The bill amends Florida Statutes to clarify the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC) over water and wastewater systems, particularly concerning nonprofit organizations. It introduces new definitions, including "Governing board" and "Qualifying nonprofit organization," which outlines specific criteria that such organizations must meet to be exempt from PSC regulation. The bill also revises the existing exemptions for nonprofit organizations and establishes a new section (s. 367.24) that details the process for the PSC to determine whether an organization qualifies for this exemption. This includes a procedure for organizations to petition for reinstatement of their qualifying status after a disqualification, with a specified waiting period before they can reapply.

Additionally, the bill mandates the PSC to adopt rules for implementing these changes and sets a timeframe for this rulemaking. It also makes conforming amendments to other sections of Florida Statutes to align with the new definitions and procedures. The effective date for the provisions of this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1319 Filed: 367.022, 288.0655, 624.105