Report for 01/07/2012
HB 999 & SB 820.
For years, legislators, citizens, environmentalists, and
industry groups have wrestled with the issue of septic systems and
inspections. Finally a
win-win solution is on the horizon.
Contained in these two bills is legislative language that
paves the way for two major goals to be accomplished:
(1) homeowner property protections, (2) and clean water
protections.
As always, for legislation to be passed into statute (law), the
House bill and the Senate bill have to match.
Yesterday, January 6, the Sen. Charlie Dean introduced an
amendment to his Senate Bill 820 that accomplished the required
“match”. With a few
minor tweaks, Sen. Dean’s bill SB820 now matches and Rep. Chris
Dorworth’s HB 999.
(1) Both bills repeal
the septic system inspection mandate put in place by SB550.
(2) Both bills
create a new inspection program administered by local governments.
(3) Both bills
set the rules that govern how inspections will be conducted.
And, finally, (4)
both bills protect homeowners property rights.
SB 820 and HB 999 contain the following guidelines that govern
septic system inspections:
1.
Counties and cities
without First Magnitude Springs
may choose to
participate in an inspection program.
They may choose to conduct inspections in all or part of
their jurisdiction.
Inspections must follow the inspection guidelines in the bill.
2.
Counties with First
Magnitude Springs must
participate in the inspection program, but with a majority
vote of local officials, they can choose not to participate.
Inspections must follow the inspection guidelines in the
bill.
3.
Inspection Guidelines:
a.
Pump out the tank, inspect for tank integrity, and visually inspect
drainfield.
b.
Inspections are conducted every five years.
c.
Provide homeowner with certification of inspection.
d.
Homeowner may not be required to replace a conventional system with
another type of system in order to repair a failing tank or
drainfield.
e.
Permit to own and operate the septic system, and inspection
certification passes to new homeowner with title transfer.
f.
Point of sale inspections may not be mandated.
g.
Homes being remodeled do not
have to install larger septic systems unless a bedroom is added to
the home.
The entire text of both bills can be reviewed on-line:
SB 820 (amended)
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0820/Amendment/723570/PDF
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. E-Mail
your support to the members of the Senator Dean’s Environmental
Preservation and Conservation Committee.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/EP/
Do this immediately.
The committee meets Monday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m.
(Follow the e-mail format
lastname.firstname.web@flsenate.gov)
Please be respectful and encourage passage of the amended
SB820.