Amends TCA Title 65.

ON MARCH 18, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2779, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, delete the present law regarding prohibited activities for Tennessee Public Utility Commission commissioners ("commissioners"), as described below. Present law prohibits a commissioner from holding any other public office, under either the government of the U.S. or the government of this or any other state, or from engaging in any business or occupation inconsistent with such person's duties as a commissioner. A commissioner is not eligible to qualify as a candidate for any elected office unless such commissioner resigns from the commission prior to qualifying as a candidate Present law prohibits a person who owns, in an individual capacity or jointly with another person, any bonds, stocks, equity interest or other property in any business or entity regulated by the Tennessee public utility commission, or who is an agent or employee in any way of any such business or entity, from being eligible to serve as a commissioner of the Tennessee public utility commission. Present law also prohibits a commissioner from raising funds or solicit contributions for a political candidate or political party, or, except as provided below, actively campaign for any candidate for public office. However, a commissioner is permitted to actively campaign for an immediate family member. The mere attendance of a commissioner at a political event or politically oriented event does not constitute a violation. A commissioner's alleged violation must be treated in the same manner as if such commissioner were a judge covered by Rule 10 of the Rules of the Supreme Court. Present law prohibits a commissioner from entering into an employment relationship, a consulting or representation agreement, or other similar contract or agreement with either an entity regulated by the commission or a subcontractor of such an entity for a period of one year after the commissioner ceases to serve as a commissioner of the commission. This amendment deletes these provisions entirely.