Alabama Republican Assembly Opposes Effort to Strip Voters of Power to Elect Public Service Commissioners

February 9, 2026 – TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Republican Assembly (ALRA), a grassroots conservative organization within the state GOP, has announced its opposition to proposed legislation that would end Alabama's long‑standing practice of electing members of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The group argues that removing voters from the selection process would weaken accountability, reduce transparency, and concentrate too much authority in Montgomery at the expense of ordinary citizens.

A Push to Change How Commissioners Are Chosen

The legislation under discussion is Senate Bill 268 (SB268) introduced by Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). A companion bill has been introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives. House Bill 392 (HB392) was introduced by state Representative Chip Brown (R-Hollister's Island).

The legislation would shift the power to election the three PSC commissioners from the people of the state of Alabama to appointments by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President Pro Tempore. Those three seats are currently held by Cynthia Almond (PSC President), Jeremy Oden, and Chris Beeker III.

Beeker and Oden both face difficult re-election battles. Almond – who was appointed by Ivey last year when Twinkle Cavanaugh left to take an appointment with the Trump administration – would come up for re-election in 2028.

Supporters of the proposal have framed the change as a modernization effort, saying that utility regulation is highly technical and would benefit from appointed commissioners with specialized expertise.

"Our goal is simple: make the Public Service Commission accountable to Alabama families, not special interests," said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). "Alabama is one of only ten states in the country that still elects its PSC, and it is time to modernize how we set utility rates and double down on the oversight we have on this board."

"This legislation restores trust in utility oversight and ensures Alabama residents are protected from political or outside influence at a time when energy is more important and complex than it has ever been," said Rep. Brown.

The ALRA strongly disagrees, calling the proposal a direct challenge to Alabama's tradition of electing regulators who oversee some of the most consequential decisions affecting families and businesses.

In a statement outlining its position, the Alabama Republican Assembly emphasized that the PSC's authority over electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications rates makes it one of the most impactful regulatory bodies in the state. Because of that, the group argues, commissioners should remain directly accountable to voters rather than political insiders.

ALRA leaders say that allowing elected officials to appoint commissioners would create a system where decisions about utility rates and energy policy could be shaped by political deals, donor influence, or bureaucratic priorities rather than public input.

The organization also notes that Alabama's PSC has been elected since the early 20th century, and that voters have consistently shown interest in choosing commissioners who reflect their views on energy policy, consumer protection, and regulatory oversight.

"We strongly oppose and reject Alabama Senate Bill 268 and House Bill 392 in their entirety," ALRA wrote in a statement. "We call upon the Alabama Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee and members of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives, to vote NO on SB 268, HB 392 and any similar legislation that would eliminate or diminish the election of Public Service Commissioners by the people."

Concerns About Transparency and Accountability

The Assembly's opposition centers on three main concerns:

1. Loss of direct voter control

The ALRA argues that elections force commissioners to explain their decisions, justify rate structures, and answer directly to the public. Appointments, they say, would remove that layer of accountability.

2. Increased political influence

Under an appointment system, commissioners could be selected based on political loyalty or connections rather than qualifications or public trust. The ARA warns that this could lead to decisions that favor utilities or political interests over consumers.

3. Reduced public engagement

The group believes that taking PSC races off the ballot would reduce public awareness of energy policy and utility regulation, areas that already receive limited attention despite their importance to household budgets.

"We urge all Alabama citizens to contact their state senators and representatives to express opposition to SB 268 and HB 392, emphasizing the importance of preserving voter rights and direct accountability in utility regulations," ALRA continued. "We support maintaining the current elected structure of the Alabama Public Service Commission to ensure that those who regulate utilities and other responsibilities remain accountable first and foremost to the people they serve."

A Debate With Statewide Implications

The future of the PSC has become a recurring topic in Alabama political circles, especially as utility rates, energy infrastructure, and regulatory decisions draw increasing scrutiny. Any move to change how commissioners are selected would require legislative action and could reshape the balance of power between voters, elected officials, and regulated industries.

The Alabama Republican Assembly's stance signals that the proposal may face significant resistance from grassroots conservatives who view the PSC as one of the few regulatory bodies still directly accountable to the electorate.

What Comes Next

The State legislature could take up one or both of these bills as early as this week.

The Alabama Republican Assembly is making its position clear - the power, they say, should remain with the people.

(A.I. contributed to this report.)

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