Florida lawmakers propose changes for hurricane recovery efforts

Florida lawmakers are considering new measures to improve responses after hurricanes. A proposal advancing in the House aims to address issues raised during the 2024 hurricane season. The bill covers various topics, including property taxes for rebuilt homes and rules for elections after storms. The House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee approved the proposal, known as HB 1535. It is designed based on feedback from local governments, realtors, builders, and emergency managers. Bill sponsor Fiona McFarland emphasized the importance of this input. One key component of the bill is to prevent counties under federal disaster declarations from imposing delays in rebuilding storm-damaged properties until October 2027. This includes allowing residents to rebuild homes up to 130 percent larger than before without increasing property taxes. The proposal also aims to streamline the repair and rebuilding process with support from state agencies. If an emergency is declared near an election, adjustments would allow county officials to change early voting locations and assist displaced voters with ballots. There are also safety measures related to construction cranes, requiring them to be secured ahead of storms. This follows an incident where a crane collapsed during Hurricane Milton last year. Additionally, a study will be conducted to assess the needs for emergency shelters, especially for people with disabilities and pets. The bill is expected to go through more reviews before reaching the full House. Supporters believe these changes are essential for better recovery efforts and resilient communities in Florida.