SB 918- Relating to Environmental Resources
On Wednesday, April 8th, SB 918, relating to Environmental Resources, by Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) unanimously passed through the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government  with 7 yeas and 0 nays.

The bill provides for the protection of springs and other water resources in Florida. SB 918 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. Several harmful sections of the bill were removed, and it has been significantly amended. SB 918 now includes a number of provisions that AIF’s Florida H20 Coalition supports.

While AIF supports the improvements in the legislation, some problems still remain. We will continue to work with senators and staff to address them. The next and final stop for SB 918 is the Senate Appropriations Committee . Legal counsel for AIF’s Florida H20 Coalition, Greg Munson, stood to testify on behalf of AIF.

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 Thursday, April 9th, HB 569, relating to Agritourism, by Rep. Neil Combee (R-Auburndale) unanimously passed through its third reading on the floor of the Florida House with 112 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill addresses local government regulation of “agritourism” activities, and would remove the ability of local governments to regulate these activities. 

HB 569 will now head to the Senate floor for a vote, and then hopefully onto the desk of the Governor.  The Senate companion for this bill, SB 594, is on the calendar for its second reading on the Senate floor.

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