SB 1468- Relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
On Tuesday, March 31st, SB 1468, relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, by Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples) passed through the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee with 6 yeas and 2 nays. SB 1468 is the senate companion to HB 1205 by Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-Fort Myers).

This bill explains that the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Mining and Minerals Regulation Program in the Division of Water Resource Management (Division) oversees permitting for oil and gas drilling, production, and exploration within Florida through its Oil and Gas Program (Program). The Program’s primary responsibilities include conservation of oil and gas resources, correlative rights protection, maintenance of health and human safety, and environmental protection. This bill makes many revisions to the Oil and Gas Program to make this program safer and more effective for all involved.

SB 1468 will now head to its second stop in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

AIF supports the need to maintain appropriate permitting laws to protect the environment, to enhance efficiency between industry and the state, and to ensure appropriate standards are clearly communicated.

AIF’s Brewster Bevis released the following statement:

AIF Applauds Lawmakers on the Senate Committee on
Environmental Preservation and Conservation for Passage of Senate Bill 1468

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributable to its Senior Vice President of State & Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, applauding lawmakers on the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation for passing Senate Bill 1468, relating to the regulation of onshore oil and gas resources.

“The onshore oil and gas industry has the ability to be a robust sector of Florida’s economy that can infuse jobs and capital into our state; however, the industry needs certainty and this good bill by Senator Richter is integral in not only providing that certainty to the industry, but also ensuring a regulatory framework is in place that balances the growth of the industry with environmental stewardship.

“AIF thanks the members of the committee for their consideration and passage of this responsible public policy, and we look forward to it continuing to be successful throughout the process.”

For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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