State Rep. Joel Rudman announced a second bill he filed with the Florida House for the 2025 session. The Navarre Republican has resigned his seat, effective Jan. 1. The bills die when he is no longer in office unless someone else assumes sponsorship.
Will we get another today?
From Dr. Rudman:
I have been visiting Walton County since I was a child in the 1980s. I first owned property there in the
2000s and continue to do so. I consider 30A to be one of Florida’s true gems, calling it “paradise” when talking to
colleagues. I have hosted five different legislators at my property in Seagrove Beach.
For centuries, there has been a prevailing attitude that the beaches belong to everyone. The communities
along 30A were founded on that concept. For years, visitors and residents alike were welcome to stroll the beaches
and relax on the shores in a live-and-let-live manner, dogs included. It truly was paradise.
In 2018, the state legislature singled out the beaches of South Walton, due to the undue influence of a select
few special interests, and kept Walton County from enacting their own local customary use ordinances. As a result,
the beaches of South Walton today are marred with traffic cones, ropes, no trespassing signs, and even private
security guards.
My legislation simply repeals that problematic statute that has pitted neighbor against neighbor, and it puts
Walton County on the same equal footing as every other county. Big government has no business meddling in the
affairs of 30A. I believe the citizens of Walton County should decide their beach access issues, not bureaucrats
from Tallahassee.
