DeSantis Signs Florida Wetlands Penalty Boost Law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis on April 24, 2026, signed House Bill 1373, significantly increasing fines and criminal penalties for violations in Florida's state-protected wetlands. The legislation, initially reported by FOX 35 Orlando, raises civil penalties from up to $10,000 per violation to as much as $50,000, with repeat offenders facing felony charges and jail time up to five years. It addresses growing threats from developers and polluters in sensitive areas like the Everglades and Panhandle marshes, where wetlands filter water for millions and buffer against hurricanes.[1][7][8] The law closes loopholes in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Environmental Resource Permitting program, which regulates dredging, filling, and stormwater impacts statewide except the Panhandle. Under the prior framework, violations often resulted in minimal deterrence, allowing continued degradation of cypress swamps and marshes vital for fish, wildlife, and flood control. DEP data shows over 1,200 wetland permit applications annually, with enforcement actions doubling in South Florida since 2024 amid urban sprawl in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.[4][2] Supporters, including DEP Secretary Caleb Barrow, emphasize the bill's role in safeguarding public health after incidents like the 2025 Indian River Lagoon fish kills linked to upstream pollution. 'Florida's wetlands are our first line of defense,' Barrow stated at the signing in Orlando. The measure builds on DeSantis' 2026 session actions, including two other environmental bills for coastal protection, countering past criticisms of weakened permitting under his administration.[6][7][8] Environmental groups like Earthjustice, which opposed earlier DEP proposals to assume federal wetland oversight, cautiously welcome the penalties but urge robust staffing for DEP, currently underfunded with 20% vacancies in field inspectors. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with initial focus on high-risk zones around Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns River basin.[1][5]