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CS/CS/SB 1000 — Nutrient Application Rates
by Rules Committee; Environment and Natural Resources Committee; and Senator Albritton
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 s. 576.045, F.S., which regulates nitrogen and phosphorus, to authorize citrus producers to use written recommendations from certified professionals to tailor their recommended nutrient application rates. The certified professional’s determination that published nutrient application rates are not appropriate, and any recommendations for site-specific nutrient management, must be documented and kept for 5 years.
The bill provides that funds collected pursuant to the statute may be used for site-specific nutrient management and completing the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) analysis, research plan and recommendations, and report required by the bill.
The bill requires citrus producers using site-specific nutrient management to enroll in and implement all other applicable best management practices (BMPs) adopted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The bill provides that citrus producers implementing site-specific nutrient management in compliance with the bill are:
- Provided a presumption of compliance with state water quality standards.
- May rely upon the waiver of liability provision in existing law.
- Are deemed in compliance with the BMPs for pollution reduction, waiver of liability, and presumption of compliance provisions in existing law.
The bill requires UF-IFAS to analyze the use of site-specific nutrient management for crops other than citrus and crop rotations, develop a research plan and interim recommendations for implementation of site-specific nutrient management, and submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by June 30 of each year, beginning in 2023.
The bill provides that the “site-specific nutrient management” provisions of the bill expire on June 30, 2026. The bill also extends the expiration dates of the “findings and intent,” “fees,” “use of funds,” “waiver of liability,” and “rulemaking” provisions of the statute from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2032, and the “compliance” and “other provisions” of the statute from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2037.
The bill provides definitions for the terms “certified professional” and “site-specific nutrient management.” It also includes several legislative findings and intent provisions.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 110-6