FL S1244

Creates an 18-member Study Committee on Investor-Owned Water and Wastewater Utility Systems with representation from the Public Service Commission, Environmental Protection, Public Counsel, Legislature, utilities, customers, water management districts, and local government agencies.

Committee chair is the PSC chair or designee (nonvoting); Secretary of Environmental Protection and Public Counsel serve as nonvoting members; remaining 15 members have voting rights.

Members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses; can be removed or suspended 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 utility rate increases and allow public comment.

Committee must submit report by February 15, 2013 to the Governor and Legislature with findings and specific legislative recommendations addressing small utility economies of scale, loan availability, tax incentives, rate impacts, and other identified issues; committee terminates June 30, 2013.