Governor would appoint Montana public service commissioners with Senate approval

The governor would appoint five commissioners from screened nominees, except during the transition before receiving the list. The appointment process would cover all five seats on Montana's Public Service Commission. At least three-fifths of the Senate would have to confirm each appointment. During the transition, the governor could appoint a qualified person before receiving nominees, and two commissioners could conduct business. Current commissioners would finish their terms. Regular appointed terms would last six years, with staggered initial terms tied to the 71st and 72nd legislative sessions.

Appointed commissioners would have to meet experience, residency, and financial independence requirements. Appointees would need industry expertise, U.S. citizenship, and a home within 50 miles of the department's central office. Applicants would need a bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant work, 15 years of relevant work, or a high degree of relevant education and experience as determined by the committee. They would need two years without professional ties to a regulated business or its affiliated companies; they, their spouses, and their minor children could hold no financial interests in those businesses or affiliated companies. The act would take effect on passage and approval; appointees would have one year after appointment to establish Montana residency.

A seven-member committee would seek applicants and send the governor at least four qualified nominees. The committee would review applicants for Montana's Public Service Commission. Members would need industry knowledge and could not work for or on behalf of a regulated utility, contract with one, or seek a commission seat. All meetings would be public, and a majority of the full committee would have to support each nominee. Initial committee appointments would be due before February 1, 2029, and its first meeting would be due before March 1, 2029.