Policy and Advocacy
Latest Update from Tallahassee Sine Die Legislative Reporter
As we await final action from Governor Ron DeSantis on a handful of bills we are tracking — whether by signature or veto — now is the time to take a closer look at the state budget and key legislation that will shape how we plan Florida's future.
Don't miss this deep dive into the bills that passed and the budget provisions that will directly impact planners, local governments, and communities across the state. From housing and resiliency to transportation and land use, the 2025 session brought major developments that all planning professionals should understand.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Shape what’s next.
A great win for Florida community planning APA Florida, Communities Win in Court Ruling of Critical Comprehensive Plan Consistency Challenge
The Florida First District Court of Appeal has handed down an important decision reaffirming the statutory mandate that all development orders be consistent with the local comprehensive plan – all of the plan, not just comprehensive plan provisions related to use, density and intensity.
The mandate is a hallmark of the Community Planning Act and its antecedent legislation dating back to the 1970s, and especially as strengthened by the 1985 growth management legislation in the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulations Act. APA Florida member Nancy Stroud, FAICP, Esq. recaps the decision for us.
APA Florida’s legislative program aims to harness all the planning profession offers into a resource that is an asset to the Legislature. It is the goal of the APA Florida legislative program to educate elected officials on planning issues and advocate for excellence in planning by providing expert review of legislative proposals as well as advocate for issues based on our adopted Legislative Platform. APA Florida members add value to legislative deliberations and creditability to APA Florida as a resource and statewide network of planning professionals.
APA Florida’s legislative program also provides numerous resources to chapter members to help them learn about major policy shifts at the state level and to follow planning related legislation through the legislative session. Throughout the Legislative Session, APA Florida provides numerous resources to planners.These include:
Public Policy Workshop - A two day virtual workshop on statewide policy and key issues that are expected to arise during the upcoming session
Session Summary - summary of major planning related bills passed during the session
Bill Tracking Reports - Listing of planning related bills that is updated weekly during the Legislative Session
Legislative Reporter - APA Florida's electronic newsletter on legislative issues, sent out during the legislative session
APA Florida’s Legislative Platform represents the chapter’s views on professional planning issues especially related to the state’s annual Legislative Session. The Legislative Platform is adopted annually by the members. It guides the work of the chapter’s Legislative Policy Committee, Executive Committee, Executive Director and Legislative Representative in advocating for legislation consistent with the Legislative Platform.