By STAFF REPORTS
On Wednesday, the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government announced its initial budget recommendations for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
Sen. Jason Brodeur, Chair of the committee, announced a host of funding priorities, cautioning that the budget process had just started and would continue to be developed as the days and weeks continue.
“Our funding decisions are going to do great things for the environment and ensure that our departments run effectively and efficiently,” he said.
Highlights of the proposed budget:
Department of Environmental Protection
- $1.2 billion for water quality improvements, including Everglades restoration
- $218 million for citrus recovery
- $125 million for acquisition and planting of trees
- $598 million for wastewater and drinking water revolving loan program
- $53 million for beach restoration
- $20 million for Florida Keys
- $195 million for petroleum tank cleanup
- $47 million for state and local parks
- $218 million for flood and sea level rise program
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- $43.4 million for the Florida Forest Service
- $250 million for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
- $75 million for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Natural Disaster Loan Program
- $119 million for the agency’s Conner Complex construction in Tallahassee
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- $2 million for habitat restoration
- $6.2 million for three oyster restoration projects
- $300,000 for artificial reef construction program
“As you can see, we have a very strong budget for the environment and regulatory agencies,” Brodeur told his fellow committee members. “This is just the first step of our budget, so please continue to talk to me, figure out what your priorities will be as we continue to go forward.”
