrictions on commission staff, preventing employment of individuals who worked for regulated utilities in the prior year and requiring employees to sign agreements not to work for regulated utilities for 1 year after leaving the commission.