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Bill > SB0114


IN SB0114

IN SB0114
Election of IURC commissioners.


summary

Introduced
12/09/2025
In Committee
12/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Election of IURC commissioners. Provides for nonpartisan election of the five members of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC). Provides that: (1) one member of the IURC must reside in and represent the central one-third of the state (central district); (2) two members of the IURC must reside in and represent the northern one-third of the state (northern district); and (3) two members of the IURC must reside in and represent the southern one-third of the state (southern district). Provides that at the 2028 general election and every four years thereafter: (1) the member representing the central district shall be elected by residents of the central district; (2) one member representing the northern district shall be elected by residents of the northern district; and (3) one member representing the southern district shall be elected by residents of the southern district. Provides that at the 2030 general election and every four years thereafter: (1) one member representing the northern district shall be elected by residents of the northern district; and (2) one member representing the southern district shall be elected by residents of the southern district. Provides that a candidate for election to the IURC: (1) must have resided in Indiana for at least one year before the election; and (2) may not have any official or professional relationship or connection with, hold any stock or securities in, or have any pecuniary interest in a utility or a person with an interest in a utility. Provides that a: (1) candidate for election as a member of the IURC; or (2) candidate's committee of a candidate for election as a member of the IURC; may not solicit or accept a contribution from a utility, or from a person with an interest in a utility, for the duration of the candidate's candidacy for election as a member of the IURC. Provides for assignment of a case that would potentially affect retail utility rates to a member of the IURC representing the district containing the largest number of affected customers.

AI Summary

This bill changes the selection of Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) commissioners from gubernatorial appointment to nonpartisan election, creating a new system where commissioners are elected to represent specific geographic districts. The five commissioners will be divided into three utility regulatory districts: one representing the central district, two representing the northern district, and two representing the southern district. Each commissioner must reside in the district they represent and will be elected every four years, with specific elections occurring in 2028 and 2030. To be eligible, a candidate must have lived in Indiana for at least one year, may not have any professional or financial connections to utilities, and cannot accept campaign contributions from utilities or utility-related entities. The bill also maintains existing requirements that no more than three commissioners can belong to the same political party and that at least one commissioner must be a licensed attorney. Additionally, the bill provides that when cases potentially affecting utility rates are heard, the commission will attempt to assign the case to a commissioner from the district with the most affected customers. The changes are designed to increase local representation and reduce potential conflicts of interest in utility regulation by introducing a more direct electoral process for selecting commissioners.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities (on 12/09/2025)

bill text


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