2026 Alabama House Bill 392
| 2026 Alabama House Bill 392 | |
|---|---|
| Alabama House of Representatives | |
| Citation | [1] |
| Enacted by | Alabama House of Representatives |
| Enacted by | Alabama Senate |
| Legislative history | |
| Initiating chamber: Alabama House of Representatives | |
| Introduced by | Chip Brown |
| Introduced | February 5, 2026 |
| Committee responsible | Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure |
| First reading | February 5, 2026 |
| Second reading | February 10, 2026 |
| Revising chamber: Alabama Senate | |
| Committee responsible | Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development[a] |
| First reading | February 5, 2026[a] |
| Status: Expired | |
Alabama House Bill 392 is a proposed 2026 law in the state of Alabama that would end statewide popular vote elections for the Alabama Public Service Commission and instead give the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, the governor, and Alabama Senate president pro tempore the power to appoint members. It was first introduced on February 5, 2026 by state representative Chip Brown.
Background
Members of the Alabama Public Service Commission have been elected through statewide partisan elections since 1915. Two associate members as well as the president of the commission are elected to four-year terms.[2]
Impact
The bill would end elections for commission members upon the end of their current terms.[3] The 2026 election would be the final election held. Once the terms expire, the governor would appoint the commission president, while the speaker of the house and the president pro tempore of the senate would appoint the two associate members.[4]
Legislative history
State house
The bill was first introduced by Chip Brown on February 5, 2026.[5] In a committee meeting, Brown said that the bill would protect the commission from "out of state interests."[6] It was approved by the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee on February 10.[7] Kay Ivey expressed her support for the bill prior to the committee meeting.[8] Despite a vote being originally scheduled for February 12, it was pulled from the calendar. House speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter stated that the bill had the support to pass in the house but needed additional support in the senate.[9] State senate president pro tempore Garlan Gudger said that the bill did not have enough support to pass the senate.[10]
State senate
Bobby Singleton introduced Senate Bill 268, an identical companion bill in the state senate on February 5.[11]
Aftermath
After the bill failed, the top lobbyist for Alabama Power resigned on March 3.[12]
Notes
References
- ^ "Alabama House Bill 392". LegiScan. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ "HB392 INTRODUCED" (PDF). Alabama Legislature. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Kates, Margaret (February 9, 2026). "These Alabama Public Service Commission candidates could be the last ever elected under new bills". AL.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Chapoco, Ralph (February 10, 2026). "Alabama House bill would end popular election of Public Service Commission". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Horton, Jennifer (February 5, 2026). "Lawmakers propose ending Public Service Commission elections, appointing state utility regulators". WBRC. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Smith, Ruth Serven; Cason, Mike (February 10, 2026). "Alabama wants to reshape Public Service Commission, fears 'out of state' influence on power, utilities". AL.com. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Chapoco, Ralph (February 10, 2026). "House committee approves bill that would end elections of Public Service Commission members". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Everett, Grayson (February 10, 2026). "Alabama Republican Party, Governor Kay Ivey announce support for utility reform package: 'This is what leadership looks like'". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Chapoco, Ralph (February 12, 2026). "Alabama House pulls bill ending Public Service Commission elections prior to vote". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ^ Taylor, Caleb (February 25, 2026). "'Appeared too quick, moved too fast': Senate Pro-Tem Gudger says PSC appointment bill doesn't have enough support to pass". 1819 News. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ Pratt, Austin (February 5, 2026). "Bill to End Elections for Alabama Public Service Commission Sparks Debate". ABC 3340. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ Taylor, Caleb (March 3, 2026). "Alabama Power's top lobbyist R.B. Walker resigns after PSC appointment bill dies". 1819 News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.