Florida Supreme Court Rules on PACE Funding Disputes - Property Assessment Clean Energy Program

State Attorneys v. Florida Pace Funding Agency - Property Assessment Financing Disputes

Case: State Attorneys for the Second, Seventh and Ninth Judicial Circuits v. Florida Pace Funding Agency, Etc.; Alachua County Tax Collector v. Florida Pace Funding Agency; Palm Beach County, Florida v. Florida Pace Funding Agency; Alachua County, Florida v. Florida Pace Funding Agency
Court: Supreme Court of Florida
Date: December 18, 2025
Docket: SC2024-0652, SC2024-0656, SC2024-0664, SC2024-0681

Facts

Multiple consolidated cases involving disputes over Florida's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) funding program. State attorneys from the Second, Seventh, and Ninth Judicial Circuits, along with various county tax collectors and local governments including Alachua County and Palm Beach County, challenged the Florida Pace Funding Agency's implementation and administration of PACE assessments on residential properties.

PACE programs allow property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through special assessments that are collected with property taxes. The disputes centered on the agency's authority, assessment procedures, and the impact on property tax collections and homeowner insurance claims related to improvements funded through PACE financing.

Ruling

The Florida Supreme Court addressed jurisdictional questions and procedural requirements for PACE funding disputes. The consolidated cases involved challenges to the statutory framework governing PACE assessments and their relationship to property insurance coverage for improvements made under these programs.

The court's decision provides guidance on how PACE-funded property improvements interact with insurance coverage determinations and claim settlements, particularly when improvements are damaged and subject to insurance claims.

Takeaway for Public Adjusters

This ruling impacts how public adjusters handle claims involving properties with PACE-funded improvements. When adjusting claims on properties with solar panels, energy-efficient windows, or other improvements financed through PACE programs, adjusters must consider how these assessments affect coverage determinations and settlement calculations.

The decision clarifies the relationship between PACE financing and property insurance, which is crucial for accurate claim valuations and avoiding coverage disputes when PACE-funded improvements are damaged by covered perils.

Source: View Full Opinion on CourtListener

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How Louis Law Group Can Help

If you're a public adjuster dealing with PACE-funded property improvements in your claims, or facing coverage disputes related to energy efficiency upgrades, Louis Law Group can help navigate these complex issues. Contact us at (833) 657-4812 for experienced legal guidance on property insurance matters involving alternative financing programs.