TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida legislators are advancing a bill designed to remove any potential obstacles for the construction of a presidential library for former President Donald Trump in the state. Senate Bill 118 passed its first committee (Community Affairs) on Tuesday with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

The bill, which is gaining momentum in the state legislature, would override local ordinances that could hinder or delay the development of a Trump library, ensuring a smoother process for its construction. If the bill is signed into law, it could pave the way for the library to be built in Palm Beach County, a location that has seen previous discussions about the project.

Senate Bill 118’s sponsor, State Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary), explained that the bill aims to address potential barriers such as local zoning or regulatory restrictions that might arise. “We really don’t want him to have any impediments,” Brodeur said in a recent interview. “Such as tree height or sign heights, or you name it, that local governments may have because of a history of maybe some friction.”

When questioned about concerns that the bill might infringe upon local power and authority, Brodeur referenced the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, suggesting that federal law already supersedes state or local ordinances. “This just makes it express that we really don’t want him to have any impediments,” Brodeur added, referring to potential conflicts with local governments.

While Trump has not yet announced the final decision on whether Florida will be the site of his presidential library, the move would mark the first such library to be established in the state.

Local opposition to the construction of such projects is not unprecedented, with previous construction efforts by Trump facing friction from local officials. However, Brodeur's bill emphasizes the state legislature’s desire to ensure a seamless path for the proposed library’s construction.

If signed into law, SB 118 would be seen as a significant step in advancing the project, with lawmakers asserting that it could enhance Florida’s status as a key destination for presidential libraries.

The proposed library in Palm Beach County would be the first of its kind in Florida, making the passage of this bill an important milestone for both the state and the Trump administration’s legacy.

Originally reported by Forrest Saunders in WPTV.