CS/CS/HB 1379 Summary

• Creates an 18-member Study Committee on Investor-Owned Water and Wastewater Utility Systems composed of state officials, legislators, utility representatives, customers, and various stakeholder groups appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.

• Committee members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses; members can be removed by appointing authorities for cause, including failure to attend two or more meetings.

• Public Service Commission provides staff, facilities, and funding from the Florida Public Service Regulatory Trust Fund; committee must meet minimum four times with at least two meetings in areas affected by significant water or wastewater rate increases.

• Committee shall investigate issues affecting small investor-owned water and wastewater systems, including economies of scale, low-interest loans, tax incentives, impact of utility purchases on customer rates, and use of resellers.

• Committee must submit report by February 15, 2013 to Governor and Legislature with findings and specific legislative recommendations; committee automatically terminates June 30, 2013.