Provides for nonpartisan election of the five members of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC). Provides that: (1) one member of the IURC must reside in and represent the central one-third of the state (central district); (2) two members of the IURC must reside in and represent the northern one-third of the state (northern district); and (3) two members of the IURC must reside in and represent the southern one-third of the state (southern district). Provides that at the 2028 general election and every four years thereafter: (1) the member representing the central district shall be elected by residents of the central district; (2) one member representing the northern district shall be elected by residents of the northern district; and (3) one member representing the southern district shall be elected by residents of the southern district. Provides that at the 2030 general election and every four years thereafter: (1) one member representing the northern district shall be elected by residents of the northern district; and (2) one member representing the southern district shall be elected by residents of the southern district. Provides that a candidate for election to the IURC: (1) must have resided in Indiana for at least one year before the election; and (2) may not have any official or professional relationship or connection with, hold any stock or securities in, or have any pecuniary interest in a utility or a person with an interest in a utility. Provides that a: (1) candidate for election as a member of the IURC; or (2) candidate's committee of a candidate for election as a member of the IURC; may not solicit or accept a contribution from a utility, or from a person with an interest in a utility, for the duration of the candidate's candidacy for election as a member of the IURC. Provides for assignment of a case that would potentially affect retail utility rates to a member of the IURC representing the district containing the largest number of affected customers.
Statutes affected: Introduced Senate Bill (S): 3-5-2.1-97, 3-8-1-33, 3-8-2-5, 3-8-2-7, 3-10-2-6, 3-10-2-7, 3-11-2-12, 3-13-4-3, 4-2-6-8, 8-1-1-2