Bill > S0354

Introduced Session

An act relating to blue ribbon projects; creating s. 163.3249, F.S.; providing a purpose and legislative intent; defining terms; requiring that a development project meet certain requirements to qualify as a blue ribbon project; specifying maximum residential density and nonresidential intensity permitted within the development area of a blue ribbon project; requiring that a specified percentage of the project’s residential units meet certain requirements; authorizing the development of the development area in phases for a specified purpose; providing that development rights and mitigation of project impacts shall be vested for at least a certain period, which may be extended under certain circumstances; requiring that a blue ribbon project have a blue ribbon plan; providing requirements for such plan; specifying that a plan is not required to demonstrate certain need; requiring that a project receive dollar-for-dollar credits from a local government under certain circumstances; requiring that impact fees be calculated as applicable at the time of issuance of building permits; requiring a landowner to apply to the Department of Commerce for approval of a project in order to initiate approval of a blue ribbon plan; requiring that the application include a blue ribbon plan that meets specified requirements; limiting the scope of the department’s review; requiring the department to provide copies of the application to specified entities for certain review and comment; requiring such entities to provide written comments to the department with a specified timeframe; requiring the department to approve the application or provide the applicant with a certain notice within a specified timeframe; providing for automatic approval of a project under certain circumstances; specifying that a project may be located on land with any future land use designation or zoning designation; providing that local government approval of a project creates a certain overlay special district; prohibiting a local government from requiring a comprehensive plan amendment or rezoning for approval of a project; requiring a landowner to apply to the local government for approval of a project upon department approval; requiring a landowner to apply to multiple local governments under certain circumstances; requiring a local government to conduct a certain public workshop within a specified timeframe after receipt of an application; requiring that an applicant be permitted to attend and participate in the workshop; requiring a local government to review a project within a certain timeframe after receipt of an application; limiting the scope of the local government’s review; requiring that certain projects be administratively approved; providing that projects approved by the department are presumed to comply with certain provisions; providing that a local government may overcome such presumption in a certain manner; providing for automatic approval of a project under certain circumstances; authorizing applicants to hire private companies to conduct plan reviews and building inspections; requiring an applicant to publish notice of an approved project in a specified manner; requiring an applicant to record the plan for an approved project in the public records of the county in which the project property is located; prohibiting an applicant from amending a recorded plan without undergoing a specified review; limiting the scope of such review; authorizing an applicant to appeal the denial of a project application to the department in a specified manner and within a specified timeframe; authorizing a person whose substantial interests are or may be affected by approval of a project to file a written petition with the department requesting an administrative hearing in a specified manner and within a specified timeframe; providing requirements for such petition; authorizing an applicant to intervene as a party to a hearing under certain circumstances; requiring the department to hold certain hearings before issuing certain orders; requiring the department to determine whether a project meets certain requirements and issue a final order; specifying that the department may provide a different determination in the final order; providing applicability; requiring that a project comply with certain provisions; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Stan McClain (R)*, 

Other Sponsors (2)

CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development read 1st time (on 02/18/2026)

Official Document