While I have not had time to dig through it to do an analysis on all environmental spending, a cursory examination shows an overall general reduction across the board in the natural resources silo. DEP, DACS and FWC were reduced by 5, 15, and 7 percent, respectively. Total allocations for DEP were $2.46B. DACS came in at 2.88B, and FWC brought up the rear at $528M.

The statewide beach management program continues to bring in more than base funding. For FY 2026-27, the total allocated for our program was $64.4M, with accompanying proviso that directs spending for projects 1-4 on the beach list and 1-6 on the inlet list. The funding fully covers those projects, which it would not have if the Legislature abided by the statutory distribution formula between beaches and inlets. I am extremely grateful to those members who continue to provide strong support for the program, and while not what we had hoped for at the beginning of session, an additional $14.1M in an austerity budget shows the importance of our message and advocacy.

The specific line item including proviso is on page 329 of the General Appropriations Act and is also provided below.

1883 GRANTS AND AIDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND

NONSTATE ENTITIES - FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY

BEACH PROJECTS - STATEWIDE

FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND . . . . . 14,141,067

FROM LAND ACQUISITION TRUST FUND . . 50,000,000

Funds in Specific Appropriation 1883 are provided to the Department of Environmental Protection for distribution to beach and inlet management projects consistent with any component of the comprehensive long-term management plan developed in accordance with section 161.161, Florida Statutes. Funds shall be used to fund post-construction monitoring and projects 1 through 4 on the Strategic Beach Management Plan and projects 1 through 6 on the Inlet Management Plan.

Property Taxes

Right after the budget passed, Governor DeSantis called for a Special Session on property tax relief. The Legislature convened on June 1st for marathon committee meetings and passed the bill the following day. FSBPA is closely monitoring this bill, and our preliminary analysis indicates there may be negative impacts to project funding and to the association itself. For those unaware of the joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment question on the November ballot, I am including a brief synopsis taken largely from the House analysis summary. 

If passed by voters, the constitutional amendment: 

• Provides a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes for the first $150,000 of assessed value in 2027, and the first $250,000 of assessed value in 2028, which automatically increases each year thereafter as tied to the consumer price index. 
• Creates a five-year homestead exemption on the first $50,000 of assessed value of homestead properties ($25,000 for school levies, $50,000 for non-school levies) for owners who are not permanent Florida residents as of December 31, 2026, and allows such property owners to receive the same homestead exemption as permanent Florida residents after five years.  
• Requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for certain local governments to increase the amount of assessed value exempt from taxes. 
• Reduces the non-homestead property assessment increase limitation from 10 percent to 5 percent per year. 
• Limits the use of ad valorem revenue by counties and municipalities to specific purposes. 

There are differing expectations for reductions to local government tax bases, however, the House analysis states the FY 2027-28 impact will be a minimum of $4.6B and the FY 2028-29 impact will be at least $8.4B. Given the expected shortfalls in state collections for the same year, the financial outlook may be dire. While TDTs were not included in this bill, there was an amendment, which was not adopted, that would have authorized local governments to use TDTs for the same purposes as ad valorem revenues. If the constitutional amendment passes in November, I expect to see additional bills filed to expand uses of TDTs. Until then, we will be watching closely like everyone else and trying to plan accordingly. 

If you have any questions about the budget or the property tax bills, please reach out to me.

2026 Florida Resilience Conference Information

Early bird registration rates for the 2026 Florida Resilience Conference are still available until August 26, 2026!

Last few months to take advantage of this deal before rates increase!

Member In-Person $500

Non-Member In-Person $625

Full-Time Students In-Person $175 **

Spouse or Non-Business Guest $175*

Conference Hotel Reservations

Experience the luxury of the Sunseeker Resort, host of the 5th Annual Florida Resilience Conference.

We're excited to return to Charlotte Harbor for a second consecutive year.

Attendees can take advantage of the special group rate of $229 per night and a reduced resort fee through August 26, or until the room block sells out.

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!

Want to be a sponsor or exhibitor? Visit our website below for more information!

2026 FSBPA Awards Nominations Now Open

Each year, FSBPA recognizes individuals whose dedication, leadership, and innovation have advanced the preservation and management of Florida’s beaches and coastal systems. These awards celebrate the professionals, volunteers, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders whose efforts help protect and enhance our valuable coastal resources. 

FSBPA is now accepting nominations for individuals and projects that demonstrate excellence in beach and inlet management, coastal resilience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. If you know someone whose work has made a meaningful impact on Florida’s coastlines, we encourage you to submit a nomination. 

To view award categories, nomination criteria, and submission instructions, please visit the FSBPA Annual Conference page.

The 2026 Award recipients will be honored during the FSBPA Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, September 24, as part of the Florida Resilience Conference and our 69th Annual Meeting. We look forward to recognizing the outstanding achievements of those working to preserve and strengthen the resilience of Florida’s beaches and coastal systems. 

2026 FRC Student Travel Scholarship Application

FSBPA and Resiliency Florida will co-host the 5th Annual Florida Resilience Conference, September 23–25, 2026, at Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, Florida. We are also offering four Student Travel Scholarships, each worth $1,100, funded by the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. 

Scholarship Details:

• $1,100 stipend per student
• $175 will be deducted to cover conference registration (includes meals and access to sessions)
• Remaining funds may be used for travel, lodging, or other expenses
• Finalists must attend the conference in person
• Finalists must volunteer a minimum of five (5) hours during the event (e.g., registration support or assisting with presentations)
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Winners Announced: July 24, 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a degree-seeking student at an accredited Florida institution
• Field of study must relate to beach or dune ecology or other coastal sciences
• Must submit a complete application, including:
• Short essay
• Contact information
• Advisor reference
• Must be available to attend all three days of the conference and meet with the scholarship committee onsite

The full application is available to download below. Please share this opportunity with eligible students and encourage them to apply. If you have any questions, feel free to email Alexis Brown, alexisbrown@fsbpa.com

Strategic Beach Management Plan Update Released; FY 2027–28 Funding Applications Now Open 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection recently released the 2026 update to the Strategic Beach Management Plan (SBMP) and is accepting public comments through June 22, 2026. This document serves as a valuable historical resource, outlining erosion control projects and management strategies along Florida’s beaches. Additionally, beach management activities must be included in the adopted plan to be eligible for state funding. Be sure to review the proposed beach erosion management strategies for your region before the comment deadline.

The link to the SBMP files is here.

After checking the Acceptable Use box on the left-hand side of the page, enter the password “Beaches” to access the files.

For more information, call or email Guy Weeks at Office: (850) 245-7696 or William.Weeks@FloridaDEP.gov

The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection has also opened the Fiscal Year 2027–28 Local Government Funding Request (LGFR) application period. Funding requests will be evaluated through the Beach Management Funding Assistance Program and used to develop the state’s annual prioritized list of beach and inlet management projects for state funding consideration. Local government applications must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2026, to be considered for funding.

Contact John Irving for more information at John.Irving@floridadep.gov or Office: 850-245-8355.

FDEP Advances Relaxed Coastal Armoring Rule Revisions

FSBPA has been reporting on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) rule development efforts related to the Coastal Construction Control Line Program since 2025. Despite concerns raised by several stakeholder organizations, including FSBPA, regarding proposed revisions affecting coastal armoring, FDEP has indicated its intent to move forward with certification of the amendments to Chapter 62B-33, Florida Administrative Code.

Among the most significant changes is a revision to the definition of a structure's vulnerability to frequent coastal storms. The proposed rule would expand eligibility for coastal armoring by changing the applicable storm threshold from a 15-year storm event to a 25-year storm event. As a result, additional properties will qualify for armoring structures.

Throughout the rulemaking process, FSBPA and other stakeholders have requested FDEP to more fully evaluate the long-term implications of these changes and discuss the pathways to balance private property protection with the preservation of Florida's beaches and other resources. Concerns raised during the process have included potential impacts to public beach access, sea turtle nesting habitat, and neighboring properties, particularly in areas where armoring structures become exposed to wave action and degrade the beach over time.

With certification of the rule revisions anticipated this month, the formal rulemaking process is effectively complete unless the rule is challenged. While FSBPA appreciates the opportunity to participate and provide input, we remain concerned that the expanded eligibility for coastal armoring may result in adverse impacts to Florida's beaches, public access, wildlife habitat, and adjacent properties.

FSBPA welcomes feedback from members. If you would like to share your perspective on the proposed rule revisions and their potential effects on Florida's beaches and coastal communities, we encourage you to contact us. See FDEPs Resilience and Coastal Protection Rules in Development website for more information.

FOA Ocean and Space Convergence Summit

PO Box 13146, Tallahassee FL 32317

Phone: (850) 906-9227 • mail@fsbpa.com