Page 22 - Layout 1

Mayor’s Message

District 93 Legislative Session Wrap Up:

s the 2019 Legislative Session concluded in Tallahassee, I am proud to say
that working together, we had many great legislative successes this year. I
Ahave the honor of presenting updates from this year’s legislative session, in
both District 93 and across the State of Florida, participating in legislative panels. I
look forward to giving updates on my six bills that passed the Florida House, along
with the approved State budget. This includes the Florida House’s commitment,
alongside Governor DeSantis, to provide real environmental funding for the State
for Everglades restoration, water quality research, septic to sewer conversions and
beach nourishment. $686.8 million of Florida’s budget will be dedicated to water
quality protection, including funding research that will help Floridians understand
and prevent algae and red tide outbreaks.
This environmental funding is completely necessary to make Florida a more
sustainable state, all while maintaining our multi-billion dollar tourism industry and
unique ecosystems. I fully support Governor DeSantis’ efforts to improve our state’s
Chip LaMarca environment, while maintaining our growing economy for everyone.
District 93 State Representative
The Florida House worked closely with out Senate partners, in order to fulfill our
commitment to meaningful tax relief to Florida’s families and small businesses, and
passed over $121 million in broad-based tax cuts. The Legislature also approved
another Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday from August 2-6, 2019. Clothing priced
at $60 or less, school supplies at $15 or less, and computers and accessories
priced $1,000 or less per item, will be exempt from state and local sales tax.
Also, important to Broward County was the Vacation Rental Legislation. I filed
House Bill 1129 to provide greater accountability and transparency for the short-
term rentals industry, by expanding the definition of “hosting platform.” This bill, if
passed, would have combatted the unlicensed commercial operators from
developing in our residential communities. To protect our communities from
commercial interests, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
would collect information relating to the booking of short-term rentals, as well as
inform the local municipalities where the property is located.
However, House Bill 987, which was also a vacation rental bill, would not have
held the same level of accountability that our state needs. This bill would have
preempted local governments from being able to regulate this growing industry. I
was not in support of this bill, because every community is unique and we should
have a say in what happens in our neighborhoods. Thankfully, this bill did not pass
and the vacation rental industry will not be expanded in Florida. I look forward to
my next opportunity to stand up to protect our communities.
I am proud of the many successes that the Florida House achieved this session,
and I look forward to seeing what we can do to accomplish more by working
together. As always, it is a tremendous honor to serve you as your State
Representative in Tallahassee.
Sincerely,

Chip LaMara
Representative, Florida House District 93

20 The Landings & Bay Colony