- March 4, 2026
One of the bills in the Florida legislature designed to aid in beach management has died, leaving Flagler County with one last hope for help with its county program.
A Florida bill to help rebuild beaches after major storm events died on the Florida Senate floor, according to County Administrator Heidi Petito, though its sister bill in the House of Representatives is still being discussed.
HB 1279 was proposed by Flagler’s Rep. Sam Greco, and now, the Flagler County Commission is bidding just on Senate Bill 636, proposed by Sen. Tom Leek, who represents Flagler County as well. Both bills also make it easier for counties to declare a beach critically eroded, which helps those counties apply for and obtain funding for beach nourishment projects.
SB 636 would also reduce the local match requirement for state funding, down to as little as 25%.
Flagler County needs all the help it can get. It has the funding to finish the initial beach renourishments for its four-phase beach management program, but not funding to continue maintenance. And, should a large storm wipe out a portion of the county's dunes, it would have a difficult time putting together the standard 50% local match requirement.
Commissioner Greg Hansen, who has championed the county’s beach renourishment plan, asked the board for consensus to represent the county in the legislature over SB 636, if need be.
“I don't know whether that'll be in committee or whatever, but I would like your permission if it looks like it would help that I would drive to Tallahassee and speak,” Hansen said.
Dance said they don't need to give Hansen their permission.
“You're our most well versed beach commissioner,” Dance said. ”So it would make sense if you wanted to go, that you would go.”
SB 636 is in its last week on the Florida Senate’s floor. On Feb. 12, the bill received unanimous support from the Fiscal Policy Committee, according to the Florida Senate website.
Hammock Dunes Owners Association’s Greg Davis said the Hammock Dunes Owners Association is behind SB 636. As an organization, he said, the HDOA has had to spend “over $10 million” in beach renourishment.
“It’s one of the most important things you can do,” Davis said. “...The economic benefit to the county is substantial.”
Today’s Palm Coast would probably not exist as it does without the shoreline community, Davis said.
“We are fully committed to doing anything we can do to get 636 in,” Davis said.
But there may not be much the commission can do. Commissioner Kim Carney asked what the commission could do to help out the bill as its considered on the Senate floor. There's not anything, Hansen said, as the commissioners would not be able to speak on the Senate floor.
Instead, Greco and Leek are working their ends to support the bill. If the Senate can keep the bill alive, Hansen said, “We have a chance. Slim, but a chance."
