Updated: House approves Public Regulation Commission reforms

The House today approved a package of reforms for the Public Regulation Commission, a utility regulatory agency that has been plagued with problems since its creation.

The constitutional amendments are aimed at making sure the PRC focuses on its main mission and that its five elected commissioners are qualified.

The changes would take the regulation of insurance and corporations out of the PRC. A separate insurance superintendent appointed by the governor would handle regulation of that industry. The oversight of corporations would shift to the secretary of state’s office. And the Legislature would have to establish educational and professional qualifications for commissioners.

The three constitutional amendments now go to the Senate.

Changes to the constitution require statewide voter approval, so if they made it through the entire legislative process this year they would end up on the November general election ballot.