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2024 State Legislative Program

Guiding Principles

  1. Maintain the integrity of home rule power which allows the development and implementation of community-based solutions to local problems, including the priorities of our partner organizations and agencies. 
  2. Oppose unfunded mandates that impact local government’s ability to control its budget. 
  3. Support adequate state funding for constitutional officers required to perform duties on behalf of the state. 
  4. Support fully funding the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund. 
  5. Support a dedicated recurring source of funding for beach nourishment. 
  6. Support the development of a Statewide Climate Resiliency Plan and a funding source to assist local communities who have implemented plans to combat sea level rise. 
  7. Support the continuation of policies that protect Florida’s natural resources and scenic beauty, including the prohibition of any and all oil drilling or exploration efforts in state waters. 
  8. Support maintaining the integrity of Tampa Bay Water as the regional water supplier. 
  9. Support state funding for the Arts and cultural institutions. 
  10. Support the prioritization of state funding to assist with local and regional infrastructure improvements, including transportation, septic to sewer conversion, damaged sanitary sewer laterals, and wastewater systems. 
  11. Support innovative funding strategies that address the declining revenue source of transportation funding to adequately address future transportation needs with a specific focus on electric vehicles and allowing for the local indexing of the gas tax. 

Priorities

 Local Fertilizer Ordinances 

SUPPORT efforts to maintain local governments’ ability to regulate the retail sale and application of fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus in order to reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. 

Waste-to-Energy Facilities 

SUPPORT efforts that provide for additional revenue to offset solid waste enterprise expenses and capital costs for waste-to-energy facilities owned by local governments. 

Short Term Rentals 

SUPPORT efforts that strengthen local governments’ ability to responsibly regulate short term rentals including registration, maximum occupancy, parking, and life safety provisions. 

Potentially Dangerous Dogs 

SUPPORT an amendment to F.S. Chapter 727 to define Potentially Dangerous Dogs, which will allow County Animal Services Enforcement to address lesser aggressive incidents that do not rise to the level of the Dangerous Dog Classification. 

 Appropriations 

  • REQUEST funding for Countywide Generators $3,750,000 
  • REQUEST funding for 133rd to 126th Ave. N. Neighborhood Cast Iron and Galvanized Water Main Replacement$1,100,000 
  • REQUEST funding for Ridgecrest Neighborhood Cast Iron and Galvanized Water Main Replacement $1,300,000 
  • REQUEST funding for S. Maritana Dr. or 21st Ave., St Pete Beach Cast Iron Subaqueous Crossing Water Main Replacement $1,200,000