CS/HB 703 — Water Management District Surplus Lands
by Government Accountability Committee and Rep. Burgess (CS/SB 806 by Rules Committee and Senator Baxley)
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 revises the procedures a water management district (WMD) must follow when selling surplus lands. Specifically, the bill:
- Provides that the first publication of the notice of intention to sell must occur at least 30 days, but not more than 360 days, before any sale is approved by a WMD.
- Requires a WMD to publish the notice of intention to sell on its website.
- Authorizes, rather than requires, a WMD to first offer surplus lands valued at $25,000 or less to adjacent property owners.
- Authorizes a WMD to sell surplus land valued at $25,000 or less at any time to the general public for the highest price obtainable, if the parcel is not sold to an adjacent property owner.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2018.
Vote: Senate 35-1; House 114-0