WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Sen. Bill Nelson introduced the Toxic Algae Tax Relief Act on Thursday to help small businesses in South Florida affected by the toxic algal blooms. 

“These toxic algae blooms are having a real impact on the local businesses and economies that depend on our state’s waterways,” Nelson said in a press release. “We need to do everything we can to help the small business owners who, through no fault of their own, are suddenly struggling to make ends meet because of these toxic algae blooms."

If it's approved, Nelson's legislation would allow areas that experience "significant economic hardship" because of the toxic algae bloom to be designated as "Toxic Algae Zones," according to Nelson's website. Once those areas are designated, small businesses in those zones would be able to claim a tax reduction for any loss of money due to the algae.

The amount of losses a small business owner could claim depends on how much they earned during the year of the bloom, compared to their average annual income for the three years prior, according to the legislation. Those who earned less than their average annual income for the three years beforehand would be entitled to claim a deduction for the difference.

In 2016, hotel occupancy rates in both West Palm Beach and Boca Raton fell almost 20 percent as compared to the year before, partly because of the toxic algae that took over the local waterways.

Click here to read the full legislation.

Track algae testing in Florida through an interactive map. Call (855) 305-3903 to report an algal bloom, or go online.