summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
02/26/2026
02/26/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the Department of Environmental Protection; amending s. 20.255, F.S.; removing provisions creating the Environmental Regulation Commission; amending s. 163.3205, F.S.; requiring certain solar facility permit applicants to incorporate certain protections in the development and implementation of erosion and sediment control plans for the construction of such facilities; specifying requirements for such plans; providing requirements for certain operational phase stormwater management systems; requiring solar facility operators to implement specified construction and operational permit requirements; amending s. 255.065, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "qualifying project"; amending s. 373.469, F.S.; extending the date by which certain commercial and residential properties with existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems must connect to a central sewer system or upgrade to an enhanced nutrient reducing system; requiring certain residential properties to connect to a central sewer system or upgrade to a nutrient-reducing wastewater treatment system; requiring permitting agencies to notify property owners of such requirements under specified CS/ conditions; creating s. 380.0934, F.S.; providing definitions; authorizing the department to take certain actions to encourage private sector investment in coastal resiliency projects; requiring the department to publish certain information on its website; amending s. 403.0872, F.S.; revising the date by which certain major permitted sources of air pollution must pay an annual operation license fee; authorizing the department to impose penalties; removing provisions relating to certain administrative costs; repealing s. 403.804, F.S., relating to the powers and duties of the Environmental Regulation Commission; amending ss. 120.81, 373.421, 376.302, 403.031, 403.061, 403.067, 403.1838, 403.704, 403.707, 403.7222, 403.7234, 403.803, 403.805, 403.8055, and 403.814, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; reenacting s. 373.4595, F.S., relating to the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 403.067, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s. 403.0873, F.S., relating to the Florida Air-Operation License Fee Account, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 403.1838, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s. 403.1835(3)(d), F.S., relating to water pollution control financial assistance, to incorporate CS/ the amendment made to s. 403.1838, F.S., in a reference thereto; ratifying specified rules relating to the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs minimum flows and recovery strategy for the sole and exclusive purpose of satisfying any condition on effectiveness pursuant to s. 120.541(3), F.S., which requires ratification of any rule exceeding the specified thresholds for likely adverse impact or increase in regulatory costs; providing construction; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill makes several changes to Florida's environmental regulations, including removing the Environmental Regulation Commission, which was an advisory body to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It also requires solar facility permit applicants to implement specific erosion and sediment control measures during construction, with stricter stormwater management requirements for facilities in the Northwest Florida Water Management District. The bill expands the definition of a "qualifying project" for public-private partnerships to include coastal resiliency projects and extends the deadline for certain properties to connect to central sewer systems or upgrade their onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to enhanced nutrient-reducing ones, with permitting agencies now required to notify property owners of these requirements. Additionally, it authorizes the DEP to encourage private sector investment in coastal resiliency projects through various means, such as revenue-sharing agreements and expedited permitting, and mandates the DEP to publish progress reports on its website. The bill also adjusts the deadline for major air pollution sources to pay annual operation license fees and allows the DEP to impose penalties for late payments, while also removing provisions related to certain administrative costs. Finally, it repeals a section of law related to the powers and duties of the now-defunct Environmental Regulation Commission and makes conforming changes to various other statutes to reflect these amendments.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Other Sponsors (3)
Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee (House), Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (House), State Affairs Committee (House)
Last Action
House Floor Amendment #012909 - (on 02/27/2026)
Official Document
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