A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on enforcement or penalties for violations of the contribution rules, nor does it specify how current IURC members will be affected by these changes.

Election Rules for Utility Commissioners in Indiana

This bill changes how members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) are chosen, making it a nonpartisan process and setting rules about where they live and who can vote for them.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the way IURC commissioners are elected to be nonpartisan.
• Requires one commissioner to represent central Indiana, two to represent northern Indiana, and two to represent southern Indiana.
• Says that starting in 2028, voters will choose their local district's representative for the IURC every four years.
• Sets rules about who can run for a position on the IURC, like living in Indiana for at least one year before running and not having ties to utility companies.
• Prohibits candidates from accepting money from utilities or people connected with utilities during their campaign.

Who It Names or Affects

• Voters who live in central, northern, or southern districts of Indiana
• People who want to run for a position on the IURC

Terms To Know

IURC

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, which oversees utility companies in Indiana.

Nonpartisan election

An election where candidates do not run as members of a political party.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks the rules about accepting contributions.
• It is unclear how this will affect current IURC commissioners who were elected before these changes.
• The exact dates and procedures for future elections are not detailed.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.
Election of IURC commissioners.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning utilities.

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.