(1) The commission shall annually conduct at least 4 public meetings, hearings, townhalls, or other opportunities for public engagement in areas geographically dispersed throughout this state. The commission shall set the time, place, and manner of opportunities for public engagement under this subsection to take comments from and encourage meaningful participation by low-income residential customers, residential customers who experience high energy burdens, and individuals and communities likely to be impacted by the outcome of commission proceedings. Any public meeting, hearing, townhall, or other opportunity for public engagement the commission is otherwise required by law to conduct may count toward fulfilling this requirement.

    (2) Not later than June 1, 2024, the commission shall open a proceeding to consider options to expand opportunities for public engagement in its decision-making processes and procedures with respect to all of the following:

    (a) The accessibility and transparency of the commission’s decision-making processes.

    (b) Opportunities for participation in the commission’s decision-making processes, especially by low-income residential customers, residential customers that experience high energy burdens, and individuals and communities impacted by commission decisions.

    (c) The responsiveness of commission decisions to community needs and priorities.

    (3) Not later than June 1, 2024, the commission shall open a proceeding to investigate opportunities for improving the process by which it reviews applications filed under section 6a.