Help Us Hold Polluters Accountable

Help Us Hold Polluters Accountable

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We need your help to protect access to legal action for Florida’s waterways. 

The Florida Legislature is trying to strip us - conservation organizations and concerned citizens like yourself - of the power to go to court to hold polluters accountable.  

Senate Bill 738 and House Bill 789 (entitled Environmental Management) limits the types of damages required to sue polluters under Florida’s Water Quality Assurance Act. Currently, if someone is harmed by a toxic spill, they can file a lawsuit against the polluter to recover all damages, including things like medical costs and lost revenue. For example, if a toxic ...

We need your help to protect access to legal action for Florida’s waterways. 

The Florida Legislature is trying to strip us - conservation organizations and concerned citizens like yourself - of the power to go to court to hold polluters accountable.  

Senate Bill 738 and House Bill 789 (entitled Environmental Management) limits the types of damages required to sue polluters under Florida’s Water Quality Assurance Act. Currently, if someone is harmed by a toxic spill, they can file a lawsuit against the polluter to recover all damages, including things like medical costs and lost revenue. For example, if a toxic spill prevented a fishing guide from working, they could sue the polluter to recover lost revenue or medical expenses under Florida’s Water Quality Assurance Act. SB 738 and HB 789 would limit the damages that they could recover to only damages to real estate and personal property. 

Bottom Line: These bills will protect polluters from liability. 

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Tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote NO on SB 738

Senate Bill 738 entitled 'Environmental Management' will be heard on the afternoon of Monday, January 29, so take action NOW!

It only takes a couple of minutes to email members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and let them know that you won’t tolerate this attempt to shut non-profits and concerned citizens out of the court system. Take a moment now, and urge them to VOTE NO on SB 738. 

Customized emails are more impactful. You can include things like:

  • Examples of situations where a citizen lawsuit was required to overturn an environmentally destructive permitting decision. 
  • The fact that the Clean Water Act requires states that administer federal programs to “provide for, encourage, and assist’’ public participation. This bill violates that requirement. 
  • A statement pointing out that attorney's fees are already the penalty imposed when someone brings a frivolous lawsuit and this bill would punish people who bring a legitimate lawsuit before the court the same way if they happen to lose.

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Compose your email

Email Tips +

  • Don't forget to include the name and numbers for the bill.
  • Clearly state how you are urging them to vote (Example: "Vote NO because...")
  • Keep it short. There is no need to write a whole essay. A few sentences will do. 
  • Make it personal. Elected officials tend to ignore emails that are copied and pasted from 100s of people. Add a personal touch like a story or how this bill would impact your community. 

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