A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 617, AND ITS RELATED BILL, SENATE BILL 1236, BOTH OF WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE STATE FROM ADOPTING OR PARTICIPATING IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION PROGRAMS WITHOUT EXPLICIT LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE.

The Administration recommends adoption of the Resolution.

The City has an extensive legislative history of adopting policies that support community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. On October 14, 2015, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2015-29156, endorsing the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (formerly the Compact of Mayors) pledge, where the City committed to reduce community-wide GHG emissions; measure the community emissions inventory using a consistent and robust standard; identify climate-related hazards; set data-based targets for the future; and develop a climate action plan. On May 17, 2017, the Mayor and City Commission supported the Sierra Club’s #readyfor100 campaign, which challenges 100 cities across the United States to set a target of 100% clean energy, and urging the 2017 U.S. Conference of Mayors’ participants to commit to 100% renewable energy.

On June 1, 2017, former United States President Donald Trump announced the country’s withdrawal from  the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement on global GHG emissions reduction and climate change mitigation. On June 7, 2017, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2017-29906, upholding the City’s commitment to the goals and standards set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement. On October 16, 2019 the City adopted Resolution No. 2019-31040, declaring a Climate Emergency, urging the State of Florida and the U. S. government to declare a Climate Emergency, requesting regional collaboration on an immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate.

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden, as one of his first acts in office, signed an Executive Order to have the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. On February 10, 2021, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-31575, endorsing several pledges (Under2 Coalition, United Nations (UN) Climate Change’s Climate Neutral Now and C40 Race to Zero) to further commit to GHG emissions reductions while planning for the challenges of climate change.

On January 29, 2021, the Florida House Bill (HB) 617 was filed. This Bill prevents the State from adopting or participating in GHG emissions reduction programs without explicit legislative authorization. On February 18, 2021, it was referred to the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee; Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee; and State Affairs Committee.

On July 13, 2007, the State of Florida adopted an Executive Order (Number 01-127) establishing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) within Florida and proposing emissions reduction target of 80% reduction from 1990 baseline by 2050. This Executive Order propelled several cities and counties within Florida to work on their GHG inventories and develop targets for GHG emissions reduction.

As per the Paris Climate Agreement, given our current climate crisis, global warming shall be limited preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, to limit the adverse effects of climate change. In order to achieve this long-term temperature goal, cities, counties, states and countries need to be held accountable for their GHG emissions reductions.

House Bill (HB) 617 prevents a State agency from adopting and enforcing a State or regional program to regulate GHG emissions without specific legislative authorization including but not limited to the following:

• State plans
• Low carbon fuel standards, plans or programs enabling regulation of mobile or station sources or greenhouse gas taxes or fees or trading
• State or regional programs prompted by the participation of the United States in international treaties or executive agreements or interstate compacts or agreements

Since the term ‘state agency’ is broadly applied, this Bill could also be applied to water management districts and regional planning councils. If enacted, this Bill would take effect on July 1, 2021.  This Bill can have detrimental effect on Florida’s GHG emissions reduction work, and consequently, affect Miami Beach’s ability to significantly mitigate towards climate change.

Less than half of Miami Beach residents are satisfied with the City’s efforts to be a green or sustainable city. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an important step to increasing satisfaction.

The Administration recommends adoption of the Resolution.