Exciting Movement for Senate Bill 288
Updated: Feb 23
The Main Street Historic Tourism and Revitalization Act secured support from two more co-sponsors and unanimously passed the Florida Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism!
The Main Street Historic Tourism and Revitalization Act secured critical support from two gracious members of Florida's Senate. Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez from District 40 and Senator Linda Stewart from District 13.
We are so grateful to Senator Rodriguez and Senator Stewart for their support, leadership and initiative to support Florida's heritage, historic places and Main Street Communities. Through their support, the co-sponsors of SB 288 provide further insistence to create legislation that inspires preservation efforts in Florida and are a symbol of the bipartisan spirit of the bill.
Many thanks to Senator Rodriguez and Senator Stewart for their support!
On February 14th, the Florida Trust team visited the Florida Capitol to testify before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism that met to review SB 288.
The Main Street Historic Tourism and Revitalization Act, introduced by Senator DiCeglie, would make Florida the 38th state to have a state historic tax credit and be an addition to the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program already offered to Florida residents.
The legislation will help to revitalize Florida Main Street communities, support heritage tourism, create good paying jobs and bring vacant and underused historic buildings back to life.
The Florida tax credit would provide a tax credit of up to 20 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. The Main Street Tourism and Historical Revitalization Act provides a tax credit of up to 30 percent of total eligible costs for rehabilitation of a certified historic within the official district boundaries of an active, certified Florida Main Street community.
We are pleased to share that, with the help of those who testified in support of the bill, SB 288 was unanimously voted favorable by the committee. SB 288 will now move to the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax with additional meeting details to follow.
How Can You Help?
First, call or email your state senator and ask them to sign on to Senator Nick DiCeglie’s Senate Bill 288 as a co-sponsor. As we continue our advocacy efforts, we will be seeking bipartisan support through cosponsors. You can locate your state senator here.
Next, call or email your state representative and ask them to sign on to Representative Stark’s House Bill 499 as a co-sponsor. As we continue our advocacy efforts, we will be seeking bipartisan support through cosponsors. You can locate your state representative here.
Lastly, reach out to any member of the Finance and Tax and Appropriations Committee and ask them to support SB 288.