HB 405 Summary

• Excludes utility work on established or to-be-established rights-of-way or corridors from the definition of "development" under Florida's Local Government Development Agreement Act (s. 163.3221) and the Florida Administrative Code (s. 380.04), allowing utilities to inspect, repair, renew, or construct sewers, mains, pipes, cables, power lines, towers, and poles without triggering development review.

• Excludes the creation or termination of distribution and transmission corridors from the definition of "development" under both statutes, streamlining utility infrastructure permitting.

• Requires consideration of variance standards under s. 403.201 when including conditions for certification of electrical power plants and transmission line corridors under ss. 403.511 and 403.531.

• Clarifies that the Public Service Commission retains exclusive jurisdiction under chapter 366 to require transmission lines to be located underground, and preserves local governments' rights to charge appropriate fees and require compliance with applicable building codes.

• Takes effect upon becoming law.