A new bill would block Florida cities and counties from setting their own rules on water quality, wetlands and pollution control.

HB 479 , filed by Republican Rep. Randy Maggard of Pasco County, would bar local governments from adopting any laws or policies dealing with water quality or quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharge prevention or removal, and wetlands. Those powers would be fully preempted to the state.

It would also require that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) notify the Chief Financial Officer if a city or county violates state preemption, and would require the CFO to withhold state funds from local governments if they violate state preemption.

The bill includes limited exceptions, such as interlocal agreements between DEP and any agency, wate

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