Introduction to the Bill
Development such as golf courses, pickleball courts and luxury lodges would be prohibited at Florida state parks under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House following a public outcry against such projects that were pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.
The vote was 115-0 for the measure, which now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill is moving through committees. Supporters said loud public reaction and protests last year against what DeSantis called the Great Outdoors Initiative was a key factor in the governor’s subsequent decision to shelve it.
Purpose of the Legislation
The legislation, supporters said, will ensure it doesn’t happen again. “The public outcry, you could probably hear it all the way up to the moon or Mars,” said Rep. Lindsay Cross, a Democrat from St. Petersburg who attended some protests. The bill, she added, will “make sure our wild Florida stays wild.”
Details of the Bill
The bill doesn’t ban all types of development. But it requires that any projects be “conservation-based recreational uses” that support things like hiking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, nature study and other similar activities, according to a House staff analysis. “Any use or construction activity must be conducted in a manner that avoids impacts to a state park’s critical habitat and natural and historical resources,” the analysis adds.
Background of the Issue
The Republican governor’s Department of Environmental Protection unveiled the development plans in August for nine state parks and scheduled only a single hour of public hearings before moving the projects forward. Hundreds of people attended protests at the parks and in Tallahassee, many carried signs with slogans such as “Save Don’t Pave” and “Parks Over Profit.”
Next Steps for the Bill
The House version will have to be reconciled with the Senate version, which differs in several ways, including what environmental groups call a loophole that could open the door to golf courses and other development in some areas of parks. “The environmentalists are saying they would like the language to be a little tighter,” said the main Senate sponsor, Republican Gayle Harrell, who noted time is running short to pass the bill before the Legislature’s scheduled May 2 adjournment.
Support for the Bill
Still, Harrell’s bill has cleared two Senate committees unanimously so far. It is not clear where DeSantis stands on the legislation, but the bills both have broad bipartisan support. “Our state parks are precious,” Democratic Rep. Allison Tant said. “We have our state parks that represent the real Florida.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Florida House has passed a bill to limit projects like golf courses and pickleball courts at state parks, following a public outcry against such developments. The bill aims to ensure that any development in state parks is conservation-based and does not harm the natural and historical resources of the parks. With broad bipartisan support, the bill is expected to move forward, although some environmental groups have raised concerns about a potential loophole in the Senate version.
FAQs
Q: What types of development would be prohibited at Florida state parks under the new bill?
A: The bill would prohibit development such as golf courses, pickleball courts, and luxury lodges.
Q: What sparked the public outcry against the development plans?
A: The public outcry was sparked by the governor’s Department of Environmental Protection unveiling development plans for nine state parks with only a single hour of public hearings.
Q: What is the next step for the bill?
A: The House version will have to be reconciled with the Senate version, which differs in several ways.
Q: Do environmental groups support the bill?
A: Environmental groups generally support the bill, but have raised concerns about a potential loophole in the Senate version.
Q: What is the expected outcome of the bill?
A: With broad bipartisan support, the bill is expected to move forward, although the outcome is not yet certain.
