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SB 360

Public Service Commission; number of commissioners expanded to represent congressional districts, phase-in by election provided, term of office revised, position of Secretary of Energy established as cabinet member, calculation of electric utility rates revised

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clyde Chambliss

Alabama bill expands Public Service Commission to congressional districts, establishes energy cabinet secretary, and revises utility rate calculations with phased implementation.

Third Reading in House of Origin
#telecommunications&utilities
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Bill Summary · SB 360

Legislative bill overview

SB 360 expands Alabama's Public Service Commission from its current size to match the state's congressional districts, phases in this expansion through elections, and modifies commissioner term lengths. The bill also establishes a new cabinet-level Secretary of Energy position and revises how electric utility rates are calculated.

Why is this important

The PSC regulates utilities, telecommunications, and transportation services affecting millions of Alabamians' daily lives and costs. Expanding the commission changes its composition and representation structure, while creating a new energy cabinet position could shift energy policy authority and coordination at the state level. Rate calculation revisions directly impact what consumers pay for electricity.

Potential points of contention

  • Representation vs. efficiency: Expanding commissioners to match 7 congressional districts may improve geographic representation but could slow decision-making and create coordination challenges
  • Utility rate impacts: Revising rate calculation methodology could benefit some consumer groups while disadvantaging others, depending on the specific formula changes
  • Cabinet position scope: Establishing a Secretary of Energy as cabinet member may duplicate or conflict with PSC authority over energy matters, creating unclear jurisdictional boundaries
  • Implementation timeline: The phase-in schedule's specific details matter greatly—unclear expansion and election timelines could create governance gaps or political complications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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