A similar measure died in the 2025 Session after an unsuccessful bill merger.
Rep. Lawrence McClure, a Dover Republican, has filed a bill that establishes a defense for landowners against liability for having radioactive byproducts on site.
The bill (HB 167[1]) is nearly identical to legislation filed for the 2025 Legislative Session (SB 832[2], HB 585[3]) that ultimately died, despite efforts to combine provisions[4] into an unrelated bill.
The measure would require landowners to provide notice to the county where the parcel is located that it was once used as a phosphate mining site. It would also require a gamma radiation survey conducted by the Department of Health.
Critics argued in the 2025 Session that it overly protected landowners and made it difficult to sue over contaminated lands by expanding what evidence is admissible in health insurance lawsuits. It would establish a “loser pays” type of system, whereby whoever wins the suit would be able to recoup attorneys fees.
St. Petersburg Democrat Rep. Lindsay Cross offered an amendment in this year’s Legislative Session that would have expanded the measure to require landowners to inform prospective buyers or occupants that the property was formerly used as a phosphate mine. But then-sponsor Berny Jacques said the amendment was unfriendly and successfully urged members to vote against it, despite some initial bipartisan support.
That provision is not included in the 2026 version from McClure.
As of Oct. 17, a Senate companion had not been filed. Sen. Danny Burgess filed the Senate legislation in the 2025 Session.