Now sticking with energy.

Now we're talking about energy prices.

And Eastern Kentucky senator says Kentuckians need relief from high utility costs.

And his solution is to overhaul the Public Service Commission, the body that regulates the state's utilities and has the final say on how much ratepayers must pay.

But some advocacy groups are concerned the legislation could limit the input of everyday Kentuckians.

Our Emily Sisk explains the debate over one of the Senate GOP's top priority measures.

Kentucky needs to let the world know we're open for business.

Senator Brandon Smith of Hazzard says Kentucky's public service commission needs a major update to keep up with infrastructure demands and to prevent Kentuckians utility bills from skyrocketing.

The Eastern Kentucky Republican sponsored Senate Bill eight, which would increase the number of public service commissioners from 3 to 5.

Three of those members would continue to be appointed by the governor, but two will be appointed by the state auditor, and no more than three members can be from the same political party.

With the possibility of data centers and new developments coming to the state, Senator Smith says the Public Service Commission needs to be better prepared.

We need to have enough employees there to be able to tackle these big projects and have that many eyes on stuff that something doesn't get missed.

We want a diverse board.

We want a board that's not dominated by politics, as we've seen some in the past.

Another major change in Senate Bill eight is who can speak before the Public Service Commission to advocate for or against things like new developments and rate increases.

The legislation would make the attorney general the sole advocate for residential consumers.

Unlike outside advocacy groups, the Attorney General is elected statewide.

Any other advocacy groups would have to demonstrate they have a special and unique interest in the matter.

This line has caused upset for some groups representing environmental interests or low income residents.

A spokesperson with Kentucky's Beyond Coal campaign said, quote, if our state legislature had the best interests of Kentuckians at heart, they would be in favor of more voices speaking out on the public's behalf, not less.

At a time when gas and electric bills are rising for everyday workers and their families, special interests want to keep the public out of the Public Service Commission.

We will not stand by as our leaders attempt to clear the room so that no one can challenge their corporate allegiance and quote.

A representative from the Metropolitan Housing Coalition shared a similar sentiment.

Senate Bill eight selectively and unfairly targets these advocates for exclusion and PSC cases.

Yet this bill would not prohibit continued intervention in PSC cases by large commercial companies.

A Louisville Democrat raised concerns about the bill, questioning if the attorney general could have bias in certain cases.

But how does that work in the interest?

Because they also can represent industry or commercial folks as well.

So can you just talk about the potential conflict or if there is an issue, is he representing the people or is he representing the industry?

When you look at the record.

This AG is has it's been siding with the ratepayers, which I think is public knowledge and a lot of the news and stuff like that.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Russell Coleman called for the public Service Commission to reject any utility rate increases for Kentuckians.

Still, however, the PSC approved a 6% rate increase for Kentucky Power, which services about 20 eastern Kentucky counties.

Ultimately, Senator Smith said he isn't trying to stifle citizens from speaking out on utility issues.

He just wants to know who they're really representing.

When somebody comes to make an issue with a project in Kentucky.

We want the transparency of knowing who's funding you to be there.

Are you there because you're a citizen?

A group that cares about it?

Are you a group that's been paid for by an outside country like China or Russia, which we've seen in the past?

I cannot see a case.

And I you all know this, that you all will be blocked from coming.

I go to those meetings and protests all the time, so I'd be in the same boat.

I'm not going to push a piece of legislation that would limit that.

Senate Bill eight passed out of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee, with Democratic Senator Keturah Herron voting no.

It now heads to the Senate floor for consideration for Kentucky edition.

An analysis.

Thank you so much, Emily.

Also, as part of Senate Bill eight, at least one public service commissioner must be a licensed Kentucky attorney and each commissioner must represent a different occupation.