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Weekly Legislative Update from January 24, 2020

Taxation

SB 1112 – Relating to Bottled Water Excise Tax

On Tuesday, January 21, SB 1112 by Senator Annette Taddeo (D-Miami) was heard by the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee and temporarily postponed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in opposition to this legislation.

The bill creates an excise tax of 12.5 cents per gallon on bottled water operators engaged in the business of bottling or packing for sale water extracted from waters of the state.

As SB 1112 was temporarily postponed we do not expect this bill to be calendared for another hearing.

AIF continues to oppose efforts to enact taxes that place an unnecessary burden on Florida businesses.

 

SB 1096 – Relating to Bottled Water

On Tuesday, January 21, SB 1096 by Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) was heard by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and temporarily postponed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in opposition to this legislation.

The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to monitor the consumptive use permits for all bottled water companies to ensure compliance with the limits of allowable water extraction. In order to ensure compliance, water must be measured in gallons at the bottling facility. The bill requires DEP to adopt rules to implement and enforce the bill. The bill requires that a daily fine not to exceed $500 be imposed for each day a company withholds payment of the fees imposed under the section created by the bill. The bill does not apply to bottled water companies extracting less than 55 million gallons per calendar year. The bill adds a fee of five cents per gallon on water extracted to produce bottled water.

As SB 1096 was temporarily postponed we do not expect this bill to be calendared for another hearing.

AIF continues to oppose efforts to enact taxes that place an unnecessary burden on Florida businesses.

 

SB 1098 – Relating to Bottled Water

On Tuesday, January 21, SB 1098 by Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) was heard by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and temporarily postponed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in opposition to this legislation.

The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to assess bottled water companies a fee of five cents per gallon on water extracted for the production of bottled water, including natural water and water from an approved source. DEP must deposit the fees into the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund. The bill does not apply to bottled water companies extracting less than 55 million gallons per calendar year. SB 1096 creates the section of law containing the fee, and establishes requirements relating to the fee. SB 1098 only takes effect if SB 1096 or similar legislation is adopted in the same legislative session and goes into effect.

As SB 1098 was temporarily postponed we do not expect this bill to be calendared for another hearing.

AIF continues to oppose efforts to enact taxes that place an unnecessary burden on Florida businesses.