Florida Senate - 2010                                    SB 1176
       
       
       
       By Senator Bennett
       
       
       
       
       21-00918-10                                           20101176__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to a water-efficient appliance rebate
    3         program; creating s. 373.622, F.S.; authorizing the
    4         Department of Environmental Protection to develop and
    5         administer a consumer rebate program for water
    6         efficient appliances; authorizing the department to
    7         adopt rules; authorizing the department to enter into
    8         contracts or memoranda of agreement with other state
    9         agencies or public-private partnerships or agree to
   10         other arrangements to administer the program;
   11         providing an appropriation; providing requirements for
   12         the release of funds; providing an effective date.
   13  
   14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   15  
   16         Section 1. Section 373.622, Florida Statutes, is created to
   17  read:
   18         373.622 Water-efficient appliance rebate program.—
   19         (1) The Department of Environmental Protection may develop
   20  and administer a consumer rebate program for residential water
   21  efficient appliances, consistent with 42 U.S.C. s. 15821 and any
   22  federal agency guidance or regulations issued in furtherance of
   23  the federal law.
   24         (2) The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.
   25  120.536(1) and 120.54 designating eligible appliances and rebate
   26  amounts and providing for administration of the issuance of
   27  rebates. The rules must be consistent with 42 U.S.C. s. 15821
   28  and any subsequent implementing federal guidance or regulations.
   29         (3) The department may enter into contracts or memoranda of
   30  agreement with other state agencies or public-private
   31  partnerships or agree to other arrangements in order to achieve
   32  the most efficient means of administering the consumer rebate
   33  program.
   34         (4) By December 1, 2010, the department shall establish
   35  guidelines for the program, including schedules and procedures
   36  for applicants to follow in applying for a rebate and criteria
   37  for the department to follow in prioritizing and awarding
   38  rebates.
   39         Section 2. For the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the sum of
   40  $100,000 is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the
   41  Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of
   42  administering the water-efficient appliance rebate program.
   43  However, the appropriated funds may not be released to the
   44  department until it submits a report to the Legislative Budget
   45  Commission certifying that:
   46         (1) The water-efficient appliance rebate program complies
   47  with 42 U.S.C. s. 15821 and any subsequent implementing federal
   48  regulations; and
   49         (2) The state will receive funds under 42 U.S.C. s. 15821
   50  and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to
   51  implement the water-efficient appliance rebate program.
   52         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.