Septic inspection likely repealed

Three Florida House committees have now approved a bill to repeal a mandatory septic tank inspection regulation passed last year. The bill is ready to go to the House floor for a vote, but a new Senate bill may force a compromise.

House Bill 13, supported by the Florida Home Builders Association and other business groups, eliminates provisions directing the Department of Health to create and administer a statewide septic tank evaluation program. The provision would have forced homeowners with septic tanks to pay for inspections of their onsite disposal systems every five years.

But Senate Bill 1698 by Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, filed after the start of session, would repeal the mandatory septic tank inspection program, but also create a pilot program to evaluate and require repair/replacement of septic tank systems in counties where the largest springs exist. Other counties could adopt the program by choice.

The Senate Health Regulation Committee unanimously approved a committee substitute March 28. The bill is scheduled to go to the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee March 30. Two other Senate bills similar to HB 13 appear stalled for now.