The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance emergency preparedness and response measures, particularly in the wake of hurricanes. It authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to waive or reduce local government match requirements for beach management projects in counties impacted by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, or Milton during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, it introduces a tangible personal property assessment limitation for agricultural equipment rendered unusable due to these hurricanes and revises funding prioritization for public hurricane shelters. The bill also establishes a natural hazards risks and mitigation interagency coordinating group, mandates the development of post-storm permitting plans by counties and municipalities, and prohibits increases in building permit fees for a specified timeframe.

Moreover, the bill introduces significant updates to the state's comprehensive emergency management plan, requiring a management plan to be submitted to key state leaders every odd-numbered year. It emphasizes intergovernmental coordination, adequate public shelter space, and strategies for medical evacuations. The bill also enhances transparency by requiring the Executive Office of the Governor to submit emergency response contracts to the Legislature and provide monthly expenditure reports. It creates a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for disaster mitigation projects, mandates local governments to expedite recovery and rebuilding processes, and directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to study local government actions post-hurricanes. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions becoming effective immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
S 180 Filed: 193.4518, 215.559, 250.375, 252.355, 252.3655, 252.373, 400.063, 403.7071
S 180 c1: 193.4518, 215.559, 250.375, 252.355, 252.3655, 252.373, 400.063, 403.7071
S 180 c2: 193.4518, 215.559, 250.375, 252.355, 252.3655, 252.373, 380.0552, 400.063, 403.7071
S 180 e1: 193.4518, 250.375, 252.355, 252.3655, 252.373, 380.0552, 400.063, 403.7071