Alabama HB475 expands Public Service Commission, creates Secretary of Energy
Summary
Alabama HB475 expands the Public Service Commission to include commissioners representing congressional districts, establishes a Secretary of Energy position as a cabinet member, and revises electric utility rate calculations. The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was enrolled on March 17, 2026. Utilities and regulatory stakeholders should prepare for new rate hearing procedures and engagement with the new Secretary of Energy position.
What changed
Alabama HB475 restructures the state's Public Service Commission by expanding it to include commissioners representing each congressional district, phasing in the change through elections, and creating a new Secretary of Energy position serving as a cabinet member. The bill also modifies how electric utility rates are calculated and authorizes rate hearings. Key provisions include the establishment of the Secretary of Energy as a cabinet-level position and transitional provisions for the commission expansion.
Once signed into law by the governor, energy companies and utilities subject to PSC jurisdiction should monitor for implementing guidance and prepare for new rate hearing procedures. The expanded commission structure may affect how utility rate cases are evaluated. Companies should assess internal processes for regulatory engagement as the new oversight structure takes effect.
What to do next
- Monitor for gubernatorial action and signing of HB475 into law
- Energy companies subject to PSC jurisdiction should prepare for new rate hearing procedures
- Anticipate engagement with the new Secretary of Energy position once established
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Alabama / HB475 Enrolled HB475 House Bill Enrolled 2026-03-17
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
Bill Details
State Alabama
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search
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Sponsors
Mack Butler (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-01 H Ready to Enroll 2026-04-01 H Smith motion to Concur in and Adopt Senate Amendment to HB475 2026-04-01 H Butler motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee- Smith to Table Motion 2026-04-01 S Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1029 2026-04-01 S Smitherman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1028 4U8QLR3-1 2026-04-01 S Smitherman 1st Amendment Offered 4U8QLR3-1 2026-04-01 S Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1027 5VQZJM3-1 2026-04-01 S Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Substitute Offered 5VQZJM3-1 2026-04-01 S Third Reading in Second House 2026-03-31 S Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-03-31 S Reported Out of Committee Second House 2026-03-31 S Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Substitute 5VQZJM3-1 2026-03-19 S Pending Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 2026-03-19 S Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 2026-03-17 H Engrossed 2026-03-17 H Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 944 2026-03-17 H Robbins 2nd Amendment Offered 4UWS9R3-1 2026-03-17 H Robbins 1st Amendment Offered ARKYHSQ-1 2026-03-17 H Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 943 EJ3SAC9-1 2026-03-17 H Brown 1st Amendment Offered EJ3SAC9-1 2026-03-17 H Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 942 MS3PZHH-1 2026-03-17 H Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute Offered MS3PZHH-1 2026-03-17 H Third Reading in House of Origin 2026-03-11 H Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar 2026-03-11 H Reported Out of Committee House of Origin 2026-03-11 H Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute MS3PZHH-1 2026-02-19 H Pending House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 2026-02-19 H Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Votes
2026-03-17 HBIR: Passed by House of Origin Yea: 95 Nay: 0 2026-03-17 Third Reading in House of Origin Yea: 95 Nay: 0 2026-03-17 Motion to Adopt - Roll Call 942 MS3PZHH-1 Yea: 103 Nay: 0 2026-03-17 Motion to Adopt - Roll Call 943 EJ3SAC9-1 Yea: 81 Nay: 3 2026-03-17 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Roll Call 944 Yea: 104 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 SBIR: Passed by Second House Yea: 31 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Third Reading in Second House Yea: 31 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Chambliss motion to Adopt - Roll Call 1027 5VQZJM3-1 Yea: 31 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Smitherman motion to Adopt - Roll Call 1028 4U8QLR3-1 Yea: 31 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Roll Call 1029 Yea: 32 Nay: 0 2026-04-01 Butler motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee- Smith to Table Motion Yea: 68 Nay: 31 2026-04-01 Smith motion to Concur in and Adopt Senate Amendment to HB475 Yea: 72 Nay: 26
Committee Referrals
2026-02-19 H Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 2026-03-19 S Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Amendments
2026-03-11 House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute 2026-03-17 House Robbins 2nd Amendment Offered 2026-03-17 House Robbins 1st Amendment Offered 2026-03-17 House Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 943 2026-03-31 Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development 1st Substitute 2026-04-01 Senate Smitherman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1028
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-19 Introduced 2026-03-17 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Enrolled
Subjects
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