HB 1397

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the City of Vero Beach, Indian River
3County; providing that the City of Vero Beach Electric
4Utility is a public utility for purposes of chapter 366,
5F.S., and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Florida
6Public Service Commission; requiring that the city set
7rates that are fair, just, and reasonable; prescribing
8criteria for the establishment of the revenue requirement;
9providing that the Florida Public Service Commission has
10the authority to enforce the provisions of this act;
11providing an effective date.
12
13     WHEREAS, it is determined by the Legislature to be in the
14best interest of the customers that the rates of the City of
15Vero Beach Electric Utility be fair, just, and reasonable, and
16     WHEREAS, the City of Vero Beach Electric Utility makes
17transfers to the City of Vero Beach General Fund of $4.893
18million annually, and
19     WHEREAS, a significant number of customers of the utility
20reside outside of the City of Vero Beach and are not represented
21by the City of Vero Beach, NOW, THEREFORE:
22
23Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
24
25     Section 1.  Notwithstanding sections 366.02(1) and
26366.11(1), Florida Statutes, the City of Vero Beach Electric
27Utility shall be considered a public utility for purposes of
28chapter 366, Florida Statutes, and shall be subject to the
29jurisdiction of the Florida Public Service Commission.
30     Section 2.  The rates charged by the City of Vero Beach
31shall be fair, just, and reasonable, in accordance with chapter
32366, Florida Statutes, as determined by the Florida Public
33Service Commission.
34     Section 3.  Nothing in this act prohibits the City of Vero
35Beach from levying a municipal utility tax on the utility
36customers residing within the city boundaries, or from seeking a
37county electric surcharge to be applied to customers residing
38outside the city, if a cost differential for providing service
39outside the city can be justified.
40     Section 4.  The Florida Public Service Commission shall
41have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this act and is
42authorized to adopt rules to implement this act.
43     Section 5.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.