PCS for HB 399 clears committee after heated debate over charter preemption and urban‑boundary study

Representative Barreiro presented the committee substitute for House Bill 399 as a negotiated package with the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties, describing it as a measure that “ties application fees to actual review costs” and provides more‑defined standards for compatibility determinations.

Opponents urged caution. Courtney Mooney of the Florida Association of Counties said the recently added language concerning county charters required more study and opposed the PCS at this time. Paul Owens of 1000 Friends of Florida warned the committee the PCS would "take the community out of community planning," arguing administrative approvals and compressed timelines could drive development into rural areas and undermine urban‑boundary protections.

Members pressed sponsors about preemption, vote thresholds for comp‑plan amendments and the purpose of the OPOGA study into urban development boundaries, especially in Miami‑Dade. Representative Gantt repeatedly questioned whether the bill’s language would override county charters that include higher approval margins or charter protections. Sponsor responses emphasized predictability, uniform standards and the need to reduce costs that proponents say impede housing production.

After public testimony and debate, including statements from county officials and planning advocates, the committee approved the PCS on a recorded roll call, 10 yeas and 3 nays. The PCS requires a study of urban development boundaries and makes other changes that will proceed to subsequent committee stops.

What was said

- Sponsor: "House bill 3 99 is a negotiated, bill ... It ties application fees to actual review costs." (Representative Barreiro)
- Opponent: "We oppose the provision calling for a study of removing urban development boundaries in Miami Dade and other counties." (Paul Owens, 1000 Friends of Florida)

What’s next

The PCS moves forward in the process. The OPOGA study required by the PCS and any subsequent amendments on preemption or vote thresholds will be points of contention in future hearings.