FloridaBroward County must study landfill expansions before approval
Starting October 1, 2026, Broward County must complete an independent study and hold a nearby public hearing before approving a physical expansion of Monarch Hill Landfill.
What it does
Before approving a physical expansion of the Monarch Hill Landfill, Broward County must obtain an independent study of health, environmental, community, and alternative waste-management effects.
A public hearing must precede final approval of a Monarch Hill expansion, with advance notice, public comments, and study findings; approval must wait until both are publicly disclosed.
Argument forResidents could receive more information and a formal chance to comment before officials approve a landfill expansion.
Argument againstThe required study, notice, hearing, and public disclosure could lengthen the approval process for a proposed expansion.
More detail
Broward County must commission an independent feasibility study before an application or other approval allowing a physical expansion can be issued or approved. This applies to the Monarch Hill Landfill, a solid waste facility in Broward County operated under state environmental permits. An independent third party with expertise in environmental engineering, solid waste management, and public health impacts must conduct the study. The study must assess environmental and public health effects, alternative waste solutions, effects on nearby communities, and the combined effects of current operations and the proposed expansion. The study must be completed before Broward County issues or approves an application, zoning change, permit, or development order that would allow a physical expansion.
Broward County must hold a public hearing before final approval of a proposed landfill expansion, and approval may not proceed until the study and hearing are publicly disclosed. The hearing must occur in Broward County within 5 miles of the Monarch Hill Landfill and must allow written and spoken public comments. The hearing must be announced at least 30 days ahead through local media, the county website, and direct notice to property owners within 2 miles of the landfill. The hearing must include the feasibility study's findings. The hearing must occur before final approval, and an expansion approval cannot proceed until the required study and hearing are completed and made public.
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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. 2026-201Latest
- Jun 26Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 15Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; 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
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 25Referred to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25In Messages
- Feb 25Passed; YEAS 115, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 17Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 17Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 17Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 13Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 4Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Feb 4Favorable by Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 20Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 20Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 5Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 5Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 17FiledIntroduced
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