HB 1175

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to oil and gas drilling; creating s.
3	377.061, F.S.; prohibiting activities associated with the
4	exploration for and production of oil, gas, or other
5	petroleum products in sovereignty submerged lands and
6	waterways; providing an effective date.
7
8	WHEREAS, the Legislature declares that the state has a
9	vital interest and responsibility to protect its citizens,
10	coastal areas, natural wildlife, and tourism industry, and
11	WHEREAS, the Legislature further declares that the
12	possibility for spillage of oil or any other pollutant as a
13	result of the activities associated with the exploration and
14	production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products from certain
15	lands and waters surrounding the state constitutes a threat to
16	the health and welfare of the state's citizens, coastal areas,
17	natural wildlife, and tourism industry, and
18	WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that despite any safeguards
19	that could be imposed on the activities associated with the
20	exploration and production of oil, gas, or other petroleum
21	products from certain lands and waters surrounding the state,
22	pollution from these activities cannot be eliminated, and
23	WHEREAS, the possibility of an oil spill cannot be
24	eliminated and pollution from an oil spill would be catastrophic
25	to the state's citizens, coastal areas, natural wildlife, and
26	tourism industry, NOW, THEREFORE,
27
28	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
29
30	Section 1.  Section 377.061, Florida Statutes, is created
31	to read:
32	377.061  Prohibition on exploration for and production of
33	oil, gas, or other petroleum products in sovereignty submerged
34	lands and waterways.--All activities associated with the
35	exploration for and production of oil, gas, or other petroleum
36	products in the sovereignty submerged lands and waterways over
37	which the state has jurisdiction or control, now or in the
38	future, are prohibited.
39	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.