Kruse Criticizes DeSantis Over New Law Restricting Local Land Use Authority
Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse is voicing strong opposition to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent signing of Senate Bill 180, which extends restrictions on local governments’ ability to regulate land use and environmental protections, particularly regarding wetland buffers.
The legislation, signed quietly on Thursday, includes language that prevents counties and municipalities from enacting stricter development standards, such as expanding buffers around wetlands. The extension pushes the restriction, originally introduced in SB 250, through at least October 2027, with the potential for further extension following future storm declarations.
Kruse, a Republican representing District 7, took to his official Facebook page on Friday to denounce the law. He argued that the bill—initially intended to streamline disaster response—was manipulated to include what he described as harmful development provisions backed by a single Manatee County developer.
He pointed to the Manatee County Commission’s unanimous vote to reinstate 50-foot wetland buffers, which is now nullified under the state law. Kruse also cited delays to the county’s comprehensive plan updates and state-mandated policies allowing potential development east of the county’s designated boundary as consequences of Tallahassee’s increasing control over local planning.
SB 180 continues the precedent set by SB 250, which was passed in 2023 following Hurricane Ian and suspended many local land-use regulations to allow for rebuilding. Critics, including Kruse, argue that the emergency language has since been used to bypass longstanding environmental protections.
With this new legislation now in effect, Kruse warned residents that local officials’ ability to implement community-specific land development rules has been significantly diminished, raising long-term concerns about unchecked growth and environmental degradation.
The controversy could spill into public debate in the coming months, as Kruse hinted at a willingness to confront state legislators on the issue in public forums, such as Tiger Bay meetings.
