Today the Florida House of Representatives joined the Florida Senate in passing implementing legislation for the pro-solar Amendment 4, which voters overwhelmingly approved with 73% of the vote on the August 2016 primary ballot.
SB 90 is now in returning messages in the Senate and final passage is expected shortly. Once the Senate takes up the House version, the bill goes to the Governor. If the Governor receives the bill while the Legislature is in session, the constitution allows a 7-day period within which to sign or veto the bill. If the Legislature adjourns before the bill is presented, then the Governor has 15 days in which to take action.
Thanks to the leadership of Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Ray Rodrigues, the support of hundreds of businesses, solar advocates and thousands of volunteers, Floridians will enjoy lower energy costs as burdensome taxes on solar energy systems are reduced beginning January 1, 2018.
“We applaud Florida lawmakers for implementing this important constitutional amendment in the closing days of the legislative session,” said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and board member of Floridians for Solar Choice. “The importance of moving this forward cannot be overstated: with lower taxes for homeowners and businesses, solar energy development will increase allowing Floridians to lock in energy savings, create jobs, spur economic development and bring much-needed diversity to the state’s energy mix.”
“The implementation of Amendment 4 is a win for the solar industry in Florida,” said Patrick Altier, president of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). “Our membership of Florida solar companies has been working tirelessly in the Legislature, with solar advocates, and many other coalition partners over the past several years, fighting for good policy. Reducing burdensome taxes will lead to more solar, more local jobs, and a brighter future for our state.”
“Last year Florida voters overwhelming supported Amendment 4, and now Florida’s House and Senate have unanimously passed an implementation bill to enact that constitutional amendment expanding the economic freedom to choose solar,” said Tory Perfetti, chair of Floridians for Solar Choice and Florida director of Conservatives for Energy Freedom. “Supported by a historic coalition which spanned the political spectrum, reducing taxes is smart energy policy for Florida families and businesses.”
“The voices of Florida voters have been heard,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “With the implementation of Amendment 4, approved by 73% of voters last August, voters have helped to shape our energy policy in a way that the Sunshine State can be proud of.”
News item from Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
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