LEGISLATIVE ALERT: 4-18-25 CRA Bill Up Monday in Senate Committee on Rules

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CRA Bill Up Monday in Senate Committee on Rules — Oppose SB 1242

Action Needed: Contact Senators on the Senate Committee on Rules

SB 1242 (McClain) will be heard in the Senate Committee on Rules on Monday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. This bill would severely limit the ability of local governments to revitalize communities through Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs).

(Update on CS/HB 991, the House companion bill: on Tuesday, April 15, CS/HB 991 (Giallombardo) was “temporarily postponed” or not considered by the House Commerce Committee. It is likely the bill will be considered by the Commerce Committee when it meets next Tuesday, April 22.)

What the Bill Does:

Mandates the termination of all existing CRAs by the earlier of their charter expiration date or September 30, 2045.
Prohibits CRAs from initiating new projects or issuing new debt after October 1, 2025.
Prohibits the creation of any new CRAs after July 1, 2025.

Why It Matters: CRAs are one of the most effective tools cities and counties have to address blight, attract private investment, and support affordable housing. SB 1242 would eliminate this tool entirely over time—without any justification or demonstrated need.

What You Can Do: Contact members of the Senate Committee on Rules before Monday at 2:00 p.m. and urge them to amend SB 1242 to preserve local authority to use CRAs. (Emails are listed below - and you CAN send your one-page key-facts flyers via email.)

Ask Senators To:

Remove the prohibition on initiating new CRA projects or issuing new debt after October 1, 2025.
Remove the ban on creating new CRAs after July 1, 2025.
Allow CRAs to continue their important work past 2045.
Focus on CRA transparency and accountability — not elimination of a vital tool.

FRA Position: Oppose SB 1242 unless amended to address these concerns

CRAs: Locally Funded Without Raising Taxes or Using State Dollars

CRAs were created to revitalize areas suffering from urban decay and crime, encourage private-sector investment, support job creation, and address the affordable housing crisis—all without raising taxes or relying on state funds. Instead, CRAs use a self-sustaining financing model known as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), where a portion of the increased property tax revenues generated by redevelopment is reinvested back into the area. This ensures local tax dollars are used locally to improve infrastructure, attract private investment, and support the businesses that choose to be in a CRA.

CRAs Are Essential to Addressing Florida’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Florida is experiencing a severe shortage of workforce and affordable housing, which threatens our economic competitiveness and workforce stability. Rather than eliminating CRAs, the Legislature should recognize them as a critical tool for increasing affordable housing supply—without additional state spending. Many CRAs already prioritize workforce housing, using their funds to incentivize private investment in new housing projects, rehabilitate existing properties to increase housing stock, and improve infrastructure needed to support housing development.

Eliminating CRAs would strip local governments of one of their most effective, locally funded tools to address Florida’s housing crisis.

CRAs Are Critical for Small Businesses and Local Economies

Florida’s economy thrives when small businesses succeed. A primary focus of CRAs is to support entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing funding for commercial property improvements to revitalize business districts, investing in streetscape enhancements and safety improvements that attract customers, and driving private-sector redevelopment projects that create jobs and economic opportunity.

At a time when small businesses are struggling with inflation and high costs, eliminating CRAs would make it even harder for them to grow, compete, and create jobs.

Contact Jeff Blomeley, FRA Executive Director, with any questions.

Emails for the Members of the Senate Committee on Rules:

Bryan Avila Avila.Bryan@flsenate.gov

Lori Berman berman.lori@flsenate.gov

Jim Boyd boyd.jim@flsenate.gov

Jennifer Bradley bradley.jennifer@flsenate.gov

Jason Brodeur brodeur.jason@flsenate.gov

Danny Burgess burgess.danny@flsenate.gov

Colleen Burton Burton.Colleen@flsenate.gov

Tracie Davis Davis.Tracie@flsenate.gov

Nick DiCeglie DiCeglie.Nick@flsenate.gov

Don Gaetz gaetz.don@flsenate.gov