HB 475 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Public Service Commission; number of commissioners expanded to represent congressional districts, phase-in by election provided, term of office revised, position of Secretary of Energy established as cabinet member, calculation of electric utility rates revised; rate hearings authorized

HB 475 requires Alabama's Public Service Commission to hold annual public meetings with utility representatives to discuss rates, infrastructure, and regulatory issues, with notice complying with open meetings laws. It prohibits electric utilities from including costs for grants, lobbying, or advertising in rate calculations for customer charges. Utilities must affirm in filings that they excluded these costs, and failure to do so voids the proposed rate change. The bill directly affects electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, aiming to increase transparency in rate-setting and prevent customers from paying for non-regulatory expenses.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed Apr 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized from its 'Engrossed' version to the 'Enrolled' version, which involves significant substantive changes to the Public Service Commission's structure and powers. The most critical change is the expansion of the commission from three members to seven, with new requirements for district-based elections and staggered terms. Additionally, the bill's title was updated to reflect the 'Power to the People Act,' and the specific mechanisms for holding rate cases and handling renewable energy proposals were rewritten to align with the new commission structure.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly by redefining the composition and election process of the Public Service Commission, changing it from a small body to a seven-member commission with district-based representation and longer terms.

STRUCTURE

The Public Service Commission membership was changed from three members to seven commissioners, each representing a specific congressional district.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions require the Governor to appoint four commissioners by July 15, 2026, based on lists submitted by legislative leaders.

TIMELINE

Commissioner terms were changed to six years with a phased-in election schedule starting in 2026 and concluding in 2032.

ENFORCEMENT

The specific procedures for rate cases and the impeachment process for commission failures were rewritten to match the new seven-member structure.

TECHNICAL

The bill's title and section headers were updated to reflect the new name 'Power to the People Act' and revised statutory language.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 1, 2026

Introduced

Smith motion to Concur in and Adopt Senate Amendment to HB475

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Butler motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee- Smith to Table Motion

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1029

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Smitherman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1028

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Introduced

Smitherman 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1027

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Introduced

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Substitute Offered (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 944

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Robbins 2nd Amendment Offered

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Robbins 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 943

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Brown 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 942

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute Offered (Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure)

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors