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Background

Years ago, the Florida Legislature passed a law prohibiting local governments from setting up smoke-free areas at public parks and beaches. As ridiculous as it is, Clearwater cannot stop someone from smoking in the dugout of a Little League field. We also can’t keep cigarette butts off our beaches. This is an issue that affects the environment, health, welfare of children, the economy and tourism AND it’s a Home Rule issue.

The Solution

There are two new bills, HB105 and SB 224, that empowers local voices to make local choices about smoking at public parks and beaches. But before the Legislature can make it a law, the bills must go through the committee process.

HB105 passed the House Professions & Public Health Subcommittee on January 25^th and now needs to be heard in the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee  

SB224 next needs to pass the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee

How You Can Help

By Friday Jan. 28^th, please send two quick emails that say:

I want my city to be able to regulate smoking in public places.

Please put the public smoking bill on your next committee agenda. 

Here are the two email addresses:

Brodeur.Jason.web@flsenate.gov

James.Buchanan@myfloridahouse.gov  

Thank you for your advocacy!

A Weekly Update About Something You Can Do While the Florida Legislature is in Session
January 1/25/2022

SB 518:  Residential Home Protection

Background
In 2019, the Florida Legislature passed a law that banned local governments from enforcing many of their tree ordinances. This left cities and counties powerless to protect healthy trees from people with less than good intentions. The law led to abuses, including the clear-cutting of land and the removal of healthy trees that presented little, if any, risk to people or buildings.  This is a Home Rule issue affecting the environment, the aesthetics of our neighborhoods and our beautiful trees.

The Solution
FL Senate Bill CS/SB 518 puts tree removal and trimming back into the hands of local government; not distant Tallahassee lawmakers.
Next, it must pass in the Senate Government Oversight & Accountability Committee. Lucky for us, a local legislator, Senator Jeff Brandes chairs this committee.

How You Can Help
Please call his local office at 563-2100 and/or send a quick email to say:  I want my city to be able to regulate tree removal.   Please agenda the bill in Governmental Oversight & Accountability.

Here’s his email address: brandes.jeff.web@flsenate.gov

Thank you for your advocacy!