Bill > H7047

This bill revises, creates, and repeals various provisions relating to the procedures and requirements for the acquisition, retention, and disposal of state lands and the prioritization of projects relating to such lands. Key provisions include: - Increasing the threshold for requiring Board of Trustees or Department of Environmental Protection approval of land acquisition agreements from $1 million to $5 million. - Allowing the Department of Environmental Protection to disclose appraisal reports to private landowners or their representatives during acquisition negotiations. - Authorizing the Board of Trustees or Department to acquire parcels for the full value determined by the highest approved appraisal. - Expanding the public purposes for which conservation and recreation lands may be acquired to include completing critical linkages within the Florida wildlife corridor. - Requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to submit an updated priority list for acquiring agricultural lands by March 1, 2024. - Appropriating $100 million annually from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection for land acquisition under the Florida Forever program. - Exempting the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from requiring Board of Trustees approval for conservation easement purchases under $5 million.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee (House), Infrastructure Strategies Committee (House)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/7047