TALLAHASSEE – Florida House Bill 947, sponsored by Manatee County Rep. Will Robinson Jr. to build a parking garage at Manatee Beach, still hasn’t hit Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.
The bill would allow Manatee County commissioners to approve and issue permits for the planned three-story, 1,500-plus parking space structure at the county-owned beach against local regulations in Holmes Beach, where the beach is located.
The bill passed both the state House and Senate, but as of press time for The Sun, it had not yet been presented to the governor.
Once the bill goes to the governor’s desk, he can choose to veto, sign or ignore it. If DeSantis signs the bill, it becomes law upon gaining his signature. If he chooses to ignore it, it automatically becomes law on July 1. If he vetoes it, the bill dies, and so do Manatee County commissioners’ immediate plans for the parking garage.
A veto from the governor would send the bill back to the House where it would be up for reconsideration in the next regular legislative session. It would require a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate to overturn a veto from DeSantis.
The bill must be presented to DeSantis for consideration, otherwise, it dies despite earning approvals from state legislators. Once presented with the bill, the governor has 15 days to take action, according to the Florida constitution.
