The Tallahassee Report; Featuring Environmental Coverage of Florida`s 2004 Legislative Session Hello everyone, those of us in Tallahassee hope you had a wonderful New Year and that y`all are gearing up for the 2004 Legislative session! We have been busy attending the interim Committee meetings and wanted to let you know that there are a few issues that are moving and need grassroots activists` attention. Both issues are on the High Priority List for the Florida Chapter Sierram Club. ITEM I: Immunity from lead and arsenic contamination ITEM II: Constitutional Amendment Discussions ITEM III: Other Legislative Issues ITEM VI: 2004 Chapter Legislative Priorities LEGISLATIVE ISSUE I: Senate Bill 1156 House Bill 149: This bill is being promoted by the NRA. They want to prevent the DEP from enforcing cleanup standards on gun ranges that are causing lead and arsenic contamination of soil, groundwater, and/or surface waters. There are 400 of these ranges, and DEP is trying to make 23 of them clean up, using "Best Management Practices." There is one lawsuit involving the St. Petersburg Skyway Trap and Skeet Club (Shooting Range) which has spurred on this ridiculous bill. We have spoken against this bill indicating the need to clean up these sites: that they are an environmental and public health threat, that lead and arsenic contamination is dangerous to children and adults and as you can see by the committee votes, the bill still keeps moving along. The House Bill HB149 was passed by the Florida House Judiciary Committee and the next stop is the Full House Floor. During the Florida House Judiciary Committee meeting, all the Democrats voted NO and the Republicans voted YES (see vote summary below for HB149). When the 2004 Session officially begins, no doubt it will be on the House Floor ASAP. The Senate Bill, SB1156, has several committee assignments, but did pass out of the Judiciary with only one "No Vote": that vote was Senator Aronberg, but the others voted YES. (See the vote summary below for SB1156) ACTION NEEDED: SB1156 is going to be heard in the Senate Comprehensive Planning Committee this coming Monday at 2PM. Call the members first thing monday morning and tell them to vote against this dangerous bill. Tell them you disagree with the claims of Senator Peadon, the bill sponsor("Senator Peadon stated that there is no evidense that birdshot and lead cause brain damage") Lead contamination does cause brain damage, slowed growth, hearing problems, impaired vision & motor skills in children (EPA-902-B-01-001, January 2001). Adults can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy; birth defects; neurological disorders, etc. (EPA-902-B-01-001, January 2001) Please contact the members of the Senate Comprehensive Planning Committee: Geller (D), Chair: 954-893-5089; 850-487-5097;
geller.steven.web@flsenate.gov
Webster (R), Vice Chair: 407-656-0066; 850-487-5047;
drawdy.ann.s09@flsenate.gov
Argenziano (R): 352-860-5175; 850-487-5017;
argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
Bennett (R): 941-727-6349; 850-487-5078; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Bullard (D):305-668-7344; 850-487-5127; bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
Campbell (D):954-346-2813; 850-487-5094; Campbell.walter.web@flsenate.gov
Constantine (R):407-331-9675; 850-487-5050; Constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov
Posey (R):321-690-3484; 850-487-5053; posey.bill.web@flsenate.gov VOTE SUMMARY HB149: Sponsor: Baxley
"NRA Immunity for Contamination" Act or as they call it, "Sport Shooting/Training Range Liability" specifying absence of liability for certain persons or entities from certain claims, fines, penalties, remedies, and damages relating to LEAD BULLETS at shooting and training ranges. Bill Number: HB 149 Vote Date: 12/09/03
Committee: HOUSE JUDICIARY Committee Member Vote Kottkamp (R), Chair Y
Planas (R), Vice-Chair Y
Ambler (R)
Ausley (D) N
Barreiro (R) Y
Benson (R) Y
Brutus (D)
Davis, M (R) Y
Davis, D (R) Y
Domino (R) Y
Gelber (D) N
Mahon (R) Y
Quinones (R)
Richardson (D) N
Roberson (D)
Ross (R)
Seiler (D) N
Sorenson (R) VOTE SUMMARY FOR Bill Number: SB 1156 Vote Date: 01/06/04
Committee: SENATE JUDICIARY Committee Member Vote Villalobos (R), Chair Y
Aronberg (D), Vice-Chair N
Campbell (D) Y
Carlton (R)
Clary (R) Y
Peaden (R) Y
Smith (D) Y
Webster (R) Y LEGISLATIVE ISSUE NUMBER 2: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS So far the bills that have been filed are not being agendaed, but the Select Committees continue to have discussions and public hearings. there are various themes being discussed: Their PROPOSED changes to the constitution with regard to ballot initiatives include: shortening the time when signatures can be gathered; increasing the number of signatures; making it illegal to pay signature gatherers; making the passage of an amendment require a super majority of votes; giving voters the right to directly change statutes through petition initiatives, as opposed to changing the state constitution, etc. Bills filed to date pertaining to the constitutional amendment changes: HB13, HB49, HB239, SB304, HB67, SB458 We opposed any weakening of Florida`s Citizen Initiatives and believes that the process for ballot initiatives is already difficult andlimiting. III. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ISSUES:
TOXICS: the following bills have been introduced that pertain to toxics: HB39 is the Pesticide RIGHT TO KNOW that we have always supported; HB149/SB1156 sweeping immunity from cleanup of lead and arsenic contamination on shooting ranges (see issue I above); HB178/365 Arsenic in treated wood (from previous years); SB696, HB319 Incentive based permitting (an even weaker version than previous years); SB1350 mold remediation. WATER: there are several bills filed so far, with none reflecting the outrageous Council of 100 Report; there are some "shell bills or place holders," but nothing yet. Rep.Russell has refiled his bill from last year with some changes. We distributed widely Sierra`s Water and Wetlands Committee response to the Council of 100 Report from last year and also a newly created Chapter (Water and Wetlands Committee) Draft Position that was sent to all related issue chairs for input and comment. Anyone with questions should contact Karen Orr, at thibeau48@bellsouth.net. Senator Lawson and Rep. Richardson, both from the Tallahassee area, have filed the NWFWMD (HB233/SB488) increase in ad valorem tax bill that we wanted the last several years, so that at least the Panhandle can be on the same playing field for wetlands protection as the rest of the state. Other water related bills include: B293/SB110/SB1104/SB1142 (similar to Russell`s bill); SB152 Study Commission; Local sources first: SB1202/1078. Manatee bill - The current legislation tries to take money away from the original purpose of protecting and researching manatees. HB415/SB1404; SB540; SB542 Growth Mgt: HB142/SB162; SB452 Annexation; Coastal Redevelopment Hazard Mitigation Demonstration Project Act: SB686 & HB409. This BAD COASTAL bill allows for increased development in the coastal zone. Clean Money, Clean Elections bill filed by Sen. Wilson: SB1230 and SB1234. This legislation would take the "Special Interest Money" out of campaign contributions and provide public funding for candidates who voluntarily choose to run CLEAN, agreeing to spending limits. Trust Fund Raids: We are monitoring/investigating whether there is another threat to raiding the environmental Trust Funds for other purposes. Energy bills - SB112; SB1316;SB1492 Wekiva Protection: SB1214 SLAPP suits: legislation being introduced by the Homeowners Association Task Force (Strategic Law suits Against Public Participation). IV: 2004 Legislative Priorities: FLORIDA CHAPTER SIERRA CLUB
John Swingle, Florida Chapter Sierra Club Chapter Conservation Chair (cybermerlyn@earthlink.net) Priority 1:
Water (Quality and Quantity)
Manatees
Citizen Participation/Toxics (Environmental Enforcement) includes the bills to restrict constitutional amendments Priority 2:
Weakening of Growth Management
Clean Money
Energy Efficiency Codes
Wekiva Protection
UIC Rules Watch List (no momentum so far by this year`s legislators):
Everglades
Annexation Laws
Panhandle St. Joe
DCA Merger
Weakening of TMDLs
Phosphate
Diversion of Environmental Trust Funds
Reorganization of the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission SEE ARTICLE PART II FOR ARTICLES ON SHOOTING RANGE AND CONTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ISSUES. | 
