All cities would be giving up the right to regulate the trimming, removal, or harvesting of trees and timber on private property. The state would take that right away. TheBill would also prohibit local governments from prohibiting the burial of vegetative debris on certain properties.
In 2016 we told you Publix spent $1 million "lobbying lawmakers to pass legislation that would pre-empt local governments from enacting bans on Styrofoam containers" according to the Miami Herald. The legislation passed. No city in Florida except Miami can pass anti-styrofoam laws. Now we have another attempt at taking Florida cities' rights to regulate away and giving them to the state.
Bill SB 574 called "Tree and Timber Trimming, Removal, and Harvesting" was filed with the Senate by Republican Senator from Sarasota Greg Steube October 20th, referred to Community Affairs; Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Rules -SJ 46 November 2nd and Introduced to the Senate January 9th. The language of the bill is as follows: "Tree and Timber Trimming, Removal, and Harvesting; Preempting to the state the regulation of the trimming, removal, or harvesting of trees and timber on private property; prohibiting local governments from prohibiting the burial of vegetative debris on certain properties, etc."
"Preempting to the state" means removal of home rule: the decisions currently made by City of Orlando would be removed. Those decisions would be made by the State if the bill passes.
The reason the Senator gave for creating this is he wanted to cut down trees and bury debris on his 1 acre of property, but according to City code, he had to get permits to remove the trees and had to pay the City for the removal of the debris. So, he filed this bill.Readers can contact Senator Greg Steube below:
District Office - 6230 University Parkway Suite 202 Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 342-9162 Senate VOIP: 42300
Tallahassee Office - 326 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 (850) 487-5023 Senate VOIP: 5023
Read the full text of Bill SB 574 below:
Florida Senate - 2018 SB 574
By Senator Steube
