HB 475

This act is the Power to the People Act. This act amends Sections 17-14-2, 17-14-3, 36-3-1, 37-1-1, 37-1-3, 37-1-5, and 37-1-12, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) expand the Public Service Commission from three to seven members from each congressional district as of 2024; (2) require the Governor to appoint four members to the commission by July 15, 2026, for two two-year terms and two four-year terms; (3) require elections of commissioners at the general elections in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 to replace the current and appointed commissioners; (4) extend the length of commissioners' terms from four to six years; (5) prohibit utilities regulated by the commission from contributing to commission candidates; (6) subject commissioners to the state ethics laws; (7) prohibit commissioners from representing any person before the Legislature or executive agencies; (8) create the position of the Secretary of Energy within the Governor's cabinet to direct the commission, set the agenda for commission meetings, and administer the commission and its personnel. This act also adds Sections 37-1-81.1, 37-1-81.2, and 37-1-81.3 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) prohibit any retail electric utility rate increase until January 1, 2029; (2) provide for a rate hearing after this prohibition; (3) beginning January 1, 2029, prohibit these utilities from factoring into electric rates the costs of providing funding that impacts others' rates, lobbying, or advertising; and (4) require yearly public commission meetings on regulatory issues with utility representatives present.