SB 50 — Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 50 FirstBy Engrossedthe 202550e1Appropriations ACommittee billon toAgriculture, beEnvironment, entitledand AnGeneral actGovernment; relating to nature-based methods for improving coastal resilience;

and Senator Garcia 601-02147-25 202550c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to nature-based methods for improving coastal resilience;

specifyingrequiring that the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation isat established within the University of South Florida,Florida ratherCollege thanof withinMarine theScience Universityto ofdevelop Southdesign Floridaguidelines Collegeand standards for green and gray infrastructure and models for conceptual designs of Marinegreen Science;infrastructure and green-gray infrastructure;

requiring the hub to develop design guidelines and standards for optimal combinations of green and gray infrastructure and to model the effects of conceptual designs of certain green and gray infrastructure;

providing for the appointment of an executive director to lead the hub;

WHEREAS, the coastline is a critical state resource that benefits the public interest by providing economic benefits, such as flood control, fishing, recreation, and navigation, and natural habitat and biodiversity functions, such as improved water quality and habitat for endangered and threatened species and other flora and fauna, and WHEREAS, rising sea levels and an increasing frequency of Page 1 of 65 CODING:

CSFlorida forSenate SB- 502025 FirstCS Engrossed 202550e1 water quality and habitat for endangeredSB and50 threatened601-02147-25 species202550c1 and other flora and fauna, and WHEREAS, rising sea levels and an increasing frequency of adverse weather events pose a significant risk to people and property along the coastline and threaten the public benefits and functions offered by the coastline, and WHEREAS, as identified in the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, natural infrastructure, including mangrove stands, living seawalls, and other nature- based designs, can play an essential role in improving coastal resilience and mitigating harm to this state’s coastlines, and WHEREAS, the Legislature intends to promote state and local efforts to restore mangrove forests along the coastline and further study the impact of other nature-based methods on this state’s coastal resilience and economic development, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

Present paragraphs (c) through (i) of subsection (2) of section 380.0933, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (e) through (k), respectively, and new paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to that subsection, and subsections (1) and (4) of that section are amended, to read:

380.0933 Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation.— (1)(2) The Floridahub Floodshall, Hubat fora Appliedminimum: Research and Innovation is established within the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to coordinate efforts between the Page 2 of 6 CODING:

(c) Develop design guidelines and standards for optimal combinations of green and gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and the impact of storm surges.

(d) Model the effects, including flood risk reduction and socio-economic benefits, of conceptual designs of green infrastructure and hybrid green-gray infrastructure, and Page 2 of 5 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 50 First601-02147-25 Engrossed202550c1 202550e1integration academicof andgreen researchnatural institutionssystems ofinto thegray state.infrastructure systems, on this state’s coastal resilience.

The University of South Florida College of Marine Science or its successor entity will serve as the lead institution and engage other academic and research institutions, private partners, and financial sponsors to coordinate efforts to support applied research and innovation to address the flooding and sea level rise challenges of the state.

(2) The hub shall, at a minimum:

(c) Develop design guidelines and standards for optimal combinations of green and gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and the impact of storm surges.

(d) Model the effects, including flood risk reduction and socioeconomic benefits, of conceptual designs of green infrastructure and hybrid green-gray infrastructure, and the integration of green natural systems into gray infrastructure systems, on this state’s coastal resilience.

(4) The hub shall be led by employ an executive director who is appointed by and reports to the President of the University of South Florida, or the president’s designee.

(b) Identify ways that new developments can avoid or Pagemitigate 3their ofimpacts 6on CODING:mangrove stands.

Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

CS for SB 50 First Engrossed 202550e1 mitigate their impacts on mangrove stands.

(h)Page Identify3 vulnerableof public5 andCODING: private properties along the coastline and encourage partnerships with local governmental entities to create local protection and restoration zone programs for implementing the rules developed by the department pursuant to this section.

Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 50 601-02147-25 202550c1 (h) Identify vulnerable public and private properties along the coastline and encourage partnerships with local governmental entities to create local protection and restoration zone programs for implementing the rules developed by the department pursuant to this section.

Page(k) 4Assist in the development of 6workforce CODING:training in this state which includes flood and sea level rise research, prediction, and adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

CS for SB 50 First Engrossed 202550e1 (k) Assist in the development of workforce training in this state which includes flood and sea level rise research, prediction, and adaptation and mitigation strategies.

(o) Streamline permitting after designated storm events or disastersPage to4 replaceof failed5 coastalCODING: infrastructure with green or hybrid green-gray infrastructure that follows established green and green-gray design guidelines.

(2) The department, in consultation with the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, shall conduct a statewide feasibility study to determine the value of nature-based methods for coastal flood risk reduction within coastal communities to reduce insurance premiums and improve local governments’ community ratings in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

The department shall submit a report on the findings of the study to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by July Page 5 of 6 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 50 First601-02147-25 Engrossed202550c1 202550e1disasters 1,to 2026.replace failed coastal infrastructure with green or hybrid green-gray infrastructure that follows established green and green-gray design guidelines.

(2) The department, in consultation with the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, shall conduct a statewide feasibility study to determine the value of nature-based methods for coastal flood risk reduction within coastal communities to reduce insurance premiums and improve local governments’ community ratings in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

The department shall submit a report on the findings of the study to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by July 1, 2026.

Page 65 of 65 CODING: