Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H981: Tributaries of the St. Johns River
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requires DEP to hire project lead to oversee implementation of act, to develop project plan for restoration of Ocklawaha River, & to develop specified outdoor recreation plan; creates Northeast Florida River & Springs Recreation & Economic Development Advisory Council; requires Department of Commerce to develop specified economic development program for Marion & Putnam Counties.
What the bill says
An act relating to tributaries of the St. Johns River; providing a short title; creating s. 373.464, F.S.; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection, by a specified date, to hire a project lead to oversee the implementation of the act; requiring that the project lead have certain expertise; requiring the department to develop, by a specified date, a project plan for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River; specifying requirements for the project plan…
From the engrossed text, March 4, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to tributaries of the St. Johns River; providing a short title; creating s. 373.464, F.S.; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection, by a specified date, to hire a project lead to oversee the implementation of the act; requiring that the project lead have certain expertise; requiring the department to develop, by a specified date, a project plan for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River; specifying requirements for the project plan; providing that the project plan is an environmental restoration or enhancement project subject to a general permit from the department and water management districts; requiring the department to complete the project plan by a specified date, subject to the provision of funds; creating the Northeast Florida River and Springs Recreation and Economic Development Advisory Council by a specified date; assigning the council to the Department of Environmental Protection; providing that the project lead is the chair of the council; providing for council membership, meetings, and duties; requiring the council to submit an advisory report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the department by a specified date; specifying requirements for the words underlined are additions. hb981 -03-e1 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES CS/CS/HB 981, Engrossed 1 2026 advisory report; providing for future repeal; requiring the department to develop an outdoor recreation plan, in collaboration with certain commissions, …
Sponsors
- Duggan, Wyman (R, HD-012) · primary sponsor
- Cross, Lindsay (D, HD-060)
- Kimberly Daniels (D, HD-014)
- Daniels, Kimberly (D, HD-014)
- Eskamani, Anna (D, HD-042)
- Mooney, Jim (R, HD-120)
Latest actions
- : Died in Rules
- : Received
- : Referred to Rules
- : In Messages
- : CS passed as amended; YEAS 107, NAYS 3
- : Read 3rd time
- : Added to Third Reading Calendar
- : Amendment 048673 adopted
- : Read 2nd time
- : Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
Votes
- House: H 981 c2 (March 4, 2026): 107 yea, 3 nay, passed
- House: State Affairs Committee (February 3, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: State Affairs Committee (February 3, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Budget Committee (January 27, 2026): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Budget Committee (January 27, 2026): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (January 20, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Rules
Common questions
- What is H981?
- H981 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Tributaries of the St. Johns River.
- What does H981 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to tributaries of the St. Johns River; providing a short title; creating s. 373.464, F.S.; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection, by a specified date, to hire a project lead to oversee the implementation of the act; requiring that the project lead have certain expertise; requiring the department to develop, by a specified date, a project plan for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River; specifying requirements for the project plan…
- What is the status of H981?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Rules (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H981?
- Duggan, Wyman (R, HD-012), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H981?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/981
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.