City adopts legislative priorities before ‘lame duck’ session

St. Petersburg officials are closely monitoring a storm recovery bill that prevents them from regulating development. Potentially losing property tax revenue is another top concern for 2026.

The city will also advocate for firearm restrictions, environmental resiliency programs, insurance cost reductions and childcare subsidies amid what one municipal lobbyist called a “fairly crazy” legislative session Thursday. While the full Florida Legislature will not convene until January, committee meetings began Oct. 6. 

A City Council committee approved St. Petersburg’s annual list of legislative priorities Thursday morning. Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz kicked off the discussion by referencing a recent article regarding Senate Bill 180. 

Sen. Nick DiCeglie sponsored the legislation that dictates how local governments must prepare for and respond to hurricanes. The law also restricts city and county officials from adopting “more restrictive or burdensome” land-use regulations until October 2027, and DiCeglie told the Catalyst that he is “fully committed to making those necessary changes”  in the upcoming session. 

“If there is one thing that local governments should be doing, it’s land regulation,” Hanewicz said. “I try to explain to people … how tied our hands are right now. Literally, nothing can be done.”

David Thompson, director of government affairs, said any changes will “ultimately be a struggle” between lawmakers who initially opposed the ambiguous language, including DiCeglie, and representatives who fought for the current version. 

Page one of the draft 2026 Legislative Agenda. Screengrab, city documents.

Recent lawsuits claim that SB 180 violates the Florida Constitution’s “natural resources” clause by blocking local efforts to protect the environment. Oscar Anderson, a partner with the Southern Group lobbying firm, called that “low-hanging fruit” for stakeholders hoping to amend the law. 

However, he said that defining “more restrictive or burdensome” is more challenging. In addition, lawmakers often “wash their hands” of an issue when litigation is pending and let the courts decide.

“It’s topic number one – that and property tax reform,” Anderson added. “Hopefully, we’ll make some progress, at least on the low-hanging fruit, this session.” 

Hanewicz asked if Gov. Ron DeSantis, who must approve any changes, has responded to the controversy. Anderson pointed to Florida Commerce’s stance, which is to tell local governments that proposed planning and land-use changes are “null and void” under SB 180. 

“For us, this is a critical, critical piece of legislation that needs to change,” Hanewicz said.

Southern Group lobbyist Jon Stewart said stakeholders should expect a “little bit crazier” legislative session than the last, repeatedly described as “chaotic.” He noted Florida has a “lame duck” governor, house speaker and senate president, who are “looking to cut spending even more this time.” 

Those anticipated cuts would further exacerbate a reduction or total loss of property tax revenue, an ongoing priority for the DeSantis administration. That money covers about 95% of St. Petersburg’s public safety costs. 

Stewart said the House is “going through the motions on this, but the Senate is not playing ball.” He believes the city would find a way to fund vital services, “but your Crystal Rivers and smaller cities like that would not be able to make up that cost.” 

“It’s also devastating to us,” Hanewicz said. “The reality is, it affects everyone.” 

Anderson opined that legislators will “do something” regarding property taxes. However, “it may not be significant.” 

Page two of the draft 2026 Legislative Agenda.

City officials will encourage state leaders to focus reforms on homesteaded properties and acknowledge the need for revenue replacement. St. Petersburg’s Legislative Agenda also highlights the soaring cost of public safety equipment and urges legislators to explore ways to help mitigate those increases. 

Openly carrying firearms is now legal in Florida, except in bars, schools, courthouses and state and federal buildings. St. Petersburg will ask lawmakers to extend those prohibitions to all municipal facilities, including recreational centers and fields. 

Thompson said Rep. Lindsay Cross wants to support pedestrian safety improvements around the Pinellas Trail crossing on 22nd Avenue North, in the Tyrone area. Local legislators will also request $4.35 million for stormwater improvements in Shore Acres and $2 million to upgrade environmental resiliency at the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility. 

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard said she and her colleagues should track House Bill 51, which would provide companies with tax credits for housing homeless workers. “The business community is kind of wanting a give and take if they’re going to any sort of programming for employee housing.”

Gabbard believes Senate Bill 48 “kicks the door wide open” to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). She noted that St. Petersburg has led efforts to loosen those restrictions, but the legislation could allow “a few things that our neighbors may not be very happy about.” 

The Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Committee agreed with the items listed in the 2026 State Legislative Agenda. Members unanimously voted to bring it before the full city council for approval.