Clean water advocates are calling for a bill that would track health problems among Floridians and deaths among wildlife after exposure to algae outbreaks.
The outbreaks are caused by sewage, manure and fertilizer.
Senator Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat, said the state needs tougher standards for clean water before it's too late. He acknowledged his bill faces an uphill fight.
"We have a long row to hoe, no doubt about it, but I'd be shirking my responsibilities if I didn't put what I thought was the right solution forward", Soto said.
Under the bill, the state would count the cases of people who fall ill and those of seabirds, manatees, dogs and livestock who die after exposure to algae.
If the number of cases passed a certain amount, the state's rules on sewage would be replaced with tighter federal requirements.