2023 Senate Bill 297

Public utilities: public service commission; election of members to the Michigan public service commission; provide for.

A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled “An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 1 and 2 (MCL 460.1 and 460.2).

Mackinac Center Analysis

Abolishes the appointed Michigan Public Service Commission and transitions to an elected PSC.

Introduced in the Senate

April 26, 2023

Introduced by Sen. Jim Runestad (R-23) and two co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Ruth Johnson (R-24) and Joseph Bellino (R-16)

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations