The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to beach management and erosion control. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to review specific data when designating beaches as critically eroded and in need of restoration. The bill mandates that local governments with financial plans ensuring the preservation of funding for beach management must have their beaches designated as critically eroded if they meet certain criteria, including the presence of a perpetual easement for maintenance responsibilities and geological features that lead to flooding or structural damage. Additionally, the secretary of the department is authorized to require coastal local governments to develop local strategic beach management plans that analyze various factors, including flooding and property values.

Furthermore, the bill revises the list of areas eligible for designation as areas of critical state concern, incorporating low elevation sections of land that have been frequently breached by seawater. It also reenacts certain subsections to align with the amendments made to the designation process. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 636 Filed: 161.161, 380.05