No. SB 1226
Filed under Agriculture.
Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity; Creating the “Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity Act”; authorizing commercial and agricultural food processing and cold chain industries to continue to purchase, install, and service equipment utilizing R-410A refrigerants through a specified date; requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to maintain certain records; providing immunity from liability for certain persons and business entities, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDFederal rules require Florida's commercial and agricultural food processors and cold-storage operators to replace R-410A refrigerant with new A2L blends like R-454B starting in 2025, but those blends are mildly flammable and not yet fully tested for these uses.
Those industries may keep buying, installing, and servicing R-410A equipment through January 1, 2035, despite the federal phase-down schedule, while the department tracks every installation.
A business using R-410A under this authorization cannot be held liable solely for that continued use once the federal phase-down otherwise applies, so long as no state-certified safe alternative is yet fully available.
Starting January 1, 2027, the department must also report annually to the Legislature on A2L refrigerant safety, equipment and technician availability, insurance standards, and the state's readiness for a full transition.
AICommercial and agricultural food processing and cold-chain businesses may continue to purchase, install, and service R-410A refrigerant equipment through January 1, 2035, despite the federal phase-down schedule that would otherwise force an earlier switch.
AIA person or business using R-410A refrigerants under this authorization cannot be held liable solely for continuing that use under a federal phase-down schedule, as long as no state-certified safe alternative is yet fully available.
AIThe department must keep records of R-410A equipment installations and coordinate with relevant federal agencies to meet applicable reporting requirements tied to the federal phase-down.
AIBeginning January 1, 2027, and every year after, the department, with the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Fire Marshal, must report to the Senate President and House Speaker on A2L refrigerant safety, equipment and technician availability, insurance standards, and transition readiness.
AIThe section describes itself as setting the state's own enforcement discretion and safety timeline for this topic, framing the R-410A authorization and liability shield as state policy choices rather than a challenge to federal jurisdiction.
AIThe department may, but is not required to, work with Florida College System schools, career centers, and industry trade associations to build training and certification programs for safely handling, installing, and servicing the new refrigerants.
AIThe department may adopt administrative rules to carry out this new section, though the text does not require it to adopt any.