summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to stormwater treatment; amending s. 311.106, F.S.; prohibiting certain stormwater treatment and net improvement activities; amending s. 373.403, F.S.; providing definitions; amending s. 373.413, F.S.; defining the term "regional stormwater management system"; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to require specified documentation for issuance of an environmental resource permit for a regional stormwater management system; requiring that environmental resource permits authorizing a regional stormwater management system establish and include certain graphic depictions; authorizing certain environmental resource permit applicants to purchase and use certain pollution reduction allocations; requiring the department and water management districts to use specified information to establish drainage areas; providing an exception; amending s. 373.4134, F.S.; revising legislative findings and intent; removing the definition of the term "enhancement credit"; authorizing the use of water quality enhancement credits by certain permit applicants; providing that certain use of enhancement credits constitutes certain stormwater treatment; providing that certain pollutant load reductions may not be referred to as enhancement credits; requiring the department to file specified rules for adoption by a specified date; providing for water quality enhancement provisional permits; providing for the use of certain enhancement credits under such permits; providing for the modification of such permits under certain conditions; requiring the department and water management districts to recognize any enhancement credit used from a water quality enhancement area established pursuant to a provisional permit; amending s. 373.414, F.S.; clarifying the types of mitigation measures for compensating stormwater treatment which the department or a water management district governing board must consider under certain circumstances; reenacting s. 373.4136(6)(d), F.S., relating to establishment and operation of mitigation banks, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 373.414, F.S., in a reference thereto; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Florida's stormwater treatment regulations by defining "compensating stormwater treatment" as a method for managing stormwater discharges from multiple properties, and "enhancement credit" as a unit representing pollutant removal by a water quality enhancement area, and "pollutant reduction allocation" as a unit representing pollutant removal by a regional stormwater management system for compensating stormwater treatment. It prohibits certain seaports not listed in a specific statute from using regional stormwater management systems or water quality enhancement areas to provide stormwater treatment or achieve net improvement, and requires environmental resource permits for regional stormwater management systems to include graphic depictions of their drainage areas, allowing applicants to purchase pollution reduction allocations from these systems. The bill also revises legislative intent regarding water quality enhancement credits, clarifying that their use transfers responsibility for regulatory water quality treatment requirements, and establishes that using enhancement credits from a water quality enhancement area constitutes compensating stormwater treatment. It mandates the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for water quality enhancement areas by October 1, 2026, and allows for provisional permits in the interim, ensuring that enhancement credits used under these provisional permits will continue to be recognized. Additionally, the bill clarifies that when existing ambient water quality does not meet standards, mitigation measures such as compensating stormwater treatment that cause net improvement are to be considered, and it reenacts a provision related to mitigation banks to incorporate amendments made to another section concerning additional criteria for activities in surface waters and wetlands.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Other Sponsors (1)
Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Now in State Affairs Committee (on 02/17/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457/BillText/c1/PDF |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457/Analyses/h1457a.NRD.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457/Amendment/447909/PDF | |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457/Analyses/h1457.NRD.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1457/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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