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This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the bills being considered by committees including some that drastically are changed by amendments that are filed.

Action Items

Call Senators Harrell (850) 487-5031 & Bradley (850) 487-5006 and ask them to amend SB 80, the State Park Preservation Act, to match HB 209, the stronger house companion bill.

Save Springs Protection Zones - Call Senator Trumbull at (850) 487-5002 and ask the Senator to remove language added to SB 1388 that would undermine existing and future Springs Protection Zones.

Fix the Senate Oil Bill - Call Senator Corey Simon at (850) 487-5003 and ask him to amend SB 1300, Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources, to match the stronger House Bill 1143.

Florida Politics Article on Oil Bills SB 1300 and HB 1143

Bills Discussed

SB 200: Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan (Berman)

HB 295: Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan (Casello)  

SB 1580: Infrastructure and Resiliency (Rodriguez)

HB 371: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience (Mooney) 

SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess) 

HB 947: Civil Actions (Blanco)

HB 1175: Mitigation Banks (Duggan)

SB 492: Mitigation Banking (McClain)  

HB 579: Development Permits and Orders (Overdorf)

SB 1080: Local Government Land Regulation (McClain) 

SB 700: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Truenow)

SB 1300: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Simon)   

HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf)

SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin)

HB 1609: Waste Incineration (Weinberger)    

 SB 1388: Vessels (Trumbull)

HB 209: State Land Management (Snyder)  

SB 80: State Land Management (Harrell/Bradley)

HB 433: Administrative Procedures (Overdorf) 

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the weekly update to the legislative session including efforts to make it easier for developers to develop rural lands and wetlands, why shifting from fee simple to conservation easements is not the answer to conserving land, and the bills that will be heard in committee this upcoming week.

Calls To Action:

Call House Budget Chair Representative Lawrence McClure at (850) 717-5068 and House Budget Committee Democratic Ranking Member Representative Fentrice Driskell (850) 717-5067 and ask them to restore funding for Florida Forever and maintain the State’s commitment to funding environmental priorities through Indian Gaming Compact funds. 

Call Senator Trumbull at (850) 487-5002 and ask the Senator to remove language added last week to SB 1388 that would undermine existing and future Springs Protection Zones.

Call Senator Corey Simon at (850) 487-5003 and ask him to amend SB 1300, Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources, by amending his Senate Bill to match the stronger House Bill 1143.

Bills Discussed

SB 1388: Vessels (Trumbull)

HB 209: State Land Management (Snyder)  

SB 80: State Land Management (Harrell/Bradley)

SB 492: Mitigation Banking (McClain)

SB 880: Designation of the State Birds (Garcia)  

HB 5001: General Appropriations Act

HB 5003: Implementing the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act

HB 5011: Funding for Environmental Resource Management

SB 2500: Senate General Appropriations

SB 2506: Natural Resources

SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin) 

HB 579: Development Permits and Orders (Overdorf)

SB 1080: Local Government Land Regulation (McClain)  

HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf)

SB 1300: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Simon)  

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the various bills that are impacting our environment here in Florida.  Most notably the State Park Protection Act, Permits for oil drilling, and the attempt of the house to defund programs that purchase conservation land.

Call Senator Harrell (850-487-5031) and Representative Snyder (850-717-5086) and ask them to strengthen the State Parks Preservation Act to eliminate loopholes, protect uplands, and prohibit developments like golf courses and hotels on our State Parks.
Call Chair McClure (850-717-5068) and Chair Esposito (850-717-5077) and ask them to restore funding for Florida Forever and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin) 

HB 565: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Blanco) HB 1205: Amendments to the State Constitution (Persons-Mulicka)

HB 5001 – General Appropriations Act

HB 5003 – Implementing the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act

HB 5011 – Funding for Environmental Resource Management

SB 2500: Senate General Appropriations

SB 2506: Natural Resources

HB 209: State Land Management (Snyder)

HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf)

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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This week we discuss bills that want to force a small Florida town to have an ethanol plant built near its downtown, remove single use plastics protections of some of our springs, and much more!

Take Action: Stop the Plastic Preemption Bills (SB 1822 & HB 565)

Take Action: Call House Budget Subcommittee Chair Esposito at 850-717-5077 and Budget Chair McClure at 850-717-5068 and ask them to restore Florida Forever funding in the 2025 Budget.

Bills Discussed:

SB 1118: Land Use and Development Regulations (McClain)

CS/SB 832 by Judiciary / Burgess—Former Phosphate Mining Lands

SB 880 by Garcia—Designation of the State Birds

SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin) 

HB 565: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Blanco) 

HB 1133: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Shoaf)

HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf)   

SB 1300: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources(Simon)

SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia) 

SB 1228: Spring Restoration (McClain)

HB 691: Spring Restoration (Conerly)

HB 433: Administrative Procedures (Overdorf)

SB 1622: Recreational Customary use of Beaches (Trumbull) 

SB 1388 by Trumbull—Vessels

SPB 7002: Water Management Districts (Environment and Natural Resources)

HB 1063: Carbon Sequestration (Cross) HB 1169: Water Management Districts (Conerly)

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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Take Action: Support increased funding for springs restoration projects

Take Action: Support increased funding for Florida Forever

SB 1118: Land Use and Development Regulations (McClain)

SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin)  

SB 1142: Release of Conservation Easements (Rodriguez)

SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia) -    

HB 691: Spring Restoration (Conerly)

HB 1175: Mitigation Banks (Duggan) 

HB 433: Administrative Procedures (Overdorf)

HB 371: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience  

CS/SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess)

SB 1300: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources(Simon)

HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf)

SB 1622: Recreational Customary use of Beaches (Trumbull) SB 1228: Spring Restoration (McClain)

SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia) -

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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FSC Action Alert on SB 1822 (Plastic Preemption Bill): https://floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislativesession/Stop-SB-1822/

1000 Friends of Florida Action Alert on SB 1118 (rural sprawl bill): https://www.congressweb.com/1000fof/

Bills Discussed on this Week's Show

SB 1228: Spring Restoration (McClain)/HB 691: Spring Restoration (Conerly)

HB 565: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Blanco)/SB 1822: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Martin)  

HB 371: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience (Mooney)/SB 50: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience (Garcia)

SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess)

SB 354: Public Service Commission (Gaetz)

SB 1118: Land Use and Development Regulations (McClain)

SB 108: Administrative Procedures (Grall)

SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia)

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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This week Ryan & Ryan do a recap on week one where phosphate lands and farm product bills advanced in committee.  They also look ahead to the disastrous HB 565 which removes single use container  protections for the Rainbow, Weeki Wachee, and Ichetuknee Rivers. We wrap things up with dueling rule bills and the positive note of the week.

To help counter HB 565 you can email the legislators who are considering it by using the Florida Springs Council Action Alert:  (you can sign up for text alerts there as well) Respond by Monday 3/10/2025

https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/legislativesession

To view the House Committee meeting via audio or video and to look at what bills they are filing.  Click here:

https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Documents/publications.aspx?CommitteeId=3305&PublicationType=Committees&DocumentType=Meeting%20Notices&SessionId=105

For information about the DEP phosphate injection well public comment session, go to:

https://floridadep.gov/water/aquifer-protection/content/42783-public-meeting-mosaic-plant-city-facility-draft-uic-permit

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

With Ryan Smart out of state this weekend, we were fortunate enough to have Kim Dinkins, the Policy & Planning Director of 1000 Friends of Florida on the podcast to talk about development, conservation lands, and how to get involved.

To learn more about 1000 Friends of Florida go to:

https://1000fof.org/

To access 1000 Friends of Florida Webinars go to:

https://1000fof.org/webinars/

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

Email your legislators and ask them to strengthen the State Park Preservation Act: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislativesession/Amend-SB-80-HB-209/

Contact Gov. DeSantis and ask him to support the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ( [email protected];  (850) 488-7146)

SPB 7002: Water Management Districts (Environment and Natural Resources)

Mosaic wants to inject phosphate wastewater underground at Florida sites: www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/02/18/mosaic-phosphate-wastewater-drilling-hillsborough-tampa-bay-florida/

HB 585: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Albert) & SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess) 

HB 645: Distributed Wastewater Treatment System Permits (Conerly) & SB 796: General Permits for Distributed Wastewater Treatment Systems (Bradley)

HB 6023: Auxiliary Containers, Wrappings, and Disposable Plastic Bags (Bartleman) & SB 836: Auxiliary Containers, Wrappings, and Disposable Plastic Bags (Smith)

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Contact Gov. DeSantis and ask him to support the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ( [email protected];  (850) 488-7146)

Senate Bill 80: State Land Management

Miami Herald Editorial on Senate Bill 80

Senate Bill 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities

Senate Bill 108: Administrative Procedures

House Bill 305: Administrative Procedures

House Bill 565: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers

House Bill 621: State Renewable Energy Goals

Senate Bill 452: Restrictions on Redevelopment

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/