SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 217

Land Use Regulations
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SPONSOR
Abbott
FILED BY
Shane Abbott — District 5, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

Filed under Development & Land Use.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Land Use Regulations; Defines "impacted local government"; provides for retroactive application.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Broadens hurricane land-use restrictions to include tribal areas.

The bill expands the definition of "impacted local government" to include counties where tribal areas were designated eligible for federal disaster assistance. This change extends the scope of the existing land-use restrictions.

Local governments in these expanded areas remain prohibited from adopting moratoriums or more restrictive land-use regulations related to hurricane damage. The restrictions continue to apply to construction, reconstruction, and redevelopment of damaged property.

The bill maintains the existing civil action provisions, allowing residents and business owners to seek injunctive relief against local governments that violate the land-use restrictions. Attorney fees and costs remain available for successful actions.

The retroactive application date of August 1, 2024, and the expiration date of June 30, 2028, remain unchanged. The bill primarily affects the geographic scope of the existing restrictions rather than creating new substantive requirements.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Definition of Impacted Local Government majors. 28(1)

AIAdds a new legal definition that expands the scope of the law to include municipalities within specific counties.

“the term "impacted local government" means a county listed in the Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Debby (DR-4806), Hurricane Helene (DR-4828), or Hurricane Milton (DR-48” bill text, line 12 →
§ 2 Prohibition on Restrictive Land Use Actions majors. 28(2)

AIProhibits impacted local governments from adopting moratoriums or more restrictive land use regulations for hurricane-damaged property.

“may not propose or adopt any moratorium on construction, reconstruction, or redevelopment of any property damaged by Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene, or Hurricane Milton” bill text, line 24 →
§ 3 Retroactive Application majors. 28(2)

AIApplies the new restrictions retroactively to actions taken since August 1, 2024.

“This subsection applies retroactively to August 1, 2024.” bill text, line 36 →
§ 4 Civil Action and Injunctive Relief majors. 28(3)

AIGrants residents and business owners the right to sue for injunctive relief and attorney fees if a local government violates the section.

“may bring a civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief against the impacted local government for a violation of this section” bill text, line 50 →
§ 5 Safe Harbor for Attorney Fees moderates. 28(3)(b)

AIPrevents the award of attorney fees and damages if the local government withdraws or repeals the restrictive action within 14 days of notice.

“Attorney fees and costs and damages may not be awarded pursuant to this subsection if: 1. The resident or business owner provides the governing body of the impacted local” bill text, line 62 →
§ 6 Sunset Provision moderates. 28(5)

AIThe section expires on June 30, 2028, limiting the duration of the restrictions.

“This section expires June 30, 2028.” bill text, line 79 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
10/28/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/28/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
10/28/2025
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
10/28/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/16/2025
Filed
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