SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/HB 495

Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification
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SPONSOR
Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee; Albert
FILED BY
Jon Albert — District 48, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee

Filed under Environment & Water.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification; Provides legislative findings & intent regarding golf course best management practices certification; provides for type two transfer of Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program in DEP to DACS.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Transfers golf course fertilizer-certification oversight from DEP to state agriculture regulators.

Moves the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, recodifying the law from section 403.9339 to a new section 604.75.

A type two transfer under s. 20.06 moves all of the program's staff, records, contracts, pending matters, rules, and unspent funding to the new department. Existing contracts continue on their original terms with the new agency.

The certification rules themselves do not change: golf courses still get a 4-year certification, still need continuing education to renew it, and remain exempt from local water and fertilizer ordinances outside a declared emergency.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Golf course certification program moves from DEP to DACS moderates. 604.75

AIRecodifies the golf course best management practices certification program from section 403.9339 to a new section 604.75, moving oversight from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Section 403.9339, Florida Statutes, is transferred, renumbered as section 604.75, Florida Statutes, and amended to read” bill text, line 17 →
§ 2 Existing DEP contracts continue with DACS as successor technicals. 604.75

AIAny contract or interagency agreement the Department of Environmental Protection had for this program before July 1, 2026, continues on its original terms, with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services standing in as the responsible successor.

“shall continue as a binding contract or agreement for the remainder of the term of such contract or agreement” bill text, line 102 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
2/2/2026
Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
2/2/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
2/2/2026
Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee
2/2/2026
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
1/30/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/30/2026
CS Filed
1/30/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/30/2026
Reported out of Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
1/29/2026
Favorable with CS by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
1/27/2026
Added to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/24/2025
Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Commerce Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
11/19/2025
Filed
12 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 403.9339
+107 / −5
s. 403.9339
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES