Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 070485

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 070485

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-190-07

Control: County Commission

File Name: SOLAR WATER HEATER INSTALLATION FOR LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS

Introduced: 2/15/2007

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 2/20/2007

Agenda Date: 2/20/2007

Agenda Item Number: 11A11

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR SOLAR AND OTHER ENERGY SAVING WATER HEATER INSTALLATIONS FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 070054]

Indexes:	LEGISLATURE
	LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
	SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

Sponsors:	Katy Sorenson, Prime Sponsor
	Dorrin Rolle, Co-Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	2/20/2007	11A11	Adopted				P

County Attorney	2/15/2007		Assigned	Jess M. McCarty		2/15/2007

County Manager	2/15/2007		Additions		2/20/2007

Budget and Finance Committee	2/13/2007	2O Amended	Forwarded to the BCC by the BCC Chairperson with favorable recommendation with committee amendments				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Benitez read the foregoing resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Sorenson that this proposed resolution be forwarded to with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Gimenez. Commissioner Sorenson agreed to amend this proposed resolution to include urging the Florida Legislature to establish a program to provide matching funds for any other energy saving system installations, as proposed by Commissioner Diaz. It was moved by Commissioner Sorenson that this proposed resolution be forwarded with a favorable recommendation and with committee amendment(s) to include urging the Florida Legislature to establish a program to provide matching funds for any other energy saving system installations. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Gimenez. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote. It was moved by Commissioner Diaz that the Committee reconsider this proposed resolution. This motion was seconded by Chairman Martinez, upon being put to a vote, passed unanimously. Commissioner Diaz said the name of the energy saving system he spoke of was Tankless Water Heater. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR SOLAR AND OTHER ENERGY SAVING WATER HEATER INSTALLATIONS FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS

BODY
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has provided funding for solar water heater installations for low-income homeowners for the last several years; and
WHEREAS, the program has completed close to 20 installations and is expected to install another�48 this year; and
WHEREAS, the program has become one of the largest non-utility solar water programs in the State; and
WHEREAS, with a large population�of economically disadvantaged families, there remains a substantial unmet need for such solar water heaters beyond what the County can provide on its own; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature should replicate the success of the Miami-Dade solar water heater program across the state and establish a statewide program that provides matching funds to local governments for solar water heater programs for low-income homeowners; and
WHEREAS, the program should also include other energy saving water heater installations that are not necessarily solar; and
WHEREAS, state matching funds could increase local governments� ability to�provide economic stability to low income homeowners through reduced electric bills and improved quality of life,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to establish a program to provide matching funds for local programs that provide solar and other energy-saving water heaters to low-income homeowners.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chair and members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the issue identified in section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2007 state legislative package.