FL H0727

Require owners of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (excluding those with operating permits) to have systems inspected at least once every 5 years, effective July 1, 2013, with a county-by-county phased implementation over 10 years prioritizing springshed protection areas.

Direct the Department of Health to administer the inspection program and adopt rules establishing a 5-year inspection cycle, minimum functioning standards, pump-out requirements, and enforcement procedures for non-compliance.

Establish a grant program to assist owners with family income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level in repairing failing systems serving single-family residences, with department prioritization based on failure severity, environmental impact, and income.

Require inspections and pump-outs to be performed only by registered septic tank or master septic tank contractors, with system owners paying all costs and unable to request partial inspections.

Increase fees for permit applications, system inspections, inspection report filings, and septic tank contractor registrations, with portions of collected fees designated to fund the grant program established by the bill.