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City attorney: CRA-focused bills stalled but could reappear in extended session
Summary
City attorney staff told the CRA board that House and Senate proposals that would have limited CRA powers did not pass during regular session but the language could return during the extended session; board members urged continued monitoring.
Jenny Pena, of the city attorney’s office, told the Community Redevelopment Agency board on May 15 that she and staff monitored this year’s legislation that would have restricted CRA authority. "We have been monitoring the CRA bills this legislative session, specifically House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242," Pena said. She told the board both measures initially included language that would have materially limited CRA activity and financing, then described how amendments changed the bills during committee consideration. Pena said the Senate later narrowed its proposal to bar CRAs from expanding boundaries and spending on certain events, while the House retained broader language. "Neither bill made it to the floor, so both bills died at the end of session," she said, but she added that the House inserted CRA language into Senate Bill 110 and the Senate declined to concur; SB 110 is now part of the extended session. The board’s chair, speaking during discussion, said she had contacted local legislators and credited city staff with information used by Representative Tint on the House floor. She called the legislative path "a real rocky ride" and said the city and Florida League of Cities would continue to monitor developments. Board members asked whether expansion of CRA boundaries remained possible under current law; city counsel replied that an expansion would require interlocal coordination with Leon County and a finding of necessity by the commission. The board did not take formal action on legislation but directed staff and city counsel to continue monitoring the extended session and alert CRA staff if language reappears. Why it matters: Several board members said a change in state law could curtail the CRA’s ability to initiate new projects or issue new debt, potentially affecting projects the CRA is planning to advance this year. Board members discussed scheduling a tentative June 12 meeting to review options if the legislature acts before July 1. What happened next: The board instructed staff to monitor the extended session and report back. Several board members said they want an expedited inventory of CRA-owned developable parcels and a readiness plan in case legislation moves quickly.
