Florida Brownfields Association Applauds Legislature’s Passage of Brownfield Legislation
April 30, 2014 – The Florida Brownfields Association (FBA) applauds the Florida Legislature’s passage yesterday of new Brownfield legislation designed to further the cleanup and redevelopment of Brownfield sites, create jobs, and improve Florida’s communities. The legislation will soon be sent to the Florida Governor.
“The Florida Brownfields Association was proud to support Representative Stone and Senator Altman in the passing of House Bill 325,” said FBA President Michael Sznapstajler. “This legislation will serve as a catalyst for significant economic development and voluntary cleanup of contaminated properties in Florida by addressing two key issues that served as impediments to the voluntary cleanup and redevelopment of Brownfield sites in Florida,” Sznapstajler explained.
Sznapstajler explained that in passing the legislation “the Legislature removed a lot of the confusion in the Brownfield designation process regarding the notice and hearing requirements and criteria for the designation of Brownfield areas. Brownfield redevelopers, including local governments, will also have more certainty of meeting redevelopment goals when they contractually agree to complete a cleanup through Florida’s Brownfield program, as the risk of litigation will be greatly reduced.”
On April 29, 2014, the full Florida Senate passed House Bill 325 sponsored by Representative Charlie Stone (R-Ocala). The full Florida House passed the legislation on April 28. Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) sponsored a nearly identical version of the bill in the Florida Senate.
Following the designation of a Brownfield area by a local government, redevelopers of Brownfield sites can enter into Florida’s Brownfield cleanup and redevelopment program and utilize various economic and regulatory incentives. These incentives include tax credits for voluntary cleanup expenses, tax refunds for job creation of up to $2,500 per job, loan guarantees, and liability protection. The bill enhances the liability protection provided under Florida’s Brownfields program to include claims for property damage, so long as the Brownfield redeveloper conducts and completes the cleanup pursuant to its Brownfield cleanup agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and in accordance with Florida law.
The FBA represents a wide range of Brownfield stakeholders in Florida. For more information about the FBA, please visit http://www.floridabrownfields.org/
Florida Brownfields Association Contacts
FBA President:
Michael Sznapstajler, (386) 323-9222, MSzna@cobbcole.com
FBA Legislative & Policy Committee Co-Chairs:
Jason Lichtstein, (850) 521-8018, jason.lichtstein@akerman.com Roger Register, (850) 556-1369, roger.register@cardno.com
David Goldman, (904) 828-3912, david.goldman@kimley-horn.com