We the undersigned urge the Florida Legislature to pass, and Governor DeSantis to sign, SB 596 in the Florida Senate and HB 6023 in the Florida House. These bills would repeal, FS 163.045, a preemption law signed in July, 2019, that has allowed healthy, majestic old trees to be cut down all over Florida without any city oversight. Unethical people and developers have relentlessly abused this law to hire unethical arborists, who are certified by their own professional group (there is NO state licensing of arborists and filing an ethical complaint against one of them takes close to two years to be reviewed) to falsely document that healthy trees are "dangerous," leveling oak hammocks and other native trees all over Florida.

This law has proved to be a disaster for our state. Our most valuable resource, our natural beauty, is being destroyed at a time when we need trees more than ever. They help our tourist economy by providing beautiful refuges to hike, walk and boat, they add to our property values, they reduce the cost of stormwater drainage and treatment, provide us with much needed shade, oxygen and clean air and help mitigate sea level rise. They also help us avert the public health catastrophe created by flooding and rising seas in neighborhoods which depend upon septic systems. Thus, trees are integral to maintaining Florida’s economy, health and natural beauty. They are also the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren, as many of these trees are over 100 years old.

No one opposes the removal of “dangerous” trees, but there needs to be oversight. Cities are in a better position to determine which trees in their neighborhoods are actually “dangerous” because their arborists are able to see a tree and evaluate whether or not it really presents a danger. Dangerous trees can, and still will be, able to be trimmed or removed by property owners. These bills will not change that! 

Some who support the preemption bill say they should be able to do whatever they want on their property, but it’s never been like that. We have zoning laws, we have building codes, and everyone is required to wear a seat belt. Sometimes we all have to do what is better for the entire community and for our, and our children’s, futures.

Therefore, we are asking Governor DeSantis and the State Legislature to support SB 596 in the Senate and HB 6023 in the House, and for Governor DeSantis to sign the ultimate statute that would repeal FS 163.045 law when it is presented to him.