HB 999 — Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity

F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 999 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to refrigerant safety and agricultural continuity;

providing legislative findingsfindings; and intent;

providingdefining definitions;the terms "A2L refrigerant" and "department";

authorizingrequiring agriculturalthe foodDepartment processingof Agriculture and coldConsumer chainServices industries to continueprovide toan purchase,annual install,report andto servicethe equipmentLegislature utilizingby R-410A refrigerant through a specified date;

requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to maintain certain records;

requiring the department to provide an annual report to the Legislature by a specified date;

providing immunity from liability for certain persons and business entities;

authorizing the department to adopt rules;

providing construction;

604.74 Refrigerant safety and agricultural continuity.— (1) This section may be cited as the "Refrigerant Safety Pageand 1Agricultural ofContinuity 4Act." CODING:(2) The Legislature finds that this state's agricultural food processing and cold chain industries rely upon refrigerant systems that ensure product safety, temperature stability, and export reliability.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Technology Transition Rule requires replacement of R- 410A refrigerants with A2L refrigerants, including R-454B Page 1 of 3 CODING:

hb999-00hb999-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 999 2026 andrefrigerants, Agriculturalbeginning Continuityin Act."calendar (2)years The2025 Legislature finds that this state's agricultural food processing and cold2026. chain industries rely upon refrigerant systems that ensure product safety, temperature stability, and export reliability.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's technology transition rule requires replacement of R- 410A refrigerants with A2L refrigerants, including R-454B refrigerants, beginning in calendar years 2025 and 2026.

It(3) isAs used in thethis publicsection, interest to protect safety, food supply integrity, and small business continuity during the refrigerantterm: transition period.

It(a) is"A2L therefrigerant" intentmeans ofany therefrigerant Legislatureclassified toas ensurelower thetoxicity safety, economic stability, and operationalmildly continuityflammable ofunder thisAmerican state'sSociety agricultural food processing and cold chain industries by authorizing the continued use of R-410AHeating, refrigerantRefrigerating until alternative refrigerants such as R-454B refrigerants are proven safe, fully certified, and supportedAir-Conditioning byEngineers adequateStandard equipment34. availability, workforce training, and insurance coverage.

Page(b) 2"Department" means the Department of 4Agriculture CODING:and Consumer Services.

Words(4) strickenBy areJanuary deletions;1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the department, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Fire Marshal, shall provide a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on:

words underlined are additions.

hb999-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 999 2026 (3) As used in this section, the term:

(a) "Agricultural refrigerant application" means any cooling or cold storage system used for agricultural production or food processing, packaging, or transport.

(b) "A2L refrigerant" means any refrigerant classified as lower toxicity and mildly flammable under American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 34.

(c) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(4) Notwithstanding any federal phase-down schedule or other conflicting law, this state's agricultural food processing and cold chain industries may continue to purchase, install, and service equipment utilizing R-410A refrigerant through January 1, 2035, or until otherwise determined by the Legislature.

The department shall maintain records of R-410A equipment installations and coordinate with relevant federal agencies to ensure compliance with applicable reporting requirements.

(5) By January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the department, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Fire Marshal, shall provide a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on:

Page(b) 3Availability of 4compliant CODING:equipment and certified technicians for statewide transition to A2L refrigerants.

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hb999-00hb999-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 999 2026 (b)(c) AvailabilityInsurance of compliant equipment and certifiedliability techniciansstandards forapplicable statewide transition to A2L refrigerants.refrigerant systems.

(c) Insurance and liability standards applicable to A2L refrigerant systems.

(6)(e) AThe personstatus orof business entity operating in compliance with this section and usingany R-410Aupdates refrigerantto maythe notUnited beStates heldEnvironmental liableProtection solelyAgency's forTechnology continuedTransition useRule ofas suchset refrigerantforth underin any40 federalC.F.R. phase-down schedule until a state-certified safe alternative is fully available.

(7)part The84. department may coordinate with Florida College System institutions, career centers, and industry trade associations to expand training and certification programs for the safe handling, installation, and servicing of A2L refrigerants.

(8)(5) The department may adoptcoordinate ruleswith Florida College System institutions, career centers, and industry trade associations to implementexpand thistraining section.and certification programs for the safe handling, installation, and servicing of A2L refrigerants.

(9) This section establishes this state's enforcement discretion and safety timeline consistent with its interest in agriculture and public safety and may not be construed to preempt or contravene the authority of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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