Monroe County government attorneys plan to draft an amendment to the countyâs code to extend the life of local specialty licenses until 2023, because the state Legislature has preempted local government from issuing occupational licenses in the future.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 735, which preempts local governments from issuing occupations licenses, into law. Monroe County officials wrote DeSantis a letter asking him to veto the bill because the county requires local licenses for such work as paving, house painting and tile work.
County officials are also concerned because the new lawâs impact on the construction industry in the Keys. The county estimated more than 300 people could lose their jobs or businesses because of the new law.