TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his first set of bills into law on Thursday.
Both Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 1417 will enhance coastal protections across the state.
The legislation will allow for more natural development, like mangrove planting and wetland rehabilitation. The new laws also dismantle the Environmental Regulation Commission to streamline the process.
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Additionally, the law will stop dredging in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.
Lawmakers hope that these measures will protect coastal communities from erosion and storm surges.
DeSantis spoke about the importance of maintaining the health of Florida’s coasts on Thursday.
“We have some of the best beaches in the world in the State of Florida. That’s something that we are very proud of, but that also requires that we be good stewards of it, and that sometimes requires that you put your money where your mouth is,” he said.
Right now, there are nine other bills on the governor’s desk, including the Farm Bill. He has until April 2 to sign those pieces of legislation into law.
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