After last year’s hurricanes, coastal residents faced confusion and frustration due to permitting and recovery delays. With a new hurricane season looming, Tampa Bay lawmakers are proposing legislation to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and help Floridians return to their homes.

State Senator Nick Diceglie, R-Indian Rocks Island, emphasized the ongoing struggle: “Even now, some residents are still waiting for permits to reenter their homes and resume their normal lives.”

Diceglie, representing Pinellas County, addressed permitting challenges during Tuesday’s Senate Community Affairs Committee meeting. Senate Bill 180, dubbed a collection of “lessons learned” from the 2024 hurricane season, aims to improve the process.

“In Pinellas County, we’ve seen a clear lack of training in the permitting process,” Diceglie noted, highlighting a key focus of the bill.

His proposed solution includes a post-storm permitting plan, updated annually by May 1. “This plan will be publicly available online, and the training will mirror what we provide to law enforcement,” he explained.

The comprehensive bill also mandates that the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)maintain a statewide emergency strategy, coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies. It covers evacuation, shelters, medical evacuations, and post-disaster response and recovery.

Eric Poole, executive director of the Institute for County Government and Florida Association of Counties, voiced strong support. “Florida boasts the nation’s top emergency management system because it’s tested annually. Each storm teaches us something new, and this bill reflects lessons from 2024,” Poole said.

As lawmakers tackle permitting woes, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is rolling out “Elevate Florida,” a pioneering statewide program to elevate and fortify homes. “By lifting homes out of flood zones, we’ll reduce flood insurance costs,” said Guthrie, a program official.

The initiative aims to fast-track residential mitigation, targeting 1,000 homes with 5,000 applications already submitted. “We’re moving quickly—our goal is to start elevating homes by summer,” Guthrie added.

Representative Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, another Pinellas County lawmaker, brings expertise to the issue. “We can improve efficiency and coordination among federal, state, and local partners,” Cross said. “I’ll be ensuring local governments have robust disaster preparedness plans in place.”

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: WFLA)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news