SB 1258 - Relating to Use of Phosphogypsum

On Thursday, April 13, SB 1258 by Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and reported favorably with 16 yeas and 2 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1258 directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to experiment the use of Phosphogypsum (PG) as a road construction aggregate materiel. Phosphate is produced at a rapid rate in Florida and PG is a byproduct of the manufacturing process. For every ton of phosphate manufactured, 5 tons of PG is made. PG is used primarily for agricultural purposes, however, it can also be used for roadway paving materials. This bill would allow the first step to take place in determining PG’s viability as an aggregate to be used on Florida’s roadways.

SB 1258 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration. The House companion, HB 1191, will be heard by the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee on Monday, April 17.

AIF supports efforts to utilize manufacturing byproducts for beneficial purposes.