Sunshine State Shows Additional Gains in Solar Energy

Statement by House Majority Leader Rodrigues, SEIA and Vote Solar Following Passage of HB 1351 in Legislative Committee Today

This morning, Florida House Bill 1351 unanimously passed the House Commerce Committee. With continued legislative approval, HB 1351 will implement into law Amendment 4, clearing the way for solar development in the Sunshine State. Last August, Florida voters overwhelming favored Amendment 4, affirming strong support for expanding local jobs and economic opportunities with solar.

House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, Tom Kimbis with the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and Scott Thomasson with Vote Solar issue the following statements in response to legislative activity in Florida.

“Today, we took a big step toward passing solar legislation in the House Commerce Committee that will protect Floridians and enact the will of the voters of Amendment 4,” said House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues. “House Bill 1351 is largely supported by the solar industry and will allow for proper consumer protections as well as tax exemptions to take place.”

“The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauds the initiative of House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues on House Bill 1351, which protects Floridians by providing them with the critical information they need to make smart decisions when considering solar,” said Tom Kimbis, Executive Vice President of SEIA. “By building off SEIA’s suite of consumer protection materials, policymakers, advocates and consumers will better understand solar transactions. We look forward to continued collaboration between the solar industry and state leaders as Florida adopts helpful consumer protection disclosures that can serve as a model throughout the nation.”

“House Bill 1351 will remove burdensome tax barriers on solar customers and add to the solar job growth in the Sunshine state,” said Scott Thomasson, Southeast Director of Vote Solar. “We look forward to continuing to support Leader Rodrigues and Senator Brandes to honor the will of the 2 million voters who supported Amendment 4 in August.”