DeSantis vetoes bill mandating Florida Department of Health to issue unsafe water warnings

 

On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have mandated the Florida Department of Health to take measures—potentially including restricting swimming in beach waters—if water quality failed to meet established standards.

DeSantis’ office announced late Wednesday that he had vetoed four bills, among them the water-quality measure (HB 165), which the Legislature had unanimously approved in March.

The bill would have required the department to issue health advisories if water quality at beaches and other water bodies, such as lakes and rivers, did not meet standards, according to a House staff analysis. Additionally, the department would have been required to close access to such waters if necessary “to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

In his veto letter, DeSantis expressed concerns about the extent of authority that would have been granted to the Department of Health.

“Health departments like DOH can serve a valuable function, but they should not be vested with the power to supersede local jurisdictions regarding the operation of beaches,” the veto letter stated. “I have made water quality and protecting Florida’s natural resources a priority and my administration will continue to do so, but this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”