Bill > HB363

This bill fundamentally reforms the selection and composition of Montana's Public Service Commission (PSC), transitioning from a fully elected five-member commission to a hybrid model with two elected and three appointed commissioners. The elected commissioners will be chosen on a partisan basis from two districts corresponding to federal congressional districts, serving six-year terms with a 12-year total limit. The three appointed commissioners will be selected by the governor and confirmed by the senate, also serving six-year terms with a 12-year limit. The bill establishes strict qualifications for appointed commissioners, requiring them to be industry experts from science, technology, engineering, math, accounting, or utility valuation backgrounds, with a two-year separation from regulated industries and no recent political party involvement. The appointment process includes provisions preventing regulated entities from directly controlling nominations while allowing them to suggest candidates, and mandates that the senate confirm appointees' qualifications without partisan interference. The bill also includes a transition plan that allows current commissioners to complete their terms and gradually shifts the commission's structure, with the first appointed commissioners to be selected by January 2027. These changes aim to balance elected representation with technical expertise in overseeing public utility regulation.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1474