July 13, 2024 Weekly Newsletter
Keeping up with the state legislature can be quite the task. During the session, there's a flood of bills covering a wide array of topics, from water and land use to quality of life and more. Many of these bills never see the light of day, dying in committee or failing to pass all the necessary votes. The challenge is that we never know which bills will make it through, so we need to monitor a large number.
Reflecting on our Legislative Session Wrap-Up newsletter, we observed that even at the last minute, changes can happen. During the 2024 Florida legislative session, the Florida House and Senate considered a total of 1,902 bills, of which 325 passed. This means about 85% of all bills filed this year didn’t pass.
Governor DeSantis vetoed 14 bills, more than last year, and has also trimmed the state budget to $116.5 billion after vetoing almost $950 million. Among the bills we were tracking, he vetoed one we supported and one we opposed. We hoped for more vetoes from our 'bad bill' list and fewer from our 'good bill' list, especially since the best of the good bills was vetoed.
The Safe Waterways Act, which passed unanimously in the House and Senate, seemed like common sense—close polluted beaches. However, Governor DeSantis believed that beach closures should be a local decision rather than a state agency’s. The issue with this is that if local governments could handle it effectively, we wouldn’t need the Safe Waterways Act. State agencies can often make more impartial decisions, ensuring beaches are closed when health concerns arise, without local biases interfering.
On a positive note, a problematic vacation rental bill, which would have deregulated and exacerbated issues with "Party Houses," was vetoed by the Governor. This bill seemed to favor special interests or maybe it was even written by them directly.
Further below is a list of bills that passed, which we were watching. As you might notice, the "good" bills aren’t particularly impressive compared to the "bad" ones. One highlight is the new Department of Environmental Protection's Rules Relating to Stormwater, which are long overdue, and we'll discuss why this is good news in another article further down in this newsletter.
Overall, this legislative session wasn’t favorable for the environment. It wasn’t as disastrous as it could have been, but when one of the few positive outcomes is a bill telling people not to release balloons, while negative ones include a loosening of legislative ethics and expediting building permits ( which is also an unfunded mandate), it shows how much needs improvement.
The legislature and the system in Tallahassee seem broken. We've mentioned this throughout the session, but it’s worth repeating. There's no logical reason for Florida to remove all mentions of Climate Change from its laws and regulatory language. Additionally, the State banned the sale of lab-grown meat, making its sale or cultivation a second-degree misdemeanor. Both of these seem unnecessary when we’re dealing with significant issues like water pollution and supply as well as a ton of growth management concerns. It’s puzzling why they don't focus on critical matters like fixing the homeowners' insurance market.
Many good bills did not pass. The Everglades Protection Area bill would have been a great benefit to our state's environment. Proposed taxes on water bottlers, which are suggested annually and fail because out-of-state company profits are prioritized over our state’s water resources. Would a mere $.01/gallon really impact water bottlers bottom line that much? Have you seen the price of bottled water at convenience stores lately?
Like previous sessions, 2024 was filled with missed opportunities where those without lobbyists aren't heard as clearly as those with them. Bills passed that harm the public good, undermine local governments, and potentially ruin neighborhoods. Sometimes it feels like Tallahassee operates in a different world than “Real Florida,” making us wonder what kind of detrimental bills might come next year.
We need to do more to encourage the legislature to prioritize the well-being of Florida’s people and environment. Moving forward, please help us in this endeavor. When we ask you to write a letter, please do. If we ask you to call our state representative or senator, please do. These actions make a difference. Together, we can move the needle and ensure a better future for our community and environment.
By working together and staying engaged, we can influence positive change. Ignoring these issues will only make things worse.
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Good Bills that Passed:
SB 484/HB 1049 - Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property: Mandates sellers to disclose the flood history of their properties, safeguarding prospective property buyers against unforeseen flood risks.
HB 321/SB 602 - Release of Balloons: Prohibits the intentional release of balloons, reclassifying released balloons as litter and helping to stop plastic pollution.
SB 7040/HB 7053 - Ratification of the Department of Environmental Protection's Rules Relating to Stormwater: Stricter stormwater rules improve water quality, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and reducing the risk of harmful algae blooms. This is a big deal and will impact a lot of our stormwater infrastructure going forward. (More on this below.)
Bad Bills that Passed:
SB 812/HB 665 - Expedited Approval of Residential Building Permits: This bill compromises environmental and safety standards, erodes local control, and heavily leans towards developers, risking overdevelopment and sprawl.
SB 702/HB 1167 - Attorney Fees and Costs in Property Rights Disputes: Prioritizes property owners over environmental protection, dissuading legitimate environmental challenges with the threat of legal fees.
HB 87/SB 632 - "Taking of Bears" Legislation: Poses a threat to Florida's wildlife, allowing unnecessary bear deaths fueled by unfounded concerns.
SB 7014/HB 1597 - Ethics Bill: Alters how complaints to the state ethics commission are lodged, disqualifying critical sources from being used as grounds for raising ethical concerns.
Homebuilders Cut on ‘Sluggish’ Housing Market, Florida Woes (Insurance Journal) - Homebuilder-stock analysts are worried about signs of a softening housing market in key areas like Florida and Texas, as evidenced by recent downgrades of companies like Lennar Corp. and D.R. Horton Inc. due to sluggish sales and increased inventory levels. Conversely, a local report from Indian River County, highlights a surge in property values fueled by $680 million in new construction, indicating strong demand and growth in the area.
Urgency cited in push to revitalize Vero’s downtown (Vero News) - The Vero Beach City Council may put two referendums on the November ballot to increase residential density and allow property owners to transfer development rights in Vero Beach’s downtown core to capitalize on current momentum and ensure younger voter participation.
State should use federal water-quality standards to protect citizens (TCPalm) - Florida's increasing blue-green algae blooms, driven by warming waters and unchecked pollution, highlight the urgent need for the federal EPA to set cyanotoxin standards to protect public health and the environment.
Railroad safety: What to do if you're stuck in-between quad gates (TCPalm) - A local woman narrowly avoided a collision with a Brightline train in Vero Beach by performing a quick maneuver between closing quad gates, highlighting the ongoing safety concerns and the need for increased awareness and vigilance around railroad crossings.
Can Vero Beach, Indian River County unite to preserve things we enjoy? (TCPalm) - Vero Beach residents express concern over what they see as the city's neglect of basic maintenance and landmark preservation, such as the Humiston Park boardwalk, which they believe jeopardizes the city's appeal and heritage amidst other major development projects.
Indian River County puts bed tax on November ballot, look for 1% spike (TCPalm) - Indian River County will ask voters in November to approve a bed tax increase from 4% to 5%, expected to generate $1 million annually for beach renourishment projects, funded exclusively by tourists rather than residents.
A Day on the Water with Captain Mark Yanno (Vero Beach Magazine) - Captain Mark Yanno, a biologist and fishing guide, shares his expertise and passion for the Indian River Lagoon, highlighting its rich biodiversity and the joys of fishing in this "paradise" while addressing environmental challenges and the importance of conservation efforts.
Is another sidewalk really needed? (Vero News) - The Florida Department of Transportation plans to construct a second sidewalk along a 5.5-mile stretch of A1A in the South Beach area to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, despite mixed reactions from residents and business owners about the project's necessity and potential disruptions.
Wonderful walk on the wildlife side at Pelican Island fete (Vero News) - Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge celebrated its 121st anniversary with a weekend of nature-centric events, historical reenactments, and a sunset cruise highlighting the refuge's rich legacy and diverse wildlife.
Stricter Stormwater RegulationsBring Hope for Florida’s Waterways
Florida is enhancing its environmental protection with new legislation based on recommendations from the Department of Environmental Protection. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 7040, which enforces stricter stormwater regulations for developers.
Under this new law, developers must implement more effective stormwater treatment systems. These systems must reduce pollutants by at least 80% after development. In areas with highly protected waters or those upstream, the reduction requirement is even higher at 95%.
While some projects already approved won’t need to follow these new rules, any new development must prove their stormwater management plans meet the updated standards. This involves detailed modeling and calculations to show compliance.
Economists predict these changes will increase development costs by about $2,600 per acre, totaling an estimated $1.2 billion over the next five years.
The legislation also allows for alternative management plans created by certified environmental consultants, subject to regular inspections. Additionally, new dam construction must consider potential downstream hazards in case of failures.
Senator Gayle Harrell and Representative Linda Chaney sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. One caveat to remember is that the Legislature loosened the provisions that the Stormwater Rulemaking Taskforce recommended. However, this is still a step in the right direction.
These stricter regulations aim to protect Florida's waterways, ensuring cleaner and healthier ecosystems for the future and are overdue. We are very glad that the Legislature passed these and look forward to beneficial environmental improvement due to them.
Breeze began flying out of Vero Beach Regional Airport in 2023. (TCPalm) - Breeze Airways is expanding its services at Vero Beach Regional Airport by adding flights to Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, starting November 21, and increasing flights to Islip, New York, to four times a week beginning October 2.
Treasure Coast bald eagles face new threats from growth, development (TCPalm) - Bald eagles on the Treasure Coast face threats from urbanization, habitat loss, electrocution, vehicle collisions, and rodenticide poisoning, but efforts from conservation groups and wildlife centers aim to protect and support their recovery.
The fight over Florida wetlands permitting authority will continue for months (WMNF 88.5 FM) - An appeals court battle over Florida's authority to permit projects affecting wetlands is expected to extend into late 2024, with briefs from the state, federal government, and environmental groups scheduled through November, following a district judge's ruling vacating the EPA's 2020 decision to transfer permitting authority to the state.
GOP climate change advocate says: 'Hard to argue with thermometers' (TCPalm) - Former GOP Congressman Bob Inglis is advocating for conservatives to address climate change through free market principles, emphasizing economic incentives and accountability for carbon emissions, and he is actively spreading this message along the Treasure Coast and beyond.
Six insurance tips to meet challenge from destructive hurricanes (Palm Beach Post) - Hurricane Beryl's early emergence as a Category 5 storm underscores the urgency for Floridians to secure comprehensive insurance coverage; here are six steps to ensure you're prepared: consider flood insurance, avoid waiting for emergencies to buy coverage, create a detailed home inventory, strengthen your home structure and document improvements, fully understand your insurance policy's coverage and requirements, and keep essential policy information accessible.
Florida voters consider climate change and candidates' proposed solutions (KLCC) - Floridians face significant climate change impacts, such as flooding and rising sea levels, but while local Republican leaders focus on resilience projects to mitigate these effects, they have done little to address the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change.
DeSantis’ veto of warnings bill confirms need for Florida Right to Clean Water (Cape Coral Breeze) - Governor DeSantis' veto of a bill aimed at alerting the public to unsafe beach waters underscores the necessity for the Florida Right to Clean Water initiative to safeguard public health and ensure clean, safe waterways.
Some landfill 'burps' contain airborne PFAS (ScienceDaily) - Researchers have found that gas emissions from landfills, particularly those containing PFAS, can release high levels of these "forever chemicals" into the air, highlighting the need for improved mitigation and management strategies to reduce environmental and inhalation exposure.
2024 Florida Budget and Local Vetoes:
Impact on Our Community
Budget Overview
The 2024-2025 Florida state budget, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, is set at $116 billion. The budget reflects significant investments in various sectors such as education, health care, and environmental conservation. However, it also includes $950 million in vetoes, affecting numerous local projects across the state.
Local Impact on Indian River County and Surrounding Areas
Governor DeSantis vetoed nearly $11.5 million in projects on the Treasure Coast. Specific projects in Indian River County including Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere:
Sebastian Inlet Maintenance and Safety Improvements:
Vetoed Amount: $1 million
Impact: This veto affects critical maintenance and safety improvements at the north and south jetties of Sebastian Inlet, which are crucial for ensuring safe navigation and coastal infrastructure stability.
Vero Beach City Marina:
Vetoed Amount: $500,000
Impact: The vetoed funds were intended for grant funding to improve the south complex of the city marina, which would have enhanced facilities for recreational boating and tourism.
Indian River Lagoon Outfall Upgrades:
Vetoed Amount: $375,000
Impact: This project aimed to upgrade outfall systems to enhance nutrient and waste removal from the Indian River Lagoon, a vital effort to improve water quality and environmental health.
Arts and Culture
On June 21, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed all grants for Florida arts organizations, resulting in a $350,000 loss for seven Indian River County groups. The Vero Beach Museum of Art, Riverside Theatre, McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach Theatre Guild, and Ballet Vero Beach were all affected. This decision has significantly impacted local arts programs and funding. Despite the loss, these organizations are working to secure alternative funding and manage expenses to maintain their programs and services.Read more specifics about the Arts and Culture cuts here.
Broader Budget Context
While the vetoes are substantial, they represent a small fraction of the overall budget. The state has directed significant funds toward environmental conservation, including more than $740 million for Everglades restoration. Education also received a boost, with an increase of nearly $1.8 billion in funding for public schools and additional funds aimed at enhancing school safety and mental health services.
Conclusion
The 2024-2025 Florida state budget reflects both significant investments in key areas and notable cuts affecting local projects and arts funding. The vetoes have a direct impact on environmental projects and quality of life in Indian River County and the surrounding areas, highlighting the ongoing balancing act between statewide fiscal policies and local needs.
Florida agrees to more pollution oversight at Piney Point (Miami Herald) - Florida has settled a federal lawsuit over pollution from Piney Point by agreeing to stricter pollution standards, federally enforceable oversight, and $75,000 in independent water quality testing, aiming to prevent future environmental damage while continuing efforts to close the site by 2025.
See how this green hydrogen plant converts water into clean fuel (Washington Post) - A green hydrogen plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, converts water into hydrogen using renewable electricity, creating a clean fuel that could significantly reduce emissions from heavy transportation, though widespread adoption requires massive renewable energy investments and strict regulatory oversight to ensure its environmental benefits.
As climate change progresses, when it rains it (really) pours (USA Today) - As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of extreme rainfall events are increasing, prompting Vermont to pass a new climate action law and the National Academies of Sciences to update the nation's maximum potential rainfall estimates to better prepare for and mitigate flood risks.
These Supreme Court decisions just made it harder to solve climate change (Grist) - Recent Supreme Court decisions have significantly weakened federal regulatory authority by overturning the Chevron doctrine and eliminating the statute of limitations for challenging regulations, making it more difficult for agencies like the EPA to enforce environmental and climate policies and potentially unleashing a wave of lawsuits against longstanding regulations.
US Clean Water Act leaves about 55% of water flowing out of rivers vulnerable to pollution (ScienceDaily) - New research reveals that ephemeral streams, which are now excluded from Clean Water Act protection, contribute an average of 55% of water to U.S. river systems, highlighting significant pollution risks from unregulated waterways and the need for comprehensive water management.
UF Study Reveals Environmental Impact of Artificial Sweeteners (Environmental News Network) - A University of Florida study reveals that sucralose, a persistent artificial sweetener, escapes wastewater treatment and accumulates in aquatic environments, potentially affecting the behavior of cyanobacteria and diatoms, which are crucial for marine food production.
How Lasers and 2D Materials Could Solve the World's Plastic Problem (Environmental News Network) - A global research team led by Texas Engineers has developed a method to break down plastics into their smallest parts using lasers and two-dimensional materials, potentially transforming environmental pollutants into reusable chemicals and advancing sustainable practices.
Average Global Temperature Has Warmed 1.5 Degrees Celsius Above Pre-industrial Levels for 12 Months in a Row (Inside Climate News) - The Earth’s average temperature has exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for 12 consecutive months, underscoring the significant and ongoing impact of human-caused climate change and the urgency to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
‘Not Caused by an Act of God’: In a Rare Court Action, an Oregon County Seeks to Hold Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable for Extreme Temperatures (Inside Climate News) - Multnomah County, Oregon, is suing major fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron, holding them accountable for extreme temperatures during the 2021 heat dome, which led to 69 deaths and significant damage, citing scientific studies linking the heat event to human-caused climate change.
Cool roofs are best at beating cities' heat (ScienceDaily) - Painting roofs white or using reflective coatings is more effective at cooling cities like London than vegetation-covered "green roofs," street-level vegetation, or solar panels, while extensive air conditioning use could warm the outside environment by up to 1 degree Celsius in dense urban areas, according to a UCL-led study.
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