Title
House Bill 759 and Senate Bill 1568 (2017) regarding governance of the City of Gainesville Utilities (B)
Explanation
On February 9, 2017, State Representative Chuck Clemons Sr., filed House Bill 759 (“HB 759”) to amend the City’s Charter to significantly restructure governance and management of the City’s electric, water, wastewater, reuse water, natural gas and communications utility assets. On March 2, 2017, State Senator Keith Perry filed a related bill (Senate Bill 1568) which is largely similar in substance to HB 759.
HB 759 requires the following question be placed on the March 2018 citywide election ballot: “Shall the Charter of the City of Gainesville be amended by creating the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority as the governing board of Gainesville Regional Utilities and appointed by the City Commission of the City of Gainesville?” If the referendum is approved by majority vote of qualified electors voting in that election, the act shall take effect - meaning the City is then required to implement the charter amendment language contained in HB 759.
HB 759 was referred to three committees in the House of Representatives. Two subcommittees have taken action on the bill as follows: The Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee heard HB 759 on March 8, 2017 and approved it by a vote of 11-4. The Energy & Utilities Subcommittee heard HB 759 on March 15, 2017 and approved it by a vote of 8-5. HB 759 is now pending in its final committee in the House, the Government Accountability Committee, and may be heard by the Committee as soon as Thursday, April 6th.
SB 1568 was referred to the Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; Community Affairs; and Rules committees in the Senate. The bill is on the Communications, Energy and Public Utilities committee agenda for April 4, 2017.
On March 23, 2017 the Utility Advisory Board requested an agenda item to discuss HB 759 and SB 1568.
Recommendation
Discuss HB 759 and SB 1568...
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