TAMPA, Fla. — Dozens of bills from this year’s Florida legislative session became law on at the start of July, but environmental activists say one law in particular has been hiding in the shadow of high-profile bills like permitless carry and new immigration legislation.
SB 540, dubbed the “sprawl bill” by opponents, provides for prevailing party attorney fees in challenges to local governments’ comprehensive plan amendments. This means citizens who take issue with their city’s plan change will have to foot the bill if they lose a legal battle to developers and local governments.
Environmental groups worry rushed comprehensive plan amendments could negatively impact affordable housing, conservation efforts and even hurricane evacuation routes in some communities.
