Fla. Admin. Code R. 5O-4.001
(2) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule, the term:
(3) Application Submission Process. An applicant seeking a rebate under the Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate Program must apply to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Energy (Department) as follows:
(4) Initial Funding Application Cycle.
(a) Initial funding applications will be accepted according to the following schedule:
1. During Fiscal Year 2016-17 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017) applications will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on July 1, 2016. Applications must be received by the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on June 30, 2017. Applications received after the due date of June 30, 2017, will be determined ineligible and returned without review; and,
2. During Fiscal Year 2017-18 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) applications will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on July 3, 2017. Applications must be received by the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on July 2, 2018. Applications received after the due date of July 2, 2018, will be determined ineligible and returned without review.
(5) Supplemental Funding Application Cycle.
(a) Supplemental funding applications will be accepted according to the following schedule:
1. During Fiscal Year 2016-17 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017) applications will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on June 1, 2016, and must be received by the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on June 30, 2017. Applications received after the due date of June 30, 2017, will be determined ineligible and returned without review; and,
2. During Fiscal Year 2017-18 (July 1, 2017 to July 2, 2018) applications will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on June 1, 2017, and must be received by the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on July 2, 2018. Applications received after the due date of July 2, 2018, will be determined ineligible and returned without review.
(6) Applications and Supporting Documentation. Applications must include the information required by the Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate Program Application, FDACS-01976, Rev. 03/17.
(d) Applications must include the following supporting documentation:
1. A legible photocopy of the purchased, leased, or converted vehicle’s valid and current (as of the date the application is received by the Department) registration. Applications for vehicles proportionally registered in Florida must also provide a letter signed by an authorized corporate officer that includes an affirmation that a majority of the vehicle’s operation will take place in Florida, as well as the location(s) of the facilities where the vehicles are primarily headquartered, fueled and maintained.
2. For converted vehicles, a clear and legible photograph of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the vehicle.
3. For converted vehicles, a clear photograph of the converted vehicle.
4. For converted vehicles, a clear photograph of the natural gas fuel tank installed on the vehicle.
5. A copy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Certificate of Conformity with the Clean Air Act of 1990 that corresponds with the vehicle’s engine or installed conversion kit, or documentation that the installed conversion system is an Environmental Protection Agency Certified Alternative Fuel Conversion System, Intermediate Age Clean Alternative Fuel Conversion System, or Outside Useful Life Clean Alternative Fuel Conversion System.
6. For a vehicle purchase or lease, documentation of the cost of the equivalent diesel or gasoline vehicle, or an itemized invoice documenting the cost for the natural gas components.
7. In the case of a conversion of a metered taxi, a copy of a valid and current weights and measures permit pursuant to Section 531.60, F.S.
(e) Applications must document investment in a natural gas fuel fleet by including both an invoice and corresponding proof of payment for all vehicle purchases, leases, or conversions for which the applicant is seeking a Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate. An explanation shall be included if the amount provided on the invoice and corresponding proof of payment do not match.
1. Proofs of payment shall redact instances of bank account and credit card numbers (except the last 4 digits) and all financial information not pertaining to the purchase, lease or conversion of the vehicle represented on the application.
2. Acceptable forms of proof of payment include:
a. A canceled check with proof of deposit;
b. A copy of an electronic funds transfer from a financial institution including the purchase amount and to whom the payment is being made;
c. A bank statement or a screenshot of an online bank statement reflecting the transaction (with unrelated information redacted) showing the purchase amount and to whom the payment is being made;
d. A signed and executed lease contract;
e. A credit card statement reflecting the transaction showing the cardholder’s name, address, the purchase amount, and to whom the payment is being made, or
f. A signed and executed promissory note or signed and executed auto loan.
3. The proof of payment must contain at least:
a. A payment amount of at least the price of the purchased or leased vehicle or vehicle conversion; and,
b. The name of the seller from which the vehicle was purchased or leased, or the company that completed the vehicle conversion; and,
4. The invoice must contain at least:
a. The name and address of the seller from whom the vehicle was purchased or leased, or the company that completed the vehicle conversion;
b. The price of the vehicle purchase, lease, or conversion;
c. The Vehicle Identification Number of the purchased, leased or converted vehicle represented on the application; and,
d. A clear indication on the invoice that the vehicles represented on the invoice are natural gas fuel powered motor vehicles.
(h) The applicant shall complete a sworn statement for each vehicle which the applicant is seeking a rebate affirming the following:
1. The vehicle is in compliance with applicable Unites States Environmental Protection Agency emission standards;
2. The information contained in the application and supporting documentation is true and correct;
3. The vehicle purchase/lease or conversion has not previously received a Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate;
4. The vehicle is part of vehicle fleet with three or more motor vehicles registered in this state and used for commercial business or governmental purposes; and,
5. The requirements of Section 377.810, F.S., and Rule 5O-4.001, F.A.C. have been met.
(7) Application Review and Approval Process. The Department will review applications as follows:
(d) In each fiscal year, after all initial funding applications have been reviewed; if funding is available, supplemental funding applications will be reviewed as follows:
1. Government supplemental funding applications shall be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date and time applications are received by the Department.
2. If funding is available after all government supplemental funding applications are reviewed, commercial supplemental funding applications shall be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, until all appropriated funds for the fiscal year are expended.
Rulemaking Authority 377.810(5) FS. Law Implemented 377.810 FS. History‒New 1-7-14, Amended 7-16-14, 5-22-17.