HB 979 - Infill Redevelopment

On Thursday, February 5, HB 979 by Representative David Borrero (R-Doral) was heard by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and reported was favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill allows environmentally impacted land in dense urban counties to be used by streamlining redevelopment and removing local regulatory barriers that restrict housing supply. The legislation preempts restrictive zoning rules, limits local interference, and creates uniform development standards.

HB 979 will now go to the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee for consideration. 

AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families.

 

HB 691 - Agricultural Enclaves

On Thursday, February 5, HB 691 by Representative Adam Botana (R-Bonita Springs) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill significantly expands and clarifies Florida’s agricultural enclave framework by creating a faster, more predictable pathway for certain agriculturally used parcels surrounded by development to transition to residential use, while limiting local government discretion. The bill allows qualifying landowners to seek certification as an agricultural enclave, imposes firm timelines on local governments to act, and provides automatic approval if deadlines are missed, along with judicial review if an application is denied.

HB 691 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports responsible growth by allowing limited, well-planned development on land surrounded by existing infrastructure to help ease the housing shortage in Florida. 

 

HB 399 - Land Use and Development Regulations

On Thursday, February 5, HB 399 by Representative David Borrero (R-Doral) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill restructures Florida’s land use and development regulatory framework by limiting local government discretion, increasing predictability for developers, and standardizing approval processes statewide. The bill requires development application fees to directly reflect actual administrative costs rather than project value, mandates majority votes for future land use plan amendments, and imposes standards for determining residential compatibility.

HB 399 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports streamlining processes for development by improving the regulatory pathway for builders across the state. Promoting responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida. 

 

HB 1139 – Impact Fees

On Thursday, February 5, HB 1139 by Representative Richard Gentry (R-DeBary) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill creates clear requirements for local governments who impose impact fee increases under extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, the bill mandates local governments specifically justify each increase through a plan-based method. The bill also creates clear statutes for companies that litigate against local government impact fee increases or those who recover overpaid fees.

HB 1139 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that creates clear and reasonable pathways for landowners to develop their land responsibly. Ensuring local governments are using collected impact fees correctly is important in lowering home costs and creating housing throughout the state.