The Florida Legislature starts its 2026 session off with hundreds of bills. We want to highlight a few of them, and then categorize the rest.
Dozens of the bills address the environment or planet. The vast majority are ones that, if enacted, make things worse for the environment, and too often better for developers and large donors.
The legislature continues its push to decimate home rule, filing preemption bill over a range of topics, far beyond the environment. Consolidating environmental and development decisions in Tallahassee ignores the will of local voters and the impact of local issues.
We have highlighted a handful of good and bad bills. There is additional information below on other bills. We will be updating this page throughout the session.
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Good for Florida
Bad for Florida
HB 1035/SB302 – Nature-based Coastal Resiliency Seeks to address nature-based methods at the state-level to better support local governments, communities, and stakeholders considering and implementing nature-based projects.
HB 1319/SB1422 – Surface Waters
This bill would modify mitigation, permitting requirements, and penalties for damage to corals caused by dredging, filling, and related activities. It also designates coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, providing additional protection for the reef systems that are integral to our state’s environment and cultural identity.
HB 575/SB240 – Auxiliary Containers
Designed to reduce plastic pollution by regulating “auxiliary containers” (single-use bags, cups, bottles, etc.); create a statewide policy;prohibit certain single-use items in state parks; and establish a DEP Marine Debris Reduction Plan. Unlike previous preemption bills, this legislation is designed to allow local governments to maintain existing, or adopt new, regulations.
CS/HB 441/SB546 – Conservation Lands
Ensures greater protection and transparency for Florida’s cherished natural resources.
CS/HB 433/SB290 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Section 48 Criticism of agricultural products & processes; pesticides & use; land use & water management allows agricultural businesses and individuals to sue for compensation, punitive damages, and attorney fees. (Preempts First Amendment speech)
HB 1217/SB1628 – Prohibited Governmental Policies Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions Prohibits governmental entities from adopting certain net zero policies; from using government funds in any manner that supports, implements, or advances certain net zero policies; from imposing tax, fee, penalty, charge, offset, or assessment to advance certain net zero policies. (Preemption)
HB 299/SB 354 Blue Ribbon Projects
Allows large landowners to bypass the usual local government approval processes typically undertaken for large development projects. Gives local governments 60 days to approve 10,000 acres+ projects then is automatically approved for 50 years. (Preemption)
CS/HB 479/ SB 718- Land and Water Management Prohibits counties & municipalities from adopting laws, regulations, rules, policies, or ordinances that prohibit adjacent upland activities that are outside certain wetland buffers; repeals some provisions relating to land management review teams. Bars local governments from setting rules on water quality, pollution control, and wetlands. (Preemption
