Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on October 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO PUBLIC CAMPING OR SLEEPING; CREATING SECTIONS 21-2 AND 21-3 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); AMENDING SECTION 21-6 OF THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the County Attorney’s Office as directed by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) on April 16, 2024.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
At its April 16, 2024, meeting, the Board directed the County Attorney’s Office to draft appropriate ordinances for consideration by the Board to address issues resulting from the 2024 Session of the Florida Legislature.
During the 2024 Session, the Florida Legislature enacted House Bill 1365 (HB 1365), which prohibits local governments from authorizing or otherwise allowing any person to regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on any public property under the County’s jurisdiction. Effective January 1, 2025, HB 1365 authorizes County residents and businesses and the Florida Attorney General to sue to enforce the law and to recover attorneys’ fees and costs, if successful.
The proposed Ordinance, if enacted, would prohibit public camping or sleeping on any public property under the County’s jurisdiction.
Source of Additional Information
Joseph K. Jarone, Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.