LAKELAND — If one Florida senator gets his way, local governments may soon lose control over one ever-expanding industry: short-term rentals.
Florida Senate Bill 522 was filed by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah Gardens, in January and has been referred to the regulated industries, commerce and tourism and rules committees.
The bill essentially turns over the regulation, licensing and inspection of the short-term rental industry to the state, removing layers of control that currently exist at the city and county level.
An identical bill was filed in the House in January. The regular session starts March 2.
Diaz did not return multiple requests for comment.