The bill amends the 1939 Public Act 3, which regulates public and private utilities in Michigan, by introducing new provisions aimed at enhancing employee protections during transitions in electric utility ownership. It mandates that electric utilities establish an industry worker transition program that includes skills upgrades, training, and job placement assistance for employees affected by ownership changes. The bill specifies that any acquiring entity must hire a sufficient number of nonsupervisory employees from the existing workforce and maintain their wage rates and benefits for at least 30 months post-transfer, unless mutually agreed otherwise. Additionally, it requires a dispute resolution mechanism for employee complaints regarding wages and working conditions.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the authority of the Public Service Commission (PSC) by requiring it to adopt service quality and reliability standards for electric utilities, which include considerations for safety, costs, and operational reliability. Utilities must file annual reports detailing their compliance with these standards, and the PSC is empowered to take corrective actions if necessary. The bill also introduces financial incentives and penalties for utilities that fail to meet the established standards, ensuring accountability in service delivery. Overall, the amendments aim to protect workers during transitions and improve the reliability of electric utility services in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 460.10