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Sprawl:
Pave Over Farm Lands (Ag Economic Development Act)

Our Position: oppose
Bill Number: SB1880/hb1015
Sponsor: Senator Argenziano/Representative Pickens
Legislative Session: 2006

7/5/06: Approved by Governor; Chapter No. 2006-255; See also HB 7075 (Ch. 2006-289) on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 9:03 AM  

PASSED: 5/5/06: Pave over Farmlands: Agriculture Enclave: SB1880/HB1015:   passed and ordered enrolled

This bill has been trying to get passed for three years and it finally did (but not without us speaking and working against it at every step). The final bill that passed was bad, but not as bad as originally filed. The bill cuts the agency response time to agriculture applicants in half from 180 days to 90 days (that stayed the same as the earlier versions). What changed was that the original bill stated over and over again in different sections that the application shall not be subject to the “9J-5 Florida Administrative Code or Sprawl rule” and that the agency shall not even use the Sprawl rule to deny an application. The final version that passed changed from “shall not use 9J-5…”  to “the application is presumed to be consistent with rule 9J-5. This presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence…” However, the definition of the “Agricultural enclave” still means … agricultural land that is…  75% surrounded by industrial, residential, commercial,” yadda yadda and the acreage is  “not to exceed 1280 or not to exceed 4480.”

Visualize patchwork, leapfrog development.

Status

5/5/06: Click here to see the final House Vote on HB1015.

5/5/06: It is now 4pm and the Senate has not come back since 1:30. The bill remains on third reading and available for voting by the Senate. It then has to go back to the House for them to have the final vote. At  8:22 pm the House voted and now the bill is ordered enrolled.
 
4/29/06: The House bill passed 04/25/06 HOUSE  YEAS  115  NAYS  2  04/25/06 SENATE In Messages. The Senate bill is now on Senate floor, second reading.
The Senate & House bills are still bad. Eliminates the local government from using the urban sprawl rule 9J5. So, when the farmers want to convert to development, if 75% of their lands are surrounded by development, the agencies cannot call it SPRAWL...

Click here to see HB1015 the Full House Floor vote 115 yeas-2 nays on 4/25/06

Click here to check the status of HB1015.

Action Needed

More information

To read the latest bill text:

click on SB1880

click on HB 1015

5/5/06: The House version was amended today on the Senate floor. The Senate laid their bill on the table and are now setting the stage for the House version to be the one that gets enrolled and then sent to the Governor. They then offered amendments and now the amendments have the House bill and Senate bill identical. The Senate will vote on the bill and send it back to the House for them to have final vote.

5/4/06: This bill is tied up a bit, we might have a chance to stop it. Keep up the heat and make your calls to your members. Thanks again.

4/29/06: 4/20/06: The Senate & House bills are still bad. Eliminates the local government from using the urban sprawl rule 9J5. So, when the farmers want to convert to development, if 75% of their lands are surrounded by development, the agencies cannot call it SPRAWL...the Senate bill will be heard in Environmental Preservation next week and the House bill is on the House Calendar.

4/14/06: 4/10/06, passed House State Resources Council. Heading to the House floor, second reading.

Senate Version, SB1880 is up on Senate Community Affairs, 04/18/06

4/4/06: House bill passes out of Agriculture and Env. Tuesday

4/4/06: the House version, HB1015 passed out of the House Ag and Env.Committee.  click here to see how they voted

The bills will be moving thru committees and when you check on the bill history you will learn what committee is next. You can use the Committee lists to find out if your member is on the committee.

Senate Committee lists

Contact

Click here to find your Senate member

Background

This legislation was vetoed two years ago, failed to pass last year, and is back again as a repeat offender. The Governor's Office has told us that they do not support any version of this legislation. But we all know that can change quickly around the halls of the Capitol.

This bill basically makes it easier for farm land surrounded by 75% industrial, commercial or residential developments to convert to same, and the local governments have no say in the matter, neither will the public.

The House Companion is bill number HB1015 by Representative Pickens and co-sponsor Poppell.