The "State Park Preservation Act" is designed to improve the management and conservation of state lands, particularly public parks and recreational areas in Florida. The bill mandates public hearings for all updated conservation and non-conservation land management plans, ensuring community involvement. It requires the Division of State Lands to provide electronic copies of land management plans for larger parcels and state parks at least 30 days before these hearings. The legislation also outlines specific management requirements for state parks, including prohibitions on certain uses and construction activities, while emphasizing public access and conservation-based recreational uses.

Additionally, the bill revises the responsibilities of the Division of Recreation and Parks, introducing the term "conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses" to minimize impacts on undisturbed habitats. It requires the development of individual management plans for state park parcels with input from advisory groups, which must hold public hearings and report to the Governor and Legislature by a specified date. The bill also clarifies the roles of the Division of Law Enforcement and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in enforcing regulations, allows for camping cabins in state parks under certain conditions, and establishes new requirements for granting park use privileges. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 209 Filed: 253.034, 258.004, 259.032