(1) A local government whose jurisdiction is to be crossed by a proposed corridor may hold one informational public meeting in addition to the hearings specifically authorized by this act on any matter associated with the transmission line proceeding. The informational public meeting may be conducted by the local government or the regional planning council and shall be held no later than 55 days after the application is filed. The purpose of an informational public meeting is for the local government or regional planning council to further inform the public about the transmission line proposed, obtain comments from the public, and formulate its recommendation with respect to the proposed transmission line.

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   (2) Informational public meetings shall be held solely at the option of each local government or regional planning council. It is the legislative intent that local governments or regional planning councils attempt to hold such public meetings. Parties to the proceedings under this act shall be encouraged to attend; however, a party other than the applicant and the department is not required to attend the informational public meetings.

   (3) A local government or regional planning council that intends to conduct an informational public meeting must provide notice of the meeting, with notice sent to all parties listed in s. 403.527(2)(a), not less than 15 days before the meeting and to the general public in accordance with s. 403.5363(4).

   (4) The failure to hold an informational public meeting or the procedure used for the informational public meeting is not grounds for the alteration of any time limitation in this act under s. 403.528 or grounds to deny or condition certification.

s. 9, ch. 83-222; s. 56, ch. 2006-230; s. 90, ch. 2008-2