The 2020 state legislative session is underway.
And another bill has been introduced that could impact short-term rental regulations on Anna Maria Island.
The session includes two bills that could preempt vacation rental regulations to the state, causing concern for those who favor home rule for Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.
House Bill 1011, filed by Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville is identical to Senate Bill 1128, filed Jan. 14 by state Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah. The house bill was approved 10-5 Jan. 21, by the workforce development and tourism subcommittee. The next stop for HB 1011 is the government operations and technology appropriations subcommittee.
Both bills would preempt the regulation of vacation rentals to the state, prohibiting a local law, ordinance or regulation from allowing or requiring inspections or licensing of vacation rentals.
SB 1128 was introduced Jan. 14 and approved 8-2 by the innovation, industry and technology subcommittee. It is now under review by the commerce and tourism subcommittee, which is chaired by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota.
If approved, the bills would allow the state to supersede vacation rental regulations established by the island cities, including the vacation rental registration programs in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach and the transient public lodging establishment program in Bradenton Beach.
— ChrisAnn Allen
Contact state legislators
Florida legislators can be contacted via phone, email, regular mail or in person.
Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, can be reached at 941-741-3401. His Bradenton office address is 1023 Manatee Ave. W. He can be emailed at galvano.bill@flsenate.gov.
Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, can be reached at 941-378-6309. His Sarasota office address is 381 Interstate Blvd. He can be emailed at gruters.joe@flsenate.gov.
State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, can be reached at 941-708-4968. His office address is 717 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. He can be emailed at william.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov.
What is wrong with these legislators?? All my life, Republicans have supposedly supported Home Rule and blasted Federal programs in favor of local control. Talk about your proverbial flip flop! It’s all about the money. Vote these clowns out of office! In the meantime, give them a piece of your mind via email and phone.
Please email the legislators above.
Your neighborhoods will become strangerhoods if these bills pass.
And, even HOAs could be affected. The language in the bills say renting a house is a “constitutional right.”
Remember that most short-term rentals are not whole house rentals, and the more bodies you can cram into them, the more you can charge.
The time to speak up is NOW