New Florida Coastal Resiliency Law (SB 302)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Current status: signed.

Last action

Chapter No. 2026-1Mar 20, 2026

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

The law changes how property owners and local governments can build coastal defenses, prioritizing 'nature-based' solutions like living shorelines over traditional seawalls, and sets a firm deadline for the state to standardize these permits.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Coastal property owners

Owners of property within or near aquatic preserves face new standards for shoreline protection and potential new permitting pathways for nature-based solutions.

Local governments

Local governments are required to promote public education on nature-based solutions and may participate in new state-incentivized resiliency projects.

Department of Environmental Protection

The department is tasked with creating new design standards, statewide permitting rules, and public education programs by 2027.

What changed

Current stage: signed.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This law establishes a new statewide permitting process for nature-based coastal protection projects and updates rules for dredging, filling, and building structures within Florida's aquatic preserves. It mandates that the Department of Environmental Protection create design standards for green infrastructure to combat erosion and sea-level rise by January 1, 2027.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 'nature-based' coastal resiliency methods?

The law defines these as green or hybrid , including living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, seagrass planting, wave attenuation devices, and wetland or dune restoration.

Can I still build a seawall in an aquatic preserve?

The law allows for the restoration of seawalls at their previous location or within 18 inches waterward, and permits 'living seawalls' as part of nature-based resiliency projects.

Does this law change permitting for private docks?

The law maintains existing provisions for private residential docks but clarifies that structures cannot be prohibited solely because a local government lacks a specific marina plan.

Why It Matters

The law changes how property owners and local governments can build coastal defenses, prioritizing 'nature-based' solutions like living shorelines over traditional seawalls, and sets a firm deadline for the state to standardize these permits.

News Coverage

Center1

1 source

Blind spot - only covered by center outlets

C

Lawmakers, residents push to protect Terra Ceia, oppose Manatee cruise port

Bay News 9 (Manatee)Feb 20, 2026

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

Lobbying Activity

PITTMAN LAW GROUP

on behalf of CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH

View filing →

PITTMAN LAW GROUP

on behalf of CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH

View filing →

Voting Record

Motion succeededlower3/9/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Passage, Third Reading

Total

117

Yes

109

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

8

Abstain

0

How they voted (117)

+ 93 more

Motion succeededupper2/19/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Third Reading

Total

39

Yes

38

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

How they voted (39)

+ 15 more

Motion succeededupper2/4/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Total

11

Yes

11

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

How they voted (11)

Nick DiCeglie

Republican · yes

Lori Berman

Democratic · yes

Barbara Sharief

Democratic · yes

Keith Truenow

Republican · yes

Ana Maria Rodriguez

Republican · yes

Kristen Arrington

Democratic · yes

Jason Pizzo

Independent · yes

Erin Grall

Republican · yes

Ralph Massullo

Republican · yes

Jason Brodeur

Republican · yes

Stan McClain

Republican · yes

Motion succeededupper12/2/2025openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Total

6

Yes

6

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

How they voted (6)

Debbie Mayfield

Republican · yes

Nick DiCeglie

Republican · yes

Ana Maria Rodriguez

Republican · yes

Dave Smith

Republican · yes

Bryan Ávila

Republican · yes

Gayle Harrell

Republican · yes

Full roll-call analysis →

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Shift toward nature-based infrastructure

The legislation marks a formal policy pivot by mandating the state to prioritize and standardize 'nature-based' solutions over traditional hard-armoring for coastal protection.

Department of Environmental Protection