Reps. Troy, Sigrist Introduce Bill to Reform PUCO Appointment Process Following HB 6 Scandal

COLUMBUS - State Reps. Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) and Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) today introduced a bill to reform the nomination process for commissioners on the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO). Among other changes, the bill would require one of the governor's appointments to be nominated by the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, an independent statewide entity representing residential utility customers. This follows the House Bill (HB) 6 scandal, a $60 million dark money bribery scheme that federal authorities later described as "one of the largest public corruption conspiracies in Ohio history."

"Too many of our citizens feel that the consumer does not have a voice in and a clear understanding of how their utility bills are calculated. This bill directly addresses this by adding consumer-oriented members to the Nominating Council and also installing guardrails to prevent corruption," said Rep. Troy.

"This reform modernizes an outdated process and sets clear ethical standards for PUCO appointments. Transparency and independence should be the baseline for regulating something as essential as utilities," said Rep. Sigrist.

The PUCO is comprised of five commissioners, appointed to rotating, five-year terms by the governor. One seat on the Commission becomes available each year in April, and the Governor's selection each year is currently made from a list of names submitted by a 12-member Nominating Council. The Nominating Council meets this week to interview applicants for the term starting April 11, 2025.

To prevent corruption and promote transparency in the process, the bill would make the following changes:

• Prohibit Commissioners and Nominating Council members from having any relation or business transaction with any entity subject to regulation by the PUCO;
• Require Nominating Council interviews of Commissioner candidates to be conducted in public meetings with opportunities for public comment; and
• Makes Commissioner applications public records.

The bill has been introduced and awaits a bill number and committee assignment.