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The following is a brief synopsis of the key legislative actions and bill summaries for this week.
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Key Legislative Actions & Bill Summaries
Financial Disclosures for Local Officials Back Again
CS/HB 37(Roach) and SB 774(Brodeur) require all municipal elected officials and all city managers to file an annual full disclosure of financial interests (Form 6) with the Florida Commission on Ethics. SB 774(Brodeur) is scheduled to be heard in its first committee of reference, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections, on Tuesday, March 14.(Taggart)
Housing Initiatives Continue to Fly Through the Process
Priority of legislative leadership, CS/SB 102(Calatayud) and CS/HB 627(Busatta Cabrera), were both heard this week and are on a fast track to the Governor’s office. These bills are comprehensive housing initiatives that include funding and tax credits that will result in increased funding for attainable housing. The bills do include a few preemptions, but it is important to note that these bills will sunset in 10 years. (Branch)
Local Ordinances Passes the Senate
On Wednesday, CS/CS/SB 170(Trumbull) passed on the Senate floor with a 29-11 vote, largely along party lines. The bill would impose new requirements on municipalities for adopting ordinances. This issue is returning from the 2022 Legislative Session, where the League worked to address many concerns with the original bill. This year we are in a posture to support the bill. Of note, the bill was amended this week to address a recent court decision relating to how meetings are noticed. The House companion, HB 1515(Brackett), was filed this week and is waiting to be heard in its first committee of reference. (O’Hara)
Short-Term Rentals Postponed in First Senate Committee
SB 714(DiCeglie) was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday but was not considered in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. The bill will get another opportunity to be heard next Tuesday, March 14. The House companion, HB 833(Duggan), has yet to be placed on a committee agenda. (Taggart)
Municipal Boundaries Takes a Step Forward
On Friday, HB 653 (Canady) was heard in the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee and passed on a vote of 16-0. The bill requires local governments to prepare a feasibility study of an area before starting the annexation process and provides clarity on the process of contraction. The Senate companion, SB 718 (Yarborough), will be heard in the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Wednesday, March 15. (Cruz)
Land Use and Development Regulations Bill Amended in Committee
HB 439(McClain) and SB 1604 (Ingoglia) are comprehensive bills dealing with land use and development regulations. HB 439 (McClain) was amended in committee to address a few of the League’s concerns. However, we still have concerns on the bill as amended, which includes several developer friendly changes to Florida’s growth management laws, revisions to comprehensive plan requirements and development standards. SB 1604 (Ingoglia) is waiting to be heard in its first committee of reference. (Chapman)
Bills to Provide Safety Protections for Municipal Attorneys Moves Forward
SB 216(Burgess) and CS/HB 525 (Arrington) would create a public records exemption for personal identifying information of current and former county and city attorneys. Both bills passed through their first committees of reference. CS/HB 525 (Arrington) was amended to remove protections for former municipal attorneys. (Taggart)
