As a member of the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners, I’m laser-focused on the health and well-being of our residents. But for two months out of the year, I also pay close attention to what happens in Leon County. That’s when the Florida legislature gathers for its annual 60-day session and determines how to distribute funds and enact new rules that affect people in Palm Beach County.
During this year’s legislative session in Tallahassee, lawmakers passed a $112 billion budget, the largest in Florida's history, but they failed to deliver on some crucial issues. Of the more than 3,500 pieces of legislation, just 285 passed both chambers. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Condo Inspections
Following the condo collapse in Surfside that killed nearly a hundred people, Palm Beach County as well as other counties and cities throughout the state were hopeful that the legislature would pass a bill mandating building inspections for aging high rises along the coast. Unfortunately, they never reached an agreement.
Other municipalities, such as Boca Raton, have already enacted mandatory building inspections for buildings over certain heights in certain areas. Miami-Dade has had inspection requirements in place for aging buildings for many years and the Surfside condominium tower, which collapsed, was going through the inspection process.
Now that the legislature did not act, the county will likely consider implementing an ordinance requiring inspections. To that end, the county’s building official has been working through the Palm Beach County League of Cities on a blueprint for the county and cities within Palm Beach County.
As we’ve mentioned many times before, our Planning, Zoning and Building Department encourages residents to report issues of serious concern and inspectors will come out and investigate buildings if there are life safety issues. If you are concerned about the condition of your building, don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Property Insurance
Though property insurance premiums have soared and some insurance companies have stopped writing policies in the state, leaving homeowners in a rough spot, the legislature was unable to agree on legislation to address the rising costs.
Local Business Protection Act (SB 620)
The legislature did pass a law that allows private, for-profit businesses to recover damages from a local government if the local government enacts or amends an ordinance or charter provision that has or will cause a reduction of at least 15% of the business’ profit. Though this may sound harmless, experts are concerned that this can impact taxpayers who would be on the hook for the damages when nuisance businesses face regulation.
On the Bright Side
Palm Beach County succeed in securing millions in state dollars for important water and environmental projects, and Library and Cultural grants were fully funded. The state allocated $100M for the University of Florida’s West Palm Beach Center for Global Technology and Innovation.
Additionally, the COX Science Center in West Palm Beach received $10M.
