Bill to Restructure Manatee County Port Authority Advances to First House Committee

A bill that would significantly change the governance structure of the Manatee County Port Authority has begun moving through the Florida House committee process.

House Bill 4073, sponsored by Rep. Bill Conerly of District 72, proposes converting the Manatee County Port Authority from a dependent special district overseen by the Manatee County Commission into an independent special district. Under the current structure, the seven county commissioners also serve on the Port Authority board that governs SeaPort Manatee. The proposed legislation would replace that model with a five-member board consisting of four gubernatorial appointees and one Manatee County commissioner selected by the county commission.

The bill follows a closely divided discussion at an October Port Authority meeting, where members voted 3-3 on whether to formally support legislative action to revise the authority’s charter. Commissioners supporting the change cited the potential for appointing board members with specialized expertise in port operations, business development, and financial oversight. Those opposed said they needed more information and time to evaluate the proposal, raising concerns about the pace of the process and the lack of advance briefings.

Despite the tie vote, Port Authority Chairman Mike Rahn and the port’s state lobbyist appeared before the Manatee County Legislative Delegation to encourage lawmakers to move forward with legislation. The delegation ultimately voted to advance the bill.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue that restructuring could modernize governance and allow for more professionalized management of port operations. Critics have raised concerns about reduced local oversight, potential environmental impacts, and the expanded role of state-appointed board members. Former Port Authority chairman and former Manatee County commissioner Joe McClash urged legislators to slow the process, suggesting the issue be revisited in a future legislative session after additional public input.

HB 4073 also expands and updates the Port Authority’s charter, which was last consolidated in 2003. The revised charter would include broader definitions of port facilities and expanded authority over property acquisition, development, financing, and operational decisions. The bill specifies that no more than two board members may be primarily engaged in the maritime business and allows gubernatorial appointees to reside in either Manatee or Sarasota counties.

The measure has been referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, with additional stops planned in the Ways and Means and State Affairs Committees. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, the governor could begin appointing new board members in fall 2026, with initial terms starting in October.