Bipartisan Requirement

Commissioner Prequalifications

There are statutory qualifications to becoming a commissioner, as follows: "The Commissioner should be competent and knowledgeable in one or more fields including accounting, economics, energy, engineering, finance, law, natural resource conservation, public affairs, or any other field(s) substantially related to the regulation of gas, electric, telecommunications, water and wastewater utilities. The Commissioner must abide by the qualifications specified in s. 350.04, Florida Statutes, and subscribe to the oath specified in s. 350.05, Florida Statutes, before entering the duties of the office." FL Code 350.04_ "350.04 Qualifications of commissioners.-A commissioner may not, at the time of appointment or during his or her term of office: (1)_Have any financial interest, other than ownership of shares in a mutual fund, in any business entity which, either directly or indirectly, owns or controls any public utility regulated by the commission, in any public utility regulated by the commission, or in any business entity which, either directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of any public utility regulated by the commission. (2)_Be employed by or engaged in any business activity with any business entity which, either directly or indirectly, owns or controls any public utility regulated by the commission, by any public utility regulated by the commission, or by any business entity which, either directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of any public utility regulated by the commission."Beginning January 1, 2016, each PSC commissioner annually complete at least 4 hours of ethics training that addresses, at a minimum, s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution, the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, and the public records and public meetings laws of this state. This requirement may be satisfied by completion of a continuing legal education class or other continuing professional education class, seminar, or presentation, if the required subjects are covered.