Can We Get this Bill to the Next Committee?

This proposal may die if it doesn’t advance to the next Committee.

Email or call these Florida Senators to ask that the bill be placed on the Community Affairs Committee agenda.

You can copy the below text into an email if you want, or call and say:

“Dear Representatives,

Please place SB 488 on the Community Affairs Committee agenda, and support approval of the bill.

Existing Florida law regarding public beach access is confusing and dispersed in various regulations, making it difficult to enforce violations by private property owners or municipalities that impede public beach access. This bill would simplify and consolidate the law regarding public beach access. Doing so will be of value to Florida residents and visitors to our state.”

Emailing would better. You can email all of the Committee members at once if you like.

Committee email addresses (copy into your email’s “to”)
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov,siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov, altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov, deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov, garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov, gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov, hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov, ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov, storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov, wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

If you truly want to protect public beach access, YOU need to just do this. There are private property owners and towns that don’t want this bill passed, and their lobbyists will make an argument against approval.

OUR VOICES need to be heard. If we don’t speak up, nobody will hear us.

Sen. Michael Bennett (Chair), Bradenton (850) 487-5078
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Gary Siplin (Vice-Chair), Orlando (850) 487-5190
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Thad Altman, Melbourne (850) 487-5053
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Ted Deutch, Delray Beach (850) 487-5091
deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Rudy Garcia, Hialeah (850) 487-5106
garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Andy Gardiner, Orlando (850) 487-5047
gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Anthony C. Hill, Jacksonville (850) 487-5024
hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Jeremy Ring, Margate (850) 487-5094
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Ronda Storms, Brandon (850) 487-5072
storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Stephen R. Wise, Jacksonville (850) 487-5027
wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Senate Bill Passes First Committee

On tuesday March 31st the bill BARELY made it through its first committee. We are very concerned and dont understand how there is opposition to the bill on the grounds that there is "no need for language." Next committee is Community Affairs, however due to time constraints we are not sure if we will make it.

Beach Access Bill Will Finally Be Heard in Senate

We just received word that we should be on the agenda for Tuesday, March 31st in the Senate Environmental Preservation Committee, Senate Bldg Room 401. Theses members include:

Senator Constantine (Central Fl) 850-487-5050
Senator Sobel (Broward) 850-487-5097
Senator Rich (Broward/Dade) 850-487-5103
Senator Jones (Pinellas) 850-487-5065
Senator Dockery (Central Fl) 850-487-5040
Senator Detert (Southwest Fl) 850-487-5081

What to Say when you Call your state representatives by phone (This is easy. Do it right now!)

Call one of the phone numbers listed above and tell the person who answers: “Hi. My name is __. I’m calling to ask the Senator's support for Senate Bill 488 and House Bill 527 regarding Public Beach Access.” (if you have ever had an issue with beach access being blocked you should share this as well)

That’s it!

Bill Pass First House Committee

On Tuesday morning the bill was heard in the Natural Resources Council. Chapter activists from Central Florida, Suncoast, and Panhandle areas, as well as Professor Donna Christie were present to show support for the bill. Rep. Sachs did an amazing job explaining the bill to the committee and it passed with great support. We would like to highlight major support from Rep. Mayfield and Shultz!!! Next Committee is Civil Justice. No word on Senate yet....

The day didnt end there thought. Members worked the halls of the Capitol to gain further support for the upcoming committee. They were well rewarded at the end of the day with the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition Leadership Reception where we gave Senator Pruitt of the Treasure Coast and Rep. Saunders of South Florida awards for their ongoing efforts to protect our coastal and ocean environments.

Senate Blocks Bill First Committee

On Thursday we received word that our bill will not go to its first Senate Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 24th.

It remains crucial for members that can come to Tallahassee tomorrow to be at the 8am House Natural Resources Council committee meeting at Reed Hall.

March 24th Trip to Tallahassee & Oceans Day Info

For Surfrider members that would like to travel to Tallahassee to attend committee meetings and meet with Legislators here is some helpful information:

1. Click here for the most recent version of our proposed bill that will be presented during the committees

2. Click here to print out bullet points sheet to share with legislators

3. Time/Location of Committee Meetings on Tuesday (Click Here for parking map)

• 9 am-noon House Building, Reed Hall, Agriculture & Natural Resources Council

4. Florida Ocean & Coastal Coalition Reception

5. Place to Stay Overnight -La Quinta Inn & Suites $55/night

Press Release: Counties & Cities Oppose Beach Access

Tallahassee, Fl (March 13, 2009) – In a state such as Florida that depends so heavily on its beach tourism as an economic engine, the issue of adequate public beach access should be a priority. Surfrider Foundation's eleven Florida chapters are pursuing protection of existing public beach access in the Florida Legislature via House Bill 527 and Senate Bill 488.

The 41 million tourists visiting Florida have the opportunity to experience a multitude of diverse attractions; but Florida's beaches remain one of the most popular attractions. Can you imagine the shock and surprise that unsuspecting visitors and Florida's own residents feel when they travel to the beach with their families only to be threatened with arrests unless they get off of the beach? Imagine the frustration when your neighborhood beach access is closed for over a year to accommodate a hotel or construction. Arrest threats on the beach are on the rise and there has been a sharp decline in the number of beach access points across the state. These issues will persist without clarification of beach access laws.

Sadly, after months of back-bending efforts and good faith negotiating, the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities continue to block proposed legislation from being heard by the Florida Legislature.
"Who would have thought that Florida Statute Chapter 161, which deals with much of our regulation of beach management and general coastal protection wouldn't have specific language on beach access," said Larry Hart, former First Coast Surfrider Chapter Chair. "Unfortunately it only contains little pieces of language spread throughout the chapter that are completely ambiguous. It does not actually state protective measures that DEP can go to for guidance or enforcement."

Financial support for Florida's beach management program depends on beach access. The state's matching share of funds to local government projects is proportionate to the number and quality of beach access points. Therefore, the decline in beach access could impact funding for future beach projects. That funding has already been reduced from $30 million to $5 million. In these cash strapped times, local governments should be doing everything they can to protect their best revenue producers, and our beaches rank among our state's greatest economic assets. Apparently, the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities do not understand the connection between public beach access, healthy beaches and a healthy economy.

"The only entities responsible for our loss of beach access in this state are our local governments, no one else has this power," said Ericka D'Avanzo, Florida Regional Manager of the Surfrider Foundation. "They cannot have their cake and eat it too."

Surfrider Foundation have built a website to show the related statewide articles, pictures and videos that show these issues first hand and the need for the bill. www.flbeachaccess.blogpspot.com This bill would allow Florida to join the ranks of Texas, California, and Oregon with adequate beach access protection policy.

Call your County Commission, City Council and Legislators TODAY to get them to support this bill!!!