Representative Sprowls & Senator Legg File PSC Reform Bill
Representative Chris Sprowls and Senator Legg to Reform the Out-of-Control Public Service Commission
(Tampa Bay Area – December 5) – State Representative Chris Sprowls (R – District 65) and State Senator John Legg (R – District 17) jointly filed legislation aimed at reforming Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is under fire for failing to represent consumers. This legislation makes commissioners more reflective of the people they are supposed to serve.
“The Public Service Commission should serve the public good. While millions of Floridians are left in the dark – or fleeced by companies like Duke Energy – the PSC continues to turn a blind eye,” said Representative Sprowls. “These meaningful first steps will add some diversity and accountability to the PSC as we work on other reforms that will fundamentally alter the culture of the PSC.”
Senator Legg added, “Reforms are needed to restore confidence in the Public Service Commission. Unfortunately, people don’t feel like they’ve been dealt with fairly and that is a problem. I applaud Representative Sprowls for his courage and leadership on making this his first bill.”
The proposed legislation includes the following highlights:
Limits commissioners from serving more than two consecutive terms
Amends provisions for the purpose of statewide representation on the commission
Divides the state into five districts, whose boundaries align with the district courts of appeal
Each member of the Public Service Commission must reside within the respective district from which they are appointed
Restricts elected officials from being appointed to the Commission for 2 years after leaving office
Representative Sprowls made a pledge to his constituents to address concerns with the PSC and it would be one of his first acts as their state representative. While both bills have been filed, they have yet to be assigned bill numbers.
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