CS/CS/HB 1135 Summary

• Establishes the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative as a partnership between the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory to develop prevention, control, and mitigation technologies for red tide impacts.

• Directs state-appropriated red tide mitigation funds to be awarded by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to Mote Marine Laboratory, with limits of 5 percent maximum for direct annual administration costs and requirements to leverage additional private and federal funding.

• Creates the Initiative Technology Advisory Council with 6 members representing private commercial enterprises, universities, marine environmental organizations, Department of Environmental Protection, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

• Requires the initiative to submit annual reports beginning January 15, 2021, to the Governor, Legislature, Secretary of Environmental Protection, and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission describing accomplishments and priorities.

• Initiative and advisory council expire on June 30, 2025; act takes effect July 1, 2019.