Substitute House Bill No. 7243 introduces new qualifications and stricter conflict of interest regulations for appointees to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Effective October 1, 2025, the bill requires that newly appointed utility commissioners possess specific expertise: one must have a background in economics, accounting, forensic auditing, or financial regulation; another must have experience in utility customer advocacy along with public service or administration; and a third must hold a law degree with experience in administrative or utility regulatory law. Additionally, at least half of the commissioners must not have prior employment with any entity regulated by PURA. The bill also disqualifies individuals from serving as commissioners if they are executives of companies that have received violations from PURA or have engaged in litigation with the agency.

Moreover, the bill extends the "cooling off period" for former commissioners from one year to five years, during which they are prohibited from accepting employment with PURA-regulated companies or their lobbyists. It clarifies that commissioners who have worked in a PURA-regulated profession for at least one year will have a substantial conflict of interest regarding their former employer for five years post-termination, necessitating their recusal from related matters during that time. These changes aim to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of the regulatory authority while ensuring that commissioners maintain independence from entities they once regulated.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-92, 1-96, 1-101
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 16-2
File No. 653: 16-2