Florida Senate - 2012                                    SB 1456
       
       
       
       By Senator Diaz de la Portilla
       
       
       
       
       36-01291-12                                           20121456__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the conservation of wildlife;
    3         providing for certain zoos and aquariums to apply to
    4         the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement
    5         Trust Fund for authorization to use state lands for
    6         the purpose of conducting enhanced research; providing
    7         information that must be provided in the application;
    8         providing criteria that the board must consider in
    9         reviewing the application; requiring the Fish and
   10         Wildlife Conservation Commission to assist the board
   11         and to adopt rules; providing an effective date.
   12  
   13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   14  
   15         Section 1. (1) A zoo or aquarium having current
   16  accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and
   17  operating a facility in the state may apply to the Board of
   18  Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for
   19  authorization to use state lands for the purpose of conducting
   20  enhanced research in husbandry, reproductive biology,
   21  endocrinology, nutrition, genetics, behavior, health, and
   22  ecology which will ensure healthy wildlife populations for
   23  native and foreign species of animals and birds.
   24         (2) The application shall:
   25         (a) Provide information relating to the principals and
   26  sponsors of the project.
   27         (b) Provide a description of the funding and the funding
   28  sources that will be used to support the project.
   29         (c) Identify the size, proximate location, and type of land
   30  sought.
   31         (d) Provide a detailed description of the proposed project,
   32  including a description of the research to be conducted and the
   33  animals that will be used in the research. However, a project
   34  involving animal species that are carnivores or primates is
   35  prohibited.
   36         (e) Provide a description of the infrastructure that will
   37  be necessary in order to conduct the research project, including
   38  buildings, utilities, and roadways.
   39         (3) The board of trustees may approve the application if it
   40  determines that the proposed project is in the best interest of
   41  the state. In making its determination, the board of trustees
   42  shall consider:
   43         (a) Whether the project is consistent with the state’s
   44  goals for the lands that will be used for the project and will
   45  not cause harm to the land or the surrounding land.
   46         (b) Whether the project, through alliances and
   47  relationships with organizations, universities, federal and
   48  state agencies, or other members of the Association of Zoos and
   49  Aquariums, or otherwise, creates a positive economic impact for
   50  the state or the communities surrounding the project location.
   51         (4) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
   52  provide technical assistance to the Board of Trustees of the
   53  Internal Improvement Trust Fund in reviewing each application.
   54         (5) The commission shall adopt rules to administer this
   55  section.
   56         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.