Bill > H0011

This bill modifies Florida's laws regarding municipal water and sewer utility rates by requiring municipalities that provide utility services to customers in another municipality to charge those customers the same rates as customers within their own municipal boundaries, but only under specific circumstances. Specifically, this applies only to municipalities located in counties as defined by Florida law, and where both the providing and recipient municipalities have water or sewer treatment facilities. The bill defines key terms like "facility" (which includes treatment plants, intake stations, and pumping stations, but excludes pipes and transport infrastructure), "wastewater treatment facility" (a facility that accepts and treats domestic or industrial wastewater), and "water treatment facility" (a facility that can alter water's physical, chemical, or bacteriological qualities). The legislation maintains existing provisions that allow municipalities to add up to a 25% surcharge for services outside their boundaries and requires public hearings for rate changes, while introducing a new requirement for rate consistency when both municipalities have treatment facilities. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and makes several technical modifications to the existing statute to clarify and update the language around utility rate-setting.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/11