Future candidates for the Public Regulation Commission will need a college degree or have worked in a field relevant to the regulator's duties under a bipartisan legislative proposal.
The measure will implement a constitutional amendment approved by voters to increase qualifications of PRC members, who currently need only to be 18 years old and state residents.
The House proposal is sponsored by Republican and Democratic lawmakers. It will require PRC candidates to have at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject such as accounting, engineering or finance, or seven or more years of professional experience in a similar field.
The standards will not apply to the current five members on the commission, which regulates utilities and telecommunications.
Continuing education also would be required of commissioners.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.