HB 9 (LaMarca) will increase audit, ethics, reporting and accountability measures to CRA’s. Of specific concerns to cities, HB 9 would:
Require any new CRA created after October 1, 2019, be created by a county-wide referendum held during a primary election or general election (current law allows a CRA be created by a vote of a city or county commission)
Provides for the phasing out of all existing CRAs by 2039, unless re-authorized by a 2/3 vote of the body that created the CRA
For more information on this topic, access the Issue Brief.
Talking Points
We support legislation to improve the use of municipalities’ use of CRAs to effectively carry out redevelopment and community revitalization.
My city’s CRA is our community’s best tool for improving infrastructure, maximizing local resources and making long-lasting positive changes.
This redevelopment tool is used by both Florida cities and counties of all sizes, from Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville to Madison and Apalachicola.
This financing system is successful because it provides specific public services without increasing or levying any new taxes. No state money is involved.This is local tax dollars being put to work locally.
HB 9 phases out all CRAs by 2039 unless reauthorized by a 2/3 vote of the body that created the CRA. This provision is not needed and hurts the stability that investors need to relocate into a CRA.
HB 9 requires any new CRA created after October 1, 2019, be created by a county-wide referendum receiving a 2/3 vote of the electorate. This is an extremely onerous provision that dilutes the voice of voters who live and work inside a proposed CRA whose local taxes fund the CRA. County residents outside of a municipal CRA boundary are not affected and do not fund activities inside the CRA and should not have a voice in the creation of a new CRA.
Contact David Cruzat dcruz@flcities.com or (850) 701-3676 with any questions.
Please contact committee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE HB 9!
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’sContact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on Tuesday
To watch this committee hearing on Tuesday, please go to https://thefloridachannel.org/, click on Live Streams and look for the House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing.
