Florida limits government efforts to balance greenhouse gas emissions

Government bodies cannot enact or enforce rules supporting net zero policies, including through contract requirements. Net zero policies aim to balance greenhouse gases released with an equal amount removed. Emissions trading lets sources buy, sell, or transfer permission to emit within a limit. They also cannot run programs or join organizations whose policies set geographic emissions caps or require or offer incentives for emissions trading. Exceptions preserve rules for utilities that government bodies own or operate and directly control, state utility oversight, and actions allowed by general law. These restrictions cover proposed government actions on or after July 1, 2026, that are not otherwise allowed by general law.

Government bodies cannot use public money to support net zero policies through the listed purchasing preferences or payments to private groups. Public money includes all money a government body controls. Covered purchasing preferences include those supporting net zero goals and those based solely on a product's fuel type or source. Covered group payments include dues, subscriptions, and donations when a group adopts net zero policies, requires support for them, or uses the money to promote them. Exceptions preserve rules for directly controlled utilities, state utility oversight, and actions allowed by general law. These restrictions cover proposed government actions on or after July 1, 2026, that are not otherwise allowed by general law.

Government bodies cannot impose charges to advance net zero policies and must certify compliance with this restriction each year. Each covered government body must certify compliance with the charge restriction. The restriction includes taxes, fees, and penalties tied to carbon content, greenhouse gas emissions, or emissions trading. An authorized official must send a sworn statement to the Florida Department of Revenue. Knowingly lying in it can carry penalties for perjury. Exceptions preserve rules for directly controlled utilities, state utility oversight, and actions allowed by general law. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The restrictions cover proposed actions on or after that date that are not otherwise allowed by general law; certification is required annually.