Florida lawmakers pass hurricane bill amid restriction fears
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida is just days away from the start of hurricane season, and NOAA is predicting another above average season ahead. State lawmakers are hoping their latest hurricane bill will help ease the recovery process, but not everyone was behind the effort from the start.
The hurricane bill package (SB 180) lawmakers pushed across the finish line aims to help Floridians rebuild after future storms, as well as increase disaster planning on the local level; but critics of the bill say it could actually prevent resiliency after a hurricane hits.
DeSantis signs bill allowing gold, silver to be used as currency
'I think it will make our state stronger going forward, and it will help those of us who are recovering from a really terrible hurricane year,' said State Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota).
A sponsor of the bill, McFarland, says there is no 'perfect' bill out there, but is proud of the work her and her colleagues did this session.
However, that didn't stop local lawmakers from raising concerns with the bill language during committee debate.
'Although there's lots and lots of great things in this bill, I think we still have a little more work to do,' said State Rep. Linda Chaney (R-St. Pete Beach).
She's especially concerned about the section focusing on building back better after the storms, with the bill language possibly adding restrictions to local disaster recovery (LDR) and comprehensive emergency management plans (COMPLANS).'It's a hurricane every year, we're always 100 miles from the track. So that's in essence telling all local governments you cannot change your COMPLANS and your LDR'S to be more restrictive,' Chaney said.
Chaney added that counties along the coast were raising red flags, pointing to unintended consequences that could restrict local governments who want to develop and recover their properties.
Matthew Singer, with Florida League of Cities, who represents 411 Florida cities, towns, and villages, echoed those remarks.'Whether it's anti-growth interests or business competitors, a city updating its drainage system after a storm or approving a new project could face a legal challenge if someone argues that it's burdensome to their operations, which can delay recovery and progress,' Singer said.
Sponsors of the bill shared that lawmakers learn something new during and after each hurricane season, and they hope to continue to work with Floridians and local municipalities across the state to develop future legislation in the year ahead.
DeSantis has yet to sign the bill into law. He also has the option to veto it, but local lawmakers don't see that happening and believe it will get the green light from the governor.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former Rep. David Jolly announces bid for Florida governor
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Former Rep. David Jolly announced Thursday that he is entering the Florida governor's race. Jolly previously represented Florida District 13 from 2014 to 2017 as a Republican. However, in the governor's race, Jolly will run as a Democratic candidate. 'Let's end the politics of division and return Florida to voters who simply want an economy that works, the best education system in the world, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their doctors' offices and family decisions,' Jolly said in a news release. 'This is a different type of issues-driven, results-focused campaign, and it will be driven not by anger and division but by optimism and solutions,' Jolly said. 'We are building a new coalition of Floridians who deeply care about their state and are desperate for real answers to real problems that are putting our quality of life at risk.' Jolly is the first Democrat to enter the Florida governor's race. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett and State Sen. Jason Pizzo have already thrown their hats into the race. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Florida budget talks extended, final plan still pending
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The end of Florida's 2025 legislative session may finally be in sight, but not without another extension. 'When all is said and done on the 16th, I think we'll have a balanced budget our constituents will be proud of,' said Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. WATCH: Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested on racketeering charges House and Senate members returned to the floor Thursday to extend the budget deadline, for a third time. While leaders say they're making headway, lawmakers still haven't even gotten their hands on the budget yet.'We don't have any information, no idea what the budget looks like,' said State Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa. Budget cuts are expected, but there's just no clarity yet on where those cuts will fall. 'That's a sad place to be, knowing that you're going home and you can't really talk to constituents about the budget because we don't know what's in the budget,' said Hart. Speaking publicly for the first time since lawmakers have been back in Tallahassee, Senate President Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez. 'We don't have a final product yet, but we both have the same goal,' Perez said. According to both leaders, the goal of this year's budget is to provide long-term stability and recurring relief for Floridians.'We're making decisions today that are going to be super helpful in the future,' said Albritton. Albritton highlighted tax holidays like back-to-school and hurricane preparedness — saying they are still a part of the budget. 'What we are trying to do is stop that from happening into the future. The only way you can do that is by tying up some of the savings,' said Perez. It continues to be a waiting game, and from here on out, it will be up to the budget chairs to finish the job. Lawmakers are expected to return the week of June 16th, with Senate leadership saying he's 90% positive the budget will be passed on time. 'It was a bumpy road, and I believe we are better for it,' said Albritton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Reaction pours in after Jolly announces run for governor
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Former Rep. David Jolly has announced he's running for Florida governor. The Dunedin native served as a member of Congress as a Republican from 2014 to 2017. He left the party in 2018 and recently registered as a Democrat. 'Is it okay to change your mind? I think it should be. I think more politicians should change their mind. I think the question is when we see politicians who change values. My values have been the same,' Jolly said. One of Jolly's goals is to help make it easier for Floridians to be able to live and spend money in the Sunshine State. 'I'm running because I think we are in the midst of an affordability crisis,' Jolly said One of his ideas involves a plan, he said, that would reduce the amount families pay for property insurance. Florida budget talks extended, final plan still pending 'Florida needs a state catastrophic fund. If we remove hurricane coverage, natural disaster coverage from the private market, put it into a state catastrophic fund, we can reduce private property insurance, homeowners' insurance, by up to 60%,' Jolly said. There continues to be a push to expand access to abortion and legalize recreational marijuana. Despite both ballot measures failing to cross the 60% threshold needed to pass, Jolly said lawmakers in Tallahassee should've filed and enacted legislation to honor the majority of voters. Jolly's platform also includes a plan to reduce gun violence. 'We need comprehensive and universal background checks. We need to improve the Parkland package. My republican opponent right now wants to roll back the Parkland package,' Jolly said. In a statement, gubernatorial candidate and Rep. Byron Donalds, who's endorsed by President Donald Trump, said, in part: 'David Jolly is a failed politician, lobbyist, and MSNBC commentator. Soon, he'll be able to add failed Gubernatorial candidate to his resume.' Jolly is a strong critic of Trump. State Sen. Jason Pizzo, who is running under No Party Affiliation, said: 'Nice guy. No chance.' Jolly does not see a pathway to the governor's mansion for any candidate who runs as an Independent. New Florida law requires restaurants to reveal 'hidden' fees There continues to be speculation involving First Lady Casey DeSantis and Attorney John Morgan to enter the race. St. Pete College Political Science Professor Tara Newsom weighed in on Jolly's candidacy. 'David Jolly might be the right messenger with the right message for the Democratic Party. His message that Floridians are tired of the culture wars and that the next gubernatorial campaign isn't about the MAGA movement but about the affordability issues,' Newsom said. Jolly understands he has to reach across party lines to win. 'If David Jolly can make the case that he switched parties out of principle, not politics, that will resonate with those independent voters,' Newsom said. The Republican Gubernatorial Association called Jolly a flip-flopper over switching parties and likened him to Former Gov. and Rep. Charlie Crist. The Florida Democratic Party doesn't make endorsements ahead of the primary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
