NWRA State Update: NWRA Florida Chapter Provides Legislative Update on Bills
In Florida, Senate Bill 1054 sponsored by Sen. Doug Broxson (R-1) relating to brownfields was amended and unanimously approved by the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee on March 22 with a vote of 6 to 0. The strike-all amendment to Senate Bill 1054 now limits the bill to the following issues:
- Require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules to determine cleanup levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are appropriate for Florida.
- Direct DEP to abate regulatory actions against property owners and entities until PFAS rules become effective.
- Does not affect the ability or authority to seek contribution from any other person who may have liability with respect to a contaminated site.
- Provides for an Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study of other states’ environmental cleanup programs. The study is due by January 1, 2022.
The next stop for this bill is the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Senate Bill 904 sponsored by Sen. Manny Diaz (R-36) relating to doorstep waste containers was approved by the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee on March 22 with a vote of 6 to 0. Currently, there are various providers offering doorstep waste collection services to apartment complexes throughout the state. Residents in these complexes place waste outside their front door, and the provider picks it up. An apartment complex resident’s front door usually opens to a hallway, corridor or walkway, which may lead to the building’s exit access. The bill repeals the July 1, 2021, expiration date for the statutory provisions, thus allowing residents in apartment complexes to continue placing waste outside their front door for pickup by waste collection services, which may conflict with the fire code. The bill is now heading to the Senate Rules Committee for review.
House Bill 1309 sponsored by Rep. Bobby Payne (R-19) relating to the ratification of Department of Environmental Protection Rules passed the State Affairs Committee on March 24, and has been placed on Special Order Calendar for Wednesday, March 31.
