Episode 3
I'm about to show you how four Florida lawmakers — two at the state level and two at the federal level — were involved in decisions that impacted beaches along the panhandle between 2017 and 2018. This episode drills into the evolution of HB 631, a bill that began as an eviction-related technical amendment and ultimately became legislation affecting coastal property rights statewide. We explore how amendments were added through committee input, lobbyist influence, and legal advisement, and how the process allowed geographically distant lawmakers to impact a local issue — often over the objection of experts or even the bill sponsor.
Referenced Materials & Resources
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HB 631 (2018 Florida Legislature):
Official Bill Text: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/631
Legislative Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/631/Analyses -
Customary Use Doctrine – Florida Law:
https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/customary-use-of-floridas-beaches/ -
Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) Overview:
https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/the-marketable-record-title-act-a-primer/ -
H.R. 1073 (“Escambia County Land Conveyance Act” by Matt Gaetz):
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1073 -
Article: Northwest Florida Daily News Coverage of HB 631:
https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/ -
House Bill 843 (2014 Medical Marijuana – Gaetz & Edwards-Walpole):
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/843 -
Beach Privatization Reporting:
Walton County Ordinance & Court Case Overview: https://www.co.walton.fl.us/
Overview of beach access disputes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/