Laid on table
Florida : 2025 Regular Session : BILL H0477
Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities
Sponsor: Rep State Affairs Committee & Rep Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee & Rep Kevin Steele & Rep Brian Hodgers & Rep Yvette Benarroch & Rep David Borrero & Rep Monique Miller & Rep Danny Nix
Bill Details
Repeals, revises, & creates provisions of weather modification law relating to duties of DEP, prohibited activities, civil penalties, reporting & investigation of violations, & funding expenditures.
Bill summary (AI generated)
Bill H0477: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities
Contents of the Bill (What is Prohibited and Required)
1. Repeal of Existing Law
• The bill repeals 13 existing sections of Florida Statutes (ss. 403.281 through 403.401, F.S.).
• These repealed sections related to the previous weather modification law, including definitions, purpose, licensing requirements, proof of financial responsibility, public notice of intention to operate, and records and reports of operations.
2. Prohibited Activities (Geoengineering and Weather Modification)
• The bill establishes a new prohibition (amending s. 403.411, F.S.).
• It is prohibited to conduct the injection, release, or dispersion (by any means) of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within the state’s borders.
• The prohibition applies specifically when the act is done for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight.
3. Public Infrastructure Reporting Requirement
• The bill creates a new section (s. 403.4115, F.S.) establishing monthly reporting requirements for public infrastructure.
• "Public infrastructure" is defined as any public-use airport.
• Beginning on October 1, 2025, operators of public infrastructure must report monthly to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
• The required reports must detail:
◦ The physical presence of any aircraft equipped with a component or device that may be used to support the intentional emission, injection, release, or dispersion of air contaminants for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight.
◦ The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of such an equipped aircraft at the public infrastructure location.
Enforcement and Penalties (How the Bill is Enforced)
1. Criminal and Civil Penalties for Prohibited Activity
A violation of the geoengineering or weather modification prohibition (s. 403.411) constitutes a felony of the third degree.
• Individuals/Corporations: Punishable by a fine not exceeding $200,000.
• Corporate Officers/Directors/Employees: Commit a felony of the third degree, punishable by a fine not exceeding $200,000.
• Aircraft Operators/Controllers: Commit a felony of the third degree, punishable by a fine not exceeding $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
• Each violation constitutes a separate offense.
• All collected penalty moneys must be deposited into the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for air pollution control purposes.
2. Public Reporting and Investigation (Department of Environmental Protection - DEP)
• Any person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity in violation of the law may report the observed violation to the DEP (online, by telephone, mail, or e-mail).
• The DEP must establish an e-mail address and an online form for reports and make them publicly accessible.
• The DEP is required to establish a method for the intake and screening of reports.
• The DEP must investigate any report that warrants further review to determine violations.
• If appropriate, the DEP must refer reports of observed violations to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management.
• The DEP is required to adopt necessary rules to implement this reporting subsection.
3. Enforcement of Airport Reporting (Department of Transportation - DOT)
• If an operator of public infrastructure (airport) fails to comply with the monthly reporting requirement, the DOT may not expend any state funds to support a project or program located on or in support of that public infrastructure until the entity becomes compliant.
• The DOT must incorporate the reporting guidelines into all grant agreements for public-use airports that receive state funds.
• Upon receipt of the monthly airport reports, the DOT must submit aggregated reports to the DEP and the applicable state law enforcement agency to support the enforcement of the main prohibition statute (s. 403.411).
• The DOT is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement the reporting section.
History
The bill H0477, titled "Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities," was filed in February 2025 and has since moved through various legislative stages. It has been discussed and favorably reviewed by two committees: the Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee, but it has also been repeatedly laid on the table, indicating delays in its progression. Currently, the bill is laid on the table again as it has been referred to a different piece of legislation (CS/CS/SB 56). This typically means that H0477 may no longer be actively considered in its current form. If it is indeed being replaced or superseded by another bill, it may not proceed further unless reintroduced or reconsidered in the future. At this point, since the bill has not passed, it is effectively stalled.
- Fri 07 Feb 2025 Filed
- Wed 19 Feb 2025 Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Wed 19 Feb 2025 Referred to State Affairs Committee
- Wed 19 Feb 2025 Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Tue 04 Mar 2025 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- Fri 28 Mar 2025 Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- Tue 01 Apr 2025 Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Tue 01 Apr 2025 Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Wed 02 Apr 2025 Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
- Wed 02 Apr 2025 CS Filed
- Wed 02 Apr 2025 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
- Thu 03 Apr 2025 Referred to State Affairs Committee
- Thu 03 Apr 2025 Now in State Affairs Committee
- Tue 15 Apr 2025 PCS added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Thu 17 Apr 2025 Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
- Thu 17 Apr 2025 Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Thu 17 Apr 2025 Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
- Thu 17 Apr 2025 CS Filed
- Thu 17 Apr 2025 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
- Fri 18 Apr 2025 Bill referred to House Calendar
- Fri 18 Apr 2025 Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Wed 30 Apr 2025 Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 56 (Ch. 2025-157)
Bill text (Transcribed)
Florida : 2025 Regular Session : BILL H0477
Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities
CS/CS/HB 477 2025
A bill to be entitled
An act relating to geoengineering and weather modification activities; repealing ss. 403.281, 403.291, 403.301, 403.311, 403.321, 403.331, 403.341, 403.351, 403.361, 403.371, 403.381, 403.391, and 403.401, F.S., relating to the definitions, purpose, licensing requirements, applications, proof of financial responsibility requirements, license issuance and discipline provisions, publication of notice of intention to operate requirements, required contents of the notice of intention, publication of the notice of intention requirements, proof of publication requirements, record and reports of operations requirements, provision of emergency licenses, and suspension or revocation of licenses, respectively, of the weather modification law; amending s. 403.411, F.S.; prohibiting certain acts intended to affect the temperature, the weather, or the intensity of sunlight within the atmosphere of this state; increasing civil penalties for violations of the geoengineering and weather modification law; requiring that specified moneys be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for specified purposes; authorizing a person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity to report such activity; providing construction; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a method for the intake and screening of such reports; requiring the department to investigate certain reports; requiring the department to refer reports of observed violations to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management, under certain circumstances; requiring the department to adopt rules; creating s. 403.4115, F.S.; defining terms; requiring an operator of public infrastructure to report certain information monthly to the Department of Transportation; prohibiting the department from expending funds to support certain projects or programs; requiring the department to submit a report to specified entities; requiring the department to incorporate reporting guidelines in certain grant agreements; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending ss. 253.002, 373.026, 373.1501, 373.4598, and 373.470, F.S.; conforming cross-references and provisions to changes made by the act; making technical changes; providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Sections 403.281, 403.291, 403.301, 403.311, 403.321, 403.331, 403.341, 403.351, 403.361, 403.371, 403.381, 403.391, and 403.401, Florida Statutes, are repealed.
Section 2. Section 403.411, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
403.411 Geoengineering and weather modification activities prohibited; penalty.—
The injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within the borders of this state for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
Any person, including any public or private corporation, who conducts a geoengineering or weather modification activity in violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 and by a fine not exceeding $200,000; , if a corporation, the officers, directors, or employees of the corporation commit a felony of the third degree, punishable by a fine not exceeding $200,000; and, if an aircraft operator or controller, such person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 and by a fine not exceeding $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison. Each such violation is a separate offense.
All moneys collected pursuant to this section must be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for purposes of air pollution control pursuant to this chapter.
Any person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity conducted in violation of this section may report the observed violation to the department online or by telephone, mail, or e-mail.
The department shall establish an e-mail address and an online form for persons to report observed violations pursuant to this subsection. The department shall make the e-mail address and online form publicly accessible on its website.
The department shall establish a method for intake and screening of the reports made pursuant to this subsection. The department shall investigate any report that warrants further review to determine whether there are violations of this section.
The department shall refer reports of observed violations made pursuant to this subsection to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management, if appropriate.
The department shall adopt any rules that are necessary to implement this subsection.
Section 3. Section 403.4115, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
403.4115 Reporting on geoengineering and weather modification activities on public infrastructure; penalty.—
As used in this section, the term:
"Aircraft" means a powered or unpowered machine or device capable of atmospheric flight, except a parachute or other such device used primarily as safety equipment.
"Department" means the Department of Transportation.
"Public infrastructure" means any public-use airport as that term is defined in s. 332.004.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, all operators of public infrastructure shall report monthly to the department, using a method determined by the department:
The physical presence of any aircraft on public property, including any public infrastructure, equipped with any part, component, device, or the like which may be used to support the intentional emission, injection, release, or dispersion of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emissions occur for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or the intensity of sunlight.
The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of an aircraft equipped with the components outlined in paragraph (a) on the physical location of the public infrastructure.
The department may not expend any state funds as described in s. 215.31 to support a project or program located on or in support of public infrastructure which is not in compliance with this section until such time as the entity becomes compliant with this section.
Upon receipt of the reports required in subsection (2), the department shall submit aggregated reports to the Department of Environmental Protection and the applicable state law enforcement agency in support of the enforcement of s. 403.411.
The department shall incorporate reporting guidelines in all grant agreements for public use airports which receive state funds as described in s. 215.31.
The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 253.002, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
253.002 Department of Environmental Protection, water management districts, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; duties with respect to state lands.—
(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall perform all staff duties and functions related to the acquisition, administration, and disposition of state lands, title to which is or will be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. However, upon the effective date of rules adopted pursuant to s. 373.427, a water management district created under s. 373.069 shall perform the staff duties and functions related to the review of any application for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands necessary for an activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 for which the water management district has permitting responsibility as set forth in an operating agreement adopted pursuant to s. 373.046(4). The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall perform the staff duties and functions related to the review of applications and compliance with conditions for use of board of trustees-owned submerged lands under authorizations or leases issued pursuant to ss. 253.67- 253.75 and 597.010 and the acquisition, administration, and disposition of conservation easements pursuant to s. 570.71. Unless expressly prohibited by law, the board of trustees may delegate to the department any statutory duty or obligation relating to the acquisition, administration, or disposition of lands, title to which is or will be vested in the board of trustees. The board of trustees may also delegate to any water management district created under s. 373.069 the authority to take final agency action, without any action on behalf of the board, on applications for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands for any activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 for which the water management district has permitting responsibility as set forth in an operating agreement adopted pursuant to s. 373.046(4). This water management district responsibility under this subsection is subject to the department's general supervisory authority pursuant to s. 373.026(6). The board of trustees may also delegate to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the authority to take final agency action on behalf of the board on applications to use board of trustees owned submerged lands for any activity for which that department has responsibility pursuant to ss. 253.67-253.75, 369.25, 369.251, and 597.010. However, the board of trustees shall retain the authority to take final agency action on establishing any areas for leasing, new leases, expanding existing lease areas, or changing the type of lease activity in existing leases. Upon issuance of an aquaculture lease or other real property transaction relating to aquaculture, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must send a copy of the document and the accompanying survey to the Department of Environmental Protection. The board of trustees may also delegate to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the authority to take final agency action, without any action on behalf of the board, on applications for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands for any activity regulated under ss. 369.20 and 369.22.
Section 5. Subsection (6) of section 373.026, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.026 General powers and duties of the department.—The department, or its successor agency, shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter at the state level. However, it is the policy of the state that, to the greatest extent possible, the department may enter into interagency or interlocal agreements with any other state agency, any water management district, or any local government conducting programs related to or materially affecting the water resources of the state. All such agreements shall be subject to the provisions of s. 373.046. In addition to its other powers and duties, the department shall, to the greatest extent possible:
Section 6. Subsections (1) and (9) of section 373.1501, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
373.1501 South Florida Water Management District as local sponsor.—
(1) As used in this section and s. 373.026(7) s. 373.026(8), the term:
(a) "C-111 Project" means the project identified in the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, Real Estate Design Memorandum, Canal 111, South Miami-Dade County, Florida.
(b) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
(c) "District" means the South Florida Water Management District.
(d) "Kissimmee River Restoration Project" means the project identified in the Project Cooperation Agreement between the United States Department of the Army and the South Florida Water Management District dated March 22, 1994.
(e) "Pal-Mar Project" means the Pal-Mar (West Jupiter Wetlands) lands identified in the Save Our Rivers 2000 Land Acquisition and Management Plan approved by the South Florida Water Management District on September 9, 1999 (Resolution 99-94).
(f) "Project" means the Central and Southern Florida Project.
(g) "Project component" means any structural or operational change, resulting from the restudy, to the Central and Southern Florida Project as it existed and was operated as of January 1, 1999.
(h) "Restudy" means the Comprehensive Review Study of the Central and Southern Florida Project, for which federal participation was authorized by the federal Water Resources Development Acts of 1992 and 1996 together with related congressional resolutions and for which participation by the South Florida Water Management District is authorized by this section. The term includes all actions undertaken pursuant to the aforementioned authorizations which will result in recommendations for modifications or additions to the Central and Southern Florida Project.
(i) "Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Project" means the area described in the Critical Restoration Project Contract C-9906 Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Project Addition/Imperial River Flowway and approved by the South Florida Water Management District on August 12, 1999.
(j) "Water Preserve Areas" means those areas located only within Palm Beach and Broward counties that are designated as Water Preserve Areas, as approved by the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board on September 11, 1997, and shall also include all of those lands within Cell II of the East Coast Buffer in Broward County as delineated in the boundary survey prepared by Stoner and Associates, Inc., dated January 31, 2000, SWFWMD #10953.
(k) "Ten Mile Creek Project" means the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area identified in the Central and Southern Florida Ecosystem Critical Project Letter Report dated April 13, 1998.
(9) Final agency action with regard to any project component subject to s. 373.026(7)(b) shall be taken by the department. Actions taken by the district pursuant to subsection (5) may not be considered final agency action. A petition for formal proceedings filed pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57 requires a hearing under the summary hearing provisions of s. 120.574, which is mandatory. The final hearing under this section must be held within 30 days after receipt of the petition by the Division of Administrative Hearings.
Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (10) of section 373.4598, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.4598 Water storage reservoirs.—
(10) FUNDING.—
(c) Notwithstanding s. 373.026(7)(b) s. 373.026(8)(b) or any other provision of law, the use of state funds is authorized for the EAA reservoir project.
Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 373.470, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.470 Everglades restoration.—
(6) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM SAVE OUR EVERGLADES TRUST FUND.—
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) and for funds appropriated for debt service, the department shall distribute funds in the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to the district in accordance with a legislative appropriation and s. 373.026(7)(b) . Distribution of funds to the district from the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund shall be equally matched by the cumulative contributions from the district by fiscal year 2019-2020 by providing funding or credits toward project components. The dollar value of in-kind project design and construction work by the district in furtherance of the comprehensive plan and existing interest in public lands needed for a project component are credits towards the district's contributions.
Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities
CS/CS/HB 477 2025
A bill to be entitled
An act relating to geoengineering and weather modification activities; repealing ss. 403.281, 403.291, 403.301, 403.311, 403.321, 403.331, 403.341, 403.351, 403.361, 403.371, 403.381, 403.391, and 403.401, F.S., relating to the definitions, purpose, licensing requirements, applications, proof of financial responsibility requirements, license issuance and discipline provisions, publication of notice of intention to operate requirements, required contents of the notice of intention, publication of the notice of intention requirements, proof of publication requirements, record and reports of operations requirements, provision of emergency licenses, and suspension or revocation of licenses, respectively, of the weather modification law; amending s. 403.411, F.S.; prohibiting certain acts intended to affect the temperature, the weather, or the intensity of sunlight within the atmosphere of this state; increasing civil penalties for violations of the geoengineering and weather modification law; requiring that specified moneys be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for specified purposes; authorizing a person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity to report such activity; providing construction; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a method for the intake and screening of such reports; requiring the department to investigate certain reports; requiring the department to refer reports of observed violations to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management, under certain circumstances; requiring the department to adopt rules; creating s. 403.4115, F.S.; defining terms; requiring an operator of public infrastructure to report certain information monthly to the Department of Transportation; prohibiting the department from expending funds to support certain projects or programs; requiring the department to submit a report to specified entities; requiring the department to incorporate reporting guidelines in certain grant agreements; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending ss. 253.002, 373.026, 373.1501, 373.4598, and 373.470, F.S.; conforming cross-references and provisions to changes made by the act; making technical changes; providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. Sections 403.281, 403.291, 403.301, 403.311, 403.321, 403.331, 403.341, 403.351, 403.361, 403.371, 403.381, 403.391, and 403.401, Florida Statutes, are repealed.
Section 2. Section 403.411, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
403.411 Geoengineering and weather modification activities prohibited; penalty.—
The injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within the borders of this state for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
Any person, including any public or private corporation, who conducts a geoengineering or weather modification activity in violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 and by a fine not exceeding $200,000; , if a corporation, the officers, directors, or employees of the corporation commit a felony of the third degree, punishable by a fine not exceeding $200,000; and, if an aircraft operator or controller, such person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 and by a fine not exceeding $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison. Each such violation is a separate offense.
All moneys collected pursuant to this section must be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Trust Fund and used only for purposes of air pollution control pursuant to this chapter.
Any person who observes a geoengineering or weather modification activity conducted in violation of this section may report the observed violation to the department online or by telephone, mail, or e-mail.
The department shall establish an e-mail address and an online form for persons to report observed violations pursuant to this subsection. The department shall make the e-mail address and online form publicly accessible on its website.
The department shall establish a method for intake and screening of the reports made pursuant to this subsection. The department shall investigate any report that warrants further review to determine whether there are violations of this section.
The department shall refer reports of observed violations made pursuant to this subsection to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management, if appropriate.
The department shall adopt any rules that are necessary to implement this subsection.
Section 3. Section 403.4115, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
403.4115 Reporting on geoengineering and weather modification activities on public infrastructure; penalty.—
As used in this section, the term:
"Aircraft" means a powered or unpowered machine or device capable of atmospheric flight, except a parachute or other such device used primarily as safety equipment.
"Department" means the Department of Transportation.
"Public infrastructure" means any public-use airport as that term is defined in s. 332.004.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, all operators of public infrastructure shall report monthly to the department, using a method determined by the department:
The physical presence of any aircraft on public property, including any public infrastructure, equipped with any part, component, device, or the like which may be used to support the intentional emission, injection, release, or dispersion of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emissions occur for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, climate, or the intensity of sunlight.
The landing, takeoff, stopover, or refueling of an aircraft equipped with the components outlined in paragraph (a) on the physical location of the public infrastructure.
The department may not expend any state funds as described in s. 215.31 to support a project or program located on or in support of public infrastructure which is not in compliance with this section until such time as the entity becomes compliant with this section.
Upon receipt of the reports required in subsection (2), the department shall submit aggregated reports to the Department of Environmental Protection and the applicable state law enforcement agency in support of the enforcement of s. 403.411.
The department shall incorporate reporting guidelines in all grant agreements for public use airports which receive state funds as described in s. 215.31.
The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 253.002, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
253.002 Department of Environmental Protection, water management districts, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; duties with respect to state lands.—
(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall perform all staff duties and functions related to the acquisition, administration, and disposition of state lands, title to which is or will be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. However, upon the effective date of rules adopted pursuant to s. 373.427, a water management district created under s. 373.069 shall perform the staff duties and functions related to the review of any application for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands necessary for an activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 for which the water management district has permitting responsibility as set forth in an operating agreement adopted pursuant to s. 373.046(4). The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall perform the staff duties and functions related to the review of applications and compliance with conditions for use of board of trustees-owned submerged lands under authorizations or leases issued pursuant to ss. 253.67- 253.75 and 597.010 and the acquisition, administration, and disposition of conservation easements pursuant to s. 570.71. Unless expressly prohibited by law, the board of trustees may delegate to the department any statutory duty or obligation relating to the acquisition, administration, or disposition of lands, title to which is or will be vested in the board of trustees. The board of trustees may also delegate to any water management district created under s. 373.069 the authority to take final agency action, without any action on behalf of the board, on applications for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands for any activity regulated under part IV of chapter 373 for which the water management district has permitting responsibility as set forth in an operating agreement adopted pursuant to s. 373.046(4). This water management district responsibility under this subsection is subject to the department's general supervisory authority pursuant to s. 373.026(6). The board of trustees may also delegate to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the authority to take final agency action on behalf of the board on applications to use board of trustees owned submerged lands for any activity for which that department has responsibility pursuant to ss. 253.67-253.75, 369.25, 369.251, and 597.010. However, the board of trustees shall retain the authority to take final agency action on establishing any areas for leasing, new leases, expanding existing lease areas, or changing the type of lease activity in existing leases. Upon issuance of an aquaculture lease or other real property transaction relating to aquaculture, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must send a copy of the document and the accompanying survey to the Department of Environmental Protection. The board of trustees may also delegate to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the authority to take final agency action, without any action on behalf of the board, on applications for authorization to use board of trustees-owned submerged lands for any activity regulated under ss. 369.20 and 369.22.
Section 5. Subsection (6) of section 373.026, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.026 General powers and duties of the department.—The department, or its successor agency, shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter at the state level. However, it is the policy of the state that, to the greatest extent possible, the department may enter into interagency or interlocal agreements with any other state agency, any water management district, or any local government conducting programs related to or materially affecting the water resources of the state. All such agreements shall be subject to the provisions of s. 373.046. In addition to its other powers and duties, the department shall, to the greatest extent possible:
Section 6. Subsections (1) and (9) of section 373.1501, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
373.1501 South Florida Water Management District as local sponsor.—
(1) As used in this section and s. 373.026(7) s. 373.026(8), the term:
(a) "C-111 Project" means the project identified in the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, Real Estate Design Memorandum, Canal 111, South Miami-Dade County, Florida.
(b) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.
(c) "District" means the South Florida Water Management District.
(d) "Kissimmee River Restoration Project" means the project identified in the Project Cooperation Agreement between the United States Department of the Army and the South Florida Water Management District dated March 22, 1994.
(e) "Pal-Mar Project" means the Pal-Mar (West Jupiter Wetlands) lands identified in the Save Our Rivers 2000 Land Acquisition and Management Plan approved by the South Florida Water Management District on September 9, 1999 (Resolution 99-94).
(f) "Project" means the Central and Southern Florida Project.
(g) "Project component" means any structural or operational change, resulting from the restudy, to the Central and Southern Florida Project as it existed and was operated as of January 1, 1999.
(h) "Restudy" means the Comprehensive Review Study of the Central and Southern Florida Project, for which federal participation was authorized by the federal Water Resources Development Acts of 1992 and 1996 together with related congressional resolutions and for which participation by the South Florida Water Management District is authorized by this section. The term includes all actions undertaken pursuant to the aforementioned authorizations which will result in recommendations for modifications or additions to the Central and Southern Florida Project.
(i) "Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Project" means the area described in the Critical Restoration Project Contract C-9906 Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Project Addition/Imperial River Flowway and approved by the South Florida Water Management District on August 12, 1999.
(j) "Water Preserve Areas" means those areas located only within Palm Beach and Broward counties that are designated as Water Preserve Areas, as approved by the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board on September 11, 1997, and shall also include all of those lands within Cell II of the East Coast Buffer in Broward County as delineated in the boundary survey prepared by Stoner and Associates, Inc., dated January 31, 2000, SWFWMD #10953.
(k) "Ten Mile Creek Project" means the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area identified in the Central and Southern Florida Ecosystem Critical Project Letter Report dated April 13, 1998.
(9) Final agency action with regard to any project component subject to s. 373.026(7)(b) shall be taken by the department. Actions taken by the district pursuant to subsection (5) may not be considered final agency action. A petition for formal proceedings filed pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57 requires a hearing under the summary hearing provisions of s. 120.574, which is mandatory. The final hearing under this section must be held within 30 days after receipt of the petition by the Division of Administrative Hearings.
Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (10) of section 373.4598, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.4598 Water storage reservoirs.—
(10) FUNDING.—
(c) Notwithstanding s. 373.026(7)(b) s. 373.026(8)(b) or any other provision of law, the use of state funds is authorized for the EAA reservoir project.
Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 373.470, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
373.470 Everglades restoration.—
(6) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM SAVE OUR EVERGLADES TRUST FUND.—
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) and for funds appropriated for debt service, the department shall distribute funds in the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to the district in accordance with a legislative appropriation and s. 373.026(7)(b) . Distribution of funds to the district from the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund shall be equally matched by the cumulative contributions from the district by fiscal year 2019-2020 by providing funding or credits toward project components. The dollar value of in-kind project design and construction work by the district in furtherance of the comprehensive plan and existing interest in public lands needed for a project component are credits towards the district's contributions.
Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.