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Attorney warns proposed bills could sunset CRAs; public commenter urges outreach
Summary
Board attorney and a public commenter discussed House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242, which as drafted would impose a sunset on community redevelopment agencies and bar new CRAs; the board was urged to contact Tallahassee representatives and advocacy groups are seeking amendments.
A public commenter and the board's attorney told the advisory board that proposed legislation in Tallahassee could substantially limit community redevelopment agencies (CRAs). Jerry Miller, a public commenter, said he reviewed the bill language for Senate Bill 1242 and the fiscal impact statement and expressed concern that county contributions to tax-increment financing (TIF) would disappear and that projects relying on TIF financing could be jeopardized if the bills take effect as written.
Ryan Knight, the board's attorney, briefed members that House Bill 991 (in the Commerce Committee) and Senate Bill 1242 (in the Rules Committee) as drafted would establish sunset dates for existing CRAs and prohibit new ones. Knight said one provision in HB 991 would bar a CRA from initiating new projects or issuing new debt on or after Oct. 1, 2025, while another would permit a CRA to remain in existence until outstanding bonds mature if those bonds do not mature until after Sept. 30, 2045. He said the Florida League of Cities had been active with lobbyists seeking changes and that board members should expect revisions to the bills.
Board members described recent meetings with representatives in Tallahassee and expressed hope that amendments will preserve the ability of local CRAs to pursue redevelopment projects. Knight and several members urged residents and stakeholders to contact their legislators to explain local CRA benefits and the potential impacts of a statutory sunset on ongoing projects.
