Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R-Highland Beach) celebrated after the House passed a bill 115-0 on Thursday that would protect Florida State Parks from commercial developments such as golf courses and pickleball courts. It will now head to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval.
The bill comes after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection launched a plan to alter state parks to include recreational activities last August. The plans were later scrapped at the direction of Gov. DeSantis.
Rep. Gossett-Seidman sponsored the bill (HB 209) along with Rep. John Snyder (R-Stuart). Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), carried the Senate version of the bill (SB 80), which passed 37-0 on Wednesday.
"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 said.
"Thank you @GovRonDeSantis for championing park preservation, Sen. Gayle Harrell for guiding the Senate companion, and all the advocates who helped keep our @FLStateParks wild for future generations!" Gosset-Seidman added.
Specifically, HB 209 creates the State Park Preservation Act, which requires Florida State Parks to be managed for conservation-based uses. The bill seeks to balance public benefit with the park's natural resources.
The bill also authorizes the Division of Recreation and Parks within the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) to "acquire, install, or permit the installation of camping cabins in state parks within certain guidelines."
The DEP would also be required to provide a report to the governor and legislature on the state park system. In addition, the bill updates notice requirements for public meetings and management plans.
If signed into law, the bill would take effect on July 1.
