Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Standards

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Division of Standards

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announces a referendum of all producers and dealers of propane gas who are in the state to levy an increase in the assessment per gallon of odorized propane gas sold or imported for consumption in Florida.

TIME PERIOD FOR REFERENDUM: Ballots and copies of a proposed marketing order will be mailed to all producers and dealers of propane gas who are in the state and whose names and addresses are known on October 1, 2012. Ballots and copies of the proposed marketing order may be obtained by persons not receiving these documents by mail by calling Lisa M. Bassett, Bureau Chief, Bureau of LP Gas Inspection, at [phone].

Ballots must be postmarked by October 22, 2012, and must be received on or before October 29, 2012. Late ballots will not be opened.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REFERENDUM: The Department was requested to conduct the referendum by the Florida Propane Gas Education, Safety, and Research Council pursuant to Section 527.23, F.S. The council recommends raising the current assessment per gallon of odorized propane gas sold or imported for consumption in Florida an additional one-tenth of one cent ($.001), in order to ensure sufficient continued funding of propane marketing, education, and research programs. If approved by referendum, the total assessment per gallon of propane gas sold or imported for consumption in Florida would be increased to two-tenths of one cent or $.002.

On August 28, 2012, the Department held a public hearing regarding holding of the referendum. No objections were timely raised by any person at or subsequent to the hearing.

If the referendum passes, a Marketing Order will be issued by the Commissioner of Agriculture incorporating the new assessment rate and identifying the programs for which the assessment will be spent. The new assessment rate will be implemented through rulemaking. For more information, please contact: Lisa M. Bassett, Chief, Bureau of LP Gas Inspection, [phone].