ENVIRONMENT
HB 909 – Relating to Pollution Control Standards
On Tuesday, February 22, HB 909 by Representative Bobby Payne (R-Palatka) was read a second time on the House floor and was rolled to third reading to be voted on.
Risk-based corrective action is a decision-making process used to assess and respond to incidents of contamination. The bill specifies that the Secretary of Environmental Protection has exclusive jurisdiction in setting standards or procedures for evaluating environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for the presence of contaminants on land that is classified as agricultural and is being converted to a nonagricultural use. The bill prohibits the Secretary from delegating such authority to a city, a county, or another unit of local government through a local pollution control program, but it does not preempt the enforcement authority of a local government through a local pollution control program.
HB 909 will now be read a third time on the House floor and receive votes.
AIF supports legislation unifying regulatory authority over site assessments for current or former agricultural lands by making the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the sole authority for evaluating environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for the presence of contaminants on current or former agricultural properties.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SB 1800 – Relating to Broadband Infrastructure
On Tuesday, February 22, SB 1800 by Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development and was reported favorable with 11 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.
The amended bill creates the Broadband Pole Replacement Program, to be administered by the Office of Broadband within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The Program will reimburse eligible broadband Internet service providers for their costs incurred for the removal and replacement of existing utility poles in areas of Florida that are unserved by broadband Internet service.
SB 1800 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AIF supports efforts to increase economic development in Florida’s rural areas by expanding access to broadband internet which allows residents to connect with employers and educators which in turn strengthens the workforce and access to high wage jobs.
SB 1802 – Relating to Broadband Pole Replacement Trust Fund
On Tuesday, February 22, SB 1802 by Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development and was reported favorable with 11 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.
The amended bill creates the Broadband Pole Replacement Trust Fund within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The bill is linked to SB 1800 which creates the Broadband Pole Replacement Program within the Department’s Office of Broadband.
SB 1802 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AIF supports efforts to increase economic development in Florida’s rural areas by expanding access to broadband internet which allows residents to connect with employers and educators which in turn strengthens the workforce and access to high wage jobs.
