UPDATE: The legislative session came to an end on Friday, April 30, as lawmakers approved a record $101.5 billion budget.
The Florida State Legislative Session is an action-packed 60 days. This year’s session begins on March 2 and ends on April 30.
Our student-led team has sifted through thousands of bills to find those that pertain to our state’s environment. For some, we have talked to policy experts and scientists to provide context about how the proposed legislation might impact our state.
It is important to note that only a fraction of the thousands of bills that have been introduced will be actively debated on the chamber floor. The only bill that absolutely must be passed is the state’s budget, which faces a $2.4 billion shortfall this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Florida Legislature’s chief economist Amy Baker. Read more about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed budget in this press release.
Our coverage is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it will orient you to the hot topics that are on lawmakers’ minds this session — climate change and energy, water quality/quantity and agriculture, just to name a few. Additionally, since the issue is going out before the start of the session, our coverage only includes bills introduced before Feb. 17, 2021.
Use the links below to learn more about some of this year’s proposed legislation. Learn how to track these bills in our Action of the Month.
Have questions about any of the proposed legislation? Email earthsystems@floridamuseum.ufl.edu, and we may be able to connect you to an appropriate expert on the subject.
We have updated the posts below to reflect where the legislation stands at the end of the 2021 session.
Energy
Several proposed renewable energy bills look to decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
Water Quality and Quantity
Growing water demand and water quality threats pose a risk to Florida’s water supply. Several bills aim to address the future of our water resources.
Plastics and Pollution
An existing statewide preemption prohibits cities from enforcing single-use plastic bans. This session legislators are looking to reverse that preemption.
Climate Change
Proposed legislation looks to catch up with the impacts of climate change while establishing a plan for the future.
Habitats, Biodiversity and Conservation
Measures include prohibiting oil and gas drilling in the Everglades, addressing wildlife racketeering and reversing a 2020 rights of nature preemption.
Agriculture
While one new bill touches on agriculture and water pollution, others deal with regulation, taxation and rights for Florida farmers.
Planning and Development
Several bills have been introduced this session to help plan for the future, balancing with the health of our state’s natural resources and landscapes.