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 293 2023
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the Energy Transition Task Force;
3 creating the task force adjunct to the Department of
4 Agriculture and Consumer Services for a specified
5 purpose; providing for the membership and duties of
6 the task force; requiring the department to provide
7 staffing and administrative support to the task force;
8 requiring the task force to submit a report to certain
9 officials by a specified date; providing for
10 expiration of the task force; providing an effective
11 date.
12
13 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
14
15 Section 1. Energy Transition Task Force.—
16 (1) The Energy Transition Task Force, a task force as
17 defined in s. 20.03(8), Florida Statutes, is created adjunct to
18 the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide
19 recommendations for fostering a fair and equitable transition of
20 the state's energy infrastructure to renewable energy
21 technologies within minority, underserved, rural, and low-income
22 communities. The task force shall comply with the requirements
23 of s. 20.052, Florida Statutes.
24 (2) The task force shall consist, at a minimum, of the
25 following 11 members who reflect the ethnic and gender diversity
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HB 293 2023
26 of the state:
27 (a) The following private citizen members appointed by the
28 Commissioner of Agriculture:
29 1. Four representatives from minority, underserved, rural,
30 or low-income communities from different regions of the state.
31 2. At least one environmental justice expert.
32 3. At least one representative from the electrical workers
33 profession.
34 4. At least two energy industry liaisons representing
35 utility and solar energy interests.
36 5. At least one representative from a statewide
37 environmentally focused group.
38 (b) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
39 (c) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
40 Representatives.
41 (3) The task force shall:
42 (a) Recommend appropriate policies, including any
43 necessary statutory changes, for the equitable siting of energy
44 infrastructure throughout the state, including, but not limited
45 to:
46 1. The siting of utility-scale solar arrays in
47 nonresidential neighborhoods, nonrural residential communities,
48 and rural communities; and
49 2. The siting of industrial solar array facility sites in
50 a manner compatible with county or municipality comprehensive
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HB 293 2023
51 plans.
52 (b) Examine strategies to assist minority, underserved,
53 rural, and low-income communities in transitioning to energy
54 efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances,
55 weatherization, and other methods, to benefit from lower energy
56 costs.
57 (4) The department shall provide staffing and
58 administrative support to the task force in performing its
59 duties.
60 (5) The task force shall submit a report of its
61 recommendations to the Governor, the Commissioner of
62 Agriculture, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
63 House of Representatives by September 30, 2024, and this section
64 shall expire upon submission of the report.
65 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
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