This bill would increase the membership of the Public Service Commission and establish it’s control over the Public Utilities Staff.
SB 2020 authored by Senator Carmichael, would clarify a number of things. It would specify the number of members required for a quorum of the Commission, it would officially place the Public Utilities Staff under the authority of the PSC and verify the duties of members. One of the major changes would be to increase the number of commissioners to five, four from each Congressional District and one appointed by the state.
The bill reads:
Beginning on January 1, 2020, the commission shall be reconstituted to consist of five (5) members, one (1) member to be elected from each of the four (4) congressional districts, and one (1) member to be appointed from the state at large by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Also,
The member of the commission appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years and until his successor is appointed, such initial term to commence on January 1, 2020, and expiring on December 31, 2023.
The bill was referred to the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee.
Sarah Ulmer
