Episode 2
In this episode, we begin looking at the origins of HB631 and speak with the person that first introduced the bill and would eventually be the co-sponsor, Senator Kathleen Passidomo. She was the Florida Senate President in the 2023-2024 session, and gives an excellent lesson on the importance of, and when to, engage with your legislators and why it matters.
Then we speak with Lindsay Oxford, a mother who was on vacation in Walton County and was harassed for sitting in the sand with her baby while trying to enjoy time on the beach. Lindsay then describes how she took it upon herself to reach out to county commissioners to support the people of Walton County.
Reference Materials & Further Reading
To help you dive deeper into the issues discussed in this episode, here are some helpful links:
-
WJHG News – Bill repealing 2018 customary use statute
Coverage of SB 1622, which passed to repeal the 2018 statutory restrictions on customary use. (https://www.wjhg.com) -
Florida Senate Bill 1622 Analysis
The official bill text and legislative analysis, which provides legal background and details on customary use. (The Florida Senate) -
Surfrider Foundation – Lawsuit to Protect Customary Use
Explains the 2018 lawsuit in Walton County to affirm public recreational use of private dry-sand beaches. (Surfrider Foundation) -
FSBPA Legal Memo on HB 631
The Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association’s legal explanation of how HB 631 changed the customary use process. (Florida Shore & Beach Association) -
Ocean & Coastal Law Journal Paper
A thorough legal analysis of HB 631, its origins, and its implications for customary use doctrine. (NOAA Institutional Repository) -
Florida Politics Analysis
Expert commentary on how HB 631 limits local governments’ ability to create customary-use rules. (Florida Politics)