BrevardBioDiesel Blog

Newly elected Florida District 32 Representative Tony Sasso, of Cocoa Beach, has introduced HB 1519 "Fuel-efficient Vehicles" which states in part:

Any new motor vehicle purchased after January 1, 2009, by a state agency, state university, or local government through any state purchasing plan must be a hybrid, flex-fuel, or biodiesel vehicle if the type of vehicle being purchased is available with such propulsion system and otherwise meets the requirements for the vehicle's intended use.

The bill also amends the state sales tax (212.08) statute to exempt alternative fueled vehicles having at least 25 mpg:

Also exempt from the tax imposed by this chapter are sales or leases of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, or vehicles powered by other alternative fuels, and having at least a 25-miles-per-gallon combined city and highway mileage rating. The exemption shall inure at the time of sale or lease to any entity meeting the requirements of this subsection but may not exceed $1,500.

It is not obvious that "other alternative fuels" covers biodiesel blends, but that does seem to be the intention.