Following the Florida Legislature
Each year, Florida lawmakers convene in Tallahassee to consider bills that will impact Floridians and the natural environment. The 60-day session that begins March 7, 2023, offers lawmakers the chance to chart an impactful course for issues including water quality, conservation, and environmental justice. But it also leaves the door open for bad bills and special-interest influence. Friends of the Everglades is committed to tracking it all here.
2023 Post-Mortem
Find an update and analysis on key bills in our Post-Session Legislative Report.
Legislative Priorities
- Demand cleaner water, now: Poor water quality is the root cause of blue-green algae blooms, seagrass loss and manatee die-offs and other harmful outcomes. Improved water quality will safeguard marine life, human life and Florida’s economic vitality.
- Restore more wetlands, send more clean water south: To relieve pressure from the beleaguered northern estuaries and adequately clean water going south to meet court-ordered pollution limits, we must acquire more land for man-made marshes known as Stormwater Treatment Areas.
- Smarter, controlled development: Florida needs to re-establish the bipartisan consensus for a common-sense state role in growth management.
- Stop sugarcane burning: Pre-harvest sugarcane burning represents an environmental injustice that must be phased out in favor of “green” harvesting.
Latest News –
Spotlight On: How the U.S. Farm Bill contributes to toxic algae in Florida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmfsR-k3SA8 Here’s how sugar supports in the U.S. Farm Bill create toxic algae blooms Big Sugar has a very sweet deal. U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals — which grow hundreds of thousands of acres of sugarcane in Florida — [...]
DeSantis just signed “Sprawl Bill” 540 into law
This afternoon, Gov. DeSantis signed into law the worst environmental bill passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2023 session. Senate Bill 540, which will take effect July 1, is a death knell for smart growth in Florida. It [...]
How They Voted –
Key Players –
The following elected officials have an outsized influence on environmental decisions made by Florida’s Legislature during the 2023 legislative session.
Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture: Originally an egg farmer from Trilby, has been a forceful advocate for agricultural interests and was a driving force behind the controversial SB 2508 during the 2022 legislative session.
Sen. Kathleen Passidomo (R-28), Senate President: An outspoken proponent of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, she’s from Southwest Florida but has not prioritized meaningful legislation to advance clean water or Everglades restoration, tending to focus more on water supply.
Rep. Paul Renner (R-19), House Speaker: Restructured House panels which led to the creation of the House Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee; has promised “a long-term approach to address Florida’s water resources, transportation, land conservation and resilience needs.”
Sen. Ben Albritton (R-27), Senate Majority Leader and 2024 Senate President: A powerful advocate for agricultural interests, he sponsored the controversial SB 2508 as well as SB 1000, arguably the most damaging environmental bill passed in 2022, allowing citrus farmers to increase the use of fertilizer via “rate tailoring.”
Sens. Jason Brodeur (R-10), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-38), chair of the Senate Community Affairs Committee.
Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-40), chair of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources.
Reps. Cyndi Stevenson (R-18), chair of the House Water Quality, Supply & Treatment Subcommittee.
Rep. James Buchanan (R-74), chair of the House Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee.
Rep. Thad Altman (R-32), chair of the House Agricultural & Natural Resources Appropriations Committee.