There appears to be a theme.
The 2020 Legislature is hearing bills that could chip away at local regulatory power.
“The legislative session started today and the big issue seems to be preemption of local government,” Holmes Beach city attorney Patricia Petruff said at a Jan. 14 commission meeting. “That’s the password for this legislative session.”
Senate Bill 1128, filed by state Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah, 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.
The bill was introduced Jan. 14 and approved 8-2 by the innovation, industry and technology subcommittee. It was referred to the commerce and tourism subcommittee, which is chaired by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota.
The house is expected to generate a companion bill.
The bill is concerning to island officials, who have crafted regulations for short-term rentals to help maintain quality of life for residents that live near large vacation homes that generate trash, noise and parking problems.
If 1128 passes, those regulations would be preempted to the state.
Other bills filed would strip home rule in such areas as private property rights, short-term rentals, sales tax, water resources and transportation funding.
Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have employed lobbyists since 2017 to defend the cities’ right to rule themselves.
Holmes Beach Commission Chair Jim Kihm, also the legislative liaison for the board, said Jan. 14 that 3,300 bills — mostly appropriations requests — have been filed for the 2020 session, of which the Florida League of Cities is following 490.
The league helps municipalities with home rule advocacy.
Kihm encouraged people to visit homerulefl.com, a website created by the Your Home Rule FL Committee, to inform people of the struggle with the Legislature against preemption. The website also provides a link to email legislators in opposition to SB 1128.
Bills being considered this session and contact info for legislative committee members can be tracked online at www.flsenate.gov and myfloridahouse.gov.
Contact state legislators
Florida legislators have left their districts for the 2020 session in Tallahassee.
They can be contacted via phone, email, regular mail or in person on matters regarding bills this session.
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 Boulevard. He can be emailed at gruters.joe@flsenate.gov.
State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, can be reached at 941-708-4968 or 717 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. His email is william.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov.
Let your legislators know how you feel! These bills by Diaz and Fischer are also designed to remove any controls from HOAs, saying renting your house is a “constitutional right.” It’s right in the bill!
If they are not stopped, there are no neighborhoods, only strangerhoods.
Call/email your local representatives and legislators today.
Airbnb has given our legislators $1.25 million. We only have our voice – and our vote. Please use it.