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VOL 23 No. 36
AMI celebrates Arbor Day
May 3, 2023
ANNE YARBROUGH | SUN
All three Anna Maria Island cities continued their commitment to beautifying the Island with tree plantings on Arbor Day last Friday. Pictured from left, Ingrid McClellan, Richard Larsen, Peg Miller, Cathy King, Lee Zerkel, Shawn Mayers, Kathy Morgan-Johnson and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie stand beside one of the four pigeon plums planted for Arbor Day at Herb Dolan Park in Bradenton Beach. More on Page 9.
Vacation rental bills reach final votes The Florida Senate has adopted SB 714 and House members will vote on HB 833 this week. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Local governments, including those on Anna Maria Island, are in danger of losing their ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals at the local level. Using a contracted lobbyist and the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, www.homerulefl.com, the city of Anna Maria is at the forefront of the statewide opposition to the Florida Legislature’s efforts to preempt short-term vacation rental regulations to the state;
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and specifically, to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) that already requires shortterm vacation rentals to be registered with the state. On April 27, the Florida Senate adopted by a 28-10 margin the final amended version of Senate Bill 714. Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) supported SB 714. The matching and accompanying House bill, HB 833, is scheduled for a final vote of the House members this week. During a previous committee stop, State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (RBradenton) supported the bill. If the House joins the Senate in SEE RENTAL BILLS, PAGE 22
Garage bill rolls through House, next stop Senate If the bill passes, a three-story paid parking garage will replace the parking lot and concession building at Manatee Beach. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com
TALLAHASSEE – With unanimous approval from 116 Florida state representatives, a local bill to build a parking garage at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach has moved to the Florida Senate for consideration. The Senate is the final stop for the bill before going to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk for final approval or veto. The bill, presented by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr., sped through three House committees
before going to the floor for a vote on April 27, despite opposition from local elected officials and residents. After passing the House, it has now been referred to the Senate rules committee for consideration. The bill, which received unanimous support from the Manatee County legislative delegation when it was first proposed in January, has been a controversial topic on Anna Maria Island. If it becomes law, it will allow Manatee County officials to construct a three-story parking garage at Manatee Beach without seeking approval or permits from Holmes Beach officials, where the beach is located. It also would supersede the city’s land SEE GARAGE BILL, PAGE 21
ENJOY ‘HOW THE
IF IT’S MAY, it’s tarpon time!
Other Half Loves’ at the Island Players beginning May 4. 12
See the fishing forecast. 19
Anna Maria Island, Florida
SEASIDE GARDENS: Going
up? 14
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