Opinion – SB 180 Must Be Repealed!

TALLAHASSEE, FL – There is much potential damage to be caused by the passage of SB 180 during the previous session of the legislature. The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida is working in concert with others to protect the best interests of Bay County and all other counties in Florida to get this repealed.

If you are interested in reclaiming local authority, contact Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Griff Griffitts immediately, requesting that they call a special meeting to repeal SB 180 Senate Bill 180 (2025) - The Florida Senate. The bill further restricts (think the Live Local Act and the Affordable Housing Act) local government’s control of zoning, growth management and development. SB 180 favors growth and development, including the right of the developers to sue local governments for damages should a county or city resist a plan submitted under this law.

Please read the in-depth article below on this subject to understand that this is not an emergency management plan, but rather another taking of local authority.
Florida cities and counties line up to defy new pro-developer state law • Florida Phoenix

Delegation Members in the Area:

The Resolution that was passed by Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida is below.

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RESOLUTION OF THE REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS OF FLORIDA

CALLING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO REPEAL SB 180

WHEREAS, SB 180 was recently signed into law and contains dangerous, vague language that prohibits local governments from passing any growth management policy considered “more restrictive or burdensome”; and

WHEREAS, these vague terms are not defined in the bill, making the law open to broad interpretation and potential abuse by developers seeking to overturn local land use decisions; and

WHEREAS, this law applies retroactively to decisions made as far back as August 1, 2024, threatening to invalidate policies already passed by local governments and even voter-approved measures such as Orange County’s rural boundary charter amendment, which passed with 73% support; and

WHEREAS, developers are already weaponizing SB 180 by filing legal threats against local governments—including Orange County, Manatee County, and the City of Deltona—seeking to bulldoze rural protections and public input; and

WHEREAS, SB 180’s vague wording does not follow traditional planning definitions like “density” or “intensity of use” and is therefore legally questionable and likely unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, this law is a direct attack on Home Rule and local democracy, silencing the voices of residents and their elected representatives in favor of special interests and unchecked development;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned, call on Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, and House Speaker Daniel Perez to immediately convene a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to REPEAL SB 180;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Florida’s growth management laws must be based on clear definitions, respect for local control, and protection of natural and rural lands, not laws written by and for developers.

This resolution is adopted this 20th day of July 2025 by unanimous vote of the Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida.

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