FL S0796

Requires Florida public utilities to submit 10-year transmission and distribution storm protection plans to the Public Service Commission, covering overhead hardening, undergrounding of distribution lines, and vegetation management

Public Service Commission must approve, modify, or deny submitted plans within 180 days, considering factors such as expected reduction in restoration costs and outage times, feasibility in different service areas, cost-benefit analysis, and rate impacts

Utilities must update their storm protection plans at least every 3 years for commission review

Creates a separate "storm protection plan cost recovery clause" allowing utilities to recover prudently incurred plan costs outside of base rates, including annual depreciation and return on capital expenditures

Appropriates $261,270 in recurring funds and $15,020 in nonrecurring funds from the Regulatory Trust Fund, along with 4 full-time positions, to the Public Service Commission for implementation

Commission must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on storm protection activities, costs, and rate impacts beginning December 1 of the year after first full implementation