FL
Florida House Bill H1075

Florida 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1075 Compare Versions

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1010 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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1414 A bill to be entitled 1
1515 An act relating to soil and water conservation 2
1616 districts; dissolving specified soil and water 3
1717 conservation districts and transferring district 4
18-assets and liabilities to specified regional 5
19-districts; dissolving specified soil and water 6
20-conservation district s and transferring district 7
21-assets and liabilities to specified counties; amending 8
22-s. 582.01, F.S.; providing and revising definitions; 9
23-amending s. 582.055, F.S.; requiring the department 10
24-provide travel expenses for soil and water 11
25-conservation district boa rd members; amending s. 12
26-582.06, F.S.; revising provisions for the 13
27-establishment, composition, membership, organization, 14
28-and responsibilities of the Soil and Water 15
29-Conservation Council; amending s. 582.10, F.S.; 16
30-establishing regional soil and water conserva tion 17
31-districts beginning on a specified date; amending s. 18
32-582.16, F.S.; providing for the transfer of certain 19
33-contractual obligations for real property interests 20
34-equipment, vehicles, other personal property, and 21
35-records; providing an exception; amending s. 582.18, 22
36-F.S.; providing for the appointment of district 23
37-supervisors; creating s. 582.181, F.S.; providing for 24
38-soil and water conservation district governing boards; 25
18+assets and liabilities to the Department of 5
19+Agriculture and Consumer Services; dissolving 6
20+specified soil and wate r conservation districts and 7
21+transferring district assets and liabilities to 8
22+specified counties; amending s. 582.01, F.S.; 9
23+providing and revising definitions; amending s. 10
24+582.055, F.S.; requiring the department provide travel 11
25+expenses for soil and water co nservation district 12
26+board members; amending s. 582.06, F.S.; revising 13
27+provisions for the establishment, composition, 14
28+membership, organization, and responsibilities of the 15
29+Soil and Water Conservation Council; amending s. 16
30+582.10, F.S.; establishing regional soil and water 17
31+conservation districts beginning on a specified date; 18
32+amending s. 582.16, F.S.; providing for the transfer 19
33+of certain contractual obligations for real property 20
34+interests equipment, vehicles, other personal 21
35+property, and records; providing an exception; 22
36+amending s. 582.18, F.S.; providing for the 23
37+appointment of district supervisors; creating s. 24
38+582.181, F.S.; providing for soil and water 25
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4747 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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51-amending s. 582.19, F.S.; revising provisions for the 26
52-qualifications and tenure of soil an d water 27
53-conservation district supervisors; amending s. 28
54-582.195, F.S.; revising provisions to changes made the 29
55-act; creating s. 582.196, F.S.; authorizing certain 30
56-compensation for soil and water conservation district 31
57-board supervisors; amending s. 582.20, F .S.; revising 32
58-the powers of soil and water conservation district 33
59-supervisors; amending s. 582.295, F.S.; providing for 34
60-the reassignment of assets of certain dissolved soil 35
61-and water conservation districts; amending s. 582.30, 36
62-F.S.; revising provisions to c hanges made by the act; 37
63-repealing s. 582.11, F.S., relating to hearings 38
64-regarding the creation of soil and water conservation 39
65-districts; repealing ss. 582.12, 582.13, and 582.14, 40
66-F.S., relating to referendums for the creation of soil 41
67-and water conservation districts; repealing s. 582.15, 42
68-F.S., relating to the organization of soil and water 43
69-conservation districts; providing an effective date. 44
70- 45
71-Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 46
72- 47
73- Section 1. The following soil and water conservat ion 48
74-districts are dissolved and all assets and liabilities of each 49
75-district are transferred to their respective regional districts 50
51+conservation district governing boards; amending s. 26
52+582.19, F.S.; revising provisions for the 27
53+qualifications and tenure of soil and water 28
54+conservation district supervisors; amending s. 29
55+582.195, F.S.; revising provisions for mandatory 30
56+meeting of soil and water conservation district 31
57+supervisors; creating s. 582.196, F.S.; authorizing 32
58+certain compensation for soil and water conservation 33
59+district board supervisors; amending s. 582.20, F.S.; 34
60+revising the powers of soil and water conservation 35
61+district supervisors; amending s. 582.295, F.S.; 36
62+providing for the reassignment of assets of certain 37
63+dissolved soil and water c onservation districts; 38
64+amending s. 582.30, F.S.; revising provisions to 39
65+changes made by the act; repealing s. 582.11, F.S., 40
66+relating to hearings regarding the creation of soil 41
67+and water conservation districts; repealing ss. 42
68+582.12, 582.13, and 582.14, F.S. , relating to 43
69+referendums for the creation of soil and water 44
70+conservation districts; repealing s. 582.15, F.S., 45
71+relating to the organization of soil and water 46
72+conservation districts; providing an effective date. 47
73+ 48
74+Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 49
75+ 50
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8484 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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88-as provided in s. 582.10: 51
89- (1) Alachua Soil and Water Conservation District. 52
90- (2) Bradford Soil and Water Conservation Dist rict. 53
91- (3) Brevard Soil and Water Conservation District. 54
92- (4) Broward Soil and Water Conservation District. 55
93- (5) Charlotte Soil and Water Conservation District. 56
94- (6) Chipola River Soil and Water Conservation District. 57
95- (7) Clay Soil and Water Conserva tion District. 58
96- (8) Choctawhatchee River Soil and Water Conservation 59
97-District. 60
98- (9) Collier Soil and Water Conservation District. 61
99- (10) Dixie Soil and Water Conservation District. 62
100- (11) Duval Soil and Water Conservation District. 63
101- (12) Escambia Soil a nd Water Conservation District. 64
102- (13) Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. 65
103- (14) Gadsden Soil and Water Conservation District. 66
104- (15) Gilchrist Soil and Water Conservation District. 67
105- (16) Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. 68
106- (17) Hardee Soil and Water Conservation District. 69
107- (18) Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District. 70
108- (19) Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District. 71
109- (20) Holmes Creek Soil and Water Conservation District. 72
110- (21) Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District. 73
111- (22) Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District. 74
112- (23) Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District. 75
88+ Section 1. The following soil and water conservation 51
89+districts are dissolved and all assets and liabilities of each 52
90+district are transferred to the Florida Department of 53
91+Agriculture and Consumer Services: 54
92+ (1) Alachua Soil and Wate r Conservation District. 55
93+ (2) Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District. 56
94+ (3) Brevard Soil and Water Conservation District. 57
95+ (4) Broward Soil and Water Conservation District. 58
96+ (5) Charlotte Soil and Water Conservation District. 59
97+ (6) Chipola River Soil and Water Conservation District. 60
98+ (7) Clay Soil and Water Conservation District. 61
99+ (8) Choctawhatchee River Soil and Water Conservation 62
100+District. 63
101+ (9) Collier Soil and Water Conservation District. 64
102+ (10) Dixie Soil and Water Conservation District. 65
103+ (11) Duval Soil and Water Conservation District. 66
104+ (12) Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District. 67
105+ (13) Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. 68
106+ (14) Gadsden Soil and Water Conservation District. 69
107+ (15) Gilchrist Soil and Water Conservation District. 70
108+ (16) Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. 71
109+ (17) Hardee Soil and Water Conservation District. 72
110+ (18) Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District. 73
111+ (19) Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District. 74
112+ (20) Holmes Creek Soil and Water Conservation District. 75
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121121 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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125- (24) Lafayette Soil and Water Conservation District. 76
126- (25) Lake Soil and Water Conservation District. 77
127- (26) Leon Soil and Water Conservation District. 78
128- (27) Levy Soil and Water Conservation District. 79
129- (28) Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District. 80
130- (29) Marion Soil and Water Conservation District. 81
131- (30) Nassau Soil and Water Conservation District. 82
132- (31) Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District. 83
133- (32) Orange Hill Soil and Water Conservation District. 84
134- (33) Orange Soil and Water Conservation District. 85
135- (34) Osceola Soil and Water Conservation District. 86
136- (35) Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation Dis trict. 87
137- (36) Peace River Soil and Water Conservation District. 88
138- (37) Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District. 89
139- (38) Santa Fe Soil and Water Conservation District. 90
140- (39) Sarasota Soil and Water Conservation District. 91
141- (40) Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District. 92
142- (41) South Dade Soil and Water Conservation District. 93
143- (42) St. Johns Soil and Water Conservation District. 94
144- (43) St. Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District. 95
145- (44) Sumter Soil and Water Conservation District. 96
146- (45) Suwannee County Conservation District. 97
147- (46) Tupelo Soil and Water Conservation District. 98
148- (47) Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District. 99
149- (48) Wakulla Soil and Water Conservation District. 100
125+ (21) Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District. 76
126+ (22) Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District. 77
127+ (23) Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District. 78
128+ (24) Lafayette Soil and Water Conservation Distric t. 79
129+ (25) Lake Soil and Water Conservation District. 80
130+ (26) Leon Soil and Water Conservation District. 81
131+ (27) Levy Soil and Water Conservation District. 82
132+ (28) Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District. 83
133+ (29) Marion Soil and Water Conservation Di strict. 84
134+ (30) Nassau Soil and Water Conservation District. 85
135+ (31) Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District. 86
136+ (32) Orange Hill Soil and Water Conservation District. 87
137+ (33) Orange Soil and Water Conservation District. 88
138+ (34) Osceola Soil and Water Conservation District. 89
139+ (35) Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District. 90
140+ (36) Peace River Soil and Water Conservation District. 91
141+ (37) Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District. 92
142+ (38) Santa Fe Soil and Water Conservation District. 93
143+ (39) Sarasota Soil and Water Conservation District. 94
144+ (40) Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District. 95
145+ (41) South Dade Soil and Water Conservation District. 96
146+ (42) St. Johns Soil and Water Conservation District. 97
147+ (43) St. Lucie Soil and Water Conservation District. 98
148+ (44) Sumter Soil and Water Conservation District. 99
149+ (45) Suwannee County Conservation District. 100
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158158 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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162- (49) Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District. 101
163- Section 2. (1) The Baker Soil and Water Conservation 102
164-District is dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the 103
165-district are transferred to Baker County. 104
166- (2) The Blackwater Soil and Water Conservation 105
162+ (46) Tupelo Soil and Water Conservation District. 101
163+ (47) Volusia Soil and Water Conservation District. 102
164+ (48) Wakulla Soil and Water Conservation District. 103
165+ (49) Yellow River Soil and Water Conservation District. 104
166+ Section 2. (1) The Baker Soil and Water Conservation 105
167167 District is dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the 106
168-district are transferred to Santa Rosa County. 107
169- (3) The Glades Soil and Water Conservation District is 108
170-dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 109
171-transferred to Glades County. 110
172- (4) The Hendry Soil and Water Conservation District is 111
168+district are transferred to Baker County. 107
169+ (2) The Blackwater Soil an d Water Conservation 108
170+District is dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the 109
171+district are transferred to Santa Rosa County. 110
172+ (3) The Glades Soil and Water Conservation District is 111
173173 dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 112
174-transferred to Hendry County. 113
175- (5) The Madison Soil and Water Conservation District is 114
174+transferred to Glades County. 113
175+ (4) The Hendry Soil and Water Conservation District is 114
176176 dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 115
177-transferred to Madison County. 116
178- (6) The Martin Soil and Water Conservation District is 117
177+transferred to Hendry County. 116
178+ (5) The Madison Soil and Water Conservation District is 117
179179 dissolved and the assets and l iabilities of the district are 118
180-transferred to Martin County. 119
181- (7) The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District is 120
180+transferred to Madison County. 119
181+ (6) The Martin Soil and Water Conservation District is 120
182182 dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 121
183-transferred to Polk County. 122
184- (8) The Taylor Soil and Water Conservation District is 123
183+transferred to Martin County. 122
184+ (7) The Polk Soil and Water Conservation Dis trict is 123
185185 dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 124
186-transferred to Taylor County. 125
186+transferred to Polk County. 125
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195195 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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199- (9) The Union Soil and Water Conservation District is 126
199+ (8) The Taylor Soil and Water Conservation District is 126
200200 dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 127
201-transferred to Union County. 128
202- Section 3. Section 582.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to 129
203-read: 130
204- 582.01 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 131
205- (1) "Agriculture" means the science and art of production 132
206-of plants and animals useful to humans, including to a variable 133
207-extent the preparation of these products for human use and their 134
208-disposal by marketing or otherwise, and includes aquaculture, 135
209-horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, forestry, dairy, 136
210-livestock, poultry, bees, and any and all forms of farm products 137
211-and farm production. For the purposes of marketing and 138
212-promotional activities, the term includes seafood. 139
213- (2) "Agricultural operations" or "agricultural purposes" 140
214-means the following activities: 141
215- (a) Raising, growing, harvesting, or storing of crops, 142
216-including, but not limited to, soil preparation and crop 143
217-production services such as plowing, fertilizing, seed bed 144
218-preparation, planting, cultivating, and crop protecting 145
219-services. 146
220- (b) Feeding, breeding, or m anaging livestock, equine, or 147
221-poultry. 148
222- (c) Producing or storing feed for use in the production of 149
223-livestock, including, but not limited to, cattle, calves, swine, 150
201+transferred to Taylor County. 128
202+ (9) The Union Soil and Water Conservation District is 129
203+dissolved and the assets and liabilities of the district are 130
204+transferred to Union County. 131
205+ Section 3. Section 582.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to 132
206+read: 133
207+ 582.01 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 134
208+ (1) "Agriculture" means the science and art of production 135
209+of plants and animals useful to humans, including to a variable 136
210+extent the preparation of these products for human use and their 137
211+disposal by marketing or otherwise, and includes aquaculture, 138
212+horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, forestry, dairy, 139
213+livestock, poultry, bees, and any and all forms of farm products 140
214+and farm production. For the purposes of marketing and 141
215+promotional activities, the term includes seafood. 142
216+ (2) "Agricultural operat ions" or "agricultural purposes" 143
217+means the following activities: 144
218+ (a) Raising, growing, harvesting, or storing of crops, 145
219+including, but not limited to, soil preparation and crop 146
220+production services such as plowing, fertilizing, seed bed 147
221+preparation, planting, cultivating, and crop protecting 148
222+services. 149
223+ (b) Feeding, breeding, or managing livestock, equine, or 150
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232232 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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236-hogs, goats, sheep, equine, and rabbits, or for use in the 151
237-production of poultry, including , but not limited to, chickens, 152
238-hens, ratites, and turkeys. 153
239- (d) Producing plants, trees, fowl, equine, or other 154
240-animals. 155
241- (e) Producing aquacultural, horticultural, viticultural, 156
242-silvicultural, grass sod, dairy, livestock, poultry, egg, and 157
243-apiarian products. 158
244- (f) Processing poultry. 159
245- (g) Post-harvest services on crops with the intent of 160
246-preparing them for market or further processing, including, but 161
247-not limited to, crop cleaning, drying, shelling, fumigating, 162
248-curing, sorting, grading, packing, ginning , canning, pickling, 163
249-and cooling. 164
250- (h) Slaughtering poultry and other animals. 165
251- (i) Manufacturing dairy products. 166
252- 167
253-The term does not include constructing, installing, altering, 168
254-repairing, dismantling, or demolishing real property structures 169
255-or fixtures, including, but not limited to, grain bins, 170
256-irrigation equipment, and fencing. 171
257- (3)(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of 172
258-Agriculture. 173
259- (4)(2) "Council" means the Soil and Water Conservation 174
260-Council. 175
236+poultry. 151
237+ (c) Producing or storing feed for use in the production of 152
238+livestock, including, but not limited to, cattle, calves, swine, 153
239+hogs, goats, sheep, equine, and rabbits, or for use in the 154
240+production of poultry, including, but not limited to, chickens, 155
241+hens, ratites, and turkeys. 156
242+ (d) Producing plants, trees, fowl, equine, or other 157
243+animals. 158
244+ (e) Producing aquacultural, horticultural, viticultura l, 159
245+silvicultural, grass sod, dairy, livestock, poultry, egg, and 160
246+apiarian products. 161
247+ (f) Processing poultry. 162
248+ (g) Post-harvest services on crops with the intent of 163
249+preparing them for market or further processing, including, but 164
250+not limited to, crop cleaning, drying, shelling, fumigating, 165
251+curing, sorting, grading, packing, ginning, canning, pickling, 166
252+and cooling. 167
253+ (h) Slaughtering poultry and other animals. 168
254+ (i) Manufacturing dairy products. 169
255+ 170
256+The term does not include constructing, installing, alter ing, 171
257+repairing, dismantling, or demolishing real property structures 172
258+or fixtures, including, but not limited to, grain bins, 173
259+irrigation equipment, and fencing. 174
260+ (3)(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of 175
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269269 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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273- (5)(3) "Department" means the Department of Agr iculture 176
274-and Consumer Services. 177
275- (6)(4) "District" or "soil and water conservation 178
276-district" means a governmental subdivision of this state and a 179
277-body corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the 180
278-provisions of this chapter for the purpose, with the powers, and 181
279-subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter. The term 182
280-"district" when used in this chapter means and includes a "soil 183
281-and water conservation district." All districts organized under 184
282-this chapter shall be known as soil and water con servation 185
283-districts and shall have all the powers set out herein. 186
284- (7)(5) "Due notice," in addition to notice required 187
285-pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120, means notice 188
286-published at least twice, with an interval of at least 7 days 189
287-between the two publication dates, in a newspaper or other 190
288-publication of general circulation within the appropriate area. 191
289- (8)(6) "Land occupier" or "occupier of land" means a 192
290-person, other than the owner, who possesses any lands lying 193
291-within a district organized under th e provisions of this 194
292-chapter, whether as lessee, renter, tenant, or otherwise. 195
293- (9)(7) "Landowner" or "owner of land" means a person who 196
294-holds legal or equitable title to any lands lying within a 197
295-district organized under the provisions of this chapter. 198
296- (8) "Qualified elector" means a person qualified to vote 199
297-in general elections under the constitution and laws of this 200
273+Agriculture. 176
274+ (4)(2) "Council" means the Soil and Water Conservation 177
275+Council. 178
276+ (5)(3) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture 179
277+and Consumer Services. 180
278+ (6)(4) "District" or "soil and water conservation 181
279+district" means a governmental subdivision of this state and a 182
280+body corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the 183
281+provisions of this chapter for the purpose, with the powers, and 184
282+subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter. The term 185
283+"district" when used in this chapter means and includes a "soil 186
284+and water conservation district ." All districts organized under 187
285+this chapter shall be known as soil and water conservation 188
286+districts and shall have all the powers set out herein. 189
287+ (7)(5) "Due notice," in addition to notice required 190
288+pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120, means notic e 191
289+published at least twice, with an interval of at least 7 days 192
290+between the two publication dates, in a newspaper or other 193
291+publication of general circulation within the appropriate area. 194
292+ (8)(6) "Land occupier" or "occupier of land" means a 195
293+person, other than the owner, who possesses any lands lying 196
294+within a district organized under the provisions of this 197
295+chapter, whether as lessee, renter, tenant, or otherwise. 198
296+ (9)(7) "Landowner" or "owner of land" means a person who 199
297+holds legal or equitable title to an y lands lying within a 200
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306306 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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310-state. 201
311- (10)(9) "Supervisor" means a member of the governing body 202
312-of a district who is appointed elected in accordance with the 203
313-provisions of this chapter. 204
314- Section 4. Subsections (4) through (9) of section 582.055, 205
315-Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (5) through 206
316-(10), respectively, and a new subsection (4) is added to that 207
317-section to read: 208
318- 582.055 Powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture 209
319-and Consumer Services; rules. — 210
320- (4) The department shall provide for travel expenses to 211
321-members appointed to the soil and water conservation district 212
322-board. 213
323- Section 5. Section 582.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to 214
324-read: 215
325- 582.06 Soil and Water Conservation Council; establishment, 216
326-composition, membership, organization, and responsibilities 217
327-powers and duties.— 218
328- (1) ESTABLISHMENT.-It is declared to be in the best 219
329-interest of the state that publ ic agencies responsible for and 220
330-involved in the development and implementation of best 221
331-management practices, agricultural water quality, and water 222
332-supply policy and planning work together to reduce duplication 223
333-of effort, foster maximum efficient use of exi sting resources, 224
334-and advise and assist the agencies involved. 225
310+district organized under the provisions of this chapter. 201
311+ (8) "Qualified elector" means a person qualified to vote 202
312+in general elections under the constitution and laws of this 203
313+state. 204
314+ (10)(9) "Supervisor" means a member of the governing body 205
315+of a district who is appointed elected in accordance with the 206
316+provisions of this chapter. 207
317+ Section 4. Subsections (4) through (9) of section 582.055, 208
318+Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (5) through 209
319+(10), respectively, and a new subsection (4) is added to that 210
320+section to read: 211
321+ 582.055 Powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture 212
322+and Consumer Services; rules. — 213
323+ (4) The department shall provide for travel expenses to 214
324+members appointed to the soil and water conservation district 215
325+board. 216
326+ Section 5. Section 582.06, Florida Statutes, is amended to 217
327+read: 218
328+ 582.06 Soil and Water Conservation Council; establishment, 219
329+composition, membership, organization, and responsibilities 220
330+powers and duties.— 221
331+ (1) ESTABLISHMENT.-It is declared to be in the best 222
332+interest of the state that public agencies responsible for and 223
333+involved in the development and implementation of best 224
334+management practices, agricultural water quality, and water 225
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343343 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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345345
346346
347- (2)(1) COMPOSITION.— 226
348- (a) The Soil and Water Conservation Council is created 227
349-adjunct to in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 228
350-Services to perform the functions conferred upon in this section 229
351-and shall be composed of 7 members who have been involved in the 230
352-practice of soil or water conservation, or in the development or 231
353-implementation of interim measures or best management practices 232
354-related thereto, and who have been engaged in agricult ure or an 233
355-occupation related to the agricultural industry for at least 5 234
356-years at the time of their appointment. 235
357- (b) Beginning with appointments in the 2024 -2025 fiscal 236
358-year, the commissioner shall appoint one member at -large from 237
359-each of the 7 soil and water conservation district regions to 238
360-serve on the council. The initial appointments shall sunset on 239
361-the second Wednesday of January All members shall be appointed 240
362-by the commissioner. 241
363- (c) Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or until 242
364-their successors are duly qualified and appointed. If a vacancy 243
365-occurs, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the 244
366-manner of an initial appointment. 245
367- (3) MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. — 246
368- (a) The following representatives or their auth orized 247
369-designees shall serve ex officio in an advisory capacity to the 248
370-Soil and Water Conservation Council: 249
371- 1. The Secretary of Environmental Protection. 250
347+supply policy and planning work together to reduce duplication 226
348+of effort, foster maximum efficient use of existing resources, 227
349+and advise and assist the agencies involved. 228
350+ (2)(1) COMPOSITION.— 229
351+ (a) The Soil and Water Conservation Council is created 230
352+adjunct to in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 231
353+Services to perform the functions conferred upon in this section 232
354+and shall be composed of 7 members who have been involved in the 233
355+practice of soil or water conservation, or in the development or 234
356+implementation of interim me asures or best management practices 235
357+related thereto, and who have been engaged in agriculture or an 236
358+occupation related to the agricultural industry for at least 5 237
359+years at the time of their appointment. 238
360+ (b) Beginning with appointments in the 2024 -2025 fiscal 239
361+year, the commissioner shall appoint one member at -large from 240
362+each of the 7 soil and water conservation district regions to 241
363+serve on the council. The initial appointments shall sunset on 242
364+the second Wednesday of January All members shall be appointed 243
365+by the commissioner. 244
366+ (c) Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or until 245
367+their successors are duly qualified and appointed. If a vacancy 246
368+occurs, it shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the 247
369+manner of an initial appointment. 248
370+ (3) MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. — 249
371+ (a) The following representatives or their authorized 250
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380380 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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384- 2. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife 251
385-Conservation Commission. 252
386- 3. The associate dea n of research of the Florida Medical 253
387-Entomological Research Laboratory at the University of Florida 254
388-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 255
389- 4. The state conservationist for the United States 256
390-Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 257
391-Service. 258
392- 5. The president of the Florida Farm Bureau. 259
393- 6. Two supervisors nominated by the Association of Florida 260
394-Conservation Districts, two representatives of Florida 261
395-environmental groups, and two private citizens who are 262
396-landowners or producers enrolled in best management practices. 263
397- 7. Such other representatives of state or federal agencies 264
398-as the council deems desirable. 265
399- (b) The council shall be chaired by the commissioner or 266
400-the commissioner's authorized designee. A majority of the 267
401-membership of the council shall constitute a quorum for the 268
402-conduct of business. The chair shall be responsible for 269
403-recording and distributing to the members a summary of the 270
404-proceedings of all council meetings. The council shall meet at 271
405-least three times each yea r, or as needed. The council may 272
406-designate subcommittees from time to time to assist in carrying 273
407-out its responsibilities, provided that the Subcommittee on 274
408-Managed Marshes shall be the first subcommittee appointed by the 275
384+designees shall serve ex officio in an advisory capacity to the 251
385+Soil and Water Conservation Council: 252
386+ 1. The Secretary of Environmental Protection. 253
387+ 2. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife 254
388+Conservation Commission. 255
389+ 3. The associate dean of research of the Florida Medical 256
390+Entomological Research Laboratory at the University of Florida 257
391+Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 258
392+ 4. The state conservationist for the United States 259
393+Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 260
394+Service. 261
395+ 5. The president of the Florida Farm Bureau. 262
396+ 6. Two supervisors nominated by the Association of Florida 263
397+Conservation Districts, two representatives of Florida 264
398+environmental groups, and two private citizens who are 265
399+landowners or producers enrolled in best management practices. 266
400+ 7. Such other representatives of state or federal agencies 267
401+as the council deems desirable. 268
402+ (b) The council shall be chaire d by the commissioner or 269
403+the commissioner's authorized designee. A majority of the 270
404+membership of the council shall constitute a quorum for the 271
405+conduct of business. The chair shall be responsible for 272
406+recording and distributing to the members a summary of th e 273
407+proceedings of all council meetings. The council shall meet at 274
408+least three times each year, or as needed. The council may 275
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417417 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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421-council. The subcommittee shall co ntinue to provide technical 276
422-assistance and guidance on basin management action plans and 277
423-research proposals, taking into account the total maximum daily 278
424-load reduction implications and natural resource interests. 279
425- (c) The council shall: 280
426- 1. Develop and implement guidelines and strategies to 281
427-assist the department to develop agricultural best management 282
428-practices to improve water quality and water use efficiency 283
429-while promoting the sustainability of agriculture. 284
430- 2. Develop and update commodity specific be st management 285
431-practices manuals that are adopted by rule. 286
432- 3. Develop and recommend to the department a request for 287
433-proposal process for research. 288
434- 4. Collaborates with partners in the development, 289
435-implementation, and evaluation of statewide water policy as it 290
436-relates to water supply and water quality. 291
437- 5. Identify potential funding sources for research or 292
438-implementation projects and evaluate and prioritize proposals 293
439-upon request by the funding source. 294
440- 6. Prepare and present reports, as needed, on acti vities 295
441-in the state to other governmental organizations, as 296
442-appropriate. 297
443- 7. Accept and review requests for creating or dissolving 298
444-soil and water conservation districts and shall, by a majority 299
445-vote, recommend, by resolution, to the commissioner that a 300
421+designate subcommittees from time to time to assist in carrying 276
422+out its responsibilities, provided that the Subcommittee on 277
423+Managed Marshes shall be the first subcommittee appointed by the 278
424+council. The subcommittee shall continue to provide technical 279
425+assistance and guidance on basin management action plans and 280
426+research proposals, taking into account the total maximum daily 281
427+load reduction implications and natural resource interests. 282
428+ (c) The council shall: 283
429+ 1. Develop and implement guidelines and strategies to 284
430+assist the department to develop agricultural best management 285
431+practices to improve water quality and water use efficiency 286
432+while promoting the sustainability of agriculture. 287
433+ 2. Develop and update commodity specific best management 288
434+practices manuals that are adopted by rule. 289
435+ 3. Develop and recommend to the department a request for 290
436+proposal process for research. 291
437+ 4. Collaborates with partners in the development, 292
438+implementation, and evaluation of statewide water policy as it 293
439+relates to water supply and water quality. 294
440+ 5. Identify potential funding sources for research or 295
441+implementation projects and evaluate and prioritize proposa ls 296
442+upon request by the funding source. 297
443+ 6. Prepare and present reports, as needed, on activities 298
444+in the state to other governmental organizations, as 299
445+appropriate. 300
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454454 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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456456
457457
458-district be created or dissolved pursuant to the request, or 301
459-that the request be denied. 302
460- 8. When requested by the Governor, Department of Commerce 303
461-or a district, the council shall provide a recommendation to the 304
462-Commissioner whether to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty 305
463-or malfeasance in office only after notice, hearing, and 306
464-thorough review. 307
465- (2) POWERS AND DUTIES; MEETINGS; PROCEDURES; RECORDS. — 308
466- (a) The meetings, powers and duties, procedures, and 309
467-recordkeeping of the Soil and Water Conservation C ouncil shall 310
468-be conducted pursuant to s. 570.232. 311
469- (b) The council shall accept and review requests for 312
470-creating or dissolving soil and water conservation districts and 313
471-shall, by a majority vote, recommend, by resolution, to the 314
472-commissioner that a distri ct be created or dissolved pursuant to 315
473-the request, or that the request be denied. 316
474- (c) When requested by the Governor or a district, the 317
475-council shall provide a recommendation to the Governor whether 318
476-to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasa nce in 319
477-office only after notice, hearing, and thorough review. 320
478- Section 6. Section 582.10, Florida Statutes, is amended to 321
479-read: 322
480- 582.10 Creation of soil and water conservation districts. — 323
481- (1) At 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2024, the state shall be 324
482-divided into the following 7 regional soil and water 325
458+ 7. Accept and review requests for creating or dissolving 301
459+soil and water conservation distr icts and shall, by a majority 302
460+vote, recommend, by resolution, to the commissioner that a 303
461+district be created or dissolved pursuant to the request, or 304
462+that the request be denied. 305
463+ 8. When requested by the Governor, Department of Commerce 306
464+or a district, the council shall provide a recommendation to the 307
465+Commissioner whether to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty 308
466+or malfeasance in office only after notice, hearing, and 309
467+thorough review. 310
468+ (2) POWERS AND DUTIES; MEETINGS; PROCEDURES; RECORDS. — 311
469+ (a) The meetings, powers and duties, procedures, and 312
470+recordkeeping of the Soil and Water Conservation Council shall 313
471+be conducted pursuant to s. 570.232. 314
472+ (b) The council shall accept and review requests for 315
473+creating or dissolving soil and water conservation districts and 316
474+shall, by a majority vote, recommend, by resolution, to the 317
475+commissioner that a district be created or dissolved pursuant to 318
476+the request, or that the request be denied. 319
477+ (c) When requested by the Governor or a district, the 320
478+council shall provide a re commendation to the Governor whether 321
479+to remove a supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in 322
480+office only after notice, hearing, and thorough review. 323
481+ Section 6. Section 582.10, Florida Statutes, is amended to 324
482+read: 325
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491491 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
492492
493493
494494
495-conservation districts Any 10 percent of owners of land lying 326
496-within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into 327
497-a district may file a petition with the Department of 328
498-Agriculture and Consumer Services, asking that a soil and water 329
499-conservation district be organized to function in the territory 330
500-described in the petition. Such petition shall set forth : 331
501- (a) West Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 332
502-District The proposed name of said distric t. 333
503- (b) East Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 334
504-District That there is need, in the interest of the public 335
505-health, safety, and welfare, for a soil and water conservation 336
506-district to function in the territory described in the petition . 337
507- (c) North Central Soil and Water Conservation District A 338
508-description of the territory proposed to be organized as a 339
509-district, which description shall not be required to be given by 340
510-metes and bounds or by legal subdivisions, but shall be deemed 341
511-sufficient if generally accurate. 342
512- (d) Northeast Soil and Water Conservation District A 343
513-request that the department duly define the boundaries for such 344
514-district; that a referendum be held within the territory so 345
515-defined on the question of the creation of a soil and water 346
516-conservation district in such territory; and that the department 347
517-determine that such a district be created . 348
518- (e) West Central Soil and Water Conservation District. 349
519- (f) East Central Soil and Water Conservation District. 350
495+ 582.10 Creation of soil and wat er conservation districts. — 326
496+ (1) At 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2024, the state shall be 327
497+divided into the following 7 regional soil and water 328
498+conservation districts Any 10 percent of owners of land lying 329
499+within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into 330
500+a district may file a petition with the Department of 331
501+Agriculture and Consumer Services, asking that a soil and water 332
502+conservation district be organized to function in the territory 333
503+described in the petition. Such petition shall set forth : 334
504+ (a) West Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 335
505+District The proposed name of said district . 336
506+ (b) East Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 337
507+District That there is need, in the interest of the public 338
508+health, safety, and welfare, for a soil and wat er conservation 339
509+district to function in the territory described in the petition . 340
510+ (c) North Central Soil and Water Conservation District A 341
511+description of the territory proposed to be organized as a 342
512+district, which description shall not be required to be g iven by 343
513+metes and bounds or by legal subdivisions, but shall be deemed 344
514+sufficient if generally accurate . 345
515+ (d) Northeast Soil and Water Conservation District A 346
516+request that the department duly define the boundaries for such 347
517+district; that a referendum be h eld within the territory so 348
518+defined on the question of the creation of a soil and water 349
519+conservation district in such territory; and that the department 350
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528528 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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532- (g) South Florida Soil and Water Conse rvation District. 351
533- (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other special or 352
534-general act to the contrary, the boundaries of the respective 353
535-districts named in subsection (1) shall include the areas within 354
536-the following boundaries: 355
537- (a) The counties of Ba y, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, 356
538-Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington shall 357
539-constitute the West Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 358
540-District. 359
541- (b) The counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, 360
542-Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla shall 361
543-constitute the East Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 362
532+determine that such a district be created . 351
533+ (e) West Central Soil and Water Conservation District. 352
534+ (f) East Central Soil and Water Conservation District. 353
535+ (g) Southwest Florida Soil and Water Conservation 354
536+District. 355
537+ (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other special or 356
538+general act to the contrary, the boundaries of the respective 357
539+districts named in subsection (1) shall include the areas within 358
540+the following boundaries: 359
541+ (a) The counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, 360
542+Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington shall 361
543+constitute the West Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 362
544544 District. 363
545- (c) The counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, 364
546-Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Union shall 365
547-constitute the North Central Soil and Water C onservation 366
545+ (b) The counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, 364
546+Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla shall 365
547+constitute the East Emerald Coast Soil and Water Conservation 366
548548 District. 367
549- (d) The counties of Citrus, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Levy, 368
550-Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia shall constitute 369
551-the Northeast Soil and Water Conservation District. 370
552- (e) The counties of Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, 371
553-Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota shall 372
554-constitute the West Central Soil and Water Conservation 373
555-District. 374
556- (f) The counties of Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, 375
549+ (c) The counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, 368
550+Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Union shall 369
551+constitute the North Central Soil and Water Conservation 370
552+District. 371
553+ (d) The counties of Citrus, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Levy, 372
554+Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia shall constitute 373
555+the Northeast Soil and Water Conservation District. 374
556+ (e) The counties of Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, 375
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565565 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
566566
567567
568568
569-Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Sumter 376
570-shall constitute the East Central Soil and Water Conservation 377
569+Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota shall 376
570+constitute the West Central Soil and Water Conservation 377
571571 District. 378
572- (g) The counties of Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, 379
573-Glades, Hendry, Lee, Monroe, and Palm Beach and shall constitute 380
574-the South Florida Soil and Water Conservation District Where 381
575-more than one petition is filed covering parts of the same 382
576-territory the department may consolidate all or any petitions . 383
577- Section 7. Section 582.16, Florida Statutes, is amended to 384
578-read: 385
579- 582.16 Change of district boundaries. —Upon the change of 386
580-boundaries of the respective districts under s. 582.10(2)(a) -387
581-(g), all contractual obligations with respect to an area being 388
582-transferred to another district shall be assumed by the district 389
583-receiving such area; all real property interests owned by a 390
584-district within an a rea to be transferred shall be conveyed to 391
585-the district receiving such area; and all equipment, vehicles, 392
586-other personal property, and records owned, located, and used by 393
587-a district solely within an area being transferred shall be 394
588-delivered to the district receiving such area. However, if an 395
589-area is transferred from a district with a contractual 396
590-obligation to the United States for the operation and 397
591-maintenance of works within such area, then the deliveries and 398
592-conveyances required in this section shall be d eferred until the 399
593-United States has approved the assumption of the contractual 400
572+ (d) The counties of Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, 379
573+Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Sumter 380
574+shall constitute the East Central Soil and Water Conservation 381
575+District. 382
576+ (e) The counties of Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, 383
577+Glades, Hendry, Lee, Monroe, and Palm Beach and shall constitute 384
578+the Southwest Florida Soil and Water Conservation District Where 385
579+more than one petition is filed covering parts of the same 386
580+territory the department may consolidate all or any petitions . 387
581+ Section 7. Section 582.16, Florida St atutes, is amended to 388
582+read: 389
583+ 582.16 Change of district boundaries. —Upon the change of 390
584+boundaries of the respective districts under s. 582.10(2)(a) -391
585+(e), all contractual obligations with respect to an area being 392
586+transferred to another district shall be assu med by the district 393
587+receiving such area; all real property interests owned by a 394
588+district within an area to be transferred shall be conveyed to 395
589+the district receiving such area; and all equipment, vehicles, 396
590+other personal property, and records owned, locate d, and used by 397
591+a district solely within an area being transferred shall be 398
592+delivered to the district receiving such area. However, if an 399
593+area is transferred from a district with a contractual 400
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602602 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
603603
604604
605605
606-obligations by the receiving district Requests for increasing or 401
607-reducing the boundaries of an existing district may be filed 402
608-with the department, and the department shall follo w the 403
609-proceedings provided in this chapter to create a district . 404
610- Section 8. Section 582.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to 405
611-read: 406
612- 582.18 Appointment Election of supervisors of each 407
613-district.— 408
614- (1) The governing board of each soil and water 409
615-conservation district shall be composed of at least one member 410
616-from a minimum of 7 counties within a district who resides 411
617-within the district. Members of the governing boards shall be 412
618-appointed by the commissioner, subject to confirmation by the 413
619-council at the next regular quarterly meeting following the 414
620-appointment. Refusal or failure of the council to confirm an 415
621-appointment creates a vacancy in the district to which the 416
622-appointment was made. The term of office for a governing board 417
623-member is 4 years and begins on March 2 of the year in which the 418
624-appointment is made and terminates on March 1 of the fourth 419
625-calendar year of the term or may continue until a successor is 420
626-appointed, but not longer than 180 days. Terms of office of 421
627-governing board members shall be stagger ed to help maintain 422
628-consistency and continuity in the exercise of governing board 423
629-duties and to minimize disruption in district operations The 424
630-election of supervisors for each soil and water conservation 425
606+obligation to the United States for the operation and 401
607+maintenance of works within such area, then the deliveries and 402
608+conveyances required in this section shall be deferred until the 403
609+United States has approved the assumption of the contractual 404
610+obligations by the receiving district Requests for increasing or 405
611+reducing the boundaries of an existing district may be filed 406
612+with the department, and the department shall follow the 407
613+proceedings provided in this chapter to create a district . 408
614+ Section 8. Section 582.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to 409
615+read: 410
616+ 582.18 Appointment Election of supervisors of each 411
617+district.— 412
618+ (1) The governing board of each soil and water 413
619+conservation district shall be composed of at least one member 414
620+from a minimum of 7 counties within a district who resides 415
621+within the district. Members of the governi ng boards shall be 416
622+appointed by the commissioner, subject to confirmation by the 417
623+council at the next regular quarterly meeting following the 418
624+appointment. Refusal or failure of the council to confirm an 419
625+appointment creates a vacancy in the district to which the 420
626+appointment was made. The term of office for a governing board 421
627+member is 4 years and begins on March 2 of the year in which the 422
628+appointment is made and terminates on March 1 of the fourth 423
629+calendar year of the term or may continue until a successor is 424
630+appointed, but not longer than 180 days. Terms of office of 425
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639639 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640640
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643-district shall be held every 2 years, with one super visor 426
644-elected from each of the five numbered subdivisions created by 427
645-the department pursuant to s. 582.15(4). The elections shall be 428
646-held at the time of the general election provided for by s. 429
647-100.041. The office of the supervisor of a soil and water 430
648-conservation district is a nonpartisan office, and candidates 431
649-for such office are prohibited from campaigning or qualifying 432
650-for election based on party affiliation . 433
651- (a) Each candidate for supervisor for such district must 434
652-qualify as directed by chapter 99. 435
653- (b) Each nominee who collects or expends campaign 436
654-contributions shall conduct her or his campaign for supervisor 437
655-of a soil and water conservation district in accordance with the 438
656-provisions of chapter 106. Candidates who neither receive 439
657-contributions nor ma ke expenditures, other than expenditures for 440
658-verification of signatures on petitions, are exempt from the 441
659-provisions of chapter 106 requiring establishment of bank 442
660-accounts and appointment of a campaign treasurer, but shall file 443
661-periodic reports as require d by s. 106.07. 444
662- (c) The names of all nominees on behalf of whom such 445
663-nominating petitions have been filed shall appear upon ballots 446
664-in accordance with the general election laws. All qualified 447
665-electors residing within the district shall be eligible to vot e 448
666-in such election. The candidates who receive the largest number 449
667-of the votes cast from each group of candidates in such election 450
643+governing board members shall be staggered to help maintain 426
644+consistency and continuity in the exercise of governing board 427
645+duties and to minimize disruption in district operations The 428
646+election of supervisors for each soil and water conservation 429
647+district shall be held every 2 years, with one supervisor 430
648+elected from each of the five numbered subdivisions created by 431
649+the department pursuant to s. 582.15(4). The elections shall be 432
650+held at the time of the general election provided for by s. 433
651+100.041. The office of the supervisor of a soil and water 434
652+conservation district is a nonpartisan office, and candidates 435
653+for such office are prohibited from campaigning or qualifying 436
654+for election based on party affiliati on. 437
655+ (a) Each candidate for supervisor for such district must 438
656+qualify as directed by chapter 99. 439
657+ (b) Each nominee who collects or expends campaign 440
658+contributions shall conduct her or his campaign for supervisor 441
659+of a soil and water conservation district i n accordance with the 442
660+provisions of chapter 106. Candidates who neither receive 443
661+contributions nor make expenditures, other than expenditures for 444
662+verification of signatures on petitions, are exempt from the 445
663+provisions of chapter 106 requiring establishment of bank 446
664+accounts and appointment of a campaign treasurer, but shall file 447
665+periodic reports as required by s. 106.07. 448
666+ (c) The names of all nominees on behalf of whom such 449
667+nominating petitions have been filed shall appear upon ballots 450
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676676 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677677
678678
679679
680-shall be the elected supervisors from such group for such 451
681-district. In the case of a newly created district participating 452
682-in a regular election for the first time, candidates shall be 453
683-elected from district subdivisions 1, 3, and 5 for terms of 4 454
684-years, and candidates shall be elected from district 455
685-subdivisions 2 and 4 for initial terms of 2 years. Each 456
686-candidate elected shall as sume office on the first Tuesday after 457
687-the first Monday in January following the election. 458
688- (2) Beginning on July 1, 2024, the commissioner shall 459
689-appoint a supervisor from a minimum of 7 counties within the 460
690-soil and water conservation district regions to serve on the 461
691-governing board for each year the commissioner is in office. 462
692-Such initial appointments shall sunset on the second Wednesday 463
693-of January. Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or 464
694-until their successors are duly qualified and appointed. A 465
695-vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the 466
696-manner of an initial appointment After the issuance of a 467
697-certificate of organization of a soil and water conservation 468
698-district by the Department of State, or in the event of a 469
699-vacancy resulting from death, resignation, removal, or 470
700-otherwise, each vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the 471
701-remaining supervisors of the district until the next regular 472
702-election. 473
703- Section 9. Section 582.181, Florida Statutes, is created 474
704-to read: 475
680+in accordance with the general election laws. All qualified 451
681+electors residing within the district shall be eligible to vote 452
682+in such election. The candidates who receive the largest number 453
683+of the votes cast from each group of candidates in such election 454
684+shall be the elected supe rvisors from such group for such 455
685+district. In the case of a newly created district participating 456
686+in a regular election for the first time, candidates shall be 457
687+elected from district subdivisions 1, 3, and 5 for terms of 4 458
688+years, and candidates shall be elec ted from district 459
689+subdivisions 2 and 4 for initial terms of 2 years. Each 460
690+candidate elected shall assume office on the first Tuesday after 461
691+the first Monday in January following the election. 462
692+ (2) Beginning on July 1, 2024, the commissioner shall 463
693+appoint a supervisor from a minimum of 7 counties within the 464
694+soil and water conservation district regions to serve on the 465
695+governing board for each year the commissioner is in office. 466
696+Such initial appointments shall sunset on the second Wednesday 467
697+of January. Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or 468
698+until their successors are duly qualified and appointed. A 469
699+vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the 470
700+manner of an initial appointment After the issuance of a 471
701+certificate of organization of a soil and water conservation 472
702+district by the Department of State, or in the event of a 473
703+vacancy resulting from death, resignation, removal, or 474
704+otherwise, each vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the 475
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713713 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714714
715715
716716
717- 582.181 District governing boards.— 476
718- (1) The governing board of each soil and water 477
719-conservation district shall be composed of seven members who 478
720-reside within the district with not more than one supervisor 479
721-from each county within a district. 480
722- (2) Members of the governi ng boards shall be appointed by 481
723-the commissioner, subject to confirmation by the council at the 482
724-next regular quarterly meeting following the appointment. 483
725-Refusal or failure of the council to confirm an appointment 484
726-creates a vacancy in the district to which the appointment was 485
727-made. 486
728- (3) Beginning on July 1, 2024, the commissioner shall 487
729-appoint a supervisor from each county within the soil and water 488
730-conservation district regions to serve on the governing board 489
731-for each year the commissioner is in office. Su ch initial 490
732-appointments shall sunset on the second Wednesday of January. 491
733-Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or until their 492
734-successors are duly qualified and appointed. A vacancy shall be 493
735-filled for the remainder of the term in the manner of an in itial 494
736-appointment. 495
737- (4) The term of office for a governing board member is 4 496
738-years and begins on March 2 of the year in which the appointment 497
739-is made and terminates on March 1 of the fourth calendar year of 498
740-the term or may continue until a successor is ap pointed, but not 499
741-longer than 180 days. Terms of office of governing board members 500
717+remaining supervisors of the district until the next regul ar 476
718+election. 477
719+ Section 9. Section 582.181, Florida Statutes, is created 478
720+to read: 479
721+ 582.181 District governing boards. — 480
722+ (1) The governing board of each soil and water 481
723+conservation district shall be composed of seven members who 482
724+reside within the distric t with not more than one supervisor 483
725+from each county within a district. 484
726+ (2) Members of the governing boards shall be appointed by 485
727+the commissioner, subject to confirmation by the council at the 486
728+next regular quarterly meeting following the appointment. 487
729+Refusal or failure of the council to confirm an appointment 488
730+creates a vacancy in the district to which the appointment was 489
731+made. 490
732+ (3) Beginning on July 1, 2024, the commissioner shall 491
733+appoint a supervisor from each county within the soil and water 492
734+conservation district regions to serve on the governing board 493
735+for each year the commissioner is in office. Such initial 494
736+appointments shall sunset on the second Wednesday of January. 495
737+Thereafter, members shall serve 4 -year terms or until their 496
738+successors are duly qua lified and appointed. A vacancy shall be 497
739+filled for the remainder of the term in the manner of an initial 498
740+appointment. 499
741+ (3) The term of office for a governing board member is 4 500
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750750 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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754-shall be staggered to help maintain consistency and continuity 501
755-in the exercise of governing board duties and to minimize 502
756-disruption in district operations. 503
757- Section 10. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 582.19, 504
758-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 505
759- 582.19 Qualifications and tenure of supervisors. — 506
760- (1) The governing body of the district shall consist of 507
761-seven five supervisors, appointed elected as provided in s. 508
762-582.18. 509
763- (a) To qualify to serve on the governing body of a 510
764-district, a supervisor must be an eligible voter who resides in 511
765-the district and who: 512
766- 1. Is actively engaged in, or retired after 10 years of 513
767-being engaged in, agricultural operations agriculture as defined 514
768-in s. 570.02; 515
769- 2. Is employed for a minimum of 5 years by an agricultural 516
770-producer who; or 517
771- 3. owns, leases, or is actively employed on land 518
772-classified as agricultural under s. 193.461. 519
773- (b) At the time of qualifying, a nominee candidate for 520
774-supervisor shall submit an affirmation in substantially the 521
775-following form: 522
776- State of Florida 523
777- County of .... 524
778-Statement of Nominee Candidate for Supervisor of 525
754+years and begins on March 2 of the year in which the appointment 501
755+is made and terminates on March 1 of the fourth calendar year of 502
756+the term or may continue until a successor is appointed, but not 503
757+longer than 180 days. Terms of office of governing board members 504
758+shall be staggered to help maintain consistency and continuity 505
759+in the exercise of governing board duties and to minimize 506
760+disruption in district operations. 507
761+ Section 10. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 582.19, 508
762+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 509
763+ 582.19 Qualifications and tenure of supervisors. — 510
764+ (1) The governing body of the district shall consist of 511
765+seven five supervisors, appointed elected as provided in s. 512
766+582.18. 513
767+ (a) To qualify to serve on the governing body of a 514
768+district, a supervisor must be an eligible voter who resides in 515
769+the district and who: 516
770+ 1. Is actively engaged in, or retired after 10 years of 517
771+being engaged in, agricultural operations agriculture as defined 518
772+in s. 570.02; 519
773+ 2. Is employed for a minimum of 5 years by an agricultural 520
774+producer who; or 521
775+ 3. owns, leases, or is actively employed on land 522
776+classified as agricultural under s. 193.461. 523
777+ (b) At the time of qualifying, a nominee candidate for 524
778+supervisor shall submit an affirmation in substantially the 525
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787787 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788788
789789
790790
791-Soil and Water Conservation District 526
792- I, ...(name of nominee candidate)..., a nominee candidate 527
793-for Supervisor of Soil and Water Conservation District, meet the 528
794-qualifications pursuant to s. 582.19(1), Florida Statutes, to 529
795-serve on the governing body of the Soil and Water Conservation 530
796-District. 531
797-...(Signature of candidate)... 532
798-...(Address)... 533
799- Sworn to and subscribed before me this .... day of 534
800-........, ...(year)..., at .... County, Florida. 535
801- (2) The supervisors shall designate a chair and may, from 536
802-time to time, change such designation by majority vote. The term 537
803-of office of each supervisor shall be 4 years , except that two 538
804-supervisors shall be elected to serve for initial terms of 2 539
805-years, respectively, from the date of their election as provided 540
806-in this chapter. A supervisor shall hold office until her or his 541
807-successor has been appointed elected and qualified. The 542
808-selection of successors to fill an unexpired term shall be in 543
809-accordance with s. 582.18(1) s. 582.18(2). Selection for a full 544
810-term in a newly created district shall be by election of the 545
811-qualified electors of the di strict. A majority of the 546
812-supervisors shall constitute a quorum and the concurrence of a 547
813-majority of the supervisors in any matter within their duties 548
814-shall be required for its determination. A supervisor shall 549
815-receive no compensation for her or his servic es, but she or he 550
791+following form: 526
792+ State of Florida 527
793+ County of .... 528
794+Statement of Nominee Candidate for Supervisor of 529
795+Soil and Water Conservation District 530
796+ I, ...(name of nominee candidate)..., a nominee candidate 531
797+for Supervisor of Soil and Water Conservation District, meet the 532
798+qualifications pursuant to s. 582.19(1), Florida Statutes, to 533
799+serve on the governing body of the Soil and Water Conservation 534
800+District. 535
801+...(Signature of candidate)... 536
802+...(Address)... 537
803+ Sworn to and subscribed before me this .... day of 538
804+........, ...(year)..., at .... County, Florida. 539
805+ (2) The supervisors shall designate a chair and may, from 540
806+time to time, change such designation by majority vote. The term 541
807+of office of each supervisor shall be 4 years , except that two 542
808+supervisors shall be elected to serve for initial terms of 2 543
809+years, respectively, from the date of their election as provided 544
810+in this chapter. A supervisor shall hold office until her or his 545
811+successor has been appointed elected and qualified. The 546
812+selection of successors to fill an unexpired term shall be in 547
813+accordance with s. 582.18(1) s. 582.18(2). Selection for a full 548
814+term in a newly created district shall be by election of the 549
815+qualified electors of the district. A majority of the 550
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824824 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825825
826826
827827
828-shall, with approval of the supervisors of the district, be 551
829-reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. 552
830- Section 11. Section 582.195, Florida Statutes, is amended 553
831-to read: 554
832- 582.195 Mandatory meeting of supervisors. —All seven five 555
833-supervisors of the governing body of each district shall meet at 556
834-least once per calendar year in a public meeting pursuant to s. 557
835-286.011. 558
836- Section 12. Section 582.196, Florida Statutes, is created 559
837-to read: 560
838- 582.196 Supervisor compensation. —Supervisors of a soil and 561
839-water conservation district board may receive compensation for 562
840-per diem and travel expenses authorized pursuant to s. 112.061, 563
841-not to exceed $1,000 for each supervisor during any one year, 564
842-for travel expenses incurred in the perform ance of their duties 565
843-under this chapter as provided in s. 112.061 566
844- Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and subsection 567
845-(11) of section 582.20, Florida Statutes, are amended, and 568
846-subsection (12) is added to that section, to read: 569
847- 582.20 Powers of districts and supervisors. —A soil and 570
848-water conservation district organized under the provisions of 571
849-this chapter shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this 572
850-state, and a public body corporate and politic, exercising 573
851-public powers, and such distri ct and the supervisors thereof 574
852-shall have the following powers, in addition to others granted 575
828+supervisors shall constitute a quorum and the concurrence of a 551
829+majority of the supervisors in any matter within their duties 552
830+shall be required for its determination. A supervisor shall 553
831+receive no compensation for her or his services, but she or he 554
832+shall, with approval of the supervisors of the district, be 555
833+reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. 556
834+ Section 11. Section 582.195 , Florida Statutes, is amended 557
835+to read: 558
836+ 582.195 Mandatory meeting of supervisors. —All seven five 559
837+supervisors of the governing body of each district shall meet at 560
838+least quarterly once per calendar year in a public meeting 561
839+pursuant to s. 286.011. 562
840+ Section 12. Section 582.196, Florida Statutes, is created 563
841+to read: 564
842+ 582.196 Supervisor compensation. —Supervisors of a soil and 565
843+water conservation district board may receive compensation for 566
844+per diem and travel expenses authorized pursuant to s. 112.061, 567
845+not to exceed $1,000 for each supervisor during any one year, 568
846+for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties 569
847+under this chapter as provided in s. 112.061. 570
848+ Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and subsection 571
849+(11) of section 582.20, Flo rida Statutes, are amended to read: 572
850+ 582.20 Powers of districts and supervisors. —A soil and 573
851+water conservation district organized under the provisions of 574
852+this chapter shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this 575
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861861 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862862
863863
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865-in other sections of this chapter: 576
866- (2) To conduct agricultural best management practices 577
867-demonstration projects and projects for the conservation, 578
868-protection, and restoration of soil and water resources: 579
869- (b) Within another district's boundaries, subject to the 580
870-approval of the commissioner, the council, and the approval of 581
871-other districts district's approval; 582
872- (11) To request that the commissioner Governor remove a 583
873-supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office by 584
874-adoption of a resolution at a public meeting. If the district 585
875-believes there is a need for a review of the request, the 586
876-district may request that the council, by resolution, review its 587
877-request to the commissioner Governor and provide the 588
878-commissioner Governor with a recommendation. 589
879- (12) Districts shall provide services to the respective 590
880-regions in proportion to the contributions made upon dissolution 591
881-and transfer to the regional district thro ugh June 30, 2026. 592
865+state, and a public body corporate a nd politic, exercising 576
866+public powers, and such district and the supervisors thereof 577
867+shall have the following powers, in addition to others granted 578
868+in other sections of this chapter: 579
869+ (2) To conduct agricultural best management practices 580
870+demonstration projects and projects for the conservation, 581
871+protection, and restoration of soil and water resources: 582
872+ (b) Within another district's boundaries, subject to the 583
873+approval of the commissioner, the council, and the approval of 584
874+other districts district's approval; 585
875+ (11) To request that the commissioner Governor remove a 586
876+supervisor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office by 587
877+adoption of a resolution at a public meeting. If the district 588
878+believes there is a need for a review of the request, the 589
879+district may request that the council, by resolution, review its 590
880+request to the commissioner Governor and provide the 591
881+commissioner Governor with a recommendation. 592
882882 593
883883 Any provision with respect to the acquisition, operation, or 594
884884 disposition of property by public bodies of this s tate does not 595
885885 apply to a district organized under this chapter unless 596
886886 specifically so stated by the Legislature. The property and 597
887887 property rights of every kind and nature acquired by any 598
888888 district organized under the provisions of this chapter are 599
889889 exempt from state, county, and other taxation. 600
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898898 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899899
900900
901901
902902 Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 582.295, Florida 601
903903 Statutes, is amended to read: 602
904904 582.295 Automatic dissolution of districts. — 603
905905 (1) If the governing body of a district fails to meet as 604
906906 required under s. 582.1 95, the district shall be automatically 605
907907 dissolved as of January 1 of the year immediately following the 606
908908 year in which the governing body failed to meet. All assets and 607
909909 liabilities of the district shall be transferred to the 608
910910 Department of Agriculture and Co nsumer Services. The department 609
911911 will reassign assets to another Soil and Water Conservation 610
912912 District for similar work. 611
913913 Section 15. Subsection (1) and paragraph (b) of subsection 612
914914 (5) of section 582.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 613
915915 582.30 Discontinuance of districts; referendum; 614
916916 commissioner's authority. — 615
917917 (1) Any time after 5 years from the organization of a 616
918918 district under the provisions of this chapter, any 10 percent of 617
919919 owners of land lying within the boundaries of such district may 618
920920 file a petition with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 619
921921 Services requesting praying that the operations of the district 620
922922 be terminated and the existence of the district discontinued. 621
923923 The department may conduct such public meetings and public 622
924924 hearings upon petition as may be necessary to assist it in the 623
925925 consideration thereof. Within 60 days after such a petition has 624
926926 been received by the department it shall give due notice of the 625
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935935 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936936
937937
938938
939939 holding of a referendum, and shall supervise such referendum, 626
940940 and issue appropriate regulations governing the conduct thereof, 627
941941 the question to be submitted by ballots upon which the words 628
942942 "For terminating the existence of the ...(Name of the soil and 629
943943 water conservation district to be here inserted)..." and 630
944944 "Against terminating the e xistence of the ...(Name of the soil 631
945945 and water conservation district to be here inserted)..." shall 632
946946 appear with a square before each proposition and a direction to 633
947947 insert an X mark in the square before one or the other of said 634
948948 propositions as the voter may favor or oppose discontinuance of 635
949949 such district. All owners of lands lying within the boundaries 636
950950 of the district shall be eligible to vote in such referendum. 637
951951 Only such landowners shall be eligible to vote. No informalities 638
952952 in the conduct of such referend um or in any matters relating 639
953953 thereto shall invalidate said referendum or the result thereof 640
954954 if notice thereof shall have been given substantially as herein 641
955955 provided and said referendum shall have been fairly conducted. 642
956956 (5) 643
957957 (b) If the commissioner issues a certificate determining 644
958958 that the continued operation of a district is not 645
959959 administratively practicable and feasible under the provisions 646
960960 of this chapter, the department shall file the original 647
961961 certificate with the Departme nt of State and shall provide a 648
962962 copy of the certificate to the supervisors of the district at 649
963963 the district's principal office designated under s. 650
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972972 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973973
974974
975975
976976 582.15(1)(c). 651
977977 Section 16. Section 582.11, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 652
978978 Section 17. Section 582.12, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 653
979979 Section 18. Section 582.13, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 654
980980 Section 19. Section 582.14, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 655
981981 Section 20. Section 582.15, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 656
982982 Section 21. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 657