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Walton County directs monthly legislative updates as state bills raise local control concerns

Walton County Board of County Commissioners · January 12, 2026

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Summary

Commissioners asked county governmental‑relations staff to provide monthly reports and hearing schedules on Florida bills affecting local land‑use authority, zoning compatibility, and development review. Staff highlighted several bills to watch, including SB 208 and others that could limit local decision‑making.

Walton County commissioners asked the county’s governmental‑relations staff to provide monthly (and as‑needed) briefings during the 2026 legislative session on bills that could affect local land‑use authority and development review.

Scott Brandon, the county’s legislative contact, identified several measures the board should monitor, including Senate Bill 208 (requirements on development‑application fees and new objective standards for assessing residential compatibility), SB 246 (expanded state reporting and appraisal requirements for conservation‑land exchanges), SB 354 (a new category for very large mixed‑use preservation/development projects for 10,000‑plus contiguous acres), and SB 840 (restrictions on post‑hurricane local land‑use regulations). He said the broad theme this session appears to be further limits on local home‑rule authority and measures to streamline approvals for development.

Commissioners said they wanted timely alerts and hearing schedules so they and staff can respond quickly when hearings are set or bills move. Staff promised monthly reports, posted hearing schedules and an intermediate 'midpoint' report during session; commissioners also asked counsel and staff to track bills that would affect local planning and building review processes (examples mentioned included bills authorizing expanded private inspections or shifting review authority).