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Committee approves narrow strict‑liability defense for former phosphate‑mine landowners after amendment clarifies payment for surveys
Summary
A committee substitute for SB 832 was reported favorably after an amendment clarified that landowners seeking a Department of Health radiation survey must pay for it and the sponsor described the measure as a narrow defense limited to former phosphate-mining parcels.
Senate Bill 832, dealing with legal defenses for owners of former phosphate-mining lands, was reported favorably by the committee after a clarifying amendment that makes landowners responsible for paying for any radiation survey they request.
Sponsor Senator Ben Burgess said the bill creates a narrow, transparency-based defense to strict‑liability claims for lands previously subject to phosphate mining. Under the bill, a landowner who records public notice that the property is a former phosphate mine and who obtains a Department of Health radiation survey may assert a limited defense to certain strict-liability lawsuits; the bill does not shield negligence or other causes of action, Burgess said.
A late amendment removed superfluous language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that the landowner who requests the survey must pay for it. Opponents—represented in the record by members of environmental and community groups—argued the bill would curtail claims by potentially exposed residents and could limit accountability; proponents including trade and agricultural associations waved support.
The committee adopted the amendment and reported CS for SB 832 favorably. Sponsor and opponents left room for additional work as the measure proceeds.
Votes at committee: CS for SB 832 reported favorably.
