FloridaHB 14172026HouseWALLET

Department of Environmental Protection

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

15 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

Septic limits and 2030 upgrades in lagoons

Starting January 1, 2024, you cannot install a new septic system in the listed Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon plan areas if sewer is available. Where sewer is not available, only enhanced systems that cut nitrogen by at least 65% are allowed. By July 1, 2030, small residential parcels (10 acres or less) and commercial properties in these areas must connect to sewer if available or upgrade to a 65% nitrogen‑reducing system. Before July 1, 2030, permitting agencies must notify owners who apply to repair or replace a conventional system about this future requirement.

Caloosahatchee cleanup: plans and deadlines

Beginning July 1, 2026, the district completes a Caloosahatchee watershed plan, builds the initial construction phase, and runs a research and water‑quality monitoring program. The basin plan becomes the pollutant control program with 5‑, 10‑, and 15‑year milestones and a goal to meet limits within 20 years, plus 5‑year reviews. Agencies must speed up nonpoint best practices, and the plan must review water management and recommend fixes that balance supply, flood control, salinity, habitat, and water quality. The Health Department requires septage use plans, and Agriculture requires USDA‑level conservation plans for land‑applied manure with approvals, inspections, and records. The district sets monitoring and reporting rules for covered nonpoint dischargers, and DEP expedites nutrient limits for the river and estuary.

St. Lucie cleanup: plans and grants

Beginning July 1, 2026, the district completes a St. Lucie watershed plan, builds the initial construction phase, and runs a research and monitoring program. The basin plan serves as the pollutant control program with 5‑, 10‑, and 15‑year milestones and a goal to meet limits within 20 years, plus 5‑year reviews. Agencies must speed up nonpoint best practices and create a monitoring and reporting program for covered nonpoint dischargers. The Health Department requires septage use plans, and Agriculture requires USDA‑level conservation plans for land‑applied manure with approvals, inspections, and records. Projects on private or tribal lands that restore hydrology, reduce peak flows, or recharge aquifers can get grants to cut pollution or discharge.

Stronger Lake Okeechobee cleanup and funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, land application of biosolids and septage in the Lake Okeechobee area faces stricter nutrient limits. Entities must submit agricultural use plans, and DEP cannot approve biosolids disposal unless the site shows no net phosphorus increase; Class AA fertilizer biosolids are exempt. Agencies jointly run the watershed program, set yearly funding priorities for the biggest pollution cuts, and set schedules to meet water‑quality limits. The district evaluates internal phosphorus removal and moves to design and permitting if feasible, and agencies also target harmful exotic species. Wastewater projects that cut phosphorus in the watershed get priority for state revolving loans.

More sewer grants for small towns

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state provides grants to financially disadvantaged small communities for wastewater projects. Grants can cover up to 100% of planning, design, construction, upgrades, or replacement of sewer systems, including legal and admin costs. DEP also may use certain loan grant allocations to give added help to qualifying small communities.

New rules for solar sites

Solar builders must add stronger erosion and stormwater controls. Plans must include soil percolation tests, storm systems sized to the 100‑year, 24‑hour storm, and phased clearing and stabilization. A certified Florida stormwater and erosion inspector must check compliance during construction. Operators must follow all permit conditions during building and operations. In the Northwest Florida Water Management District, new applications filed after July 1, 2026 must design operational stormwater systems for the 100‑year, 24‑hour storm.

New sewer bill fee and audits

Sewer utilities in Monroe, Miami‑Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Highlands, Hendry, and Glades may add a separate environmental disposal fee to local bills. The fee pays only for approved biosolids treatment and disposal at eligible facilities and is not treated as a standard rate increase. Government must audit any facility paid by this fee, and the fee method, at least every three years. Audit reports go to state legislative leaders.

Faster Lake Okeechobee projects and permits

Beginning July 1, 2026, regional projects in the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Construction Project need 5‑year permits that show phosphorus design goals and equal or better discharge quality. A permit under this section replaces most other permits for covered work, and construction may start before final agency action; certain existing structures remain under other permits and the BMAP if they meet set conditions. The Agriculture Department will require conservation plans for operations that land‑apply animal manure in the watershed. Starting July 1, 2026, projects on private or tribal trust lands that cut pollution can get grants. Each March 1, agencies must report on hydrology, water quality, project status, and Save Our Everglades Trust Fund spending.

New commission and faster rules

The law creates a seven‑member Environmental Regulation Commission inside the state DEP. Agencies must publish a clear health‑risk statement when proposing health‑based rules. DEP can fast‑track rules that match EPA rules, with 21 days for public comment and a 14‑day window for objections to the commission. The commission must set one statewide method to map wetlands, which takes effect only after the Legislature ratifies it. DEP may set general permits for low‑impact projects that you can use 30 days after notice if you meet the criteria.

Stronger water rules and planning statewide

The law makes it illegal to discharge pollutants that violate department standards. It sets the landward edge of state waters using the ratified statewide wetlands and surface‑water delineation method. The department will run the federal NPDES discharge permit program by rule and may adopt stricter standards only with approval by the Governor and Cabinet. TMDLs for impaired waters must be adopted by rule with a local public workshop. The act also repeals s. 403.804 and updates solid‑waste facility rulemaking to consider site conditions, waste types, and control methods.

Coastal resiliency public-private projects expand

The state lets DEP use public‑private partnerships to back coastal resiliency projects, including revenue‑sharing and expedited permitting, with local input and workforce training. Coastal resiliency projects now qualify under the state’s PPP law. Projects at county, district, or municipal hospitals and municipal electric utilities only qualify if their governing boards designate them as PPP projects.

Air permit fees and local vapor rules

Major air sources must pay annual license fees between January 15 and April 1. The base fee factor is $25 and can rise only if the secretary finds a revenue shortfall, and never above $35; emissions over 4,000 tons per pollutant are excluded and some small sources get a one‑time credit. Beginning July 1, 2026, all such fees go into a new DEP account to run the permit program, and local programs that take DEP funds cannot add extra fees for those services. Local governments cannot require Stage II vapor recovery at gas stations unless the area is or has been a federal ozone nonattainment area.

Coastal resiliency project reports

DEP must publish a progress report every two years for each coastal resiliency project funded by a public‑private partnership. Reports list milestones, spending, and public benefits. DEP also keeps an online dashboard with real‑time updates.

Everglades plans and regular reviews

Beginning July 1, 2026, DEP starts basin management action plans for Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee, and the St. Lucie watersheds. Agencies jointly carry out river watershed plans and set yearly funding priorities for projects that best meet plan goals, considering compliance, readiness, and matching funds. Every five years, DEP and partners review progress and the district lists needed project changes in its annual report.

Stricter biosolids rules in two watersheds

Starting July 1, 2026, the state cannot allow land application of domestic wastewater biosolids in the Caloosahatchee or St. Lucie River watersheds unless the applicant proves a net nutrient balance at the site. Class AA biosolids sold as fertilizer remain allowed under department rules. This protects local waters from added nutrient loads.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

State Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 253 • No: 3

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 3

House vote • 3/4/2026