Saving Special Places • Building Better Communities
2023 Legislative Session
Below are some highlights of what passed and failed. For a more comprehensive list of bills tracked by 1000 Friends please scroll to the bottom of the page.
State budget
Even after some line-item vetoes from the Governor, the budget for the year that began July 1, Senate Bill 2500, invests nearly $1 billion in land conservation. This total includes $850 million to preserve two areas within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and $100 million for Florida Forever, the state’s preeminent land protection program.
The budget also invests $1.6 billion in Everglades restoration and water resource protection programs. This total includes a new, $100 million annual program to protect the Indian River Lagoon. But also buried in the budget was a provision allocating $250,000 for a study of the effectiveness of seasonal fertilizer restrictions — the blackout periods in many localities, usually during the rainy season, when lawn fertilizing isn’t allowed. This provision also put a freeze on any more cities or counties adopting or strengthening fertilizer ordinances with blackout periods for the next year.
It was a banner year for historic preservation, with $58 million allocated for historic preservation grants and initiatives. This includes full funding for grants for 33 projects priority projects around the state.
The budget also commits $811 million to expand affordable housing, breaking a two-decade trend of underinvestment in this critical area. However, the legislation that dedicates the funding, Senate Bill 102, also included some significant preemptions on the authority of local governments and their constituents to set basic parameters for affordable housing developments. Known as the Live Local Act, SB 102 prevents local governments from setting limits on the use, density or height of developments with as little as 40% affordable units. It allows those developments to be approved administratively, without public hearings.
Community planning/resilience bills
Senate Bill 170 exempts development ordinances, but it will leave local laws intended to protect the environment and quality of life vulnerable to veto by a single business that challenges them. Other measures passed by the Legislature during the 2023 session and signed into law by the Governor will weaken or eliminate checks on uncontrolled development in Florida, which the U.S. Census Bureau said was the fastest growing state in the country between 2021 and 2022.
Senate Bill 540, the most damaging of the bills from this year’s session, threatens citizens with financial ruin for challenging legally flawed comprehensive plan amendments that pave the way for expanded development. Citizen challenges are the only real mechanism to enforce consistency between comprehensive plans, a community’s blueprint for sustainable growth, and any amendments to those plans. But under SB 540, when citizens lose their challenges to an amendment, they could be forced to pay the legal costs of a local government and any developers who intervene — a price that can reach six figures. Few if any citizens will take this risk. SB 540 also narrows the basis for challenges to comp plan amendments. 1000 Friends will work to reduce or undo the damage from this bill in upcoming sessions. Find out more here.
Senate Bill 250 includes multiple provisions aimed at hurricane recovery, but one of those provisions prevents any local government within any of the disaster areas associated with either Hurricane Ian or Nicole from amending their comp plans or land development regulations to raise development or building standards. This provision, in effect from Ian’s landfall until October 2024, will allow faster rebuilding in areas damaged by the hurricanes, but it could clear the way for more construction in coastal high hazard areas and floodplains, and perpetuate the risks to people, property and public dollars the next time a storm blows through. Check out 1000 Friends’ Special Report on this legislation.
Senate Bill 718 makes some changes to the municipal annexation and contraction process that are favorable to corporate landowners. But more damaging to ordinary citizens, it prohibits local initiatives or referendums on land development regulations. Some communities have used referendums to establish height limits, for example. That can’t happen anymore under SB 718.
Fortunately, not every bill passed and signed in this category was bad. House Bill 111 builds on a state law from 2020 that requires studies of the impact of sea level rise before any public construction projects can be started in coastal areas. HB 111 expands that requirement to all areas that could be impacted due to sea level rise, not just coastal areas. This is good planning that will save taxpayers money. An ongoing project from 1000 Friends, Florida’s Rising Seas: Mapping Our Future, shows how extensive the impact sea level rise will be in our state in the coming decades. [put link here]
There were some other bills that would have damaged the community planning process that we helped defeat, with your support. This list includes Senate Bill 1346 and House Bill 1317, which would have overridden any local government limits on demolishing buildings in coastal areas if those building didn’t comply with FEMA standards or were deemed to be dangerous. Few historic buildings meet current FEMA standards, so if this bill had passed, it would have left many of those buildings vulnerable to demolition and replacement. We were among the organizations and cities, including Miami and Miami Beach, that persuaded legislators not to pass this bill.
Conservation bills
House Bill 1489 designates the southern Brevard Barrier Island as an Area of Critical State Concern, enhancing protections for resources and public spaces of major statewide significance from damage due to uncontrolled development. This area’s beaches, dunes, coastal scrub, and maritime hammock areas represent one of the most fragile and endangered natural upland communities in the state and the nation. It is also the home to important nesting grounds for threatened and endangered sea turtles, including boasting the largest nesting aggregation of loggerhead sea turtles in the world.
Senate Bill 106 established the Trail Towns program and invested $200 million to promote ecotourism and economic opportunity to communities throughout Florida by expanding the Sun Trail hiking and biking network throughout Florida. SB 106 puts a new emphasis on using the trails to access the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Water quality bills
Senate Bill 1632 adds some provisions to strengthen the improvement plans for impaired waterways known as Basin Management Action Plans. It also creates a new program to restore and protect the Indian River Lagoon, and it provides $100 million in guaranteed annual funding for Florida Forever. While we supported SB 1632, we were disappointed that other bills to improve water quality failed, including bills to implement unfulfilled recommendations of the Governor’s Blue Green Algae Task Force.
Bills highlighted in green were passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by Governor DeSantis.
Bills in red failed this session.
2023 Florida Legislative Session
ACTION NEEDED
| Bill #/Sponsor | Title / Description |
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COMMUNITY PLANNING
| Bill #/Sponsor | Title / Description | |
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| HB 49 Driskell SB 430 Powell |
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HB 49 Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/25 HB 49 (Driskell)/SB 430 (Powell) creates the Historic Cemeteries Program in Florida, with the State Historic Preservation Officer as director, and provide grants to research institutions, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to facilitate genealogical and historical research, assist with identifying and contacting relatives of persons buried in abandoned African-American cemeteries, and repair and maintain such cemeteries. The program requires developing guidelines for state agencies, local governments and developers to identify, locate, and maintain historic cemeteries. It also amends certain definitions of terms to include abandoned cemeteries and authorize certain entities to acquire conservation easements to preserve cemeteries. House referrals: Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Governmental Operations Subcommittee approved 2/23; Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 3/21); State Affairs Committee (approved 3/31); added to House Special Order Calendar (4/18). PASSED HOUSE 4/19 PASSED SENATE 5/4 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/25 Senate referrals: Government Oversight and Accountability (approved 3/15); Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development (on agenda approved 4/18); Appropriations (approved 4/25). Hide |
| SB 102 Calatayud |
SB 102 Affordable Housing Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 3/29 SB 102 (Calatayud), among many provisions, provides up to $811 million to fund state affordable housing programs (SHIP, SAIL and Hometown Heroes) through housing trust funds, general revenue and a new corporate tax donation program capped at $100 million a year. It codifies and expands eligibility for the Hometown Heroes program created in 2022. It establishes a sales tax credit for building materials used to construct affordable housing. It preempts local government limits on height and density in commercial and mixed use zones, and suspends any requirement for zoning changes or comprehensive plan amendments. It prohibits local governments from imposing rent control under emergency declarations or any other circumstances. It creates new property tax exemptions for new or rehabilitated affordable housing units. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 2/8); Appropriations (approved 2/22) PASSED SENATE 3/8 PASSED HOUSE 3/24 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 3/29 House referrals: State Affairs (approved 3/8); Ways and Means (approved 3/20); Appropriations Hide |
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| SB 250 Martin HB 7057 Giallombardo |
SB 250/HB 7057 Natural Emergencies Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/28 CHECK OUT 1000 FRIENDS' SPECIAL REPORT ON SB 250 SB 250 (Martin) and HB 7057 (Giallombardo) include provisions intended to accelerate rebuilding following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole and other natural disasters. The bill would require local governments to expedite the issuance of building permits following a disaster and extend certain building permits following a disaster declaration. It would bar local governments within the disaster declaration area for Ian and Nicole from increasing building fees or adopting “more restrictive or burdensome procedures” to its comprehensive plans or land development regulations concerning review, approval or issues of a site plan, development permit or development order before Oct. 1, 2024. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/15); Fiscal Policy (approved 3/23) PASSED BY SENATE 4/3 PASSED BY HOUSE 4/26 AMENDED VERSION PASSED BY SENATE 5/1 House referrals: Appropriations (approved 4/17) Hide |
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| HB 383 Griffits SB 346 DiCeglie |
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SB 346 Public Construction Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/25 SB 346 (DiCeglie) and (Griffits) HB 383 Public Construction limits local governments from withholding payment to contractors in the event of disputes, and shortens the timeframe for governments to resolve disputes and pay contractors. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 2/22); Commerce; State Affairs (approved 4/19) Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/15); Governmental Oversight and Accountability (approved 3/29); Rules (approved 4/19) PASSED SENATE 4/27 PASSED HOUSE 5/3 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/25 Hide |
| SB 540 DiCeglie |
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SB 540 Local Comprehensive Plans Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/24. Find out more here. SB 540 (DiCeglie) Local Comprehensive Plans sounds the final death knell on planning-related legal challenges. It allows prevailing parties to recover attorney fees in challenges to comprehensive plans and plan amendments. This effectively eliminates planning challenges by citizens and public interest groups because, if they lose, they could be required to pay enormous challenge-related legal costs incurred by deep-pocketed developers and local governments. An amendment pertaining to the 180-day time frame for adoption after agency comments directlys impact the untimely transmittal of South Dade Logistics Technology District Comprehensive Plan Amendment that was rejected by the Department of Economic Opportunity, removing the basis for its rejection. The companion bill was HB 359 Duggan. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts (approved 2/22); Civil Justice Subcommittee (approved 3/9); State Affairs (approved 3/23) Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/22); Judiciary (approved 3/29); Rules ( approved 4/11); on Senate Special Order calendar (4/19). PASSED SENATE 4/19 PASSED HOUSE 5/2 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/24 Hide |
| SB 718 Yarborough |
SB 718 Local Government Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/28 SB 718 (Yarborough) would revise procedures for municipal annexation and contraction, including adding a provision requiring approval of landowners of property targeted for a contraction in certain instances even when those owners are not registered voters within the jurisdiction. The bill was amended late in the committee process to prohibit a local initiative or referendum on any land development regulations, a provision also contained in HB 41 and SB 856, two bills that failed to pass. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/22); Governmental Oversight and Accountability (approved 4/5); Rules (approved 4/24) PASSED SENATE 4/26 PASSED HOUSE 5/2 Hide |
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| SB 1604 Ingoglia |
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SB 1604 Land Use and Development Regulations Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/7 1000 Friends opposed SB 1604 which Gov. DeSantis signed into law on May 7. Among other things, this bill extends required planning periods to 10 to 20 years from 5 to 10 years and prohibits local governments that fail to update their plans according to the 7-year evaluation and appraisal process from initiating or adopting any public plan amendments. The bill preempts local government authority over electrical substations, prohibits local government architectural or design review boards established after January 2020 from applying land development regulations relating to building design to single family or two-family dwellings, and includes provisions related to the Reedy Creek Improvement District. A series of damaging provisions related to the definition of sprawl, expanding the size of agricultural enclaves, local government authority related to the special master process, and preemption of local government authority to deny development orders based on failure to achieve level of service were considered but not approved, thanks to advocacy by 1000 Friends and others. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 3/10); Commerce (approved 4/10); State Affairs (approved 4/19) Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 4/5); Rules (approved 4/19) PASSED SENATE 4/26 PASSED HOUSE 5/3 PASSED SENATE AS AMENDED 5/4 SIGNED AND PRESENTED TO GOVERNOR SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/7 Hide |
| HB 41 Garcia SB 856 Rodriguez |
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HB 41/SB 856 Land Development Initiative and Referendum Processes Read More HB 41 (Garcia) and SB 856 (Rodriguez) Land Development Initiative and Referendum Processes eliminates an important opportunity for citizen participation in community planning. It would have prohibited a local initiative or referendum on any land development regulations. Current state law already prohibits local initiatives or referendums on development orders or comprehensive plan or map amendments unless specifically authorized in a local charter provision enacted before June 2011. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 3/10); State Affairs (approved 3/23) Senate referrals: Community Affairs (on agenda, temporarily postponed 3/29); Judiciary; Rules Hide |
| SB 88 Jones HB 589 Woodson |
SB 88/HB 589 Task Force on Workforce Housing for Teachers and Expansion of Schools Read More SB 88 (Jones)/ HB 589 (Woodson) would have created a task force to study affordable housing and classroom size challenges faced by teachers. The task force would have studied the feasibility of using surplus state-owned land and mixed-use developments for workforce housing, and the need for comprehensive planning to address workforce housing for teachers. Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Fiscal Policy House referrals: Choice & Innovation Subcommittee; Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee; State Affairs Committee; Education & Employment Committee. Hide |
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| SB 92 Garcia HB 105 Basabe |
SB 92/HB 105 Vacation Rentals Read More SB 92 (Garcia)/ HB 105 (Basabe) would have provided that local laws, ordinances, or regulations requiring vacation rental owners or operators to furnish local government with certain contact information would not have been prohibited or preempted to the state. Senate referrals: Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee; Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; Commerce Hide |
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| HJR 129 Roth |
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HJR 129 Requiring Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments or Revisions Read More HJR 129 (Roth) Requiring Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments or Revisions curtails citizen participation. It proposed an amendment to the State Constitution that would have increased the percentage of votes needed to amend the state constitution from 60% to 66.67%, unless it was a repeal of an amendment. House referrals: Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee (approved 2/14); Judiciary; State Affairs Hide |
| HB 175 Busatta Cabrera SB 192 Avila |
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SB 192/HB 175 Everglades Protection Area Read More SB 192/HB 175 (Avila/Busatta Cabrera) would have required any comprehensive plan or plan amendment changes that applied to land within two miles of the Everglades Protection Area to follow the state coordinated review process and would have required the change to be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for adverse impacts. DEP would have worked with the state land planning agency and involved local governments to identify planning strategies to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts and would have required the local government to modify proposed plans or plan amendments. The bill also would have prohibited the adoption of small scale development amendments for properties located within or near the Everglades Protection Area. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/7); Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/20); Rules (approved 3/30) PASSED SENATE 4/11 House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (approved 3/27); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies Committee Hide |
| HB 229 Cross |
HB 229 Taxation of Affordable Housing Read More HB 229 (Cross) would have allowed local government officials to adopt an ordinance granting ad valorem property tax exemption for affordable housing units. To qualify for the exemption, the property would have had to be part of a multifamily project containing 50 or more residential units with at least 10% of units designated for affordable housing. House referrals: Ways & Means; Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts; State Affairs. Hide |
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| SB 288 DiCeglie HB 499 Stark |
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SB 288/HB 499 Florida Main Street Program and Historic Preservation Tax Credits Read More SB 288 (DiCeglie) and HB 499 (Stark) would have furthered community economic development and tourism goals by providing tax credits for rehabilitation of certified historic structures. These bills would have provided a tax credit of up to 20 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure and a tax credit of up to 30 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure that is physically located within the official district boundaries of an active, certified Florida Main Street community. This would have made Florida the 40th state to have a state historic tax credit. More information is available here. Senate referrals: Commerce and Tourism (approved 2/14); Finance and Tax (approved 3/14); Appropriations House referrals: Ways & Means; Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee; Commerce Hide |
| HB 235 Robinson SB 350 Brodeur |
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SB 350/HB 235 Alternative Mobility Funding Systems Read More SB 350 (Brodeur) and HB 235 (Robinson) would have prevented local governments from imposing both a mobility fee and a transportation impact fee. It would also have eliminated an exception for extraordinary circumstances to a cap on impact fee increases created by the Legislature in a 2021 law. Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Transportation; Finance and Tax; Rules House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 3/20); Ways & Means (approved 4/12); Commerce Hide |
| HB 397 Tuck |
HB 397 Public Meetings Read More HB 397 (Tuck) Public Meetings would have allowed private meetings on issues of public concern. It would have allowed public agencies to meet privately with their attorneys to discuss claims made under the Bert Harris Private Property Rights Act, thus circumventing Florida’s constitutional requirement for Government in the Sunshine and providing an avenue for backroom deals on issues of public concern. House referrals: Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee; Civil Justice Subcommittee; State Affairs Hide |
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| SB 682 DiCeglie HB 671 Esposito |
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SB 682/HB 671 Residential Building Permits Read More SB 682 (DiCeglie) and HB 671 (Esposito) would have reduced the time local governments had to approve or deny building permits from 30 business days to 9 calendar days. Failure to issue a decision by the deadline would result in approval. The bills would have shortened other periods for review and requesting additional information, and reduced some permit fees. House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee (approved 3/28); State Administration & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee; Commerce Committee Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Regulated Industries; Rules Hide |
| SB 714 DiCeglie HB 833 Duggan |
SB 714/HB 833 Vacation rentals Read More SB 714 (DiCeglie) and HB 833 (Duggan) revises the state preemption and regulation of vacation rentals. This bill would allow cities and counties to require vacation rental units to register with them for a fee capped at $150 and impose a fine for failure to register. Vacation rental owners who use online vacation rental company platforms, such as Airbnb and VRBO, and vacation rental advertising companies, such as Expedia, would be required to collect and remit sales taxes to the state. Senate referrals: Regulated Industries (approved 3/14); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/18); Fiscal Policy (approved 4/25) PASSED SENATE 4/27 PASSED HOUSE 5/3 WITH AMENDMENT 5/3 DIED IN MESSAGES House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee (approved 3/28); Ways and Means (approved 4/12); Commerce (approved 4/18) Hide |
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| HB 765 Roth |
HB 765 Building Permit Applications to Local Governments Read More HB 765 (Roth) would, among other provisions, have required local governments to post and update permitting information on their websites, prohibited local government from requesting additional information from and imposing additional requirements on the applicant other than those posted on its website, and reduced fees when local governments failed to meet deadlines. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee; State Affairs Committee Hide |
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| SB 816 Polsky HB 843 Cross |
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HB 843/SB 816 Challenges to Development Orders Read More SB 816 (Polsky) and HB 843 (Cross) would have prevented intervening parties from being entitled to attorney fees in development order challenges. Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Judiciary; Rules House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; Civil Justice Subcommittee; State Affairs Hide |
| HB 1171 Yarokosky |
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HB 1171 Lake County Read More HB 1171 (Yarokosky) would have created three rural protection areas in Lake County with density limits for developments in those areas that varied according to the amount of open space preserved; higher densities are allowed if more open space is preserved. The densities could have been modified if municipalities reached a joint planning agreement with the county. House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee; State Affairs Committee Hide |
| SB 1184 Collins HB 1343 Tuck |
SB 1184/HB 1343 Agricultural Lands Read More SB 1184 (Collins) and HB 1343 (Tuck) would have allowed for the construction of housing for migrant farmworkers on land zoned for agricultural use without the approval of a special ordinance or resolution by the local government. The bill also provided a business tax credit for the construction and rental of migrant farmworker housing as long as the employer provides documentation showing the farmworker was legally eligible for participation in the workforce. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 3/22); Finance and Tax (approved 4/12); Appropriations House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (approved 3/27); Ways & Means (approved 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies (approved 4/17). PASSED HOUSE 4/28 PASSED SENATE 5/4 PASSED HOUSE AS AMENDED 5/4 DIED IN MESSAGES Hide |
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| HB 1529 Roth SB 1678 Calatayud |
HB 1529/SB 1678 Agricultural Property Read More HB 1529 (Roth) and SB 1678 (Calatayud) were similar but not identical bills that would have amended Florida Statutes defining the classification of agricultural lands. The bills would have created conditions for a property to be classified as agricultural, including a requirement that the landowner operates a business within the state and has been in operation for at least five years. HB 1529 would have required the property owner to enroll in best management practices with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to meet the classification conditions. HB 1529 would also amend Chapter 163 of Florida Statutes to define an “agricultural-related facility” as a facility selling farm products grown within a fifty-mile radius and permitting these facilities in all agricultural land use categories in all local government comprehensive plans. HB 1529 amends the Rural Land Stewardship Area statute to include landscape service businesses and equestrian facilities, among “other businesses integral to support agriculture.” House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee; Ways & Means; Infrastructure Strategies Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Finance and Tax; Appropriations Hide |
RESILIENCE
| Bill #/Sponsor | Title / Description | |
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| HB 111 Hunschofsky SB 1170 Calatayud |
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HB 111/SB 1170 Public Financing of Potentially At-Risk Structure and Infrastructure Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR JUNE 13 HB 111 (Hunschofsky) and SB 1170 (Calatayud) expands the existing SLIP statute (Sea Level Impact Projection study) to include all areas at risk due to sea level rise, as opposed to just the coastal building zone. A SLIP study would need to be conducted for any location that is projected to be below the threshold for tidal flooding within the next 50 years. The amendments also include a requirement for a list of flood mitigation strategies for potentially at-risk structures or infrastructure design. House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (approved 3/15); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 3/22); Infrastructure Strategies Committee (approved 4/10) PASSED HOUSE 4/19 PASSED SENATE 5/1 Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/12); Fiscal Policy (approved 4/20); added to House Special Order calendar (4/18). Hide |
| SB 100 Garcia HB 561 Mooney and Basabe |
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SB 100/HB 561 Mangrove Replanting and Restoration Read More SB 100 (Garcia) and HB 561 (Mooney and Basabe) would have required the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for mangrove replanting and restoration. The rules would have addressed erosion in areas of critical state concern, protect barrier and spoil islands, assisted Everglades restoration and Biscayne Bay revitalization efforts, promoted public awareness of the value of mangroves statewide and encouraged partnerships with local governmental entities to create local mangrove protection and restoration zone programs. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/6); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture (approved 4/12), Environment, and General Government; Rules House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations; Infrastructure Strategies Hide |
| SB 484 Bradley HB 325 Valdes |
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SB 484/HB 325 Flood Disclosure for Residential and Commercial Property Sales Read More SB 484 (Bradley) HB 325 (Valdés) would have required the seller of residential and commercial properties to disclose information to prospective purchasers about the risk of flooding prior to the execution of the contract for sale and purchase. Sen. Bradley’s bill defined flooding and provided additional disclosure criteria. House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee; Civil Justice Subcommittee; Commerce. Hide |
| SB 570 Powell |
SB 570 Building Permits Read More SB 570 (Powell) would have included an exemption for local governments certified and in good standing with the Certified Local Government Program under the Division of Historical Resources for building permit regulations related to the demolition of single-family residential structures in coastal high-hazard and flood-prone areas. Senate referrals: Community Affairs; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules Hide |
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| SB 716 Stewart |
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SB 716 Flood Zone Disclosures for Dwelling Units Read More SB 716 (Stewart) would have required a landlord to disclose to renters whether the dwelling unit was located within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated flood zone. Senate referrals: Judiciary; Community Affairs; Rules Hide |
| HB 1079 Cross SB 734 Polsky |
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SB 734/HB 1079 Saltwater Intrusion Vulnerability Assessments Read More SB 734 (Polsky) and HB 1079 (Cross) would have authorized DEP to provide grants to coastal counties for saltwater intrusion vulnerability assessments. The bill would also have required DEP to update comprehensive statewide flood vulnerability and sea level rise data. House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations; Infrastructure Strategies Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, & General Government (approved 4/18); Appropriations Hide |
| SB 1346 Avila HB 1317 Roach |
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SB 1346/HB 1317 Local Regulation of Nonconforming or Unsafe Structures Read More SB 1346 (Avila) and HB 1317 (Roach) would have overridden any local government limits on demolishing structures in coastal areas that didn't comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards for new construction or were deemed dangerous. It would also have overridden any local limits on replacing them. We continue to oppose this legislation, but support the amendment to SB 1346 to exclude single-family homes and structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places from the list of qualifying structures covered by the bill. Senate referrals: Community Affairs ( approved 3/22); Environment and Natural Resources (approved 4/4); Rules (approved 4/19) PASSED SENATE 4/28 House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee (approved 3/16); Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 3/29); Commerce (approved 4/17) Hide |
CONSERVATION
| Bill #/Sponsor | Title / Description | |
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| SB 106 Brodeur HB 915 Botana |
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SB 106/HB 915 Florida Shared-Use Non-motorized Trail Network Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/11 SB 106 (Brodeur) and HB 915 (Botana) establishes the Trail Towns program in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)’s Office of Greenways and Trails to promote ecotourism and economic opportunity to local trail town communities, with a $200 million appropriation. The bill adds a member of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation board to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council and requires the council to include the lands and waters of the Florida Wildlife Corridor as part of the statewide trails system. However, the trail network targeted for investment and expansion under the bill, the Sun Trail network, lies largely outside the Wildlife Corridor. The bill also requires the Greenways and Trails Council to coordinate land acquisition efforts with the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other entities for the Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. The Greenways and Trails Council is required to develop criteria for prioritization of trails connected to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The bill also adds a representative from the nature-based tourism industry to the board of directors of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, which will include the promotion of the Florida Greenways and Trails System in its four-year marketing plan. The bill dedicates $50 million of the motor vehicle registration transaction fees to DOT for the Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network. The bill requires each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to include linkages for the Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network to their long-range transportation plan. The bill requires DOT to include the Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network in its work program and gives funding priority to projects recommended by the Greenways and Trails council that support the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians and utilize previously disturbed lands for connections within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Senate referrals: Transportation (approved 2/7); Appropriations.(approved 2/22) PASSED SENATE 3/8 PASSED HOUSE 4/4 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/11 House referrals: Infrastructure Strategies (approved 3/8); Appropriations Hide |
| SB 170 Trumbull HB 1515 Brackett |
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SB 170/HB 1515 Local Ordinances Read More SIGNED BY GOV. DESANTIS 6/29 SB 170 (Trumbull) and HB 1515 (Brackett) Local Ordinances gives businesses the ability to veto local ordinances. It requires local governments to prepare a business impact estimate before enacting a wide range of ordinances, including measures to protect the local environment and quality of life. The bill also provides additional avenues for businesses to sue local governments. While businesses would be entitled to recover attorney fees and costs if they prevailed, the local government would not, making it very unlikely that local governments would take on business interests. In other words, a local ordinance with widespread public support could be shut down by a challenge from a single business. Senate referrals: Community Affairs (approved 2/8); Rules (approved 2/23); PASSED SENATE 3/8 PASSED HOUSE 5/3 PASSED SENATE AS AMENDED 5/3 House referrals: Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee (approved 3/15); Civil Justice Subcommittee (approved 3/20); State Affairs (approved 3/23) Hide |
| HB 1489 Altman SB 1686 Wright |
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HB 1489/ SB 1686 Designation of Brevard Barrier Island Area as Area of Critical State Concern Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/20 HB 1489 (Altman) and SB 1686 (Wright) designates the southern barrier island of Brevard County as an Area of Critical State Concern to protect the coastal ecosystem and nesting habitat of sea turtles. House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (approved 3/21); Infrastructure Strategies Committee (approved 4/17). PASSED HOUSE 4/27 PASSED SENATE 4/27 Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/27); Rules (approved 4/24). Hide |
| SB 54 Rodriguez HB 135 Mooney |
SB 54/HB 135 Land Acquisition Trust Fund Read More SB 54 (Rodriguez)/HB 135 (Mooney) would have required an annual $20 million appropriation from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to acquire land within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern to promote the protection or restoration of Florida Bay, the Florida Keys, and nearshore marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. The bill was amended on 1/17 deleting a provision prohibiting the use of the $20 million for wastewater management projects or programs. The bills did not pass, but the final budget passed by the Legislature included $20 million for the Florida Keys. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 1/17); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Appropriations House referrals: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee; Appropriations Hide |
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| SB 108 Rodriguez HB 55 Garcia |
HB 55/SB 108 Trees & Other Vegetation within Right-of-Way Read More HB 55 (Garcia)/SB 108 (Rodriguez) would have authorized DOT to suspend the prohibition against the removal or cutting of trees in response to a state of emergency declared by the Governor. House referrals: Transportation & Modals Subcommittee; Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies Senate referrals: Transportation (approved 2/14); Community Affairs (approved 3/7); Rules (approved 3/15) PASSED SENATE 4/11 Hide |
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| HB 77 Fabricio SB 186 Avila |
SB 186/HB 77 Construction Materials Mining Activities Read More SB 186/HB 77 (Avila/Fabricio) would have specified the ground vibration limit for construction materials mining activities within one mile of residential areas and would have authorized the State Fire Marshall to temporarily cease blasting activity. House referrals: Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee; Commerce Committee Senate referrals: Banking and Insurance; Community Affairs; Rules Hide |
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| SB 320 Harrell HB 547 Sirois |
SB 320/HB 547 Land Acquisition Trust Fund Read More SB 320 (Harrell) and HB 547 (Sirois) would have required an annual appropriation of $50 million from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for projects dedicated to the conservation and management of the Indian River Lagoon and implement the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan in coordination with the water management districts. The bills did not pass, but the final budget passed by the Legislature included $104.5 million for Indian River Lagoon restoration. Senate referrals: to Environment and Natural Resources (approved 2/21); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Appropriations House referrals: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Appropriations Hide |
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| HB 557 Bell SB 602 Burton |
HB 557/SB 602 Land Acquisition Trust Fund Read More HB 557 (Bell) and SB 602 (Burton) would have required an annual appropriation of $20 million to the FDEP from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to implement the Heartland Headwaters Protection and Sustainability Act and finance the cost of water supply projects in Central Florida. House referrals: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Appropriations Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/6); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Appropriations Hide |
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| HB 559 Roth SB 928 Stewart |
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HB 559/SB 928 Land Acquisition Funding Read More HB 559 (Roth) would have established a minimum of $350 million a year in funding from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program. It would have revived authority for Florida Forever to fund acquisitions through bonds. It would have made multiple revisions to the funding formula for the program, including increasing the share for the Department of Agriculture to purchase conservation easements and reducing the share for water management districts for land conservation. It would have barred use of Florida Forever funds for agency administrative expenses. A similar bill, SB 928 (Stewart) would establish a $300 million annual minimum for Florida Forever, revive bonding authority for the program, revise the funding formula, and bar use of funds for agency administrative expenses. House referrals: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Appropriations Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Appropriations Hide |
| SB 1072 Rodriguez HB 979 Gossett-Seidman |
SB 1072/HB 979 Deepwater Port Dredging Read More SB 1072 (Rodriguez) and HB 979 (Gossett-Seidman) would have provided that, as a condition of a permit issued for beach restoration projects or maintenance dredging of deepwater ports, the Department of Environmental Protection must require that any analysis to determine the adverse impacts of the activity on the natural habitat be conducted by an independent contractor selected by the local government in a manner prescribed by DEP. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Community Affairs (approved 4/5); Rules House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee (approved 3/29); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies Committee Hide |
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| HB 1167 Duggan SB 1702 DiCeglie |
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HB 1167/SB 1702 Mitigation Credits Read More HB 1167 (Duggan) and SB 1702 (DiCeglie) would have allowed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and water management districts to release mitigation credits and authorize the use of mitigation credits outside the immediate basin before the mitigation bank met success criteria specified in the permit. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies. Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources; Community Affairs; Rules. Hide |
| HB 1271 Canady SB 1476 Simon |
HB 1271/SB 1476 State Acquisition of Lands Read More HB 1271 (Canady) and SB 1476 (Simon) would have amended the state’s land acquisition process to require the Department of Environmental Protection to disclose appraisal reports to private landowners or their representatives during acquisition negotiations.This bill would also have required the final purchase price be the fair market value as determined by the highest approved appraisal, and private landowners or their representatives would have been required to maintain confidentiality of appraisal reports. House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies. Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/20); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/18); Fiscal Policy Hide |
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| HB 7047 Buchanan |
HB 7047 State Land Acquisition Read More HB 7047 (Buchanan) would have set an annual funding floor of $100 million for Florida Forever and prioritized properties within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and those in “imminent danger of development” for protection. It would have established similar priorities for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and make other changes in both programs to streamline land acquisitions, such as raising the threshold for routine acquisitions from $1 million to $5 million, and allowing property to be purchased at 100% of appraisals. Its provisions were ultimately amended into Senate Bill 1632. House referrals: House Agriculture, Conservation and Resiliency Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved, 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies Committee (approved 4/17) PASSED HOUSE 4/26 Hide |
WATER
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| SB 702 Simon HB 407 Shoaf |
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SB 702/HB 407 Apalachicola Bay Area of Critical State Concern Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/12 SB 702 (Simon) and HB 407 (Shoaf) authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to expend up to $5 million annually for the next five years in financial assistance to the City of Apalachicola for water quality projects within the Apalachicola Bay Area of Critical State Concern. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/27); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/12); Fiscal Policy (approved 4/25) House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee (approved 3/29); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies Committee (approved 4/17) PASSED HOUSE 4/27 PASSED SENATE 5/1 Hide |
| SB 880 Brodeur HB 1405 Tuck |
SB 880/HB 1405 Biosolids Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/26 SB 880 (Brodeur) and HB 1405 (Tuck) would expand the FDEP’s wastewater grant program to include grant projects for the conversion of wastewater residuals to Class A and AA biosolids, subject to annual legislative appropriation. The bill would also limit the land application of Class B biosolids within the subwatershed of nutrient impaired waterbodies unless the applicant can demonstrate the land application will not add to the overall nutrient loading. Update: HB 1405 was amended by the sponsor to remove the limits on land application of Class B biosolids. HB 1405 replaced the Senate version of the bill. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government approved 4/12); Appropriations. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee (approved 3/22); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 3/29); Infrastructure Strategies (approved 4/17). PASSED HOUSE 4/28, CS PASSED SENATE 5/4. CS PASSED SENATE 5/4.SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/26 Hide |
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| HB 1181 Robinson SB 724 Boyd |
HB 1181/SB 724 Seagrass Restoration Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/11 HB 1181 (Robinson) and SB 724 (Boyd) would create the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative as a partnership between Mote Marine Laboratory and the University of Florida to develop seagrass restoration technologies. This initiative would include the development, testing, and implementation of innovative, and environmentally sustainable technologies and approaches for restoring coastal seagrass ecosystems.The bill also creates an advisory council consisting of experts in marine science, technology development, natural resource management, and representatives from the state’s aquatic preserves and public and private research institutions. This bill would provide an annual appropriation of $2 million from General Revenue for the initiative. House referrals: Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (approved 3/21); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies (approved 4/17). PASSED HOUSE 5/1 Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/12); Appropriations (approved 4/20). PASSED SENATE 4/26 PASSED HOUSE 5/2 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/11 Hide |
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| HB 1379 Steele SB 1632 Brodeur |
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HB 1379 Environmental Protection Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/31 HB 1379 (Steele) (companion SB 1632 (Brodeur)) requires the capital improvements element of comprehensive plans to include a list of projects necessary to achieve pollutant load reductions for local basin management action plans (BMAPs). The bill also requires the sanitary sewer and solid waste element to prioritize advanced waste treatment with a plan to provide sanitary sewer connection services for properties with a density of more than one septic system per acre, and requires the local government to submit septic to sewer conversion plans to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for review. The bill also creates the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program, prioritizing the implementation and achievement of the Banana River Lagoon, Central Indian River Lagoon, North Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plans, and the Mosquito Lagoon Reasonable Assurance Plan, and establishing a continued source of funding to implement the program and meet the total maximum daily load goals for phosphorus and nitrogen. The bill prohibits the installation of new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems for areas located within these BMAPs where sewer system connection is available. The bill also amends the BMAP planning process to include a list of projects prioritized by those that are most likely to achieve the pollutant load reductions. The bill acknowledges that agricultural best management practices alone will not achieve the necessary load reductions in basin management action plans and creates a water quality improvement grant program to fund restoration projects. The bill prohibits sewage disposal facilities from disposing of wastes into certain water bodies, including the Indian River Lagoon and waters not attaining nutrient load and BMAP standards without first providing advanced waste treatment. The bill amends the state’s land acquisition process by increasing the purchasing price threshold for which contracts must be approved by the board of trustees from $1 million to $5 million. The bill dedicates $100 million annually to the Florida Forever land acquisition program from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. The Senate version was amended on 4/25 to create an environmental licensing review process directing FDEP to assess current coastal permitting processes, among other environmental permitting programs, with the stated intent of increasing efficiency and the speed in which infrastructure repair is conducted following a natural disaster. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee (approved 3/29); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (approved 4/12); Infrastructure Strategies (approved 4/17) PASSED HOUSE 4/26 PASSED SENATE 5/2 PASSED HOUSE 5/3 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/31 Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/20); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/18); Fiscal Policy (approved 4/25). Hide |
| SB 7002 Committee Bill HB 7027 Committee Bill |
SB 7002/HB 7027 Ratification of Rules of the Department of Environmental Protection Read More SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/28 SB 7002 (committee bill) and HB 7027 (committee bill) ratifies the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) and domestic wastewater facilities rules. The 2020 Clean Waterways Act expanded OSTDS remediation plan requirements as a required component of basin management action plans for nutrient-impaired water bodies if OSTDSs contribute at least 20% of the nutrient pollution. The 2020 Clean Waterways Act also directed FDEP to address sanitary sewer overflows and leaky wastewater pipes to prevent pollution from reaching water bodies through failing wastewater infrastructure. This bill implements these rules. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 2/21); Community Affairs (approved 3/15); (approved 4/13); Appropriations (approved 4/13) House referrals: Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee (approved 3/22); Infrastructure Strategies ( approved 4/17); PASSED HOUSE 4/26 PASSED SENATE 5/4 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 6/28 Hide |
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| SB 172 Berman HB 177 Gossett-Seidman |
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SB 172/HB 177 Safe Waterways Act Read More SB 172 (Berman) and HB 177 (Gossett-Seidman) would have required the Department of Health (DOH) to adopt and enforce rules to protect the health and safety of people swimming in public waters. The bills would have required owners of public bathing places to notify the local county health department within 24-hours after a water quality test result failed to meet health standards, and close the bathing place if the DOH determines closure necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The bills also would have required DOH to create and display health advisory signage for public bathing places to notify the public against swimming in waters contaminated with fecal bacteria. The DOH would have established a public statewide interagency database to report fecal indicator bacteria data for public bathing places. Senate referrals: Health Policy; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Fiscal Policy House referrals: Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee (approved 4/3); Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee; Health & Human Services Committee. Hide |
| HB 371 Killebrew SB 910 Burton |
HB 371/SB 910 Management and Storage of Surface Waters Read More HB 371 (Killebrew) and SB 910 (Burton) would have exempted the practice of habitat creation, restoration, and enhancement activities on certain agricultural lands as well as government-owned lands from regulation under Fla. Stat. 373.406 that governs the management and storage of surface waters. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies Committee Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/14); Community Affairs; Rules Hide |
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| HB 423 Cross SB 1538 Stewart |
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HB 423/SB 1538 Implementation of the Recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force Read More HB 423 (Cross) and SB 1538 (Stewart) are similar but not identical bills that would have implemented some of the recommendations that were generated by Governor DeSantis’ Blue-Green Algae Task Force (BGATF). HB 423 would require the inspection of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, and require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to implement, at a minimum, a schedule for a 5-year inspection cycle, and a county-by-county implementation plan with top priority on springs, establishing requirements for the pump-out or repair of failing onsite sewage systems. HB 423 also requires that the estimated pollutant load reductions in Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) must meet or exceed the total amount of pollutant load reductions needed to meet the total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements under the BMAP. In addition, the bill requires BMAPs to consider projected increases in pollutants as a result of projected population growth and projected increases in pollutant loading related to agricultural growth. On 4/4 a delete-all amendment was approved for SB 1538, eliminating the provision requiring the inspection of septic tanks. As amended, the only BGATF recommendation included in the bill is for BMAP projects exceeding a cost of $1 million to undergo comprehensive monitoring by FDEP to assess whether the project effectively reduces nutrient pollution or water use. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies Committee. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 4/4); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (approved 4/18); Fiscal Policy. Hide |
| SB 458 Rodriguez HB 827 Basabe, Lopez |
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SB 458/HB 827 Wastewater Grant Program Read More SB 458 (Rodriguez) and HB 827 (Basabe, Lopez) would have expanded the projects eligible for funding by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Wastewater Grant Program to include water bodies on the verified list of impaired waters. Senate referrals: Environment and Natural Resources (approved 3/6); Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment (approved 3/8); Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations (approved 3/15); Infrastructure Strategies Hide |
| SB 930 Stewart |
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SB 930 Excise Tax on Water Extracted for Commercial or Industrial Use Read More SB 930 (Stewart) would have taxed water extractors at a rate of $0.001 per gallon of water withdrawn from Florida’s rivers, lakes, streams, springs, wetlands, and aquifer. Tax proceeds would have been deposited into the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund and used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for geological surveys and saltwater intrusion prevention and management. The bill would also have required water extractors to keep records of taxable water withdrawals, allowed for the FDEP to inspect records, and included criminal penalties for fraudulent recordkeeping and/or tax withholding. Water withdrawals for public water supply utilities, agricultural producers, or restroom and sanitation facilities would not have been considered water extractors under this bill. Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources; Finance and Tax; Appropriations
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| HB 1197 Maggard SB 1240 Burgess |
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SB 1240/HB 1197 Land and Water Management Read More SB 1240 (Burgess) and HB 1197 (Maggard) would have preempted counties and municipalities from adopting regulations relating to water quality, water quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharge prevention or removal, and wetlands. The bill would not have applied to any existing interagency or interlocal agreement between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or water management district and local government. The bill would not have affected the authority of local government to regulate and operate its own water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. If a local government was found in violation of this bill, state funds could have been withheld. Senate referrals: Regulated Industries; Community Affairs; Rules House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; Infrastructure Strategies Committee Hide |
| SB 1420 Rodriguez HB 661 Truenow |
SB 1420/ HB 661 Sanitary Sewer Lateral Inspection Programs Read More SB 1420 (Rodriguez) and HB 661 (Truenow) would have allowed counties and municipalities to access sanitary sewer mainlines to investigate, clean, repair, recondition, or replace sewer line infrastructure. The bill would have allowed the county or municipality to access the sewer lines it owned or maintained within or outside government jurisdiction. The bill also detailed how the local government should notify private property owners of the inspection and repair process, including a proposed timeline and project plan. State or local funds allocated for environmental preservation or water quality protection could have been used for sanitary sewer repair projects. Senate referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (approved 3/27); Community Affairs; Fiscal Policy House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment; Local Administration (on agenda,temporarily postponed 3/8), Federal Affairs & Special Districts; Infrastructure Strategies. Hide |
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| HB 1425 Caruso |
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HB 1425 Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Inspections Read More HB 1425 (Caruso) would have directed the Department of Environmental Protection to create and administer a septic tank inspection program and require inspections once every five years, with priority given to areas within a basin management action plan. The bill would have required qualified contractors to conduct inspections, and would have exempted septic systems within a water quality restoration plan which was included for a septic-to-sewer conversion or advanced nutrient removal project within five years. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations; Infrastructure Strategies Hide |
| HB 1505 Grant SB 1134 Gruters |
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HB 1505/ SB 1134 Outstanding Florida Springs Read More HB 1505 (Grant) and SB 1134 (Gruters) would have designated Warm Mineral Springs as an Outstanding Florida Spring. House referrals: Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations; Infrastructure Strategies. Senate Referrals: Environment & Natural Resources (on agenda, temporarily postponed 3/27); Community Affairs; Rules Hide |
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