2000 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:  
A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

     This legislative edition of your Section's Reporter contains a comprehensive summary of the environmental and land use measures that were considered during the 2000 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature.  A review of this summary suggests that the first session of the 21^st Century was noticeably different than most sessions in the last three decades.

     As longtime members of our Section will attest, these last three decades typically were characterized by the passage of significant environmental and land use legislation.  The 70s saw the enactment of early versions of Florida's growth management and environmental laws.  The 80s witnessed major efforts to manage Florida's growth and to protect its environment.  For example, legislators enacted stringent comprehensive planning requirements, restrictions on development in wetlands, and a variety of laws to manage solid and hazardous waste.  The 90s saw more fine tuning of Florida's landmark environmental and land use laws, the enactment landmark programs to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands, and efforts to restore and protect the Everglades.

     Many think the Year 2000 legislative session was noticeably different.  This year, the Legislature considered a number of measures that some believe reflected a clear legislative preference to ensure that land use and environmental restrictions do not unnecessarily restrict development, job creation and economic expansion.  Some of these measures passed, some did not.

      The composition of the Florida Legislature will be much different in the Year 2001.  As a result of term limits, a large number of legislators will not be returning.  Check this space next year to see whether this different mood continues into this new century.