March 14, 2025 | Legislative Reporter
This past week was the second week of the 2025 Legislative Session, scheduled to end on May 2.
The Bill Tracking Report, as of March 14, can be viewed here. Please review it to see the filed bills that APA Florida is tracking and their status. If you would like any bills added to this report or would like more information about a specific bill, please contact Stefanie Svisco at ssvisco@floridaplanning.org.
The following bills of interest had action this week.
Note: These summaries are based on a review of the bill language and legislative staff analysis. You are encouraged to read the actual bill language of bills that interest you. Please note that not all bills are covered in all legislative reports. The reports focus on bills of particular interest that have had action over the previous week. You can use the Bill Tracking Report to see the status of other bills.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Building and Plumbing Permits for the Use of Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: HB 287 (Rep. Conerly) was reported favorably by the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee on March 11 and moves to the House State Affairs Committee, its second and final committee of reference.
The bill allows a municipality or political subdivision to issue a building or plumbing permit for a building that requires an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS) so long as the owner or builder has applied for the OSTDS construction permit instead of requiring that the OSTDS construction permit has been received.
Building Permits for a Single-family Dwelling: CS/SB 1128 (Sen. Ingoglia), a delete-all amendment, was reported favorably by the Senate Community Affairs Committee on March 11 and moves to the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends ss.125.56 and 553.79 to provide that a building permit processed and approved for a single-family dwelling may not expire before the effective date of the next edition of the Florida Building Code regardless of whether the permit has been issued to or accepted by the applicant. Expiration of building permits is currently not regulated by statute, but the Florida Building Code provides that a permit becomes invalid if no work starts within six months after issuance of the permit.
The bill also amendss.553.792 to provide that, as an alternative to the permit application review timeline, a permit application for the constructionof asingle-family dwelling in a jurisdiction for whicha state ofemergencywas issued
within the preceding24 monthswhich is signed andsealed with an attestationby an architect orengineer that theplans comply with the Florida Building Code is deemed tocomply with the building code as a matter of law upon application. The attestation underthissubsection must include proofof the architect or engineer’s goodstandingwith their applicable regulatory bodies and proof ofinsurance for professional liability coveringservices performed.
The local government is required to issue a permit so approved within two business days. The bill holds local governments harmless and indemnified from claims arising from plans review deemed in compliance without review under the bill’s mechanism.
A similar bill, HB 1035 (Rep. Esposito) is in the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, its first of three committees of reference.
Community Redevelopment Agencies: SB1242(Sen.McClain)wasreportedfavorablybytheSenateCommunity AffairsCommitteeonMarch11andmovestotheSenate JudiciaryCommittee,itssecondof threecommitteesof reference.
The bill amends s.163.3755 to provide that a community redevelopment agency (CRA) in existence on July 1, 2025, shall terminate on the expiration date provided in the agency’s charter on July 1, 2025 or Sept. 30, 2045, whichever is earlier. The bill removes the current law option for a local government to vote to extend a subordinate CRA’s expiration date. However, the bill provides that a CRA with outstanding bonds as of July 1, 2025 that do not mature until after the termination date of the agency or September 30, 2045, whichever is earlier, remains in existence until the bonds mature.
The bill also provides that a CRA may not initiate any new projects or issue any new debt on or after October 1, 2025. Furthermore, the bill provides that no CRA may be created on or after July 1, 2025.
A similar bill, CS/HB 991 (Rep. Giallombardo) was reported favorably, reflecting amendments, by the House State Affairs Committee on March 13 and moves to the House Ways & Means Committee, its second and final committee of reference. As originally filed, this bill was identical to SB 1242. However, it was amended by the committee to add a definition of “new project” to mean any project for which there is no appropriation in the CRA’s budget for the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, 2025, or for which the CRA has not retained appropriated funds pursuant to s.163.387(7)(d) for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2025. The committee revised the requirement for counties or municipalities, that created a CRA that has outstanding bonds that mature after the dissolution deadline, to issue a new finding of necessity to instead issue an amended community redevelopment plan.
Construction and Facilities: CS/HB 569 (House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee), a proposed committee substitute, was reported favorably on March 12 and moves to the House Education Administration Subcommittee, its second of three committees of reference.
The amended bill does the following:
• revisess.163.3180 to provide that, concerning the concurrency requirement,a charterschool isconsidered to be a public facility;
• amends ss.163.31801(5)to provide that, if a local government or special district chargesand collects an education impact fee, a developer maycontract witha school district or charterschool toprovide an improvement or contribution, including monetary contributions, land dedications, site planning anddesign, or construction,andshall be credited against the collectionof the education impact fee on a dollar-for-dollar basis at fair market value. The public school that benefitsfrom the improvement or contribution must bewithin a 3mile radius of thedevelopment andthe credits must be approvedby the local government orspecial district;
• creates s.316.18941 toprovide that local authorities maynot imposeor enforce any vehicular stacking ordinance orregulation against any public school or private school during adopted school hours, including duringstudent drop-off andpick-uphours, ifsuchordinance or regulationwouldlimit enrollment; and
• amends s.1002.33 toprohibit local government from also enforcing any local buildingrequirements orsitedevelopment restrictions on charter schools that are more stringent than thosefoundin theState Requirements
for Education Facilities of the Florida Building Code, and to prohibit a local governmentfrom requiring a charter school to obtain aspecial exemption orconditional use approval to be anallowable use underthe local government’sland developmentcode.
A similar bill, SB 1188 (Sen. McClain) is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Community Affairs Committee on March 17.
Construction Regulations: CS/HB 683 (Rep. Griffitts, Jr.) was reported favorably, reflecting amendments, by the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee on March 12 and moves to the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill creates s.125.572 to prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or policy that prohibits, or is used to prohibit, a property owner from installing synthetic turf on his or her land. It also prohibits a local government from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or policy that regulates synthetic turf installed in single-family residential areas that are one (1) acre or less in size. The bill defines “synthetic turf” as “a manufactured product that resembles natural grass and is used as a surface for landscaping and recreational areas.” The bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules to implement the prohibitions on local government synthetic turf regulations.
The bill also creates s.218.755 which provides that if a local government entity receives a price quote for a change order from its contractor, which meets all statutory and contractual requirements, the local government must provide written notice to the contractor approving or denying the price quote within 30 days.
If a local government denies the price quote, the written notice must specify the alleged deficiencies in the quote and list the actions necessary to remedy the deficiencies. If a local government fails to provide such information in the written denial notice then it is liable to the contractor for any additional labor, staffing, materials, supplies, equipment, and overhead associated with the change order. A contract between a local government and a contractor may not alter these provisions.
The bill amends s.255.0992 to provide that the state or any political subdivision that contracts for public works, may not penalize a bidder for performing a larger volume of construction work for the state or political subdivision, or reward a bidder for performing a smaller volume of construction work for the state or political subdivision.
Additionally, thebill amendss.553.79 toprovide that a local government may not require a contract between abuilder and an owner, any copiesofsuch contract, or anyassociated documents, including, but not limited to, lettersof intent, material cost lists, labor costs, or overhead orprofitstatements, forthe issuance ofa buildingpermit or as a requirement for thesubmission of a buildingpermit application. (thewordingof this clausewasamended by the committee.)
SB 712 (Sen. Grall), a similar bill, is in the Senate Community Affairs Committee, its first of three committees of reference.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: CS/SB 700 (Sen. Truenow), a delete-all amendment, was reported favorably by the Senate Agriculture Committee on March 11 and moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill makes several changes to regulations related to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Of particular interest, the bill creates s.163.3162 to address housing for legally verified agricultural workers. (These provisions were added by the committee.) The bill defines “housing site” as the totality of development supporting authorized housing, including buildings, mobile homes, barracks, dormitories, parking areas, common areas, storage structures, and related structures.
The bill also defines a “legally verified agricultural worker” as a person who:
• is lawfully present in the United States;
• meets the definition of an eligible worker;
• has been verified according to the state’s employment eligibility verification requirements.;
• is seasonally or annually employed in agricultural production;
• is authorized, and remains allowed, to work; and
• is not an unauthorized alien.
The bill provides that a governmental entity may not adopt or enforce any legislation, regulation, or ordinance that inhibits the construction or installation of housing for agricultural employees on land zoned for agricultural use and operated as a bona fide farm, except as provided by law. The bill also provides that local governments may require that a housing site authorized under this section:
• must meet all local and state building standards, including migrant farmworker housing standards regulated by the Department of Health and federal standards for H-2A visa housing;
• must be maintained in a neat, orderly, and safe manner;
• may not exceed square footage of 1.5 percent of the property’s area or 35,000 square feet, whichever is less;
• must provide 50-foot setbacks on all sides;
• may not be located less than 100 feet from a property line adjacent to property zoned for residential use;
• if within 250 feet of a property line adjacent to property zoned for residential use, must contain screening consisting of tree, wall, berm or fence coverage at least six feet in height; and
• must cover access drives with dust-free material such as packed shell or gravel.
The bill providesthat a local ordinance adopted under this section must complywith state and federal regulationsfor migrant farmworker housingand that a local government may validly adopt less restrictive land use regulations.
The bill further provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, a property owner must maintain records of all permits for such housing for three years, and make the records available for inspection within 14 days after receiving a request by a governmental entity.
Additionally, the bill provides that if agricultural operations are discontinued on the property for at least 365 days, structures used as living quarters must be removed within 180 days after notice from the local government unless the property owner demonstrates that its intended use will resume within 90 days. If the property ceases to be classified as agricultural, housing established under this section is no longer eligible for residential use without further approval under the local jurisdiction’s zoning and land use regulations. Additionally, if Department of Health permits for agricultural housing uses are revoked, structures used as living quarters must be removed within 180 days of notice from the local government unless the permit is reinstated.
Furthermore, if a housing site is found to be occupied by any person who is not a legally verified agricultural worker, or is otherwise unlawfully present the property owner, shall be imposed a Class I fine not to exceed $1,000, for the first violation. The bill also provides a Class II fine, not to exceed $5,000, for any subsequent violations. The bill permits the fines to be collected by the clerk of the court of the county in which the violation occurred.
The bill provides that a housing site constructed and in use before July 1, 2024, may continue to be used, and the property owner may not be required to make changes to meet the requirements of this section, unless the housing site will be enlarged, remodeled, renovated, or rehabilitated.
Furthermore, the bill also amends s.366.94 to allow local governments to issue permits for charging stations. The bill also provides that lands owned or leased by an electric utility, which may also be the site of solar energy systems and bona fide agricultural uses of the land, be classified as agricultural by the property appraiser.
HB 651 (Rep. Tuck), which also deals with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is in the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee, its first of four committees of reference.
Development Permits and Orders: HB 579 (Rep. Overdorf) was reported favorably by the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee on March 11 and moves to the House Intergovernmental Subcommittee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends s.125.022 and 166.033 to require that a county or municipality must specify in writing the minimum information that must be submitted in an application for a zoning approval, rezoning approval, subdivision approval, certification, special exception, or variance. Under the bill, the local government must:
• make the minimum information available for inspection and copying at the location where the local government receives applications for development permits and orders;
• provide the minimum information to the applicant at a preapplication meeting; or
• post the minimum information on the local government’s website.
Within five business days after receiving an application for approval of a development permit or development order, the bill requires that a local government must confirm receipt of the application using the contact information provided by the applicant. The bill clarifies that, within 30 days after receiving an application for approval of a development permit or order, a local government must review the application for completeness and either issue a written notification to the applicant indicating that all required information is submitted, or specify, with particularity and in writing, any deficient areas.
For an application for adevelopment permit ororderthat does notrequire final action through a quasi-judicial hearing or public hearing, the bill requires a local government to, within 120 days after the localgovernment has deemedthe application complete, approve the application, approve the application with conditionsor denythe application.
For an application for adevelopment permit ororderthat does require final action through a quasi-judicial hearing or public hearing, thebill requiresa local government to,within 180 days after the local governmenthas deemed the application complete, approve the application, approve the application with conditionsor denythe application.
The bill prohibits alocal governmentfrom limiting the number of quasi-judicial hearings or public hearingsheldeach month if such limitation causes any delay inthe consideration of an application for approval ofa development permit or order. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a local government and an applicant may agree in writing to an extension of time for processing an application, particularly in the event of a force majeure or other extraordinary circumstance.
It also provides that these timeframesrestart if anapplicant makes a substantive change to the application.The term is defined as anapplicant-initiated change of15 percentormore in the proposeddensity, intensity,orsquarefootage of a parcel.
The bill requires a local government toissue specified refundsto an applicant if timeframes are not met.However, a local government isnot required to issue arefund if:
• the applicant and the local government agree to anextension oftime;
• the delay is caused by theapplicant; or
• the delay is attributable to aforce majeure orother extraordinary circumstance.
A similar bill,SB 1080 (Sen.McClain) is scheduled to be heard in theSenate CommunityAffairs Committee on March 17.
Municipal Water and Sewer Utility Rates: HB 11(Rep.F. Robinson)was reported favorably by theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairs Subcommittee on March12 and isscheduled tobe heard inthe HouseCommerce Committee, its final committee of reference,on March 17.
The bill amends s.180.191 to provide that any municipality that operates a water or sewer utility providing service to consumers within the boundaries of a separate municipality using a water treatment plant or sewer treatment plant located within the boundaries of that separate municipality shall charge consumers in the separate municipality the same rates, fees, and charges as it charges the consumers within its municipal boundaries.
A similar bill, SB 202 (Sen. Jones), was reported favorably by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on March 12 and moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, its second of three committees of reference. This bill also includes definitions for facility, wastewater treatment facility and water treatment facility.
Stormwater Management Systems: SB 810 (Sen. Burgess) was reported favorably by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on March 11 and moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends the stormwater management system inspections in s.373.423 to require each political subdivision to inspect known works under the normal and customary control of the political subdivision by June 1 of each year. The bill directs the Division of Emergency Management to create a standardized form for the official who completes such inspection to complete and sign, attesting that he or she completed the inspection.
The form must be submitted to the Division of Emergency Management. The bill also directs the Division of Emergency Management to adopt rules to implement this section, including rules establishing a standardized form. Note: There is no House Companion bill filed.
Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures: SB 582 (Sen. Leek) was reported favorably by the Senate Community Affairs Committee on March 11 and moves to the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends s.162.09 to authorize a code enforcement board or special magistrate to impose a fine that exceeds the limits specified in the section for the demolition of a structure that is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or is a contributing resource to a district listed on the National Register. To impose the fine, a code enforcement board or special magistrate must find, based on competent substantial evidence, that the demolition of the historic structure was knowing and willful and not permitted or the result of a natural disaster. The fine may not exceed 20 percent of the fair or just market value of the property as determined by the property appraiser.
HB 717 (Rep. Greco), an identical bill, was reported favorably by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on March 12 and moves to the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, its second of three committees of reference.
Improvements to Structures on Agricultural Lands: SB 786 (Sen. Truenow) was reported favorably by the Senate Agriculture Committee in March 11 and moves to the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends s.193.461 to provide that any agricultural improvements used for an agricultural purpose located on lands classified as agricultural lands are exempt from assessments under that section. It provides that amendments made by this act to s.193.461. The bill also provides that these exemptions first apply to the 2026 ad valorem tax roll.
An identical bill, HB 589(Rep.Brackett) isin the House Ways & Means Committee, itsfirstof three committees of reference.
Regulation of Presidential Libraries: SB 118 (Sen. Brodeur),was reported favorably by theSenate RulesCommittee, its secondand final committee ofreference, onMarch12 and placed onthe Senate Calendar onSecondReading.
The bill creates s.257.51 to preempt to the state all regulation of the establishment, maintenance, activities, and operations of any presidential library within its jurisdiction and defers regulation of such institutions to the federal government. It also provides a legislative finding that presidential libraries are unique national institutions designated to house, preserve, and make accessible the records of former presidents.
The bill defines “presidential library” to mean an institution administered or designated under the Presidential Libraries Act, as amended, Pub. L. No. 99-323, established for the preservation and accessibility of presidential records and related historical materials.
It also prohibits a county, a municipality, or another political subdivision of this state from enacting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure governing the establishment, maintenance, or operation of a presidential library or imposing any requirement or restriction thereon, except as otherwise authorized by federal law.
CS/HB 69 (Rep. Andrade), a similar bill, was reported favorably by the House State Affairs, its second and final committee of reference, on March 13 and placed on the House Calendar on Second Reading. This bill does not include the language which preempts regulation to the state.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Local Business Taxes: HB 503 (Rep.Botana)wasreported favorablyby theHouse Ways &Means Committee on March 13and moves to theHouse IntergovernmentalAffairsSubcommittee, itssecond of three committees of reference.
The bill creates a limitation on the amountof revenue a local government may receive from local business taxesunder Chapter 205basedon the revenue fromthose taxes that the local government received inthe local fiscal yearending Sept. 30,2024, or endingSept. 30, 2025,whichever is greater (the “revenue base”). If a local government receives more local business taxrevenue thanthe revenuebase allows,the local government must proportionally reduce its tax rates and issuerefunds orcredits to taxpayers. The bill provides guidance onhowthoserefunds andcredits mustbe calculated and when theymust occur.
It also provides that local businesstax rate structures,classifications, andrates may notbe increasedor modified,other than to repeal them, afterOct. 1,2025. The limitations created by the bill donot applyto local governments thatimpose a business tax measured by gross receipts from thesaleof merchandiseorservices,or both, anddo notapply tofiscally constrained counties, as defined in s.218.67 or to any municipality within a fiscally constrainedcounty,for anyyear in which the county meets that definition.
Additionally, thebill creates a news.205.046 which requires the local government’sannual financial auditreport to include an affidavitsigned by the chair of the governingboard ofthe local government stating the local government has complied with the requirements ofs.205.0535 as revisedby the bill. If the local government hasnot complied, the affidavit must include adescriptionof thenoncompliance and the corrective action takenby the local government to correct the noncompliance andpreventsuchnoncompliance in the future.
The bill requires theAuditor General to request evidence of corrective action from each local government not in compliance with s.205.0535 andrequires such local government to provideevidence of the initiation of corrective action within 45days and evidence of completion ofcorrective action within 180daysafter the date it is requested by the Auditor General. TheAuditor General must notify the Joint LegislativeAuditing Committee if the local government does not take corrective action withinthe specified timeframe or fails to complywith theAuditor General’s request.
SB 1196 (Sen. Truenow), a similar bill, is in theState Community Affairs Committee, its firstof three committees of reference.
Rural Communities: CS/SB110 (Sen.Simon), a delete-all amendment, wasreportedfavorablyby theSenate Fiscal Policy Committee, itssecond andfinal committee of reference, onMarch 13.
This comprehensive bill addresses several issuesfor thebenefit of rural communities in thestate. Namely, the bill creates a statewide office to coordinate the advancementof rural communities andopportunity therein, and amends many programs andregulations,related to health, transportation, affordable housing, and education,across various departments andpolicy areas.
The bill generally does the following:
• modifies divisions and offices within the Department of Commerce, adding roles focused on rural prosperity and economic accountability;
• creates several programs aimed at developing infrastructure, including the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program and Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program;
• enhances healthcare accessibility through programs like the Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Care Grant Program and facilities improvement grants for rural hospitals;
• implements educational support mechanisms such as the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators Program to encourage educators to work in rural areas;
• adjusts funding mechanisms for various state and local entities to better allocate resources toward rural development initiatives;
• supports housing and infrastructure development in rural areas by amending funding allocations and revising eligibility and planning requirements; and
• improves compliance and reporting measures across numerous rural funding and development programs to ensure efficient use of resources.
HB 1427 (Rep. Griffitts, Jr.), a similar bill, was filed on Feb. 28 and is in the House Commerce Committee, its first of three committees of reference.
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Brownfields: CS/SB 736 (Sen. Truenow), a delete-all amendment, was reported favorably by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on March
CS/SB 736 provides that if the person responsible for a brownfield site rehabilitation demonstrates the applicable contamination cleanup criteria has been met, and the brownfield site is part of a larger contaminated site, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or any delegated local pollution control program may not deny a “no further action” status or refuse to issue a site rehabilitation completion order for the brownfield site, regardless of whether it has engineering and institutional controls. The bill deletes provisions related to local governments’ role in mapping institutional controls.
The bill removes a provision that prohibited unpermitted sites thatwere operatedfor monetary compensation (i.e., sites that charged feesor levied assessmentsfor the disposalof solidwaste at a landfill, dump,or other area where solid waste has been disposed) from claiming tax creditsfor the costsofsolid waste removal under the brownfield program.
It also allows persons organized orunited with alocal governmental entity for abusinesspurpose toparticipate in the program, provided they did not cause or contribute to the brownfield site.
Furthermore, the bill provides that,forsitessubject to certain federal enforcement actions orpermits thatwould otherwisebe ineligible to participate in the brownfield program,DEP must allowparticipation if theU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA) issues a letterstating it hasno objection toa site’s participation in a brownfield program, and theperson seeking to participate in the brownfield program canreasonablydemonstrate that he or she will conduct site rehabilitation pursuant the rules governing contamination cleanupcriteria. The bill provides that DEP maynot require as a condition ofsuch letter that EPA forego enforcement offederal corrective action authority at brownfieldsites that havereceived a site rehabilitation completion order.
HB 733 (Rep.Anderson), asimilar bill, is inthe HouseNatural Resources &DisastersSubcommittee, itsfirstofthree committees of reference.
Mitigation Banking: SB 492 (Sen McClain) was reported favorablyby theSenate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on March 11 and moves to the SenateAppropriations Committee onAgriculture,Environment,and General Government, its second of three committees ofreference.
The bill providesa standardized schedule forreleasingmitigation credits and removes the requirement that the Department of Environmental Protection andwater management districts determine the creditrelease schedule on a case-by-casebasispursuant tostatutorily enumeratedfactors. The bill provides that credits must bereleased asfollows:
• 30 percent upon recording a conservation easement and establishing financial assurances (or 100 percent for preservation-only banks);
• 30 percent after completing initial construction activities;
• 20 percent upon meeting interim performance criteria; and
• 20 percent upon meeting final success criteria.
Additionally, the bill allows freshwater wetland creation credits to be released earlier, after initial construction success criteria are met.
The bill also allows project applicants to use mitigation credits from outside a mitigation service area when an insufficient number or type of credits are available within the impacted area. DEP or a water management district must verify the lack of appropriate credits within the regional watershed before approving credits outside the service area. The bill provides that the following multipliers would apply to credits outside the service area:
• 1.5 multiplier if credits are from an adjacent regional watershed;
• an additional 0.5 multiplier for each watershed beyond the adjacent one; and
• an additional 0.75 multiplier for use of out-of-kind mitigation which does not match the impacted wetland or surface water type.
The bill also requires mitigation banks to submit annual reports detailing the number and type of available credits for sale. DEP and water management districts must compile these reports and provide an annual assessment of the state’s mitigation banking system to the legislature.
HB 1175 (Rep. Duggan), also dealing with mitigation banking, is in the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, its first of three committees of reference
Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience: CS/SB 50 (Sen. Garcia) was reported favorably by the Senate Rules Committee, its third and final committee of reference, on March 12 and placed on the Senate Calendar on Second Reading.
CS/SB 50 amends s.380.0933 to direct the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation to develop guidelines and standards for optimal combinations of green and gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and the impact of storm surges, and to model the effects of green and gray infrastructure on the state’s coastal resilience.
It also creates s.380.0938 to direct DEP to adopt rules governing nature-based methods for improving coastal resilience. The rules must do the following:
• address significant erosion in areas of critical state concern;
• identify ways that new development can avoid or mitigate their impacts on mangrove systems;
• encourage local government entities to develop or participate in mangrove replanting and hydrological restoration programs, and the restoration of oyster reefs, salt marshes, and coral reefs;
• identify and monitor threats to mangroves;
• protect barrier and spoil islands;
• assist efforts to improve coastal resilience using green infrastructure, beach renourishment, dune restoration, living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, stormwater planters, permeable pavements, and ecologically sound building materials;
• promote public awareness of the value of green infrastructure and statewide education campaigns conducted by local government entities;
• identify vulnerable public and private properties along the coastline and encourage partnerships with local governmental entities to create local protection and restoration zone programs for implementing these rules;
• protect and maintain access to and navigation of the marked channel and the right-of-way of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway;
• create permitting incentives and approvals of, and encourage the use of, new strategies and technologies, such as 3D printing, for living shorelines and nature-based features for coastal protection;
• assist in the development of workforce training, including flood and sea level rise research, prediction, and adaptation and mitigation strategies, and provide incentives to local communities that apply for funding through the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program to implement such training;
• encourage partnerships with local governmental entities to create green infrastructure projects through the Resilient Florida Grant Program;
• develop guidelines for determining when a green infrastructure project is clearly in the public interest under s.373.414(1)(a);
• streamline the Environmental Resource Permitting process for green infrastructure projects; and
• streamline permitting after designated storm events or disasters to replace failed coastal infrastructure with green or hybrid green-gray infrastructure that follows established green and green-gray design guidelines. The bill also requires DEP, in consultation with the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, to conduct a statewide feasibility study to determine the value of nature-based methods for coastal flood risk reduction within coastal communities to reduce insurance premiums and improve local governments’ community ratings in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. The DEP shall submit a report on the findings to the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker by July 1, 2026.
The committee amended the bill to include, for the 2025-26 fiscal year, that the sum of $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Resilient Florida Trust Fund is appropriated to DEP to conduct the feasibility study for coastal flood risk reduction required in the bill.
CS/HB 371 (Rep. Mooney, Jr.), a delete-all amendment, was reported favorably by the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee on March 11 and moves to the House Agriculture, & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill requires the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation to:
• develop design guidelines for optimal combinations of green and gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and the impact of storm surges to green infrastructure;
• model the effects, including flood risk reduction and socio-economic benefits, of conceptual designs of green infrastructure and hybrid green-gray infrastructure, and integration of green natural systems into gray infrastructure systems, on this state's coastal resilience;
• identify areas of significant erosion;
• identify strategies and methods to minimize impacts to 24 mangroves and other native shoreline vegetation; and
• by July 1, 2026, submit a report summarizing the design guidelines and standards developed and the modeled effects of conceptual designs to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The bill also requires the FloridaDepartment of Environmental Protection, byJuly1, 2027, todevelop andpublish on its website guidelinesgoverning nature-based methods for improvingcoastal resilience. The guidelinesshall identify:
• threats to mangroves and othernative shoreline vegetation;
• strategies that may beusedfor new developments to avoid or mitigate their impacts onmangroves andother native shoreline vegetation;
• ways that mangroves, othernative shoreline vegetation,and living shorelines mayprotect barrierandspoil islands; and
• areas or regionsof thestate where the useof mangroves,other native shoreline vegetation, and living shorelines, orother nature-based infrastructure, couldalleviate coastal erosion.
The DEP is alsorequired to encouragelocal governmental entities to develop orparticipate in mangrove plantingand hydrological restoration programs, andrestoration and enhancement of oyster reefs,salt marshes, andcoral reefs.
Spring Restoration: SB 1228 (Sen. McClain) was reported favorably by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on March 11 and moves to the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill amends s.403.064which regulates the reuse ofreclaimed water. It provides that a domestic wastewater facility with an approved planmay submit a request to the Department of EnvironmentalProtection (DEP) to amend theplan to incorporate a reclaimedwater project identified in anOutstanding Florida Springsrecoveryor preventionstrategy. DEP must approve the request within60 days afterreceipt of the request if all thefollowingconditions are met:
• the identified use of reclaimed water will benefit a rural area of opportunity;
• the project will provide at least 35 million gallons per day of reclaimed water to benefit an Outstanding Florida Spring;
• the project involves more than one domestic wastewater treatment facility; and
• the project implementation and surface water discharge elimination schedule meets the minimum flows and minimum water levels requirements for Outstanding Florida Springs.
An identical bill, HB 691 (Rep. Conerly), is in the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee, its first of two committees of reference.
HOUSING
Affordable Housing: CS/CS/SB 184 (Sen. Gaetz) was reported favorably, reflecting amendments, by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on March 11 and moves to the Senate Rules Committee, its third and final committee of reference.
The bill amends s.163.31771 to:
• require, instead of authorize, local governments to adopt an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs )in any area zoned for single-family residential use;
• allow an ADU to be a manufactured home, so long as the manufactured home meets all applicable requirements (added by the committee);
• provide that the ordinance cannot require any increase in parking requirements to accommodate the ADU, may not require that the owner of a parcel with an ADU reside on such parcel, and does not apply to a planned unit development or master planned community (the clause relating to parking requirements was added by the committee);
• provide that an ADU approved under the ordinance may not be leased for a term of less than one month (added by the committee);
• provide that the owner of a property with an ADU may not be denied a homestead exemption for those portions of property on which the owner maintains a permanent residence solely on the basis of the property containing an ADU; and
• provide that each ADU that provides affordable housing allowed by an ordinance shall apply towards satisfying the affordable housing element in the local government’s comprehensive plan (added by the committee).
The bill also amends s.420.615 to expand the express authorization for local governments to grant density bonuses to landowners that donate land to the local government to provide affordable housing, to specify that affordable housing includes housing for military families receiving the basic housing allowance.
Finally, the bill directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to evaluate the efficacy of using mezzanine finance, or second-position short-term debt, to stimulate the construction of owner-occupied affordable housing. OPPAGA must also evaluate the potential of tiny homes to meet affordable housing needs in this state. OPPAGA must consult with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida and submit a report of its finding to the Legislature by Dec. 31, 2026. The report must include recommendations for the structuring of a model mezzanine finance program.
CS/HB 247 (Rep. Conerly), a similar bill, was reported favorably, reflecting amendments, by the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee on March 11 and moves to the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, its second committee of reference.
Additionally, the bill amends s.163.31771 to;
• revise the definition of accessory dwelling unit to include manufactured homes constructed on or after Jan. 1, 2025, to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards (added by the committee);
• require, rather than authorize, local governments to adopt an ordinance to allow the construction of ADUs in any area zoned for single-family residential and prohibit local governments from imposing any corresponding increase in parking requirements where such ADUs are constructed; and
• provide that the required ordinance does not apply to a planned unit development or master planned community, as such terms are defined in the current statute.
The bill also provides that local governments may provide density bonus incentives to landowners who donate real estate to assist local governments in providing affordable housing to military families that are receiving the basic housing allowance.
Note the committee deleted a previously proposed provision requiring the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to establish a mezzanine finance model program.
TRANSPORTATION
Hazardous Walking Conditions: CS/SB 650 (Sen. Leek) was reported favorably, reflecting amendments, by the Senate Transportation Committee on March 12 and moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education, its second of three committees of reference.
The bill expands the criteria for identifying hazardous walking conditions for public elementary school students who use walkways parallel to the road to walk to and from school. The bill adds that a walkway is also considered hazardous if it is along a freeway, including entrance ramps, exit ramps, and interchanges, regardless of the posted speed limit. (Note the committee removed the reference in the bill to expressways.)
CS/CS/HB 85 (Rep. Kendall), also dealing with hazardous walking conditions, was reported favorably by the House Education & Employment Committee, its final committee of reference, on March 13. The bill was amended to provide that a walkway is also considered hazardous if the walkway is along a limited access facility as defined in s.334.03(12). Previously the bill stated that a walkway along a freeway or expressway, including any entrance ramp, exit ramp, or interchange, regardless of the posted speed limit, was considered a hazardous walking condition.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Could Granny Flats solve Florida’s housing problem? Lawmakers seem to think so Anthony Talcott, Digital Journalist, Click Orlando.com, March 12, 2025
Associated Industries of Florida legislative priorities include tax cuts, “safe” offshore drilling Janelle Irwin Taylor, Florida Politics, March 11, 2025
Senate Committee Advances Rural Renaissance Bill to Floor Vote Capitolist Staff, The Capitolist, March 13, 2025