HR398: HR398 Georgia Public Service Commission; rename as Georgia Public Utilities Commission - CA

25 LC 55 0437 House Resolution 398 By: Representatives Ridley of the 22nd, Momtahan of the 17th, Horner of the 3rd, Camp of the 135th, and Romman of the 97th A RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Geor gia so as to rename the1 Georgia Public Service Commission as the Georgia Public Utilities Commission; to provide2 for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amen dment for ratification or3 rejection; and for other purposes.4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article IV of the Constitution is amended by revising Section I as follows:7 "SECTION I.8 PUBLIC SERVICE UTILITIES COMMISSION9 Paragraph I. Public Service Utilities Commission. (a) There shall be a Public Service10 Utilities Commission for the regulation of utilities which shall be in a ll respects the11 successor to and shall assume all of the rights, powers, and duties of the Public Service12 H. R. 398 - 1 - 25 LC 55 0437 Commission as it existed on December 31, 2026. The commission shall consist of five13 members who shall be elected by the people, have terms of offic e for six years, and shall14 serve until their successors are elected and qualified. A chairperson shall be selected by the15 members of the commission from its membership. The members of the former Public16 Service Commission in office immediately preceding January 1, 2027, shall continue to serve17 out their terms of office as mem bers of the Public Utilities Co mmission and until their18 respective successors are elected and qualified. The Commissioners in office on June 30,19 1983, shall serve until December 31 after the general election at which the successor of each20 member is elected. Thereafter, all succeeding terms of members shall be for six years. 21 Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qual ified. A chairman shall be22 selected by the members of the commission from its membership.23 (b) The commission shall be vested with such jurisdiction, pow ers, and duties as24 provided by law.25 (c) The filling of vacancies and manner and time of election o f members of the26 commission shall be as provided by law."27 SECTION 2.28 Article IX, Section II of the Constitution is amended by revisi ng subparagraph (c)(5) of29 Paragraph I as follows:30 "(5) Action extending the power of regulation over any business activity regulated by31 the Georgia Public Service Utilities Commission beyond that authorized by local or32 general law or by this Constitution."33 SECTION 3.34 The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be publi shed and submitted as35 provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the36 above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:37 H. R. 398 - 2 - 25 LC 55 0437 "( ) YES38 ( ) NO 39 Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to rename th e Georgia Public Service Commission as the Georgia Public Utilities Commission?" All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." 40 All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If41 such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall42 become a part of the Constitution of this state.43 H. R. 398 - 3 -