HB 7003- Relating to Water Resources
On Wednesday, April 29th, HB 7003, by Rep. Matt Caldwell (R- Leigh Acres) was heard on the Senate floor and substituted for its senate companion bill SB 918. After this action, amendments were adopted by the Senate, and a vote was taken passing HB 7003 through the Senate floor with 39 yeas and 1 nay.

The Department of Environmental Protection projects a water shortage of 1.3 billion gallons of water per day by 2030. This bill comprehensively addresses this shortage and other water issues in our state. Some key components of the bill include the Springs Protection Program, the Central Florida Water Initiative, the Central and Southern Florida Project, and the Northern Everglades project. One major goal of this bill is to create an interagency agreement to develop and implement a uniform water management system, regarding water supply planning, consumptive water use permitting, and resource protection programs.

Since amendments were made by the Senate to HB 7003, this bill is required to go back to the House chamber for consideration. As the House will not reconvene before the end of session, May 1st, HB 7003 is dead and will not move any further in the process.

AIF supports efforts to address Florida’s major water challenges by developing legislation that address a series of critical issues.

HB 569- Relating to Agritourism
As of Friday, May 1st, the last action made on HB 569, relating to Agritourism, by by Rep. Neil Combee (R-Auburndale) was its passage through the House floor 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.

Unfortunately this bill was never heard on the Senate floor, and will therefore not move on in the process.

SB 594- Relating to Agritourism
As of Friday, May 1st, SB 594, relating to Agritourism, by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) has also not been heard on the Senate floor and been retained on the calendar.

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

SB 594, the senate companion bill to HB 569, was “temporarily postponed” and will not move forward in the process for the 2015 legislative session.

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