The Florida Legislature launched its annual whirlwind 60-day session on March 5 with newly-minted Sen. Gayle Harrell representing St. Lucie County. She follows former Senate President Joe Negron in representing the Treasure Coast in Tallahassee. Her legislative wish list differs little from his.
“I think the continuing focus, of course, is going to be on the water,” she told St. Lucie Voice in an interview before the session’s start.
The state Senate’s District 25 covers St. Lucie, Martin and the northwestern part of Palm Beach counties. That stretch includes a lot of the Lake Okeechobee shoreline, a huge stretch of the Indian River Lagoon, and some of the most hated water discharges from one to the other. Harrell said she’s optimistic about progress on water issues this session, because the new governor, Ron DeSantis, seems to get it.
Among other things, Gov. DeSantis wants the legislature to approve $625 million a year toward Everglades restoration and other protection of water sources. Still, Harrell is taking no chances, so she has filed bills to ensure funding to Indian River Lagoon preservation, including SB 368. “That would put a dedicated funding source in place from Amendment 1,” she said.
Voters overwhelmingly passed the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative in 2014. It amended the Florida Constitution to dedicate a third of existing documentary stamp taxes (often called doc stamps) on land transitions, to “acquire, restore, improve and manage conservations lands including wetlands and forests.” The Florida Legislature has made controversial moves with the fund that critics charge usurped voters’ intentions. Indeed, environmental groups have filed lawsuits over the issue. Harrell’s bill – if passed by the legislature and signed by the governor – would dedicate $50 million a year, or 7.6 percent of the revenues, to Indian River Lagoon conservation.
At press time the bill has been referred to a committee and two subcommittees. No votes have been taken. The bill has a House companion, HB 141, which is co-sponsored by the two representatives whose districts include St. Lucie Voice coverage area: Delores “D” Hogan Johnson and Tobin “Toby” Overdorf.
Harrell is new to the Senate, but served in the Florida House for 16 years since 2000. She ran in 2018 after Negron announced he was stepping down. She beat out a Republican primary challenger and a Democrat in the general election on Nov. 6. She has worked in the medical field for most of her career, including managing her husband’s practice. Dr. James “Jim” Harrell — a Vietnam-era veteran — died last year. The senator has also taught Spanish and Latin American history.
Harrell is on four Senate committees, two subcommittees and the House and Senate Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight. “I’ve got 21 bills (filed) by the time it’s all done,” she said. “Lots of issues out there that need to be addressed.”
Harrell filed SB 370 with Sen. Keith Perry, whose district is in the middle of the Big Bend, in January.
“One of the bills I’m working hard on is dealing with the demand side of human trafficking,” Harrell said.
She explained that the bill requires incarceration for solicitation of prostitution involving victims of human trafficking.
Other bills Harrell has filed deal with childhood cardiac care. “That’s not something that’s glamorous, but for families with children with cardiac problems, it’s so important,” the senator said.
Additionally, Harrell has filed bills related to opioid addictions treatment and other health concerns.
To monitor progress on Harrell’s bills, visit www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s25.