Florida Senate - 2023                                     SB 680
       
       
        
       By Senator Davis
       
       
       
       
       
       5-00296D-23                                            2023680__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Energy Transition 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 Transition Task Force.—
   16         (1) The Energy Transition Task Force, a task force as
   17  defined in s. 20.03(8), Florida Statutes, is created adjunct to
   18  the 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 be composed, at a minimum, of the
   25  following members who reflect the ethnic and gender diversity of
   26  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 one environmental justice expert.
   32         3. One representative from the Florida Association of
   33  Counties as a representative of underserved, rural communities.
   34         4. At least two energy industry liaisons representing
   35  utility and solar energy interests.
   36         5. At least one representative from a statewide,
   37  environmentally focused group.
   38         (b) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
   39         (c) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
   40  Representatives.
   41         (3) The task force shall:
   42         (a) Recommend appropriate policies, including any necessary
   43  statutory changes, for the equitable siting of energy
   44  infrastructure throughout this state, including, but not limited
   45  to:
   46         1. The siting of utility-scale solar arrays in
   47  nonresidential neighborhoods, nonrural residential communities,
   48  and rural communities; and
   49         2. The siting of industrial solar array facility sites in a
   50  manner compatible with county or municipality comprehensive
   51  plans.
   52         (b) Examine strategies to assist minority, underserved,
   53  rural, and low-income communities in transitioning to energy
   54  efficiency, including use of energy-efficient appliances,
   55  weatherization, and other methods, to benefit from lower energy
   56  costs.
   57         (4) The department shall provide staffing and
   58  administrative support to the task force in performing its
   59  duties.
   60         (5) The task force shall submit a report of its
   61  recommendations to the Governor, the Commissioner of
   62  Agriculture, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
   63  House of Representatives by September 30, 2024, and this section
   64  shall expire upon submission of the report.
   65         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.