Bill > S0484

This bill restructures and redefines the roles and responsibilities of Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) in Florida, which are organizations that help coordinate planning and development across multiple local governments within a specific geographic area. Key changes include removing the requirement for RPCs to assist in developing plans for rural land stewardship areas and eliminating their power to conduct "cross-acceptance negotiation processes," which were used to resolve conflicts between local and regional plans. The bill also removes the Governor's authority to revise RPC district boundaries and instead subdivides the state into ten specific geographic regions for the purpose of regional comprehensive planning, outlining the counties included in each. Additionally, the bill removes RPCs from various reporting and advisory roles related to developments of regional impact, power plant siting, and hazardous waste amnesty days, and also removes their ability to mediate disputes regarding community residential homes and correctional facilities, shifting these responsibilities to other entities or processes. Finally, the bill appropriates $2.5 million for the 2015-2016 fiscal year to RPCs for implementing statutory requirements, supporting economic development, and providing technical assistance to local governments and stakeholders.