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VOL 23 No. 32
April 5, 2023
Heavenly theatrics CINDY LANE | SUN
Sunday’s sunset had it all – dramatic clouds, birds, a sailboat and an explosion of color at the last moment that sent beachgoers scrambling for their phone cameras.
Garage bill rolling through House The parking garage bill has one more stop before getting the green light from the Florida House of Representatives. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
TALLAHASSEE – Proponents of a parking garage facility at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach had a good week in the state capital with a bill allowing the construction of the garage passing its final committee meeting in the Florida House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and supported by Manatee County commissioners, passed the Local Admin-
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istration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts Subcommittee, Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee and State Affairs Committee, all with unanimous favorable votes despite some Holmes Beach residents and city officials speaking out against the proposal. Now the bill goes for a second reading and vote on the House floor before moving to the Senate, if approved, where it will undergo a similar committee approval process before making its way to the floor for a vote. If the parking garage bill passes votes in both the House and Senate, it will make its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis to either be rejected or signed into law on July 1. SEE GARAGE, PAGE 9
Proposed legislation could impact AMI condo owners The proposed legislation further clarifies inspection and reserve funding requirements to eventually be imposed on some condominium owners. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
TALLAHASSEE – Two bills currently working their way through the Florida Legislature could significantly impact condominium associations and condominium owners on Anna Maria Island and throughout the state. Working in unison, Senate Bill 154 and House Bill 1395 seek to clarify and expand the condominium-related legislation the Legislature adopted
during a special session last year as Senate Bill 4-D. The House of Representatives’ staff analysis for HB 1395 also addresses the origins of SB 4-D. “On June 24, 2021, Champlain Towers South, a 12-story beachfront condominium building in the town of Surfside, partially collapsed resulting in the death of 98 people. In response, during Special Session, 2022D, SB 4-D was enacted to provide building safety inspection requirements (milestone inspections) and reserve requirements (structural integrity reserve study) for condominium and cooperative association buildings.” SEE LEGISLATION, PAGE 15
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