FL H0561

Establishes the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Environmental Protection, authorizing the secretary to establish additional offices within the office or divisions to promote efficient operations

Authorizes the secretary to appoint a general counsel who is directly responsible to the secretary and handles all legal matters for the department

Removes the requirement to establish eight specific named offices (Chief of Staff, General Counsel, Inspector General, External Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Intergovernmental Programs, Greenways and Trails, and Emergency Response)

Establishes the Division of Water Restoration Assistance as a new division within the department

Becomes effective July 1, 2016