TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill moving through the Florida legislature meant to block development of Florida state park land is heading to the Senate floor.
CS/ SB 80 was found favorable by the Senate Committe on Fiscal Policy on Tuesday.
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The act, cited as the “State Park Preservation Act,” would prohibit developments such as golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels at Florida state parks.
The push for the legislation comes after Governor Ron DeSantis’ Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a plan called the Great Outdoors Initiative in August of last year for nine state parks. Hundreds of people attended protests at the parks and in Tallahassee, with many carrying signs with slogans such as “Save Don’t Pave” and “Parks Over Profit.”
Sen. Gayle Harrell, (R) Stuart, sponsored the bill, which would “require public hearings for all updated conservation and 4 non conservation land management plans... authorizing the division to acquire, install, or permit the installation or operation at state parks of camping cabins that meet 22 certain requirements; prohibiting the division from authorizing certain uses or construction activities within a state park.”
If passed, the bill will take effect July, 1, 2025.