Legislation filed in the Florida Senate on Monday would establish stricter conservation guidelines for state parks, prohibit certain types of development, increase public oversight of land management decisions, and require the Department of Environmental Protection to assess the state park system’s infrastructure and maintenance needs.
Senate Bill 80, introduced by Sen. Gayle Harrell and co-sponsored by Sens. Jennifer Bradley, Don Gaetz, and Carlos Guillermo Smith, would create the “State Park Preservation Act,” setting management priorities for state parks. The bill mandates that parks be maintained for conservation, public outdoor recreation, and scientific research while barring activities that require major infrastructure development.
The legislation directs the DEP to minimize development in undisturbed areas and, where possible, prioritize the use of previously disturbed upland regions for any necessary infrastructure. It prohibits the DEP from authorizing construction projects that could cause significant harm to park resources and requires that any approved development avoid impacts to critical habitats and historical sites.
“Proud to co-sponsor SB 80 with Senator Gayle Harrell to protect our state parks from being paved over by pickleball courts and development interests,” Smith wrote on X. “We must preserve Florida’s natural beauty from profiteers.”
The bill expands requirements for state land management planning. Current law mandates public hearings only for the initial development of land management plans. SB 80 extends this requirement to include all updates to conservation and non-conservation land management plans. It also requires the DEP to publish electronic copies of these plans at least 30 days before hearings and mandates that advisory groups, which provide input on state park management plans, issue public notice at least 30 days before meetings.
The bill also restricts the construction of hotels, motels, timeshares, and vacation rentals in state parks but allows for the installation of camping cabins with a maximum occupancy of six guests. Cabins must align with land management plans and be sited to avoid negative impacts on critical habitats or historic resources.
Additionally, SB 80 requires the DEP to submit a report to the governor and Legislature by Dec. 1, 2025, detailing the condition and maintenance needs of Florida’s state parks. The report must include a list of parks with restricted public access due to infrastructure deficiencies, a breakdown of budget allocations for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and a strategy to eliminate the state park maintenance backlog by 2035.
The proposal follows the withdrawal of the DEP’s 2024-25 “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which sought to expand recreational facilities, including golf courses and new lodging options, at several state parks. The plan faced bipartisan opposition over concerns about the commercialization of public lands.
SB 80 is set for review by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. If enacted, it would take effect on July 1, 2025.