MS SB2295

Reenacts and amends Mississippi Code sections governing the Public Service Commission structure, operations, and enforcement authority, including commissioner qualifications, staffing, duties, and financial management.

Extends the repeal date of Public Service Commission statutes from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2020, and extends the repeal date for Section 77-1-55 authorizing attorney and consultant contracts from July 1, 2018 to July 1, 2020.

Clarifies the Commission's enforcement authority by specifying it may institute legal proceedings by order after notice and hearing, or request the Attorney General or district attorney to do so, to compel compliance with Title 77 rules, regulations, orders, decisions, and determinations.

Clarifies the Commission's exclusive original jurisdiction over intrastate utility business to explicitly include retail rate establishment, customer complaints about rates and bills, and challenges to rate validity or accuracy, regardless of the legal theory used.

Maintains restrictions on Commission jurisdiction over natural gas production and gathering, municipal utility services, cooperative associations, nonprofit water/sewage entities, and water districts.