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Voting records of members of the Florida House of Representatives were evaluated on key environmental bills in the 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2019-20 sessions. Grades (A-F) were issued to reflect the degree to which the legislator voted "green" on important Florida issues. A+ and F- grades were assigned for 2015-19 to those longer-serving legislators with exemplary or repeatedly deficient voting records. Grading is on a "curve." Not all environmental bills that passed unanimously are included in this scoring system. Including additional unanimous green votes would not change the resulting grades; they could merely raise the threshold for a passing grade nearer to the standard level (60%) from its current range of 20% to 40%, depending on legislative year. Such bills passing without dissent also increase the number of legislator scores that would be adversely affected by absences.
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Environmental report cards have not been produced for the Florida Senate since its procedures and culture often result in unanimous votes for those bills that actually reach the floor. Grading Florida Senators will require more complex metrics.
The legislation considered in the grading process are:
2019-2020 Session Bills
HB105
HB521 Wetland Mitigation
DECF Position: Oppose
72 Yeas - 42 Nay - 6 Not Voting
Status: This bill passed in both the Senate and the House and was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. A "Nay" represents an environmental vote because this legislation will make it easier to develop wetlands. It allows developers alternative sources of mitigation credits.
Related Links:
Florida Conservation Coalition
News Talk Florida
Tampa Bay Times
HB829
HB325
HB7103e1 Community Development and Housing
DECF Position: Oppose
66 Yeas - 42 Nay - 12 Not Voting
Status: This bill passed in both the Senate and the House but and was signed by Governor DeSantis. It is now law.
A "Nay" represents an environmental vote because it limits local government governments from creating smart growth and will effectively block environmental organizations from challenging development by making them responsible for legal fees. If local governments require that a certain percentage of development include affordable housing, it must compensate developers with bonuses or waived fees. If an environmental organization sues developers who violate local comprehensive development plans but loses in court, the environmental organization will be held responsible for the legal fees.
Related Links:
1000 Friends of Florida
American Planning Association
Florida Phoenix 5-7-2019
Miami Herald
Sierra Club
Tampa Bay Times 5-4-2019
HB771 Preempting Local Plastic Straw Bans
DECF Position: Oppose
87 Yeas - 32 Nay - 10 Not Voting
Status: This bill passed in both the Senate and the House but was vetoed by Governor DeSantis. It did not become law.
A "Nay" represents an environmental vote because it preempts local governments from passing legislation to ban plastic straws, which can be harmful to sea life and contribute to plastic pollutions. This is one of many Republican sponsored bills that block home rule on environmental issues.
Related Links:
Florida Politics 5-26-2019
Miami Herald 5-8-2019
NewsPress 5-1-2019
Sun Sentinel 5-2-2019
Surfrider Foundation TC Palm 5-2-2019
HB7068 Toll Road "Transportation"
DECF Position: Oppose
76 Yeas - 36 Nay - 8 Not Voting
Status: This bill passed in both the Senate and the House and was signed into law by Governor DeSantis.
A "Nay" represents an environmental vote because it the construction of Toll Roads in rural northeast Florida destroy wetlands and are costly to taxpayers, even as existing infrastructure is in disrepair. Over 90 Environmental Organizations including 1000 Friends Florida, Audubon Everglades, Conservancy of Southwest Florida worked to stop the bill.
Related Links:
Florida Conservation Voters FCV
Miami Herald 4-24-19
Miami Herald 5-17-19
Orlando Sentinel
Palm Beach Post
Sierra Club
Tallahassee Democrat
HB95
HB7103e2
HB6107
2017-2018 Session Bills
HB989 - Instructional materials
DECF Position: Oppose
House vote on Apr 20, 2017: 94 Yeas & 25 Nays
Legislation Outcome: Passed in House and Senate
A "Nay" vote represents an environmental vote because this legislation allows could allow anti-science materials into elementary classrooms. "Yea" represents a setback for Florida's quality of K-12 public education. HB989 ended the Common Core State Standards of education adopted in Florida in 2010 and modified in 2014. The Common Core was developed by teams of thousands of highly qualified scientists and educators to bring American K-12 education at the level of the most developed countries and to prepare our kids for the challenges of the 21st century. HB989 granted parents and non-parents' residents the rights to challenge any instructional material on a broad range of vaguely defined grounds. With this freedom, the bill opens the doors for anyone, including "special interests", to exclude proven scientific materials such as those related to the origin of the universe, evolutionary biology and anthropogenic causes of global warming and to propose instructional materials that are not based on scientific principles.
Related Links:
National Center for Science Education
Florida Library Association
Florida Citizens for Science
National Coalition Against Censorship
Orlando Sentinel
Comic Books Legal Defense Fund
SB10: Water Resources
DECF Position: Support
The proposal to move forward with planning and construction of an EAA water storage reservoir has its good and bad points. Overall it helps restarts the process of reservoir construction planned in the 1990's and approved by Florida and the Feds in 2001. Unfortunately, too little land is allocated for the EAA reservoir and its placement at the southern end of the EAA makes finding land for additional storage and associated water quality treatment systems (STA type project) almost impossible. Further complicating the bill is a poison-pill provision that precludes the use of eminent domain in the EAA for acquiring lands for additional water quality projects.
House vote on May 2nd, 2017: 99 Yeas, 19 Nays, 2 Not Voting
Senate vote on May 2nd, 2017: 33 Yeas, 0 Nays, 6 Not Voting
Status: Approved by Governor Scott on May 9th, 2017
Related Links:
UF IFAS Blog
Sierra Club
Florida Audubon
Everglades Coalition
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
HB631 Beach Access Restrictions
DECF Position: Oppose
House vote on March 8th, 2018: 95 Yeas & 17 Nays
Status: Passed in the House and Senate, and approved by Governor Scott
A "Nay" vote represents a vote for the environment because it would have preserved public access to Florida beaches. The legislation now bars people from...
Related Links:
Tampa Bay Times, 7-13-2018
Tampa Bay Times 9-9-2018
Florida Politics
Surfrider Foundation
WGCU
Mother Jones
Sun Sentinel
HB043 Dredge and Fill Permitting Authority
DECF Position: Oppose
House vote on February 21, 2018: 112 Yeas, 2 Nays, 6 Not Voting
Senate vote on March 8th, 2018: 35 Yeas, 1 Nay, 2 Not Voting
A "Nay" vote on this legislation represents an environmental vote because... Provides DEP, upon approval of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with power & authority to adopt rules to assume & implement permitting program pursuant to federal Clean Water Act for dredge & fill activities in certain state waters; provides applicability of state laws, exemptions, & administrative procedures; provides permit requirements; provides for delegation of certain activities. This bill was passed unanimously in the House and is headed to the House floor. "Environmental advocates oppose the bill over concerns that it will fast track permitting for development of wetlands. They point to the importance of Florida's wetland ecosystems as critical habitat for endangered species, as a source of fresh drinking water, and as a vital aspect to Florida's natural infrastructure in the event of hurricanes and floods. One acre of wetlands can store about one million gallons of water. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida's Amber Crooks said she's also concerned about the DEP's ability to take on the additional work"
Related Links:
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Coalition (SCCF) opposed
Floridadep.org
WGCU
HB53 Coral Reefs
DECF Position: Support
House vote on January 25, 2018 : 107 Yeas, 0 Nays, 13 Not Voting
Senate vote on February 7, 2018: 35 Yeas, 0 Nays
A "Yea" vote on this legislation represents an environmental vote because it establishes the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area which encompasses offshore reefs from Broward to Palm Beach Counties. Coral reefs are valuable natural resources. They provide shoreline protection from storms, serve as habitat to over 6,000 species including commercial fisheries and provide many recreational activities for millions of tourists and local residents. Coral reefs are under serious threat worldwide from human activities with up to 40% critically or irreparable damaged. The Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) within the Florida Coastal Office of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees several programs and initiatives to coordinate research, monitoring and funding and develop management strategies and promote partnerships between government and non-governmental agencies to protect the reefs. The CRCP implements and coordinates the following: The Southwest Florida Action Network, The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) The Southeast FL Marine Debris Reporting and Removal Program Program and the Reef Injury Prevention and Response Program. Establishing the new conservation area will bring the coordinated resources of the CRCP in to play to protect the designated reefs.
Related Links:
Bill Analysis
1000 Friends Florida 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
HB521 Tree Trimming, Vegetation removal
DECF Position: Oppose
House vote: 107 Yeas & 2 Nays & 11 Not Voting
No Vote in Senate
Status: Passed in the House, failed in Senate. Did not become law.
A "Nay" vote represents an environmental vote because, if passed, it would have destroyed tree canopies across the state. Tree canopies are help reduce temperatures in cities improve air quality. In addition, this bill was based on pre-empting local governments from making decisions about environmental policies.
Related Links:
TC Palm
1000 Friends Florida 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
"In their originally filed form, SB 574/HB 521 would have preempted all local government regulation to tree trimming and removal. 1000 Friends members aggressively opposed these bills which would have devastating effects on the tree canopy of communities throughout Florida. Through amendments, both bills became more tailored preemptions designed to ensure canals and drainage areas were free of vegetative obstructions. Neither bill passed."
Sierra Club Opposed
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Coalition (SCCF) opposed
HB981 Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
DECF Position: Support
House vote on March 1, 2018: 111 Yeas & 2 Nays & 7 Not Voting
Status: This legislation was voted on in the House but died in the Senate Transportation committee. It did not become law.
A "Yea" vote on this legislation represents an environmental vote because it could potentially lead to expanded resources for electrical vehicles, encourage their use and, ultimately, reduce emissions. This legislation, if passed, would have commissioned a study through Florida Transportation Commission (FTC) to see how many electric vehicles are registered in Florida, assess support infrastructure (like charging stations) and recommend improvements that might increase the use of electrical vehicles. This bill passed three committees in the House but died in the Senate Transportation committee lead.
Who to contact regarding this bill: Senator Travis Hutson (R- St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia Counties) was chair of the "Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development" in 2018, which did not make time to hear this legislation.
Related Links:
1000 Friends Florida 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
Orlando Politics
League of Women Voters
Analyses:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/981/Analyses/h0981a.TIS.PDF
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/981/Analyses/h0981c.TTA.PDF
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/981/Analyses/h0981e.GAC.PDF
HB1137 Pinellas Construction
DECF Position: Support
House vote on February 2, 2018: 114 Yeas, 0 Nays, 6 Not Voting
A "Yea" vote on this legislation represents an environmental vote because...
Related Links:
1000 Friends Florida 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
Florida Conservation Voters
HB1149 Recycled Waste Water into Aquifers
(SB 1308 27 yeas & 10 Nays & 1 Not Voting)
DECF Position: Oppose
Status: Passed in House and Senate. Vetoed by Governor Scott. Legislation did not become law.
House vote: 86 Yeas & 21 Nays & 13 Not Voting
Senate vote: 27 Yeas, & 10 Nays, 1 Not Voting
A "Nay" vote represents a vote for the environment because this bill would have pumped human waste water into freshwater aquifers.
Related Links:
1000 Friends Florida 2018 Legislative Wrap-Up
Florida Conservation Voters (FCV)
Tallahassee.com
2015-2016 Session Bills
HB191 - Regulation of Oil and Gas Resources
House vote on Jan 27, 2016: 73 Yeas & 45 Nays
Outcome: Passed in House but died in Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.
"Nay" represents a green vote because the bill would pre-empt local control of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and give the State the right to allow fracking under its rules.
Related Links:
Food & Water Watch
Sun Sentinel
PolitiFact
Sierra Club
Ernst v. EnCana Corporation
HB1075 - State Areas
House vote on Mar 11, 2016: 106 Yeas & 10 Nays
Legislation Outcome: Passed in House and Senate
"Nay" represents a green vote because the bill deletes language from current law which requires that state lands be managed for the purposes for which they were acquired. It means it could allow a state park to be managed for various other uses, such as timbering, cattle grazing, golf courses, RV Parks, etc.
Related Links:
Florida Conservation Voters
Sierra Club
Florida Conservation Coalition (1)
Florida Conservation Coalition (2)
Change.org
Our Santa Fe River
The Panhandle Politico
SB2516A - Implementation of the Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment
House vote on Jun 19, 2015: 93 Yeas & 20 Nays
Legislation Outcome: Passed in House and Senate
"Nay" represents a green vote because the bill would have authorize the use of Amendment One funds intended by the constitutional amendment for the acquisition and preservation of Florida's beautiful natural areas and waters to be spent for routine administrative and development oriented expenses.
Related Links:
Florida Water & Land Legacy
New York Times
EarthJustice
WUSF
HB7003 - Water Resources
House vote on Mar 5, 2015: 106 Yeas & 9 Nays
Legislation Outcome: Passed in House and Senate
"Nay" represents a green vote because the bill would weaken water quality standards, allow further depletion of fresh water sources and do little to effectively address the Lake Okeechobee pollution discharges. The bill removes water quality requirements at structures surrounding Lake Okeechobee. This would delete water quality standards and treatment for nitrogen, a major pollutant for the Lake and downstream waters in the estuaries and Everglades. The bill also eliminates any deadlines for clean-up and allows nutrient-laden excess reuse water to be dumped into recreational surface waters without any effort to clean the water.
Related Links:
Sierra Club
The Florida Squeeze
Miami Herald
Florida EH News
1000 Friends of Florida
SCCF
HB989 - Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment
House vote on Mar 11, 2016: 113 Yeas & 1 Nays and Mar 2, 2016: 117 Yeas & 1 Nays (some Yeas were absent for 2nd vote)
Legislation Outcome: Passed in House and Senate
"Yea" represents a green vote because the bill was required to implement Amendment 1 approved by 75% of voters. The bill, properly implemented, could annually set aside 25% or $200 million from funding made available by Amendment 1 to Everglades projects that implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. It gave preference to projects that reduce harmful discharges of water from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie or Caloosahatchee estuaries. It was amended to include a minimum of 7.6% or $50 million for springs restoration. It also included $5 million per year for Lake Apopka restoration. more than $250 million for restoration work. The money will come from funds that voters designated in 2014 to manage and preserve state lands and waters. NOTE: The Legislature later misappropriated much of the funds, a matter currently under litigation.
Related Links:
Florida Politics
Florida Conservation Coalition
Audubon
Florida Conservation Voters
Ballotpedia
1000 Friends of Florida
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