Bipartisan beach closure bill vetoed by Fla. governor, surprising supporters

By Bruce Ritchie | 06/28/2024 01:21 PM EDT

The bill would require state health officials to issue advisories within 24 hours for high bacteria levels and to close beaches if necessary.

A person rows a paddle board over a wave.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have required the Florida Department of Health to issue advisories within 24 hours and consider closing beaches because of poor water quality. Kiichiro Sato/AP

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A Republican co-sponsor of a beach water sampling bill said Thursday she doesn’t fault Gov. Ron DeSantis for vetoing the legislation despite it passing the Legislature unanimously.

The governor on Wednesday vetoed the bipartisan bill, H.B. 165, because he said it gave the Florida Department of Health authority to close beaches.

The bill would require state health officials to issue advisories within 24 hours for high bacteria levels and to close beaches if necessary.

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“I have made water quality and protecting Florida’s natural resources a priority and my Administration will continue to do so,” DeSantis wrote in his veto letter. “But this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”

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