Florida ban on sunscreen restrictions goes to governor

Bill created in response to Key West plan to halt sales of certain products

TALLAHASSEE – A controversial proposal intended to block Key West and other local governments from imposing bans on certain types of sunscreen was among 38 bills that landed on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk Tuesday.

The proposal (SB 172), which would prohibit local governments from regulating drugs and cosmetics sold over the counter, was crafted in response to plans by Key West to enforce a ban on the sale of sunscreens that contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Key West pointed to concerns that the chemicals could damage coral reefs.

Supporters of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, said sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and disputed that the targeted chemicals damage coral reefs.

The bill drew support from Johnson & Johnson, which makes sunscreens with oxybenzone, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.

But critics said the measure was a threat to local home-rule powers and the need to maintain endangered coral reefs.

During this year’s legislative session, Rep. Javier Fernandez, D-South Miami, called the proposal a “gross overreaction to what has been a measured and reasonable limitation passed by the city of Key West.”

Among the other bills that went to DeSantis on Tuesday was a measure known as the “Clean Waterways Act” (SB 712). Senate sponsor Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge, said the bill provides “lasting solutions,” including setting new rules for septic tanks, increasing environmental fines and imposing records requirements on agricultural fertilizer.

However, several environmental groups said the bill doesn’t go far enough.

“Rather than stopping pollution at the source, the bill is full of bureaucratic housekeeping and weak, inadequate measures,” the Florida Conservation Voters said in a news release. “Rather than mandating strict nitrogen reduction standards for septic systems, it merely moves the regulation of septic tanks from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection. Rather than enacting stricter pollution standards for agricultural operations, it doubles down on voluntary best management practices.”