State Advocacy

Dear Public Policy Stakeholders,

I have great news regarding our 2019 legislative budget priorities. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2019/2020 state budget this afternoon. See below for a quick summary of our budget priorities and the numbers associated with them.

$682 million for environmental projects — Highlights of the environmental funding contained in the budget include $400 million for Everglades restoration, $100 million for springs restoration, $50 million for beach restoration projects, $25 million to combat blue-green algae and red tide, and $25 million for a septic-to-sewer cost-share program.

More than $200 million for affordable housing projects — Lawmakers allocated $200 million from the state and local government housing trust funds for affordable housing programs. This includes $115 million to assist Panhandle residents whose properties were devastated by Hurricane Michael.

Continued funding for LIDAR mapping — The budget includes language that allows the Division of Emergency Management to continue spending the $15 million currently being used for LIDAR (light detection and ranging) mapping. LIDAR is a next-generation mapping technique and has the potential to lower flood insurance rates throughout Florida.

Preventing unlicensed real estate activity — The Legislature allocated up to $500,000 from the Professional Regulation Trust Fund to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to combat unlicensed real estate activity.

Many thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Senate President Bill Galvano, House Speaker Jose Oliva, Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley and House Appropriations Chair Travis Cummings for their efforts to pass this incredible budget.

Sincerely,

Danielle Scoggins
Vice President of Public Policy
Florida Realtors®