SB 918-Relating to Environmental Resources
On Tuesday, March 24th, SB 918, relating to Environmental Resources, by Senator Charles Dean (R-Inverness) unanimously passed through its first stop in the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee with 8 yeas and 0 nays.

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. While this bill is moving in the right direction, we have serious reservations about the springs component of the bill, which is based on untested science, adds additional layers of regulations, and provides no real environmental benefits.   

AIF will continue to work with Senators and staff on the proposed bill. The next stop for SB 918 is the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government . Legal counsel for AIF’s Florida H20 Coalition, Greg Munson, stood to testify on behalf of AIF.

AIF’s Senior Vice President, Brewster Bevis, released this statement:

Statement from AIF’s H2O Coalition Regarding the
Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation’s Passage of SB 918

Tallahassee, Fla. – Associated Industries of Florida’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis released the following statement regarding the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation’s passage of SB 918:

“We appreciate the Senate’s commitment to addressing water quality and quantity challenges this session.  We are encouraged by the progress they are making and appreciate that SB 918 has been broadened to address other concerns around the state.  These include restoration efforts in the Northern Everglades as well as the action plan outlined for the Central Florida Water Initiative.

While this bill is moving in the right direction, we have serious reservations about the springs component of the bill, which is based on untested science, adds additional layers of regulations, and provides no real environmental benefits.  We will continue to advocate for a bill that takes these concerns into account and look forward to working with the Senate to improve the bill.”

# # #

SB 158- Relating to Civil Liability of Farmers
On Tuesday, March 24th, SB 158, relating to the Civil Liability of Farmers, by Senator Greg Evers (R-Pensacola) unanimously passed through its third reading on the Senate floor during Senate Session with 38 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill addresses an exemption from civil liability for farmers who allow citizens onto their land to harvest excess crops.

HB 137- Relating to Civil Liability of Farmers
On Tuesday, March 24th, HB 137, the House companion bill to SB 158, by Rep. Kevin Rader (D-Boca Raton) unanimously passed through the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee with 11 yeas and 0 nays.

HB 137 has one more stop in the House Judiciary Committee before hitting the House floor. AIF stood in support of this bill and will continue to monitor the progress of these bills.

AIF supports legislation that will reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits brought against Florida’s business owners.