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Resolution 2021-31931RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31931 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S 2022 STATE AGENDA, AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A" TO THIS RESOLUTION. WHEREAS, each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City of Miami Beach's state agenda which includes funding and legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Tallahassee, Florida; and WHEREAS, it is imperative for the City's legislative consultants to be aware of and have a list of City priorities, in an effort to work with the City Commission to secure funding for City projects, implement and advocate for changes to legislation that are in the best interest of the City, and work with state agencies on issues that impact the City; and WHEREAS, the City's 2022 State Agenda is attached as an exhibit to this Resolution, and is presented for approval by the Mayor and City Commission; and WHEREAS, the proposed. 2022 State Agenda priorities include projects, authorization, and policy requests which will continue to evolve as the state legislative process continues; -and . WHEREAS, throughout the rest of the year, the Mayor and City Commission may approvide additional by Resolutions, which, once adopted, are added to the City's agenda and provided to the City's state legislative consultants. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby approve the City's 2022 State Agenda, as set forth in the attached Exhibit"A" to this Resolution. PASSED and ADOPTED this day of December( , 2021 ATTEST: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk DEC 1 3 2021 Dan Gelber, Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION City Attomey Date Exhibit A MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES QUALITY OF LIFE 1. Extended Stay/Short-term Rentals - Vacation Rentals The City supports legislation that allows local governments to regulate vacation and extended stay/short-term rental properties. This type of legislation is meant to prevent operators from running unlicensed "hotels", which in most cases are in violation of zoning laws, safety codes and other commercial requirements. The City strongly opposes any legislation that preempts the regulation of short-term rental laws to the state including, but not limited to, the inspection and licensing of vacation rentals. 2. Casino Gambling The City strongly opposes any Bills related to casino gambling, and reaffirms its long-standing policy against casino gambling, and opposes any expansion by the Florida Legislature of casino gambling operations in Florida, including but not limited to any attempt to: 1) supersede the prohibitions on gambling and casino operations in the City's land development regulations and Comprehensive Plan; 2) authorize the transfer of an existing gambling or casino license to a new location; or 3) allow an existing gambling or casino licensee to open a new facility at a new location under the existing license. 3. Homelessness The City urges the Florida Legislature to amend Section 212.0306, Florida Statutes, to allow for collection of a one percent (1 %) tax on food and beverage sales for consumption on premises in the City of Miami Beach, which would not apply to hotels and motels, in order to assist homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness, and for the construction and operation of domestic violence centers. 4. Speed and Safety along City Waterways The City urges the Florida Legislature and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to support the City Administration's initiative to protect all persons utilizing the City's waterways by collaboratively working to provide for the installation of appropriate speed and safety signage along certain waterways within the City. 5. Open Carry of Firearms and Other Weapons The City urges the Florida Legislature to amend Section 790.25(3)(h) of the Florida Statutes to repeal the provisions allowing for the open carry of firearms and other weapons while engaged in fishing or camping or going to or returning from a fishing or camping; and further urging the Florida Legislature to create a new subsection in 790.25 making it lawful for persons engaged in the aforementioned activities to own, possess, and lawfully use firearms and other weapons wherein the concealed carry license provisions in Section 790.06 of the Florida Statutes would not apply. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 388 of 1357 MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES The City urges the Florida Legislature to repeal Section 790.33, Florida Statutes, which bars municipalities from passing regulations that are stricter than state firearms laws. Additionally, the City urges State elected officials to restrict the availability and use of military -grade and/or high-capacity magazine assault weapons to law enforcement agencies. WSIT1 I Nis dei 6. Sovereign Immunity and Covid-19 Liability Support legislation that would positively address Covid-19 related liability implications for businesses and local governments. TRANSPORTATION 7. Transportation — Regional Transportation Projects Bus Express Rapid Transit - The City supports the efforts of Miami -Dade County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Miami -Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to create a Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) network, a key component of the Miami -Dade County Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, which would connect Miami and Miami Beach along the 1-395/MacArthur Causeway and the 1-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway via dedicated bus lanes. 1-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway Off -Road Shared -Use Path - The City supports the efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six to create a safe and protected shared -used path for pedestrians and cyclists along 1-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) classifies the causeway as a limited access facility, which presents some challenges in terms of pedestrian and cyclist use along the facility. 1-95 Express Lanes Access to 1-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway — The City supports the long-term efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to design and build new access ramps from the existing 1-95 express (managed) lanes to 1- 195/Julia Tuttle Causeway. This improvement will not only establish direct connectivity between two limited access facilities on the federal interstate system but will also alleviate traffic congestion on 1-395/MacArthur Causeway. Collins Avenue (SR Al A) Multimodal Corridor - The City supports the efforts of the Florida Department of Transportation to redesign and reconstruct the Collins Avenue (SR Al A) corridor from 23 Street to 63 Street; however, it is critical that future Collins Avenue projects align with the goals and objectives of the City's adopted 2016 Transportation Master Plan and prioritize the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users by adding protected bicycle lanes, dedicated transit lanes, signalized pedestrian crosswalks, unobstructed sidewalks, and landscaping along the corridor. FDOT is currently conducting a multimodal corridor planning study for the section of the corridor from 41 Street to 63 Street; however, future Page 389 of 1357 December 2021 Commission Meeting MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES phases are currently not funded. Furthermore, FDOT is planning to commence a resurfacing project on Collins Avenue for the section from 26 Street to 41 Street; however, the scope of work does not currently include bicycle lanes and wider sidewalks as that would require drainage modifications and increase the cost of the project. ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT 8. Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands The health of Biscayne Bay and the restoration of the greater Everglades' ecosystem are of great importance to the continued clean water supply, environmental and public health, and economic wellbeing. The federal and state government should take all actions necessary to improve the ecological health of Biscayne Bay by adjusting the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of freshwater entering Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park through the redistribution of freshwater flow and the expansion and restoration of wetlands, which will help to restore or enhance freshwater wetlands, tidal wetlands, and near - shore bay habitats. The City joins Miami -Dade County in urging the State of Florida and the federal government for a coordinated and united commitment and funding to restore and protect Biscayne Bay. 9. Energy Efficiency Goals The City urges the Florida Public Service Commission (the "PSC") to set meaningful energy efficiency goals in the 2019 Florida Energy Efficiency And Conservation Act ("FEECA") proceedings, including a specific percentage goal; to replace the ratepayer impact measure test with a critical cost-effectiveness test for electric efficiency programs; to establish a strong energy efficiency resources standard for the State of Florida and adopt a strong demand side management program that includes utility rebates; to require Florida electric utility companies to share with local governments anonymized energy consumption data at the census block level to allow cities and counties to effectively design and implement their own energy conservation programs for residents and businesses; to leverage federal weatherization assistance program funds to provide greater assistance to low income homeowners to require that most, if not all, of the numeric energy conservation goals be met through programs to assist low- and moderate -income households; and to establish a renewable energy generation goal for utilities. 10. Mitigation of Coral Reef Diseases The City urges the Florida Department of Environmental Protection ("FDEP") to develop a Management Plan for mitigating coral reef diseases, and further urging the FDEP and the South Florida Water Management District ("SFWMD") to implement additional strategies to greatly reduce nutrient loading from all human sources and pathways as a matter of urgency. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 390 of 1357 MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES 11. Resource Extraction The City supports a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and any form of extreme well stimulation for the purpose of resource extraction in the State. 12. Sargassum Seaweed Removal The City joins Miami -Dade County and urges the Governor and Legislature to appropriate funds for seaweed removal on beaches located in Miami -Dade County, to study the cause of ' the increase in sargassum seaweed, and to determine any possible solutions to minimize its impact on the beaches of Miami - Dade County and the City. 13. Expanded Polystyrene or Single -Use Plastic Bags The City urges the Florida Legislature, and requests the support of Governor Ron DeSantis to repeal Sections 403.708, 403.7033, and 500.90 of the Florida Statutes, and reject any other statutes that inhibit a Local Government's ability to regulate expanded polystyrene or single use plastic bags. 14. Biscayne Bay Offshore Drilling The City strongly opposes offshore drilling activities, including seismic air gun blasting. 15. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction The City strongly opposes any legislation which would prevent the state from adopting or participating in greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs without explicit legislative authorization. 16. Energy Infrastructure The City strongly opposes any legislation which seek to preempt local government regulation of energy infrastructure. 17. Prohibiting Smoking and Vaping on Public Beaches The City urges the Florida Legislature to enact legislation to prohibit the smoking of tobacco and vaping on public beaches and public parks and provide counties and municipalities with the authority to issue civil penalties and citations for violations. RESILIENCY/CLIMATE CHANGE 18. Financing for Energy Conservation and Efficiency The City urges the Florida legislature to provide funding to local governments financing to create programs for residents and businesses that provide financing for energy conservation and efficiency (e.g., energy-efficient heating, cooling, or ventilation systems), renewable energy (e.g., solar panels), wind resistance (e.g., impact resistant windows), and other hardening improvements that are consistent with State law. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 391 of 1357 MIAMI B EAC H 2022 STATE PRIORITIES 19. Sea Level Rise/Coastal Flooding The City of Miami Beach is extremely vulnerable to rising sea level and climate change. Increased storm events and higher tides result in tidal and storm induced flooding. It is essential that the state recognize the urgency and severity brought on by these conditions. The City continues to request funding for infrastructure improvements to reduce the City's risks of flooding. 20. Preserve Beaches/Beach Renourishment The City supports legislation that provides additional funding to preserve and repair the state's beaches and dune system. 21. Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counites 2022 State Climate, Energy, and Resilience Legislative Principles The City supports the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties 2022 State Legislative Principles and directs the City's State Lobbyist to include them as a City legislative priority (Attachment 1). PREEMPTION 22. Local Authority and Unfunded Mandates The City opposes legislation that would impact home rule powers of municipal governments or in any way reduces local control and authority, as well as any efforts to pass additional costs from the state down to the City. The City supports all efforts made to identify and reduce the number of unfunded mandates imposed on local government. 23. Municipal Preemption The City strongly opposes any State legislation that would preempt local rulemaking and weaken local governments' home rule powers and any other bill that would impair the city's ability to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. 24. Tree Pruning Notices The City strongly supports any legislation which seek to repeal section 163.045, Florida Statues, which currently preempts municipalities from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property. 25. Fuel Sources of Energy Production The City strongly opposes any legislation which seek to preempt local government regulation of fuel sources of energy production. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 392 of 1357 MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES HUMAN RIGHTS 26. Support of Human Rights Legislation The City strongly supports any legislation that would prohibit discrimination in Florida based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The City strongly opposes any legislation that seeks to invalidate local ordinances that protect LGBTQ+ employees and legalize the controversial and harmful practice of conversion therapies. GENERAL 27. Structural Integrity of Bridges The City urges the State of Florida to adopt legislation to protect the structural integrity of all bridges in the state by requiring the installation and use of waterspout eliminator valves on personal watercraft vessels to prevent the corrosion under bridges caused by salt -water spray. 28. Safeguard Right to Abortion and Access to Reproductive Healthcare The City urges the Florida Legislature to take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the fundamental right to abortion and access to reproductive healthcare. 29. Paint or Other Markings Used to Identify Underground Facilities The City urges the Florida Legislature to repeal the state law preemption of local governments regulating the paint or other markings used to identify underground facilities or, alternatively, provide local governments greater ability to regulate the paint or other markings used to identify underground facilities. 30. Growth Management The City strongly opposes any legislation that would make changes to the Bert J. Harris, Jr., Private Property Rights Protection Act. 31. FDOT: Pedestrian Improvements The City urges Florida Department of Transportation to expedite the recommended pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Chase Avenue and Alton Road. 32. Film, Television, and Digital Media Targeted Rebate Program The City urges the Florida Legislature to create a state -funded film, television, and digital media rebate program to incentivize the industry. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 393 of 1357 MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES LEGISLATION TO BE MONITORED Legislation regarding the following issues will be monitored: • Alternative and Renewable Energy including Wind and Solar Energy • Protect condominium owners • State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program • Enterprise Zones • Film Incentives • Medical/Recreational Marijuana • Telecom munications/Wireless Communications • Tourism -related Issues • LGBTQ Issues, including gender identity • Body Cameras • Senior Programs • Waterways and Water Regulations/Mooring Issues including Mooring Zones • Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) Legislation • Beach Re-nourishment/Erosion Protection • Resiliency and Environmental Sustainability • Flood Protection • Public Private Partnerships • Red light cameras • License Plate Readers • Single Use Plastics/Plastic Bags • Workforce & Affordable Housing Programs • Affordable Workspace • Florida Workers' Compensation Reform FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Funding is sought for the following projects/programs: • Seawalls • Adaptive Park and Recreation Center • Schools and Police school security • Education Programs • Water Projects • Economic Development • State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP) Funding • Workforce and Affordable Housing • Historic Preservation • Planning for Resiliency/Mitigation • Security Cameras • Transportation December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 394 of 1357 MIAMI BEACH 2022 STATE PRIORITIES ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Counties 2022 State Climate, Energy and Resilience Legislative Principles. December 2021 Commission Meeting Page 395 of 1357 Resolutions - C7 F 19m►�i�XAK�z COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager DATE: December 8, 2021 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S 2022 STATE AGENDA, AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A" TO THIS RESOLUTION. RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution. BACKGROUND/HISTORY This item presents the City's State Agenda and priorities. The list will be provided to our state consultants, to advocate for the priorities. ANALYSIS Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City s State Agenda which includes funding and legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Tallahassee. Then, throughout the rest of the year, additional priorities are presented by the Mayor and Commissioners for full Commission approval; the new priorities are added to the City's Agenda and provided to the City's state consultants. It is important that the City of Miami Beach works with its representatives in Tallahassee. This allows the City to secure funding for projects, advocate for changes to legislation and work with state agencies on important issues. It is imperative that the City's legislative consultants are aware of and have a list of City priorities. The priorities included in this agenda item will continue to evolve as more items are added. The City's 2022 State Agenda is presented in Exhibit "A", attached, for approval by the City Commission. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA In the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey, 68.9% of residents were either "Satisfied" or "Very Satisfied" with the overall quality of services. CONCLUSION The Administration requests that the Mayor and City Commission approve Exhibit "A", the 2022 Page 386 of 1357 State Agenda. Applicable Area Not Applicable Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? No Legislative Trackina Legislative and External Affairs ATTACHMENTS: Description ❑ 2022 State Agenda ❑ Resolution Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? No Page 387 of 1357 BR ,WARD -. COUNTY MIAMI•DADE Maa at`�1 �I �0 VV�vN �MHR) Attachment 1 SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT COUNTIES 2022 STATE CLIMATE, ENERGY, AND RESILIENCE LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES Approved by the Compact Leadership Committee — August 2021 Background Southeast Florida is one of the most vulnerable areas in the country to climate change and sea level rise. Recognizing their shared challenges, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami -Dade and Monroe Counties ("Compact Counties") adopted the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact ("Compact") in 2010. The Compact includes a commitment to develop and advocate for joint state and federal legislative policies. Accordingly, the Compact counties have adopted a State Legislative Program each year since 2011. The Compact Counties and other organizations adopting this document recognize that the local impacts of global climate change are among the greatest challenges facing southeast Florida in the present and future. Consequently, adapting to climate impacts, mitigating additional damage by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building community and economic resilience are among the highest priorities for action at all levels of government. Since 2017, the Compact Counties issue their legislative program in two documents: Legislative Principles (this document) and Legislative Priorities (published separately). Concerning state legislation, regulations, and policies, the Compact Counties and other organizations adopting this document: General Policies OPPOSE preemption of local environmental policies and regulations pertaining to energy, climate, or resilience issues and any infringement on local home rule authority to plan for and adapt to future climate conditions. SUPPORT development of a statewide climate action plan which includes greenhouse gas emissions reduction, adaptation, and resilience measures. SUPPORT greater incorporation of adaptation and resilience strategies throughout state government activities, including: Requirements for state agencies, water management districts, local governments, and regulated industries (e.g. electric utilities) to account for projected sea -level rise, coastal and inland flooding, potential storm surge, extreme rainfall, and extreme heat in all infrastructure and facility -siting decisions. Closer coordination among state agencies to share data and implement solutions on climate and extreme weather preparedness, resilience, and adaptation issues. State funding and assistance for local governments' adaptation activities, sufficient to meet the Page 396 of 1357 Compact Counties 2022 State Climate, Energy, and Resilience Legislative Principles state's significant resilience challenges, including: data development and technical analyses (such as vulnerability and risk assessments); integration of goals, objectives, and policies in Comprehensive Plans and the establishment and use of Adaptation Action Areas; design standards for infrastructure and development in local codes; and project implementation. Climate, energy, and resilience investments in low-income and front-line communities that strengthen individual and community resilience. Action to address climate -related public health challenges, including extreme heat. Action to prepare the state's agricultural community for climate and extreme -weather disruptions. Action to strengthen the economic resilience of the state to climate change. Carbon Pollution Reductions SUPPORT measures to aid the state and local governments to determine sources of greenhouse gas emissions, develop reduction plans and strategies, establish targets, and accomplish reductions. SUPPORT measures to reduce transportation -related greenhouse gas emissions through strategies such as vehicle electrification, development of vehicle emissions standards, policies to reduce vehicle idling, and reduction of vehicles miles traveled. Energy , SUPPORT all opportunities for renewable energy deployment and energy conservation in Florida, including policies to create renewable energy purchasing options, such as community solar and energy co-ops, and energy conservation incentives, and to prioritize the siting of solar arrays on manmade structures, such as buildings, parking lots, and roadways, rather than on green spaces or agricultural land. OPPOSE any changes that would eliminate or weaken existing policies that support renewable energy deployment and energy conservation in Florida. SUPPORT solar -plus -storage installations, especially at emergency shelters and other critical facilities. SUPPORT measures to move the state to 100% carbon -free electricity generation by 2050, stringent utility energy conservation targets, and meaningful renewable energy programs for electric utilities. SUPPORT requirements that investor-owned utilities offer a competitively -priced official rate for energy- efficient street lighting and encourage coordination between utilities and local governments to convert older, inefficient streetlighting systems to more efficient ones. SUPPORT incentives and pilot programs to assist local governments in diversifying their energy supplies and expanding their use of renewable energy. SUPPORT policies, programs, and funding that prevent utility disconnections of income -constrained households. SUPPORT legislation and policy to encourage electric utilities to maintain agricultural uses on solar generation facilities located in agricultural zoning districts. Transportation SUPPORT electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to serve the public, local governments, and private sector fleets, including grants, rebates, and other financing and funding, PagePMF bf 1357 Compact Counties 2022 State Climate, Energy, and Resilience Legislative Principles including policies aimed at low-income residents. SUPPORT the adoption of Complete Streets policies at the state and local levels, and the establishment of integrated local and regional networks of non -motorized transportation corridors (such as bike lanes). SUPPORT additional local transit connectivity to existing and proposed regional transit systems (i.e., a "first and last mile strategy"). SUPPORT the planning and construction of transit -oriented developments. SUPPORT programs to develop renewable, carbon -neutral sources of transportation fuel. Oil and Gas Exploration and Production OPPOSE any oil exploration and drilling in the state or off the coast of Florida, including the within Florida's territorial waters and the Everglades, including any form of extreme well stimulation, such as hydraulic and acid fracturing, and seismic surveying. SUPPORT state opposition to oil exploration and drilling on federal lands in Florida and federal waters surrounding Florida and in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. OPPOSE preemption of local regulation of extreme well stimulation and oil and gas exploration and extraction. Resilient Infrastructure and Planning SUPPORT incentives for both coastal and non -coastal communities to include strategies to increase resilience, reduce energy use, reduce flood risk, and mitigate climate impacts in comprehensive plan elements, such as housing, infrastructure, conservation, land use, and transportation. SUPPORT efforts to build and retrofit electric utility facilities to be more resilient to flooding and storm events. SUPPORT statutory and regulatory changes that incorporate future flood risk from climate change and sea level rise into infrastructure planning, permitting, and investment. SUPPORT greater use of natural and nature -based features to protect against storm surge and adapt to sea level rise. SUPPORT adaptation of state and local roadways for expected sea level rise. Resilient Development and Redevelopment SUPPORT incentives for green and resilient construction standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or mitigate insurance costs in existing and future building stock. SUPPORT more specific performance-based green building requirements and higher resilience standards for state, regional, and local agencies in new construction and substantial reconstruction, as well as leased facilities owned by government. SUPPORT higher energy, water, and resilience standards for new and existing buildings (including but not limited to energy conservation, renewable energy, drainage, flood elevation, wetproofing, and seawall requirements) to prepare for and lessen the impacts of future climate conditions through legislation, Florida Building Code amendments, and enhanced powers for local governments to enact local building code amendments. PageF!398 :bf 1357 Compact Counties 2022 State Climate, Energy, and Resilience Legislative Principles Natural Disaster Risk Reduction. Adaptation, and Resilience SUPPORT and maximize linkages between natural disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures, recognizing that the two areas share a common concern of future risk and vulnerability and a common goal of resilience. SUPPORT the promotion and integration of climate change adaptation in disaster mitigation and recovery planning and projects. SUPPORT full funding of resilient infrastructure projects identified under the state's Resilient Florida program and significant additional investments in resilience planning and resilient infrastructure, including consideration of formulas to distribute state funding to local governments, water management districts, and regional resilience entities. SUPPORT integration of climate adaptation measures into pre -disaster mitigation projects and post - disaster rebuilding projects funded through the Pre -Disaster Mitigation Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Program, Stafford Act, and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. SUPPORT local government participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and in the Community Rating System (CRS), provision of technical and financial resources for local governments to implement community -wide flood risk reduction and floodplain protective measures that increase their resilience and improve their NRS scores reduce premiums for NFIP policyholders. Resilient Water, Coastal, and Land Resources SUPPORT complete implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, including, but not limited to, projects such as the Central Everglades Planning Project, Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, storage and treatment in the Northern Everglades, projects that protect east and west coast estuaries, and projects that restore natural flows to Florida Bay. SUPPORT changes to the Florida Communities Trust program to provide authority and funding for local governments to acquire land to mitigate the effects of sea -level rise, reduce flood risk, and protect potable water supplies. SUPPORT use of Land Acquisition Trust Fund appropriations under the terms of the Water and Land Conservation Amendment for regional and local priorities such as the Florida Forever land acquisition program, the Florida Communities Trust program, and management of public conservation lands to support nature -based resilience strategies. SUPPORT protection and restoration of coral reefs, marine ecosystems, and nearshore habitats, such as mangrove forests, wetlands, floodplains, and other nature -based coastal protection. SUPPORT the independence, authority, and finances of the state's Water Management Districts consistent with Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, to protect water resources in the State. Funding and Financing for Climate and Resilience SUPPORT additional funding for the DEP Office of Coastal Protection and Resilience and its local government assistance programs. SUPPORT additional funding for the South Florida Water Management District to support resilient infrastructure investments. SUPPORT creation of a green bank or state investment fund to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. PagePJ991bf 1357 Compact Counties 2022 State Climate, Energy, and Resilience Legislative Principles SUPPORT funding for applied academic research into climate change and associated topics. SUPPORT finance options for residents, businesses, and local governments, including grants, rebate programs, tax credits and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. SUPPORT increased state funding for transit and transportation projects that reduce single -occupancy vehicle trips. SUPPORT funding for alternative water supply development, adaptation and resilience planning, and no -regrets investments in water management, water supply, conservation land acquisition, transportation, and other infrastructure that provide hazard mitigation and improve immediate and long- term resilience. PageP400 bf 1357