COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A bill overhauling the state Public
Service Commission is headed to the Senate floor.
Last year, the Senate held up elections for the commission as it
sought changes in the way its seven commissioners were elected and
how they interact with utility and telecommunications companies they
regulate.
Sen.s worried that some of the commission candidates didn't have
enough education or that their family ties to legislators would
influence elections. The House insisted that PSC elections should be
held immediately and let the legislation die.
The Senate Judiciary Committee adopted nearly identical
legislation to that bill. It requires PSC members to have a
bachelor's degree and relevant experience and bars some family
members from seeking election.
The committee's version of the bill puts those changes in effect
with elections in 2004 and 2005.