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SB 4-A - Disaster Recovery
by Senator Hutson
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Community Affairs Committee (CA)
The bill contains several provisions to support recovery efforts in Florida communities affected by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
Property Tax Relief
The bill authorizes a partial property tax refund for residential property owners whose real property was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable for at least 30 days by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole. The partial refund of taxes is based on the number of days the home was uninhabitable and requires property owners to first pay their property taxes timely and in full. Additionally, deadlines for payment of property taxes and discount periods for payment prior to the delinquency date are extended for affected property owners.
FEMA Public Assistance Grants
The bill appropriates $350 million to the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to provide the full match requirement for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance grants to local governments affected by the two hurricanes. Typical FEMA Public Assistance grants fund 75 percent of the costs of eligible projects, requiring a 25 percent match from the grant recipient.
Florida Emergency Management Assistance Foundation
The bill establishes the Florida Emergency Management Assistance Foundation, a direct-support organization of the DEM. The foundation will provide assistance, funding, and support to the DEM in its disaster response, recovery, and relief efforts for natural emergencies. The foundation will be established as a Florida nonprofit corporation and governed by a 5-member board of directors, appointed by the director of the DEM. The foundation is repealed December 31, 2024, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.
Affordable Housing
The bill appropriates $150 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to assist with the state’s affordable housing needs following the two hurricanes. $60 million of the appropriation will be provided to local governments to assist persons with the repair or replacement of housing, relocation costs, housing reentry assistance, and insurance deductibles. $90 million of the appropriation will be used to fund the Rental Recovery Loan Program to promote development and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in affected areas.
Beach Renourishment and Water Infrastructure
The bill appropriates $251.5 million to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund beach erosion and water infrastructure projects in specified counties impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
- $100 million will fund local government beach management and erosion control projects, in which the DEP may waive or reduce local match requirements that would otherwise apply.
- $50 million will fund the new Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program to assist coastal property owners with beach erosion costs. Grant funding is capped at $150,000 per project and requires a $1 for $1 match from the grant recipient. Eligible projects include sand replacement and coastal armoring construction.
- $100 million will fund the new Hurricane Stormwater and Wastewater Assistance Grant Program to assist local governments with the repair of hurricane-damaged stormwater or wastewater systems.
- $1.5 million is provided to the DEP to administer these bill provisions, which all expire on July 1, 2023.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming a law.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 116-0