This act is the Power to the People Act. This act amends Sections 17-14-2, 17-14-3, 36-3-1, 37-1-1, 37-1-3, 37-1-5, and 37-1-12, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) expand the Public Service Commission from three to seven members from each congressional district as of 2024; (2) require the Governor to appoint four members to the commission by July 15, 2026, for two two-year terms and two four-year terms; (3) require elections of commissioners at the general elections in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 to replace the current and appointed commissioners; (4) extend the length of commissioners' terms from four to six years; (5) prohibit utilities regulated by the commission from contributing to commission candidates; (6) subject commissioners to the state ethics laws; (7) prohibit commissioners from representing any person before the Legislature or executive agencies; (8) create the position of the Secretary of Energy within the Governor's cabinet to direct the commission, set the agenda for commission meetings, and administer the commission and its personnel. This act also adds Sections 37-1-81.1, 37-1-81.2, and 37-1-81.3 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) prohibit any retail electric utility rate increase until January 1, 2029; (2) provide for a rate hearing after this prohibition; (3) beginning January 1, 2029, prohibit these utilities from factoring into electric rates the costs of providing funding that impacts others' rates, lobbying, or advertising; and (4) require yearly public commission meetings on regulatory issues with utility representatives present.

This act: (1) makes supplemental appropriations from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund to various state entities in the amount of $43,138,650 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; and (2) transfers $5,000,000 that was appropriated to the Department of Mental Health from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund by Act 2025-255 for use in establishing a dedicated opioid treatment center to the Alabama Department of Public Health for the same purpose.

This act proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, relating to Chilton County, to authorize qualified taxpayers 65 years of age or older to claim a senior property tax exemption for single-family owner-occupied residential property beginning October 1, 2027, subject to certain conditions.