Alabama Legislature Passes Bill Giving Governor Control Over Public Utility Regulation Despite Opposition The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday passed a bill that would place the state’s public utility regulation board under the governor’s control, despite objections from its sponsor, Rep. Mack Butler. The measure, HB 475, was sent to Gov. Kay Ivey after the House overrode Butler’s attempt to negotiate further changes. The bill, which mirrors provisions from a Senate proposal, removes requirements for formal hearings on electricity rate increases and grants the governor significant authority over the Public Service Commission (PSC). Butler, who sponsored the bill, expressed disappointment with the House’s decision to accept Senate amendments without further discussion. He argued that the changes would weaken consumer protections and allow the governor to exert undue influence over utility rates. “I want my hammer back,” Butler said, referring to his original intent to mandate formal rate hearings and impose limits on utility pricing. He warned that without these provisions, he would refuse to support the bill in future sessions. The Senate’s amendments, largely based on Sen. Clyde Chambliss’ SB 360, restructure the PSC by requiring five of its seven members to approve formal rate hearings and placing the commission under the authority of a governor-appointed secretary of energy. This secretary would have the power to order rate case hearings and control the PSC’s agenda. The bill also allows Gov. Ivey to appoint four new PSC members before November’s elections, potentially overriding elected commissioners who might advocate for rate reviews.#kay_ivey #alabama_legislature #mack_butler #public_service_commission #alabama_power
