A Narrow Window to Fix SB 180

Last year, Florida lawmakers halted the ability of communities to plan for their future when they passed SB 180 in the name of hurricane recovery. The law sharply limited local governments’ ability to update comprehensive plans and land-use regulations — even topics unrelated to storm damage — leaving communities unable to respond to rising housing costs, infrastructure strain, flooding risks, or the loss of rural character.

Now, with time running short in the 2026 Legislative Session, lawmakers face a choice: correct this self-inflicted damage — or leave communities subject to SB 180’s broad planning restrictions.

How you can help:

Because the Senate’s SB 840 has no House companion, the best viable path this session is to get a House bill heard and amended to fix last year’s law. We believe the most feasible vehicle is HB 217, whose first committee reference is the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee. 

We are urging our members to contact the chairman and members of the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and ask them to:

• Schedule HB 217 for their next subcommittee hearing; and
• Amend HB 217 to meaningfully fix SB 180, by limiting planning restrictions to genuine post-disaster rebuilding and restoring the ability of local governments throughout the state to make routine planning updates unrelated to storm recovery

Take Action: Email your Manatee County legislators:

Senator Jim Boyd: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Will Robinson: Will.Robinson@flhouse.gov
Rep. Bill Conerly: Bill.Conerly@flhouse.gov

Where things stand

The Florida Senate has acknowledged the problem. Senate Bill 840 has passed two of its three committee stops and would restore limited but essential planning authority to local governments after future storms. While it does not undo all the harm caused by SB 180, it would reopen the door for communities to address emerging issues and adapt responsibly to changing conditions.

The House of Representatives, however, has not yet advanced a companion bill. With committee calendars tightening, the window for action is rapidly closing — meaning SB 180’s planning freeze could remain in place.

To be clear: HB 217, as currently written, is not a complete solution. It is regionally limited and only partially addresses the damage done by SB 180. But without a House bill moving, there is no procedural path to fixing SB 180 at all this session.

That’s why we are asking members to push for scheduling and amendments — not unconditional support.

Why this matters

Local planning is not bureaucratic red tape. Comprehensive plans guide where homes are built, how infrastructure is funded, how flood risks are managed, and which lands are conserved for agriculture, water supply, and wildlife. When planning authority is stripped away, communities lose more than flexibility — they lose accountability to future residents.

If lawmakers are serious about sustainable growth and development, resilience, and affordability, the House must act now.

Thank you for staying engaged — and for speaking up when it matters most