The bill establishes a new section, 373.027, in the Florida Statutes, which prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting any laws, regulations, rules, or policies concerning water quality, water quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharge prevention or removal, and wetlands. This regulation is exclusively preempted to the state, meaning that only state authorities will have the power to manage these aspects of water and environmental policy. The bill also clarifies that it does not interfere with interagency agreements or the authority of local governments to manage their own water, wastewater, or stormwater systems.

Additionally, the bill mandates that if the Florida Department of Environmental Protection finds a county or municipality in violation of this new regulation, it must notify the Chief Financial Officer, who is then required to withhold any state funds that the offending local government may be entitled to receive. Furthermore, the bill repeals section 373.591, which previously related to land management review teams. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 479 Filed: 373.591