Council asks city attorney for options after state bill would change airport governance

Members of the Naples City Council used their March 16 workshop to raise urgent legal and policy questions after the state legislature approved a bill, reported in the meeting as HB 4005, that would alter airport authority governance and potentially broaden the pool of people eligible to govern the Naples Airport Authority.

Council members and members of the public said they were concerned that the bill would reduce the city’s influence over airport governance on city‑owned land and could allow countywide or out‑of‑city appointees to determine airport policy. Multiple speakers called for immediate steps: staff said a letter to the governor urging veto would be sent; the council asked the city attorney and outside counsel to prepare legal options, including whether the bill violates the lease or raises constitutional questions and whether the city has grounds to seek an injunction or other relief.

Public speakers flagged June 12 — the statutory deadline for candidates to qualify for November ballots — as a critical date if the new law proceeds, because the timeline could move quickly to put new candidates on an authority ballot. Council asked staff to provide legal briefings and proposed that each councilmember meet one‑on‑one with outside counsel to get a confidential briefing on potential legal strategies and constraints. The city attorney and external counsel confirmed they had discussed possible legal responses and will meet with council to provide a menu of options.

Council agreed to add the topic to the next regular meeting agenda to discuss next steps publicly and to coordinate with counsel and with the city manager about outreach to the governor’s office and possible litigation steps if necessary. Several council members also suggested rapidly broadening public education so residents understand the bill’s potential local implications and can contact the governor and legislators.