FloridaLaw assigns canal upkeep between two water districts
Fellsmere maintains several canals, while a neighboring Headwaters district takes on specified upkeep if it is established.
What it does
Fellsmere maintains several canals, while a neighboring Headwaters district takes on upkeep of specified stretches if it is established.
The law describes the Fellsmere Water Control District's boundaries in Indian River County.
Argument forClear canal duties could help the districts plan upkeep and drainage work if the neighboring Headwaters district is established.
Argument againstThe districts could face added costs if they dispute a canal plan or one must repair work the other district failed to maintain.
More detail
The law assigns canal upkeep duties to the Fellsmere and Headwaters districts. Fellsmere maintains the eastern bank of the Lateral U Canal, the Park Lateral Canal, and the rest of the Main Canal. If established next to Fellsmere, Headwaters maintains the rest of Lateral U and a one-mile stretch of the Main Canal. Headwaters takes on specified duties only if it is established next to Fellsmere. The districts must work together on a canal use plan, including how to use the canal during emergencies. Headwaters takes on those duties when it is established next to Fellsmere. The districts must adopt their shared canal use plan by October 1, 2027.
The law describes the Fellsmere Water Control District's boundaries. The boundary descriptions cover land in Indian River County, Florida. The act takes effect October 1, 2026, only if HB 4095 or similar legislation from the same session or an extension also takes effect and becomes law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-223; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 4095 (Ch. 2026-224)Latest
- Jun 8Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 27Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Mar 3ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 3In Messages
- Mar 3CS passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 3Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 3Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 3Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 26Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
- Feb 24Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 24Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 24Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 13Now in State Affairs Committee
- Feb 13Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 12CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 12Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Feb 12Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 15Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 15Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
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