Rural Electric Cooperative Fee Restrictions

State Bills: Florida

Published July 1st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

Florida Senate Bill 288 was signed into law on March 31, 2026, prohibiting rural electric cooperatives that sell electricity at retail from adopting, enacting, or enforcing fees meeting specified criteria. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support (Senate 39-0, House 106-1) after passing through three Senate committees. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

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What changed

Florida SB 288 enacts new restrictions on rural electric cooperatives by prohibiting retail electricity-selling cooperatives from adopting, enacting, or enforcing certain fees meeting specified criteria. The bill was filed October 24, 2025, passed both chambers by March 2026, and signed by officers on March 31, 2026, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Rural electric cooperatives operating in Florida must review their current fee structures before the July 1, 2026 effective date to ensure compliance with the new prohibition. Entities should consult the enrolled bill text to identify which specific fee types are prohibited. Failure to comply with the new restrictions may result in regulatory action under Florida law.

What to do next

Review current fee structures for compliance with the new prohibition before July 1, 2026
Consult the enrolled bill text to identify which fee types are restricted
Update cooperative policies and procedures to reflect the new fee restrictions

Source document (simplified)

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Glossary of Legislative Terms

SB 288: Rural Electric Cooperatives

GENERAL BILL by Rodriguez

Rural Electric Cooperatives; Prohibiting a cooperative that sells electricity at retail from adopting, enacting, or enforcing a fee meeting specified criteria, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2026
Last Action: 3/31/2026
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Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF
Senate Committee References:
1. Regulated Industries (RI)
2. Community Affairs (CA)
3. Rules (RC)

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Bill History

| Date | Chamber | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10/24/2025 | Senate | • Filed |
| 11/17/2025 | Senate | • Referred to Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules |
| 12/1/2025 | Senate | • On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 12/09/25, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building |
| 12/9/2025 | Senate | • Favorable by Regulated Industries; YEAS 9 NAYS 0 |
| 12/10/2025 | Senate | • Now in Community Affairs |
| 1/13/2026 | Senate | • Introduced |
| 1/15/2026 | Senate | • On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 01/20/26, 1:00 pm, 37 Senate Building |
| 1/20/2026 | Senate | • Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
• Now in Rules |
| 1/22/2026 | Senate | • On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building |
| 1/27/2026 | Senate | • Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0
• Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
• Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26 |
| 1/29/2026 | Senate | • Read 2nd time -SJ 233
• Read 3rd time -SJ 233
• Passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 0 -SJ 233
• Immediately certified -SJ 236 |
| 1/29/2026 | House | • In Messages |
| 3/9/2026 | House | • Bill referred to House Calendar
• Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 3/10/2026 | House | • Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
• Added to Second Reading Calendar
• Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026) |
| 3/11/2026 | House | • Read 2nd time
• Amendment 815655 adopted
• Added to Third Reading Calendar
• Read 3rd time
• Passed as amended; YEAS 106, NAYS 1 |
| 3/11/2026 | Senate | • In returning messages |
| 3/12/2026 | Senate | • Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (815655) -SJ 880
• CS passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 880
• Ordered engrossed, then enrolled |
| 3/31/2026 | | • Signed by Officers and presented to Governor |