This bill amends section 70-1003 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, concerning the membership structure of the Nebraska Power Review Board. The revised provisions specify that the board will consist of five members, including at least one engineer, one attorney, and one licensed journeyman electrician affiliated with a nonprofit labor organization for electrical workers. The bill introduces a transition period where the current board can maintain its existing composition until a member's term expires or their position is vacated, after which the new membership structure will take effect. Additionally, it stipulates that no more than one member can have been associated with an electric utility within the past four years, ensuring a level of independence in board decisions.

The bill also includes provisions for the appointment and terms of board members, compensation for their service, and the requirement for the board to publish a biennial report detailing various aspects of Nebraska's electric system. The report will cover assessments, income totals, costs of applications, and a summary of board activities, among other data. Furthermore, the board is empowered to hold public hearings on retail competition in the electric industry and may submit reports to the Governor and the Legislature regarding the viability of regional transmission organizations and wholesale electricity markets. The original section 70-1003 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1003