Senate Bill 268 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public Service Commission; provide for appointment of commissioners by Governor, commission duties revised

Summary

SB268 would shift Alabama's Public Service Commission from an elected three-member body to an appointed, Senate-confirmed panel with expanded ethics rules, new public information duties, and protections against ratepayer-funded lobbying, effective December 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

After the 2026 General Election, Public Service Commission members would be appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, with Senate confirmation. The bill expands conflict-of-interest rules to cover nonutility entities participating in matters before the commission. It requires periodic public informational meetings with utility representatives to discuss industry trends and other relevant issues, to inform the commission, staff, and the public. It also requires the commission to ensure lobbying expenses are not charged to ratepayers and makes conforming updates to the code, with an effective date of December 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Public Service Commission commissioners (current and future) — their selection method, qualifications, term structure, and vacancy/confirmation rules would change to appointments by state leaders and Senate oversight.
• Ratepayers and the public — lobbying expenses would be protected from ratepayer funding, and the public would have periodic informational meetings about industry trends and regulatory issues.

Key Provisions

• Appointment/transition to Governor, Speaker, and Senate President Pro Tempore with Senate confirmation for Public Service Commission members, including transition rules after the 2026 election.
• Expanded conflict-of-interest and transparency provisions, including nonutility entities’ involvement in matters before the commission, lobbying-expense protections for ratepayers, periodic public informational meetings, and related conforming code updates.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Telecommunications & Utilities