While we’re still on the cusp of some of the year’s most exciting fishing, let me encourage you to express your opinion to your local state representative, Will Robinson Jr., on a very important issue that is addressed in Suncoast Waterkeeper’s February newsletter: adopting new legislation that fixes the state law created in 2025 by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ adoption of Senate Bill 180 .
The Suncoast Waterkeeper newsletter says, “For those familiar with the Save Our Wetlands campaign in Manatee County, Senate Bill 180 will carry heavy connotations. Last year, SB 180 is exactly what prevented Manatee County Commissioners from reverting wetlands buffer protections back to their previous state.
“Senate Bill 180, Section 2(b) states: ‘For one year after a hurricane makes landfall, an impacted local government may not propose or adopt: A more restrictive or burdensome amendment to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations.’ This language prevents counties (and cities) from taking action to protect wetlands and wetland buffers, among other things, which are crucial in maintaining coastal resiliency,” the newsletter says.
“Suncoast Waterkeeper has been sharing an action alert from 1000 Friends of Florida which aims to find a fix for last session’s SB 180. As of now, Senate Bill 840 offers the chance to restore limited, but essential local planning authority. But Senate Bill 840 cannot be passed without a companion in the House. Enter House Bill 217. 1000 Friends of Florida suggests this would be the best option to put on the agenda and amend language to match SB 840,” the Suncoast Waterkeeper newsletter says.
“To be clear, this is the only pathway to restoring Manatee County wetland buffer protections any time soon. Many representatives haven’t prioritized fixing SB 180 because they don’t see or experience the damage it has done to local planning efforts to safeguard our communities against increasingly extreme weather conditions. Write to the chair and members of the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and share how SB 180 has impacted our life here on the Suncoast, respectfully request that they put HB 217 on the agenda and amend it to match SB 840,” the newsletter says.
“A special shout-out and appreciation to Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse for his unwavering leadership on this issue. If we want the House to act, they must hear from you!” the newsletter says in closing.
State Rep. Berny Jacques chairs the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee. The phone number for his Tallahassee office is 850-717-5059 and his email address is berny.jacques@flhouse.gov. The phone number for Will Robinson’s Tallahassee office is 850-717-5071 and the number for his Bradenton office is 941-242-8430. Robinson’s email address is will.robinson@flhouse.gov.
There are so many important issues now, including the proposed cruise ship port and preserving the home rule rights that would allow reversing the county’s wetland setback reductions. It’s never been more important to stay informed and act to protect the waters we call home. Let’s make sure our actions today ensure an exciting fishing future for generations to come.
