Two Alerts Contained in This Notice!
Urge Senate committee to Oppose SB 1000 - Communications Services
On Tuesday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m., the Senate Community Affairs Committee will consider SB 1000 ( Hutson ) relating to Communications Services (5G).
The original bill reduced the state communications services and direct-to-home satellite services tax rate by one percent, but the bill was significantly amended to include changes to the law on the use of public rights-of-way, including provisions on small wireless infrastructure.

CS/SB 1000 repeals important, agreed to provisions of the 2017 small wireless infrastructure law, and further strips cities of the ability to regulate the placement of communications equipment in public rights-of-way.

The following provisions were added to the bill:

  • removal of language from 2017 that requires wireless providers to comply with local government nondiscriminatory utility undergrounding requirements;
  •  places “small wireless infrastructure” shot clocks on all other communications infrastructure in the public rights-of-way;
  •  reduces local control on the placement of new poles in rights of way; and
  •  numerous new limitations on city/county authority in the permitting process/regulation of rights of way. 
Talking Points
The Florida League of Cities calls on the Florida Legislature to stop efforts to further strip cities of the ability to regulate the placement of communications equipment on city property in public rights-of-way.

  • Don’t undermine progress. It’s been less than two years since the legislature enacted it comprehensive takeover of municipal rights-of-way relating to wireless infrastructure. Cities are diligently working with industry representatives to implement that law. Changing the rules now will only set progress back.
  • New poles should not be automatically allowed. Cities are purposely limiting potential projectiles in our hurricane prone communities by moving utility lines underground. Existing law recognizes this and allows cities to negotiate placement of small cell wireless equipment accordingly. Undoing this consideration flies in the face of existing, and expensive, efforts to protect residents and keep services connected.
  • "Fast passing" one utility over another is simply not fair. Allowing communications services providers to go to the front of the line in the permit process means other utility providers, such as electric or wastewater, lose out. Public officials should prioritize what communities need, not what special interests want.
  • The intent for wireless deployment has not changed. Why should the law? Two years ago, the stated goal of the industry was to expedite small cell wireless infrastructure in communities across the state.
Contact Amber Hughes with any questions or call (850) 222-9684.
Please contact committee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE SB 1000!
Anitere Flores, Chair (R-39)
(850) 487-5039
@anitere_flores

Gary Farmer Jr., Vice Chair (D-34)
(850) 487-5034
@garymfarmer

Doug Broxson (R-1)
(850) 487-5001
@DougBroxson
Jason Pizzo (D-38)
(850) 487-5038
@pizzoforsenate

David Simmons (R-9)
(850) 487-5009
@DSimmonsFL
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on The Florida Channel
To watch this committee hearing, go to https://thefloridachannel.org/, click on Live Streams and look for the Senate Community Affairs hearing on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m..
Urge House Subcommittee to Oppose HB 829 - Attorney Fees and Costs
On Tuesday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m., the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will consider HB 829 ( Sabatini ) relating to Attorney Fees and Costs.
HB 829 would impose mandatory attorney fees and costs against a local government if the local government has adopted or enforced an ordinance that is determined by a court to have been preempted by state law. The bill would allow the local government to avoid payment of attorney fees and costs by withdrawing or amending the ordinance. 
Talking Points
  • HB 829 would encourage needless litigation and frivolous lawsuits.
  • HB 829 applies to both “express” preemptions and preemptions that are “implied.”
  • HB 829 needlessly puts public money at risk; statutory preemptions are not always express or explicit.
  • HB 829 would punish local governments when legitimate questions of law exist and have a chilling effect on necessary and needed local actions.
  • HB 829 eliminates any judicial discretion to award fees and costs to legitimate abuses and bad actors.
  • HB 829 is one-sided – if the local government’s ordinance is upheld, it won’t recover its fees and costs.
Contact David Cruz or Rebecca O'Hara with any questions or call (850) 222-9684.
Please contact subcommittee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE HB 829!
Bobby Payne, Chiar (R-19)
(850) 717-5019
@bobbypaynefl
 
Bob Rommel, Vice Chair (R-106)
(850) 717-5106
@bob_rommel
 
David Silvers (D-87)
(850) 717-5087
@DavidRSilvers
 
Bruce Antone (D-46)
(850) 717-5046
 
James Buchanan (R-74)
(850) 717-5074
 
Nick DiCeglie (R-66)
(850) 717-5066
@NickDiCeglie
 
Wyman Duggan (R-15)
(850) 717-5015
 
Anna V. Eskamani (D-47)
(850) 717-5047
@AnnaForFlorida
Brett Thomas Hage (R-33)
(850) 717-5033
 
Evan Jenne (D-99)
(850) 717-5099
@evanjenne
 
Shev Jones (D-101)
(850) 717-5101
@ShevrinJones
 
Sam Killebrew (R-41)
(850) 717-5041
@repsamkillebrew
 
Toby Overdorf (R-83)
(850) 717-5083
@TobyOverdorf
 
Josie Tomkow (R-39)
(850) 717-5039
@JosieTomkow
 
Ardian Zika (R-37)
(850) 717-5037
@ArdianZika
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on The Florida Channel
To watch this committee hearing, go to https://thefloridachannel.org/, click on Live Streams and look for the House Local, Federal, and Veterans Affairs hearing on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.
Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts!