Florida 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HB 1277 — Municipal Utilities

Last action — Died on Second Reading Calendar

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Municipal Utilities; Requires certain public meetings as condition precedent to effectiveness of new or extended agreement under which municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; specifies matters to be addressed in such public meetings; requires such agreements to be written; requires annual public customer meetings; limits portion of certain utility revenues that municipality may use to fund or finance general government functions; requires excess revenues to be reinvested into municipal utility or returned to customers; requires municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by specified date to PSC on annual basis; requires PSC to compile certain information & submit report containing such information to Governor & Legislature by specified date; revises provisions relating to permissible rates, fees, & charges imposed by municipal water & sewer utilities on customers located outside municipal boundaries.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

180 added · 200 removed

180 line(s) added, 200 removed.

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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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 A bill to be entitled An act relating to municipal utilities;
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 CS/HB1277 2024 A bill to be entitled An act relating to municipal utilities;
requiring annual public customer meetings;
requiring annual customer meetings;
defining the terms "appointed representative" and "governing body" for specified purposes;
defining "governing body" for specified purposes;
requiring excess revenues to be reinvested into the municipal utility or returned to customers;
revising provisions relating to permissible rates, fees, and charges imposed by Page 1of 8 CODING:
revising provisions relating to permissible rates, fees, and charges imposed by municipal water and sewer utilities on customers located outside the municipal boundaries;
providing an effective date.
Page 1of 7 CODING:
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 municipal water and sewer utilities on customers located outside the municipal boundaries;
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
(2) Any private company or corporation organized to accomplish the purposes set forth in this chapter, which has been granted a privilege or franchise by a municipality, may permit the owners or association of owners of lots or lands outside of the boundaries of said municipality granting said privilege or franchise, or other municipality, to connect with and use the utility operated by the said private company or Page 2of 8 CODING:
(2) Any private company or corporation organized to accomplish the purposes set forth in this chapter, which has been granted a privilege or franchise by a municipality, may permit the owners or association of owners of lots or lands outside of the boundaries of said municipality granting said privilege or franchise, or other municipality, to connect with and use the utility operated by the said private company or corporation upon such terms as may be agreed between the said private company or corporation and the owners or association of owners of said lots or lands or the said municipality.
Page 2of 7 CODING:
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 corporation upon such terms as may be agreed between the said private company or corporation and the owners or association of owners of said lots or lands or the said municipality.
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 (3)(a) A new agreement, or an extension, renewal, or material amendment of an existing agreement, to provide electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service at retail pursuant to subsection (1) must be written and may not become effective before the municipality that provides service or intends to provide the service, in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area served or to be served, has conducted a public meeting within each municipality and unincorporated area served or to be served for purposes of providing information and soliciting public input on:
(3)(a) A new agreement, or an extension, renewal, or material amendment of an existing agreement, to provide electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service at retail pursuant to subsection (1) must be written and may not become effective before an appointed representative of the municipality that provides service or intends to provide the service, in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area served or to be served, has participated in a public meeting, which is not required to be a separate public meeting, within each municipality and unincorporated area served or to be served for purposes of providing information and soliciting public input on:
The extent to which revenues generated from the provision of the service will be used to fund or finance non- Page 3of 8 CODING:
The extent to which revenues generated from the provision of the service will be used to fund or finance non- utility government functions or services;
Words strickenare deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 utility government functions or services;
(b) Rates, fees, and charges imposed for water or sewer utility service provided pursuant to subsection (1) shall comply with s.
(b) Rates, fees, and charges imposed for water or sewer Page 3of 7 CODING:
Words strickenare deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 utility service provided pursuant to subsection (1) shall comply with s.
(c) A representative of each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1), in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area in which it provides service, must annually conduct a public customer meeting, which is not required to be a separate public meeting, within each such municipality and unincorporated area for purposes of soliciting public input on utility-related matters, including rates and service.
(c) Each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1), in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area in which it provides service, must annually conduct a customer meeting within each such municipality and unincorporated area for purposes of soliciting public input on utility-related matters, including rates and service.
(d) For purposes of this subsection, the term:
(d) For purposes of this subsection, "governing body" refers to each:
"Appointed representative" means an executive level leadership employee of a municipality, or such municipality's related and separate utility authority, board, or commission, specifically appointed by the governing body to serve as its representative for purposes of this subsection.
2.
"Governing body" means a:
a.
b.
2.
Board of county commissioners of a county in which Page 4of 8 CODING:
Board of county commissioners of a county in which service is provided or proposed to be extended, if service is provided or will be extended in an unincorporated area within the county.
(4) A municipality that generates revenue from the provision of electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1) may not use more than 10 percent of the gross revenues generated from such services to fund or finance general government functions.
(5)(a) By November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1) must provide a Page 4of 7 CODING:
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 service is provided or proposed to be extended, if service is provided or will be extended in an unincorporated area within the county.
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 report to the Florida Public Service Commission that identifies, for each type of utility service provided by the municipality:
(4) A municipality that generates revenue from the provision of electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service to locations beyond its corporate limits may not use more than 10 percent of the gross revenues generated from such services to fund or finance general government functions.
After the transfer of such revenues to fund or finance general government functions, if any revenues from such service remain after payment of the municipal utility's costs to provide service, these excess revenues must be reinvested into the municipal utility or returned to customers who received service at locations beyond the municipality's corporate limits.
(5)(a) By November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1) must provide a report to the Florida Public Service Commission that identifies, for each type of utility service provided by the municipality:
Whether the rates, fees, and charges imposed on Page 5of 8 CODING:
Whether the rates, fees, and charges imposed on customers that receive service at a location outside the municipality's boundaries are different than the rates, fees, and charges imposed on customers within the boundaries of the municipality, and, if so, the amount and percentage of the differential.
Words strickenare deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 customers that receive service at a location outside the municipality's boundaries are different than the rates, fees, and charges imposed on customers within the boundaries of the municipality, and, if so, the amount and percentage of the differential.
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180.191 Limitation on rates charged consumer outside city limits.— (1) Any municipality within the state operating a water or sewer utility outside of the boundaries of such municipality shall charge consumers outside the boundaries rates, fees, and charges determined in one of the following manners:
180.191 Limitation on rates charged consumer outside city Page 5of 7 CODING:
(a) It may charge the same rates, fees, and charges as consumers inside the municipal boundaries.
However, in addition thereto, the municipality may add a surcharge of not more than Page 6of 8 CODING:
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 25 percent of such rates, fees, and charges to consumers outside the boundaries.
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 limits.— (1) Any municipality within the state operating a water or sewer utility outside of the boundaries of such municipality shall charge consumers outside the boundaries rates, fees, and charges determined in one of the following manners:
(a) It may charge the same rates, fees, and charges as consumers inside the municipal boundaries.
However, in addition thereto, the municipality may add a surcharge of not more than 25 percent of such rates, fees, and charges to consumers outside the boundaries.
owners, tenants, or occupants of property served or to be served thereby;
owners, tenants, Page 6of 7 CODING:
and all others interested shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed rates, fees, and charges.
Any change or revision of such rates, fees, or charges may be made in the same manner as such rates, fees, or charges were originally established, but if such change or revision is to be made substantially pro rata as to all classes of service, both inside and outside the municipality, no hearing or notice shall be Page 7of 8 CODING:
hb1277-02-c2 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 CS/CS/HB1277 2024 required.
hb1277-01-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 CS/HB1277 2024 or occupants of property served or to be served thereby;
and all others interested shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed rates, fees, and charges.
Any change or revision of such rates, fees, or charges may be made in the same manner as such rates, fees, or charges were originally established, but if such change or revision is to be made substantially pro rata as to all classes of service, both inside and outside the municipality, no hearing or notice shall be required.
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hb1277-02-c2
hb1277-01-c1
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing laws to require public meetings and reporting for municipalities providing utility services outside their corporate limits, and limits the use of utility revenues for general government functions.

  • Section 180.19

    A new agreement, or an extension, renewal, or material amendment of an existing agreement, to provide electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service at retail pursuant to subsection (1) must be written and may not become effective before an appointed representative of the municipality that provides service or intends to provide the service, in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area served or to be served, has participated in a public meeting.

    Introduces a requirement for public meetings before new or amended utility service agreements can take effect.

  • Section 180.19

    A representative of each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1), in conjunction with the governing body of each municipality and unincorporated area in which it provides service, must annually conduct a public customer meeting.

    Establishes an annual requirement for public customer meetings regarding utility services.

  • Section 180.19

    may not use more than 10 percent of the gross revenues generated from such services to fund or finance general government functions. → may not use more than 10 percent of the gross revenues generated from such services to fund or finance general government functions. After the transfer of such revenues to fund or finance general government functions, if any revenues from such service remain after payment of the municipal utility's costs to provide service, these excess revenues must be reinvested into the municipal utility or returned to customers who received service at locations beyond the municipality's corporate limits.

    Clarifies the use of excess revenues generated from utilities, requiring reinvestment or refunds to customers.

  • Section 180.191

    may not exceed 25 percent in excess of the total amount the municipality charges consumers served within the municipality for corresponding service. → may not exceed 50 percent in excess of the total amount the municipality charges consumers served within the municipality for corresponding service.

    Increases the maximum allowable surcharge for consumers outside the municipality from 25 percent to 50 percent.

  • Section 180.19

    By November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each municipality that provides electric, natural gas, water, or sewer utility service pursuant to subsection (1) must provide a report to the Florida Public Service Commission that identifies...

    Mandates annual reporting requirements for municipalities providing utility services.

Action History

  1. Died on Second Reading Calendar

  2. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  3. Bill released to House Calendar

  4. Reported out of Commerce Committee

  5. Favorable by Commerce Committee

  6. Added to Commerce Committee agenda

  7. Now in Commerce Committee

  8. Referred to Commerce Committee

  9. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

  10. CS Filed

  11. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  12. Reported out of Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

  13. Favorable with CS by Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

  14. Added to Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee agenda

  15. Now in Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

  16. Referred to Commerce Committee

  17. Referred to Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

  18. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  19. CS Filed

  20. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  21. Reported out of Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee

  22. Favorable with CS by Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee

  23. Added to Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee agenda

  24. Now in Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee

  25. Referred to Commerce Committee

  26. Referred to Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

  27. Referred to Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee

  28. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  29. Filed

Sponsors

  • Demi Busatta · Primary
  • Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee Energy · Primary
  • Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee Local Administration · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 157 not signed on · 8 voted No

Sponsors (3)

  • Busatta, Demi Republican
  • Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee
  • Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (157)

157 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 157 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable (Commerce Committee)

Passed 15 Yea · 2 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 2202
Republican 10002
Unaffiliated 3000
Total 15204
% of votes cast 71%10%0%19%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Benjamin — Yea
Rommel — Yea
Rudman — Yea
Antone, Bruce Hadley Democrat Yea
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Nay
Daley, Dan Democrat Nay
Daniels, Kimberly Democrat Yea
Joseph, Dotie Democrat Not Voting
Tant, Allison Democrat Not Voting
Barnaby, Webster Republican Yea
Duggan, Wyman Republican Yea
Esposito, Tiffany Republican Yea
Giallombardo, Mike Republican Yea
LaMarca, Chip Republican Yea
Maney, Patt Republican Yea
Melo, Lauren Republican Not Voting
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" Republican Not Voting
Sirois, Tyler I. Republican Yea
Steele, Kevin M. Republican Yea
Tramont, Chase Republican Yea
Yeager, Bradford Troy "Brad" Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee)

Passed 11 Yea · 4 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
Republican 10000
Democrat 0401
Total 11401
% of votes cast 69%25%0%6%
How each member voted (16)
Member Party Vote
Amesty — Yea
Bartleman, Robin Democrat Nay
Daley, Dan Democrat Not Voting
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Nay
Gottlieb, Michael "Mike" Democrat Nay
Woodson, Marie Paule Democrat Nay
Anderson, Adam Republican Yea
Borrero, David Republican Yea
Brackett, Robert A. "Robbie" Republican Yea
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
Holcomb, Jeff Republican Yea
Jacques, Berny Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Plakon, Rachel Saunders Republican Yea
Tuck, Kaylee Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee)

Passed 13 Yea · 2 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 8102
Democrat 3100
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 13202
% of votes cast 76%12%0%12%
How each member voted (17)
Member Party Vote
Caruso — Yea
Clemons — Yea
Antone, Bruce Hadley Democrat Yea
Campbell, Daryl Democrat Yea
Chambliss, Kevin D. Democrat Yea
Joseph, Dotie Democrat Nay
Alvarez, Daniel Antonio "Danny" Republican Yea
Canady, Jennifer Republican Yea
Cassel, Hillary Republican Nay
Duggan, Wyman Republican Yea
Giallombardo, Mike Republican Yea
Gossett-Seidman, Peggy Republican Yea
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
LaMarca, Chip Republican Not Voting
McFarland, Fiona Republican Yea
Robinson Jr., William Cloud "Will" Republican Not Voting
Yeager, Bradford Troy "Brad" Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety finance environment energy
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1277 do?
Municipal Utilities; Requires certain public meetings as condition precedent to effectiveness of new or extended agreement under which municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; specifies matters to be addressed in such public meetings; requires such agreements to be written; requires annual public customer meetings; limits portion of certain utility revenues that municipality may use to fund or finance general government functions; requires excess revenues to be reinvested into municipal utility or returned to customers; requires municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by specified date to PSC on annual basis; requires PSC to compile certain information & submit report containing such information to Governor & Legislature by specified date; revises provisions relating to permissible rates, fees, & charges imposed by municipal water & sewer utilities on customers located outside municipal boundaries.
Who sponsors HB 1277?
HB 1277 is sponsored by Busatta, Demi (Republican), Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee, and Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee.
What is the current status of HB 1277?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 1277?
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