2012 Legislative Preview

1000 Friends of Florida's Legislative Preview
January 6, 2012

 
Florida’s 2012 Legislative Session starts on Tuesday, January 10.Already, 1000 Friends is tracking a number of bills closely.We will keep you updated as the session progresses, and may ask you to contact key legislators at critical junctures during the session.We appreciate your interest and support!

HB 639 Young (R-Tampa)- changes the definition of treated wastewater/reclaimed water such that it would no longer be subject to permit approval by the appropriate water management district – removes reclaimed water from the current definition of “waters in the state” meaning it would no longer be considered a public resource – would signal the beginning of a move to western water law and the privatization of water – as written, would be opposed by 1000 Friends of Florida and members of the Florida Conservation Coalition.Now in Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Florida Forever – Governor’s proposed budget provides $15 million but it will be up to the Legislature to finally adopt a budget that includes (or not) such funding.Typically the budget is the last piece of legislation passed each session.1000 Friends will support this budget item and will work with our conservation colleagues to secure additional funds if at all possible.

Everglades funding – Governor’s proposed budget provides $40 Million but again it will be the Legislature’s call when it approves the budget.1000 Friends will support this budget item.

Septic tank bill(s) – several bills have been filed to repeal the septic tank inspection program requirement from two years ago – watch HB 999 Dorworth (R-Lake Mary) as the likely vehicle.Now in Economic Affairs Committee.

HB 503 Patronis (R-Panama City) – streamlining permit provisions are problematic – will attempt to work with the sponsor to improve the language.Now in Rulemaking & Regulation Subcommittee.

HB 7003 – permitting bill for DEP and the water management districts that would combine stormwater and wetland permits into one and make its application consistent statewide.Now in State Affairs Committee.

SB 604 (general bill )/HB 421 (general bill ) – pre-empts/exempts certified landscaping professionals fromlocal fertilizer ordinances – 1000 Friends will oppose unless better language can be developed.Now in Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee.

SB 1180 Bennett (R-Manatee) – provides local government with the option of having a DRI project be reviewed instead under the “state coordinated review “ process created last year; limits all state and regional DRI review agencies comments to subjects only covered by local statutes, rules or ordinances that apply to all development – further limits all DRI review comments only to issues covered by local ordinances –1000 Friends will not support this legislation.No committee reference currently.

HB 603 Weinstein (R-Jacksonville) – prevents a local government from collecting proportionate share impact payments for transportation and school concurrency through July 1, 2015, unless authorized by a 2/3 vote of the elected body- 1000 Friends will not support this legislation.Now in Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee.

SB 188 Flores (R-Miami ) – repeals an unfunded provision of Chapter 163 that provided for the Urban Infill and Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program – 1000 Friends will not oppose this legislation.4 committee stops but not yet assigned for consideration.

SB 440 Bennett (R-Manatee) – provides that any local government with an established land use referendum process in effect as of June 1, 2011, will be allowed to retain such provision – 1000 Friends will not oppose this legislation.3 committee stops but not yet assigned for consideration.

SB 842 Bennett (R-Manatee) – combines the provisions of SB 188 and SB 440 with various clean-up and consistency correction provisions from last year’s growth management bill – limits regional planning council grant acceptance to programs that support its statutory functions – prohibits regional planning councils from providing consulting services for projects in which the council serves in a review capacity.3 committee stops but not yet assigned for consideration.

SB 1362 Hays (R-Umatilla) – deals with state owned sovereign submerged lands and would re-ignite a very contentious fight over private property limitations that has occurred several timesin the past as defined by the high water mark for public ownership purposes and has been dealt with previously in the court system– would change the definition such that millions of acres of currently owned state submerged lands, bay bottom, wetlands, etc., would move from public to private ownership – has major environmental implications.Not yet assigned to any committee for consideration.

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