HB 23 was laid on the table, but SB 162 – Water and Wastewater Facility Operators was the bill that crossed the finish line. CS/CS/CS/SB 162 requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue reciprocal licenses to water utility workers licensed in other jurisdictions and other license applicants who meet certain requirements. The bill directs the DEP to award education and operational experience credits to license applicants who have performed comparable duties in the United States Armed Forces but who do not meet some other requirements for a reciprocal license. The bill also provides that, during a declared state of emergency under s. 252.36, F.S., the DEP:
In addition, the Bill identified water and wastewater facility personnel are essential first responders. The bill defines the term water and wastewater facility personnel.
SB 170 – Local Ordinances also passed. CS/CS/SB 170 pertains to the passage and challenging of local ordinances. It adds to the process for local governments passing ordinances and gives certain additional rights to those challenging local ordinances. The bill requires counties and cities to produce a “business impact estimate” prior to passing an ordinance, with exceptions. The estimate must be published on the local government’s website and include certain information, such as the proposed ordinance’s purpose, estimated economic impact on businesses, and compliance costs. Additionally, the bill imposes certain conditions on lawsuits brought by any party to challenge the legal validity of local ordinances as preempted by state law, arbitrary, or unreasonable. In these cases, the bill:
