ACTION NEEDED:

There are two items in front of this year’s Florida legislature that are very important to the health and well being of all Florida’s Main Street communities. Together we can champion these requests and bring new opportunities to your Main Street.

2024 STATE ADVOCACY UPDATE

HISTORIC TAX CREDIT FOR FLORIDA AND RESILIENCY

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation continues its fight to create a state tax credit for historic structures in Florida. A state historic tax credit is a proven incentive for revitalizing historic places and supporting economic development and would be an important preservation tool for our state. Thirty-seven states already have this incentive.

The Florida Main Street Tourism and Historical Revitalization Act would provide:

· A tax credit of up to 20 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.
· A tax credit of up to 30 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic building within the official district boundaries of an active, certified Florida Main Street community.
· Tax credits can be transferred.

YOUR ACTION STEPS –

· Find out who represents your district in the Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/find) and the Florida House (https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative)
· Contact their offices and let them know all the news about your district and invite them to your events. Ask them to support Senate Bill 1166 (Florida Main Street Tourism and Historical Revitalization Act) and its companion bill in the House Bill 1183.
· Check out the FLDA website and Facebook page for regular updates on the status of the Historic Tax Credit and additional action steps.

Now is the time to contact your local officials and be sure they understand how important the work of Florida Main Street is to you and to the state. Take the chance during election season to educate the candidates who will be voting for Florida Main Street during the 2024 session which ends March 8, 2024.

You can use the documents below to help you create your talking points.

The Resiliency and Safe Structures Act (SB1526 / HB1647) would allow:

No required preservation board review, demolition of existing structures.
Stop local governments from prohibiting, restricting or preventing the demolition of certain structures unless necessary for public safety. This could be applied statewide – including in historic neighborhoods like St. Augustine and Miami Beach, places that help define Florida’s unique history and heritage, where historic places undergird local economies and drive heritage tourism.
The potential consequences for historic resources in Florida are substantial.
As written, the bill may create missed opportunities for demolition mitigation. Demolition could negatively affect tourism, Main Street vitality and business development.
- Amend the exemption language under Qualifying Structures and Buildings to match HB1647, exempting both buildings individually listed in the National Register of Historic places and also contributing structures or buildings within a National Register of Historic Places District.

Links and Reference Material

House of Representatives

Florida Senate

FIND YOUR SENATOR

FIND YOUR REP

The Senate is composed of 40 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of approximately 470,000 residents. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures, provided by the federal decennial census. Senators' two-year terms begin immediately, upon their election. The Florida Legislature meets in session every year for 60 consecutive days. A regular session of the legislature shall convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year.

District Map

SENATE COMMITTEES

The House is composed of 120 members, each elected from a single-member district with a population of approximately 157,000 residents. They serve two-year terms. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures, provided by the federal decennial census. FULL details here.

Complete House Directory

HOUSE COMMITTEES

2024 Florida Legislative Session (same link as graphic to the right)

Government Tracker (find a senator or representative OR track a bill at any level of government)

General Forms & Guidelines

How to communicate effectively with your legislator

SAMPLE letter of support for Florida Main Street Funding Request - PLEASE PERSONALIZE THIS LETTER BY PLACING IT ON YOUR LETTERHEAD, ADDRESSING IT TO YOUR LOCAL SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, AND ADDING LOCAL REFERENCES IN THE SPACES BELOW.

Representative Date:

Florida House of Representatives
Capitol Building
Tallahassee, FL

Re: 2024 Legislation Impacting Florida Main Street Programs

Dear Representative ____,

I am writing to request support for two legislative actions under consideration for the 2024 Legislative session.

The Florida Main Street Tourism and Historical Revitalization Act (SB1166 / HB1183) would provide:

A tax credit of up to 20 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.
A tax credit of up to 30 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic building within the official district boundaries of an active, certified Florida Main Street community.
Tax credits can be transferred.

The Resiliency and Safe Structures Act (SB1526 / HB1647) would allow:

· No required preservation board review, demolition of existing structures.

· Stop local governments from prohibiting, restricting or preventing the demolition of certain structures unless necessary for public safety. This could be applied statewide – including in historic neighborhoods like St. Augustine and Miami Beach, places that help define Florida’s unique history and heritage, where historic places undergird local economies and drive heritage tourism.

· The potential consequences for historic resources in Florida are substantial.

· As written, the bill may create missed opportunities for demolition mitigation. Demolition could negatively affect tourism, Main Street vitality and business development.

Amend the exemption language under Qualifying Structures and Buildings to match HB1647, exempting both buildings individually listed in the National Register of Historic places and also contributing structures or buildings within a National Register of Historic Places District.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the Main Street program and its local resiliency in Florida. I would be pleased to give you a personal tour of our Main Street District and show you all the successful ways we are building – and rebuilding – our community.

Sincerely,