Florida Senate - 2022                                    SB 1678
       
       
        
       By Senator Gibson
       
       
       
       
       
       6-00895B-22                                           20221678__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Energy Equity 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 Equity Task Force.—
   16         (1) The Energy Equity Task Force, a task force as defined
   17  in s. 20.03(8), Florida Statutes, is created adjunct to the
   18  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide
   19  recommendations for fostering a fair and equitable transition of
   20  this 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
   26  of this 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 this state.
   31         2. At least two environmental justice experts.
   32         3. At least two energy industry liaisons.
   33         4. At least one representative from a statewide
   34  environmentally focused group.
   35         (b) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
   36         (c) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
   37  Representatives.
   38         (3) The task force shall:
   39         (a) Recommend appropriate policies, including any necessary
   40  statutory changes, for the equitable siting of energy
   41  infrastructure throughout this state, including, but not limited
   42  to:
   43         1. The siting of utility-scale solar arrays in
   44  nonresidential neighborhoods, nonrural residential communities,
   45  and rural communities; and
   46         2. The siting of industrial solar array facility sites in a
   47  manner compatible with county or municipality comprehensive
   48  plans.
   49         (b) Examine strategies to assist minority, underserved,
   50  rural, and low-income communities in transitioning to energy
   51  efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances,
   52  weatherization, and other methods to benefit from lower energy
   53  costs.
   54         (4) The department shall provide staffing and
   55  administrative support to the task force in performing its
   56  duties.
   57         (5) The task force shall submit an interim report of its
   58  recommendations to the Governor, the Commissioner of
   59  Agriculture, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
   60  House of Representatives by September 30, 2023.
   61         (6) This section expires July 1, 2025.
   62         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.