Bill · H.R. 3819· House(119-HR-3819)
PROTECT Florida Act
- Introduced
- 6/6/2025
- Last activity
- 6/7/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Mast
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "PROTECT Florida Act," directs the Army Corps of Engineers to modify water infrastructure management in Central and Southern Florida. It requires that public health considerations overlay all authorized project purposes, such as flood control and water supply. The act defines public health through managing Lake Okeechobee to minimize toxic cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms. It also mandates ensuring the stability of the Herbert Hoover Dike and maintaining water quality for the Everglades and various watersheds. Additionally, the Secretary of the Army must update a Master Operational Manual to manage the system for public health and Everglades Restoration. Finally, a study on pollution and nutrient loading will be conducted in conjunction with the National Academies of Sciences.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The act strengthens environmental protections by prioritizing water quality and ecosystem restoration in the Everglades.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill mandates improved management of the Central and Southern Florida water system to protect public health and the Everglades.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically aims to ensure water quality reaches Tribal lands.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from harmful algae: The bill aims to minimize the potential of toxic cyanobacteria and other harmful algal blooms to protect public health (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Safety for downstream communities: It seeks to prevent discharges containing toxins into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds to protect downstream users (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Infrastructure stability: The act includes ensuring the integrity and stability of the Herbert Hoover Dike (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Environmental restoration: The bill aims to ensure necessary water volume and quality reaches the greater Everglades, Tribal lands, Everglades National Park, and Florida Bay (Section 2(b)(4)).
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Research for future solutions: A required study will look into the impacts of pollution and nutrient loading to propose solutions for downstream watersheds (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 6/7/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 6/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House