Mayors Urge Gov. DeSantis to Veto Bill That Burdens Taxpayers, Cripples Local Laws - Oceana USA

Mayors Urge Gov. DeSantis to Veto Bill That Burdens Taxpayers, Cripples Local Laws

SB 620 Threatens Responsible, Popular Legislation That Affects Environment, Housing, and More

Press Release Date: April 5, 2022

Location: Washington, D.C.

Contact:

Melissa Valliant, Dustin Cranor, APR | email: mvalliant@oceana.org, dcranor@oceana.org | tel: 410.829.0726 (cell), 954.348.1314

Twenty-one mayors from across Florida sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to veto SB 620, the Local Business Protection Act. SB 620, which the state legislature recently passed, would allow businesses to sue local governments if a local law caused a 15% reduction in profits. Local taxpayers would foot the bill for the lawsuits, regardless of the outcome.  

The mayors state in the letter that SB 620 would prevent local governments from passing responsible and popular local laws affecting the environment, housing, public health, vacation rentals, and more in fear of future litigation. SB 620 would have a devastating impact on Florida residents, who would be forced to pay for lawsuits that businesses may file against a city.    

“It’s a cost-burdensome bill that will impact city budgets and our taxpayers. Our environment and businesses evolve daily, which requires cities to pass laws affecting our environment and so much more,” stated Mayor Tamara James of Dania Beach.  

Hunter Miller, Florida field representative for Oceana, said SB 620 would make it more difficult for local governments to pass laws to protect our oceans and marine life. “Essential local policies — such as reducing the use of single-use plastics and waste management — could all be litigated and suspended if SB 620 is passed.”   

The letter also states that SB 620 would be difficult for cities to enforce and even harder for businesses to prove that damages resulted from an ordinance and not from factors like competition from other businesses, new developments in society, or the markets.  

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit USA.Oceana.org to learn more.