Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 540 into law, effectively silencing the voices of concerned citizens across the state of Florida who deeply care for our environment. Beginning July 1, citizens or public interest groups that challenge a local comprehensive plan amendment and lose, will be on the hook to pay for the legal costs incurred by deep-pocketed developers and local governments, paving the way for irresponsible sprawl that will jeopardize our local environment and lead to poor water quality.
This bill also runs counter to the Governor's Executive Order 23-06, in which he stated his commitment to: "Improve local government long-term comprehensive planning that ensures sustainable growth while protecting our natural resources."
While we at Florida Oceanographic Society are saddened by the Governor's decision to sign this bad bill into law, we are grateful for the thousands of concerned citizens and multiple organizations across Florida who spoke out and fought hard to protect our natural resources. As part of our mission, we will remain vigilant in advocating for our coastal ecosystems, monitoring the actions of local governments and fighting to undo harmful legislation in Tallahassee. All to ensure the environment is safe for future generations.
If you have not already, please consider taking action on these other pieces of legislation Governor DeSantis must veto to protect our environment.
