Legislative Affairs

The legislative program includes developing legislation and support information, and finding sponsors for legislation. The Office also serves as the central point of contact for legislators and their staffs for information about the Department's programs. 

Legislative Affairs coordinates the Department's legislative lobbying efforts by preparing legislative proposals, as well as any planning, policy and budgetary analyses or recommendations on legislative bills. Bill analyses, proposals and recommendations are crucial to the legislative efforts of the Department.  They inform the members of the Florida House of Representatives , the Florida Senate , Governor's Office  and other interested parties about the Department's position on legislative issues, and help policy makers and the public in forming a basis for understanding the legislation itself.

DEP maintains an interest in a wide range of issues.  Areas of environmental concern are a top priority as changes in law may have an effect on the Department's program areas and their procedures.  We also track issues relating to legal procedure, information systems, administrative functions, human resources and the budget.

General Information: Online Sunshine  (Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature)

Florida’s twenty five member delegation, other congressional offices, the Governor’s Office, federal agencies and national associations all seek the Department’s advice on federal legislative proposals. These proposals include substantive amendments or reauthorizations of environmental laws, requests for appropriations and, implementation suggestions or constituent inquiries. Legislative Affairs serves as a point of contact for incoming requests, and coordinates distribution and receipt of comments within the agency.

Annually, a public works request is formulated to request funds for US Army Corps of Engineers construction funding for Florida projects. Other requests for funds are discussed with congressional staff and requesters. Federal agency budgets that affect the operation of the Department, the water management districts or local environmental projects are tracked and supported where beneficial. Land purchase appropriations for the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s wildlife refuges, the National Park Service and the Forest Service are supported. Opportunities to increase federal funding for ongoing or special activities in Florida are pursued.

For environmental issues of interest to the Department, letters of support are drafted in conjunction with agency staff and prepared for signature by the Secretary or the Governor. Briefings and background material are provided to congressional and federal agency staff. Occasionally, we will be asked to provide witnesses for hearings on specific issues. Most often, telephone inquires are made shortly before decisions are to be made in committee or on the floor.