Miller, Wilson, Jr. Introduce Legislation Requiring Elections for Public Service Commissioners, Removes Appointments

Newly developed bills would give Michiganders direct representation in setting energy rates and regulating utility companies

 

LANSING, Mich., March 5, 2026 — State Reps. Reggie Miller (Van Buren Twp.) and Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) introduced a legislative package yesterday to require that members of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) be elected, rather than appointed, beginning with the 2028 general election. Currently, three members are appointed to the MPSC by the serving governor to serve staggered six-year terms. This legislative package would expand the MPSC from three members to five members and create a new term limit of 12 years.

“Utility rates and regulations directly affect residents’ paychecks and household budgets, so people should have direct representation in those decisions, plain and simple,” Miller said. “The objective here is to give Michigan residents a direct voice in who serves on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The MPSC makes important decisions about utility rates, large energy projects, and how utility companies are regulated. These decisions affect families, businesses and communities across the state. Right now, residents have little impact and very little say in who makes these decisions. This legislative package is intended to improve public trust in a commission that plays a major role in everyday costs for Michigan families.”

If enacted, during the 2028 general election, three members would be elected to four-year terms and two members would be elected to two-year terms. During the 2030 general election, the two members who were elected to two-year terms would be up for reelection for full four-year terms and all following elections would be for four-year terms. This would allow three members to be elected in presidential elections and two members to be elected in midterm elections.

“I’ve heard from countless concerned residents about spiking utility rates. These are decisions that are too far removed from the people who are affected most, so we introduced legislation to give Michigan households a real voice in this conversation,” Wilson, Jr. said. “Electing public service commissioners is not a change that benefits any one political party; it is a necessary choice we must give Michigan residents so they can decide who makes decisions that affect their rates down the line.”

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