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B 26-0715

Public Service Commission Term Holdover Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Charles Allen

Extends Public Service Commission terms temporarily during an emergency to ensure continuous regulation of utilities.

Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Jul 21, 2026
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Bill Summary · B 26-0715

Overview

Bill: B26-0715, Session 26, District of Columbia
Title: Public Service Commission Term Holdover Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2026
Status: Retained by the Council (as of 2026-06-30)
Introduced: 2026-06-29 by Councilmember Allen; Co-sponsor: Charles Allen

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill appears to address the Public Service Commission (PSC) term holdover situation in emergency circumstances. While the full text is not provided here, the title indicates that it would extend holdover (continuation beyond normal term expiry) for PSC commissioners during an emergency, via an amendment deemed urgent or temporary (Emergency Amendment).

Key Provisions (inferred from title and typical content of emergency PSC measures)

  • Term Holdover Extension: Create or authorize an extension of PSC commissioners’ terms beyond their statutory expiry date when an emergency condition exists. This would allow the current commissioners to continue serving to ensure uninterrupted regulation of public utilities and related matters.
  • Emergency Trigger: Establish the criteria or declaration of an “emergency” that would activate the holdover extension. This could be tied to threats to public safety, utility reliability, or governance disruption.
  • Duration: Define the length of the extension period (e.g., a limited number of days, months, or until the emergency ends or a new appointment is made). Emergency measures typically include sunset provisions or automatic expiration unless further action is taken.
  • Appointment/Confirmation Process: Outline how new commissioners would be selected or confirmed once the emergency ends, or how the extension interacts with existing appointment timelines and Senate-confirmation requirements (as applicable to DC governance).
  • Oversight and Accountability: Provisions may include reporting requirements to the Council, transparency measures, or performance benchmarks to ensure continued PSC effectiveness during the holdover period.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Public Service Commission: The five-member or however many-member body governing public utilities and related matters in DC would have its terms extended temporarily.
  • PSC Staff and Utilities Regulated: Entities regulated by the PSC (electric, gas, water, and telecommunications providers, or other public utilities) would experience continuity in regulatory oversight during the emergency extension.
  • Public and Ratepayers: Potential impact on regulatory certainty, rate filings, and consumer protections during the holdover period.
  • Appointments/Governance: The Council and the Mayor’s office (depending on DC law for appointments) would be involved in authorizing or later reconciling terms and appointments after the emergency.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and Sponsorship: Introduced on 2026-06-29 by Councilmember Allen; Co-sponsor Charles Allen.
  • Legislative Path: Referred to appropriate committees (likely the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, or a PSC-related committee) for hearings and analysis; committee action would guide subsequent floor debate.
  • Emergent/Temporary Nature: Labeled as an Emergency Amendment, suggesting it would take effect promptly upon passage and likely include an expiration clause or sunset provision tied to the end of the declared emergency.
  • Sunset and Reversion: Expectation of a mechanism to revert terms or to appoint new commissioners once the emergency conditions subside, subject to Council action.

Notes

  • Specifics such as the exact extension duration, eligibility, and procedural checks are not provided in the summary available here. The emergency designation implies swift passage with limited debate and a focus on maintaining regulatory continuity.
  • For a complete understanding, a careful review of the bill’s text would clarify the precise mechanics, including any waivers, due process, or interaction with existing DC law on PSC appointments and term limits.

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

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