Florida State Sen. Don Gaetz has filed legislation to expand the Florida Public Service Commission from five to seven members and impose new restrictions on electric utility companies.

The bill, SB 126, would cap electric utility returns on equity at the national average and require PSC orders to include adequate support and rationale for their conclusions. Under Gaetz’s proposal, one new commissioner would be required to be a certified public accountant and another a chartered financial analyst.

Gaetz, a Republican from Niceville, filed a similar bill last session that passed one committee before stalling.

The commission currently consists of five members, including government attorneys, a chemical engineer, a businessman, and a developer. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced two new appointments to the commission: Ana Ortega, a PSC aide and utility regulatory analyst, and Bobby Payne, a former Republican state representative and utility industry consultant. Both require Senate confirmation.

According to Food & Water Watch, a progressive nonprofit, the PSC approved utility bill increases between December 2019 and June 2025 ranging from 7% to 66% for customers of major Florida utilities.

The 2026 legislative session begins in January.

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