Florida bill would distribute revenue made by tribes for state conservation efforts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate passed a bill Thursday that secures funding for conservation lands and infrastructure through revenues made available by the compact between Florida and the Seminole Tribe.
Sen. Travis Huston, R-St. Augustine, filed SB 1638.
“Our Compact to Conserve dedicates a new, steady stream of funds to acquire conservation lands and invest in our clean water infrastructure,” Hutson said. “Additionally, we have a tremendous focus on management of our conservation lands, which helps to protect our state from wildfire damage and guard against dangerous non-native species.”
The Florida Senate unanimously passed the bill 37-0.
Hutson called the proposal an “investment” to expand and promote state recreation lands. They include Florida’s state parks, greenways and trails, and game lands.
“Conservation and preservation of Florida’s land and water resources is essential to maintaining the quality of life we all enjoy as well as sustaining and growing a thriving economy, including legacy industries like tourism and agriculture,” said Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples.
Under SB 1638, $100 million each will be appropriated to the Florida Wildlife Corridor, management of state-owned lands and removal of invasive species, and the implementation of Florida’s Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan.
Furthermore, $32 million each will be distributed for land management within the State Park System, the Department of Agriculture ad Consumer Services, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In addition, four million will be issued to the Local Trail Management Program. The compact then allocates any remaining funds each fiscal year to the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to implement Florida’s Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.
According to the release, $79 million will be appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025.
Rep. James Buchanan, R-Osprey, filed a similar bill to SB 1638. Rep. Thomas Leek, R-Ormond Beach, also filed a comparable bill to SB 1638.
SB 1638 now moves to the full House for approval. It will take effect if SB 7080 or similar legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law.
