The request is for the City Council to adopt Resolution No. 2017-14 expressing the City’s opposition of HB 17 in respect to local regulation preemption by the state which is currently scheduled for its first reading by the 2017 House of Representatives.

Currently, there is legislation being considered at the state level that would preempt local units of government from licensing and regulating business without specific approval from the state and nullifies all existing regulations not authorized by law on July 1, 2020.  Some examples of regulations currently not specifically authorized by Florida law are as follows:

·       Noise regulations

·       Adult entertainment/sexually oriented business regulation

·       Medical marijuana siting and security regulations

·       Building height restrictions

·       Parking of commercial vehicles in residential districts

·       Home based business regulations

Local units of government are created and chartered by their citizens to solidify the reigns of home rule.  The ability of municipalities to respond to local problems and activities would be severely limited by HB 17.  More specifically, HB 17 is designed to undercut the intent of municipal citizens, who voted to incorporate their communities and exercise home rule powers granted by the Florida Constitution to govern themselves and thereby, effectively address the unique local concerns of their community.