TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State Fire Marshal’s office will be able to create new rules for safely storing lithium-ion batteries under bills now headed for votes before the full Florida House and Senate.
The new rules are part of an annual package of rules for the Florida Department of Financial Services. The House version of the bill, HB 989, passed the House Commerce Committee Thursday morning, and the Senate version, SB 1098, passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee Thursday afternoon.
The batteries are used in many electronic devices, from cellular phones to scooters to cars.
A News 6 investigation last September exposed there were no state regulations for safely storing or charging the batteries, increasing the risk of fire.
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“It scares the daylights out of me,” State Fire Marshal Director JoAnne Rice told News 6 in September. “It is a fire that burns hotter and faster than any fire we’ve ever seen, and we don’t have the tools.”
The bill was supported by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who wants to see rules created for the proper storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries, as well as safety measures and tools for firefighters in the event of a fire.
Patronis credited News 6′s investigation with bringing these issues to the forefront.
“I can’t tell you how many things that you all put a spotlight on -- we get interested in something, but when you turn up the volume on it, it creates a whole new sense of urgency,” he said. “You are an amazing partner when it comes to developing policy, but more importantly, getting that policy executed and becoming what we need to be addressing. Whether it be cancer coverage, PTSD for our first responders, you all have been an amazing, amazing partner through all this.”
It’s not known when the Florida House and Senate will take up the bills.
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