This bill proposes significant changes to the governance of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in West Virginia by transitioning the selection of its commissioners from gubernatorial appointments to direct elections. Starting in 2026, three commissioners will be elected every four years, as specified in the amendments to section 3-1-16 of the Code of West Virginia. The bill also mandates that the commissioners be included on the ballot during elections, ensuring that voters have a direct say in their selection. Additionally, it establishes a procedure for filling any vacancies that may arise in the office of commissioner, which will be the responsibility of the Governor to appoint someone to serve the unexpired term.

The bill further modifies existing legal language regarding the qualifications and operational structure of the PSC. It removes the requirement that at least one commissioner must be a licensed attorney with ten years of experience, and it introduces a new provision that allows the Governor to appoint a commissioner to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term only. The bill also clarifies that the commissioners will serve a term of four years and that the Governor may only remove a commissioner for specific reasons such as incompetency or malfeasance. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance democratic accountability within the PSC by allowing the public to elect its commissioners directly.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1-16, 3-5-13a, 3-10-3, 21-4-3