Gov. Rick Scott signed 13 bills late Friday, including a measure supported by Florida Realtors that will carry out a constitutional amendment aimed at boosting the use of solar energy in the state.
Lawmakers passed the renewable-energy bill (SB 90) after nearly 73 percent of voters approved a constitutional amendment during last August’s primary elections.
The amendment called for extending a renewable-energy tax break to commercial and industrial properties and making renewable-energy equipment exempt from state tangible personal property taxes. The amendment, which had widespread support from business and environmental groups, needed lawmakers to approve a bill to carry it out.
Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who sponsored the bill during this spring’s legislative session, said in a prepared statement that Scott “answered the will of the voters” in signing the measure Friday.
“I look forward to continuing our work to diversify Florida’s energy economy, so we can live up to our title as the Sunshine State and lead in renewable energy,” Brandes said.
Source: News Service of Florida, Jim Saunders