An Update from the Legislature

The Alabama Legislature returned to the State House this week to complete days 11 and 12 of the 2026 legislative calendar, and is expected to reconvene for a two-day work week next week.

The Alabama Affordability Protection Plan bills received favorable reports in the House Transportation, Utilities, and Infrastructure Committee. The three-bill package, which BCA supports, would modernize the state’s utility governance structure and promote greater transparency, consistency, and accountability in utility oversight.

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville voiced his support for the package, stating, “Alabama is one of only 10 states that elect their public service commissioners, and even with that, all three of Alabama’s current commissioners have been appointed, not elected. We need to raise the bar and ensure the right, qualified people are overseeing our utilities. We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. The legislature needs to pass this package and focus on the future of the people of Alabama.”

The proposed changes are designed to strengthen oversight, enhance ethical standards, and help ensure commissioners bring relevant experience and expertise to the role.

Utility regulation directly impacts ratepayers, employers, and economic development across the state. By promoting stability and clearer governance processes, the legislation seeks to provide long-term certainty for Alabama families and businesses. The bills now await consideration by the House.

SB71 by Senator Donnie Chesteen is scheduled for consideration on the House floor on Tuesday. The bill would require environmental regulations to be grounded in sound science, generally accepted scientific practices, and clear evidence of direct causation. By helping prevent regulatory overreach, SB71 is intended to support Alabama’s economic competitiveness while ensuring environmental policy is driven by credible science rather than politics.