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 the criteria these organizations must meet to be exempt from PSC jurisdiction. The bill also revises the existing exemption for nonprofit organizations, replacing the term "Nonprofit" with "Qualifying nonprofit organizations" in the relevant statute. Additionally, it establishes a new section that details the process for the PSC to determine whether an organization qualifies for this exemption, including the ability for organizations to petition for reinstatement of their status after a specified waiting period.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that the PSC adopt rules to implement these changes and sets a timeframe for this rulemaking. It also includes conforming amendments to other statutes to ensure consistency 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