by The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
Local governments can help clean up our waterways by providing training and education to landscapers that apply fertilizer to residential and commercial properties. Improper fertilizer application can result in runoff that sends nutrients meant to feed your lawn into our waterways, where they feed harmful aquatic algae. Local city and county fertilizer ordinances require training on best practices before fertilizer applicators can obtain their occupational licenses.
House Bill 735 (and the identical Senate Bill 268) that passed this session prohibits local governments from imposing additional licensing requirements on specialty contractors. This bill also includes a provision to eliminate any previously existing local licensing requirement by 2023. This bill was strongly opposed by local cities and counties as it preempts the ability of local officials to use valuable tools such as training and education for consumer protection-related issues such as fertilizer application training. For additional information, click here for the Senate Bill Analysis (SB 268).
Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith has joined the Florida Association of Counties in asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to VETO this harmful preemption bill. Please see the following link for Mayor Smith’s letter. In the past, Gov. DeSantis has supported local communities to address issues through their own political process, such as when he vetoed the plastic straw ban bill in 2019. By clicking TAKE ACTION https://p2a.co/gdoepcp, please join us in asking Gov. DeSantis to support local communities again by vetoing HB 735.
Calling and sending hand-written letters to the Governor’s Office are also effective. You may call the Governor at (850) 717-9337 or write to him at the following address:
Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
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