Can Florida Repeal SB 180 in the 2026 Legislative Session?
Florida’s Senate Bill 180 (SB 180) — signed into law in 2025 — has become one of the most controversial land‑use and local‑government measures in recent Florida history. Although framed as a hurricane recovery and emergency management bill, SB 180 significantly restricts local governments’ authority over land‑use planning, zoning regulations, and construction moratoriums.
As backlash from cities, counties, residents, and advocacy groups continues to grow, attention is increasingly turning to the 2026 Florida Legislative Session as a potential turning point. The question many local officials are asking is simple: could SB 180 be repealed, or at least substantially rolled back, in 2026?
WHY SB 180 IS UNDER SCRUTINY
SB 180 imposes broad preemption on local governments by prohibiting “burdensome” or “more restrictive” land‑use regulations and freezing many local planning actions through October 1, 2027. Critics argue that the law extends far beyond hurricane recovery and instead represents a fundamental shift away from Florida’s long‑standing home‑rule tradition.
Local governments have expressed concern that SB 180 limits their ability to address flooding, infrastructure capacity, environmental protection, and growth management — particularly in fast‑growing or hurricane‑prone areas.
LOCAL AND POLITICAL BACKLASH
Opposition to SB 180 has emerged from across the political spectrum. Counties and municipalities — including several that typically align with state leadership — have publicly criticized the statute and, in some cases, joined litigation challenging its constitutionality.
Residents have also voiced concerns that SB 180 prioritizes development interests over community planning and resiliency. Public meetings and comment periods across the state have reflected frustration that local elected officials are being stripped of the tools needed to respond to local conditions.
WHY 2026 MATTERS
The 2026 legislative session is significant for several reasons:
• It occurs after more than a year of real‑world implementation, allowing lawmakers to assess unintended consequences.
• Ongoing litigation may clarify constitutional vulnerabilities in the statute.
• The session precedes statewide elections, increasing political sensitivity to local‑government and constituent concerns.
These factors combine to make 2026 a realistic opportunity for repeal or substantial amendment.
PATHWAYS TO REPEAL OR AMENDMENT
A full repeal of SB 180 is possible but may be politically challenging. More likely approaches include:
• Targeted repeal of the most controversial sections that freeze local planning authority.
• Amendments narrowing the definition of “burdensome” regulations.
• Restoring explicit exceptions for environmental protection, flood mitigation, and comprehensive planning.
• Limiting the duration or geographic scope of the preemption provisions.
Such changes would allow the Legislature to preserve legitimate disaster‑recovery objectives while restoring meaningful local control.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS FOR FLORIDA
The SB 180 debate reflects a broader struggle over the balance of power between state government and local governments in Florida. How lawmakers address SB 180 in 2026 may influence future legislation on growth management, climate resilience, and emergency response.
CONCLUSION
SB 180 is unlikely to fade quietly into the background. With continued public pressure, legal challenges, and mounting concerns from local governments, the 2026 legislative session could mark a critical moment for revisiting the statute. Whether through repeal or reform, SB 180’s future will play a significant role in shaping Florida’s approach to local governance and land‑use policy for years to come.