This bill establishes new regulations regarding local utility revenues for counties and municipalities in Florida by creating sections 125.483 and 180.1901 of the Florida Statutes. It defines "utility" to include public entities providing water, wastewater, stormwater, electric, and gas services. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from transferring utility revenues for general governmental functions or special projects, mandating that any revenue surplus be returned to ratepayers through rebates, credits, or new services. Additionally, it requires local utilities to reinvest revenues into their operations and develop budget forecasts every five years to ensure service reliability and address increasing demand due to population growth and environmental challenges.

The bill also amends section 180.191, removing the authorization for municipalities to charge a surcharge to customers outside their boundaries. Instead, it stipulates that municipalities may not charge higher rates or surcharges that exceed the actual costs of providing services to those customers. Violations of these provisions could result in the withholding of state funds from the utility. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1420 Filed: 180.191