FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As a new legislative session begins in Tallahassee, a new bill in the state senate picks up support from both parties, aimed at tackling Florida’s growing marine debris crisis.

The new bill would preserve all existing local regulations on single-use plastics, prevent local governments from enacting future plastic restrictions by shifting authority to the state, and require the state to take action to address the issue.

State Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, is taking bold action to address Florida’s growing marine debris crisis.

“Thank you so much, to present SB 240, which addresses the environmental and regulatory challenges posed by single use packaging and marine debris in Florida,” she said.

Senator Garcia is the sponsor of Florida Senate Bill 240. The new legislation would preempt all regulation of single-use plastic containers by the state, but also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to create the state’s first marine debris reduction plan, and allows state parks to restrict single-use plastics.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to make sure that we keep debris out of the waterways,” Garcia said.

In the past, there has been a strong push to eliminate all existing local regulations on single-use plastics, with opponents arguing that differing rules across cities and counties are confusing for consumers and businesses.

“It creates uniformity, and it works in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protections so that we can incorporate it statewide, so that we don’t have these different fights and preemptions, because we know what we need to do,” she said. “Now it’s just a matter of getting everyone to a good place.”

“We shouldn’t be dictating and saying, ‘Hey you can’t do it in this area,’ because it’s going to be impossible for businesses to compete long-term and it’s also going to drive up costs for consumers,” said Skylar Zander, Florida director for Americans for Prosperity, in a February 2024 interview.

Previous bills, however, did not address how to solve the plastic pollution problem and failed to advance. SB 240 would preserve local regulations already in place, such as Miami Beach’s ban on foam containers, while placing responsibility on the state to address marine debris.

Clean water advocate Dave Doebler, who consulted with Garcia in crafting the bill, said collaboration will be key.

“Let’s all come together: business, clean water advocates, community members, experts and scientists. Let’s come together and figure out how we deal with marine debris and all this plastic pollution in our oceans through a plan,” Doebler said.

“The plastic pollution problem affects all of us,” Doebler said. “It impacts our tourism. It affects our recreation. It affects, it even affects our food supply and human health.”

According to a 2021 FDEP report on retail bags and single-use plastics, an estimated 7,000 tons of plastic enter Florida’s marine environment each year.

“Perhaps the county and the state haven’t stepped up more, paid more attention in the past, but everything is a work in progress,” Garcia said. “This is the time, and I really think we’re going to get it done this time.”

A House version of the legislation, HB 575, has also been filed and is co-sponsored by Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens.

“If you’re a Floridian and you care about the beaches -- and most of us live here because we love the beaches and we love our environment -- I think it’s important to just pay attention,” Weinberger said.

SB 240 already received its first committee hearing in November before the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, where advocates urged lawmakers to act.

“SB 240 takes a practical approach with measured and meaningful solutions for Florida communities,” said Katie Bauman, Florida policy director for the Surfrider Foundation.

Caitlin Brodie of 4ocean also voiced support, calling the bill a step toward a better future.

“I think it’s going to be something that carries us into the future and hopefully her future in a brighter way than in the past so thank you for Senate Bill 240 and I vote in favor.”

With bipartisan backing, the bill passed its first hearing unanimously.

The measure is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. It has not yet been placed on the agenda. Lawmakers are also tracking the progress of HB 575.

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