HB 495 — Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification

F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 495 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to golf course best management practices certification;

hb495-00hb495-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 495 2026 that, due to the foundational agricultural nature of golf courses and since the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees best management practices programs for sod growing operations and for the green industry, it is appropriate for the department to oversee golf course best management practices certification.

Certified participants must abide by the best management practices governing the application of fertilizer on sod.

(b) Approve training and testing programs in golf course best management practices that are equivalent to or more comprehensive than the programs provided by the turfgrass Pagescience 2program ofunder 5this CODING:subsection paragraph (a).

Such programs must be reviewed and reapproved by the turfgrass Page 2 of 5 CODING:

hb495-00hb495-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 495 2026 science program underif thissignificant subsectionchanges paragraphare (a).made.

Such programs must be reviewed and reapproved by the turfgrass science program if significant changes are made.

The certified person must continue to coordinate with the local government to ensure that he or she adheres to the comprehensive best management practices for that specific Pagecommunity. 3 of 5 CODING:

(10)(7) This section does not exempt a person certified Page 3 of 5 CODING:

hb495-00hb495-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 495 2026 community.under this section from complying with the rules and requirements for basin management action plans set forth in s.

(10)(7) This section does not exempt a person certified under this section from complying with the rules and requirements for basin management action plans set forth in s.

(2) Any binding contract or interagency agreement existing before July 1, 2026, between the Department of Environmental Protection, or an entity or agent of the department, and any Page 4 of 5 CODING:

hb495-00hb495-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HBCS/HB 495 2026 before July 1, 2026, between the Department of Environmental Protection, or an entity or agent of the department, and any other agency, entity, or person relating to the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program shall continue as a binding contract or agreement for the remainder of the term of such contract or agreement on the successor entity responsible for the program, activity, or functions relative to the contract or agreement.

hb495-00hb495-01-c1