Melissa Donovan
State lawmakers have taken a significant step toward strengthening hurricane preparedness and response by advancing a bill that addresses critical areas such as emergency management, debris cleanup, crane safety, and voting procedures.
With a focus on streamlining recovery efforts and improving options for voters affected by storms, the proposed legislation aims to enhance how communities plan for and respond to hurricanes.
Legislative Progress
The House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee recently gave unanimous approval to HB-1535, a broad-ranging proposal introduced by State Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota). This bill reflects extensive input from local governments, homeowners’ associations, builders, emergency managers, and other stakeholders. “All of that is boiled into this bill,” McFarland stated.
Months after consecutive hurricanes wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast, this legislative initiative seeks to tackle ongoing challenges faced by residents in affected areas.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Emergency Management
To ensure timely and effective emergency response, the bill mandates that all counties and municipalities post critical emergency preparedness information on their websites. These resources would include checklists guiding residents through recovery steps.
Additionally, local emergency management personnel would be required to undergo training with the Division of Emergency Management every two years, ensuring consistent and updated knowledge of best practices.
Debris Management
The legislation calls for county emergency management plans to include coordinated policies for relocating large debris near roadways.
Furthermore, it sets maximum rates for debris removal contractors after a natural disaster, with rates varying by geographic location. These rates must be published online and updated biennially to maintain transparency.
Hoisting Equipment and Crane Safety
In response to concerns about construction site safety during hurricanes, the bill establishes new regulations for crane operators and construction firms. It requires them to have a hurricane preparedness plan available for review and mandates securing cranes and other equipment within 24 hours of an expected storm impact.
This provision was prompted by the collapse of a tower crane during Hurricane Milton in downtown St. Petersburg, which caused significant damage to a nearby office building. Local officials had previously voiced frustration over limited regulatory oversight.
Rebuilding and Permitting
The bill also seeks to expedite post-storm rebuilding by requiring local governments, in coordination with state agencies, to undergo training to streamline permitting processes.
Municipalities would be required to reopen permitting offices as soon as possible after a storm and maintain operations for at least 40 hours per week. The legislation also prohibits local governments from increasing permit fees in the months following a declared emergency.
Additionally, residents would have the option to receive substantial damage letters electronically rather than through traditional mail, expediting the rebuilding process.
For renters, the bill clarifies their rights, ensuring they have a reasonable amount of time to collect their belongings from storm-damaged properties.
Election Procedures
Recognizing the disruptions hurricanes can cause to elections, the bill grants additional authority to local election supervisors in affected areas. With appropriate approval, they would be allowed to relocate early voting sites and establish new election-day polling places as necessary.
The proposal also relaxes requirements for impacted homeowners requesting vote-by-mail ballots and permits poll workers from other counties to assist where needed, ensuring electoral processes continue smoothly despite storm-related challenges.
Next Steps
The bill must pass through additional committee reviews before reaching the House floor. A companion bill has also been introduced in the Senate, reflecting bipartisan support for strengthening the state’s hurricane preparedness framework.
As lawmakers continue to refine the legislation, the proposed measures aim to create a more resilient system for managing hurricanes and their aftermath, benefiting residents, emergency personnel, and local governments alike.
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