Bill repealing 2018 customary use statute to be discussed by legislature

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Beach access in Walton County has been a hot topic for years. On Tuesday, March 25, lawmakers in Tallahassee will discuss the future of customary use at the Judiciary Committee meeting.

Out of Walton County’s 26 miles of beach, about 17 miles are privately owned, leaving just 9 miles open to the public. This stems from a 2018 Florida law (statute 163.035) that lets private owners claim the sand above the mean high-water line. (RELATED: Florida representative’s new bill challenges current statute on 30A beach use)

“It’s been a big harm to Walton County and our economy. 70% roughly of our economy is based on tourism, and when you shut off most of what people come from, which is the beaches when you shut that off, that’s harmful,” said Danny Glidewell, Walton County Commissioner District 2.

This past February, Florida Senator Jay Trumbull filed SB1622 to repeal the 2018 statute. He says he has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public since filing this statute.

“Since 2018, this, unfortunately, hasn’t been talked about much, and so thankfully, this is the first time in the legislative process that we will have the ability to have a discourse about or have communication around this particular piece of legislation and hopefully bring some sanity around what has occurred, some of the insane things we have seen unfortunately since this law has passed,” said senator Trumbull.

Walton County commissioners say customary issues have cost them millions of dollars over the years and thank Senator Trumbull for stepping up to overturn the policy.

If Senator Trumbull’s bill 1622 passes in the legislature, it would give Walton County’s local government the ability to create its own ordinances regarding customary beach use.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email news@wjhg.com. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app, and check out what’s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app.