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Jacksonville Beach CRA staff warn state bills could curb redevelopment projects
Summary
CRA staff and board members discussed two mirrored state bills (Senate Bill 1242 and House Bill 991) that would change expiration dates for community redevelopment agencies and bar new projects or debt after Oct. 1, 2025; staff and the board plan outreach and tracking.
City of Jacksonville Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members and staff reviewed two mirrored state bills they said would shorten CRA authority and limit future activity, and discussed outreach to lobby for changes.
The review came during the CRA workshop on March 12, when staff member Taylor told the agency there were “2 bills, 1 in the house, 1 in the senate. Senate bill 1242 and house bill 991, they are mirrored of one another.” Taylor said the bills would force all CRAs to expire earlier and would “prohibit[] from initiating any new projects or issuing new debt” effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Board members said the overall expiration change was less urgent for Jacksonville Beach — the CRA currently expires in 2047 — but the staff and board focused on the bills’ prohibition on initiating new projects or issuing new debt after Oct. 1, 2025. Taylor said staff would distribute written summaries and a letter outlining concerns to local representatives and statewide associations, and the board discussed tracking the bills through committee stages.
CRA board members and staff emphasized outreach to statewide organizations. Taylor said the CRA would share materials with the FRA, the Florida League of Cities, the Southern Group and other committees connected to the bill process. The board chair said he had already contacted State Sen. Clay Yarborough and members of the House committee hearing the bill to voice concerns.
Taylor told the agency the bills had cleared an initial Senate committee on a 4–3 vote and were scheduled for the judiciary committee next; she said staff were monitoring changes and would “keep you guys up to date” as the bills progressed.
Board members discussed possible local effects if language remained unchanged, particularly the restriction on new projects and issuing debt after the October effective date. Board members also asked staff to share the summaries and lawmaker contacts that staff were compiling so the CRA could coordinate outreach.
The agency did not take a formal vote at the March 12 workshop. Staff said they would circulate two written summaries and an email received from redevelopment professionals statewide, and would follow up with the agency as the bills moved through committee.
Board members asked for ongoing updates and for staff to coordinate with state and professional organizations while the bills proceed through committee stages.
