Bruce Ritchie

State Senate, House advance Florida data center regulatory bills amid DeSantis concerns.

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Florida local elected officials warn time running out for 2025 development bill fix

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POLITICO Pro: Florida ag department bill sponsor assures public votes for surplus state land sales Some environmental groups and Democrats on the committee remain concerned the bill language bypasses the current process of requiring public votes by the governor and Cabinet.

Florida ag department bill sponsor assures public votes will remain for surplus state land sales.

"The process actually is already in existence right now," Rep. Danny Alvarez said.

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Florida House panel advances data center bill despite opposition from business groups.

Colton Madill of the FL Chamber of Commerce said the legislation tells data center developers "that Florida is less than welcoming to their siting altogether."

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POLITICO Pro: With Alabama case dismissed, tri-state water wars are officially over But an appeal filed by environmental groups over reservoir operations on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama and Georgia remains pending before a federal appeals court.

With Alabama case dismissed, tri-state water wars are officially over

But an appeal filed by environmental groups over reservoir operations on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama and Georgia remains pending before a federal appeals court.

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FL Senate passes 2025 emergency management bill redo — but House hasn't acted yet.

More than 25 cities and counties, along with 1000 Friends of Florida, filed lawsuits in state court challenging the 2025 legislation they say handcuffs growth controls.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis requested $50M for park repairs and improvements while the House and Senate both are proposing $25M.

"Our job as appropriators is to make sure they get what they need for operations," state Sen. Jason Brodeur said.

Parks advocates hope for more in Florida budget after report identifies $700M need.

"If we don't find additional funding for repairs now, the backlog and the price tag is only going to grow," Gil Smart of VoteWater.org said.

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Backstreet Boys singer's beach trespassing case against Walton County resident dismissed. Lawyer said amended complaint will be filed.

Brian Littrell's BLB Beach Hut LLC also is suing Walton County sheriff for failing to enforce trespassing laws.

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"The customary use allowed people to walk through on the wet sand — that's all," Brian Littrell's lawyer, Peter Ticktin, told POLITICO.

"That's not Florida law," beach advocate Sara Day responded. "Customary use has never been limited to walking through wet sand."

POLITICO Pro: Despite lawmaker moves, Florida's beach fight continues — this time with a Backstreet Boy Lawyers representing seven beachfront property owners, including Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell's LLC, were in a state appeals court this week arguing over whether the sand in front of their ho...

Despite lawmaker moves, Florida's beach fight continues — this time with a Backstreet Boy.

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POLITICO Pro: Appeals court says 2025 beach access law change ends dispute over Walton County actions since 2018 The Panhandle county's sugar-white beaches have been the epicenter in the fight over public beach access in Florida.

Appeals court says 2025 beach access law change ends dispute over Walton County actions since 2018.

The 1DCA ruling did not delve into whether Florida's "customary use" beach access, rooted in English judicial doctrine, is legal precedent.

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POLITICO Pro: Florida public counsel: Duke Energy proposal on data centers puts existing customers at risk The Office of Public Counsel filed written testimony with Florida regulators stating that Duke's new proposed rates and policies for large load customers could lead to power plants being built that ar...

Duke Energy FL proposal on data centers puts existing customers at risk, Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said.

"It's all about whether the data center is built," Trierweiler said. "What's driving the risk is ... the excess generation."

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Office of Public Counsel, energy justice groups to challenge FP&L rate hike at Florida Supreme Court.

“We’re essentially appealing the entire rate case,” Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler said Tuesday.

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POLITICO Pro: Florida Legislature annual budget tussle could be a referendum on DeSantis The looming question is whether the split will derail the session.

Land conservation in their FY 26-27 state budget proposals:

FL House: $500M for conservation easements through FDACS
FL Senate: $300M to FDACS, $50M for FL Forever through DEP
Governor: $200M for FDACS, $115M for FL Forever, $30M local park grants.

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POLITICO Pro: Nearly $760M needed for park repairs and maintenance, DEP report says The report was required by a state land management bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year that also demands a plan for addressing needs over the next 10 years.

And the House proposes $25M for state park facility repairs compared to the $50M requested by DeSantis.

A DEP report last December said state needs to spend $760M to address needed repairs, maintenance and upgrades across park facilities. See:
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FL House proposed FY26-27 budget provides $300M for conservation easements at FDACS compared to $200M requested by DeSantis.

House provides zero land acquisition at DEP and zero towards two local park grant programs that DeSantis had requested $30M for through DEP.

POLITICO Pro: Company says Florida judge improperly tracked Apalachicola River drilling ban bill Clearwater Land & Minerals on Monday asked the First District Court of Appeal to toss out the state’s permit denial.

Company says Florida judge improperly tracked Apalachicola River drilling ban bill.

Clearwater Land & Minerals asked First District Court of Appeal to toss out Florida’s permit denial to make way for a possible new lawsuit for a property rights taking.

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POLITICO Pro: Bill amended to remove expansion of Florida's food 'disparagement' law But state Senate President Ben Albritton later left open the question of whether the removed bill language could return during the legislative session.

Bill amended to remove expansion of Florida's food 'disparagement' law.

But Senate President Ben Albritton, in later remarks to reporters, sidestepped the question of whether the issue as dead during the legislative session, which ends March 13.

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The Florida Senate rules committee voted this morning to amend the ag disparagement language out of the FDACS bill despite opposition from the bill sponsor.

"I would say the farm bill is a work in progress," Sen Prez Ben Albritton said later when asked if the issue is dead.

"These amendments don't do what's needed at all, " said Aimee Villella McBride of Sarasota, who is executive director of the Global Wellness Forum. "In fact I think it's more confusing."

POLITICO Pro: Proposed Florida agriculture department bill changes don't satisfy some critics The bill would expand current state law to allow producers of "non-perishable" food items to sue for disparagement and recover legal fees. But some critics say the proposed changes still fall short.

Proposed Florida agriculture department bill changes don't satisfy some critics.

"He's [Sen. Martin] worked through their issues and this is what they came up with and agreed upon." state Sen. Keith Truenow (R), bill sponsor, said Monday.

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POLITICO Pro: North Florida residents raise concerns about proposed water pipeline, threats to iconic springs They're concerned that excessive groundwater pumping will continue as they await the future restoration project.

North #Florida residents raise concerns about proposed water pipeline, threats to iconic springs subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026... via @brucebritchie.bsky.social

POLITICO Pro: North Florida residents raise concerns about proposed water pipeline, threats to iconic springs They're concerned that excessive groundwater pumping will continue as they await the future restoration project.

N FL residents raise concerns about proposed water pipeline, threats to iconic springs.

"We don't try to preserve water in this state," Rick Lanese of Fort White told the committee. "We just keep pumping it and pumping it and pumping it."

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A tribute to laid off sports journalists.

Anna Upton, CEO of Everglades Trust, said bill language provides an incentive for litigation. She asked the committee to take it out.

"This is the agency's legislative package," Upton said. "This has nothing to do with the operation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services."

Florida ag department bill advances after sponsor says he will work on concerns.

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POLITICO Pro: Florida updates trapping rules in narrow commission vote The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to adopt the new rules after some commissioners echoed concerns from animal advocates that some allowed traps still are inhumane.

Florida updates trapping rules in narrow commission vote.

"Does it really take that long for the beaver to die?" @myfwc Commissioner Sonya Rood said. "I'm already uncomfortable with how we're doing it."

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POLITICO Pro: Feds issue environmental approval for SpaceX Starship rocket launches in Florida Enviros worry additional launches will harm wildlife and pollute waterways near Florida’s Space Coast.

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Russia breaks Trump-brokered energy ceasefire Kremlin bombs Ukrainian power plants and energy infrastructure right before latest round of peace talks begin in Abu Dhabi.

Russia broke an energy truce brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump after just four days today, hitting Ukraine’s power plants and grid with more than 450 drones and 70 missiles.