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HB 11 — Municipal Water and Sewer Utility Rates
by Rep. Robinson, F. and others (CS/SB 202 by Rules Committee and Senators Jones and Davis)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)
The bill creates an exception to the maximum rates that municipalities may charge municipal water and sewer utility customers that are outside of the municipality’s boundaries under s. 180.191, F.S. The bill provides that if a municipal utility provides water and sewer services to a second municipality, and serves that second municipality using a facility in that second municipality, that municipality must charge the customers within that second municipality the same rates, fees, and charges as the customers within its own municipal boundaries.
The bill provides the following definitions:
- “Facility” means a water treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility, intake station, pumping station, well, and other physical components of a water or wastewater system. The term “facility” in the bill does not include facilities that transport water from the point of entry to a wastewater treatment facility, or from a water source or treatment facility to the customer.
- “Wastewater treatment facility” means a facility that accepts and treats domestic or industrial wastewater.
- “Water treatment facility” means a facility within a water system which can alter the physical, chemical, or bacteriological quality of water.
The provisions of the bill are limited only to counties specified in s. 125.011(1), F.S. These counties are ones that have adopted a home rule charter, by resolution of its board of county commissioners, pursuant to ss. 10, 11, and 24 of Article VIII of the Florida Constitution of 1885, as preserved by Art. VIII, s. 6(e), State Constitution. Monroe, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties are the only counties that could adopt a home rule charter under this provision, and, to date, only Miami-Dade has done so. Hillsborough has adopted a home rule charter, however, it has done so pursuant to ch. 125, Part IV, F.S., and, thus, would not meet the definition provided in s. 125.011(1), F.S.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 36-2; House 111-0