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Legislative Accountability2023-10-26T13:49:09-04:00

2024 Legislative Priorities

  1. Protect wetlands: Reject any attempt to preempt local authority on wetlands, while safeguarding existing state-level protections.
  2. Get serious about toxic algae: With toxic algae now a perennial and worsening problem, Florida cannot wait any longer to take decisive action.<
  3. Fix our failing BMAPs: Update BMPs and toughen enforcement to meet pollution-reduction goals.
  4. Don’t ban fertilizer bans: County/municipal fertilizer ordinances are key to improved water quality. Any attempt to weaken existing ordinances or preempt local governments’ ability to enact such ordinances must be rejected.
  5. Smarter, controlled development: Re-strengthen the state’s role in growth management.
  6. Stop sugarcane burning: The outdated practice of pre-harvest burning must be phased out and growers required to transition to safer “green” harvesting.
  7. Send more clean water south: Acquire more land for Stormwater Treatment Areas to store water, clean it and move it south to rehydrate the southern Everglades.

Latest News –

Friends of the Everglades 2023 Post-Session Report

May 16th, 2023|

As we feared, the 2023 Legislative Session turned out to be the “Session of Sprawl,” as Florida lawmakers advanced legislation that facilitates inappropriate, environmentally damaging development proposals. Lawmakers passed several bills disempowering citizens, handcuffing local governments, and making it [...]

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How They Voted on Key Bills –

2024

2023

They did it.

On May 2 the Florida House of Representatives voted 87-30 to pass Senate Bill 540, the worst bill this session.

The measure, passed by the Senate April 19, stipulates that citizens or public interest groups that challenge a local comprehensive plan amendment and lose may be on the hook for legal fees incurred by the “prevailing party.” This includes “intervenors” like developers, meaning local citizens concerned about runaway growth – and amendments made to their local comp plan to accommodate it – could be liable for thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

The measure now heads to Gov. DeSantis’s desk, while conservation group – including VoteWater – are asking the Governor to veto the bill.

So who voted to intimidate and disempower citizens by casting a “yes” vote for this bill? The full list is below.

Representatives who voted YEA/for SB 540:
Rep. Shane Abbott, R-5 Rep. Randy Fine, R-33 Rep. Rachel Lora Saunders Plakon, R-36
Rep. Thad Altman, R-32 Rep. Alina Garcia, R-115 Rep. Susan Plasencia, R-37
Rep. Daniel Antonio “Danny” Alvarez, R-69 Rep. Sam Garrison, R-11 Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-119
Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-45 Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-79 Rep. Paul Renner, R-19
Rep. Adam Anderson, R-57 Rep Karen Gonzalez Pittman, R-65 Rep. Alex Rizo, R-112
Rep. Robert Alexander “Alex” Andrade, R-2 Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-91 Rep. Spencer Roach, R-76
Rep. Jessica Baker, R-17 Rep. Michael Grant, R-75 Rep. William Cloud “Will” Robinson, R-71
Rep. Doug Bankson, R-39 Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-72 Rep. Bob Rommel, R-81
Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-29 Rep. Philip Wayne “Griff” Griffits Jr., R-6 Rep. Rick Roth, R-94
Rep. Fabian Basabe, R-106 Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-35 Rep. Joel Rudman, R-3
Rep. Melony M. Bell, R-49 Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-53 Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-1
Rep. Mike Beltan, R-70 Rep. Berny Jacques, R-59 Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-7
Rep. Kimberly Berfield, R-58 Rep. Sam H. Killebrew, R-48 Rep. David Silvers, D-89
Rep. Dean Black, R-15 Rep. Traci Koster, R-66 Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-31
Rep. David Borrero, R-111 Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-100 Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-92
Rep. Adam Botana, R-80 Rep. Thomas J. “Tom” Leek, R-28 Rep. David Smith, R-38
Rep. Robert A. “Robbie” Brackett, R-34 Rep. Vicki L. Lopez, R-113 Rep. John Snyder, R-86
Rep. Robert Charles “Chuck” Brannann III, R-10 Rep. Randall Scott “Randy” Maggard, R-54 Rep. Paula A. Stark, R-47
Rep. James Buchanan, R-74 Rep. Patt Maney, R-4 Rep. Kevin M. Steele, R-55
Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, R-114 Rep. Ralph E. Massullo, R-23 Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R-18
Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-50 Rep. Stan McClain, R-27 Rep. John Paul Temple, R-52
Rep. Michael A. “Mike” Caruso, R-87 Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-68 Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-51
Rep. Charles Wesley “Chuck” Clemons Sr., R-22 Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-73 Rep. Dana Trabulsy, R-84
Rep. Dan Daley, D-96 Rep. Lauren Melo, R-82 Rep. Chase Tramont, R-30
Rep., Kimberly Daniels, D-14 Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-16 Rep. Keith L. Truenow, R-26
Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-12 Rep. James Vernon “Jim” Mooney Jr., R-120 Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-83
Rep. Lisa Dunkley, D-97 Rep. Tobin Rogers “Toby” Overdorf, R-85 Rep. Taylor Michael Yarkosky, R-24
Rep. Tiffany Esposito, R-77 Rep. Bobby Payne, R-20 Rep. Bradford Troy “Brad” Yeager, R-56
Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-110 Rep. Daniel Perez, R-116
Rep. Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin, R-118 Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-78
Representatives who voted NO/against SB 540:
Rep. Bruce Hadley Antone, D-41 Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-60 Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, D-95
Rep. Kristen Aston Arrington, D-46 Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-67 Rep. Dottie Joseph, D-108
Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-103 Rep. Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds, D-88 Rep. Johanna Lopez, D-43
Rep. Christopher Benjamin, D-107 Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, D-42 Rep. Angela “Angie” Nixon, D-13
Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-40 Rep. Gallop Franklin II, D-8 Rep. Felicia Simone Robinson, D-104
Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-99 Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt, D-109 Rep. Allison Tant, D-9
Rep. Joe Casello, D-90 Rep. Michael “Mike” Gottlieb, D-102 Rep. Susan Valdes, D-64
Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-101 Rep. Jennifer “Rita” Harris, D-44 Rep. Katherine Waldron, D-93
Rep. Kevin Chamliss, D-117 Rep. Dianne “Ms. Dee” Hart, D-63 Rep. Patricia H. Williams, D-98
Rep. Linda Chaney, R-61 Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-21 Rep. Marie Paule Woodson, D-105

Senate Bill 540, one of the most controversial bills advancing during this “Session of Sprawl,” passed the Florida Senate last week by a vote of 29-10.

The bill, which may soon land on Gov. DeSantis’ desk, mandates that anyone who challenges a local comprehensive plan amendment and loses is liable for the other side’s legal fees. This includes “intervenors” like developers, meaning local citizens concerned about runaway growth – and amendments made to their local comp plan to accommodate it – could be on the hook for thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

If signed into law by Gov. DeSantis, this could spell the end of citizen challenges to bad development proposals in Florida.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-18. A failed last-second amendment would have prevented “intervenors” from collecting legal fees from losing citizens.

The House companion bill, HB 439, has been on the House Second Reading Calendar since late March but hasn’t yet been scheduled for a vote. With passage by the Senate, the House may now take up SB 540.

Senators who voted YEA/for SB 540:
Sen. Ben Albritton – R-27 Sen. Brian Avila – R-39 Sen. Dennis Baxley – R-13
Sen. Jim Boyd – R-20 Sen. Jennifer Bradley – R-6 Sen. Jeff Brodeur – R-10
Sen. Doug Broxton – R-1 Sen. Danny Burgess – R-23 Sen. Colleen Burton – R-12
Sen. Alexis Calatayud – R-38 Sen. Jay Collins – R-14 Sen. Nick DiCeglie – R-18
Sen. Gayle Harrell – R-31 Sen. Ed Hooper – R-21 Sen. Travis Hutson – R-7
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia – R-11 Sen. Shevrin “Shev” Jones – D-34 Sen. Jonathan Martin – R-33
Sen. Debbie Mayfield – R-19 Sen. Keith Perry – R-9 Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez – R-40
Sen. Linda Stewart – D-17 Sen. Jay Trumbulll – R-2 Sen. Tom A. Wright – R-8
Sen. Clay Yarborough – R-4 Sen. Kathleen Passidomo – R-28 Sen. Corey Simon – R-3
Senators who voted NO/against SB 540:
Sen. Lois Berman – D-26 Sen. Sen. Lauren Book – D-35 Sen. Rosalind Osgood – D-32
Sen. Jason Pizzo – D-37 Sen. Tina Polsky – D-30 Sen. Bobby Powell – D-24
Sen. Darryl Rouson – D-16 Sen. Geraldine Thompson – D-15 Sen. Victor Torres – D-25

Key Players –

The following elected officials have an outsized influence on environmental decisions made by Florida’s Legislature during the 2023 legislative session.

Gov. Ron DeSantis: With Executive Order 23-06, has pledged to make environmental made water issues a priority a key issue in his second term. The key to this order’s success or failure lies in the specific tactics of implementation.
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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.

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