COUNTY 

Herald-Tribune 

Siesta Beach, other Sarasota County beaches may soon forbid smoking  

Sarasota County is moving toward banning the use of cigarettes and filtered cigars at the county’s beaches and parks to promote public health and reduce littering.   

 

Florida Politics 

House passes Miami-Dade-focused bill barring duplication of Sheriff powers  

Miami-Dade hasn’t had an elected Sheriff since 1966. That changes next year. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Tampa Bay Times 

Protection for historic coastal properties could be gutted under Florida bill 

A pair of related bills rapidly advancing through the Florida Legislature would eviscerate protections for historic buildings and districts in coastal areas across the state, allowing property owners and developers to bypass local regulations and bulldoze and redevelop much of Miami Beach, among many other places. 

 

Florida Politics 

Kathleen Passidomo says budget will be done by Saturday, Session will wrap on time  

The budget must be ready by early Tuesday in order for legislators to adjourn on May 5. 

 

Miami Herald 

FL Legislature wants to override local tenant protections  

Dozens of cities and counties across Florida have passed bills of “rights” for tenants, setting standards around rent increases, applications and evictions. 

 

Action News Jax 

New bill if passed could defund Florida’s toursim coropation ‘Visit Florida’  

JACKSONVILLE, ,Fla. — The Florida House of Representatives has filed a bill that could defund “Visit Florida”, which could mean a loss of millions of dollars in advertising for local destination marketing organizations.
 

Florida Politics 

New septic tank rules sent to Senate floor 

The amendment to the bill also includes $100M annually for Florida Forever.