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.