FL H0223

Allows water and wastewater utilities to recover costs of nonrevenue-producing system improvement projects through a surcharge on customer bills, with surcharge amounts capped at 8 percent of total annual retail water and wastewater service revenues.

Requires utilities to submit surcharge tariffs to the Florida Public Service Commission for automatic approval within 60 days, with quarterly adjustments allowed without hearing after 45 days of filing.

Mandates utilities file sworn affirmations certifying surcharge calculations will not cause the utility to exceed its authorized rate of return; false statements constitute a third-degree felony.

Establishes eligible projects including water quality improvements, main replacement and relining, hydrant installation, interconnections, and meter installation projects completed after the test year for base rates.

Requires annual reconciliation of surcharge revenues and costs, with excess revenues refunded to customers with interest; surcharge resets to zero when costs are incorporated into base rates in subsequent rate proceedings.