Two alerts contained in this email!
Urge House Committee to Oppose CS/HB 987 - Short-Term Rentals (STR)
On Wednesday, April 10, at 8:15 a.m., the House Commerce Committee will consider CS/HB 987
( J. Grant ) re latin g to short-term rentals. 
CS/HB 987 would do the following:
  • Remove the grandfather clause currently protecting those cities who were regulating short-term rentals (STRs) prior to 2011.
  • Preempt to the FL Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) the regulation of vacation rentals.
  • Require that any ordinances (noise, parking, trash, etc.), must apply to all residential properties, regardless of how the property is being used.
  • Restrict local governments from imposing occupancy limits on rental properties, or requiring inspections or licensing of rentals (specific to STRs).
Talking Points
  • The vacation rental industry has exploded in the last five years. This shows that local government regulation of these properties hasn’t stifled the market in any way.
  • As the industry has grown, DBPR has done nothing to ensure compliance with current state licensing requirements. DBPR is overworked and understaffed. DBPR could not handle the administrative burden created by vacation rentals after local governments were preempted in 2011 and is even less equipped to do so now. 
  • A solution is needed that balances the property rights of all. Issues with unruly behavior, parking and public safety are destroying the residential character of traditional neighborhoods. Residents suffer while corporations profit.
  • This is a local zoning issue. Commercial activity in residential neighborhoods is regulated for good reason: to protect residents and ensure adequate infrastructure is in place.
  • Removing the grandfather provision negatively impacts the property rights of Floridians who purchased their property with the reasonable expectation that they would be living around other long-term residents. An investor would be able to purchase the property next door and turn it into a party house in areas where short-term rentals are currently prohibited.
  • The ripple effect of unregulated short-term rentals is exacerbating the affordable housing crisis. Homes are being converted into mini-hotels, thereby reducing long-term rental stock available in communities and causing a workforce housing shortage.
Contact Casey Cook with any questions or call (850) 222-9684.
Urge House Committee to Oppose CS/CS/HB 693 - Communications Services/Small Cell
The House Commerce Committee will also consider CS/CS/HB 693 ( Fischer ) relating to Communications Services (5G).  
CS/CS/HB 693 repeals important, agreed upon provisions of the 2017 small wireless infrastructure law, and further strips cities of the ability to regulate the placement of communications equipment in public rights-of-way.
 
Issues we oppose in the bill:

  • Places “small wireless infrastructure” shot clocks on ALL other communications infrastructure in the public rights-of-way.
  • Reduces local control on the placement of new poles in rights-of-way.
  • Removes language from 2017 that requires wireless providers to comply with local government nondiscriminatory utility undergrounding requirements.
Talking Points
The Florida League of Cities calls on the Florida Legislature to stop efforts to further strip cities of the ability to regulate the placement of communications equipment on city property in public rights-of-way.

  • Don’t undermine progress. It’s been less than two years since the legislature enacted it comprehensive takeover of municipal rights-of-way relating to wireless infrastructure. Cities are diligently working with industry representatives to implement that law. Changing the rules now will only set progress back.
  • New poles should not be automatically allowed. Cities are purposely limiting potential projectiles in our hurricane prone communities by moving utility lines underground. Existing law recognizes this and allows cities to negotiate placement of small cell wireless equipment accordingly. Undoing this consideration flies in the face of existing, and expensive, efforts to protect residents and keep services connected.
  • "Fast passing" one utility over another is simply not fair. Allowing communications services providers to go to the front of the line in the permit process means other utility providers, such as electric or wastewater, lose out. Public officials should prioritize what communities need, not what special interests want.
  • The intent for wireless deployment has not changed. Why should the law? Two years ago, the stated goal of the industry was to expedite small cell wireless infrastructure in communities across the state.
Contact Amber Hughes with any questions or call (850) 222-9684. 
Contact committee members ASAP and urge them to OPPOSE CS/HB 987 and CS/CS/HB 693!
Mike La Rosa (R-42), Chair            
(850) 717-5042 
[email protected]         
@larosamike
 
Jason Fischer (R-16), Vice Chair         
(850) 717-5016 
[email protected]        
@JasonFischerFL
 
Evan Jenne (D-99), Ranking Member       
(850) 717-5099 
[email protected]           
@evanjenne
 
Alex Andrade (R-2)          
(850) 717-5002 
[email protected]         
@RAlexAndradeFL
 
Bryan Avila (R-111)          
(850) 717-5111 
[email protected]            
@BryanAvilaFL
 
James Buchanan (R-74) 
(850) 717-5074 
 
Joseph Casello (D-90)    
(850) 717-5090 
@votejoecasello1
 
Javier Fernandez (D-114)              
(850) 717-5114 
@Javierfor114
 
Heather Fitzenhagen (R-78)         
(850) 717-5078 
[email protected]         
@RepFitzenhagen
 
Brett Thomas Hage (R-33)            
(850) 717-5033 
 
Al Jacquet (D-88)             
(850) 717-5088 
[email protected]             
@ALJacquet
 
Toby Overdorf (R-83)     
(850) 717-5083 
[email protected]      
@TobyOverdorf
Rene Plasencia (R-50)    
(850) 717-5050 
@voteCoachP
 
Will Robinson (R-71)       
(850) 717-5071 
[email protected]        
@will_robinsonjr
 
Ray Rodrigues (R-76)      
(850) 717-5076 
[email protected]      
@isayray
 
Anthony Sabatini (R-32)
(850) 717-5032 
@AnthonySabatini
 
David Santiago (R-27)     
(850) 717-5027 
@dsantiago457
 
David Silvers (D-87)         
(850) 717-5087 
[email protected]         
@DavidRSilvers
 
Richard Stark (D-104)      
(850) 717-5104 
[email protected]        
@RichardNStark
 
Cyndi Stevenson (R-17)
(850) 717-5017 
@Vote4Cyndi
 
Charlie Stone (R-22)        
(850) 717-5022 
[email protected]        
@RepCharlieStone
 
Jennifer Webb (D-69)     
(850) 717-5069 
[email protected]      
@jenniferwebbfl
 
Matt Willhite (D-86)        
(850) 717-5086 
[email protected]         
@mattwillhitefl
 
Jayer Williamson (R-3)  
(850) 717-5003 
@JayerWilliamson
Click here to download a spreadsheet with committee contact information. You can also use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool to email your legislators.
Watch Live on The Florida Channel
To watch this committee live, go to https://thefloridachannel.org , click on Live Streams and look for the House Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday at 8:15 a.m.
Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts!