Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have granted the state’s Department of Health (DOH) increased authority to monitor water quality and close beaches or other water bodies if standards were not met.
The bill, which had been unanimously approved by the state legislature, aimed to enhance public health and safety measures by empowering the DOH to issue advisories and restrict access to contaminated waters.
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However, DeSantis argued that this level of state control over local beach management was “ill-advised,” sparking debate over the balance between environmental protection and local governance.
The vetoed bill, House Bill 165, would have expanded the DOH’s authority to address water quality issues across the state. Key provisions of the bill included:
- Requiring the DOH to issue health advisories when water quality failed to meet established standards
- Empowering the DOH to restrict public access to contaminated waters “to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public”
- Mandating the DOH to coordinate with the DEP and local governments on water quality monitoring and response efforts
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In his veto letter, Governor DeSantis expressed concerns about the level of authority the bill would have granted to the DOH, arguing that it would have allowed the state agency to “supersede local jurisdictions regarding the operation of beaches.”
DeSantis emphasized his administration’s commitment to water quality and environmental protection, but stated that the bill’s provisions were “ill-advised” and would have undermined local control over beach management.
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