Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes state park protections from the development of pickle-ball courts and hotels in Florida.

Highlights:

• Establishes state park protections from the development of pickle-ball courts and hotels in Florida (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires that state parks must be managed to provide the greatest benefit to the state, with plans for managed areas larger than 1,000 acres required to provide an analysis (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires the DEP to provide a report to the governor and Legislature regarding the status and operation of state parks. Additionally, the bill revises notice requirements for public meetings (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies that the Division of State Lands shall make available to the public an electronic copy of each land management plan at least 30 days before the public hearing required for parcels that exceed 160 acres in size and for parcels located within a state park (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires public hearings for all updated conservation and nonconservation land management plans (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires the Division of State Lands of the Department of Environmental Protection to make available to the public, within a specified timeframe, electronic copies of land management plans for parcels of a certain size and parcels located in state parks (Sec. 1-7).

• Amends and revises the duties of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection (Sec. 1-7).

• Specifies requirements for the management of parks and recreational areas held by the state (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires the division to comply with specified provisions when granting certain privileges, leases, concessions, and permits (Sec. 1-7).

• Authorizes the division to acquire, install, or permit the installation or operation at state parks of campsites and cabins that meet certain requirements (Sec. 1-7).

• Prohibits the division from authorizing certain uses or construction activities within a state park (Sec 1-7).

• Prohibits the division from installing or permitting the installation of any lodging establishment within the boundaries of a state park (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires that individual management plans for parcels located within state parks be developed with input from an advisory group (Sec. 1-7).

• Requires that the advisory group's required public hearings be noticed to the public within a specified timeframe (Sec. 1-7).

Full Bill Text