The Florida Senate on Tuesday passed an environmental bill that includes prohibiting local governments from enforcing regulations on plastic straws over the next five years.
On a 24-15 vote, the Senate imposed a moratorium on plastic-straw bans, the latest example of the constant tug-of-war between the Legislature and cities and counties over local regulations.
The decision to pass the bill also followed numerous failed attempts by lawmakers over the years to prevent plastic-straw bans. Currently, 10 cities across the state have rules governing the use of plastic straws, which have drawn environmental concerns.
The House passed the bill (HB 771) last week, meaning it is now ready to head to Gov. Ron DeSantis. If he signs the bill (HB 771), local governments would not be able to enforce any ordinance banning plastic straws until July 2024.
The vote Tuesday in the Republican-controlled Senate was largely along party lines. Democrats Lauren Book of Plantation, Randolph Bracy of Orlando and Bobby Powell of West Palm Beach crossed party lines to vote for the bill, while Republican George Gainer of Panama City opposed it.
Under the bill, the research arm of the Legislature would also be required to conduct a study of “each ordinance or regulation adopted” by local governments related to single-use plastic straws. A report of the study would need to be submitted by December to Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes.
Rather than focusing on the environmental impacts of local plastic-straw bans, the study would focus on the “data and conclusions” used in adopting local ordinances.
This has irked environmental groups, which argue that sufficient evidence already exists that plastic pollution is detrimental to the environment. When lawmakers considered the proposal in committee hearings, groups often brought up a study by the World Economic Forum that said there will be more plastic by weight than fish in oceans by 2050.
State lawmakers have also taken aim at other local regulations that were enacted to protect the environment. One of those efforts is in a bill by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine. That bill targets local ordinances that restrict the sale and use of sunscreens containing certain chemicals that studies have found to damage coral reefs.
The bill passed Tuesday by the Senate includes other issues along with the moratorium on plastic-straw bans. It also deals with issues related to recyclable materials.
–Ana Ceballos, News Service of Florida
Rick G says
I’ve always believed there is nothing worse than a micro-manager and that’s exactly what the Florida Legislature continues to do.
Dave says
We dont need outsiders telling us how to regulate our own. We live in a coastal county and are well aware of the dangers plastic straws present and the members of this County will make sure we have some sort of regulations in place when it comes to single use plastic straws. Marine land has been teaching us how bad these straws are for many years!!
Really says
Stop worrying about single usr straws and attend to the waterways , infrastructure, jobs and healthcare
Karen says
We need to elect legislators who believe in local control.
Michael Cocchiola says
This is plain outrageous! Get rid of Renner and Hutson. Both support silencing your voice and crushing local government.
BTW, our local government can create an advertising campaign to urge restaurants to use recyclable straws.
Old Charley says
Bunch of mamby pamby liberals!!!!!!! If I want to throw my starws in the ocean i d**mn well will!!!!! Used to just put our face in the lake and drink for are water and all my kids turned out fine!!!!
joe says
“We need to elect legislators who believe in local control.”
Actually, this has been one of the biggest scams Republicans have pulled on us. For years – decades even- they have posed as the party of local control, “states rights” (we all know what that means), etc. Who remembers the old refrain, “The government that governs least, governs best.” Or, the government “closest to the people” is best.
Yet time after time, they prove that those lofty principles only apply when it’s a policy they agree with.
Local control over cable service, solar energy, etc. – Republicans and big business are fighting them all.
Lucille says
Why, is the State of Florida so far behind the times? This is 2019, get with the times. Plastic straws are unsafe for sea life creatures and animals on land. Now, Florida Legislature is having a hard time with that?
Why are you in the government if, you are not protecting our environment?
Layla says
Mr. Cocchiola, it isn’t up to government to come up with advertising campaigns for local businesses. It is up to all of us to be better stewards at keeping our trash out of our waterways. They will never stay clean until it is our responsibility. Today it’s straws, tomorrow it will be something else. Maybe government needs to assess $5,000 fees for littering. I would happily support that.
In the meantime, many restaurants already are ordering paper straws, a good and positive move, no laws or local ordinances involved!
Lucille says
Thank you Mr. Cocchiola for speaking your mind. New York and California have all band plastic straws because of how unsafe they are, what is the problem with the State of Florida?
Brian says
Keep on picking them up, bag them and send them to Tallahassee.
Sherry says
Obviously there is a need to educate those proudly stuck in the past and in their ignorance regarding how each one of us should do our part to clean and protect our “shared” environment.
I agree, we need politicians who allow “local” regulations. . . instead of amassing power (and lining pockets) at the “state” level.
Eric says
The state ought to ban these straws. Local concern is good, but a blanket ban is much better.