SB 288                                           First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       2026288e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to rural electric cooperatives;
    3         amending s. 425.041, F.S.; prohibiting a cooperative
    4         that sells electricity at retail from adopting,
    5         enacting, or enforcing a fee meeting specified
    6         criteria; providing an effective date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Section 425.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   11  read:
   12         425.041 Prohibited fees, bylaws, tariffs, and policies.—A
   13  cooperative which sells electricity at retail may not adopt,
   14  enact, or enforce any fee, including a lot fee, developer fee,
   15  or surcharge, or any bylaw, tariff, or policy, or take any other
   16  action, that restricts or prohibits or has the effect of
   17  restricting or prohibiting:
   18         (1) The types or fuel sources of energy production which
   19  may be used, delivered, converted, or supplied by the entities
   20  listed in s. 366.032(1) to serve customers that such entities
   21  are authorized to serve.
   22         (2) The use of an appliance, including a stove or grill,
   23  which uses the types or fuel sources of energy production which
   24  may be used, delivered, converted, or supplied by the entities
   25  listed in s. 366.032(1). As used in this subsection, the term
   26  “appliance” means a device or apparatus manufactured and
   27  designed to use energy and for which the Florida Building Code
   28  or the Florida Fire Prevention Code provides specific
   29  requirements.
   30         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.