ALRA Resolution

The Alabama Republican Assembly Board of Directors Conference February 7, 2026

Resolution

Rejecting Alabama Senate Bill 268 and House Bill 392Opposing the Elimination of Elected Public Service Commissioners

WHEREAS, Alabama Senate Bill 268 (SB 268), and House Bill (HB 392) introduced in the 2026 Regular Session, seeks to amend Sections 37-1-3, 37-1-5, 37-1-6, 37-1-7, and other sections of the Code of Alabama 1975, to abolish the direct election of Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) members by the voters of this state; and

WHEREAS, under current law, the three PSC commissioners are elected at large by the people of Alabama, ensuring direct accountability for decisions that directly affect utility rates, electric bills, service quality, motor carriers, gas pipelines and other responsibilities; and

WHEREAS SB 268 and HB 392 would phase out these elections following the November 2026 General Election, transitioning to a system where commissioners are appointed by the Governor, for the Commission President position starting in 2028, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, for associate positions starting in 2030, subject only to Senate confirmation; and

WHEREAS appointed commissioners may be more insulated from public accountability and more susceptible to influence from political interests or utility industry stakeholders, rather than prioritizing the needs of everyday ratepayers; and

WHEREAS, while instituted more than one hundred years ago, the present elected system has enabled Alabamians to maintain direct accountability over regulatory officials via the electoral process, thereby fostering transparency and responsiveness within utility regulation; and

WHEREAS the PSC’s role in balancing utility operations and other responsibilities with affordable, reliable service for consumers is too critical to place solely in the hands of a small group of political appointees without direct voter input. And

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The Alabama Republican Assembly that:

1. We strongly oppose and reject Alabama Senate Bill 268 and House Bill 392 in their entirety.
2. We call upon the Alabama Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee and members of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives, to vote NO on SB 268, HB 392 and any similar legislation that would eliminate or diminish the election of Public Service Commissioners by the people.
3. We urge all Alabama citizens to contact their state senators and representatives to express opposition to SB 268 and HB 392, emphasizing the importance of preserving voter rights and direct accountability in utility regulations.
4. We support maintaining the current elected structure of the Alabama Public Service Commission to ensure that those who regulate utilities and other responsibilities   remain accountable first and foremost to the people they serve.
5. A copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the members and the presiding officers of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives, the Governor of Alabama, and made publicly available.

ADOPTED this 7th day of February 2026.

The Alabama Republican Assembly

John Rice, Resolutions Committee, Phone 334-524-2100

Murray Edwards, Alabama Republican Assembly – Phone 334-220-2658