South Walton Community Council
Community Organization
We scored a major victory when House Bill 997, was temporarily postponed in its first committee stop earlier this week.
Now the House Bill's, Senate companion, Senate Bill 996, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 4th. We again need your help to stop this legislation from becoming law.
Please Contact Senate Judiciary Committee Members to
VOTE NO on SB 996
Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee before 9 a.m. on Tuesday and ask them to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 996:
Senate Bill 996 punishes citizens and non-profit organizations for challenging development decisions that impact Florida's environment and quality of life. It stymies public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000. Shockingly, SB 996 requires citizens to pay developer's legal tabs even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms.
The sole intent of this legislation is to threaten, penalize and muzzle concerned Floridians who look to the courts as the last recourse for opposing bad developments. Florida's growth management laws are already stacked in favor of developers. Senate Bill 996's "nuclear option" against concerned citizens could be the last nail in the coffin for public interest legal challenges in Florida.
Here is a draft statement to help you:
Please stand with your constituents and oppose Senate Bill 996.
Senate Bill 996 is un-American. It threatens and penalizes concerned citizens - like me - who try to take a meaningful role in shaping the future of my community and protecting our environment. It deters public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000, even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms.
Senate Bill 996 attacks my right to be heard in court and hands developers a hammer to attack regular people who try to protect their neighborhoods and quality of life. Please vote no on Senate Bill 996.
The Senate Judiciary Committee members are:
Sen. Greg Steube (Chair)
steube.greg.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5023
Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5027
Sen. Randolph Bracy
bracy.randolph.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5011
Sen. Anitere Flores
flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5039
Sen. René Garcia
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5036
Sen. Audrey Gibson
gibson.audrey.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5006
Sen. Debbie Mayfield
mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5017
Sen. Bobby Powell
powell.bobby.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5030
Sen. Perry Thurston
thurston.perry.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5033
Walton County Comp Plan & Land Development Code Updates
We are encouraging our members to attend at least one of the meetings and to go to the website established by Walton County and sign up for notifications on the updates.
South Walton Community Council
http://www.southwaltoncc.org
Now the House Bill's, Senate companion, Senate Bill 996, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 4th. We again need your help to stop this legislation from becoming law.
Please Contact Senate Judiciary Committee Members to
VOTE NO on SB 996
Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee before 9 a.m. on Tuesday and ask them to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 996:
Senate Bill 996 punishes citizens and non-profit organizations for challenging development decisions that impact Florida's environment and quality of life. It stymies public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000. Shockingly, SB 996 requires citizens to pay developer's legal tabs even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms.
The sole intent of this legislation is to threaten, penalize and muzzle concerned Floridians who look to the courts as the last recourse for opposing bad developments. Florida's growth management laws are already stacked in favor of developers. Senate Bill 996's "nuclear option" against concerned citizens could be the last nail in the coffin for public interest legal challenges in Florida.
Here is a draft statement to help you:
Please stand with your constituents and oppose Senate Bill 996.
Senate Bill 996 is un-American. It threatens and penalizes concerned citizens - like me - who try to take a meaningful role in shaping the future of my community and protecting our environment. It deters public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000, even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms.
Senate Bill 996 attacks my right to be heard in court and hands developers a hammer to attack regular people who try to protect their neighborhoods and quality of life. Please vote no on Senate Bill 996.
The Senate Judiciary Committee members are:
Sen. Greg Steube (Chair)
steube.greg.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5023
Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5027
Sen. Randolph Bracy
bracy.randolph.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5011
Sen. Anitere Flores
flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5039
Sen. René Garcia
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5036
Sen. Audrey Gibson
gibson.audrey.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5006
Sen. Debbie Mayfield
mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5017
Sen. Bobby Powell
powell.bobby.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5030
Sen. Perry Thurston
thurston.perry.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5033
Walton County Comp Plan & Land Development Code Updates
We are encouraging our members to attend at least one of the meetings and to go to the website established by Walton County and sign up for notifications on the updates.
South Walton Community Council
http://www.southwaltoncc.org
