CS/HB 1063 Summary

• Declares that cooperative efforts among municipalities, counties, utility companies, private landowners, water consumers, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are necessary to meet Florida's water supply needs.

• Requires water management districts to assist self-suppliers (persons obtaining water from sources other than public supplies) in meeting water supply demands with priority on conservation and reducing environmental harm.

• Requires water management districts to conduct regional water supply planning in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and mandates agricultural demand projections be based on best available data from the department.

• Authorizes water users to propose specific water supply projects for inclusion in regional water supply plans and directs districts to assist in developing multijurisdictional approaches to water supply projects with affected utilities and self-suppliers.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish an agricultural water supply planning program providing data on future agricultural water demands based on at least a 20-year planning period; effective July 1, 2013.