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SB669 • 2026
Relating to general powers of PSC
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Relating to general powers of PSC
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: SB669 SFA Willis 2-23 #1 Burgess 4840 Senator Willis moved to amend the bill on pages 2-3, section 3, lines 44-48, by striking out all of subsection (e) and inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection (e), to read as follows: (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the commission shall not approve any increase in rates, charges, surcharges, riders, or other cost recovery mechanisms imposed upon retail West Virginia ratepayers unless the commission finds, based upon a preponderance of the evidence in the record, that the costs assigned to such ratepayers are proportionate to or less than the benefits expected to be received by those ratepayers.
Plain English: SB669 SFA Willis 2-23 #1 Burgess 4840 Senator Willis moved to amend the bill on pages 2-3, section 3, lines 44-48, by striking out all of subsection (e) and inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection (e), to read as follows: (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the commission shall not approve any increase in rates, charges, surcharges, riders, or other cost recovery mechanisms imposed upon retail West Virginia ratepayers unless the commission finds, based upon a preponderance of the evidence in the record, that the costs assigned to such ratepayers are proportionate to or less than the benefits expected to be received by those ratepayers.
Markup Discussion
To House Energy and Public Works
To Energy and Public Works
Introduced in House
House received Senate message
Ordered to House
Passed Senate (Roll No. 210)
Read 3rd time
On 3rd reading
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
Read 2nd time
On 2nd reading
Read 1st time
On 1st reading
Reported do pass
To Judiciary
Committee substitute reported, but first to Judiciary
To Economic Development
Introduced in Senate
To Economic Development then Judiciary
Filed for introduction
Relating to general powers of PSC
SB 669 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Engrossed Version Senate Bill 669 History OTHER VERSIONS - Committee Substitute (1) | Introduced Version | | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST virginia legislature 2026 regular session Engrossed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 669 By Senators Thorne, Roberts, Rose, M. Maynard, Martin, Woelfel, Rucker, Willis, Chapman, Tarr, and Deeds [Reported February 4, 2026, from the Committee on Economic Development] A BILL to amend and reenact §24-2-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the general powers of the Public Service Commission; and clarifying when the Public Service Commission can approve utility rate increases. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. §24-2-3. General power of commission with respect to rates. (a) The commission may enforce, originate, establish, change, and promulgate tariffs, rates, joint rates, tolls, and schedules for all public utilities except for municipal power systems and water and/or sewer utilities that are political subdivisions of this state providing a separate or combined services and having at least 4,500 customers and annual combined gross revenues of $3 million or more: Provided, That the commission may exercise such rate authority over municipally owned natural gas utilities or a municipally owned water and/or sewer utility having less than 4,500 customers or annual combined gross revenues of less than $3 million only under the circumstances and limitations set forth in §24-2-4b of this code, and subject to the provisions set forth in §24-2-3(b) of this code. And whenever the commission, after hearing, finds any existing rates, tolls, tariffs, joint rates, or schedules enacted or maintained by a utility regulated under the provisions of this section to be unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, or unjustly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall by an order fix reasonable rates, joint rates, tariffs, tolls, or schedules to be followed in the future in lieu of those found to be unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, or unjustly discriminatory or otherwise in violation of any provisions of law, and the commission, in fixing the rate of any railroad company, may fix a fair, reasonable, and just rate to be charged on any branch line thereof, independent of the rate charged on the main line of that railroad. (b) Any complaint filed with the commission by a resale or wholesale customer of a municipally owned water and/or sewer utility having less than 4,500 customers or annual combined gross revenue of less than $3 million concerning rates, fees, or charges applicable to such resale or wholesale customer shall be filed within 30 days of the enactment by the governing body of the political subdivision of an ordinance changing rates, fees, or charges for such service. The commission shall resolve said complaint within 120 days of filing. The 120-day period for resolution of the complaint may be tolled by the commission until the necessary information showing the basis of the rates, fees, charges, and other information as the commission considers necessary is filed: Provided, That rates, fees, and charges so fixed by the political subdivision providing separate or combined water and/or sewer services shall remain in full force and effect until set aside, altered, or amended by the commission in an order to be followed in the future: Provided, however , That the commission shall have no authority to order refunds for amounts collected during the pendency of the complaint proceeding unless the rates, fees, or charges so enacted by the governing body were enacted subject to refund under the provisions of §24-2-4b(d)(2) or §24-2-4b(g) of this code. (c) In determining just and reasonable rates, the commission may audit and investigate management practices and policies, or have performed an audit and investigation of such practices and policies, in order to determine whether the utility is operating with efficiency and is utilizing sound management practices. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations setting forth the scope, frequency, and application of such audits and investigations to the various utilities subject to its jurisdiction. The commission may include the cost of conducting the management audit in the cost of service of the utility. (d) In determining just and reasonable rates, the commission shall investigate and review transactions between utilities and affiliates. The commission shall limit the total return of the utility to a level which, when considered with the level of profit or return the affiliate earns on transactions with the utility, is just and reasonable. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the commission shall not approve any increase in rates, charges, surcharges, riders, or other cost recovery mechanisms imposed upon retail West Virginia ratepayers unless the commission finds, based upon a preponderance of the evidence in the record, that the costs assigned to such ratepayers are proportionate to or less than the benefits expected to be received by those ratepayers. In any circumstance where the commission approves such an increase on West Virginia retail ratepayers, the commission shall publicly publish and provide a written justification quantitatively detailing its findings and decision. 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