Two bills that could reshape Anna Maria Island are nearing the finish line in the Florida legislative session.
House Bill 947 and Senate Bill 714 passed April 27 through their respective chambers — about a week before the state legislative session is set to close Friday, May 5.
HB 947 and SB 714 would facilitate Manatee County’s pledge to build a parking garage in Holmes Beach and preempt statewide municipal vacation rental regulations, respectively.
If HB 947 passes through the Senate and SB 714 passes through the House of Representatives, the bills will be sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for consideration.
DeSantis has seven days after a bill reaches his desk to sign or veto the measure.
HB 947, county allowance
HB 947 was filed by state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, and would authorize Manatee County to construct a parking garage within Holmes Beach.
The bill would override a city code that prohibits multi-level parking facilities within city limits by authorizing the county to construct such a facility at a county-managed public park such as Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.
HB 947 comes in response to a more than two-year feud between the county and city over parking lost when the city established its park-by-permit system in 2020.
The city prohibited public parking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in 645 parking spaces along residential roadways and began offering $15 decals to residents and property owners to allow them to park in those spots.
City officials stand by the system, which they argue improved residential quality of life by reducing roadside parking in residential areas and its side effects, litter and noise.
County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Robinson argue the parking allocation is unfair to off-island residents who visit the beaches and have pushed the city to return the lost parking spaces.
Mayor Judy Titsworth wrote an April 4 letter to Robinson asking him to table HB 947 in exchange for potentially designating 220 parking spaces within city limits for Manatee County residents only.
However, Titsworth said April 25 that she had received a phone call from an “upset” Robinson, who refused to discuss the matter with her until the legislative session was over.
The House voted 116-0 April 27 to approve HB 947 with one amendment to clarify that the county could construct a parking garage “without obtaining any permit, approval, consent or letter of no objection from the city of Holmes Beach.”
The bill was sent to the Senate later that day but had not been scheduled for a first reading as of April 29.
Titsworth has said that if the bill is adopted into law and the county pursues the creation of a multilevel parking garage, the city will put up a legal challenge since such a structure would violate the city’s comprehensive plan.
SB 714
SB 714 was filed by state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, and would preempt many local vacation regulations adopted after June 1, 2011, to the state.
The bill would nullify the vacation rental ordinances of all three island cities, which adopted ordinances no earlier than 2015.
SB 716 would preempt non-grandfathered licensing and inspections of vacation rental properties to the state, as well as prohibit municipalities from regulating the duration or frequency of rental activities.
The bill would allow local governments to establish vacation rental registration programs but limit registration fees to $50 for an individual and $100 for a collective application.
It also would not provide a limit for vacation rental occupancy.
The city of Anna Maria has led the charge against SB 714 by using its website, homerulefl.com, to facilitate an opposition campaign consisting of thousands of pre-written letters sent to state officials on behalf of concerned constituents.
However, Mayor Dan Murphy said he was “not overly optimistic” the bill would be killed or modified despite the opposition.
Murphy said the city’s best shot would be to lobby DeSantis to veto the bill. He said DeSantis has been forewarned about the “controversial” nature of SB 714.
The Senate voted 28-10 April 27 to approve SB 714 with two amendments.
The bill was sent to the House the same day but had not been scheduled for a first reading as of April 29.