House Concurrent Resolution No. 19, introduced by the State Affairs Committee, emphasizes the importance of electricity in driving economic development in Idaho and acknowledges that the state's electricity rates are among the lowest in the nation. The resolution highlights the collaborative efforts of investor-owned and consumer-owned utilities over the past century to maintain fair and reasonable rates for Idaho residents. It also points out the role of the Public Utilities Commission in establishing rates for large electricity consumers and the need for a better understanding of the Commission's functions to ensure adequate protections for current and future customers, as well as grid reliability and resiliency.

To address these concerns, the resolution authorizes the Legislative Council to appoint a committee tasked with studying large electricity loads and ratepayer protections in Idaho. This study will encompass various aspects of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, as well as future planning and current ratemaking practices. The committee will include legislators and may also appoint nonlegislative members, who will not receive reimbursement for expenses or voting rights. The committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature.