FL H1535

Establishes the Innovative Agricultural Water Quality Enhancement Pilot Program within the Department of Environmental Protection to develop water quality enhancement projects partnered with dairy farms and evaluate sustainable agricultural practices.

Requires at least one project in the Lake Okeechobee Basin and one in the Lower Suwannee River Segment (or Santa Fe River Basin as alternative), with applications including detailed plans for design, operation, monitoring, nutrient reduction, water quality assessment, and demonstration of no adverse environmental impacts.

Approved projects are eligible for state funding and may qualify for additional funding if incorporated into applicable basin management action plans; participants are not required to continue operating if the program terminates unless they voluntarily choose to do so.

Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the program by June 30, 2024, and report to the Legislature on project costs, environmental benefits including nutrient load reductions, applicability to other agricultural sectors, and barriers to expansion.

Program automatically repeals October 2, 2025, unless reenacted by the Legislature; project partnerships entered before repeal remain binding unless terminated by the department; appropriates $1.3 million in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022.