Bill > S0482

This bill modifies Florida's laws regarding impact fees, which are charges imposed by local governments on new development to help fund infrastructure improvements necessitated by that development. The bill introduces several key provisions: first, it defines "plan-based methodology" as a data-driven approach to projecting growth and infrastructure needs over a 6-year period; second, it establishes a definition for "extraordinary circumstances" that would justify increasing impact fees, which includes specific criteria such as population growth, building permit issuance, employment base changes, and potential service level reductions. The bill sets different requirements for increasing non-transportation, transportation, and independent special district impact fees, mandating that local governments complete a demonstrated-need study using plan-based methodology and meet specific benchmarks before raising fees. Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments from increasing impact fees if they have not done so in the past 5 years, with an exception for jurisdictions in hurricane disaster areas. These changes aim to create a more rigorous, data-driven process for implementing impact fee increases, ensuring that such increases are justified by demonstrable growth and infrastructure needs. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving local governments time to prepare for the new requirements.

Budget and Finance

Community Affairs (S)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/482