FL H0363

Authorizes Florida coastal communities (municipalities under 500,000 population bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, or adjacent saltwater bodies) to establish pilot programs regulating single-use plastic products, notwithstanding the existing state preemption on local plastic bag regulations.

Pilot program ordinances must take effect on or after July 1, 2024, and expire by June 30, 2026, and may not impose any new taxes or fees on single-use plastic products or disposable plastic bags.

Participating communities must collect data on the effectiveness and impacts of the regulations, submit a report to their governing body by May 1, 2026, present it at a public meeting, and provide a copy to the Department of Environmental Protection by June 30, 2026.

Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to submit updated retail bag reports with conclusions and recommendations to the Legislature beginning in 2027 and every 5 years thereafter, replacing the previous one-time 2021 reporting deadline.

Maintains the existing prohibition on local and state agencies enacting rules, regulations, or ordinances on auxiliary containers, wrappings, or disposable plastic bags until the Legislature adopts the department's recommendations, with the coastal community pilot program being the sole exception.