COLUMBIA--Gov. Mark Sanford signed into law this week a bill that restructures the state's Public Service Commission and how its commissioners are elected.

The Senate and House fought for nearly two years over changes at the PSC, which regulates power, water and local telephone utilities in the state. The fight grew out of a commissioner screening process two years ago that found underqualified candidates, raised concerns about legislators' family members getting the jobs and uncovered inappropriate contact between commissioners and the companies they regulate.

The new law revamps elections and bars family members living with legislators from seeking commission jobs. In the future, commissioners will also have to have college degrees and experience in a field that is applicable to utility regulation. It also sets up a separate PSC staff to argue on the public's behalf at commission hearings.