This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to natural resources, focusing on enhancing land acquisition, management, and water quality improvement initiatives. Key changes include the requirement for applications for full fee simple acquisition projects to specify the necessity of full title for achieving public policy goals. It also expands the entities with which state agencies can contract for land management to include water control districts and soil and water conservation districts. Additionally, the scoring system for project eligibility in the statewide flooding and sea-level rise plan is revised to include new criteria that emphasize flood risk reduction and community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that a portion of funds from the Indian Gaming Revenue Clearing Trust Fund be allocated to various environmental and agricultural initiatives, including a dedicated amount for projects in rural areas of opportunity. It establishes a new agricultural nonpoint source regional water program aimed at improving water quality in impaired water bodies. The bill also stipulates that any excess funds in the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund be transferred to the General Revenue Fund by a specified date. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 2506 pb: 253.0251, 259.032, 380.093, 380.095, 403.0673, 403.891