SB 918- Relating to Environmental Resources

On Wednesday, March 11th, SB 918, relating to Environmental Resources, by Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) was held in a workshop with the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. Panels of representatives from several state departments, plus the five water management districts were present. The bill provides for the protection of springs and other water resources in Florida, creates a council to provide recommendations for funding water projects throughout the state, provides transparency for the process by which projects are submitted and selected, and provides for statewide consistency in data collection and analysis. AIF will continue to work with Senators and staff on the proposed bill. Legal counsel for AIF’s Florida H20 Coalition, Greg Munson, stood to testify on behalf of AIF at the workshop.

AIF supports funding science-based programs and projects to improve the water quality and water quantity of Florida’s major first-magnitude springs.

HB 569- Relating to Agritourism

On Tuesday, March 10th, HB 569, relating to Agritourism, by Rep. Neil Combee (R-Auburndale) unanimously passed the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee with 12 yeas and 0 nays.  This is the second stop for House Bill 569, and now heads to the House State Affairs Committee.

The bill would remove the ability of local governments to regulate these activities of Agritourism. AIF again stood in support of this bill.  

AIF supports any legislation that allows Florida farmers to safely expand their businesses through the use of Agritourism.