HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/CS/HB 309 Private Provider Inspections of Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal
Systems
SPONSOR(S): State Affairs Committee, Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee,
Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee, Fetterhoff, Giallombardo and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 856
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Environment, Agriculture & Flooding 14 Y, 1 N, As CS Gawin Moore
Subcommittee
2) Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations 14 Y, 0 N, As CS White Pigott
Subcommittee
3) State Affairs Committee 22 Y, 0 N, As CS Gawin Williamson
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDSs), commonly referred to as “septic systems,”
generally consist of two basic parts: the septic tank and the drainfield. Waste from toilets, sinks, washing
machines, and showers flows through a pipe into the septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria break the solids
into a liquid form. The liquid portion of the wastewater flows into the drainfield, which is generally a series of
perforated pipes or panels surrounded by lightweight materials such as gravel or Styrofoam. The drainfield
provides a secondary treatment where aerobic bacteria continue deactivating the germs. The drainfield also
provides filtration of the wastewater, as gravity draws the water down through the soil layers. The Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for conducting inspections associated with the construction,
installation, maintenance, modification, abandonment, operation, use, or repair of OSTDSs for residences and
certain other establishments.
The bill authorizes the owner of an OSTDS or a contractor upon the owner’s written authorization to hire a
private provider to perform an inspection of the OSTDS. The bill specifies that OSTDS inspections may only be
performed by certain qualified private providers or an authorized representative of a private provider and
prohibits the private provider or authorized representative from inspecting an OSTDS that the private provider
or authorized representative installed.
The bill authorizes DEP to audit 25 percent of private providers each year to ensure the accurate performance
of OSTDS inspections. The bill clarifies it does not prevent DEP from investigating complaints.
By October 1, 2023, the bill requires DEP to submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives on the use of private providers for OSTDS inspections.
The bill may have an insignificant negative fiscal impact on the state that can be absorbed within existing
resources, but does not have an impact on local governments.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDSs), commonly referred to as “septic systems,”
generally consist of two basic parts: the septic tank and the drainfield. 1 Waste from toilets, sinks,
washing machines, and showers flows through a pipe into the septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria
break the solids into a liquid form. The liquid portion of the wastewater flows into the drainfield, which is
generally a series of perforated pipes or panels surrounded by lightweight materials such as gravel or
Styrofoam. The drainfield provides a secondary treatment where aerobic bacteria continue deactivating
the germs. The drainfield also provides filtration of the wastewater, as gravity draws the water down
through the soil layers.2
There are an estimated 2.6 million OSTDSs in Florida, providing wastewater disposal for 30 percent of
the state’s population.3 In Florida, development in some areas is dependent on OSTDSs due to the
cost and time it takes to install central sewer systems. 4 For example, in rural areas and low-density
developments, central sewer systems are not cost-effective. Less than 1 percent of OSTDSs in Florida
are actively managed under operating permits and maintenance agreements. 5 The remainder of
systems are generally serviced only when they fail, often leading to costly repairs that could have been
avoided with routine maintenance.6
1 Department of Health (DOH), Septic System Information and Care, http://columbia.floridahealth.gov/programs -and-
services/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-disposal/septic-information-and-care.html (last visited Jan. 6, 2022); Environmental
Protection Agency, Types of Septic Systems, https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems (last visited Jan. 6, 2022).
2 Id.
3 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Onsite Sewage, https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage (last visited Jan. 6,
2022).
4 DOH, Report on Range of Costs to Implement a Mandatory Statewide 5 -Year Septic Tank Inspection Program, § 1.0 (Oct. 1, 2008),
available at http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/research/_documents/rrac/2008-11-06.pdf (last visited
Jan. 6, 2022). The report begins on page 56 of the PDF.
5 Id.
6 Id.
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The Clean Waterways Act transferred the Onsite Sewage Program from the Department of Health
(DOH) to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), effective July 1, 2021.7 Accordingly, as of
July 1, 2021, DEP has assumed responsibility for conducting inspections associated with the
construction, installation, maintenance, modification, abandonment, operation, use, or repair of
OSTDSs for residences and certain other establishments.8
OSTDS Inspections
Regarding the installation or construction of OSTDSs, DEP’s Onsite Sewage Program regulations
provide that, before covering an OSTDS with earth and before placing an OSTDS into service, a person
installing or constructing any portion of an OSTDS must notify DEP of the completion of construction
activities and must have the system inspected by DEP for compliance with applicable regulatory
requirements, except for repair installations, which may be inspected by either DEP or a master septic
tank contractor under certain conditions.9
If an owner or an owner’s authorized representative is proposing alterations to an existing and prior-
approved OSTDS that will modify its sewage characteristics or increase sewage flow, the owner or
authorized representative is required to apply for and receive reapproval of the OSTDS by DEP prior to
any alteration of the OSTDS.10 The owner or authorized representative must first have all system tanks
pumped by a permitted septage disposal service, then have either a registered septic tank contractor, a
state-licensed plumber, a certified environmental health professional, or a master tank contractor
determine the tank volume and perform a visual tank inspection to detect any observable defects or
leaks in the tank. The person performing the inspection must submit the results of the inspection to
DEP.11
Whenever an owner or the owner’s authorized representative wishes to abandon an OSTDS, the owner
or the representative must apply for a permit from DEP to abandon the OSTDS and submit the required
fee.12 Upon receiving a permit, the tank must be pumped out by a permitted septage disposal company,
unless the tank is already empty and dry, in which case a written statement to that effect must be
provided to DEP. The bottom of the tank must then be opened or ruptured, or the entire tank c ollapsed,
so as to prevent the tank from retaining water. The tank must also be filled with clean sand or other
suitable material and completely covered with soil. DEP or the local utility or plumbing authority
performing the system abandonment must then perform an inspection of the system abandonment.13
DEP maintains a schedule of fees, including inspection fees, for the services it provides. 14
Effect of the Bill
Notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or policy, the bill authorizes the owner of an OSTDS or a
contractor upon the owner’s written authorization to hire a private provider to perform an inspection that
follows applicable regulatory requirements of the OSTDS.
The bill prohibits the private provider or authorized representative of the private provider from
inspecting an OSTDS that the private provider or authorized representative installed. The bill specifies
7 Chapter 2020-150, s. 2, Laws of Fla.
8 Section 381.0065(3)(b), F.S. Although DEP is now responsible for the Onsite Sewage Program, DEP and DOH have agreed that
county health departments should continue to have a role in the inspection, permitting, and tracking of OSTDSs, under the direction of
DEP. See DOH and DEP, Interagency Agreement between Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Department
of Health in Compliance with Florida’s Clean Waterways Act for Transfer of the Onsite Sewage Program, available at
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/_documents/interagency-agreement-between-fdoh-fdep-onsite-
signed-06302021.pdf (last visited Jan. 6, 2022).
9 Rule 62-6.003(2), (3), F.A.C.
10 Rule 62-6.001(4), (4)(b), (5), F.A.C.
11 Id.
12 Rule 62-6.011(2)(a), F.A.C. However, permitting is not necessary if a local utility or local plumbing authority performs a system
abandonment program that includes completion of the other steps identified in the rule. Rule 62-6.011(3), F.A.C.
13 Rule 62-6.011(2), F.A.C.
14 Rule 62-6.030, F.A.C.
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that OSTDS inspections may only be performed by a private provider or an authorized representative of
a private provider if they are:
An environmental health professional certified by DOH;
A master septic tank contractor;
A licensed professional engineer and have passed all parts of the OSTDS accelerated
certificate of training; or
Working under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer and have passed all parts of
the OSTDS accelerated certification training.
The bill requires an owner or authorized contractor using a private provider for an OSTDS inspection to
provide notice to DEP at the time of the permit application or by 2 p.m. local time two business days
before the first scheduled inspection by DEP. The bill requires the notice to include the following
information for each authorized representative performing the inspection:
The name and firm name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address;
Professional license or certification number; and
Qualification statement or resume.
Additionally, the bill requires the notice to contain an acknowledgement from the owner that states the
owner or authorized contractor has elected to use a private OSTDS inspector and has made an inquiry
regarding the competence of the licensed or certified private provider. The acknowledgement requires
the owner or authorized contractor to agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless DEP from any
claims arising from the use of the licensed or certified private provider identified in the application. The
acknowledgement must also specify that the owner understands that in the event the OSTDS does not
comply with applicable rules and law, the owner will be responsible for remediating the system in
accordance with existing law.
If an owner or authorized contractor makes any changes to the listed private provider or the service to
be performed by the private provider, the bill requires the owner or authorized contractor to update the
notice to reflect the change within one business day after the change. The change of an authorized
representative identified in the permit application does not require a revision of the permit and the
department may not charge a fee for making such change.
The bill authorizes DEP to audit up to 25 percent of private providers each year to ensure the accurate
performance of OSTDS inspections and specifies that it does not prevent DEP from investigating
complaints. The bill allows work on a building, a structure, or an OSTDS to proceed after inspection and
approval by a private provider if the owner or authorized contractor has given notice of the inspection.
The bill specifies that subsequent to the inspection and approval, such work may not be delayed for the
completion of an inspection audit by DEP.
The bill requires DEP to adopt rules to implement the bill and initiate rulemaking by August 31, 2022.
Additionally, by October 1, 2023, the bill requires DEP to submit a report to the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the use of private providers for OSTDS
inspections. The report must include the number of OSTDS inspections performed by private providers.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1. Amends s. 381.0065, F.S., relating to OSTDS inspections.
Section 2. Creates an unnumbered section of law requiring DEP to submit a report.
Section 3. Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
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1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have an insignificant negative fiscal impact on DEP that can be absorbed within
existing resources for the rulemaking and reporting requirements of the bill.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill would likely have a positive fiscal impact on the private sector by allowing private OSTDS
inspectors to conduct OSTDS inspections.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take
action requiring the expenditure of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have to
raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or
municipalities.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill requires DEP to adopt rules related to OSTDS inspections by private providers and to initiate
rulemaking by August 31, 2022.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/ COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
On January 12, 2022, the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee adopted a strike-all
amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The amendment:
Prohibited a private OSTDS inspector from inspecting an OSTDS he or she installed;
Authorized DEP to audit 25 percent of private providers each year;
Specified that the bill does not prevent DEP from investigating OSTDS inspection complaints;
Required DEP to adopt rules and initiate rulemaking by August 31, 2022;
Authorized a private provider or an authorized representative to conduct periodic evaluations of
OSTDSs; and
Changed the effective date from upon becoming a law to July 1, 2022.
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On February 14, 2022, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee adopted a strike-
all amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The amendment removed the
provisions of the bill that prohibited DEP from charging an inspection fee for an OSTDS inspection
performed by a private provider.
On February 23, 2022, the State Affairs Committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably
as a committee substitute. The amendment removed the section related to OSTDS inspections required by
counties or municipalities and required DEP to submit a report to the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives on OSTDS inspections by private providers.
This analysis is drafted to the committee substitute as approved by the State Affairs Committee.
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Statutes affected: H 309 c2: 381.00651