Virginia General Assembly Appoints New Members to the State Corporation Commission
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The Virginia General Assembly, in a significant move towards filling long-standing vacancies on the State Corporation Commission (SCC), elected two experienced attorneys, Sam Towell and Kelsey Bagot, to the regulatory panel on January 24, 2024. The appointments came without opposition, allowing the commission to move forward with its mandate to oversee a wide range of interests, including utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, railroads, business filings, and other matters.
The SCC, an independent state agency with a staff of hundreds, has the power to regulate various sectors of Virginia’s economy. Its three commissioners play a crucial role in overseeing the agency’s work. The 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions saw political gridlock over how to fill commissioner vacancies, but the Democrats’ full control of both chambers in the 2024 session enabled them to advance their preferred nominees.
Kelsey Bagot, most recently employed by Florida-based energy giant NextEra Energy, was appointed to a six-year term commencing April 1. Prior to her tenure at NextEra Energy, Bagot worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a legal advisor to Commissioner Mark Christie, a former chairman of the State Corporation Commission. Her extensive experience in energy regulation will undoubtedly prove valuable to the SCC.
Sam Towell, who most recently worked as an in-house attorney for meat producer Smithfield Foods, was appointed to fill an unexpired term of nearly four years. Towell previously served in the state Office of the Attorney General as deputy attorney general for civil litigation. His legal background and experience in civil litigation will contribute significantly to the SCC’s work.
The Legislature also elected judges to various courts, including the Court of Appeals, circuit courts, general district courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts, the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, and the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission. Interviews for these judicial positions were conducted in December 2023. Among those elected were former members of the House of Delegates, Les Adams of Pittsylvania County and Jeffrey Campbell of Smyth County, who were appointed as general district court judges.
The appointments of Towell and Bagot, along with the judicial appointments, mark a significant step forward for the Virginia General Assembly in addressing long-standing vacancies and ensuring the effective functioning of various state agencies. The SCC, in particular, plays a crucial role in regulating various sectors of the Virginia economy, and the appointments of Towell and Bagot will enable the commission to continue its work in this regard.
In conclusion, the Virginia General Assembly’s appointment of Sam Towell and Kelsey Bagot to the State Corporation Commission represents a significant step towards addressing long-standing vacancies and ensuring the effective functioning of this important regulatory body. Their extensive legal backgrounds and experience in various sectors of the economy will prove invaluable in overseeing the SCC’s work. The appointments of judges to various courts also contribute to the overall functioning of the Virginia judiciary. These appointments mark a positive development for the state and demonstrate the General Assembly’s commitment to addressing important issues and ensuring the smooth functioning of various state agencies.
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