Florida Strengthens Energy Choice Protections

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed House Bill (HB) 1137 into law. This bill strengthens the state’s existing energy choice law by preventing a board, agency, commission, or political subdivision within the state from prohibiting or restricting access to propane that is used to power appliances, grills, or other building applications. These enhanced legal protections build upon the safeguards already afforded to propane marketers under House Bill 919, which was signed into law in 2021.

Florida Propane Gas Association’s Executive Director, Dale Calhoun, has been championing HB 1137 since it was first introduced in February. “This legislation was necessary to prevent local governments from skirting our existing preemption in statute by creatively using caselaw definitions in their favor, the legislation also puts to rest the electrification readiness provisions that are in the ICC Energy Codes,” said Calhoun. “We must work to bulletproof our industry because there are many unfriendly groups working every day to keep propane in the ground.”

As of the 2023 sales report, Florida was the 15^th largest state market in the country, with 190 million gallons sold. For more information, contact NPGA’s Senior Director of State Affairs, Jacob Peterson.