HB 989 — Implementation of Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment
by Reps. Harrell, Caldwell, and others (CS/CS/SB 1168 by Appropriations Committee; Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee; and Senators Negron, Benacquisto, Soto, Flores, Simpson, Altman, and Latvala)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (EP)
The bill requires the following minimum distributions from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to be appropriated annually:
- The minimum of the lesser of 25 percent of the funds remaining after the payment of debt service or $200 million for Everglades projects;
- The minimum of the lesser of 7.6 percent of the funds remaining after the payment of debt service or $50 million for spring restoration, protection, and management projects; and
- Five million dollars through the 2025-2026 fiscal year for projects dedicated to the restoration of Lake Apopka.
The bill provides language that requires the distributions to be reduced by an amount equal to any debt service paid on bonds issues for such purposes.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2016.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 113-1