On Tuesdayafternoon, the House Oversight, Transparency and Administration Subcommittee will hear House Bill 977, the "nuclear option" against citizens who challenge development decisions to protect Florida's environment and our quality of life. We need your help to stop this terrible bill from becoming law. Please contact the members of the House Oversight, Transparency and Administration Subcommittee before 3 p.m. on Tuesday and ask them to OPPOSE House Bill 997: House Bill 997 - This bill punishes citizens and non-profit organizations for challenging development decisions that impact Florida's environment and quality of life. It stymies public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000. Shockingly, HB 997 requires citizens to pay developer's legal tabs even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms. The sole intent of this legislation is to threaten, penalize and muzzle concerned Floridians who look to the courts as the last recourse for opposing bad developments. Florida's growth management laws are already stacked in favor of developers. House Bill 997's "nuclear option" could be the last nail in the coffin for public interest legal challenges in Florida. Here is a draft statement to help you: Please stand with your constituents and oppose House Bill 997. House Bill 997 is un-American. It threatens and penalizes concerned citizens - like me - who try to take a meaningful role in shaping the future of my community and protecting our environment. It deters public participation in government by forcing Floridians who unsuccessfully challenge development decisions to pay the attorney fees and costs of real estate developers up to $50,000, even if the case is settled under mutually agreed upon terms. House Bill 997 attacks my right to be heard in court and hands developers a hammer to attack regular people who try to protect their neighborhoods and quality of life. Please vote no on House bill 997. The House Oversight, Transparency and Administration Subcommittee members are: Rep. Daisy Baez [email]daisy.baez@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5114 Rep. Neil Combee [email]neil.combee@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5039 Rep. Kimberly Daniels [email]kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5014 Rep. Tracie Davis [email]tracie.davis@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5013 Rep. Brad Drake [email]brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5005 Rep. Katie A. Edwards [email]katie.edwards@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5098 Rep. Eric Eisnaugle [email]eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5044 Rep. Patrick Henry [email]patrick.henry@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5026 Rep. Blaise Ingoglia [email]blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5035 Rep. Bobby Payne [email]bobby.payne@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5019 Rep. Cary Pigman [email]cary.pigman@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5055 Rep. Dan Raulerson [email]dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5058 Rep. Bob Rommel [email]bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5106 Rep. Rick Roth [email]rick.roth@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5085 Rep. Clay Yarborough [email]clay.yarborough@myfloridahouse.gov[/email] (850) 717-5012 You can email the entire committee by copying the following into you address bar: [email]daisy.baez@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]neil.combee@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov[/email];tracie.davis@myfloridahouse.gov; [email]brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]katie.edwards@myfloridahouse.gov[/email];eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov; [email]patrick.henry@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]bobby.payne@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]cary.pigman@myfloridahouse.gov[/email];dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov; [email]bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]rick.roth@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]; [email]clay.yarborough@myfloridahouse.gov[/email]
