Retiring State Senator Bob Leeper of Paducah has pre-filed legislation to loosen requirements for municipal utility commissioners.
The Paducah independent recently won a four year term as McCracken County’s Judge Executive.
The bill removes a residency restriction on municipal utility board members and would only require the appointees be utility customers.
Leeper says the issue came up during discussion of the Paducah Power Systems rate increase. He says that as Judge Executive he can’t get involved with utility management directly, but the increase affected many county residents as well.
“Folks that were affected by the rate increases actually live outside the city limits and the current restrictions to city residents would preclude those residents from being appointed to the board," said Leeper.
Leeper says he’s asked his successor to the senate, Republican Danny Carroll, to pick up sponsorship.
“I wanted to get it out there and get it vetted and part of the process, with the short session especially to give interest groups a chance to see it and make sure no one had a problem with it," said Leeper.
The bill is pre-filed so it will be on the agenda when the General Assembly convenes January 6th for a 30 day session.