HB 1171

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to Escambia County; limiting the county's
3	liability for groundwater contamination arising from the
4	property known as the Saufley Landfill; limiting
5	regulatory action and enforcement by the Department of
6	Environmental Protection under certain circumstances;
7	requiring the department to assist the county in
8	addressing violations of certain laws and regulations;
9	providing an effective date.
10
11	WHEREAS, Escambia County is in the process of acquiring (or
12	has acquired) property owned by Louisiana Investment Group, LLC,
13	located on Saufley Field Road in Escambia County, more commonly
14	known as the Saufley Landfill, and
15	WHEREAS, Escambia County's acquisition of the Saufley
16	Landfill is for the express purpose of addressing violations of
17	environmental laws and regulations, and
18	WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to encourage proactive
19	responses to violations of environmental laws and regulations by
20	local governments, NOW, THEREFORE,
21
22	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
23
24	Section 1.  The facts stated in the preamble of this act
25	are found and declared to be true.
26	Section 2.  Escambia County shall not be subject to
27	liability or regulatory action by the Department of
28	Environmental Protection for groundwater contamination arising
29	directly or indirectly from the Saufley Landfill.
30	Section 3.  Provided that it proceeds in good faith to
31	address the other violations of environmental laws and
32	regulations at the Saufley Landfill, Escambia County shall not
33	be subject, with respect to the Saufley Landfill, to regulatory
34	enforcement action by the Department of Environmental Protection
35	under chapter 403, Florida Statutes, or the rules adopted in
36	Title 62, Florida Administrative Code.
37	Section 4.  The Department of Environmental Protection is
38	directed to render all reasonable assistance to Escambia County
39	to address the violations of environmental laws and regulations
40	at the Saufley Landfill.
41	Section 5.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.