April 11, 2025 | Legislative Reporter
This pastweek was thesixthweek of the 2025LegislativeSession.With only three weeks leftuntilthe sessionis scheduled to end on May 2,bills thathave notyetbeen heard or started toprogress through committeeare likelynotto passthis year.
The BillTracking Report,as ofApril11canbeviewedhere.Pleasereviewittoseethefiledbills thatAPAFloridaistrackingand theirstatus.Note thatifyouclick on thebillnumber,youwillbelinkedtomore informationaboutthebill.
PRIORITY BILLS
APA Floridaandits LegislativePolicyCommittee have worked tospecifically trackcertainhigh profileproposed legislation as Priority Bills.Thefollowing isa summary of some of thesepriority bills,withfurther information below.
SB184(ADUs) Billhistoryhere Requirescountiesand municipalitiestoadoptanordinance byDec. 1, 2025, toallowaccessorydwellingunits(ADUs) inanyarea zoned forsingle-familyresidentialuse.
SB123(CharterSchools)
HB943(LiveLocalAct)
HB209(State Parks)
SB1730 (AffordableHousing)
Billhistoryhere Limits whomayapplyforaconversioncharter schoolto onlyparents with childrenenrolledatthe schooland certainmunicipalities seekinga“jobenginecharter school” toattractjob-producingentities to the municipality.
Billhistoryhere Amends various provisionsin the LiveLocalActrelating to affordablehousing,certain building moratoriums,and reporting requirements
Billhistoryhere Createsthe State Park Preservation Act. Itrequires state parksor preserves to be managed ina manner thatprovides the greatest combinationofbenefits to thepublic and the land’s naturalresources.
Billhistoryhere Requires localgovernments toauthorize multifamilyand mixed use residentialasallowable uses inportions ofanyflexibly zonedarea suchasa plannedunitdevelopmentpermittedforcommercial, industrial, or mixeduse, ifatleast40percentoftheresidentialunits in a proposed multifamilydevelopmentarerentalunits that, fora period ofatleast30 years,areaffordable
Housing: CS/CS/CSSB184 E1 (Sen. Gaetz)passedtheSenate withflooramendments on April9and is in Messages to theHouse.
Thebillamends s.163.31771 torequirecountiesand municipalitiestoadoptanordinance byDec. 1,2025,toallowaccessory dwelling units(ADUs) inany areazonedfor single-familyresidentialuse.Such ordinance applies prospectively to ADUspermitted orconstructedafteradoption of the ordinance.
Theordinance mayregulate theconstruction,permitting,anduse ofADUs, butmaynot:
• prohibittheownerofanADUfromofferingtheADUforrent,excepttoprohibittherentingorleasingofanADUapproved aftertheeffectivedateoftheordinanceforatermlessthan1month (Theexceptionwasaddedasaflooramendment);
• requireanADUownertoresideintheprimarydwellingunit,definedastheexistingorproposedsingle-familydwellingon thepropertywhereaproposedADUwouldbelocated;
• increaseparkingrequirementsonanyparcelthatcanaccommodateanadditionalmotorvehicleonadrivewaywithout impedingaccesstotheprimarydwellingunit;and
• requirereplacementparkingifagarage,carport,orcoveredparkingstructureisconvertedtocreateanaccessorydwellingunit. Thebillstates thattheownerofapropertywithanADUmaynotbedenied ahomesteadexemption for thoseportions of property on which theownermaintainsapermanentresidencesolely on thebasisofthepropertycontainingan ADU thatisormayberented to another person.However, iftheADU isrented toanother person, theADUmustbeassessed separatelyfromthe homestead property and taxedaccording to its use.
Thebillremoves therequirementforpropertyowners seekingto constructanADU toattestthatthe unitwillberentedatan affordablerate toa low-income person or persons.However, the billmaintains theprovisionallowing ADUswhich provide affordablerentalhousing toapply toward satisfyingaffordable housing goals in the localgovernment’scomprehensiveplan. Thebillalsoamends s.420.615 toexpand theexpressauthorizationfor localgovernmentsto grantdensity bonuses to landowners thatdonate land to the localgovernmentfor the purposeofprovidingaffordablehousing, to specify thataffordablehousing includes housingfor militaryfamiliesreceivingthebasicallowanceforhousing.
Finally, the billdirects the Office of ProgramPolicy Analysisand GovernmentalAccountability (OPPAGA) toevaluate theefficacy of using mezzanine finance, or second position short-termdebt, to stimulate theconstructionofowner-occupiedaffordablehousing. OPPAGA mustalsoevaluate the potentialof tiny homes to meetaffordable housing needs inthis state. OPPAGA mustconsultwith the FloridaHousing Finance Corporationand theShimberg Centerfor HousingStudiesattheUniversityofFloridaand submit a reportof itsfinding to theLegislature byDec.31,2026.Thereportmustincluderecommendations for the structuring ofamodel mezzanine finance program.
TheSenatealsoamended thebill, thruaflooramendment,tocreate s.83.471 dealingwithreusable tenantscreeningreports. CS/CS/HB247(Rep. Conerly),asimilar bill,was reportedfavorably by the HouseIntergovernmentalAffairsSubcommitteeon April9 and moves tothe HouseCommerce Committee, itsfinalcommitteeofreference.
Education: CS/CS/HB123(Rep.Andrade) wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments, by theHouseEducation & EmploymentCommittee,its finalcommitteeofreference, onApril8 and placedon theHouse Calendar onSecond Reading.
Thebillrevises s.1002.33regarding theapplicationfora conversioncharter school,requiring suchapplication tobemade only by parentswhosechildrenareenrolledattheschool,removingauthorityof thedistrictschoolboardortheschool’s principal,teachers, or schooladvisory counciltoapply. A municipalitywitha schoolwithinits jurisdiction thathasearneda gradebelowan“A” for fiveconsecutiveyearsmay alsoapply toconvertthe schooltoa“jobenginecharter school” inorder toattract job-producingentities to the municipality. The job enginecharter mustprovideanannualreporton investmentsmade toattractandmaintain jobproducingentities inthe municipality.
Italsochanges the supportrequiredtoconvertapublic schoolto acharter, by removing the requirementthatatleast50 percentof the school’s teachers vote insupport.Thebillprohibitsadistrictschoolboardfromcharging rentalor leasing feesfor theexisting facility or property normally inventoried to theconversion schooltoa municipality organizing thecharterschoolandprohibits any property normallyinventoried to the schoolfrombeingremovedfromtheschool.
Note thatthecommitteeamendedthebilltoremove previously proposed language thatwould do the following:
• requirea schoolboard to submitin apublic meetinga 5-yearplanfor the use of purchasedoracquired realpropertybefore occupying it;
• prohibita schoolboard purchasing oracquiring realpropertyif enrollmentin the districthasdeclined during the prior5year periodandif suchadecline has occurred,arequirementfor the board todispose of propertydeemed by theState BoardofEducation tobesurplus;and
• require thatsurplusrealpropertybegiven priorityforconversion toaffordablehousingfor teachers,firstresponders, or militaryservicemembers;charter schoolfacilities;orrecreationalfacilities developed bylocalgovernment. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/140/BillText/c1/PDF
CS/SB140(Sen.Gaetz), which also dealswithcharter schools, is in theSenate Rules Committee, itsfinalcommittee ofreference. Note this billstillcontainslanguagesimilar to thatdeleted bythe House committee.
Real Property and Land Use and Development: CS/CS/HB943 (Rep.V.Lopez)wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments, by theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairsSubcommitteeon April9and movesto theHouse CommerceCommittee, itsfinal committee ofreference.
Thebillamends s.125.01055and s.166.0415related toaffordable housing, to:
• provide thatacounty ormunicipality may notadoptorenforceany law,ordinance,rule, or other measure thatlimits or prohibitsaffordable housing, including,butnotlimitedto,anymeasure thatisadopted for thepurposeoflimiting the maximumpercentage of unitswithinacertain geographicarea or within acertaindistancefromanotheraffordable housing project,orthatotherwiseprohibitsaffordablehousing inareaszonedfor such use;
• allowacounty or municipality toapprove thedevelopmentofaffordablehousing onany parcel, includinganycontiguous parcelconnectthereto, thatisownedbyareligious institutionthatcontainsa houseofworship,regardlessof theunderlying zoning aslongas10 percentof the unitsincluded in theprojectare forhousingthatisaffordable;
• add definitionsforallowable density,allowableuse,commercialuse, industrialuse,mixed use, plannedunitdevelopment (thedefinition for mixedusewasadded bythe committee);
• provide that,notwithstandinganyother law,localordinance,or regulation to thecontrary,includinganylocalmoratorium establishedafterMarch 29,2023,a countyor municipalitymustauthorize multifamilyandmixed-useresidentialas allowable uses on any parcelownedandauthorizedby thecounty or municipality,a districtschoolboard,areligious institutionas definedin s.170.201(2),andinanyarea zonedforcommercial,industrial, or mixed use,oronany parcel withina planned unitdevelopmentpermittedfor commercial,industrial, or mixeduse, ifatleast40percentofthe residentialunits ina proposedmultifamily or mixed-use residentialdevelopmentare rentalunits that,foraperiodofatleast 30 years,areaffordable(Note the committee deletedaclausealsorequiring this inany zoningdistrictnotzoned solelyfor useasa single-family homeorduplex.)
o this does notapply to moratoria imposedtoaddressstormwaterorfloodwater management, toaddress the supply of potablewater, or due to thenecessaryrepair of sanitarysewersystems, if suchmoritoria applyequally to alltypes of multifamilyormixed-useresidentialdevelopment(This wasadded by the committee.)
• allowcounty or municipality toinclude an adjacentparcelof landas partof the multifamilydevelopment, regardlessofthe land usedesignation of theadjacentparcel, if theresidentialunits to be builton theadjacentparcelcomplywith the requirements within ss.125.01055(7)orss.166.04151(7)(Thecommitteeamended thistoallow the inclusion, versus making itmandatory.);
• provide thatacounty ormunicipality may notrequireaproposed multifamily or mixed-useresidentialdevelopmentto acquire or transferdensity, density units,ordevelopmentunits, orobtain anamendmenttoa developmentof regional impact,amendmenttoa developmentagreement, oramendmenttoarestrictive covenantor azoning or landusechange, specialexception,conditionaluseapproval, variance, orcomprehensiveplanamendment,orany otherapprovalfor the building height, zoning,and densitiesauthorizedunderss.125.01055(7)orss.166.04151(7);
• provide thatacounty ormunicipality may notrequirethatmore than10 percentofa mixed-use residentialprojectbeused fornon-residentialpurposes;
• provide thataffordableorworkforce units thatreceiveany incentive under subsection(4)also qualifyasaffordableunder ss.125.01055(7)orss.166.04151(7)as longas the unitssatisfytherequirements of s.420.0004and thelocalregulation
• prohibitacounty or municipalityfromdirectlyrestricting or takingaction thathastheeffectof restricting, thefollowingfor a proposed multifamily or mixed-useresidentialdevelopmentauthorized under ss.125.01055(7)or ss.166.04151(7);
o restricting the densitybelow the highestdensityallowedon orafter July1, 2023 onany land under their jurisdiction where residentialdevelopmentisallowedunderthelocallanddevelopmentregulations;directlyrestrictingortaking action thathas theeffectofrestrictingdensity includesrequirements toprocure ortransfer densityunitsfor developmentunits fromother properties;
o restricting the maximumlotsize below the largestmaximumlotsizeallowed on orafterJuly 1, 2023 on landunder theirjurisdiction where multifamily or mixed-use residentialdevelopmentisallowedpursuantto the localland developmentregulations;maximumlotcoveragemaynotberestrictedbelow 70 percent;
o restricting thefloor arearatio below 150percentofthehighestfloorarearatioallowedon orafterMay 16,2024on land under their jurisdiction where developmentisallowedunderland developmentregulations (Thecommittee changed the date fromJuly 1,2023.);and
o restricting the heightbelow the highestallowed onorafter July 1, 2023foracommercialor residentialbuilding located within its jurisdictionwithin1 mileof theproposed developmentor three stories whichever is higher(Thecommittee
deletedaclause thatincluded the heightofthetallestexistingbuildingwithin the jurisdictionwithin 1mileof the proposeddevelopmentif theexisting buildingexceeds thehighestheightallowed onorafter July1, 2023.).
• requireaproposedmultifamilyormixed-useresidentialdevelopmenttobeadministrativelyapprovedandnofurtheraction, includingthatofanyquasi-judicialboardofthereviewingbody,ismandatoryifthedevelopmentsatisfiescertain requirements;
• provide thattheremovalordemolition ofanexistingstructureto beperformedaspartof the proposeddevelopmentmust also beadministrativelyapproved;
• provide thata developmentauthorized under ss.125.01055(7)or ss.166.04151(7)mustbe treatedasaconforming use;
• prohibitacounty or municipalityfrominitiating orenforcingzoning-in-progressora building moratoriumonaproposed developmentthatis subjectto ss.125.01055(7)or ss.166.04151(7)andforwhich the preliminary site planhasbeen approved;thisdoes notapply to moratoria imposed toaddressstormwaterorflood water management, toaddress the supply of potablewater, or due to thenecessaryrepair of sanitarysewer systems,if such moratoria applyequally toall typesof multifamily or mixed-useresidentialdevelopment(This exceptionwas added bythecommittee.);
• require thecounty ormunicipality to maintain onits websiteapolicycontaining the zoning mapand zoning regulationsas outlinedin these sections and the proceduresandexpectationsforadministrativeapproval;
• require thecounty ormunicipality toreduceparkingrequirements by atleast20 percentfordevelopmentauthorized under ss.125.01055(7)orss.166.04151(7) or by 100percentfor structures thatare20,000 squarefeetor less;
• requireacountyor municipality, fora proposed developmentauthorizedunderss.125.01055(7) or ss.166.04151(7), to approvea building permitplanreviewwithin60 daysandprioritizea building permitreviewfor these projects over other developmentprojects;
• provide thata prevailing party inachallengeunder ss.125.01055(7) or ss.166.04151(7) is entitledtorecoverattorneyfees andcosts,includingreasonableappellate attorneyfeesandcosts;
• provide thatordinances or resolutions or decisions, madeafterJuly 1,2023aredeemed preempted,and theadministrative reviewprocess mustonlybebasedon the landdevelopmentregulations in effectonthedateofa site planapplicationfiling, if they have theeffect,eitherdirectly or indirectly, of:
o limiting theheight,floorsarearatio, maximumlotsize, ordensity ofa projectunder this section;
o unreasonably delaying thedevelopmentorconstructionofaprojectunder thissection, includingbutnotlimited to, imposinga moratorium;or
o restricting the mannerin whichaffordable unitsare developed(Thiswordingwasamendedby thecommittee.)
• provide thataffordablehousing regulation under ss.125.01055(7)orss.166.04151(7) isexpresslypreemptedto the state;
• require that, ifanaction isfiled tochallengeon the grounds thata localordinance or resolution or other localregulations is expressly preempted, thecourtisrequiredtoexpedite andrenderadecisionwithin30 daysafter service of process;notice ofappealmustbefiledand servedwithin30 daysafter therendition ofthe judgmentappealed from;
• provide thatthecounty or municipality’srevieworapprovalof an application fora developmentpermitor development order maynotbeconditioned onprocurementor transfer of density units or developmentunits, or the waiver, forbearance, acquisition,transfer orabandonmentofanydevelopmentrightauthorizedby these sections;any such waiver,forbearance, acquisition,transfer, procurement,orabandonmentis void;
• requirethecountyormunicipalitytoprovideanannualreport,beginningJune30,2026,tothestatelandplanningagency includingcertainitemsrelatedtolitigationanddevelopmentunderthesesections;requirethestatelandplanningagencyto provideanannualreporttotheGovernor,Senate Presidentand HouseSpeakerregardingcountycompliance;
• prohibitacounty or municipalityfromimposingabuildingmoratoriumthathasthe effectof delaying the permitting or construction ofa multifamilyprojectthatwould otherwise qualifyforanaffordablehousing ad valoremtaxexemption,a grantloan or other incentiveprovided for thedevelopmentofaffordablehousingunder Chapter 420, oranyabatementof developmentrestrictions under ss.125.01055(7) or ss.166.04151(7);thisdoesnotapplyto moratoria imposedtoaddress stormwater orfloodwater management,toaddressthe supplyof potablewater, or due tothenecessaryrepairof sanitary sewersystems, if such moratoriaapplyequallytoalltypes ofmultifamilyormixed-useresidentialdevelopment(This exception wasaddedby thecommittee.);and
• provide thatan ownerofanadministrativelyapproved proposed development, thathasacted inreliance ontheapproval, hasa vestedrighttoproceed withdevelopmentunder certainconditions.
Itamends s.163.31801(11) to provide thatqualified developmentsauthorizedpursuantto s.125.01055ors.166.04151 mustreceive anexception or waiverfor 20 percentof the impactfees for the developmentof, orconstruction of, theportion of the development thatisaffordable housing.
Additionally, thebillamends s.166.041torequire thatanyordinancethatdesignatespropertyasa historic landmarkmustrequire thata printed or digitalmap of the property be readilyavailableanda municipality mustsubmitthe map to the State Historic PreservationOfficer by June 1, 2027. Additionally,anyresolution thatdesignates thecharacterofprivately-owned propertyasa historic landmarkwithouttheconsentof the propertyownermustincludeafinding by thegoverning body,basedon substantial competentevidence, thatthehistoric significanceof theproperty iscommensurate, to anequalor greater degree,withproperty that is alreadydesignatedasa historic landmark withinthe municipality.
Italsoamends s.163.31771 to:
• add thatthe term“accessorydwelling unit” includesa manufacturedhome constructedon orafterJan. 1,2025,which meetstheNationalManufactured Housing ConstructionandSafetyStandards;
• requirea localgovernmenttoadoptanordinance toallowaccessory dwelling units in anyarea zonedforsingle-family residentialuse:
o providethatalocalgovernmentmaynotdirectly,unreasonablyincrease,orineffectunreasonablyincrease,thecostto construct,ineffectprohibittheconstructionof,orextinguishtheabilitytootherwiseconstructanaccessorydwellingunit;
o provide thattheregulation doesnotinclude:
▪ restrictions onthe terms ofrentals thatdo notapply generallyto other housing in the samedistrictor zone;
▪ parkingrequirementsand minimumlotsize requirements thatdo notapply generally tootherhousingin the same districtorzone,orother lotdesignregulations thatunreasonably increase thecostto constructorunreasonably extinguish theability toconstructanaccessory dwelling uniton a lot;and
▪ discretionaryconditionaluse permitproceduresor standards thatdonotapplygenerally toother housing in the samedistrictor zone
• prohibitanaccessorydwellingunitfrombeing leasedfor lessthana month (Thiswasadded by thecommittee.);
• requirea localgovernment, beginning Oct.1, 2025andannually thereafter, tosubmitanannualreportto theDepartmentof Commerce which includesspecified informationregardingaccessorydwellingunits;thereportmustalso be postedon the localgovernmentwebsite;
• provide thatthe ownerofpropertywithanaccessory dwellingunitmay notbedeniedahomesteadexemptionor homestead propertyassessmentlimitation solelyon thebasisof the property containinganaccessory dwelling unitthat may berented;and
• provide guidance on how anaccessory dwellingunitshould beassessedbasedonrentalstatus
Dealingwithaffordablehousing propertyexemptions (s.196.1978), the billrequires the propertyappraiser to issuea letter to verify thata multifamilyproject, ifconstructedand leasedas described in thesiteplan, qualifiesforanexemption;the letter qualifies the project,ifconstructedand leasedasdescribed in thesiteplan,to obtain theexemption beginningwith the January 1assessment immediatelyafter the date onwhich the property obtainsacertificateofoccupancyand is placedin service allowing the property to be useasanaffordablehousing property. (Theseprovisionswereadded by thecommittee).
Dealingwithacountyand municipalaffordablehousingpropertytaxexemption (s.196.1979), thebillprovides thatdevelopment withina multifamilyprojectthatmeetsspecifiedcriteria,andaccessory dwelling units,are eligiblefor the taxexemption. Italso provides thataccessory dwelling units thatare used toprovideaffordablehousing may receiveanadvaloremtaxexemptionof up to 100 percentof theassessedvalueoftheunit.
Thebillamends s.333.03 to provide thatss.125.01055(7)and166.04151(7) do notapply tocertain developmentsrelative toexisting or plannedcommercialservice airportrunways.
Italsocreatess.420.5098,whichestablishesapublic-sectorand hospital-employer-sponsoredhousingpolicy.Additionally, the FloridaHousing Coalitionmayfundonehousingprojectper yearthatwillprovideaffordablehousinginareasofcriticalhousing shortageforessentialserviceand high-demandcareeremployeesthroughapublic-privatehousingpartnershipagreementwith public sector,hospital,andhealthcarefacilityemployersforwhomhousingshortagesareaffectingrecruitmentandretentionof workers.
Thebillchangess.760.22 torevise the definition of“person”to alsoincludeany otherlegalorcommercialentity, orany governmentalentity oragency.
Furthermore,itupdates s.760.26toadd thatitis unlawfultodiscriminate in landusedecisions or in thepermitting of development based onthedevelopmentor proposed developmentbeingaffordablehousingas definedunders.420.0004(3). Itstates thatitis the intentof the legislature thatthis amendmentis remedialandclarifyingin nature,and shallapplyretrospectivelyforanycauses of action filedon or before theeffective date of the passage ofthis act.
Italso provides thatthe state,for itselfand itsagencies orpoliticalsubdivisions,waivessovereign immunityforcauses ofaction based ontheapplicationofs.760.35.
Thebillamends s.1001.43torequireeachdistrictschoolboard to adoptbestpracticesforsurplus land programs, including, butnot limited to:
• establishingeligibilitycriteria for thereceiptorpurchase of surplus landby developers;
• making theprocessforrequestingsurplus landspubliclyavailable;and
• ensuring long-termaffordabilitythroughground leasesbyretaining therightoffirstrefusalto purchaseproperty thatwould be sold orofferedatmarketrateandbyrequiringreversion ofproperty notusedforaffordablehousing within acertain timeframe.
Thebillalso requireseach schooldistrict’s mostrecentand allfutureeducationalplan surveysto be updated to include an inventory listof suchsurplus land.
Note thatthecommitteealso deletedpreviously proposed language that:
• createdanexpeditedforeclosure process forabandoned buildings;
• required thaturban infilldevelopmentbeadministratively approved;and
• required localgovernments toadoptapprovals for increasingheightorfloorarea ratio in their landdevelopment regulations bya simple majority vote.
State Land Management: CS/CS/HB209(Rep.Snyder)was reportedfavorably,reflecting amendments, by theHouseState Affairs Committee,its finalcommittee of reference,on April8 andplaced on the HouseSpecialOrder Calendarfor April16.
Thebillcreates theState Park PreservationAct. Itrequires state parks orpreservesto be managed ina mannerthatprovidesthe greatestcombinationofbenefits to thepublic and the land’s naturalresources.Additionally,the billrequires state parksorpreserves to be managedfor conservation-based recreationaluses;publicaccessandrelatedamenities,includingroads,parking areas, walkways,andvisitorcenters;and scientificresearch, including archeology.Suchuses mustbe managed ina manner thatis compatible withand thatensures theconservation of the state’s naturalresourcesby minimizingimpacts toundisturbed habitat.
To ensure theprotection of stateparkresources,nativehabitats, and archeologicalorhistoricalsites, the billprohibits sporting facilities, including, butnotlimited to,golf courses,tenniscourts, pickleballcourts, ballfields,orother similar facilities, frombeing constructedin stateparks.
Thebilldefines“conservation-basedrecreationaluses” to mean publicoutdoorrecreationalactivitiesthatdo notsignificantly invade,degrade, or displace thenaturalresources, native habitats, orarcheologicalor historicalsites thatarepreservedwithin state parks. Theseactivitiesinclude, butarenotlimited to,fishing,camping, bicycling, hiking, nature study,swimming,boating, canoeing, horseback riding,diving,birding, sailing,and jogging.
Thebillauthorizes theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection’s(DEP) Division of Recreation and Parks(DRP) toacquire, install, or permittheinstallationoroperationofcampingcabins thathavea maximumcapacity of sixguests in state parks. The installation and operation of thecabins mustbecompatiblewith the statepark’s landmanagementplanandmustbeapproved through the land managementplanapprovalprocess.Additionally, campingcabins mustbe sited toavoid impacts to the state park’scriticalhabitat and naturalhistoricalresources.
DRPis prohibited fromauthorizing usesorconstructionactivities, including the building oralteration of structures,withinastate park thatmaycause significantharmto the park’sresources.Any use orconstructionactivity mustbeconducted ina manner that avoidsimpacts toastate park’scriticalhabitatandnaturalandhistoricalresources. ItalsoprohibitsDRPfrominstalling,or permitting the installation, ofany lodgingestablishmentata statepark.
By Dec.1, 2025, the billrequiresDEPto submitareportto the governorand legislature thatincludes thefollowing information:
• the number of stateparkswithamenitiesorareas thathave limited use orare temporarilycloseddueto needed repairsor inadequateinfrastructurenecessaryto supportconservation-based recreationaluse;
• the stateparksystem’sestimatedbudgetallocationexpenditures for the2023-2024 fiscalyear,brokendown bysalariesand benefits, equipmentcosts,andcontractingcostsfor thecategoriesofoperations,maintenanceand repair, park improvement,andadministrativeoverhead;and
• theestimatedcostsassociated with the facility maintenance backlog ofeachstate park, includinga plan toreduceor eliminate thebacklogby July 1,2035, toensureaccesstoandthe safeenjoymentof theparksfor the residentsand visitors of Florida.
Thebillspecifiesthatinaddition to thecurrentrequirementforaland managementagencytoholdapublichearingwhendeveloping anewlandmanagementplan, theagency mustalsoholdapublichearingwhenupdatinganexistingplan.ItalsorequiresDEP’s Division ofStateLandstomakeelectroniccopies oflandmanagementplansfor parcelsover160acres orparcelswithinstate parks publiclyavailableatleast30 daysbeforea public hearingonsuch plans.Thebillrequiresindividualmanagementplans,andany updatestosuchplans,forparcels oflandwithin stateparks tobedevelopedwithinputfromanadvisorygroup.A publichearing conductedbyanadvisorygrouponanindividualmanagementplanmustbenoticedatleast30daysbeforethepublichearing.
Note thatthecommitteeamendedthebillto:
• removeaprovision specifying thatdisturbeduplands should be used tothemaximumextentpracticablefor conservationbasedrecreationaluses;
• prohibitsportingfacilities frombeingconstructed instate parks, insteadofonly thosesportingfacilities thatcause substantialharmto theresources ofa statepark;and
• specifythatsitingandconstructionofcampingcabinsin stateparks should beconducted ina manner thatavoids impacts to a statepark’scriticalhabitatandnaturalandhistoricalresources, instead of doing soto the maximumextentpracticable.
CS/SB80 (Sen.Harrell),a similarbill, is scheduled to be heard in theSenate AppropriationsCommittee onAgriculture, Environment,and GeneralGovernment, its secondof threecommitteesofreference, onApril15.
Affordable Housing: CS/CS/SB1730(Sen. Calatayud) wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments, bytheSenateRules Committee,its finalcommittee of reference,on April8and placedon theSenateSpecialOrder Calendar forApril16. CS/SB1730 isrelatedto theadministrativeapprovalofcertain affordable housing developmentsunder theLive LocalAct.
Specifically,the billamends s.125.01055(7)and s.166.04151(7) to:
• require localgovernments toauthorizemultifamilyand mixeduseresidentialasallowableusesin portionsofany flexibly zonedarea suchasa plannedunitdevelopmentpermittedforcommercial, industrial, or mixed use, ifatleast40 percentof theresidentialunits ina proposedmultifamily developmentare rentalunits that,foraperiodofatleast30 years,are affordable;
• prohibitlocalgovernmentsfromrequiringa transfer of density ordevelopmentunits,oranamendmenttodevelopmentsof regionalimpactfor the building height,zoning,and densitiesauthorizedunderthis subsection;
• prohibitslocalgovernmentsfromrequiringmore than10 percentof the totalsquarefootage ofa mixedusedevelopmentbe usedfor nonresidentialpurposes;
• prohibitlocalgovernmentsfrom:
o restricting the densitybelow the highestcurrentlyallowed,orallowedon July1, 2023;
o restricting thefloor arearatio below 150percentofthehighestcurrentlyallowedorallowed onJuly 1, 2023;
o restricting the heightbelow the highestcurrentlyallowed orallowedon July 1,2023foracommercialorresidential building inits jurisdiction within one mile or three stories, whichever ishigher;
o ifaproposeddevelopmentisadjacentto,on twoor moresides,a parcelzonedfor single-familyresidentialusewhichis withinasingle-familydevelopmentwithatleast25contiguoussingle-familyhomes, localgovernmentsmayrestrictthe heightto150percentofthetallestbuildingonanypropertyadjacenttotheproposeddevelopment,thehighestheight currentlyallowed,orallowed on July1, 2023,or threestories,whicheverishigher butnottoexceed10stories;and
o for municipalitieswithinanarea ofcriticalstateconcernasdesignated by s.380.0552 or Chapter 28-36, defines“story” to includeonly the habitable spaceabovethe basefloodareaelevationas designated byFEMA in the mostcurrent Flood Insurance Rate Map;may notexceed 10feetin heightmeasuredfromfinished floor to finished floor, including spacefor mechanicalequipment,andthehigheststory maynotexceed10feetfromfinished floorto the topplate
(Note this language isonlyanamendmenttos.166.04151(7).)
• clarifies thatproposed developmentsauthorizedunderthese subsections mustbeadministrativelyapprovedwith no further action, including thatofany quasi-judicialoradministrative board or reviewing body;
• uponrequestofanapplicant,requireslocalgovernments to reduce parkingrequirements,as opposed toconsideringsuch reduction, by20 percentwherecertainconditionsare met;
• provide that,notwithstandinganyother lawor localordinanceorregulation to thecontrary, localgovernmentsmayallow anadjacentparcelof land to be includedwithina proposed multifamilydevelopmentauthorizedunder these subsections;
• specifies thatthese subsectionsdo notapply to theWekivaStudy Areaor theEverglades ProtectionArea;
• providesfor prioritydocketingandprevailing partyattorneys’fees in lawsuitsbroughtunder the LiveLocalAct, notto exceed $200,000;
• provides definitionsforcommercialuse, industrialuse, mixeduse,planned unitdevelopment;
• prohibitslocalgovernmentsfromenforcingbuildingmoratoriathatwouldhavedelaythepermittingorconstruction ofa multifamilyresidentialor mixed-useresidentialdevelopmentauthorizedunder these subsectionsexceptasfollows:
o a localgovernmentmay, byordinance, imposesucha building moratoriumforno morethan 90days inany three-year period. Beforeadoption ofsucha building moratorium,an assessmentof the need for housingattheextremely-lowincome, very-low-income,low-income, ormoderate-income limits specified in s.420.0004, including projections of suchneedfor the nextfiveyears, mustbe prepared. Thisassessmentmustbeposted on the localgovernment’swebsite by thedate thenoticeof proposed enactmentis published,andpresentedatthesame publicmeetingatwhich the proposedordinance imposing the building moratoriumisadopted.Thisassessmentmustbe includedin the business impactestimate for theordinance imposing sucha moratoriumrequiredby s.125.66(3).
• provides thatthecourtmustassessandawardreasonableattorneyfeesand costs, nottoexceed$200,000 totheprevailing party incivilactionsfiled againstalocalgovernmentfor violation of this prohibition;and
• provides thattheprovisionsregardingmoratoriado notapplyto moratoria imposed due tounavailabilityofpublic facilities or services or imposed toaddressstormwater or flood watermanagement,if suchmoratoriaapplyequally toalltypes of multifamilyormixed-useresidentialdevelopment.
Itincludesa provisionthatallowsanapplicant written requestor notice of intenttouse the provisionsofs.125.01055(7) or s.166.04151(7)and wasreceived bythelocalgovernmentbeforeJuly 1, 2025, may notify the localgovernmentby July1, 2025 of its intentto proceed under the provisions of theapplicablesubsectionas theyexistedatthe time of submittal.Additionally,the local governmentmustallow suchanapplicantthe opportunity tosubmitarevisedapplication, writtenrequest, or noticeofintentto accountfor thechanges made bythis bill.
Related totheFloridaKeys Area(s.380.0552),thebillamends thehurricaneevacuationclearance timewhich subjectlocal governments mustbasecomprehensive planningaround from24 to 26 hours.
In creating s.420.5098, thebillinstitutesa statehousing policyon public sectorand hospitalemployer-sponsored housing.The bill provides thatitisthe policy of the state to supporthousingforemployees of hospitals, healthcarefacilities,andgovernmental entities and toallow developersusingfederallow-income housing taxcreditsallocated pursuantto s.420.5099 localorstatefunds, or other sourcesoffundingavailable tofinance the developmentofaffordablehousingtocreateapreference for housingfor such employees. However,such preferencemustconformwith therequirements of s.42(g)(9)of the InternalRevenue Code.
Thebillamendss.760.26toprovidethatitisunlawfultodiscriminateinlandusedecisionsorinthepermittingofdevelopmentbased onthenatureofadevelopmentorproposeddevelopmentasaffordablehousing,exceptasotherwiseprovidedbylaw.
Note thatthecommitteeamendedthebillto:
• define“story,”as itpertains to theapplication of the heightentitlementin the FloridaKeys, toinclude onlythehabitable spaceabovethebaseflood elevation, and limits the heightofeach storyto 10feet;
• clarify that“allowabledensity" means the densityprescribedfor the property withoutadditionalrequirements toprocure and transfer density units or developmentunitsfromother properties;
• clarify that“commercialuse,” in terms of the land use preemption, includes hotelsandexcludesvacationrentals;and
• change terminologyfrom“enact” to “enforce” on theprohibition on LiveLocalmoratoria
The following bills of interest also had action this week.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Areas of Critical State Concern: CS/CS/HB995 (Rep.Mooney, Jr.) wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments,by theHouse Agriculture&NaturalResourcesBudgetSubcommitteeon April7andmoves to theHouseStateAffairs Committee, itsfinal committee ofreference.
Thebillamends s.255.05 to exemptapersonwhoenters intoa formalcontractwith the stateorany county,city, political subdivision,orotherpublicauthority or privateentityfor theconstruction,completion, orrepairofpublic buildings or public works fromexecuting therequiredpaymentand performance bond if the followingconditionsaremet:
• the workis doneon propertylocatedwithinanarea ofcriticalstateconcern thatis subjecttoa long-termgroundlease of 99 yearsor more withHabitatforHumanity International, Inc.,or any of its localaffiliates,atthe discretion of the officialor board thatowns the subjectunderlying property in fee simple;and
• the leasehold interestcreated by theground leaseof99 yearsor moreis subjecttoanyclaims byclaimants whoare lienors andapplicablelien provisions;theunderlyingrealproperty ownedby the state, oranycounty,city,orpoliticalsubdivision thereof, or other publicauthorityis notsubjectto any lienrights established inChapter 713.
Itextends the datethroughwhichatleast$5 millionofthefunds allocatedfromthe Florida ForeverActto the FloridaDepartment of EnvironmentalProtectionfor theacquisitionof lands andcapitalprojectexpenditures mustbe spenton landacquisition within the FloridaKeysAreaofCriticalStateConcern(amends s.259.105). Thefundingrequirementcurrentlyextends throughfiscalyear 2026-27and the billextends itthroughfiscalyear 2035-36.
Thebillamends s.380.0552 whichestablishes the Florida Keys Area of CriticalState Concern,to revise therequirementthat local comprehensiveplans maintainahurricaneevacuationclearancetimefor permanentresidents ofno more than 24 hours by extending itto no more than 24.5 hoursor825 permitallocations,whichever isless. The billadds that, toensure the hurricaneevacuation clearance time is met, Monroe County, theVillage of Islamorada, thecitiesofMarathon,Layton,andKeyWestmusteachcontinue to maintain permitallocationsystems limiting the number ofpermitsissuedfornewresidentialdwelling units.
Itprovides thatthe AdministrationCommission mustdistribute 825permitallocations overa periodofatleast10years,asfollows:
• Monroe County mustreceive 539 permitallocations,allof which mustbe issued tovacant,buildableparcels. Only one of theallocated buildingpermits shallbeawarded toany individualparceland 377 mustbeissued only forworkforce housing;
• The CityofMarathon mustreceive187 permitallocations,allofwhich mustbe issued to vacant, buildable parcels.Only one of theallocatedbuildingpermits shallbeawarded toanyindividualparcel. Distribution of the permits mustprioritize allocations for owner-occupied residences,affordablehousing, andworkforce housing;
• The CityofIslamorada mustreceive71 permitallocations,allofwhich mustbe issued to vacant, buildable parcels.Only one of theallocatedbuildingpermits shallbeawarded toanyindividualparcel. Distribution of the permits mustprioritize allocations for owner-occupied residences,affordablehousing, andworkforce housing;and
• The CityofKeyWestmustreceive28 permitallocations. The housingconstructed pursuantto theallocatedpermits must beaffordable.
Thebilldefines“workforce housing”asresidentialdwelling units restricted foraperiodofatleast99 yearsto occupancy by householdswho deriveatleast70 percentof theirhousehold income fromgainfulemploymentin Monroe County supplying goods or services to MonroeCountyresidents or visitors.
A similar bill,CS/CS/SB1326(Sen. Rodriguez)wasreportedfavorablyby theSenateAppropriations Committeeon Agriculture, Environment,and GeneralGovernmentonApril10andmoves to theSenate Rules Committee, itsfinalcommittee ofreference.
Construction and Facilities: CS/HB569(House IntergovernmentalAffairsSubcommittee), wasreportedfavorably by theHouse StateAffairs Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference,onApril8 and placedon theHouseSpecialOrderCalendarforApril16.
Thebilldoes thefollowing:
• revisess.163.3180toprovidethat,withrespecttotheconcurrencyrequirement,acharterschoolisapublicfacility;
• amends ss.163.31801(5)to provide that, ifa localgovernmentor specialdistrictchargesandcollectsaneducation impact fee,a developermay contractwithaschooldistrictorcharterschoolto providean improvementorcontribution,including monetarycontributions, landdedications, site planningand design, or construction,and shallbecreditedagainstthe collection ofthe educationimpactfeeona dollar-for-dollarbasis atfair marketvalue.The public schoolthatbenefitsfrom the improvementor contribution mustbe within a3-mileradius of thedevelopmentand thecredits mustbe approved by the localgovernmentor specialdistrict;
• createss.316.18941 to provide thatlocalauthorities may notimposeorenforceany vehicularstacking ordinance or regulation againstany publicschoolor private schoolduringadoptedschoolhours, includingduring studentdrop-off and pick-up hours, ifsuch ordinanceorregulationwould limitenrollment;and
• amends s.1002.33 to prohibitlocalgovernmentfromalsoenforcingany localbuildingrequirements or site-development restrictions oncharter schools thatare morestringentthan those found in theState Requirementsfor Education Facilitiesof the FloridaBuilding Code,and to prohibitalocalgovernmentfromrequiringacharter schooltoobtaina specialexemption orconditionaluseapprovalto beanallowable use under the localgovernment’s landdevelopmentcode.
SB1188 (Sen. McClain), asimilar bill, is in theSenate RulesCommittee,its finalcommittee of reference.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: CS/CS/CS/SB700(Sen.Truenow) wasreportedfavorably,reflecting amendments, bytheSenate FiscalPolicy Committee, its finalcommittee ofreference, onApril8.
This comprehensive billchangesanumberofregulationsrelated to theDepartmentof Agricultureand Consumer Services.
Of particular interest, thebillamendss.163.3162 toaddress housingforlegallyverifiedagriculturalworkers.Thebilldefines “housing site”as the totalityofdevelopmentsupporting authorized housing, includingbuildings, mobile homes,barracks, dormitoriesusedas livingareas,parking areas,commonareassuchasathletic fieldsorplaygrounds,storage structures,andother related structures.
Thebillalso defines“legally verifiedagriculturalworker”asa person who:
• is lawfullypresentin theUnitedStates;
• meetsthedefinition ofeligibleworkerpursuantto 29C.F.R. s.502.10;
• has been verifiedaccordingto the state’semploymenteligibility verificationrequirementsand isauthorized toworkatthe time of employment;
• is seasonally orannuallyemployed ina bonafideagriculturalproduction;
• remains lawfullypresentandauthorized towork throughoutthe duration of thatemployment;and
• is notan unauthorized alienasdefined ins.448.095(1).
Itprovides thata governmentalentity may notadoptor enforceany legislation,regulation,orordinance to inhibittheconstructionor installation of housingfor legallyverifiedagriculturalworkerson landclassifiedasagriculturalland pursuantto s.193.461thatis operatedasa bonafidefarm,exceptas provided.
Thebillalso states thatconstructionorinstallationofhousingunits for legally verifiedagriculturalworkerson parcels of lands classifiedasagriculturalland mustsatisfyallof thefollowingcriteria:
• mustmeetfederal,localandstate building standards, including migrantfarmworkerhousing standards regulated bythe DepartmentofHealthand federalstandardsforH-2Avisahousing;ifwrittennoticeof intentis required tobesubmitted to the DepartmentofHealth, theappropriate localgovernmentalentitywith jurisdiction over theagriculturallands mayalso requireacopyof thewrittennotice;
• mustbe maintained inaneat,orderly,and safemanner;
• allstructurescontainingdwelling units mustbe locateda minimumof 10 feetapart;
• the squarefootage of the housingsite’sclimate-controlledfacilities may notexceed 1.5percentoftheproperty’sarea or 35,000 squarefeet,whichever is less;
• mustprovide50-footsetbacksonallsides;however,an internalprojectdriveway maybe located in therequiredyardspace if the yardisadjacenttoapublic roadway or to property thatis undercommon ownershipwith the housingsite;
• may notbelocated less than100feetfroma property lineadjacentto propertyzonedforresidentialuse;
• if within250feetofaproperty line, mustprovide screening,meeting specified designs, between the housing siteandany residentiallydevelopedadjacentparcels thatare under differentownership;and
• mustcoveraccess drives withrelativelydust-free materialsuch aspacked shellor gravel.
Any localordinanceadoptedmustcomplywithallstateand federalregulations for migrantfarmworkerhousing,asapplicable.A localgovernmentmay validlyadoptlessrestrictive landuseregulationsbuttheregulations muststillmeetspecifiedDepartmentof Healthregulationsand specifiedfederalregulations. However, theordinance may notconflictwith the definitionandrequirements ofa legallyverifiedagriculturalworker.
Thebillfurtherprovides that, beginning July 1,2025,aproperty owner mustmaintainrecordsofallapprovedpermits, including successorpermits,for migrantlaborcamps orresidentialmigranthousingfor three years,and maketherecords availablefor inspectionwithin 14 daysafter receivingarequestbya governmentalentity.
Additionally, thebillalso says thata housing site may notcontinue tobeusedand mayberequiredto beremoved under the followingcircumstances:
• if ahousing site is notbeing usedfor legally verified agriculturalworkersfor longer than 365 days,anystructureusedas living quarters mustberemoved with 180daysafterreceiptofwritten noticefromthecounty unlessthepropertyowner can demonstrate use of the siteforhousing for legally verifiedagriculturalworkers willoccur within 90days;
• if the propertyonwhich the housing site is located ceases to beclassifiedasagriculturalland pursuanttos.193.461;
• if the permitauthorized by the ifDepartmentofHealth for thehousingsite isrevoked,allstructuresmustberemoved within 180 days of notice fromthecounty unlessthepermitisreinstatedby the DepartmentofHealth;and
• ifa housing site isfound to be occupied by any personwho does notmeetthe definitionofa legally verifiedagricultural worker, or is otherwise unlawfully presentintheUnitedStates;the property owner,shallbeimposeda Class Ifine notto exceed $1,000, for thefirstviolationanda Class IIfine,nottoexceed$5,000,forany subsequentviolations.
Anyconstruction or installation of housing sitesfor legallyverifiedagriculturalworkers in the Florida KeysandtheCity ofKey Westareasofcriticalstateconcern is subjecttothepermitallocation systems.
Any housing siteconstructed and inusebeforeJuly 1, 2024,maycontinue to be used,andthepropertyownermaynotberequired to makechanges to meetthe newrequirements,unless the housing site willbeenlarged, remodeled,renovated, orrehabilitated. Itwouldallow localgovernments toissue permitsforelectricvehiclechargingstations based solely on standardsestablished by DACSruleandother provisions of statelaw.
Thebillalsoamends s.1013.373 to prohibitalocalgovernmentfromadopting,any ordinance, regulation, rule,orpolicy toprohibit, restrict, regulate, or otherwise limitanyactivities of publiceducationfacilities andauxiliaryfacilitiesconstructed byaboard for agriculturaleducation,for Future FarmersofAmericaor4-Hactivities,orthestorage ofanyanimalorequipmentthereof. Italso provides thatlandsusedforagriculturaleducation orforFuture Farmers ofAmericaor4-Hactivitiesareconsidered agricultural landspursuantto s.193.461and subjecttos.823.14.
A similar bill,CS/CS/HB651 (Reps.TuckandD.Alverez) isin theHouse Commerce Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference.
Farm Products: HB211(Reps. CobbandHunschofsky) wasreportedfavorably by theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairs Subcommitteeon April9 and moves to the HouseCommerceCommittee, itsfinalcommittee of reference.
Thebillamends the definition of“farmproducts” in s.163.3162 to meanplantsand plantproducts,regardless of whetherthe plants and plantproducts areedible ornonedible,oranyanimalusefulto humansandincludes, butis notlimited to,any product derived therefrom. Italsochangess.163.3162(3)(a)to provide thata bonafide farmoperation, thatcannotberegulatedor limited bya local government, includes,butisnotlimited to thecollection, storage, processing,anddistribution ofafarmproduct.
SB374(Sen. Truenow),an identicalbill, is in theSenateCommunity AffairsCommittee, itssecond committee ofreference.
Local Government Impact Fees and Development Permits and Orders: CS/HB665(Rep.Steele),adelete-allamendment, was reportedfavorablyby theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairsCommitteeonApril9and movesto the House CommerceCommittee, its finalcommittee ofreference.
Thebillprohibitsa localgovernmentfromrequiringanapplicantto installawork ofart,pay afeefora workofart, orreimburse the localgovernmentforanycosts thatthe localgovernmentmayincurrelated toawork ofart,asacondition of processing or issuinga developmentpermitordevelopmentorder.Additionally, anyordinanceorregulation inconflictwith this isvoidandunenforceable.
Itdefinesa“plan-based methodology”as the useof the mostrecentandlocalized datato projectgrowthwithina jurisdiction overa six-year periodand theanticipated capacity impacts createdby thatprojected growth,and thecreation ofa listofcapital improvements or infrastructure as defined in theactto be constructedina defined time period tomitigate thoseimpactsaspartofa neworupdated impactfeestudy.
Dealingwith impactfees, the billchanges s.163.31801to define“extraordinarycircumstances” to mean the measurable effects of developmentwhich willrequire mitigation by theaffectedlocalgovernmentandwhichexceed the totalof thecurrentadopted impactfee combined with any increase allowed under the phase-inlimitations in less thanfour years.
Itany localgovernmentseeking to increasean impactfee ratebeyond theexistingphase-in limitationstoconducta demonstratedneed study thatusesa plan-basedmethodology. Thedemonstrated-need study mustalso show:
• For non-transportation impactfees, two of thefollowing:
o the population of the localgovernmentjurisdiction over the pastfiveyearsexceeds,byatleast10 percent, the populationestimatesandprojectionsused to justify the mostrecentimpactfee increase;
o theaverage number of building permitsissued bythelocalgovernmentover thepastfive yearsexceeds, by atleast10 percent, thebuildingpermitestimatesandprojectionsused tojustify the mostrecentimpactfee increase;
o theemploymentbasewithin the localjurisdiction over the pastfive yearsexceeds theemploymentestimatesand projections used tojustify the mostrecentimpactfee;and
o theexistinglevelof service gradewillbe loweredwithoutan increase in the impactfee rate.
• For transportation impactfees, threeofthefollowing:
o any of theabovefactorsfor non-transportationimpactfees;
o costgrowth overthe pastfiveyears whichexceeds, byan average ofatleast10 percent,theFederalHighway Administration’sNationalHighway Construction CostIndexaverage used tojustify the previous impactfee increase;
o the vehiclemiles traveledin the pastfive yearsexceed,byatleast10 percent,theDepartmentof Transportation’s vehiclemiles traveledindexaverage used tojustify the mostrecentimpactfee;and
o the per-lane milecostestimates forconstructionfor the pastfive yearsexceed, byatleast10percent, the Departmentof Transportation’saverageused to justify the mostrecentimpactfee.
• For impactfeesleviedby independentspecialdistricts,allof thefollowing:
o theamountofgrowthexperienced in thepastfive yearsand anticipated withinthe districtrequiresa significant immediate infrastructure investmentto serve suchgrowthwhich willneedto befinancedby the specialdistrictwith impactfees;
o thecostof infrastructure investmentrequired to be financed by thedistrictin thenextfiveyearsis increasing theneed forpublic facilitiesand hasa directimpacton thefeeamountneeded tofinance theadditionalinfrastructurefor the benefitof thegrowth;and
o theexistinglevelof servicewillbe impactedwithoutanincreasein the impactfee rate.
Italso prohibitsa localgovernmentfromincreasing its impactfeeratebeyond the phase-in limitations if the localgovernmenthas notincreased itsimpactfeewithin thepastfive years. Any year in which thelocalgovernmentisprohibited fromincreasing an impactfee because the jurisdiction isina hurricane disasterareais notincludedin thefive-yearperiod.
A similar bill,CS/SB482(Sen.DiCeglie) is in theSenateFinanceandTax Committee, its secondcommitteeofreference.
Local Option Taxes: CS/HB1221(Rep. Miller)wasreportedfavorablyby theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairsSubcommitteeon April9 and moves tothe HouseState Affairs Committee, itsfinalcommitteeofreference.
Thebillrequires thatforanylocaldiscretionary sales surtax, touristdevelopmenttax,orlocaloptionfoodand beverage taxin effect on June 30, 2025 andforwhichareferendumis currently required toenactthetax, the localgovernmentlevying the tax must conductareferendumtoreauthorizethetaxon or before Jan.1, 2033. Ifareferendumisnotheldon or before thatdate, thesurtax willno longer be ineffectbeginning Jan. 1, 2033, unlesssuchleviesare pledgedfor debtservice.Any levypledged fordebtservice maycontinueuntilthe debtisretired,andthe levy willbesubjectto the reauthorization requirementon the January 1following the retirementof thedebt.
Italsoestablishesaneight-yearmaximumtimelimitforallnew leviesofdiscretionarysalesand touristdevelopmenttaxes thatare subjecttoapprovalby referendum,exceptforthe0.25percenttraumacenterdiscretionarysales surtax thatmay be levied for countieswitha population of fewer than 800,000residents.The billretains the existingfour-yearlimitationfor thatsurtax.
Thebillprovidesanexception to theeight-year limitationfornew levies usedto service bond indebtedness.Instead ofaneight-year limitation, thebillallowsforalevy forno morethan 30yearsif:
• the ordinanceorresolution levying the taxspecifiesthattheproceedswillbeusedfor the purposeofservicing bond indebtedness,and provides specific information onwhatthe debtwillbeusedforand the duration of the indebtedness;and
• the ballotvotedon inthe referendumspecifies thatthe proceeds willbe used to service bond indebtednessand includesa briefandgeneraldescriptionofwhatthe debtwillbe usedforand the maximumdurationofthelevy.
Thebillalso providesa similareight-year limitationfor the imposition of the localoptionfoodand beverage taxunder s.212.0306in thosecities in Miami-DadeCounty,whichcurrentlylevies themunicipalresorttaxpursuantto Chapter67-930,L.O.F.
Thebillprovides thatnoneof thesechangesaffectthepension liabilitysurtaxfound in s.212.055(9).
An identicalbill, CS/SB1664(Sen. Trumbull), is scheduled to beheard in theSenateFinance and Tax Committee, its second of threecommitteesofreference, on April15.
Platting: CS/CS/CS/SB784(Sen. Ingoglia)wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments, by theSenateRulesCommittee, its finalcommittee of reference,on April9 and has been placedon theSenate SpecialOrder Calendarfor April16.
Thebillamends s.177.071inconnectionwith how localgovernments reviewand approveplats.Specifically,the billrequires local governments toreview,process,andapproveplatsorreplatsubmittalswithoutaction orapprovalbythe governingbody throughan administrativeauthorityand administrative officialdesignatedby ordinance.Theadministrativeauthority mustbea department, division, or otheragency of the localgovernment,and includes anadministrativeofficer oremployee which maybeacounty orcity administrator or manager,orassistantor deputy thereto,orotherhigh-rankingcountyorcitydepartmentor division director with director indirectoversightresponsibilityfor the localgovernment’sland development, housing,utilities, or publicworks programs.
Under the bill, theauthority mustprovidewrittennotice in responsetoa submittalwithin seven daysacknowledgingreceipt, identifyinganymissing documentsorinformationrequired,and providinginformationregardingtheapprovalprocess including requirementsand timeframes.Unless theapplicantrequests an extension, theauthority mustapprove,approvewithconditions, or deny thesubmittalwithinthe timeframe identifiedin the initialwritten notice.A denialmustbeaccompaniedbyanexplanation of why the submittalwasdenied, specifically citing unmetrequirements. Theauthorityor localgovernmentmay notrequestorrequire anextensionof time.
A similar bill,CS/CS/HB381 (Rep.Holcomb) is intheHouse CommerceCommittee, itsfinalcommitteeofreference. Note this billalsocontainslanguagethatrequires the localgoverning body responsible forreviewingandapprovinga platto issuestreetand mailingaddresses, alongwith individualparcelidentificationnumbers,within 20 businessdaysafterafinalplathas beenrecorded, and providesfor penaltiesif theyfailtodo so.
Recreational Customary Use of Beaches: HB6043 (Rep.Andrade) wasreportedfavorably bytheHouseJudiciary Committee,its finalcommittee of reference,on April8 and placedon theHouse Calendar on SecondReading.
Thebillrepeals s.163.035thatgenerally prohibitsagovernmentalentityfromadoptingorkeeping ineffectanordinance or rulethat finds,determines, relies on,oris based upon therecreationalcustomary use ofanyportion ofa beachabove themean high-water line, unlesssuch ordinanceorrule isbasedona judicialdeclarationaffirming therecreationalcustomary use onsuch beach
SB1622 (Sen.Trumbull),an identicalbill, is in theSenateRules Committee,its finalcommitteeofreference. SB284 (Sen. Rouson),also an identicalbill, is intheSenate Judiciary Committee,its firstcommitteeofreference.
Special Districts: CS/HB973(Rep.Overdorf)wasreported favorably by theHouseAgriculture &NaturalResources Budget Subcommitteeon April7 and moves to the HouseState Affairs Committee, its finalcommitteeofreference.
Thebillmakesseveralchangesapplicable toallspecialdistricts:
• limits the legalliability of independentspecialdistricts thatmake districtlandsand waterareasavailable to the publicfor outdoor recreation;
• allowsspecialdistrictsto utilizepurchasing agreementsentered into bythestate;and
• authorizes independentspecialdistricts toconductstateandfederalcriminalhistorychecksofdistrict’semployees, vendors,and certainusersof thedistrict’sfacilities
Thebillalso makesrevisions specific tocertain typesof specialdistricts. For independentfire controldistricts,thebillprovides that the districtcontinues toprovideservicesin perpetuity in theeventa portionofthedistrictisannexedbya municipalityandremoves a requirementthatthose districts conducta performancereview everyfive years. For soilandwaterconservation districts, the bill dissolves35 districtsandrevisesthepowersand membercriteriafor the governingbodyof theremaining districts.
A similar bill,SB986(Sen.Truenow) is intheSenate Community Affairs Committee, itsfirstof threecommitteesofreference.
Transportation Concurrency: CS/HB203 (Rep. Grow) wasreportedfavorablyby theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairs Subcommitteeon April9 and moves to the HouseCommerceCommittee, itsfinalcommittee of reference.
Thebillamends s.163.3180 withrespectto transportationconcurrency, toprovidethatthe capitalimprovementselementmust identify facilitiesnecessaryto meetadopted levelsofserviceduringafive-yearperiodorto maintain currentlevelsofservice for smallcountiesas definedin s.339.2818(2).
SB1074 (Sen. McClain), identicaltoHB203as originally filed, isin theSenate Community Affairs Committee, its firstofthree committeesofreference.SB1738(Sen. Ingoglia),also identicalto HB203as originallyfiled, was temporarilypostponedin the Senate Rules Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference,onApril8.
Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures
:SB582 (Sen.Leek) was passedby theSenate on April9andis in Messages to theHouse.
Thebillauthorizesacodeenforcementboardorspecialmagistrate to impose afine thatexceedsthelimits specified in s.162.09 for the demolitionofa structure thatis individually listed on theNationalRegisterofHistoric Placesor isacontributing resourcetoa districtlistedon theNationalRegister. To impose thefine,a codeenforcementboard or specialmagistrate mustfind, based on competentsubstantialevidence,thatthedemolition of the historicstructurewas knowingand willfulandnotpermittedor the result ofa naturaldisaster. Thefine may notexceed 20percentof the fair or justmarketvalueof thepropertyas determinedby the property appraiser.
HB717(Rep. Greco),an identicalbill,hasbeenreported outofallitscommitteesofreference and is on the HouseCalendar on Second Reading.
CONSTITUTIONALAMENDMENTS
Term Limits for Members of Boards of County Commissioners and District School Boards: CS/HJR679(Rep.Salzman), a delete-allamendment,was reportedfavorably theHouseStateAffairs Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference,onApril8 and placedon theHouseSpecialOrderCalendarforApril16.
The jointresolution proposesanamendmentto the Florida Constitution toprovidetermlimitsforcountycommissionersand school districtboardmembers. Theresolution proposes thatthe terms for bothcountycommissionersand schooldistrictboard membersbe limited toeightconsecutive years. (The requirementthattheeightyears beconsecutive wasadded by thecommittee.)
For countycommissioners, the jointresolution proposesthattheeight-year limitapplies to terms of officebeginningafterNov. 3, 2026. For districtschoolboard members,the resolution proposes thattheeight-year limitapplies to terms of officebeginning on or afterNov. 8,2022.Ifa countycharter provides thatachairperson orcounty mayor iselectedcountywide, thejointresolution allows a term-limitedcommissionerelectedfromasingle-memberdistrictto appear ontheballotforelectionas achairperson or county mayor.(This lastsentencewasadded bythe committee.)
If passed,thejointresolutionwillbeconsideredby theelectorateatthenextgeneralelectionon Nov. 3, 2026. Because the joint resolution proposesastateconstitutionalamendment, itrequiresa three-fifths vote of the membership ofeach house of the legislature toappearon thenextgeneralelection ballot.If thejointresolution is placedon the ballot,itmustbeapprovedbyatleast 60 percentofthe electors votingon the measurefor passage.
A similar bill,SJR802(Sen. Ingoglia),is in theSenate Community Affairs Committee, itssecond of threecommitteesofreference. Note thattheSenatebilldoesnotreflectthechanges made bythe House committee.
EDUCATION
Charter Schools: CS/CS/HB443(Reps.Snyderand Rizo), was reportedfavorably, reflectingamendments,by theHouse Education&EmploymentCommittee, itsfinalcommitteeofreferenceon April8.
Thebillrevisescurrentprovisionsrelating to charter schools,charterschoolsponsors,and theuseofrealpropertyfor public education purposes.
Among the provisions, thebillamendss.1002.33(18) toprovide that, inaddition tofacilities,any land owned bya library, communityservice, museum, performingarts, theater,cinema, churchfacility, Florida College Systeminstitutionoruniversity, or any similarpublic institutionalfacilities mayprovidespace tocharterschools under theirpreexistingzoningand land use designationswithoutobtainingaspecialexception,rezoning,or land usechange.
Of particular interest, thebillpreviously proposedchangestos.1013.28 torequire schoolboards to offercharterschoolsa rightof firstrefusalwhen the schooldistrictseeks to sell, transfer, lease, or disposeofany realproperty, includingschoolfacilities,and laid outspecificrequirementsfor how thatwas to happen.
Itnow amends s.1013.15to provide that,prior to thesale, transfer, lease, ordisposalofany land, facilities, or educationalplants,a districtschoolboard shallprovidepublic notice of the proposed transactionand providecharter schools with the firstrightof refusal. Eachcharterschoolseeking toexercise therightoffirstrefusalmustsubmita proposalwithin60 daysafter the publicnotice. The districtschoolboard shallevaluateproposals andaward acontractconsidering suchfactorsasprice, quality,andconceptofthe proposal. If noproposals are accepted pursuantto this subsection, the districtschoolboard may proceedwith the transaction. This doesnotapply to schooldistrictfacilitiesused foradministration prior toJuly1, 2025.
CS/SB822(Sen.Rodriguez),which was similarto CS/CS/HB443as originally filed,is scheduled tobeheard in theSenate AppropriationsCommittee onPre-K-12 Education,its secondof threecommittees of reference,on April15. This billdoesnot containeitherof theaboveprovisions.
ENVIRONMENTANDNATURALRESOURCES
Advanced Wastewater Treatment: CS/SB978 (Sen. Bergman) wasreportedfavorably bytheSenate Appropriations Committeeon Agriculture, Environment,and GeneralGovernmentonApril10 and moves totheSenate FiscalPolicy Committee,its final committee ofreference.
Thebillprovides that, by Dec. 31, 2025, the DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP), incollaborationwithwater managementdistrictsandwastewaterfacilities,mustsubmitto thegovernorandlegislature areportdetailing specific information aboutallsewage disposalfacilitieswitha permittedcapacityof greater than1 milliongallons perday. Thereportmustinclude, amongother things, theyearofconstructionandany maintenanceorupgrades,permittedandactualwastewater treatmentvolumes, currenttreatmentlevelswithconcentrations of specifiedcontaminants,pollutantloadestimates, disposalmethodsand volumes dischargedtoreceivingwaterbodies, spillhistory,andfacilitylocationrelative tofloodplains andcoastalhazards.
Thebillprovides that, by Dec. 31, 2026, the DEPmustsubmitareportto the governor and legislature outlininga priorityranking processfor upgrading allsewagedisposalfacilities withapermittedcapacity of greaterthan one milliongallons per day in the state to advanced waste treatmentby2036.
Italso directs theDEPto provideaprogressreportto the governorand legislature on the status of upgrades byJune 30,2027. This progress reportmustincludea listofthesewagedisposalfacilities required toupgrade to advancedwastewater treatment, preliminarycostestimates, projected timelines for upgradecommencementandcompletion,and theanticipatedoperationalstart dates of the upgraded facilities.
A similar bill,HB861 (Rep.Cross) is intheNaturalResources &DisastersSubcommittee, itsfirstof threecommittees of reference.
Brownfields: CS/CS/SB736(Sen. Truenow)was reportedfavorably by theSenate Rules Committee,its finalcommitteeof reference,onApril8and placed on theSenateSpecialOrderCalendarforApril15.
Thebillamends s.376.303regarding the powersandduties oftheDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtection(DEP). Iteliminates the requirementforbrownfieldproperty ownersto provide localgovernmentswith institutionalcontrolinformationformapping purposeswhenacontaminatedsite in adesignated brownfieldarea has suchcontrolsin place. Italsoremoves the obligationfor localgovernments to:(1)note theexistence of institutionalcontrols on land useand zoning maps;and(2)removesuch notations whenthe localgovernmentis providedwithevidence thattheDEPhas issueda“nofurtheraction” orderwithoutinstitutional controlsfora sitecurrentlynoted onsuch maps.
Undercurrentlaw, the DEPmustmaintain aregistry ofallcontaminated siteslocated inabrownfieldarea thatre subjectto institutionalandengineeringcontrols.Sitesfor whichtheDEPhas issueda“nofurtheraction” order mustbe removedfromthis registry.The billamends this torequire thatsites beremovedfromtheregistry whentheDEPhas issueda “siterehabilitation completion order,”rather thana“nofurtheractionorder.”
Thebillremoves theprovision(s.376.30781) thattheadditional25percenttaxcreditfor siterehabilitationcostscanbeclaimed in thefinalyear ofcleanupasevidenced bya “nofurtheraction”orderissued bytheDEP. Instead, itsaysthatthecredit mayclaimed if the DEPapproves theapplicant’s annualsite rehabilitationapplicationand issuesa siterehabilitationcompletion order. Additionally, thatthe taxcreditapplicantmustsubmittheclaimforthe additional25percentwithintwoyears afterreceiptof the site rehabilitationcompletionorder for thatsite.
Undercurrentlaw, costs related to solid waste removalareeligiblefor ataxcreditiftheapplicantsubmitsanaffidavitstating that,to the bestof theapplicant’sknowledgebaseduponaconsultation withappropriate localgovernmentofficialsandavailablehistorical records, thebrownfieldsitewas never operatedasapermittedsolid waste disposalarea orwasnever operatedfor monetary compensation,andthe applicantsubmitsallother required documentationandcertificationsrequired by law. The billlimits the restriction to sites thatwere neveroperated asapermitted solid wastedisposalarea regulated bymodernDEPrules buteliminates both the affidavitrequirementand the requirementthatthe brownfield sitewasnever operatedfor monetarycompensation.
Italsoextends the deadline for theDEPtonotify tax creditapplicants of theireligibility statusandcreditamountfromMay1 to June1 and gives thedepartmentan additional30days (fora totalof 120 days instead of thecurrent90days)torespondafter receivinga taxcreditapplicant’s responsetoa notice of deficiency.
Thebillamends s.376.78regarding the legislative intentfor the PollutantDischargePreventionand ControlAct. Currently,this statute provides thatthereduction of publichealthandenvironmentalhazards on “existingcommercialandindustrial” sitesis vital to their useandreuse assourcesofemployment, housing,recreation,andopen spaceareas.The billchanges“existingcommercial and industrialsites” to“sites proposed to be rehabilitated andredeveloped.”
Additionally, itchanges s.376.79which provides definitionsfor the Brownfields RedevelopmentAct. Currently,this statutedefines “brownfield sites”asrealproperty, theexpansion,redevelopment, orreuseofwhich may becomplicatedbyactualorperceived environmentalcontamination. Thebillchangestheterm“brownfield sites” to“brownfield” andadds thatthe termonlyincludesreal property whichhasnotyetbeenentered into abrownfield siterehabilitationagreement.The billaddsthe followingnew definition
for“brownfield site”:the realproperty identified inabrownfield site rehabilitationagreementexecutedby the personresponsiblefor brownfield siterehabilitationof thepropertyand theDEPoradelegatedlocalpollutioncontrolprogram,asapplicable.
Italsoamends s.376.81regarding brownfield siteand brownfieldareascontaminationcleanup criteria, toincludethe following legislativefindings. Italso provides thatif the personresponsibleforabrownfieldsiterehabilitation demonstratescompliancewith theapplicablecontaminationcleanupcriteria, and the brownfield site is onlya portionofa largercontaminatedsite,the DEPorany delegated localpollutioncontrolprogrammay notdenya “No FurtherAction” statusfor thebrownfieldsite;orrefuse to issuea site rehabilitationcompletionorderforthebrownfield site, regardless of whether ithasengineeringand institutionalcontrols. This applieseven wheresimilarcontaminationexistselsewhereonthecontaminated site whichwas the resultof similar or related activitiesoroperations thatoccurred both onthecontaminated siteandthebrownfield site, provided thatallsoiland groundwater contaminationemanating fromthebrownfieldsite isadequately addressed pursuanttoChapter 62-780oftheFloridaAdministrative Code.Thisapplies toallbrownfield sites,irrespective of theeffectivedate of the brownfield siterehabilitationagreement.
Cleanupcriteria describedin s.376.81would onlyapply tosite rehabilitationactivitiesoccurringata “brownfieldsite,”rather thana “contaminated site,”as the lawcurrentlyprovides.
Thebillamends s.376.82regarding eligibilitycriteriaandliability protectionforthebrownfield program.The billprovidesthata localgovernmentalentitymayalso participate in the program,includingany other personwho may beorganized or unitedwith the localgovernmentalentityfora businesspurpose, if suchentity orpersondid notcause orcontribute to thecontaminationofa brownfield site onorafter July 1,2025.
Undercurrentlaw, certainsitesare noteligibleforparticipation in the brownfield programunless specificexemptionsare secured by a memorandumofagreement(MOA)with the U.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency (EPA). The billamends this process by providing that, instead of securing anexemption through theMOA, these sites may participate in thebrownfieldsprogramif the EPA issuesa letter stating ithasno objection tothe site’s participation,andtheDEPissuesa letterofconcurrence.
Thebillprovides thattheexistingjobcreationrequirement,relatedto participationofcertainentities in theprogram, doesnotapply to therehabilitationandredevelopmentofa brownfieldsite thatwillprovidehousing thatisaffordable, createrecreationalareas, conservation areas, or parks, or maintainedforculturalorhistoricalpreservationpurposes.
CurrentlawrequirestheDEPtoattempttonegotiatea MOAor similardocumentwith theEPAwhereby theEPAagrees toforego enforcementoffederalcorrectiveactionauthorityatbrownfield sites thathavereceiveda site rehabilitationcompletionor “no furtheraction”determination fromtheDEPor theapproved localpollution controlprogram,or thatarein the processof implementinga brownfield siterehabilitationagreement.Thebillremoves this provisionand insteadprovidesthat, iftheEPA issues a letter stating ithasno objection to asite’s participationand the person seeking to participate in the brownfield programcan reasonablydemonstrate he or shewillconductsite rehabilitation pursuantto the statecontaminationcleanup criteria, theDEPmay issuea letter of noobjection thatstatestheperson may participate in the brownfield program.
Itsays thatDEPmaynotrequireasacondition of such letterofconcurrence thattheEPAforego enforcementoffederalcorrective actionauthorityatbrownfield sites thathavereceived asiterehabilitationcompletionorder. Thebillrequires aletter ofno objection fromtheEPAanda letterofconcurrence fromDEPto beaddedasattachments tothe brownfield site rehabilitationagreement.
Any proposedbrownfieldsitesthatare subjectto ongoingformaljudicialoradministrativeenforcementactionorcorrective action pursuanttoan EPAorder under s.3008(h)of the Resource Conservationand RecoveryAct, or thathave obtained orarerequired to obtaina permitfor theoperation ofa hazardouswaste treatment, storage,or disposalfacility,a postclosurepermit, ora permit pursuanttothefederalHazardousandSolidWaste Amendments of1984areeligiblefor participation inthebrownfield program provided thatthesitesobtain the necessary letters noobjection andconcurrence,orcomplywith theprovisionsofSectionV50 of the Memorandumof Agreementbetween theDEPand theEPA Region 4covering Florida’s Brownfield Program,datedNov. 28, 2005, may beamended.
CS/HB733 (Rep.Anderson),a similar bill, wasreportedfavorably by theHouseStateAffairs Committee, itsfinalcommitteeof reference,onApril8and placed on theHouseSpecialOrderCalendarforApril16.
Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan: HB295 (Reps. CaselloandHart)wasreportedfavorablyby theHouse StateAffairs Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference,onApril8 and placedon theHouseSpecialOrderCalendarforApril16.
Thebillprovides that, by July1, 2026, theDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtection (DEP) isrequired todevelopa statewide comprehensivewastereductionandrecycling plan based on recommendations fromitsreportonFlorida’srecycling goaltitled Florida and the 2020 75% Recycling Goal. DEPmustconvenea technicaladvisory group to helpdevelop the plan.
Ata minimum, the billrequirestheplan to identifyrecyclinggoalsbasedon sustainable materialsmanagementandwaste diversion and includea three-year plan to implementthefollowingstrategies:
• recyclingeducationandoutreach.DEPmustproposestatewide solutions toprovidelocalrecyclinginformationand education throughoutthe state;
• localgovernmentrecyclingassistance.DEPisrequiredtoevaluatethe benefitsandchallenges of theformer state Recyclingand EducationGrantProgramand providerecommendationsfor the programorconsideringother means of providing recyclingassistance to localgovernments;and
• recycling materials marketdevelopment.DEPmustconsiderandrecommendplans to developand promote marketsfor recycling materials.
Uponcompletionof theplan, the billrequiresDEPtoprovideareportto the Presidentof theSenateand theSpeakerof the House of Representatives. Thereportmustincluderecommendationsfor statutory changesnecessarytoachieve therecyclinggoalsand strategies identifiedin the plan.
An identicalbill,SB200(Sen. Berman)is scheduled tobeheardin theSenateAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment,and GeneralGovernment, its secondof threecommitteesofreference, onApril15.
Mitigation Banking: CS/SB492(Sen. McClain),a delete-allamendment, wasreportedfavorably bytheSenate Appropriations Committeeon Agriculture, Environment, and GeneralGovernmenton April10 and moves to the Senate FiscalPolicy Committee, its finalcommittee ofreference.
When issuinga mitigation permitafter July 1,2025,the billprovidesa standardized scheduleforreleasing mitigationcredits thatthe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)andwatermanagementdistricts mustadhere to,and deletesexisting language that provides theydeterminethecreditrelease schedule ona case-by-case basispursuantto statutorilyenumeratedfactors. Thebill provides thatcreditsmustbereleased as follows:
• 30 percentafter therecordationof theconservationeasementandestablishmentoffinancialassurancesrequiredby the mitigationbank permit;ifa preservation-onlyassessmentareais used, 100 percentfor therecordationof theconservation easementandestablishmentoffinancialassurances;
• 30 percentaftercompletinginitialconstructionactivities;
• 20 percentreleased in incrementsas monitoringindicates interimperformance criteriaestablished in thepermitare being met;and
• 20 percentupon meetingfinalsuccess criteria.
Thebillalso provides thatthe mitigationbankapplicantmayproposeanalternativecreditrelease scheduleand the departmentor water managementdistrictshallconsider theproposedalternativecreditrelease schedule.
Additionally, itprohibitsfreshwaterwetlandcreationcreditsfrombeingreleased untilthesuccesscriteriaestablished in the mitigationbank permitfor initialconstructionactivitiesare met.
Oncea mitigationbank serviceareahas beenestablishedby the departmentorawatermanagementdistrictfora mitigationbank, thatmitigationbank shallbe deemedto implementaplan thatprovidesregionalecologicalvalueand the use ofcreditsfromsuch mitigationbank to offsetimpactswithin thatbank’s serviceareashallbe considered to havemetthecumulative impact requirements of s.373.414(8)(a).
Itentitlesprojectapplicanttoa one-time useof mitigation credits fromoutsidea mitigationserviceareawhenan insufficient number or type ofcreditsareavailable within the impactedarea. DEPorawater managementdistrictmustverifythelack of appropriatecreditswithin theregionalwatershedbeforeapproving credits outsidetheservicearea.The billprovidesthatthe following proximityfactors multipliers mustbeappliedtocredits outside the servicearea to determineadequatemitigation:
• 1.0 multiplierfor use of in-kindcredits withinanyregionalwatershed overlain inwhole or in partby theservicearea;
• 1.0 multiplierfor use of in-kindand out-of-service-areacredits when the servicearea overlayspartof the same regional watershedastheproposed impacts;
• 1.2 multiplierfor use of in-kindand out-of-service-areacredits located within aregionalwatershed immediatelyadjacentto theregionalwatershedoverlain byabank serviceareain which proposed impactsare located;
• whenin-kindcreditsarenotavailable to offsetimpacts in theregionalwatershed immediately adjacentto theregional watershedoverlain bya bank servicearea inwhich the proposed impacts are located,an additional0.25 multipliershallbe appliedforeachadditionalregionalwatershedboundarycrossed;and
• additional0.75 multiplier foruseofout-of-kindmitigation that doesnotmatch the impactedwetlandorsurfacewater type.
Oncea permitapplicantrequests touseout-of-service areaorout-of-kindcredits,thedepartmentor water managementdistrictshall contactallmitigation bankswitha mitigation serviceareaencompassing the location of the proposed impactswithin three business daysafterreceiptof the requestfromthe permitapplicantandrequestanaccounting of availablecredits.The mitigation banks are allowed15 days torespond;a lackofresponse isapresumption thatthecreditsare notavailable.
Thebillalso requires mitigation banks, beginning July1, 2026 andeach July 1 thereafter, to submitannualreportsdetailingthe numberand typeofavailablecreditsforsale.DEPandwatermanagementdistricts mustcompile thesereportsand providean annualassessmentof the state’s mitigationbanking systemtothe legislature.
Thebillalsoamends s.704.06related to conservationeasements. The billprovidesthat, uponapplication by thefeesimpleowner of a parcelof land subjecttoaconservationeasementtoawatermanagementdistrict,awatermanagementdistrictshallrelease the conservation easementifthefollowingconditionsaremet:
• the land subjecttotheeasementis less than15acres and is bordered onthree or moresidesby impervioussurfaces;
• any undevelopedadjacentparcels of landare less than15acres andsimilarly borderedon threeor more sides by impervious surfaces;
• the landcontainsno historical, architectural,archeological, orculturalsignificance;and
• before thereleaseoftheconservationeasement,the applicantmusthave securedsufficientmitigationcredits using the uniformmitigationassessmentmethodfromamitigation bank located in this state to offsetthe lossofwetlands locatedon the land subjecttotheconservationeasement
Upon the district’srelease of theconservation easement, thead valoremtaxeson the property shallbe based on the justvalue of the property,and the property may be usedfor developmentconsistentwith the zoningdesignation of theadjacentlands.
CS/CS/HB1175(Rep. Duggan),a similar bill, is ontheHouseCalendar onSecondReading.
Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources: HB1143(Reps.Shoafand Tant), wasreported favorablyby the HouseState Affairs Committee, its secondand finalcommitteeofreference, onApril8andplaced on theHouse SpecialOrderCalendarforApril16.
Thebillamends s.377.24 to, notwithstandingany law orrule to thecontrary, prohibitdrilling, exploration, or productionofoil, gas, or other petroleumproductswithin10 miles ofa nationalestuarineresearchreserve.
Thebillalsoamends s.377.242 torequire theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP) to conducta balancing testwhen grantinga permitfor oiland gasactivities inareaswithinonemile inlandfromthe shorelineof thecoastor other bodiesofwater. DEPmustbalance the measuresin place toprotectthe naturalresources with the potentialharmto the naturalresourceswhen determining whetheranaturalresource willbeadequately protected in the eventofan accidentora blowoutfromoilor gasdrilling orexplorationactivities.The billrequires thebalancing testtoassess the potentialimpactof anaccidentora blowouton thenatural resources of such bodiesofwaterand shoreareas, including theecologicalfunctions andanywater quality impacts. Thebalancing testmustinclude thecommunity’scurrentcondition,hydrologicalconnection, uniqueness, location,fishandwildlifeuse, time lag, and thepotentialcostofrestoration.
A similar bill,SB1300(Sen.Simon), wasreportedfavorablyby theSenate Appropriations Committee onAgriculture, Environment,and GeneralGovernmentonApril10andmoves to theSenate Rules Committee, itsfinalcommittee ofreference.
Spring Restoration: SB1228(Sen. McClain)waspassed by theSenate on April9and is in Messages totheHouse.
Thebillamends s.403.064whichregulates thereuse of reclaimed water. Itprovides thatawastewater facilitywithanapprovedplan may submitarequestto theDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtection(DEP) toamend the plan to incorporatea reclaimedwater projectidentified inanOutstanding FloridaSpringsrecoveryor prevention strategy. DEPmustapprove the requestwithin60 days afterreceiptof therequestif allthefollowingconditionsaremet:
• the identifieduse of reclaimedwater willbenefitaruralareaof opportunity;
• the projectwillprovideatleast35 million gallons per day ofreclaimed waterto benefitanOutstandingFloridaSpring;
• the projectinvolves more than onedomesticwastewatertreatmentfacility;and
• the projectimplementationandsurfacewaterdischargeelimination scheduleadhere to the minimumflows and minimum water levelsrequirementsforOutstanding FloridaSpringsand hasanimplementationdate of no later than Jan.1, 2039(the date wasaddedasafloor amendment).
A similar bill,HB691 (Rep.Conerly),was temporarilypostponedonSecond Reading onApril3.
Water Management Districts: CS/SB7002 E1 (SenateEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesCommittee)was passed bytheSenate, reflectingflooramendments,on April9and is inMessages totheHouse.
CS/SB7002amends lawsconcerningwater managementdistrictfunding, budgeting,and businesspractices,aswellasEverglades restoration projects moregenerally. The bill:
• allowstheDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtectionto submitbudgetamendmentstorequesttherealignmentof funds appropriatedfor Evergladesrestoration in the 2025-26 GeneralAppropriations Actpursuanttos.216.292(4) subjectto the approvalof the Legislative BudgetCommission;
• provides thatwater managementdistricts may notusestatefunds asa localmatch foranystate grantprogramunless specifically appropriatedforthatpurpose;
• requires districts to levyadvaloremtaxesbyadoptingaresolution by majority voteof thegoverning board;
• authorizesa districtto levyseparatead valoremtaxeson propertywithinthedistricttofinance the construction of capital improvementprojectsas defined in thebill;thelevy mustbeby resolution adopted by amajorityvoteofthegoverning boardandconditioned to takeeffectonly uponapprovalbyamajority vote of theelectors in thedistrictor basin,as applicable,votingina referendumheldata generalelection;providesrequirementsforthe resolution requirements;
• authorizes the issuance of 20-year,interest-free loans tofinanceprojects submittedby theSt. Johns River,Southwest Florida,andSouth Florida water managementdistrictswhichare included in theStatewide FloodingandSea LevelRise Resilience Plan;
• commits the lesserof 26.042percentor $100 millionfromtheIndian Gaming RevenueClearing TrustFundtofund eligible projects submitted bywater managementdistricts in theStatewideFloodingand SeLevelRise Resilience Plan;
• requiresa section ineach water managementdistrict’s preliminary budgetthatincludesthe district’scapitalimprovement planfor the currentfiscalyearand thenextfiscalyear,whichwillbeincorporated in thedistrict’sfive-year capital improvement plan;
• requires theSouthFloridaWater ManagementDistrict(SFWMD) toinclude aseparate section inits preliminary budgetfor allprojectswithin the Comprehensive Everglades RestorationPlan;
• authorizes theLegislative BudgetCommission to rejectdistrictbudgetproposals foranyportion of the tentativebudget fundedwith stateappropriations,andany individualprojectina district’sfive-yearcapitalimprovementplan withan exceptionforany projectfullyfundedwithadvaloremtaxesapprovedby voters;
• requiresSFWMD to incorporate theamountof staterevenuesappropriatedfor thefiscalyear in the sections of its tentative budgetdocumentonthecosts associatedwith the EvergladesConstruction ProjectandtheComprehensiveEverglades RestorationPlan;
• prohibitsa lobbyistora principalfrommaking,andawatermanagementdistrictgoverningboardmember,executive director, or districtemployeewhoqualifiesasa localofficer,fromknowingly acceptinganyexpenditurefroma lobbyist for thepurpose of lobbying;
• specifies thata quorumis necessary forawatermanagementdistrictgoverning board toconductofficialbusinessand defines“quorum”asa majority of the members of the board, including appointed membersandany vacancies;allowsthe use ofcommunications media technologytocountasanappearanceata meeting;
• amends the information required tobe includedin theconsolidatedannualreportrequiredby s.373.036(7)
• forcontractualservicesfor the design, engineering, orconstruction ofcapitalimprovementprojects costing$20 millionor more, requires districtsto give preference to the lowestresponsibleandresponsivebid, proposal,orreply thatincludes proof of district-definedacceptable minimumworkexperience, project-specific paymentand performancebonds,and minimumwarranty of twoyears beginningatsubstantialcompletion,orthatincludes proofofacomparablefinancial assurance mechanism, as definedby districtrule;
• requiresalleligible projects submitted byawatermanagementdistrictfor theStatewide FloodingandSeaLevelRise Resilience Plan to beranked ona separate list;
• authorizes theSFWMD toacquire land to implementareservoir projectnorthofLake Okeechobeewith thegoalof providingatleast200,000acre-feetof waterstorage;
• provides thatanyacquisition for theconstructionofareservoir north of LakeOkeechobee isforapublic purposeand in the public interest;and
• provides thatstateand localmembers of theSouthFlorida EcosystemRestoration Task Force mustidentify whether funding sourcesfor projects includedin the Integrated Delivery Schedule willberecurring state funds providedby the LandAcquisitionTrust Fundornonrecurring statefunds.
Note thatthebillwasamended onthefloor to delete specificEverglades Restorationfundingforprojectsrequestedby theSFWMD for the2025-26fiscalyear.
CS/CS/HB1169(Rep. Conerly), whichalsodealswith someof the sameissues related towatermanagementdistricts, wasreported favorablyby the HouseWays&Means Committee on April8 andmoves to theHouseStateAffairs Committee, itsfinalcommittee of reference.
HOUSING
Local Housing Assistance Plans: CS/HB701(Rep. Stark)was reportedfavorablyby theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairs Subcommitteeon April9 and moves to the HouseCommerceCommittee, itsfinalcommittee of reference.
Thebillamends s.420.9072 toallowa localgovernmentparticipating in theState Housing InitiativesPartnershipProgram(SHIP) to use suchfunds to provide lotrentalassistance to mobile homeownersnottoexceed six months. Itamends s.420. 9075 torequireeach localgovernmentparticipating inSHIPto address in its localhousingassistance plan the needs of personswhoare deprived ofaffordablehousing dueto theclosure ofa mobile home park.Thebillalsorequiresa local housingassistanceplan to includea strategyfor providing programfunds to mobilehome owners,which mustincludelotrental assistance. Itspecifies thatlotrentalassistanceformobile home owners isanapprovedhome ownershipactivityandauthorizes the use ofSHIPfundsforrehabilitationandemergencyrepairsfor mobile home owners.
A similar bill,SB1714(Sen. Burton), wasreportedfavorablyby theSenate AppropriationsCommittee onTransportation,Tourism, andEconomicDevelopmentonApril10and moves totheSenate RulesCommittee, itsfinalcommitteeofreference.
TRANSPORTATION
HazardousWalking Conditions:CS/CS/SB650(Sen.Leek) wasreportedfavorably bytheSenate Appropriations Committeeon Pre-K-12 EducationonApril10and moves to theSenate Rules Committee,its finalcommittee ofreference.
Thebillamends s.1006.23toexpand thecriteriafor identifying hazardous walkingconditions for students who walk to school. The billpreviously includeda walkway alongafreeway, including anyentranceramp,exitramp, or interchange,regardless of the postedspeedlimit. Thecommitteedeleted thislanguageand amended the billto includea walkwayalonga limitedaccess facilityas definedin s334.03(12).
This amendmentmakes thebillconsistentwithCS/CS/HB85which was passedby the House on March 26andhas beenreceived by theSenate Rules Committee.
Transportation: CS/CS/CS/SB462 (Sen.DeCeglie)wasreported favorably,reflectingamendments, bythe Senate FiscalPolicy Committee,its thirdandfinalcommittee ofreference,onApril8 and placedon the Senate Calendar onSecondReading.
CS/CS/SB462addresses various provisionsrelating to transportation. Thebill:
• revisesprovisionsregardingmetropolitanplanning organizations (MPO) to:
o amend legislative intentregarding MPOstoemphasize:developing multimodaltransportation systems, insteadof surfacetransportation systems;and serving the mobilityneedsof peopleandfreightandfostering economicgrowth and developmentthroughouttheurbanizedareas of this state in accordance withtheFloridaDepartmentof Transportation(FDOT) mission statement.(This wording was amended bythe committee);
o provide thatafter July1, 2025, noadditionalMPOsmaybe designated in Florida exceptinurbanizedareas where the urbanizedarea isnotcontiguous toanurbanizedarea designated before the 2020census;
o amend theconsiderations required byeach MPO in developing its Long-Range Transportation Plan(LRTP)and Transportation ImprovementProgram(TIP) toinclude conserving naturalresources, instead of promotingenergy conservation;additionally, MPOs mustconsider projectsandstrategies toreducetraffic andcongestion;
o require thatFDOT toatleastannually,conveneMPOs of similar size, based on population served,toexchangebest practices,andauthorizesMPOs todevelop committees or working groupsasneeded toaccomplish such purpose;
o provide that,atFDOT’s discretion, training fornew MPO governing board membersshallbe provided byFDOT,an entity pursuanttoa contractwithFDOT, bytheCenterforUrbanTransportation Research attheUniversity ofSouth Florida,orby the ImplementingSolutions forTransportationResearchand EvaluationofEmergingTechnologies(ISTREET)LivingLabatthe Universityof Florida;
o include public-privatepartnerships in the listof innovative financing techniques thatMPOsmay consider;
o regarding transportationenhancementactivities, include the integrationofadvancedairmobilityandintegrationof autonomousandelectric vehicles,electric bicycles, and motorized scootersusedforfreight, commuter or
micromobility purposes;remove historicpreservation, mitigation ofwater pollution due to highway runoff,and control of outdooradvertisingaspotentialtransportationenhancementactivities;
o authorizeeach MPO toexecute awrittenagreementwith FDOT,which mustbereviewed,andupdatedasnecessary, everyfive years,whichclearlyestablishes thecooperativerelationshipessentialtoaccomplish stateandfederal transportationplanningrequirements;and
o require FDOT toestablish, incollaboration witheach MPO,quality performance metrics such assafety, infrastructure condition,congestionrelief,andmobility;requireeach MPO,as partof its LRTP, in directcoordinationwith FDOT, to develop targetsforeachperformancemeasurewithinthemetropolitanplanningareaandreportprogresstoward establishingperformancetargets foreach measure annually inits transportation improvementplan.
• requireseachcounty toannually submitspecific informationfor surtax revenuesreceived pursuantto s.212.055(1) to the Office of EconomicandDemographicResearch(Thiswasamended by the committee.);
• increases maximumallowable speed limits oncertainhighways byfivemilesper hour;
• prohibitapublicly ownedairporttochargealandingfeeestablished on orafterJan. 1,2025,foraircraftoperations conducted by anaccreditednon-profitinstitution locatedin the statewhich offersa four-yearcollegiateaviationprogram, whensuchaircraftoperations are forflighttrainingnecessaryforpilotcertificationandproficiency. (Thiswasaddedby the committee.);
• authorizesacounty, municipalityorauthority thatownsapublic useairporttoparticipate in the federalAirportInvestment Partnership Programbycontractingwitha private partner tooperate theairportunder leaseoragreement,and makesuch airportseligiblefor certainstatefunds;
• establishes anairportpilotprogramattheSarasota Manatee AirportAuthority(This wasaddedby thecommittee.);
• authorizes FDOT to useeminentdomain topreserveacorridor forfutureproposed improvements;
• authorizes FDOT to provide workforce developmentgrants tostate collegesandschooldistricts, prioritizing those in in counties inruralcommunities,for thepurchase ofequipmentsimulatorsand the purchaseofinstructionalaidsfor use in conjunctionwith thesimulators,and to supportofferingelectivecourses in heavycivilconstruction;
• amends the membership ofthe Center forUrbanTransportation Research(Thiswasamendedby thecommittee.);
• requires projectconceptstudiesand PD&Estudiesforcapacity improvements on limited access facilitiestoevaluate alternatives the using elevated roadwaysaboveexisting lanes;
• requires PD&E studiesfornewalignmentprojectsandcapacity improvementprojectsto becompleted, to the maximum extentpossible,within18 monthsafterthe dateofcommencement(Committeeadded“to the maximumextentpossible”);
• require FDOT, if itintendstorejectallbids ona project, to provide the lowestresponsive,responsible bidder the opportunity tonegotiate the scope ofwork withareduction inprice,and toprovideareduced bidwithoutfilingaprotestor postinga bond.(Thiswas added bythecommittee);
• revisesprovisionsrelated tophased design-buildcontracts;
• providesadditionalinsurance requirements forbridge-relatedcontracts over navigable waters;
• authorizes FDOT to waive prequalification forpush-buttonprojects havingcontractsof$1 millionorlessornon-pushbutton projectshavingacontractpriceof$500,000 or less (This was amendedby thecommittee);
• requirescontractors seeking tobid on certainFDOT maintenance contracts topossess the qualificationsand equipment needed to performsuchwork.(Thiswasamendedby thecommittee.);
• increases thresholdamountsforcontractdisputesresolvedbytheStateArbitration Board from$1 million to up to $2 million, oruponagreement,greater than$2 million;
• requires FDOT, in itsStrategicIntermodalSystemhighwaycorridorsplan ofprojects, to prioritize projectsaffecting gaps in acorridor so thatthecorridor becomescontiguous in itsfunctionalcharacteristics;
• requires FDOT toimplementa next-generation trafficsignalmodernizationprogram,consisting ofretrofittingexisting traffic signalsand controllersand providingacommunicationsystemforremote operationsand managementofsuch signalson theStateHighwaySystemandotherroad systems;allocates $10 millionannuallyfor the nextfive years to fund the program (Theseprovisionswereadded bythecommittee.);
• amends therequirementsfor the Greater MiamiExpresswayAuthority governingbody members;and
• requires FDOT todevelopand submitareportonthewidening of Interstate 4fromU.S.27 in Polk Countyto I-75in Hillsborough County totheGovernor,Senate PresidentandHouseSpeaker by Dec 31, 2025
Note thatthecommittee removed thefollowingprovisionsfromthe bill:
• a requirementthat$4.167 millionmonthlyin salestaxrevenues be distributed totheState Transportation TrustFundto accountfor the impactofelectricandhybrid vehicles;
• a statementthatcontractors providea service toFDOT;
• a requirementthatif FDOTcreatesa newcontractaspartofasettlementofabid protest, itmustcompetitivelybid the new contract;
• repealof the Metropolitan PlanningOrganization Advisory Council;and
• repealof requirementthatmultiple MPOswithinacontiguousurbanized area mustcoordinate thedevelopmentofLRTPs to bereviewed bytheMPOAC.
A similar bill,CS/CS/HB567 (Rep.McFarland)wasreportedfavorably, reflectingamendments,by theHouse Transportation & EconomicDevelopmentBudgetSubcommitteeonApril10and moves to theHouse Commerce Committee,its thirdandfinal committee ofreference.
Transportation: CS/CS/SB1662(Sen. Collins)wasreportedfavorably,reflectingamendments, by theSenate Appropriations Committeeon Transportation,Tourism,andEconomicDevelopmenton April10and movesto theSenateAppropriations Committee,its thirdandfinalcommittee ofreference.
CS/CS/SB1662addresses variousprovisionsrelatingto transportation.Specifically, the bill:
• provides position titlesfortheassistantsecretariesof the Florida DepartmentofTransportation(FDOT)andauthorizes the Secretary of Transportation toappointan Executive Directorof Transportation Technology;
• revisesprovisionsregardingthe qualifications of FloridaTransportation Commission (FTC) membersand requires themto followthestandardsfor publicofficers provided ins.112.313;
• requires the FTCtomonitorany transitentityreceiving publictransitblock grantfunding;
• creates theFlorida Transportation ResearchInstitutewhose mission is toadvance the state’s transportationinfrastructure and systemsthroughresearch, education,andengagementfora saferand moreefficient,resilient,and innovative movementof peopleandgoods throughoutthis state. (The mission wasadded by thecommittee.);
• amends FDOT’s areasofprogramresponsibilityto include supply chaindevelopment, information technology,and operationaltechnology;
• authorizescertain space-relatedandcommercialshipbuildingprojectsto receiveFloridaSeaportTransportationand EconomicDevelopmentfunding;
• requires the FloridaSeaportMissionPlan to provide specificrecommendations for theconstructionof transportation facilities connectingany porttothespaceandaerospace industries;
• requires seaports to submitsemiannualreports to FDOTregarding theiroperationsandsupportof the state’seconomic competitiveness and supplychain;
• prohibitsstatefundingtoaseaportnearcertainspaceportterritoryunlessitdoesnottoconvertanyplannedorexistingland, facility,orinfrastructuredesignatedforcargopurposestoanyalternativepurposeunlesstheconversionisapprovedbythe seaportatapubliclynoticedmeetingasaseparatelineitemontheagendaandwithareasonableopportunityforpublic comment;
• repeals provisions regarding high-occupancy vehicle lanes;
• authorizes thewithholding of statetransportationfunds to localjurisdictionsfortraffic signals notincompliancewith FDOT’s uniformsystemfor trafficcontroldevices;
• allow FDOTto issuea mobilecrane specialblanketpermitfor certainpurposes.(Addedbycommittee);
• amend definitions ins.330.27 dealingwithaircraftandairports;
• requires FDOT tocertifyprivate airports of publicinterestbeforeaircraftoperationsareallowed;aprivateairportthatwas engaged inoperationsassociatedwithaprivate airportof public intereston orbefore July1, 2025, mustobtainacertificate fromthedepartmentby July 1,2030;
• authorizes FDOT to fundcertain infrastructure projectsassociated withspaceportsas long asthe projectsupports aerospace or launch supportfacilitieswithinanadjacentspaceportterritory boundary;
• requiresairports to provide FDOTwith the opportunity touseairportproperty thatisnotwithin theairnavigationfacility as a stagingareaforequipmentand personalduringcertaindeclaredstates ofemergency;
• requireeachcommercialserviceairporttoestablishand maintainacomprehensive infrastructureprogramtoensure the ongoingpreservationand of airportinfrastructureandfacilities in safe and serviceablecondition.(Added bycommittee.);
• expands the types of publicairportand the aviation discretionarycapacity improvementprojects thatFDOT shallprovide priority fundingin supportof;
• requirescommercialserviceairports tonotify FDOT afterreceivingcertaincommunicationsordirectivesfromthefederal governmentandfollowing issuesor incidentsofconcern;
• codifiesadvancedairmobility into Florida law;
• revises FDOT’sauthorization regarding publicinformationand educationcampaigns,andprovidesauthorizationtoenter into insurancecontractsandpurchase heavyequipmentandvehicles;
• provides thata parkingauthorityestablishedunder the laws ofthis state oranyof itscounties, municipalities, or political subdivisionsshallhavefullpower toconductbusiness;tooperate, manage,andcontrolfacilities;and toprovide services to contiguous geographicalboundariesofsuchcounties, municipalities, or politicalsubdivisions thatoriginallychartered such authority.The parkingauthority mayengage inactivitiesoutside of itschartering jurisdiction uponentering intoan interlocalagreementwiththegoverning body of theaffectedcontiguouscounty, municipality,or politicalsubdivision, as applicable.(Theseprovisionswereadded by thecommittee);
• creates theFlorida Transportation Academy within FDOT tocoordinateworkforce development;
• requires FDOT tomodifyanexistingconnectiontoa stateroad dueto safetyoroperationalconcerns;
• increases the sizeofa“smallbusiness”as itrelates to FDOT’s business developmentprogramfromless than$15 millionin yearlygross receipts forroadandbridgecontractsto less than$25 million,and fromless than$6.5 million inyearly gross receiptsforprofessionalandnon-professionalservicescontracts to less than$10 million;
• repeals FDOT’s disadvantaged businessenterprise program;
• authorizes FDOT to requirea suretybondinanamountless than theawardedcontractprice;
• provides thata municipality maynotprohibit,orrequireapermitfor, the installation ofa public sewer transmission line placedand maintainedwithinand under publiclydedicated rights-of-way as partofa septic-to-sewerconversion where the workis being performed under permitsissued bythe Departmentof Transportation pursuanttothischapterand the DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,or itsdelegate, pursuanttoChapter 403;
• prohibitscampingonright-of-wayof theState HighwaySystem, unlessyouareactively navigating the Florida National Scenic Trailwiththeappropriatepermit;
• prohibitsFDOTfromexpendingany statefundsas describedin s.215.31 tosupporta projector programof any of the followingentitiesif suchentitiesadoptor promote energypolicy goals inconsistentwiththeenergy policy ofthe state:a public transit provider as defined in s.341.031(1);anauthoritycreated pursuantto Chapter 343, Chapter 348, or Chapter 349;apublic-useairportas defined in s.332.004;aportlistedin s.311.09(1);
• revisesandmakespermanenttheallocationofunusedNewStartsTransitfunds to theStrategic IntermodalSystem;
• revises the membership of the JacksonvilleTransportationAuthority’s governingbody;and
• requires the JacksonvilleTransportationAuthority toposton informationon itswebsite regarding on salaries, travel,and contractsand to follow FDOT’s business developmentprogram
A similar bill,CS/CS/HB1397(Rep. Abbott), is in theHouseCommerce Committee,its finalcommittee ofreference.
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