The legislative program includes developing legislation
and support information, and finding sponsors for legislation.
The Office also serves as the central point of contact for
legislators and their staffs for information about the Department's
programs.
Legislative Affairs coordinates the Department's legislative
lobbying efforts by preparing legislative proposals, as
well as any planning, policy and budgetary analyses or recommendations
on legislative bills. Bill analyses, proposals and recommendations
are crucial to the legislative efforts of the Department.
They inform the members of the
Florida
House of Representatives 
, the
Florida Senate ,
Governor's Office and other interested parties about
the Department's position on legislative issues, and help policy makers
and the public in forming a basis for understanding the
legislation itself.
DEP maintains an interest in a wide range of issues.
Areas of environmental concern are a top priority as changes
in law may have an effect on the Department's program areas and their
procedures. We also track issues relating to legal
procedure, information systems, administrative functions,
human resources and the budget.
General Information:
Online
Sunshine (Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature)
Florida’s twenty five member delegation, other congressional
offices, the Governor’s Office, federal agencies and national
associations all seek the Department’s advice on federal
legislative proposals. These proposals include substantive
amendments or reauthorizations of environmental laws, requests
for appropriations and, implementation suggestions or constituent
inquiries. Legislative Affairs serves as a point of contact
for incoming requests, and coordinates distribution and
receipt of comments within the agency.
Annually, a public works request is formulated to request
funds for US Army Corps of Engineers construction funding
for Florida projects. Other requests for funds are discussed
with congressional staff and requesters. Federal agency
budgets that affect the operation of the Department, the
water management districts or local environmental projects
are tracked and supported where beneficial. Land purchase
appropriations for the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s wildlife
refuges, the National Park Service and the Forest Service
are supported. Opportunities to increase federal funding
for ongoing or special activities in Florida are pursued.
For environmental issues of interest to the Department,
letters of support are drafted in conjunction with agency
staff and prepared for signature by the Secretary or the
Governor. Briefings and background material are provided
to congressional and federal agency staff. Occasionally,
we will be asked to provide witnesses for hearings on specific
issues. Most often, telephone inquires are made shortly
before decisions are to be made in committee or on the floor.
