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FloridaSB 8482026Senate

Stormwater Treatment

Sponsored By: Keith L. Truenow (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationEnvironment and Natural ResourcesCommunity AffairsRulesHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Applicants gain treatment options for polluted waters

Beginning July 1, 2026, permitting agencies must consider mitigation when applicants cannot meet water-quality standards because existing water quality already fails them. Mitigation can include compensating stormwater treatment. It must produce a net improvement in the receiving waterbody for each affected measure that fails the standards.

Water-quality credits remain available before rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida’s environmental department must accept, review, and decide provisional water-quality enhancement area applications before final rules are adopted. It must issue a permit when the applicant provides reasonable assurance that the area meets the legal criteria. Permitting agencies must allow provisional credits to be used under the law and permit terms. The department must file implementing rules for adoption by October 1, 2026. Credits already used remain recognized when provisional permits are changed to match the final rules.

Unlisted ports face regional treatment limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, nonlocal government entities cannot use regional stormwater systems for polluting activities at seaports outside Florida’s statutory list. They also cannot transfer water-quality enhancement credits for those activities. These bans cover stormwater treatment and efforts to achieve a net water-quality improvement. Ports in Citrus and Putnam Counties are exempt.

Broader water-quality credit use has limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, permit applicants can buy enhancement credits to meet stormwater treatment standards or achieve a net water-quality improvement. Government entities can also use them for assigned basin pollution-reduction targets or reasonable assurance plans. The law removes the earlier requirement to first provide assurances about onsite stormwater design and construction. Each enhancement service area must include at least one Hydrologic Unit Code 8 sub-basin, and credits can address impacts only within that area. When credits are used as the law specifies, the credit generator—not the buyer or user—takes legal responsibility for the related treatment requirement.

Listed seaports gain treatment options with duties

Beginning July 1, 2026, seaports on Florida’s statutory list can treat stormwater onsite or offsite for permitted activities that cause or add to stormwater pollution. Offsite treatment must stay within the activity’s drainage basin. The seaport, alone or with an adjacent local government, must build and maintain the treatment project. Listed seaports can also provide regional treatment facilities.

Outside mitigation credits carry limits and multipliers

Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible permit applicants get a one-time option to use mitigation bank credits outside the service area. Officials must find that the proper credit type is lacking and qualifying banks serving the regional watershed lack enough credits of the needed number or type. Banks whose service areas fully cover the affected site get priority; outside credits cover only the shortage after available service-area credits are used. Multipliers are 1.0 for matching credits within the service area or same regional watershed, and 1.2 for matching credits in an immediately adjacent watershed. Add 0.25 for each further watershed boundary crossed when matching credits in adjacent watersheds are unavailable, plus 0.50 for replacement credits of a different type.

Regional stormwater options require financial backing

Beginning July 1, 2026, permit applicants within a regional stormwater system’s drainage area can buy pollution-reduction allocations to meet treatment standards. Each system permit must include a drainage-area map, normally based on a Hydrologic Unit Code 12 sub-basin. An outside area qualifies only with equivalent treatment for a shared downstream waterbody and no local harm. System permit applicants must provide financial backing for construction and for operation and maintenance throughout the period the system is relied upon. This includes an endowment or other long-term assurance; cost estimates and financial assurances must be updated at least every 5 years. These financial requirements do not apply to nonregional systems.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Keith L. Truenow

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Environment and Natural Resources

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Rules

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 112 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Rules Vote

Yes: 23 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Community Affairs Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/13/2026

Environment and Natural Resources Vote

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-60

    5/7/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/6/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    4/30/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0

    3/11/2026House

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  8. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  9. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    3/10/2026House

  10. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)

    3/10/2026House

  11. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/10/2026House

  12. In Messages

    2/26/2026House

  13. Immediately certified -SJ 463

    2/26/2026Senate

  14. CS passed as amended; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 460

    2/26/2026Senate

  15. Read 3rd time -SJ 460

    2/26/2026Senate

  16. Amendment(s) adopted (598430) -SJ 460

    2/26/2026Senate

  17. Read 2nd time -SJ 458

    2/26/2026Senate

  18. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26

    2/23/2026Senate

  19. CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/19/2026Senate

  21. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    2/19/2026Senate

  22. CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0

    2/17/2026Senate

  23. On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

    2/12/2026Senate

  24. Now in Rules

    2/10/2026Senate

  25. Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

    2/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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