SB 1228 – Spring Restoration

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 1228 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was substituted for its House companion, HB 691 by Representative Bill Conerly (R-Lakewood Ranch), read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 109 yeas and 0 nays.

SB 1228 redesigns the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s jurisdiction and approval standards over certain water reclamation projects. The goal of the proposed legislation is to help replenish, restore, and protect Florida’s aquifer through public/private partnerships that fund projects in rural areas. These projects range from waste water treatment centers, pumping/transmission stations, and water reclamation facilities.

SB 1228 will now go to the Governor for approval.

AIF supports projects which maintain and grow Florida’s water supply so that business, residents and our pristine natural resources are protected.

SB 492 – Land Development

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was read for a third time, amended, and reported favorably on the Senate Floor with 35 yeas and 3 nays.

SB 492 expands laws passed by the legislature in 2024 that provided credits for environmental mitigation projects. The proposed legislation would allow state agencies who govern mitigation credits to offer credits outside the service area of authorized mitigation banks. This is a resource already available at the federal level.

The amendment adopted borrows language from the original version of SB 832, Former Phosphate Mining Lands, by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills). This language adds a new, narrow defense against causes of action that come from naturally occurring elements. This ensures that phosphate mining companies that meet all of their environmental permitting duties aren’t held liable for elements that are already in the land.

SB 492 will now go to the Florida House for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that expands access to water quality mitigation projects. These measures would allow businesses to operate effectively while working alongside regulators on lands/waterways categorized as mitigation banks.

AIF also supports legislation that simplifies regulatory patchwork and provides protections against frivolous litigation allowing businesses to buy, sell, and develop land without the threat of unnecessary lawsuits while following the law. These lawsuits impede on developments built on certain reclaimed lands and cost businesses valuable time and resources fighting these lawsuits.

HB 1609 – Waste Management

On Tuesday, April 29, HB 1609 by Representative Megan Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) was substituted for its Senate companion, SB 1822 by Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers), read for a second time and placed on third reading.

This bill establishes a preemption on local governments who currently have the ability to regulate auxiliary containers. The bill adds definitions that clarify auxiliary containers as “reusable or single-use bag, cup, bottle, can, or other packaging that is made of cloth, paper, plastic, and other frequently recycled materials. The definitions also include materials used for food consumption or delivery by a restaurant or retailer.

HB 1609 awaits further consideration on the Senate Floor.

AIF supports legislation that unifies regulatory measures to a uniform standard that applies to all of Florida’s 67 counties. These measures will ease compliance difficulties on Florida businesses and consumers.

SB 108 – Administrative Procedures

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 108 by Senator Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) was substituted for its House Companion, HB 433 by Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 111 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill revises Florida’s administrative code and updates timelines and process for public hearings and how information may be incorporated by reference in agency rules. Additionally, the bill creates a process for agencies to perform review of existing rules and provide reports to legislature on applicability and specific statutory authority and balances the consistency and predictability needed to conduct business in Florida while also ensuring agencies are adopting and implementing rules consistent with their specific statutory authority.

SB 108 will now go back to the Florida Senate for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that reduces administrative patchwork within state agencies and local authorities and provides transparency on administrative actions from those entities.

SB 1198 – Fraudulent Use of Gift Cards

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 1198 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) was substituted for its House Companion, HB 1007 by Representative Sam Greco (R-St. Augustine) on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 115 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill establishes criminal penalties for those who illegally obtain, tamper with, or misuse gift cards sold by a business. There is a rising rate in the illegal use of gift cards in retail and online businesses that is costing Florida businesses millions. The penalties for fraudulently using gift cards would be a misdemeanor for all offenses under $750 in damages and a felony for offenses above $750 in damages.

SB 1198 will now go to the Governor for approval.

AIF supports legislation that deters criminal acts against Florida businesses by establishing criminal penalties for those who commit them.