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The Florida Senate

CS/HB 325 — Coastal Management

by State Affairs Committee and Rep. LaMarca and others (SB 446 by Senators Mayfield, Hutson, Wright, Book, Broxson, and Rodriguez)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Environment and Natural Resources Committee (EN)

The bill amends the criteria the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must consider when determining annual funding priorities for beach management projects. Under the bill, DEP is required to implement a new scoring system consisting of equally weighted criteria divided into four tiers to determine annual project funding priorities. The bill also amends related requirements for DEP regarding reporting, oversight, and the use of surplus funds.

The bill amends the criteria DEP must use to establish annual funding priorities for inlet management projects. The bill also amends related requirements for DEP regarding reporting and the amount of annual funding designated for inlet management projects.

The bill amends the requirements for DEP to develop and maintain the components of the comprehensive long-term beach management plan for the restoration and maintenance of Florida’s critically eroded beaches. Under the bill, DEP must annually submit to the Legislature a 3-year work plan that lists beach restoration, beach nourishment, and inlet management projects in priority order based on the applicable criteria.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2019.

Vote: Senate 38-0; House 113-0