GOOD COLUMN by Florida State Rep. Robbie Brackett! As I wrote on this blog in May 2025, after We the People spoke out and halted St. Johns County Administrator JUNYAO "JOY" ANDREWS" demolition of the historic 1953 County Jail where some 1000 people were illegally incarcerated for civil rights protests: "Our County Administration, County Attorney and County staff must comply with the Sunshine law and Sunshine notices. Our government must comply with its own rules. Service v. Dulles, 354 U.S. 363 (1957)." From USA Today:
Vero Beach ex-mayor: Florida bill says make local governments follow rules | Opinion
Changing interpretations, delayed inspections or new requirements make things tough for busness folks.
- Florida House Bill 105 aims to ensure local governments follow their own rules when enforcing codes and regulations.
- The bill requires government enforcement actions to be reasonable, transparent and consistent.
- It provides a process for citizens to request a review of government actions and take legal action if necessary.
Every day, the people of Florida are expected to follow the rules. Whether it’s a contractor applying for a permit, a homeowner trying to meet code or a small business renewing its license, the message is clear: Rules matter.
But what happens when local governments don’t follow their own rules?
That’s the question behind House Bill 105, which I filed for the 2026 legislative session. It’s a simple idea with big implications: If government expects citizens to play by the rules, then government should, too.
New legislation aims to protect citizens
Across Florida, I’ve heard stories from families and businesses who tried to do everything right — only to face changing interpretations, delayed inspections or new requirements added at the last minute. Too often, those decisions are inconsistent or arbitrary. That’s not how fair government works.
HB 105 sets out to fix that. The bill creates clear standards for how counties, cities and special districts handle enforcement actions — things like citations, denials, inspections and code orders. It says those actions must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.
And if they’re not, citizens have a right to ask for a review. Under this bill, local governments must respond in writing within 30 days. If they don’t, Floridians can take the issue to court — and they’ll have the law on their side.
Recently, the Indian River Neighborhood Association sent out a newsletter suggesting that this bill was written to benefit big developers — that it was designed to help the “big guys.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
Whistleblowers, mom-and-pop businesses would be treated fairly
Had this group simply picked up the phone to call me, it would have quickly learned that this bill is meant to help the little guy — the mom-and-pop business owners, homeowners and individuals who don’t have a team of lawyers to navigate inconsistent rules. My door has always been open — through my seven years in public service, including four on the Vero Beach City Council and as its mayor — and it remains open today.
This isn’t about picking fights with local governments. It’s about fairness and accountability. Local officials have tough jobs, and most try to do the right thing. But when a government makes a mistake or oversteps, there ought to be a clear process to make it right.
The bill also protects whistleblowers — employees who report when their agency isn’t following the rules. That kind of honesty should be encouraged, not punished. At its core, HB 105 is about restoring trust. When government follows its own rules, people are more willing to follow theirs. When enforcement is predictable, businesses can plan, families can build and communities can grow with confidence.
Fairness shouldn’t depend on what ZIP code you live in or who you know at city hall. It should be the same for everyone, everywhere in Florida.
Government should be a partner, not an unpredictable referee. When officials “move the goalposts,” it doesn’t just create headaches — it erodes confidence in the system.
That’s why HB 105 sets a clear expectation: Local governments must follow their own rules.
We ask that of our citizens every day. It’s time we ask it of government, too.
Florida Rep. Robbie Brackett, former mayor of Vero Beach, is a Republican who represents House District 34 and sponsor of House Billl 105.
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