Between red tide and a recent sewage spill into Sarasota Bay, State Sen. Joe Gruters has filed with the state senate three water quality related bills.
The bills would ban smoking on beaches, put back into place septic inspection rules, and give the state the power to fine local government for sewage spills.
Senate Bill 216 was filed just days after a sewage spill on December 20, when 900,000 gallons of contaminated storm water spilled into the bay.
The bill will be heard by a committee later this month.