The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes concerning the management and rehabilitation of brownfields, which are contaminated sites. It eliminates the requirement for property owners to provide information about institutional controls to local governments for mapping purposes and removes local government mapping requirements. Additionally, sites that receive a site rehabilitation completion order without institutional controls will be removed from the registry of contaminated sites. The bill also revises the conditions for applicants seeking tax credits for site rehabilitation, specifying application submission timeframes and updating eligibility criteria. New definitions for "brownfield" and "brownfield site" are introduced, and the legislative intent is clarified to facilitate the redevelopment of contaminated sites.

Moreover, the bill introduces new eligibility provisions allowing local governmental entities and associated persons to participate in the brownfield program if they did not contribute to contamination after July 1, 2025. It clarifies that potential brownfield sites under federal enforcement actions can participate if they obtain necessary letters of no objection from the EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The language regarding remediation obligations is modified, replacing "no further action letter" with "site rehabilitation completion order." The bill promotes the reuse of brownfield sites, encourages negotiations with the EPA for letters of no objection, and includes provisions for economic development tax exemptions for new businesses in brownfield areas. It also establishes a Center for Brownfield Rehabilitation Assistance at the University of South Florida, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 736 Filed: 376.78, 196.1995, 288.1175
S 736 c1: 376.78, 196.1995, 288.1175
S 736 c2: 376.78, 196.1995, 288.1175