HB 1205- Relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
On Tuesday, April 7th, HB 1205, relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, by Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-Fort Myers) passed through the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee with 9 yeas and 4 nays.

This bill makes many revisions to the Oil and Gas Program to make this program safer and more effective for all involved. 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.

The next and final committee stop for HB 1205 is the House State Affairs Committee. 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 released the following statement pertaining to HB 1205:

AIF Thanks Members of House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee for Advancing Legislation Governing Onshore Oil & Gas Activities

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, thanking lawmakers on the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee for passing House Bill 1205, relating to the regulation of onshore oil and gas resources.

“The onshore oil and gas industry has a long and successful history in the State of Florida, and is an integral piece of our state’s economy, contributing jobs and capital; and, this industry needs the certainty that this legislation, House Bill 1205, sponsored by Representative Rodrigues, provides to continue to be successful.

“And, while we are still concerned about the inclusion of a study in HB 1205, we thank the members of this committee for considering and advancing this piece of legislation that provides the necessary framework to allow this industry to continue to grow and thrive in Florida, while also ensuring our environment is well protected.” 

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

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