SB 1468- Relating to Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
On Tuesday, April 21st, SB 1468, relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, by Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples) passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee with 13 yeas and 6 nays. SB 1468 is the Senate companion bill to HB 1205.

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.

SB 1468 will now head to the Senate floor for a vote. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, spoke 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.

After the committee meeting Tuesday, AIF’s Brewster Bevis released this statement:

AIF Statement on Senate Appropriations Committee Advancing
Legislation to Regulate the Onshore Oil & Gas Industry 

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 Senate Appropriations Committee for advancing Senate Bill 1468, relating to regulation of oil and gas resources.

“This session, Senator Richter has sponsored Senate Bill 1468, which will provide a commonsense regulatory framework for the onshore oil and gas industry in Florida that will allow the industry, which has successfully operated without incident for decades, to grow and continue to employ Floridians.

“Under this legislation, the onshore oil and gas industry will operate under a clearer definition of high-pressure well stimulation and will be subject to increased oversight of high-pressure well stimulation techniques, including having to apply, and be granted, an additional permit by DEP before this type of well stimulation is conducted.  These proposed changes, which if successful, will apply to operators exploring and producing oil and gas in Florida, will give certainty to the industry, so it can continue to be successful and contribute to Florida’s bottom line, and also carefully protects Florida’s fragile environment.

“AIF does have concerns about the study that is laid out in the bill in its current form, as we believe this may inhibit the industry’s growth within Florida, but applaud the members of this committee for advancing this legislation today that grants regulatory certainty to this good industry.”

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

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SB 918- Relating to Environmental Resources
On Tuesday, April 21st, SB 918, relating to Environmental Resources, by Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee with 16 yeas and 2 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.

While AIF supports the improvements in the legislation, some problems still remain. We will continue to work with senators and staff to address them. SB 918 will now head to the Senate floor for a vote. 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 653- Relating to Environmental Control
On Friday, April 24th, HB 653, relating to Environmental Control, by Representative Cary Pigman (R-Sebring) passed through the House floor with 111 yeas and 6 nays.

The House made significant steps toward reaching an agreement with the Senate on a water bill, by amending much of SB 918 into HB 653.  HB 653 contained a variety of environmental provisions before the amendment.  In addition to some minor clarification language, HB 653 added language from SB 918 related to springs protection, self-suppliers, regional water suppliers, the Central Florida Water Initiative, and the Northern Everglades. 

Noticeably absent from the amended version of HB 653, were provisions from SB 918 related to recreational trails for bicycles (it is reported that this language is important to the Senate President), provisions encouraging water management districts to fund certain water supply pilot projects, and provisions creating a Water Resource Advisory Council to advise the Legislature on water projects, presumably those projects that could be funded using Amendment One funds.

HB 653 will now be referred to the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, and the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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

SB 158- Relating to Civil Liability of Farmers
On Wednesday, April 22nd, SB 158, relating to the Civil Liability of Farmers, by Senator Greg Evers (R-Pensacola) was read by the House chamber and then substituted for the House companion, HB 137. After SB 158 was substituted for HB 137 a vote was taken and SB 158 unanimously passed through the House floor with 113 yeas and 0 nays.

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

SB 158 will now head to the desk of Governor Scott to be signed into law.

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