Florida law proposed to do away with municipal regulation

Legislators are contemplating passage of a bill that would prohibit local governments from regulating businesses unless specifically granted the right to do so. Existing regulations would expire in 2020. This would impact all local (city/county) regulations governing businesses, including local environmental regulations.

House Bill 17 proposes to prohibit all new laws or regulations on businesses, professions or occupations not specifically authorized by the general laws of Florida after July 1, 2017, and nullifies all existing laws or regulations not specifically authorized by law on July 1, 2020.

Text of bill:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/17/BillText/c1/PDF

NEWS COVERAGE

Tampa Bay Times
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/should-local-governments-have-less-power-some-state-lawmakers-think-so/2314195

Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article134360029.html

Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/florida-house-looks-clamp-down-local-governments-tax-powers/1vRtOKBB9c765Qel7wbvKO/

WLRN
http://wlrn.org/post/bill-restrict-rights-cities-counties-backed-house-speaker

OPINION

Orlando Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-editorial-home-rule-end-20170309-story.html

Tallahassee Democrat
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/02/27/opinion-house-bill-just-bad-idea/98444910/