HB 1205- Relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
On Monday, April 27th, HB 1205, relating to the Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, by Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-Fort Myers) passed through the House floor with 82 yeas and 34 nays and was then sent to the Senate floor for a vote.

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.

On Tuesday, April 28th, HB 1205 was read on the Senate floor and subsequently substituted for the Senate companion bill SB 1468. The bill sponsor “temporarily postponed” the bill, ending its chance for enactment in the 2015 legislative session.

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.