So why should SB 280 be rejected? Well, the Florida Alliance for Vacation Rentals warns that the bill introduces a number of bureaucratic requirements that would burden both local governments and property owners. The excessive penalties through various fees and fines will lead to fewer vacation rentals and discourage property owners from participating in the vacation rental market. This is especially damaging to small property owners who rely on rental income for their livelihood.

To underscore this point, I know a local retiree who owns three vacation homes in Tallahassee to supplement her retirement and make ends meet. She rents them out from time to time—last month she housed workers dealing with the aftermath of the recent tornadoes in the city. These excessive fees and regulations could prevent her from renting out her property when it makes the most sense for her and when it could help others.

Most vacation rental owners already keep their properties in tip-top condition, and it's in their best interest to be good neighbors. These homes increase neighborhood value and increase property appeal, which leads to higher property taxes. Not to mention, these vacation rentals generate billions in tax revenue for the state—in 2023, Airbnb brought in a whopping $387 million in tax revenue in Florida, the most of any U.S. state, not including revenue from other vacation rental services.

Instead of trying to wipe out an industry that helps make Florida one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, injects billions of dollars into our economy, and supports the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Floridians, we should look for a fairer and more balanced way to regulate. SB 280 is not the answer and will have serious unintended consequences that, once it is law, will be difficult to reverse.