FL S0948

Expands water management district duties to include planning and assistance for self-suppliers and agricultural users, alongside utility companies, private landowners, and water consumers in meeting water supply needs with priority on conservation and environmental protection.

Requires water management districts to coordinate regional water supply planning with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, local governments, utilities, and self-suppliers, with agricultural demand projections based on best available data from the Department of Agriculture.

Allows water users, including self-suppliers, to propose specific water supply development projects for inclusion in regional water supply plans, with districts required to include projects that meet plan goals.

Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish an agricultural water supply planning program providing 20-year agricultural water demand projections to water management districts, including irrigated acreage estimates, water use coefficients, and conservation factors.

Effective July 1, 2013.