Georgia bill would give utility regulators extra years in office without facing voters

The five Republican members of the Georgia Public Service Commission meet Dec. 19, 2023, in Atlanta. A lawsuit filed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, challenges a new law that delays elections for the public utility regulators, saying letting their terms last more than six years violates the state constitution. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Georgia’s Public Service Commission is an elected body that’s gone years without having elections because of a redistricting lawsuit.

Anticipating that a court will order elections to resume, Georgia lawmakers now want to add an extra two years to the six-year terms of commissioners on the all-Republican body.

The plan, approved Thursday by both the Georgia House and Senate in House Bill 1312, awaits Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature or veto.