As Florida’s Legislative Session runs from early March to early May, there are several policy bills that will make their way through the process of hearings, and amendments. Many will never receive a committee assignment or be presented.
Here are five environmental bills to watch:
Bill No. SB 7002: Water Management Districts
Bill By Senate Environment and Natural Resources
Summary:
- The bill creates new regulations and reporting requirements for water management districts and revises aspects of budgeting, taxation, project management, and operational protocols
- The bill would prohibit districts from using state funds as local matches for state grant programs unless specifically allotted for that purpose
- It would allow districts to levy ad valorem taxes by a majority board vote and through referendums for capital improvement projects, detailing requirements for millage rates and expiration
- It would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to issue interest-free loans to water management districts for financing eligible projects, setting terms for repayment and penalties for default, among other changes
Bill No. SB 80: State Land Management
Bill By Sen. Gayle Harrell
Summary:
- The bill would require public hearings for all updated land management plans for conservation and non-conservation lands
- It mandates electronic availability of land management plans for properties over 160 acres and those within state parks, at least 30 days prior to required public hearings
- The bill revises the duties of the Division of Recreation and Parks to include: managing lands to maximize benefits and conservation-based outdoor recreational uses, providing for public access and amenities, and protecting natural resources
- The bill prohibits the Division of Recreation and Parks from authorizing certain uses and constructions within state parks that could harm the park’s resources, among other changes
Bill No. SB 736: Brownfields
Bill By Sen. Keith Truenow
Summary:
- The bill revises Florida statutes related to brownfields rehabilitation, including procedural amendments across various sections, to streamline and enhance tax credit application processes and define conditions for brownfield site eligibility and designation
- The bill eliminates the requirement for property owners to provide information about institutional controls for mapping by local governments, and consequently removes such mapping responsibilities
- It updates the conditions under which applicants can claim tax credits, setting a two-year limit for submitting claims regarding additional tax credits upon receiving a site rehabilitation completion order
- The bill expands the eligibility for brownfield program participation, introduces specific provisions for brownfield areas proposed by specified persons, and details criteria for local government designation responsibilities, among other changes
Bill No. SB 374: Farm Products
Bill By Sen. Keith Truenow
Summary:
- The bill expands the definition of “farm product” to include both edible and nonedible plants and plant products, as well as animal products
- It establishes that the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of a farm product are activities of a bona fide farm operation, which cannot be prohibited or limited by governmental entities if the land is classified as agricultural and activities meet certain regulatory standards
- It would reenact the definition section of a statute to include these new provisions regarding farm products within the definition of “rural agricultural industrial center,” thereby aligning it with the expanded definition
- The bill incorporates into references throughout Florida statutes, maintaining consistency in legal definitions and applications
Bill No. HB 73: Safe Waterways Act
Bill By Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Summary:
- The Safe Waterways Act mandates procedural and administrative changes related to bacteriological sampling and public health advisories pertaining to beach waters and public bathing places, shifting responsibilities to enhance water safety
- The bill requires a Department of Health report by July 1, 2025 on certain data and requires recommendations by Dec. 31, 2025, for transferring duties from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection, considering the potential role of county health departments post-transfer
- It would designate the Department of Environmental Protection as the sole authority from July 1, 2026, to adopt and enforce rules on bacteriological sampling and to issue health advisories, requiring immediate action upon non-compliance and providing closure of affected areas when necessary
- The bill would require mandatory reporting by municipalities, counties, and related entities on incidents potentially affecting water quality, with mandated immediate investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection
