News

COTI’s mission in part is to protect the small-town character of our island community. In furtherance of that mission we oppose and urge you to vote no on SB 1128 because it would undermine a time-tested scheme in place on Sanibel to accommodate thousands of visitors each year while preserving the character of our residential neighborhoods....Troubling as well is the finding that “Vacation rentals are residential in nature. ”Residences are places people call home. When we spend a long weekend or a week at a beach front resort, we don’t consider that resort our residence. Our residence is the place we return to when the vacation is over. It’s the place where we interact socially with neighbors and depend on them in times of stress or emergency. That’s the essence of a community — and it’s not found in resorts.

HB 1011 and SB 1028, its senate companion bill, would completely eliminate local regulation of short term rentals, including neighborhood specific limitations on their duration. Instead it would treat them like hotel rentals with a “one size fits all” set of state regulations justified, judging by the legislative findings, by an expansive view of property rights — but also calculated to maximize tourism and the bed tax. Leading up to a scheduled January 21st hearing, COTI wrote members of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Development and Tourism to let them know why it opposes HB 1011 starting with the flawed legislative findings that are its underpinning.

On Sanibel, we pride ourselves Solar panels on top of Bailey’s General Store, Sanibel. As leaders on environment, conservation and sustainability. And Sanibel has more to lose from the effects of climate
change than almost any other place in the country.

The Committee of the Islands (COTI) signed onto an important letter at the end of June that was sent to Florida’s Senators and Representatives to ask them to support the Farewell to Foam Act. This important Act would phase out the sale and distribution of single-use foam foodware, which is a risk to human and environmental health. Plastic foam pollutes oceans and harms our sea turtles, seabirds and other ocean wildlife. COTI believes it is time for Florida to step up and join the other 12 states that have passed legislation to curb single-use plastic foam. For the sake of our environment, our health and our barrier islands, we ask you to join us and ask our representatives in Florida government to take this important step forward.

COTI is urging Congress to fully fund NOAA, warning that proposed cuts could harm hurricane forecasting, red-tide monitoring, fisheries, coastal planning, and public safety across Florida.

COTI elected new officers and welcomed four new board members who bring experience in health care, business, conservation, and community service.

COTI recommended updating Sanibel’s transportation plan with better data, more travel options, improved road resilience, public transit, and less reliance on cars.

COTI named SanCap Chamber President John Lai its 2026 Person of the Year for his leadership and support of the island business community.

COTI’s annual meeting featured Audubon Florida leader Julie Wraithmell discussing Florida’s environmental challenges and ways to protect its natural resources.

COTI named Maria Espinoza its 2025 Citizen of the Year and welcomed Dr. Tom Ankersen for a presentation on the history and future of the Sanibel Plan.