summary
Introduced
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
In Committee
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to utility services; amending s. 180.19, F.S.; requiring certain public meetings as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of a new or an extended agreement under which a municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; specifying the matters to be addressed at such public meetings; requiring such agreements to be written; requiring annual public customer meetings; defining the terms “appointed representative” and “governing body”; limiting the portion of certain utility revenues that a municipality may use to fund or finance general government functions; requiring excess revenues to be reinvested into the municipal utility or returned to certain customers; requiring municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by a specified date to the Florida Public Service Commission on an annual basis; requiring the commission to compile certain information and submit a report containing such information to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date on an annual basis; providing construction; amending s. 180.191, F.S.; revising provisions relating to permissible rates, fees, and charges imposed by municipal water and sewer utilities on customers located outside the municipal boundaries; amending s. 366.032, F.S.; prohibiting boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision from restricting or prohibiting certain appliances and fuel sources used to provide energy to consumers; voiding certain charters, resolutions, ordinances, rules, codes, policies, or actions of such boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill introduces several significant changes to utility services in Florida, focusing on transparency, customer protection, and energy source flexibility. For municipalities providing utility services (such as electric, natural gas, water, or sewer) outside their corporate boundaries, the bill now requires public meetings before establishing or extending service agreements, where representatives must discuss service details, rates, fees, and potential revenue uses. Municipalities will be limited to using only 10% of gross revenues from out-of-boundaries services for general government functions, with any excess revenues needing to be reinvested in the utility or returned to customers. The bill mandates annual public customer meetings and requires municipalities to submit detailed annual reports to the Florida Public Service Commission about their out-of-boundaries utility services, including customer numbers, sales volumes, and rate differentials. Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments, boards, and agencies from restricting or banning specific energy appliances or fuel sources, effectively voiding any existing restrictions that limit consumer energy choices. These provisions aim to increase utility service transparency, ensure fair pricing, and protect consumer energy options across Florida, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died in Regulated Industries, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1137 (Ch. 2025-42) (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1704 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1704/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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