Panhandle Legislators File Septic Tank Repeal
A state law requiring owners of septic tanks to pay $500, if not more, for state-mandated inspections will be repealed under legislation being filed by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Representative Marti Coley (R-Marianna).
The mandate was quietly inserted as an amendment into Senate Bill 550, a wide-ranging environmental preservation bill, in the waning days of the 2010 legislative session. Legislators insist they were misled by an explanation of the bill by its sponsor, who tried, but failed to enact a similar provision the previous year. Unless it is changed, the new law would force persons owning septic tanks to have them inspected every five years and then pumped out, repaired or replaced if problems are identified.
Coley, who voted against the original mandate said, “One of the many problems with this requirement is that it was crafted by the companies that will be paid to do the inspections. This is a clear conflict of interest.”
“The proper management of septic systems is important to our environment,” Gaetz explained. “But this mandate is not supported by scientific necessity. Moreover, it works a special hardship on many people in rural areas who are struggling to make it financially in these exceptionally hard times.”
Legislators had appealed to Governor Charlie Crist to delay implementation of the law until the House and Senate go into session in early 2011. However, Crist refused, leaving lawmakers no choice, but to seek repeal.
According to county governments, there are approximately 203,322 known septic tanks in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. The forced inspections would cost taxpayers just in those five Northwest Florida counties millions of dollars in fees.
“County governments, taxpayer organizations and hundreds of concerned citizens have asked for relief from this intrusive, unnecessary expense,” Coley and Gaetz explained. The two lawmakers are actively seeking support for the repeal legislation which they acknowledge will be challenging to pass.
A state law requiring owners of septic tanks to pay $500, if not more, for state-mandated inspections will be repealed under legislation being filed by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Representative Marti Coley (R-Marianna).
The mandate was quietly inserted as an amendment into Senate Bill 550, a wide-ranging environmental preservation bill, in the waning days of the 2010 legislative session. Legislators insist they were misled by an explanation of the bill by its sponsor, who tried, but failed to enact a similar provision the previous year. Unless it is changed, the new law would force persons owning septic tanks to have them inspected every five years and then pumped out, repaired or replaced if problems are identified.
Coley, who voted against the original mandate said, “One of the many problems with this requirement is that it was crafted by the companies that will be paid to do the inspections. This is a clear conflict of interest.”
“The proper management of septic systems is important to our environment,” Gaetz explained. “But this mandate is not supported by scientific necessity. Moreover, it works a special hardship on many people in rural areas who are struggling to make it financially in these exceptionally hard times.”
Legislators had appealed to Governor Charlie Crist to delay implementation of the law until the House and Senate go into session in early 2011. However, Crist refused, leaving lawmakers no choice, but to seek repeal.
According to county governments, there are approximately 203,322 known septic tanks in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. The forced inspections would cost taxpayers just in those five Northwest Florida counties millions of dollars in fees.
“County governments, taxpayer organizations and hundreds of concerned citizens have asked for relief from this intrusive, unnecessary expense,” Coley and Gaetz explained. The two lawmakers are actively seeking support for the repeal legislation which they acknowledge will be challenging to pass.
To ask a follow on question or to send Senator Don Gaetz or Representative Marti Coley an Email: http://www.gulf1.com/Elected/gaetz/Gaetzmail.htm
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