SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/HB 1035

Nature-based Coastal Resiliency
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SPONSOR
State Affairs Committee; Mooney
FILED BY
James Mooney — District 120, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/CS/SB 302 — CS/HB 1035 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Environment & Water.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Nature-based Coastal Resiliency; Authorizes certain dredging & filling of submerged lands & placement of certain shorelines & seawalls within Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve; authorizes erection of specified structures within aquatic preserves; requires DEP to develop by specified date guidelines & standards for nature-based methods to address coastal resiliency; requires DEP & local governments to promote nature-based solutions for coastal resiliency.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Authorizes living seawalls and green infrastructure in aquatic preserves.

Aquatic preserves statewide may now approve living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, seagrass planting, wave attenuation structures, and green or hybrid stormwater infrastructure as coastal-resiliency measures, alongside the seawall repairs and utility crossings already allowed.

Within Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve specifically, the board of trustees may now approve minimum dredging and filling to restore mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses, and oyster reefs, still subject to public notice.

Miami-Dade County, working with DEP, may also use living shorelines and seawalls -- not just natural vegetation and riprap -- to stabilize eroding Biscayne Bay shorelines that are clouding the water.

By January 1, 2027, DEP must set design guidelines for combining green and hybrid infrastructure against erosion, sea level rise, and storm surge, and DEP and local governments must jointly promote these nature-based solutions.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Nature-based structures allowed in aquatic preserves statewide majors. 258.42

AIAquatic preserves may now approve living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, seagrass planting, wave attenuation structures, and green or hybrid green-gray stormwater infrastructure as coastal-resiliency measures, alongside seawall repairs and utility crossings already allowed.

“Nature-based solutions to improve coastal resiliency, including living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, seagrass planting, wave attenuation structures” bill text, line 135 →
§ 2 Ecological-restoration dredging and filling allowed in Biscayne Bay majors. 258.397

AIThe board of trustees may approve minimum dredging and filling in Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve specifically to restore and manage substrate for mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses, and oyster reefs.

“for the restoration and enhancement of natural systems, including the management of substrate for vegetation planting and restoration for mangroves” bill text, line 52 →
§ 3 DEP must set nature-based design standards by 2027 majors. 380.0938

AIBy January 1, 2027, DEP must develop design guidelines and standards for combining green and hybrid green-gray infrastructure to fight erosion, sea level rise, and storm surge.

“the department shall develop design guidelines and standards for optimal combinations of nature-based methods for using green or hybrid green-gray infrastructure” bill text, line 149 →
§ 4 Living shorelines and seawalls added to Biscayne Bay erosion tools moderates. 258.397

AIMiami-Dade County, in conjunction with DEP, may now use living shorelines and seawalls -- not just natural vegetation and riprap -- to stabilize eroding Biscayne Bay shorelines that are contributing to turbidity.

“and living shorelines and seawalls, as determined by Miami-Dade County in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection” bill text, line 81 →
§ 5 DEP and local governments must promote nature-based solutions moderates. 380.0938

AIDEP and local governments must jointly promote public awareness and education about the value of nature-based coastal-resiliency solutions, including preserving and restoring wetlands, floodplains, seagrasses, and mangroves.

“shall promote public awareness and education of the value of nature-based solutions for coastal resiliency” bill text, line 155 →
TIMELINE
3/9/2026
Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 302 (Ch. 2026-1 )
2/18/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/18/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/18/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/17/2026
CS Filed
2/17/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/17/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
2/17/2026
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
2/13/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/28/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/28/2026
Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/28/2026
Favorable by Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/26/2026
Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/6/2026
Filed
12 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 258.397
+53 / −0
s. 258.42
+35 / −0
s. 380.0938
+88 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES