by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The City Council discussed Sanibel’s Legislative Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session. The Florida Legislative Session will begin on January 13, 2026; however, interim committee meetings will take place in October, November, and December (two each month).
The House has already issued its Appropriations Project Request Forms, which will likely be due to Sanibel’s legislative delegation in November.
Sanibel’s 2026 Legislative Priorities will likely continue to focus on the community’s full recovery from the impacts of Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton. Water Quality and Home Rule positions will be added for discussion at the September 25 City Council meeting.
Priorities are:
1. Forgiveness of the Florida Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan (Bridge Loan) – Following Hurricane Ian, the City received a $15,260,511 Bridge Loan from the State to assist the City with funding government operations. The loan is a zero-interest loan to the City with a repayment term of 10 years. City Council should consider asking the State to forgive the Bridge Loan to aid Sanibel’s long-term recovery from Hurricane Ian.
Legislative funding request: $15,260,511
2. Repair the Shared Use Path System – Sanibel’s shared use path system (26 miles) experienced significant damage from Hurricane Ian’s storm surge washover and subsequent damage from debris placement on the right-of-way. Sanibel is requesting state assistance to repair the shared-use path system, which is critical in supporting visitor and resident transportation during the busy tourist season.
The City received a $1 million appropriation from the State in 2023 and $2.5 million in 2025. The City originally requested an appropriation of $5 million; however, Sanibel amended the appropriations request to $5 million, which would be divided over two years ($2.5 million each year).
Requesting an additional $2.5 million for the shared use path for 2026 would be consistent with the previous year’s application.
Legislative funding request: $2.5 million
3. Weir Flap Gates – As discussed during the City Council’s review of the Surface Water Management Master Plan (stormwater), the plan recommends modifications be made to the existing flap gate at the Beach Road Weir and a flap gate be installed at the Tarpon Bay Weir.
The flap gates are necessary to prevent/mitigate backflow of saltwater from high tides into the island’s freshwater interior wetlands system. At the August 12, 2025, City Council budget workshop, the City Council directed staff to include $130,000 in the FY26 budget for the design of the flap gates.
The construction cost is currently estimated at $500,000. Adding a 20 percent contingency brings the project cost to $600,000.
Legislative funding request: $600,000
Council member Laura Debruce suggested adding a lobbying effort to retain the requirements for childhood vaccinations in response to comments made by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Council member Richard Johnson said he would first need to hear from the community before adding this to the legislative priorities. Council member John Henshaw said, “We have to go by science and not politics or on what we believe.”
Mayor Mike Miller said, “It’s just a lane that I don’t want to go down at this time.”
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