Will the third state law in six years aimed at stopping local officials from regulating vacation rentals be the charm or will it die in committee?
SB 188, proposed by Sen. Greg Steube, R- Sarasota, and a companion bill, HB 425, are poised to swing preemption back to 2011 levels.
A 2011 law limiting VRO regulations tied the hands of Anna Maria Island officials as constituents packed city hall, complaining of the influx of resort housing and accompanying issues.
According to the Senate website, SB 188 was referred Jan. 10 to the committees on regulated industries, community affairs and rules.
The House website states HB 425 was referred Feb. 6 to the subcommittees on agriculture and property rights and careers and competition and the commerce committee.
SB 188 and HB 425 read: “A local law, ordinance, or regulation may not restrict the use of vacation rentals, prohibit vacation rentals or regulate vacations rentals based solely on their classification, use or occupancy.”
A revised 2014 law loosened the state’s grip to allow municipalities to to address the duration and frequency of vacation rentals.
The proposed laws would roll back regulations to 2011.