Florida's Latest News

Florida retailers urge shoppers to buy local during ‘Freedom Month’ tax-free holiday on outdoor gear

July is one of the most patriotic months in the U.S., and the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is encouraging Floridians to take advantage of some patriotic tax-free offerings on outdoor gear and event purchases at stores and venues.

The FRF is noting that on July 1, Florida consumers will be able to participate in the Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday. In the Sunshine State, the tax-free discounts run from July 1 through July 31, but it’s only for certain products in Florida.

Still, the FRF is urging Floridians to shop locally and get the tax-free advantage on outdoor and recreational supplies.

“July is Floridians’ favorite month to take time off work and enjoy the beauty of our state,” said Scott Shalley, President and CEO of the FRF. “The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday allows consumers to shop stress-free in time for the Fourth of July holiday. Florida retailers are here to help you find all the supplies needed to enjoy your summer plans.”

‘Illegal alien’ worries drive Ron DeSantis to nix farm worker housing bill

As affordable housing continues to challenge policymakers, Gov. Ron DeSantis has nixed a push for agriculture employers to house workers.

The Republican Governor vetoed legislation (SB 1082) that would have preempted any local restrictions that would inhibit construction of housing for workers on agricultural land. DeSantis in a veto letter signaled a concern that the policy would spur hiring undocumented workers at Florida farms.

“The bill’s terms apply to legal migrant farm workers, but the bill does not include the means to enforce this limitation and could pave the way for housing of illegal alien workers,” DeSantis wrote. “Additionally, local governments have the ability to establish uniform guidelines and standards through their zoning ordinances which best suit each agricultural community.”

The Legislature the past few years has approved a number of preemptions on local development standards, much of that in the Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s priority Live Local Act last year.

Florida’s condo laws are changing. Here’s everything you need to know

Owners of more than 1.5 million condominium units in Florida are bracing for rules going into effect this year that dictate everything from how a building is maintained to how condo associations are governed.

Last month Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping bill that strengthens oversight of condominium boards. Dubbed condo 3.0, the law could give developers more control over common spaces in mixed-use condo buildings. There’s also a fast approaching deadline for new building safety standards in the wake of the deadly 2021 Surfside condo collapse.

Lawmakers and DeSantis approved the measure to restore faith in condos, said Larry Buckner, a Florida-based advisory manager for the housing research firm Zonda.

“It’s really become hard to choose a condo when you consider the recent safety concerns, negative public opinion, increased assessments and lack of transparency on condo boards,” he said.

Florida’s real estate industry sees several new high-profile laws take effect

It’s July, which means the beginning of a new budget and fiscal year for the state government. That also means several new laws go into effect in the Sunshine State, especially in the real estate industry.

There’s a slew of new laws and regulations impacting the real estate market and management of properties in Florida. The range of new rules include the replacement of old coastal buildings, regulation on vacation rental properties, investment in conservation lands, limitations on a state property insurance organization, building permit approval and temperature controls in the workplace.

In March, the Legislature approved a measure that makes it easier for developers to demolish coastal buildings that might be historic, but need to be removed to make room for potentially larger structures.

The measure was dubbed the “Resilience and Safe Structures Act.” It prohibits local governments from preventing demolition buildings in the coastal construction area.