Relatively few bills relating to growth management have been introduced in this session due to the pending statewide vote on Amendment 4. However, in response to court challenges to Senate Bill 360, which became law last year, Senator Bennett (the sponsor of Senate Bill 360) and Representative Hukill have introduced companion bills that, among other things, provide protection for those who relied on the two year permit extension provision of Senate Bill 360.
As you may recall, Senate Bill 360 authorized a two year extension for certain DEP, water management district, and local government development orders or building permits that expired between September 1, 2008 and January 1, 2012, provided that an extension request was submitted by December 31, 2009. The pending bills (House Bill 7099 and Senate Bill 2452) provide that if any portion of Senate Bill 360 is declared invalid, “the following actions, if taken prior to such final judicial declaration of invalidity, shall remain valid and continue in effect: (2) any two year extension authorized pursuant to [Senate Bill 360].”
The effect of these companion bills is to provide certainty and vested rights to any person who relied on the two year permit extension provision and timely submitted their extension request. The bills have favorably moved through the committee process and should be on the calendar for final vote after Easter. They have the support and endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and various other development industry organizations. We will continue to keep you informed as the legislation progresses.