On July 20, 2010, House Speaker Larry Cretul announced the creation of six (6) new legislative working groups to address issues arising form the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. The working groups are to report back to Speaker Cretul by August 31 with initial recommendations.   
Below are Speaker Cretul's comments, the guiding principles of the working groups and the leadership and members of the various working groups.  

Fellow citizens:
After reviewing the status of the Deepwater Horizon well blowout, meeting with affected citizens, and talking with my colleagues in the Florida House and Senate, I am establishing six workgroups with specific assignments. These workgroups are expected to uncover problems and offer meaningful legislative solutions to the issues created by the oil spill.
I have agreed with Senate President Atwater to concentrate our efforts to identify legislation that may be passed this fall to assist citizens in Florida’s coastal counties. I encourage you to follow the activities and conclusions that emerge from these workgroups and to participate as we seek solutions.
Larry Cretul
Speaker

Goals and Guiding Principles
• Assist Florida’s citizens, businesses, and state and local governments in addressing the disaster and ensuring responsible parties are held accountable.
• Assure legislative actions bring meaningful relief while preserving fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Assure legislative actions add value and make efficient use of resources.
• Enhance coordination, eliminate barriers, and streamline processes within legislative authority to influence.
• Avoid duplicating or distracting from other efforts to respond to and recover from the disaster.

WORKING GROUPS:
1. Evaluate response to current disaster and prepare for future disasters--Rep. T. Williams, Lead
MEMBERS--Bembry, Braynon, Fresen, Legg, Roberson, K.

2. Assess programs and resources to meet immediate needs of impacted areas.
Rep. O’Toole--Lead
MEMBERS: Clarke-Reed, Drake, Jenne, Nelson, Plakon
3. Review the scope of private sector damages and processes for compensation--Rep. Crisafulli, Lead
MEMBERS: Ford, Grady, Long, Rouson, Wood

4. Develop strategies for public sector recovery of damages
Rep. Hudson, Lead
MEMBERS: Jones, Patronis, Stargel, Waldman, Workman

5. Identify regional long-term economic recovery opportunities
Rep. Kreegel, Lead
MEMBERS: Chestnut, Coley, Hays, Heller, Ray

6. Examine adequacy of criminal and civil penalties to address offenses causing or arising out of environmental disasters
Rep. Dorworth, Lead