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HB 1379 – Water and Wastewater Utilities by Rep. Jason Brodeur:

Water and Wastewater Utilities: Prohibits Public Service Commission from approving tiered rates based upon customer consumption; requires commission to make certain findings in utility rate case expenses; provides limitations for rate case expense recovery; requires design & operation standards for systems; requires commission to establish mechanism by which monetary penalties are imposed on utility systems that fail to provide sufficient quality of service; provides for counties to assume operation & control of utilities under specified conditions; creates Study Committee on Investor-Owned Water and Wastewater Utility Systems & provides for report & future termination.

On January 8th, 2012, Rep. Jason Brodeur, District 33 (parts of Orange, Seminole and Volousia counties) filed HB1379, similar to SB1244.

Thank you Rep. Brodeur for all your hard work over the last several weeks.

The House and Senate bills are somewhat similar.  Rep. Brodeur has some additional language in his version.

Click on link below to see entire bill:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h1379__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=1379&Session=2012

Legislation has been introduced in both the Senate and the House.  It is critical that every Senator and Representative hear from their constituents, in order to get the necessary changes made.

We have prepared letters for you to send to them. The more of these letters that are sent, the greater the impact we will have in getting the legislation passed.  Tell everyone you know to help us.

Invite everyone all over the State of Florida to contact their Senator and Representative, even if they aren’t directly affected by any water problems, because we need as many legislators as possible supporting these bills.

There are a couple of easy ways to do this:

1)  Go to the link below, type in your zip code and street address, and your Senator and Representative’s pictures will pop up, along with a simple letter you can send to each of them.

http://acton.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8598

2)  We have prepared “fax” letters, with your senator and representatives’s names and fax numbers.  The same simple letter is included, followed by a few lines where you can add your name and address.  These work really well at your weekly coffee n’ donuts, potlucks, bingo, park business meetings, etc.  Have lots of pens ready, so folks don’t have to stand in line too long, then gather them up and fax away.

If you need the “fax” letters, contact Dave Bussey at dbussey@hotmail.com, or call 813-713-9796 and leave a message.  Dave’s not a “fast” listener, so speak clearly and slow.

Your participation has a much greater impact than you can possibly imagine.  Please help us help you.

Dave and Frank

Pasco  wields influence:

Local leaders are in key positions to help shape policy in Tallahassee

click link below for full story:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2012/jan/08/panewso1-pasco-wields-influence-ar-344865/

The Daily Commerical

Click the link below for full article:

That company is the single source of the most complaints from constituents that come in my office. and its just rip-off after rip-off I’m sick and tired of hearing about it Hays said.

For the complete article click the link below:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/pasco-news/2011/dec/28/panewso1-senator-files-bill-on-water-utilities-ar-341159/
Too make your views known to your legislator click link below:

http://acton.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8598

Watch for more detailed information about bus locations and times for pick up to attend this important event in Tallahassee.

Also, if you have not contacted your legislative representatives please click the link below let your legislator know your concerns.

http://acton.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8598

Our hope of legislation is no longer a hope, thanks to Senator Alan Hays, Distritct 20, which covers parts of Lake, Marion, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties.

On December 13th, 2011, the good senator introduced S.B. 1244.

Summary of Bill:

Water and Wastewater Utilities; Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from approving tiered rates that are based upon consumption by the customer; limiting the amount that certain utilities may recover as rate case expense to 50 percent of the total amount; requiring that systems be designed and operated to meet certain standards; limiting the application of the standards to water and wastewater utilities that have $1 million or more of annual operating revenues; providing for the continuation of service if a utility’s certificate of authority is revoked or suspended; creating the Study Committee on Investor-Owned Water and Wastewater Utility Systems, etc.

Click on link below to view entire bill:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1244

Also, this bill won’t be worth the paper it’s written on, if you don’t contact your district senator and representative and ask them to support this legislation.  And encourage all your neighbors and friends to do the same.

To contact your senator and representative, go to previous article, dated Dec. 13th, “Easiest Way To Contact……”

Thanks for your continued support.

Dave Bussey & Frank Reams

To view the podcasts look for “Hearing – 100330-WS” and click on WATCH– this file is indexed and you can easily move about the podcast.

http://psc-fl.granicus.com/VPodcast.php?view_id=2

The Technical hearings for Aqua’a rate increase have concluded to read any of these transcripts go to the website listed below, most are large files as these hearings took place over a five day period starting late November and early December.

http://www.psc.state.fl.us/dockets/cms/docketFilings2.aspx?docket=100330

Have you contacted your legislator about Senate bill 1244 and House bill 1379 don’t delay do it now!

Click on the link below:

http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8598

“You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”  >>> translation >>> at this point in time, we need the help of the majority of Florida legislators, so please set aside any negativity, as we need their support of the coming legislation.