Customary use wins in Federal Court!

Sorry Joel. But I’m sure this will win you popularity points.

What are you sorry about?

Rep. Joel Rudman files bill to repeal beach access restrictions in South Walton

State Rep. Joel Rudman (R-District 3) filed legislation to repeal what he describes as a “problematic statute” that prevented Walton County from enacting local beach access ordinances.

The 2018 law led to the installation of traffic cones, ropes, no trespassing signs, and private security guards on South Walton beaches.
“For centuries, there has been a prevailing attitude that the beaches belong to everyone,” Rudman said in a press release. “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.”

Rudman, who says he has been visiting Walton County since the 1980s and owned property there since the 2000s, called the area “paradise” and said he has hosted five different legislators at his property in Seagrove Beach.

The lawmaker criticized the 2018 legislation as being influenced by “a select few special interests” and argued that beach access decisions should be made locally rather than by state government.

“Big Government has no business meddling in the affairs of 30A,” Rudman said. “I believe the citizens of Walton County should decide their beach access issues, not bureaucrats from Tallahassee.”
The bill seeks to put Walton County “on the same equal footing as every other county” regarding beach access regulations.

Rudman submitted his resignation from the Florida House last month to run for the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz. His resignation, effective January 1, 2025, complies with Florida’s “resign-to-run” law requiring state officeholders to step down from their current position to seek federal office.

How is he supposed to run this bill through the legislature if he is retiring January 1. 2025?

How is he supposed to run this bill through the legislature if he is retiring January 1. 2025?

I don't know sorry - maybe before?

Joel Rudman bills tossed out​

My personal opinion is that Mr. Rudman generated this bill ONLY in hopes of bolstering his popularity with the plethora of CU supporters and, as a result, hopefully replace Matt Gaetz. Gaetz resigned from congress in November and Rudman's bill was introduced in December - suspect timing to say the least.

I don't believe his bill had a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding based on previous legislation and court outcomes.

However based on the following, it might work regarding his chances of replacing Gaetz:

I LIKE JOEL!!!

Joel Rudman bills tossed out​

My personal opinion is that Mr. Rudman generated this bill ONLY in hopes of bolstering his popularity with the plethora of CU supporters and, as a result, hopefully replace Matt Gaetz. Gaetz resigned from congress in November and Rudman's bill was introduced in December - suspect timing to say the least.

I don't believe his bill had a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding based on previous legislation and court outcomes.

However based on the following, it might work regarding his chances of replacing Gaetz:

Why so cynical? Perhaps the man simply thinks a beach should belong to all. Like most people.

Well, that stunt sure went out with a whimper.

Why so cynical? Perhaps the man simply thinks a beach should belong to all. Like most people.

Sorry, but your own county commissioners threw in the towel regarding CU and they represent ALL the people in the county. "Most people" is a very subjective combination of words. I sincerely believe "most people" believe in private property rights. It's just that when it comes to the beach, emotions seem to obscure this concept.

Sorry, but your own county commissioners threw in the towel regarding CU and they represent ALL the people in the county. "Most people" is a very subjective combination of words. I sincerely believe "most people" believe in private property rights. It's just that when it comes to the beach, emotions seem to obscure this concept.

Only an idiot would make a Beach private property. Only idiots would go along with it.

You can replace idiot with greedy fuk if you prefer.

Senator Rouson has refiled the HB 631 repeal bill as of today. Whether a repeal would do much for Walton County is a question that has not been answered.

SB 284 -
Recreational Customary Use of Beaches

Senator Rouson has refiled the HB 631 repeal bill as of today. Whether a repeal would do much for Walton County is a question that has not been answered.

SB 284 -
Recreational Customary Use of Beaches

Request Rejected"
Are you saying his bill was rejected? What do you think the point of his bill is other than a vain attempt to resurrect the dead? Even if his bill were to succeed, it would not eliminate the need to PROVE customary use on a parcel by parcel basis. The county has obviously failed at their own admission in this attempt at the cost of many MILLIONS of dollars on both sides of the argument.

CU (the lack of) is a done deal on so many levels. Too bad Florida Beaches for All (Dave Rauschkolb and Daniel Uhlfelder) campaigned all along on the slogan, "NO COMPROMISE".

miznotebook, apparently you must have edited part of your post that stated "Request Rejected" that I originally saw and quoted to
SB 284 -
Recreational Customary Use of Beaches
That's kind of weird since you posted on Thursday, Jan 16th and I quoted your post on Jan Monday, Jan 20th - 4 full days later. I guess you have some magic editing skills that bypasses the time limit for normal editing.

BTW, since Joel Rudman owns a property in NatureWalk, he would obviously benefit from the beaches being public from a property valuation basis and rental potential basis. But he's a tad too late to the game. Perhaps his motive is not as altruistic as it might seem. Of course, he simply handed the torch to Darryl Rouson, a fellow senator, as a result of his resignation.

miznotebook, apparently you must have edited part of your post that stated "Request Rejected" that I originally saw and quoted to
SB 284 -
Recreational Customary Use of Beaches
That's kind of weird since you posted on Thursday, Jan 16th and I quoted your post on Jan Monday, Jan 20th - 4 full days later. I guess you have some magic editing skills that bypasses the time limit for normal editing.

BTW, since Joel Rudman owns a property in NatureWalk, he would obviously benefit from the beaches being public from a property valuation basis and rental potential basis. But he's a tad too late to the game. Perhaps his motive is not as altruistic as it might seem. Of course, he simply handed the torch to Darryl Rouson, a fellow senator, as a result of his resignation.

I didn't think I edited the post---although I tried to when the link I tried to do to the bill resulted in a "request rejected" note. Was not able to remove that, but I think a moderator may have helped out and corrected the link to the bill. So no magic skills on my part.

Article dated Feb 24, 2026 detailing status of CU at Redington Beach.