CS/CS/HB 713 — Water Quality Credit Trading
by State Affairs Committee; Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee; and Rep. Pigman and others (CS/SB 754 by Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee and Senator Grimsley)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (EP)
The bill expands statewide a voluntary water quality credit trading program currently occurring only in the Lower St. Johns River Basin as a pilot program. The bill specifies that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) may authorize water quality credit trading in adopted basin management action plans and under certain pollution control programs under local, state, or federal authority. Entities that participate in water quality credit trades must timely report to the DEP the prices for credits, how the prices were determined, and any state funding received for the facilities or activities that generated the credits.
The bill deletes a requirement for a report on the status of the pilot water quality credit trading program in the Lower St. Johns River Basin that was completed and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature in 2010.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2013.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 114-1