PRIA Logo™
FloridaHB 41032026HouseWALLET

Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, Franklin County

Sponsored By: Jason Shoaf (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationIntergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeCommerce CommitteeState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Unpaid utility bills risk water shutoffs

A district bond resolution or trust agreement can require covered customers to pay a reasonable advance deposit. Those documents can also authorize water shutoffs when water or sewer charges remain unpaid for 30 days after their due date. The district can recover the debt with interest at the highest legal rate. The law gives no deposit amount or numeric interest rate.

District controls customers' water and sewer bills

The district board can set, change, and collect water, sewer, connection, and other service fees. Rates must be just and equitable and cover operations, maintenance, reserves, debt payments, and a safety margin. Other state and local agencies do not supervise or regulate these rates; the law sets no bill amount. The district can borrow against utility revenues and accept state or federal grants, loans, and contributions. District money can be used only for water and sewer systems and related purposes.

No value-based tax, but property assessments

The district cannot impose or collect property taxes based on property value. It can still charge property assessments that are not based on value. It can enforce those assessments through liens, foreclosure, tax certificates, and tax deeds under applicable law. This law does not change other property taxes or set an assessment amount.

City utilities transfer with employee retirement protected

Beginning December 1, 2026, city water and sewer property, contracts, debts, and other duties transfer automatically to the district. Existing contracts stay in force, and utility employees become district employees while keeping Florida Retirement System membership. The city and district must sign a transfer agreement by the later of July 1, 2026, or 30 days after the Governor's initial board appointments. It must address asset reviews, assets and debts, permits and regulatory cooperation, and employee and retirement transitions. Without a timely agreement, the district alone makes transfer decisions binding on both entities. Since enactment, the city cannot take on new utility obligations or debt except ordinary business expenses, and must avoid wasting utility assets.

New district runs Apalachicola water services

The law creates an independent water and sewer district for Apalachicola and the city's existing customers. Its five-member board has three Governor appointees, one county appointee, and one city appointee. Members must be district residents and customers; they serve four-year terms without pay, but can receive expense reimbursement. The district can build, improve, and run systems, acquire property, and enforce operating rules. Service outside its area requires agreements with affected owners or government entities. It can take needed property inside the district through eminent domain, but not government property used for public purposes. State special-district rules apply, and only a special act of the Legislature can change its charter.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Shoaf

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • State Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 107 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-225

    7/1/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/30/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/15/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/11/2026House

  5. In Messages

    3/11/2026House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26

    3/9/2026Senate

  12. Received

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. In Messages

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 107, NAYS 0

    3/3/2026House

  16. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  18. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026House

  19. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)

    2/26/2026House

  20. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    2/26/2026House

  21. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    2/25/2026House

  22. Bill referred to House Calendar

    2/25/2026House

  23. CS Filed

    2/24/2026House

  24. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

    2/24/2026House

  25. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    2/24/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation