Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday that will protect Florida State Parks from commercial developments such as hotels, golf courses, ball fields, and pickleball courts.
One of its bill sponsors, Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R-Highland Beach), celebrated the news after its signature. Rep. John Snyder (R-Stuart) also carried HB 209 in the House, while Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) championed the Senate version.
"HB 209, the State Park Preservation Act, has just been signed into law by @GovRonDeSantis!" Gossett-Seidman said. Rep. @JohnFsnyder and I proudly presented the bill in @myflhouse, and Sen. @Gayle_Harrell carried it through the @FLSenate."
Specifically, the law will create the State Park Preservation Act, which requires Florida State Parks to be managed for conservation-based uses, such as hiking, camping, kayaking, and birdwatching.
Although it does allow for the development of campsites and cabins. However, any site must be compatible with land management plans and not impact a park's habitat or natural and historical resources.
All park updates are subject to public hearings and management plans, including a 30-day publication deadline of a plan before a public hearing. An advisory group will also have a 30-day notice for hearings on potential plan inputs.
"This bipartisan bill protects Florida’s State Parks, including Jonathan Dickinson, by banning commercial developments like golf courses, requiring public hearings for land use changes, and making management plans publicly accessible," Gossett-Seidman added after its House passage.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
