Legislative Session Mid-Point Update: Progress, Pressure & Persistence
LKGA LEGISLATIVE WATCH SHEET: MID SESSION REVIEW
2026 Florida Legislative Session, January 13, 2026 – March 13, 2026
Legislative Session Mid-Point Update: Progress, Pressure & Persistence
We are officially halfway through the 2026 Legislative Session in Tallahassee.
This session has been marked by significant friction between the House, Senate, and Governor’s office. Budget priorities do not currently align, and major policy discussions — including property tax reform and congressional redistricting — have created a slower, more complex legislative environment. With this also being an election year, many conversations are layered with additional political considerations.
That said, amidst the noise, there have been meaningful developments.
Two Important Wins
First, the most concerning portion of the “Farm Bill” — the proposed food disparagement language (an extension of existing food libel law) — has been removed in both chambers. That provision raised legitimate concerns about chilling speech related to upstream agricultural impacts on water quality. Its removal protects the ability of guides, anglers, and small businesses to speak openly about issues that affect our water quality & fishery.
Second, concerning provisions within SB 718 / HB 479 were removed during committee negotiations. SB 718 / HB 479 included language that would have restricted local governments’ authority over water quality protections, and the removal of that preemption language was a meaningful win for the Keys.
These are real wins — and reminders that vigilance matters.
Productive Conversations on Key Issues
Beyond specific bills, LKGA has had productive and ongoing discussions with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, members of the Legislature, and Monroe County leadership regarding two growing concerns:
- Out-of-state guide licensing fees and enforcement consistency
• The rapid expansion of bareboat charters and unmanaged growth pressures affecting our fishery and profession
These conversations are active and forward-looking. We are working toward near-term solutions that protect professional guides, ensure fairness, and safeguard the resource itself.
Where We Stand
We celebrate the wins.
We continue to watch with an eagle eye.
And when necessary, we activate our voices and our resources.
The Florida Keys fishery is too important — economically, culturally, and ecologically — to be passive participants in policy decisions.
We will keep you informed as the session progresses.
Bills LKGA Does Not Support / High Concern
SB 718 / HB 479 – Water Quality & Wetlands Preemption
UPDATE: WIN! The worst parts of this bill were removed in Committee the House, and there’s been little movement in the Senate. This bill will likely note progress
What the bill does:
Preempts local governments from adopting, enforcing, or maintaining policies related to water quality, pollution control, discharge prevention, and wetlands that exceed state standards.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Statewide minimum standards are often insufficient for the unique conditions of the Florida Keys. This bill removes the ability of local governments to respond quickly and appropriately to localized water quality issues that directly affect fisheries and tourism.
LKGA concern:
This is a major loss of local control and one of the most consequential water-quality bills filed this session
SB 290 / HB 433 – Being called “Florida Farm Bill”
UPDATE: WIN! The sections of concern in these bills were removed in both the House & Senate committees.
What the bill does:
A broad agricultural policy package with provisions that may limit, or chill advocacy related to agricultural impacts on water quality.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
The ability to speak openly about water quality impacts from upstream pollution is critical to protecting fisheries.
LKGA concern:
While framed as an agricultural protection measure, SB 290 / HB 433 raises serious concerns for fishing guides because it could chill speech around water quality impacts tied to upstream agricultural practices, including Big Sugar. Guides in the Florida Keys are daily stewards of the water and routinely speak publicly — in hearings, with media, through science partnerships, and in advocacy — about nutrient pollution, discharges, algal blooms, and habitat decline that affect our fishery. Even if guides are not the intended target, expanding or reinforcing “food disparagement” protections creates legal uncertainty that favors well-funded industries and discourages small businesses, organizations/NGOs and individuals from speaking out. For guides whose livelihoods depend on healthy water, any policy that makes it riskier to connect upstream practices to downstream impacts is deeply concerning, regardless of intent.
SB 698 / HB 598 – Sewage Permitting Changes
STILL OF MAJOR CONCERN. MOVING IN BOTH CHAMBERS.
What the bill does:
Alters sewage and onsite wastewater permitting by allowing permit processes to move forward with reduced local oversight and fewer approval requirements.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Wastewater failures are one of the most direct threats to nearshore water quality, seagrass, and flats fisheries.
LKGA concern:
Sewage is always of major concern. Regulations that streamline or weaken the process needs serious re-consideration. Reduced local oversight increases the risk of pollution events in already vulnerable waters.
SB 208 / HB 399 – Land Use Compatibility & Development
STILL OF MAJOR CONCERN. MOVING IN BOTH CHAMBERS.
What the bill does:
Limits the ability of local governments to deny development applications based on compatibility with surrounding land uses if certain conditions are met.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Development that outpaces infrastructure and environmental capacity leads to degraded water quality and habitat loss.
LKGA concern:
Again – local governments losing their ability to control what happens locally. This bill favors development certainty over environmental limits and local planning.
SB 588 / HB 399 – Local Government Enforcement Restrictions
MODERATE CONCERN – MOVEMENT IN HOUSE, NO MOVEMENT IN SENATE
What the bill does:
Restricts certain enforcement actions by local governments and imposes new procedural requirements.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Local enforcement is often the first line of defense against activities that harm water quality and public access.
LKGA concern:
More loss of local control. This bill weakens local governments’ ability to protect community and environmental standards.
SB 354 / HB 299 – “Blue Ribbon” Mega-Development Projects
STILL OF CONCERN. MOVING IN BOTH CHAMBERS.
What the bill does:
Creates a fast-track approval process for extremely large development projects, allowing them to override existing land-use plans and zoning with limited local discretion.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Large-scale development places long-term pressure on water quality, habitat, and fisheries.
LKGA concern:
This bill prioritizes large development over local planning and environmental review.
SB 686 / HB 691 – Agricultural Enclaves
STILL OF CONCERN. MOVING IN BOTH CHAMBERS.
What the bill does:
Expands administrative approval pathways for development within designated agricultural enclaves, with reduced public input.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Administrative approvals limit community involvement in decisions that affect water, habitat, and fisheries.
LKGA concern:
No public input is problematic. This bill reduces transparency and public participation in land-use decisions.
SB 948 / HB 1143 – Loal Government Oversight Preemption
STALLED IN SENATE, MOVING SLOWLY IN THE HOUSE
What the bill does:
Further restricts local authority over land-use regulations and development standards.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Local governments are best positioned to understand environmental limits in coastal communities.
LKGA concern:
More local pre-emption; this bill is especially problematic for environmentally sensitive regions like ours here in the Florida Keys.
Bills LKGA Supports or Views Positively
SB 302/ HB1035 – Coastal Resilience
MOVING IN BOTH CHAMBERS. LOOKING LIKELY
What the bill does:
Advances nature-based solutions and planning tools to improve coastal resilience.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
The Florida Keys are on the front lines of sea-level rise and climate impacts.
LKGA position:
Support.
SB 302 is a positive, forward-looking bill that recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of Florida’s coastal communities and supports science-based, nature-based solutions to resilience challenges. For fishing guides and anglers in the Florida Keys, resilience is not an abstract concept — it directly affects access to water, habitat health, working waterfronts, and the long-term sustainability of our fisheries. By prioritizing planning tools and natural infrastructure that work with coastal ecosystems rather than against them, SB 302 aligns with the on-the-water realities guides see every day and supports a proactive approach to protecting both the resource and the economies that depend on it.
SB 1042 / HB 669 – Public Waters & Water Quality Warnings
HOUSE COMPLETELY AMENDED THE BILL TO REMOVE NECESSARY LANGUAGE; STALLED IN SENATE. WILL LIKELY NOT MOVE.
What the bill does:
Strengthens requirements to notify the public when water quality conditions pose a risk to human health.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Transparency allows guides, anglers, and visitors to make informed decisions and increases accountability for water quality failures.
LKGA position:
Support.
Warning the public about poor water conditions is always important (Public Health Concerns)
SB 575 / HB 240 and SB 766 / HB 6029 – Auxiliary Containers
NO MOVEMENT IN EITHER CHAMBER; UNLIKELY
What the bills do:
Address regulations related to auxiliary containers, with implications for boating and marine operations.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
These bills deal with how fuel and other auxiliary containers (portable fuel cans, reserve tanks, etc.) are regulated, labeled, stored, and enforced, particularly in relation to environmental rules and penalties.
LKGA position:
Watching cautiously. The auxiliary container bills are technical but important. While intended to simplify regulation and enforcement, they could also reduce local flexibility and environmental safeguards related to fuel handling in sensitive coastal waters. LKGA is monitoring these bills closely to ensure they strike the right balance between practical boating operations and the protection of the shallow, nearshore ecosystems our fishery depends on.
Other Issues LKGA Is Closely Watching
Out-of-State Charter Licenses (state) and Seasonal Charter Business License (county)
VERY POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS ON A STATE LEVEL (FWC, LEGISLATIVE) AS WELL AS LOCAL LEVEL. HOPEFUL FOR A FEE CHANGE BILL IN THE 2027.
Issue overview:
Ongoing discussions regarding out-of-state and seasonal charter licensing and related business license structures.
What’s happening:
LKGA is actively engaged with state agencies, legislators, local governments, and partner organizations to explore potential updates and improvements.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Licensing structures affect professional guides, local businesses, and fair competition within the charter industry.
LKGA focus:
LKGA is championing these conversations on every level. The pressure on our fishery is continuing to be unprecedented and on the brink of collapse. Properly managing the use of our resource is our TOP PRIORITY. Licenses are considered taxes but should be viewed as user fees. These conversations are ongoing and gaining forward momentum at both the state and county levels, with the goal of ensuring fairness, clarity, and appropriate enforcement.
SB 840 – Fix to SB 180 (Passed in 2025)
PASSED THE SENATE FLOOR. NO MOVEMENT ON HOUSE SIDE, THOUGH HOPEFUL
Issue overview:
Legislation aimed at addressing unintended consequences of SB 180, which significantly affects Monroe County. This was part of the overall ROGO conversation.
Why it matters:
SB 840 is an attempt to correct unintended consequences of last year’s HB 180, which broadly froze local governments’ ability to update land-use, environmental, and resilience policies under the guise of disaster recovery. HB 180 overreached by limiting local planning authority well beyond storm-impacted areas and timelines, creating barriers for coastal communities like Monroe County to respond to water quality threats, habitat loss, and climate impacts. SB 840 restores needed flexibility and local control so counties can responsibly update comprehensive plans and development regulations to protect natural resources, fisheries, and public safety without being exposed to unnecessary legal risk.
SB 1120 / HB 701 – Everglades Restoration (CERP)
WATCHING CLOSELY. PASSED THE SENATE FLOOR, NO MOVEMENT IN THE HOUSE. ESPECIALLY CONCERNING GIVEN THE HOUSE & SENATE BUDGET DISCREPENCIES ON EVERGLADES RESTORATION & POSSIBLE PROPERTY TAX REFORM REPURCUSSIONS.
Issue overview:
Legislation related to water management districts and reporting on Everglades restoration progress and costs.
Why it matters:
Everglades restoration directly affects Florida Bay, salinity levels, and downstream fisheries in the Keys. Transparency and reporting, to ensure the funding continues to make it to the right place is always important.
Everglades Rock Mine Proposal
STILL AWAITING DECISION
Issue overview:
An 8,600-acre industrial rock mine proposed adjacent to the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir.
Why it matters:
Scientists and agencies have raised concerns about seepage, contamination, and potential impacts to restoration infrastructure.
Status:
Permitting is currently paused. A revised proposal is required by February 2026.
Right to Clean Water Amendment
Issue overview:
A proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish an enforceable right to clean and healthy waters in Florida.
Status:
Supporters are pursuing placement on the 2026 ballot.
Why it matters:
If adopted, this amendment could significantly alter how water protections are enforced and how state agencies are held accountable.
Federal “Get Sharked Act”
Issue overview:
A federal proposal addressing the increase in negative human–shark interactions through coordination, research, and public education.
What it does:
Establishes a federal taskforce composed of agencies, scientists, and stakeholders to study shark behavior, incident trends, and response protocols and to develop recommendations.
Status:
The bill has passed the House. Gone through committees in the Senate. Awaiting introduction on Senate Floor.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Guides and anglers have firsthand experience with shark behavior and ecosystem changes. Future recommendations could influence public perception, management approaches, and on-water practices.
Federal Offshore Oil Drilling – Gulf of Mexico
Issue overview:
Renewed federal conversations regarding offshore oil leasing and drilling in the Gulf.
Why it matters:
Oil drilling poses serious risks to water quality, fisheries, tourism, and coastal economies.
LKGA position:
Aligned with unified opposition from Florida municipalities and local leaders who have spoken out against offshore drilling.
Access to Boat Ramps (Monroe County)
Issue overview:
Public access points are shrinking, and Monroe County is exploring a proposal to begin charging fees at county boat ramps.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Boat ramps are essential working infrastructure for local guides and residents. New fees or reduced access can directly affect the ability to run trips, respond to on-the-water issues, and safely access fishing grounds.
LKGA focus:
LKGA is monitoring the County’s proposal closely and working with Monroe County partners to ensure guides can continue using priority ramps and that access remains fair and functional for those who depend on it year-round.
Bareboat Charters & Illegal Charter Activity
As a member of the Key West Harbor Safety Executive Committee, LKGA regularly engages in discussions on this issue and is collaborating with enforcement agencies and local stakeholders to help close gaps and strengthen solutions.
Issue overview:
Bareboat charters and other forms of illegal charter activity are a growing concern for the Keys fishery, public safety, and fair competition for licensed operators.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Illegal charter activity increases pressure on already strained resources, creates safety and liability concerns, and undermines legitimate, compliant charter businesses. These types of charters are gaining in numbers at a rapid rate
LKGA focus:
The U.S. Coast Guard and USFWS are prioritizing action to prevent illegal bareboat charters, and LKGA is monitoring the situation closely while developing a plan to protect our fishery and community from all illegal charter activity.
Thrill-Craft & High-Intensity Use (Jet Skis, Catamarans, Sandbar Charters)
LKGA serves on the Key West Harbor Safety Executive Committee were this is a common topic. We are working with enforcement agencies and other concerned businesses to bridge the gap in important issues around this.
Conflicts related to thrill craft use, including jet skis, are a recurring concern in our nearshore waters. LKGA is collaborating with enforcement agencies and community partners to pursue practical, balanced solutions.
Issue overview:
High-intensity recreational activity—including personal watercraft, commercial sandbar operations, and certain nearshore tourism uses—continues to grow across the Keys and is increasing marine-use conflicts in sensitive areas.
Why it matters to guides and anglers:
Unmanaged or irresponsible use can contribute to habitat damage, unsafe conditions, user conflicts, and diminished fishing and boating experiences in shallow-water ecosystems.
LKGA focus:
LKGA is working to manage relationships while also aligning with agencies and partners to protect the resource. While we want everyone to enjoy our waters, we consistently call for responsible practices and hold ourselves accountable as professionals. Through coordination with management agencies and local taskforces (including the Key West Harbor Safety Committee), LKGA is committed to bringing all users to the table for collaboration—and we will always be at the table advocating for the needs of guides and anglers.
Mid-Session Closing Perspective:
Let us be clear — LKGA does not operate on momentum alone.
Our advocacy, our enforcement engagement, our legislative presence, and our ability to respond in real time only exist because of the donors, key partners, and members who believe this organization matters (and actively support it.)
You are not just supporting events. You are underwriting representation.
More soon…. Until then, we’ll be watching.
