HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 783 Soil and Water Conservation Districts
SPONSOR(S): State Affairs Committee, Truenow and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/CS/SB 1078
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Local Administration & Veterans Affairs 12 Y, 4 N Leshko Miller
Subcommittee
2) State Affairs Committee 23 Y, 0 N, As CS Leshko Williamson
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
In 1937, the Florida Legislature enacted ch. 582, F.S., also known as the Soil and Water Conservation Law.
This legislation established a state and local partnership with the federal government to protect and restore soil
and water resources and to assist private landowners in using conservation practices, creating the soil and
water conservation districts (SWCD). The purpose of a SWCD is to provide assistance, guidance, and
education to landowners, land occupiers, the agricultural industry, and the general public in implementing land
and water resource protection practices.
Currently, there are 56 active independent SWCDs, five active dependent SWCDs, and two inactive SWCDs.
The bill creates a requirement that all five supervisors of the governing body of each district meet at least one
time per calendar year. The bill further provides that failure to meet at least once per calendar year will result in
automatic dissolution of the district and all assets and liabilities of the district will be transferred to the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The bill also dissolves Baker SWCD and Martin
SWCD and transfers their assets and liabilities to FDACS, as both were declared inactive by the Department of
Economic Opportunity.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on the state or local governments.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0783b.SAC
DATE: 2/28/2022
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Special Districts
A “special district” is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to
operate within a limited geographic boundary.1 Special districts are created by general law, special act,
local ordinance, or rule of the Governor and Cabinet.2 The charter of a special district created by
special act may be altered or amended by subsequent special acts. 3 A special district has only those
powers expressly provided by, or reasonably implied from, the authority provided in the district’s
charter. Special districts provide specific municipal services in addition to, or in place of, those provided
by a municipality or county.4 A “dependent special district” is a special district created by and subject to
significant control by the governing body of a single county or municipality. 5 An “independent special
district” is any district that is not a dependent special district. 6
Special districts do not possess “home rule” powers and may impose only those taxes, assessments, or
fees authorized by special or general law. The special act creating an independent special district may
provide for funding from a variety of sources while prohibiting others. For example, ad valorem tax
authority is not mandatory for a special district.7
Inactive Special Districts
Special districts are declared inactive when the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is notified
that the district has taken no action for at least two years, the district has not had a governing body or a
sufficient number of governing body members to constitute a quorum for at least two years, the district
has unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the district inactive, the district fails to respond to an
inquiry from DEO within 21 days, the district has failed to file certain reports,8 or the district has not had
a registered office and agent on file with DEO for at least a year. 9 If a special district is declared inactive
the property or assets of the district are subject to legal process for payment of any debts of the district.
After the payment of any outstanding debts, the remainder of its property or assets escheats to the
county or municipality wherein the district is located. 10 A special district declared inactive must be
dissolved by repealing its enabling laws or by other means.11 It is in the public interest that any
independent special district created pursuant to state law not outlive its usefulness. 12
1 See Halifax Hospital Medical Center v. State of Fla., et al., 278 So. 3d 545, 547 (Fla. 2019).
2 See ss. 189.02(1), 189.031(3), and. 190.005(1), F.S.; see generally s. 189.012(6), F.S.
3 Local Administration & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, Local Bill Policies and Procedures Manual 2020 – 2022, p. 23,
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees& CommitteeId= 3117&S
ession=2021&DocumentType= General+Publications&FileName= 2021-
2022+Local+Bill+Policy+and+Procedures+Manual.pdf (last accessed Feb. 10, 2022).
4 Local Administration & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, The Local Gov’t Formation Manual 2020 – 2022, pp. 60-61,
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType= Committees&CommitteeId=3117&Sessio
n=2021&DocumentType=General+Publications&FileName=2021-2022+Local+ Government+Formation+Manual.pdf (last
accessed Feb. 10, 2022).
5 S. 189.012(2), F.S. Types of such control include the county or municipality governing body acting as the district
governing body, having the authority to appoint or remove at will district board members, or having final approval authority
over the district’s budget.
6 S. 189.012(3), F.S.
7 Art. VII, s. 9(a), Fla. Const.
8 S. 189.066, F.S.
9 S. 189.062(1)(a), F.S.
10 S. 189.062(2), F.S.
11 Ss. 189.071 and 189.072, F.S. (providing for the merger or dissolution of a dependent special district and the
dissolution of an independent special district, respectively).
12 S. 189.03(1)(b), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0783b.SAC PAGE: 2
DATE: 2/28/2022
Dissolution of Special Districts
If not by voluntary action, an active, independent special district created by special act may be
dissolved by vote of the resident electors of the district or the affected landowners, if the majority of the
members of the district’s governing body are elected by landowners.13 If the district was created by a
county or municipality, it may be dissolved by local referendum or the same procedure by which the
district was created.14 Additionally, a dependent special district may be merged or dissolved by an
ordinance of the county or municipality within which it is located.15 However, any dependent special
district created by special act may only be dissolved by act of the Legislature.16
Upon dissolution of a special district the title to all district property is transferred to the local general-
purpose government, which also assumes all indebtedness of the preexisting special district. 17
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
History and Purpose of SWCD
In response to the 1930’s Dust Bowl disaster,18 in 1935, the United States Congress declared soil and
water conservation a national policy and priority, intending to elicit the active support of landowners on
a local level. Shortly thereafter, in 1937, the Florida Legislature enacted ch. 582, F.S., also known as
the Soil and Water Conservation Law.19 This legislation established a state and local partnership with
the federal government to protect and restore soil and water resources and to assist private landowners
in using conservation practices, providing for the creation of SWCD.20 The purpose of SWCDs is to
provide assistance, guidance, and education to landowners, land occupiers, the agricultural industry,
and the general public in implementing land and water resource protection practices. 21 The overall goal
of creating SWCD was to promote the efficient use of soil and water resources by protecting water
quality and preventing floodwater and sediment damage. 22
Creation of SWCD
Any 10 percent of landowners within the territory of a proposed SWCD may petition the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to organize a SWCD. The petition must
include the following:
The proposed name of the SWCD;
That there is a need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a SWCD to
function in the territory;
A description of the territory proposed to be organized as a SWCD; and
13 S. 189.072(2)(a), F.S.
14 S. 189.072(2)(b), F.S.
15 S. 189.071(1), F.S.
16 S. 189.071(2), F.S.
17 S. 189.076(2), F.S.
18 “[N]ame given to the drought-stricken Southern Plains regions of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms
during a dry period in the 1930s. . . . By 1934, an estimated 35 million acres of formerly cultivated land had been rendered
useless for farming, while another 125 million acres . . . was rapidly losing its topsoil.” History, Dust Bowl, (Aug. 5, 2020),
https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/dust-bowl (last visited Feb. 10, 2022).
19 Ch. 1937-18144, Laws of Florida.; Association of Florida Conservation Districts, History of Conservation Districts,
https://afcd.us/history/ (last visited Feb. 10, 2022).
20 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Soil and Water Conservation District
Supervisor Handbook (2018), https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/96781/file/florida-soil-and-water-conservation-
district-supervisor-handbook.pdf (last visited Feb. 10, 2022).
21 S. 582.02(4), F.S.
22 Michael T. Olexa, Tatiana Borisova, and Jarrett Davis, Handbook of Florida Water Regulation: Soil and Water
Conservation Districts, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf%5CFE%5CFE101700. pdf (last visited Feb. 10, 2022).
STORAGE NAME: h0783b.SAC PAGE: 3
DATE: 2/28/2022
A request that DEO define the boundaries for such SWCD, hold a referendum within the
territory on the question of the creation of a SWCD in the territory, and determine that such a
district be created.23
Within 30 days of such petition being filed, DEO must give notice and hold a meeting of affected
landowners to discuss the desirability and necessity of creating such a SWCD, the appropriate
boundaries, and the accuracy and completeness of the petition. If, after the first hearing, creating a
SWCD appears desirable, a second hearing must be held and noticed throughout the entire area
considered for inclusion in the district. After both hearings, DEO must determine whether there is a
need for a SWCD and either grant or deny the petition. A new petition regarding the same or
substantially same territory cannot be refiled for six months after a denial. 24
If DEO grants a petition for creation of a SWCD, FDACS must then determine whether the creation of
such a district is administratively practicable and feasible. FDACS holds a referendum within the
proposed district at which all owners of land lying within the boundaries of the territory are eligible to
vote.25 Additionally, FDACS takes into account a variety of economic and social factors that may be
relevant to the determination, but may not determine that the creation of a SWCD is administratively
practicable and feasible unless at least a majority of the votes cast at the referendum are in favor of the
creation of the district.26
If FDACS determines that the operation of the proposed SWCD within the defined boundaries is
administratively practicable and feasible, an application must be filed with the Department of State
accompanied by a statement from FDACS certifying that the proper proceedings were taken upon the
filing of the initial petition for creation.27 The Department of State, pending any issues with the name
chosen for the district, records the application and statement and issues a certificate of the due
organization of the district and records the certificate. 28
Governing Board of SWCD
The governing body of a SWCD consists of five supervisors serving staggered four-year terms.
Elections for supervisors are held every two years at the time of the general election. The office of the
supervisor is a nonpartisan office.29 Each supervisor must qualify as required in the election law. 30 A
supervisor holds office until a successor has been elected and qualified. The Governor may remove
any supervisor, upon notice and hearing, for neglect or malfeasance in office, but for no other reason. 31
Supervisors do not receive compensation but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. 32
Powers of SWCD
SWCD and the supervisors have the power to:
Conduct surveys, studies, and research relating to soil and water resources and publish and
disseminate the results of such surveys, studies, research, and related information; 33
Conduct agricultural best management practices demonstration projects and projects for the
conservation, protection, and restoration of soil and water resources; 34
23 S. 582.10(1)(a)-(d), F.S.
24 S. 582.11, F.S.
25 S. 582.12, F.S.; FDACS pays all expenses for the issuance of required notices and the conduct of hearings and
referenda. S. 582.13, F.S.
26 S. 582.14, F.S.
27 S. 582.15(1), F.S.
28 S. 582.15(2), F.S.
29 S. 582.18(1), F.S.
30 See ch. 99, F.S., passim.
31 S. 582.19(4), F.S.
32 S. 582.19(1) and (2), F.S.
33 S. 582.20(1), F.S.
34 S. 582.20(2), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0783b.SAC PAGE: 4
DATE: 2/28/2022
Cooperate or enter into agreements with any special district, municipality, county, water
management district, state or federal agency, governmental or otherwise, or owner or occupier
of lands;35
Obtain options upon and acquire, by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or
otherwise, any property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein; maintain, administer, and
improve any properties acquired, receive income from such properties and expend such income
in carrying out soil and water conservation; and sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its
property or interests therein in furtherance of soil and water conservation;36
Make available to landowners agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, and other
materials and equipment, that will assist landowners in carrying out conservation operations; 37
Construct, improve, operate, and maintain such structures as may be necessary or convenient
for the performance of any conservation operations;38
Sue and be sued in the name of the district, have a seal, make and execute contracts, borrow
money, and execute promissory notes;39
Use the services of the county agricultural agents and their offices; and
Employ additional permanent and temporary staff.40
SWCD Activities
Some activities of SWCD include:
Cooperative programs such as best management practices projects and Farm Bill programs
like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement
Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Programs;
Conservation projects focusing on water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and
administering cost-share funds to help farmers and other landowners implement conservation
practices;
Demonstration projects focusing on irrigation, drainage, tailwater recovery, erosion control, and
waste management;
Educational workshops on topics like water quality and quantity, pesticide and fertilizer
management, watershed engineering, wetlands, soil characteristics, soil tillage techniques,
plan identification, invasive plant control, farm ponds, and agricultural production;
Mobile Irrigation Labs to evaluate agricultural irrigation systems; and
Planning and rulemaking at the county, regional, state, and federal levels. 41
Dissolution of SWCD
SWCD may be discontinued if two-thirds or more of the qualified voters in a referendum have voted for
discontinuance; if the Council reviews and recommends to the Commissioner that the continued
operation of the district is not administratively practicable and feasible; if the district fails to comply with
any audit or financial reporting and DEO’s inspector general reviews and confirms in writing that the
district has failed to comply with such requirements; or DEO receives a resolution adopted by the
supervisors of the district requesting that the Commissioner issue a certificate determ ining that the
continued operation of the district is n