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SB 544FLORIDA · STATEWIDESession 2026dead

Transfer of Golf Course Certification Program to Agriculture Department

Original title: Golf Courses

March 13, 2026

agricultureenvironmentgolf coursesfertilizerstate governmentindustry

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The Frame

What this does

The bill changes which state agency manages environmental standards for golf courses, potentially impacting how local fertilizer and water use restrictions are applied to certified golf course operators.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Golf course operators

They must adhere to new certification requirements and continuing education standards to maintain exemptions from local fertilizer and water restrictions.

Local governments

They are restricted from enforcing certain local water and fertilizer ordinances on certified golf course operators.

What changed

Last recorded activity March 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill transfers the oversight of the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also updates certification requirements, including a four-year expiration period and mandatory continuing education for recertification.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill change how golf courses manage fertilizer?
Yes, certified participants must follow best management practices for fertilizer application, and recertification now requires specific continuing education hours on this topic.
Are certified golf courses exempt from local water restrictions?
Generally, yes, certified persons are exempt from local water and fertilizer , unless a state of emergency is declared.
Who is responsible for the training and testing of golf course staff?
The turfgrass science program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences administers the training and testing.

Why It Matters

The bill changes which state agency manages environmental standards for golf courses, potentially impacting how local fertilizer and water use restrictions are applied to certified golf course operators.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Lobbying Activity

GEORGE R. STEFFES INC.

on behalf of CALIFORNIA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

Senate LDAView filing →

STEFFES INC. GEORGE R.

on behalf of CALIFORNIA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

Senate LDAView filing →

ASHLIE KUEHN

Senate LDAView filing →

ASHLIE KUEHN

Senate LDAView filing →

Voting Record

Motion succeededupper1/13/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Total

7

Yes

6

No

1

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

Full roll-call analysis →

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Centralization of Agricultural Oversight

The bill moves environmental certification for golf courses from the environmental protection agency to the agriculture department, aligning it with other agricultural best management practices.

Department of Environmental ProtectionDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Connected Entities

organizationDepartment of Environmental Protection“Current administrator of the certification program being transferred.”Map →
organizationDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services“New administrator of the certification program.”Map →
otherGolf Course Best Management Practices Certification Act“The formal name of the program and legislation.”Map →
organizationUniversity of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences“Responsible for administering the certification program and training.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy30
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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