The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1193 aims to reform the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) by altering its structure and governance. The bill replaces the existing requirement of five electors with a new composition of three utility commissioners, all of whom must be state electors appointed by the Governor with the consent of both houses of the General Assembly. It also stipulates that no more than two commissioners can belong to the same political party and establishes a four-year term for any commissioner appointed after May 1, 2020. Additionally, the bill modifies the selection process for the chairperson and vice-chairperson, assigns matters to a single commissioner instead of a panel, and emphasizes the need for relevant qualifications in economics, engineering, or utility regulation for commissioners.

Furthermore, the bill enhances ethical standards and operational transparency within PURA. It prohibits utility commissioners and employees from disclosing confidential information for personal gain, restricts them from accepting employment with lobbying entities for one year post-tenure, and ensures that communications among commissioners regarding assigned matters are conducted publicly. The bill also mandates that the authority's office remains open during normal business hours and that comprehensive records of communications and official acts are maintained. The effective date for these amendments is set for October 1, 2025, with specific insertions and deletions to current statutes to facilitate these changes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-2, 16-6