Gov. Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 475 into law Thursday, marking a significant legislative change in Alabama.The Power to the People Act, which passed both the House and Senate Wednesday, underwent major changes before becoming law. Alabama State Rep. Mack Butler, the bill’s sponsor, expressed mixed feelings about the final version saying there were some major wins in the amended legislation but also some nonnegotiables that were left out.The bill primarily addresses formal rate hearings, where the Public Service Commission reviews utility companies’ books to ensure fair rates and spending. However, the PSC has not held a formal hearing on electricity rates since 1981.Butler emphasized the potential of these hearings to lower utility costs but noted that they are not mandatory. He filed the bill to make them mandatory, but this provision was cut from the final version, leading him to vote against it.”It just didn’t have the triggers, what I call the hammer in there to force it if the rates get to a certain place; it was going to force them to open their books and look at why are we not being competitive? For some reason, I’m 62 years old, and the last time that was done, I was still a high school student. So that’s problematic,” Butler said.The passed version of the bill does change these hearings. Utility leaders will now attend these hearings sworn under oath, facing the threat of perjury.Gov. Ivey released a statement after signing the bill into law, saying, “The Alabama Legislature passed HB 475 to put a freeze on electric rates and to give the people of Alabama broader representation on the Public Service Commission.”She added that Alabama is a top 10 state for cost of living and the No. 1 state for plain affordability, making it the best state to live, work and raise a family. To maintain this status, she emphasized the importance of keeping the cost of living low.>> AROUND THE COUNTRY: National coverage from WVTM 13

MONTGOMERY, Ala. —

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 475 into law Thursday, marking a significant legislative change in Alabama.

The Power to the People Act, which passed both the House and Senate Wednesday, underwent major changes before becoming law. Alabama State Rep. Mack Butler, the bill’s sponsor, expressed mixed feelings about the final version saying there were some major wins in the amended legislation but also some nonnegotiables that were left out.

The bill primarily addresses formal rate hearings, where the Public Service Commission reviews utility companies’ books to ensure fair rates and spending. However, the PSC has not held a formal hearing on electricity rates since 1981.

Butler emphasized the potential of these hearings to lower utility costs but noted that they are not mandatory. He filed the bill to make them mandatory, but this provision was cut from the final version, leading him to vote against it.

“It just didn’t have the triggers, what I call the hammer in there to force it if the rates get to a certain place; it was going to force them to open their books and look at why are we not being competitive? For some reason, I’m 62 years old, and the last time that was done, I was still a high school student. So that’s problematic,” Butler said.

The passed version of the bill does change these hearings. Utility leaders will now attend these hearings sworn under oath, facing the threat of perjury.

Gov. Ivey released a statement after signing the bill into law, saying, “The Alabama Legislature passed HB 475 to put a freeze on electric rates and to give the people of Alabama broader representation on the Public Service Commission.”

She added that Alabama is a top 10 state for cost of living and the No. 1 state for plain affordability, making it the best state to live, work and raise a family. To maintain this status, she emphasized the importance of keeping the cost of living low.

>> AROUND THE COUNTRY: National coverage from WVTM 13