This 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 possessing a perpetual easement for maintenance responsibilities and geological features that lead to flooding or structural damage. Additionally, the bill authorizes the department's secretary to require coastal local governments to develop local strategic beach management plans that analyze various factors, including flooding and property values.

The bill also revises the list of areas eligible for designation as critical state concerns, incorporating low elevation sections near the beach-dune system that have been affected by seawater. It makes technical changes to ensure consistency across related statutes and reenacts provisions related to resource planning and management committees to align with the new amendments. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 636 Filed: 161.161, 380.05
S 636 c1: 161.161, 380.05