TALLAHASSEE, Fla — The Florida State Parks bill, which is expected to protect public lands from commercial development, has been signed into law.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved HB 209, the State Park Preservation Act, on Thursday.
The law will prohibit the permitting of any lodging establishment within the boundaries of a state park, require public hearings for all updates to land management plans, and prohibit the authorization of some construction activities within the park.
The bill was introduced in response to the backlash against a proposal last year to add pickleball courts, golf courses, and other amenities to several state parks.
The bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate before the governor's approval.
“The passage of this bill ensures that our state parks are protected forever. This is democracy at work. The voices of the people have been heard,” said Senator Gayle Harrell.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
Clearwater Senior Condo owners still waiting for elevator to return to service 5 months later
Residents at "On Top of the World" senior condominium have been forced to live without a functioning elevator for more than four months. The latest notice posted on the elevator stated that it would likely return to service on June 4, but by the end of the day, they were still left without service.
