Commerce Committee advances bill requiring hearings, data collection and rate parity for municipal utilities

Representative Bousada introduced CS for HB 1451, which addresses municipal utility services provided to customers outside a municipality. The bill requires a public hearing in any service area where a municipality proposes a new, extended or materially amended retail utility agreement serving customers in another municipality or unincorporated area, and it requires annual customer meetings in such service areas.

An amendment (barcode 486,173) explained by Representative Sada added language prohibiting municipalities that operate water or sewer plants from charging customers outside municipal boundaries higher rates, fees or charges than those inside the municipality, and established reporting requirements to the Governor, the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House by March 31, 2027 and annually thereafter. The committee adopted that amendment without objection.

Rebecca O'Hare of the Florida League of Cities waived in opposition to the bill as amended. There was no further debate; Representative Boussatti waived close and the bill was reported favorably by roll call.

Next steps: the bill was reported favorably by the Commerce Committee and will proceed to the next stage of committee or the House calendar as scheduled.