LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2026
January 13, 2026 - March 13, 2026
Florida Springs Council's
Analyses, Positions and Tools for Advocates
Breaching the Rodman Dam to restore the Ocklawaha River is the single most important project we can do today for Florida’s environment. We have the science, we have a plan for restoration, and we have public support. What we need is for state decision makers to take action to approve Ocklawaha River restoration during the 2026 Legislative Session. Click the button below to sign the pledge to support and advocate for reuniting the rivers and restoring the Ocklawaha River.
Our action alerts make it easy to contact lawmakers with pre-written emails. Provide your name and email address, modify the message if you wish, and hit send. Our system gets the right message to the right legislators.
We can’t promise you that we will win every time you take an action,
but we can promise that we will lose if you don’t.
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETINGS - SPRINGS ADVOCACY GUIDE
These meetings are an opportunity to connect with your representatives and advocate for issues impacting Florida’s environment and your local community ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session.
If you plan to speak at your county’s legislative delegation meeting, use this guide to inform your comments on environmental issues.
These are just some of the issues the Florida Springs Council will be focused on during the 2026 Legislative Session. There may be more important environmental issues impacting your local community.
Keep in mind that your comment period will be limited, so keep your comments short and choose the issues most important to you and your community. You will likely need to register in advance to reserve speaking time.
Increase Springs Restoration Funding
With nearly 90% of Outstanding Florida Springs impaired by nitrogen pollution and spring flow continuing to decline across the state, our springs desperately need Florida legislators to increase springs restoration funding. Springs restoration is typically funded at $50 million each year, which is the minimum amount allowable under Florida Statutes. This is insufficient to even slow the degradation of our springs. To restore Florida’s springs, maintain healthy wildlife habitats and keep our water clean, we need the Florida Legislature to allocate a minimum of $150 million to springs restoration in the 2026 Florida Budget. Without increased funding, we will see negative impacts to our natural areas, wildlife, local economies and recreational opportunities continue.
Senate Bill 180
SB 180 was passed during the 2025 Legislative Session and sold as a disaster relief bill. However, developers are using language that was snuck into SB 180 at the last minute to threaten local governments’ land-use rules and regulations. SB 180 puts local smart-growth planning at risk, stripping communities of home rule and weakening protections for our natural resources in favor of increased development and sprawl. We’re urging local governments to fight for their comprehensive plans, rural boundaries and land-use regulations, and we’re asking our state representatives and senators to repeal Ch. 252.422 F.S. (Section 18), and Section 28 of SB 180 during the 2026 Legislative Session.
Learn more at 1000fof.org/priorities/restorecommunityplanning
Ocklawaha River Restoration
Breaching the Rodman Dam and restoring the Ocklawaha River would revive 20 lost springs, enhance Silver Springs and the St. Johns River, open up critical manatee habitat, and provide increased recreational opportunities for fishing and paddling. Last year, Governor DeSantis vetoed critical funding for Ocklawaha River restoration. We’re encouraging the Florida Legislature to once again support the revival of a free-flowing Ocklawaha and finally reverse the damage created when the Ocklawaha was dammed for the abandoned Cross-Florida Barge Canal project.
Learn more at reunitetherivers.com
Plastic Regulations
For the last two years, conservation advocates have come together to defeat industry-backed legislation to eliminate and preempt local reusable and single-use container regulations already in place across the state, including at beaches, springs, and county and state parks. This includes regulations on plastic bottles and bags, styrofoam containers, glass, etc.
This year, we’re asking lawmakers to stand firm in support of home rule and support legislation that allows local governments to keep trash out of our waterways, ensures our parks are clean and safe, and safeguards regulations already in place.
Springs Protection Zones
Near the end of last Session, an amendment to SB 1388 “Vessels” put in place nearly impossible to meet conditions for the adoption of new Springs Protection Zones to regulate boating activities that harm springs. Besides raising the burden from “harm” to “significant harm,” the law now requires determining that vessels are the “predominant cause of negative impacts.” We’re asking the legislature to repeal that specific provision so new Springs Protection Zones can be adopted where needed.
Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL Recovery Strategy
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is in the process of adopting the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Associated Priority Springs Recovery Strategy. State agencies are required to adopt a Recovery Strategy where a spring or river has fallen below its mandated Minimum Flow, the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology of the area. The Santa Fe Recovery Strategy will be up for ratification during the 2026 Legislative Session. The current draft of the Santa Fe Recovery Strategy allows the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Springs to continue to decline for more than a decade before any hope of recovery. We are urging our lawmakers who represent the Santa Fe Basin to advocate for a meaningful, protective and fiscally responsible Recovery Strategy that prioritizes restoration of the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and springs.
Learn more: Click here to read the Florida Springs Council’s Santa Fe Recovery Strategy Comment Letter to FDEP
Upcoming Delegation Meetings
Here's info on some of the upcoming meetings in counties around Florida's Springs in North-Central Florida. We'll continue to update this list. For a full list of meetings across the state, check out 1000 Friends of Florida's website: 1000fof.org/upcoming-events/
Jefferson County -
September 8
Meeting Info: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
435 W Walnut Street
Monticello, FL 32344
For more information, or to be placed on the agenda, contact Mitchell.Allen@flhouse.gov or (850) 717-5009
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Baker County -
September 29
Meeting Info: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
118 East Macclenny Ave, Macclenny, FL
If you’d like to speak, please contact lee.mary@flsenate.gov (Office of Senator Bradley)
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
-
Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL Recovery Strategy
Marion County - October 1
Meeting Info: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
3001 SW College Rd. Ocala, FL 34474
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
-
Plastic Regulations (Advocate to keep plastic bans like the one at KP Hole Park in place)
Levy County - October 21
Meeting Info: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Levy County Commission Board Auditorium is located at 31 School Street
Register to speak at: https://forms.gle/EQeHXwQHHnWa2CT18
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Union County - October 23
Meeting Info: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Lake Butler City Hall, 200 Southwest 1st Street, Lake Butler, Florida 32054
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL Recovery Strategy
-
Plastic Regulations
Volusia County - October 29
Meeting Info: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Deland City Hall Commission Chamber, 120 South Florida Avenue, Deland, FL 32720
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Plastic Regulations
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
Madison County -
September 8
Meeting Info: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM 229 SW Pickney Street
Madison, FL 32340
For more information, or to be placed on the agenda, contact Mitchell.Allen@flhouse.gov or (850) 717-5009
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Jackson County -
September 30
Meeting Info: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
3056 College Street
Marianna, FL 32446
To request an appearance form to be placed on the agenda or submit handouts for the Jackson County Legislation Delegation meeting, please email ann.mcgraw@myfloridahouse.gov no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, September 25th, 2025
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Alachua County - October 20
Meeting Info: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Joseph W. Fordyce Building (R-01)
3000 NW 83rd Street
Register to speak: https://forms.gle/Qw84KU45zmcLd16R7
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL Recovery Strategy
-
Plastic Regulations
Seminole County - October 23
Meeting Info: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
1101 E. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
St. Johns County - October 27
Meeting Info: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
St. Johns County Auditorium
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
-
Plastic Regulations
Citrus County - October 31
Meeting Info: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Board of County Commissioners Chamber, 110 N. Apopka Ave., Inverness, FL. 34450
Please contact the office of State Representative JJ Grow at (352) 654-0490 or email Dawn Faherty at Dawn.Faherty@FLHouse.gov to be added to the agenda no later than October 27, 2025.
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Putnam County -
September 19
Meeting Info: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
2509 Crill Ave., Suite 200
Palatka, FL 32177
Anyone looking to be placed on the September 19, 2025, agenda must contact Danielle Curbow with Senator Tom Leek’s office at Curbow.Danielle@flsenate.gov or (386) 446-7610 prior to September 12, 2025.
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
-
SB 180
Clay County - September 30
Meeting Info: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
477 Houston St. Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
-
SB 180
Orange County - October 21
Meeting Info: 2:00 pm
Orange County Administration Building (201 S. Rosalind Ave. Orlando, FL 32801)
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Ocklawaha River Restoration
Bradford County - October 23
Meeting Info: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bradford County Commission Meeting Room, 945 North Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
Santa Fe and Ichetucknee River MFL Recovery Strategy
-
Plastic Regulations
Leon County - October 27
Meeting Info: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Knott Building, Room 412, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
Hernando County - December 15
Meeting Info: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Hernando County Government Center, John Law Ayers Commission Chambers (Room 160) 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601
Contact Rep. Holcomb’s office at alyssa.nienhuis@flhouse.gov or at (352) 675-0100 on or before noon on Dec. 8, 2025, to register in advance to speak.
Suggested Topics to Discuss:
-
Springs Restoration Funding
-
SB 180
-
Plastic Regulations
A DEEPER DIVE
Watch our webinars, read our letters to legislators and find more information about bills and budget items from the 2025 Legislative Session.
SIGN UP FOR SPRINGS NEWS & ACTION ALERTS BY EMAIL OR TEXT
ROADTRIP ADVOCATES
For those of you who would like to go beyond mailing or calling your representatives: this gives you the chance to travel to Tallahassee and speak in front of lawmakers in person. Sign up to be notified of any opportunities to join our executive director Ryan Smart, the only lobbyist in Tallahassee working solely on springs issues, for a day in the Capital Building.
We'll bring you up to speed on the issues and together present a united voice for springs.