HB 697-Relating to Impact Fees

On Thursday, February 8th, HB 697 by Representative Mike Miller (R- Orlando) was heard before the House Government Accountability Committee and passed by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of the bill as amended.

The bill provides that an impact fee adopted by ordinance of a county or municipality or by resolution of a special district must, at minimum, specify that the impact fee be collected no earlier than the issuance of the building permit for the property that is subject to the fee. Impact fees are enacted by local ordinance that were created to pay the cost of additional infrastructure necessitated by new development.

AIF supported an amendment offered by Representative Stan McClain (R-Ocala) that was adopted and relates to the sector planning process. The amendment makes clear that if a governmental entity wishes to impose a condition on a development order which implements a sector plan--such as the contribution of land/right of way, extension of public utilities, construction of parks, etc. - then the government must have ordinances in place to treat developments outside of sector plans in a similar fashion, and sets a time standard for local governments to process and act upon applications for implementing a sector plan.

HB 697 will go on to the House floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that ensures the same protections to sector plans against demanding payment or construction of facilities beyond those needed to service the development.