Mayors Get Testy About Florida Vacation Rental Bill

4/3/2024

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R), who represents Florida's 18th Senate district, gave a brief presentation about a vacation rental bill when he went before a group of mayors and other elected officials in the Tampa Bay area last week. He was immediately challenged by Redington Beach Mayor David Will, who said the legislation removes the ability of residents in his city to have any discussion about how to regulate rentals. “The actual voice of the residents to go to their townhall, and have a discussion — pros, cons, whatever — to shape their community, to force that direction, has been removed,” the mayor said. DiCeglie replied, “I'm not really sure I understand where this bill, Senate bill 280, removes anybody's voice. So I'm not sure that I fully understand how this bill or any other preemption takes away the voice of the people to elect their local representatives, their ability to go to City Hall, express their views, or participate in our democratic process.” The discussion comes at a time when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has to make a decision on a short-term vacation rental bill that will give state government more control over the regulation of rentals. The bill has yet to be sent to DeSantis for his consideration. Once it gets there, he'll have 15 days to sign it or veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

Florida Phoenix (03/27/24) Mitch Perry

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