HB 191- Relating to Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
On Wednesday, January 27th, HB 191, relating to Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources, by Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-Fort Myers) was read for a third time and passed through the House floor after much deliberation between the House members. The bill passed by a vote of 73 yeas to 45 nays.

This bill makes many revisions to the Oil and Gas Program (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. In the State of Florida, according to statute, high pressure well-stimulation is already a legal practice. This regulatory program would amend said statute to include safer practices for conservation of oil and gas resources, correlative rights protection, maintenance of health and human safety, and environmental protection. High pressure well-stimulation will happen regardless of HB 191, the goal is to make this practice safer for all Floridians involved.

HB 191 will now go to the Senate chamber for consideration.

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.

HB 191 was, understandably, not an easy feat and we applaud the Legislature for doing its due diligence, asking all the necessary questions and passing this regulatory piece of legislation for Florida’s future.

Below is a statement from our Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, on the passage of HB 191:

AIF Statement on Legislation Regulating the Onshore Oil & Gas Industry
Passing the Florida House 

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributable to its Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis regarding House Bill 191 passing the Florida House.

“Representative Ray Rodrigues has been steadfast in his goal to properly regulate the onshore oil and gas industry, and we commend him for successfully guiding this good piece of legislation through the Florida House today. 

“By working in good faith with concerned citizens and third parties, we believe that the final product of HB 191 both appropriately empowers the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to properly regulate the onshore oil and gas industry, and also ensures the protection and preservation of Florida’s environment.

“We look forward to seeing the companion bill, Senator Garrett Richter’s Senate Bill 318, progress and also considered by the Florida Senate in the same deliberative manner.”

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

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