Senate Bill 1710c2

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    Florida Senate - 2000                    CS for CS for SB 1710

    By the Committees on Fiscal Resource, Natural Resources and
    Senator Latvala




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  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to land acquisition; amending

  3         s. 201.15, F.S.; providing for changes to bond

  4         debt service; amending s. 201.15, F.S.;

  5         providing for changes to bond debt service;

  6         revising the deposit of certain funds and

  7         providing limitations, effective July 1, 2001;

  8         amending s. 215.618, F.S.; providing for the

  9         refunding and sale of Florida Forever bonds;

10         amending s. 253.03, F.S.; providing for the

11         permitting of certain habitable structures;

12         amending s. 253.034, F.S.; clarifying

13         provisions governing the deposit of funds

14         received from the sale of surplus lands;

15         exempting the Departments of Juvenile Justice

16         and Children and Family Services from a

17         requirement for land-management-plan review;

18         requiring the adoption of rules; revising

19         management planning requirements; providing

20         procedures for determining the value of certain

21         lands; amending s. 259.03, F.S.; redefining the

22         terms "capital improvement" and "water resource

23         development project"; providing a limitation on

24         capital project expenditures; amending s.

25         259.032, F.S.; revising the

26         payments-in-lieu-of-taxes program; amending s.

27         259.0345, F.S.; deleting obsolete provisions;

28         revising the terms of Florida Forever Advisory

29         Council members; clarifying the duties of the

30         Florida Forever Advisory Council; amending s.

31         259.035, F.S.; authorizing the Acquisition and

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  1         Restoration Council to use specified rules;

  2         revising procedures; amending s. 259.101, F.S.;

  3         authorizing the Board of Trustees of the

  4         Internal Improvement Trust Fund to hold title

  5         to specified lands; requiring the monitoring of

  6         easements and agreements; deleting provisions

  7         requiring the redistribution of specified

  8         funds; deleting a repeal of Preservation 2000

  9         bond allocations; amending s. 259.105, F.S.;

10         requiring the redistribution of funds in

11         specified circumstances; requiring a specific

12         percentage of the Florida Communities Trust's

13         Florida Forever funds to be expended in

14         standard metropolitan statistical areas;

15         revising a date for acceptance of acquisition

16         applications; authorizing capital expenditures;

17         revising the goals of the Florida Forever

18         program; requiring the recommendation of rules

19         to the board of trustees; revising the

20         distribution of funds; amending s. 260.018,

21         F.S.; correcting an error; amending s. 373.139,

22         F.S.; requiring a public hearing and

23         notification to the county of proposed

24         purchases; amending s. 373.1391, F.S.;

25         providing for the resolution of certain

26         disputes; amending s. 373.199, F.S.; revising

27         the date for submission of a report and the

28         content of the report; amending s. 373.59,

29         F.S.; revising payments-in-lieu-of-taxes

30         requirements; authorizing the refunding of

31         bonds; amending s. 375.051, F.S.; revising

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  1         requirements for debt service for bonds issued

  2         to acquire lands, water areas, and related

  3         resources; amending s. 375.075, F.S.; revising

  4         the funding plan for recreational development;

  5         amending s. 380.507, F.S.; revising the uses of

  6         Florida Forever funds; amending s. 380.510,

  7         F.S.; revising the uses of Florida Forever

  8         funds; repealing s. 211.3103(9), F.S., relating

  9         to the severance tax on phosphate; providing

10         effective dates.

11

12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

13

14         Section 1.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

15  201.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         201.15  Distribution of taxes collected.--All taxes

17  collected under this chapter shall be distributed as follows

18  and shall be subject to the service charge imposed in s.

19  215.20(1), except that such service charge shall not be levied

20  against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds

21  to the extent that the amount of the service charge is

22  required to pay any amounts relating to the bonds:

23         (1)  Sixty-two and sixty-three hundredths percent of

24  the remaining taxes collected under this chapter shall be used

25  for the following purposes:

26         (a)  Amounts as shall be necessary to pay the debt

27  service on, or fund debt service reserve funds, rebate

28  obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to

29  Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051 and

30  Florida Forever bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618, shall be

31  paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land

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  1  Acquisition Trust Fund to be used for such purposes. The

  2  amount transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for such

  3  purposes shall not exceed $300 million in fiscal year

  4  1999-2000 and thereafter for Preservation 2000 bonds and bonds

  5  issued to refund Preservation 2000 bonds, and $300 million in

  6  fiscal year 2000-2001 and thereafter for Florida Forever

  7  bonds. The annual amount transferred to the Land Acquisition

  8  Trust Fund for Florida Forever bonds shall not exceed $30

  9  million in the first fiscal year in which bonds are issued.

10  The limitation on the amount transferred shall be increased by

11  an additional $30 million in each subsequent fiscal year in

12  which bonds are authorized to be issued, but shall not exceed

13  a total of $300 million in any fiscal year for all bonds

14  issued. It is the intent of the Legislature that all bonds

15  issued to fund the Florida Forever Act be retired by December

16  31, 2030. Except for bonds issued to refund previously issued

17  bonds, no series of bonds may be issued pursuant to this

18  paragraph unless such bonds are approved and the first year's

19  debt service for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the

20  bonds are issued such bonds is specifically appropriated in

21  the General Appropriations Act. For purposes of refunding

22  Preservation 2000 bonds, amounts designated within this

23  section for Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever bonds may be

24  transferred between the two programs to the extent provided

25  for in the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds.

26  The Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds shall be

27  equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the

28  Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this section, except

29  to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the documents

30  authorizing the issuance of the bonds. No moneys transferred

31  to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph,

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  1  or earnings thereon, shall be used or made available to pay

  2  debt service on the Save Our Coast revenue bonds.

  3         Section 2.  Effective July 1, 2001, paragraph (a) of

  4  subsection (1) and subsection (8) of section 201.15, Florida

  5  Statutes, are amended to read:

  6         201.15  Distribution of taxes collected.--All taxes

  7  collected under this chapter shall be distributed as follows

  8  and shall be subject to the service charge imposed in s.

  9  215.20(1), except that such service charge shall not be levied

10  against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds

11  to the extent that the amount of the service charge is

12  required to pay any amounts relating to the bonds:

13         (1)  Sixty-two and sixty-three hundredths percent of

14  the remaining taxes collected under this chapter shall be used

15  for the following purposes:

16         (a)  Amounts as shall be necessary to pay the debt

17  service on, or fund debt service reserve funds, rebate

18  obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to

19  Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051 and

20  Florida Forever bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618, shall be

21  paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land

22  Acquisition Trust Fund to be used for such purposes. The

23  amount transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for such

24  purposes shall not exceed $300 million in fiscal year

25  1999-2000 and thereafter for Preservation 2000 bonds and bonds

26  issued to refund Preservation 2000 bonds, and $300 million in

27  fiscal year 2000-2001 and thereafter for Florida Forever

28  bonds. The annual amount transferred to the Land Acquisition

29  Trust Fund for Florida Forever bonds shall not exceed $30

30  million in the first fiscal year in which bonds are issued.

31  The limitation on the amount transferred shall be increased by

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  1  an additional $30 million in each subsequent fiscal year in

  2  which bonds are authorized to be issued, but shall not exceed

  3  a total of $300 million in any fiscal year for all bonds

  4  issued. It is the intent of the Legislature that all bonds

  5  issued to fund the Florida Forever Act be retired by December

  6  31, 2030. Except for bonds issued to refund previously issued

  7  bonds, no series of bonds may be issued pursuant to this

  8  paragraph unless such bonds are approved and the first year's

  9  debt service for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the

10  bonds are issued such bonds is specifically appropriated in

11  the General Appropriations Act. For purposes of refunding

12  Preservation 2000 bonds, amounts designated within this

13  section for Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever bonds may be

14  transferred between the two programs to the extent provided

15  for in the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds.

16  The Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds shall be

17  equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the

18  Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this section, except

19  to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the documents

20  authorizing the issuance of the bonds. No moneys transferred

21  to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph,

22  or earnings thereon, shall be used or made available to pay

23  debt service on the Save Our Coast revenue bonds.

24         (8)  One-half of one percent of the remaining taxes

25  collected under this chapter shall be paid into the State

26  Treasury and divided equally to the credit of the Department

27  of Environmental Protection Water Quality Assurance Grants and

28  Donations Trust Fund to address water quality impacts

29  associated with nonagricultural nonpoint sources and to the

30  credit of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

31  General Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality impacts

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  1  associated with agricultural nonpoint sources, respectively.

  2  These funds shall be used for research, development,

  3  demonstration, and implementation of suitable best management

  4  practices or other measures used to achieve water quality

  5  standards in surface waters and water segments identified

  6  pursuant to ss. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L. No.

  7  92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq. Implementation of best

  8  management practices and other measures may include cost-share

  9  grants, technical assistance, implementation tracking, and

10  conservation leases or other agreements for water quality

11  improvement. The unobligated balance of funds received from

12  the distribution of taxes collected under this chapter to

13  address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural

14  nonpoint sources will be excluded when calculating the

15  unobligated balance of the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund

16  as it relates to the determination of the applicable excise

17  tax rate.

18         Section 3.  Subsection (1) of section 215.618, Florida

19  Statutes, is amended to read:

20         215.618  Bonds for acquisition and improvement of land,

21  water areas, and related property interests and resources.--

22         (1)  The issuance of Florida Forever bonds, not to

23  exceed $3 billion, to finance or refinance the cost of

24  acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related

25  property interests and resources, in urban and rural settings,

26  for the purposes of restoration, conservation, recreation,

27  water resource development, or historical preservation, and

28  for capital improvements to lands and water areas that

29  accomplish environmental restoration, enhance public access

30  and recreational enjoyment, promote long-term management

31  goals, and facilitate water resource development is hereby

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  1  authorized, subject to the provisions of s. 259.105 and

  2  pursuant to s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution.

  3  Florida Forever bonds may also be issued to refund

  4  Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051. The

  5  $3-billion limitation on the issuance of Florida Forever bonds

  6  does not apply to refunding bonds. The duration of each series

  7  of Florida Forever bonds issued may not exceed 20 annual

  8  maturities. Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds

  9  shall be equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable

10  to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s.

11  201.15(1)(a), except to the extent specifically provided

12  otherwise by the documents authorizing the issuance of the

13  bonds.

14         Section 4.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (7) of section

15  253.03, Florida Statutes, is amended and paragraph (e) is

16  added to that subsection to read:

17         253.03  Board of trustees to administer state lands;

18  lands enumerated.--

19         (7)

20         (d)  By January 1, 2001 2000, the owners of habitable

21  structures built on or before May 1, 1999 January 1, 1998,

22  located in conservation areas 2 or 3, on district or

23  state-owned lands, the existence or use which will not impede

24  the restoration of the Everglades, whether pursuant to a

25  submerged lease or not, must provide written notification to

26  the South Florida Water Management District of their existence

27  and location, including an identification of the footprint of

28  the structures.  This notification will grant the leaseholders

29  an automatic 20-year lease at a reasonable fee established by

30  the district, or the Department of Environmental Protection,

31  as appropriate, to expire on January 1, 2020. The district or

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  1  Department of Environmental Protection, as appropriate, may

  2  impose reasonable conditions consistent with existing laws and

  3  rules. If the structures are located on privately owned lands,

  4  the landowners must provide the same notification required for

  5  a 20-year permit. If Where the structures are located on

  6  state-owned lands, the South Florida Water Management District

  7  shall submit this notification to the Department of

  8  Environmental Protection on the owner's behalf.  At the

  9  expiration of this 20-year lease or permit, the South Florida

10  Water Management District or the Department of Environmental

11  Protection, as appropriate, shall have the right to require

12  that the leaseholder remove the structures if the district

13  determines that the structures or their use are causing harm

14  to the water or land resources of the district, or to renew

15  the lease agreement.  The structure of any owner who does not

16  provide notification to the South Florida Water Management

17  District as required under this subsection, shall be

18  considered illegal and subject to immediate removal.  Any

19  structure built in any water conservation area after May 1,

20  1999, without necessary permits and leases from the South

21  Florida Water Management District, or the Department of

22  Environmental Protection, or other local government, as

23  appropriate, shall be considered illegal and subject to

24  removal.

25         (e)  Failure to comply with the conditions contained in

26  any permit or lease agreement as described in paragraph (d)

27  makes the structure illegal and subject to removal. Any

28  structure built in any water conservation area on or after

29  July 1, 2000, is also illegal and subject to immediate

30  removal.

31

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  1         Section 5.  Subsections (1), (4), (5), (6), (8), and

  2  (10) of section 253.034, Florida Statutes, are amended to

  3  read:

  4         253.034  State-owned lands; uses.--

  5         (1)  All lands acquired pursuant to chapter 259 shall

  6  be managed to serve the public interest by protecting and

  7  conserving land, air, water, and the state's natural

  8  resources, which contribute to the public health, welfare, and

  9  economy of the state.  These lands shall be managed to provide

10  for areas of natural resource based recreation, and to ensure

11  the survival of plant and animal species and the conservation

12  of finite and renewable natural resources. The state's lands

13  and natural resources shall be managed using a stewardship

14  ethic that assures these resources will be available for the

15  benefit and enjoyment of all people of the state, both present

16  and future. It is the intent of the Legislature that, where

17  feasible and consistent with the goals of protection and

18  conservation of natural resources associated with lands held

19  in the public trust by the Board of Trustees of the Internal

20  Improvement Trust Fund, public land not designated for

21  single-use purposes pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) be managed

22  for multiple-use purposes. All multiple-use land management

23  strategies shall address public access and enjoyment, resource

24  conservation and protection, ecosystem maintenance and

25  protection, and protection of threatened and endangered

26  species, and the degree to which public-private partnerships

27  or endowments may allow the agency with management

28  responsibility to enhance its ability to manage these lands.

29  The council created in s. 259.035 shall recommend rules to the

30  board of trustees, and the board of trustees shall adopt rules

31  necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

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  1         (4)  No management agreement, lease, or other

  2  instrument authorizing the use of lands owned by the Board of

  3  Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall be

  4  executed for a period greater than is necessary to provide for

  5  the reasonable use of the land for the existing or planned

  6  life cycle or amortization of the improvements, except that an

  7  easement in perpetuity may be granted by the Board of Trustees

  8  of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund if the improvement is a

  9  transportation facility. An agency managing or leasing

10  state-owned lands from the board of Trustees of the Internal

11  Improvement Trust Fund may not sublease such lands without

12  prior review by the division and, for conservation lands, by

13  the Acquisition and Restoration Land Acquisition and

14  Management Advisory Council created in s. 259.035. All

15  management agreements, leases, or other instruments

16  authorizing the use of lands owned by the board shall be

17  reviewed for approval by the board or its designee or its

18  successor and approval by the board. The Land Acquisition and

19  Management Advisory council is not required to review

20  subleases of parcels which are less than 160 acres in size.

21         (5)  Each state agency managing conservation lands

22  owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement

23  Trust Fund shall submit to the Division of State Lands a land

24  management plan at least every 5 years in a form and manner

25  prescribed by rule by the board. All management plans, whether

26  for single-use or multiple-use properties, shall specifically

27  describe how the managing agency plans to identify, locate,

28  protect and preserve, or otherwise use fragile nonrenewable

29  resources, such as archaeological and historic sites, as well

30  as other fragile resources, including endangered plant and

31  animal species, and provide for the conservation of soil and

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  1  water resources and for the control and prevention of soil

  2  erosion. Land management plans submitted by an agency shall

  3  include reference to appropriate statutory authority for such

  4  use or uses and shall conform to the appropriate policies and

  5  guidelines of the state land management plan. All land

  6  management plans for parcels larger than 1,000 acres shall

  7  contain an analysis of the multiple-use potential of the

  8  parcel, which analysis shall include the potential of the

  9  parcel to generate revenues to enhance the management of the

10  parcel. Additionally, the land management plan shall contain

11  an analysis of the potential use of private land managers to

12  facilitate the restoration or management of these lands.  In

13  those cases where a newly acquired property has a valid

14  conservation plan, the plan shall be used to guide management

15  of the property until a formal land management plan is

16  completed.

17         (a)  The Division of State Lands shall make available

18  to the public a copy of each land management plan for parcels

19  that which exceed 160 acres in size. The council or its

20  successor shall review each plan for compliance with the

21  requirements of this subsection, the requirements of chapter

22  259, and with the requirements of the rules established by the

23  board pursuant to this section subsection.  The council or its

24  successor shall also consider the propriety of the

25  recommendations of the managing agency with regard to the

26  future use of the property, the protection of fragile or

27  nonrenewable resources, the potential for alternative or

28  multiple uses not recognized by the managing agency, and the

29  possibility of disposal of the property by the board. After

30  its review, the council or its successor shall submit the

31  plan, along with its recommendations and comments, to the

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  1  board. The council or its successor shall specifically

  2  recommend to the board whether to approve the plan as

  3  submitted, approve the plan with modifications, or reject the

  4  plan.

  5         (b)  The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement

  6  Trust Fund shall consider the land management plan submitted

  7  by each state agency and the recommendations of the council or

  8  its successor and the Division of State Lands and shall

  9  approve the plan with or without modification or reject such

10  plan.  The use or possession of any such lands which is not in

11  accordance with an approved land management plan is subject to

12  termination by the board.

13         (6)  The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement

14  Trust Fund shall determine which lands, the title to which is

15  vested in the board, may be surplused. Notwithstanding s.

16  253.111, for conservation those lands designated as acquired

17  for conservation purposes, the board shall make a

18  determination that the lands are no longer needed for

19  conservation purposes and may dispose of them by a two-thirds

20  vote.  For all other lands, the board shall make a

21  determination that the lands are no longer needed and may

22  dispose of them by majority vote.

23         (a)  For the purposes of this subsection, all lands

24  acquired by the state prior to July 1, 1999, using proceeds

25  from the Preservation 2000 bonds, the Conservation and

26  Recreation Lands Trust Fund, the Water Management Lands Trust

27  Fund, Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, and the Save

28  Our Coast Program and titled to the board, which lands are

29  identified as core parcels or within original project

30  boundaries, shall be deemed to have been acquired for

31  conservation purposes.

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  1         (b)  For any lands purchased by the state on or after

  2  July 1, 1999, a determination shall be made by the board prior

  3  to acquisition as to those parcels that shall be designated as

  4  having been acquired for conservation purposes.  No lands

  5  acquired for use by the Department of Corrections, the

  6  Department of Management Services for use as state offices,

  7  the Department of Transportation, except those specifically

  8  managed for conservation or recreation purposes, or the State

  9  University System or State Community College System shall be

10  designated as having been purchased for conservation purposes.

11         (c)  At least every 3 years, as a component of each

12  land management plan or land use plan and in a form and manner

13  prescribed by rule by the board, each state agency shall

14  evaluate and indicate to the board those lands that which the

15  agency manages which are not being used for the purpose for

16  which they were originally leased. Such lands shall be

17  reviewed by the council or its successor for its

18  recommendation as to whether such lands should be disposed of

19  by the board.

20         (d)  Lands owned by the board which are not actively

21  managed by any state agency or for which a land management

22  plan has not been completed pursuant to subsection (5) shall

23  be reviewed by the council or its successor for its

24  recommendation as to whether such lands should be disposed of

25  by the board.

26         (e)  Prior to any decision by the board to surplus

27  lands, the Acquisition and Restoration Council shall review

28  and make recommendations to the board concerning the request

29  for surplusing. The council shall determine whether the

30  request for surplusing is compatible with the resource values

31  of and management objectives for such lands.

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  1         (f)  In reviewing lands owned by the board, the council

  2  or its successor shall consider whether such lands would be

  3  more appropriately owned or managed by the county or other

  4  unit of local government in which the land is located.  The

  5  council or its successor shall recommend to the board whether

  6  a sale, lease, or other conveyance to a local government would

  7  be in the best interests of the state and local government.

  8  The provisions of this paragraph in no way limit the

  9  provisions of ss. 253.111 and 253.115. Such lands shall be

10  offered to the county or local government for a period of 90

11  days. Permittable uses for such surplus lands may include

12  public schools; public libraries; fire or law enforcement

13  substations; and governmental, judicial, or recreational

14  centers.  County or local government requests for surplus

15  lands shall be expedited throughout the surplusing process.

16  State agencies shall have the subsequent opportunity to

17  acquire the surplus lands for a period not to exceed 30 days

18  after the offer to a county or local government expires.

19  Surplus properties in which governmental agencies have

20  expressed no interest shall then be available for sale on the

21  private market.

22         (g)  Lands determined to be surplus pursuant to this

23  subsection shall be sold for fair market value or the price

24  paid by the state or a water management district to originally

25  acquire the lands, whichever is greater, except that the price

26  of lands sold as surplus to any unit of government shall not

27  exceed the price paid by the state or a water management

28  district to originally acquire the lands. A unit of government

29  which acquires title to lands hereunder for less than fair

30  market value may not sell or transfer title to all or any

31  portion of the lands to any private owner for a period of 10

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  1  years. Any unit of government seeking to transfer or sell

  2  lands pursuant to this paragraph shall first allow the board

  3  of trustees to reacquire such lands.  The board of trustees

  4  may reacquire such lands for the price at which they sold such

  5  lands.

  6         (h)  When a state agency acquired land by gift,

  7  donation, grant, quit-claim deed, or other such conveyance and

  8  no monetary consideration was exchanged, the price of land

  9  sold as surplus shall not exceed the fair market value of the

10  lands. Fair market value is to be determined by the average of

11  two separate appraisals. The individual or entity requesting

12  the surplus is to select and use appraisers from the list of

13  approved appraisers maintained by the Division of State Lands

14  of the Department of Environmental Protection in accordance

15  with s. 253.025(6)(b). The individual or entity requesting the

16  surplus is to incur all costs of the appraisals.

17         (i)(h)  After reviewing the recommendations of the

18  council or its successor, the board shall determine whether

19  lands identified for surplus are to be held for other public

20  purposes or whether such lands are no longer needed.  The

21  board may require an agency to release its interest in such

22  lands.

23         (j)(i)  Requests for surplusing may be made by any

24  public or private entity or person.  All requests shall be

25  submitted to the lead managing agency for review and

26  recommendation to the council or its successor.  Lead managing

27  agencies shall have 90 days to review such requests and make

28  recommendations. Any surplusing requests that have not been

29  acted upon within the 90-day time period shall be immediately

30  scheduled for hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting

31  of the council or its successor. Requests for surplusing

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  1  pursuant to this paragraph shall not be required to be offered

  2  to local or state governments as provided in paragraph (f).

  3         (k)(j)  Proceeds from any sale of surplus lands

  4  pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the fund

  5  from which such lands were acquired. However, if the fund from

  6  which the lands were originally acquired no longer exists,

  7  such proceeds shall be deposited into an appropriate account

  8  to be used for land management by the lead managing agency

  9  assigned the lands prior to the lands' being declared surplus

10  for use by the lead managing agency for land management.

11         (l)(k)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this

12  subsection, no such disposition of land shall be made if such

13  disposition would have the effect of causing all or any

14  portion of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to lose

15  the exclusion from gross income for federal income tax

16  purposes.

17         (m)(l)  The sale of filled, formerly submerged land

18  that does not exceed 5 acres in area is not subject to review

19  by the council or its successor.

20         (8)  Land management plans required to be submitted by

21  the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile

22  Justice, the Department of Children and Family Services, or

23  the Department of Education are shall not be subject to the

24  provisions for review by the council or its successor

25  described in subsection (5).  Management plans filed by these

26  agencies shall be made available to the public for a period of

27  90 days at the administrative offices of the parcel or project

28  affected by the management plan and at the Tallahassee offices

29  of each agency. Any plans not objected to during the public

30  comment period shall be deemed approved.  Any plans for which

31  an objection is filed shall be submitted to the Board of

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  1  Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for

  2  consideration. The Board of Trustees of the Internal

  3  Improvement Trust Fund shall approve the plan with or without

  4  modification, or reject the plan.  The use or possession of

  5  any such lands which is not in accordance with an approved

  6  land management plan is subject to termination by the board.

  7         (10)  The following additional uses of conservation

  8  lands acquired pursuant to the Florida Forever program and

  9  other state-funded conservation land purchase programs shall

10  be authorized, upon a finding by the board of trustees, if

11  they meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)-(e): water

12  resource development projects, water supply development

13  projects, stormwater management projects, linear facilities,

14  and sustainable agriculture and forestry.  Such additional

15  uses are authorized where:

16         (a)  Not inconsistent with the management plan for such

17  lands;

18         (b)  Compatible with the natural ecosystem and resource

19  values of such lands;

20         (c)  The proposed use is appropriately located on such

21  lands and where due consideration is given to the use of other

22  available lands;

23         (d)  The using entity reasonably compensates the

24  titleholder for such use based upon an appropriate measure of

25  value; and

26         (e)  The use is consistent with the public interest.

27

28  A decision by the board of trustees pursuant to this section

29  subsection shall be given a presumption of correctness. Moneys

30  received from the use of state lands pursuant to this section

31

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  1  subsection shall be returned to the lead managing agency in

  2  accordance with the provisions of s. 259.032(11)(d).

  3         Section 6.  Subsection (3) of section 259.03, Florida

  4  Statutes, is amended to read:

  5         259.03  Definitions.--The following terms and phrases

  6  when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to

  7  them in this section, except where the context clearly

  8  indicates a different meaning:

  9         (3)  "Capital improvement" or "capital project

10  expenditure" means those activities relating to the

11  acquisition, restoration, public access, and recreational uses

12  of such lands, water areas, and related resources deemed

13  necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. Eligible

14  activities include, but are not limited to: the initial

15  removal of invasive plants; the construction, improvement,

16  enlargement or extension of facilities' signs, firelanes,

17  access roads, and trails; or any other activities that serve

18  to restore, conserve, protect, or provide public access,

19  recreational opportunities, or necessary services for land or

20  water areas. Such activities shall be identified prior to the

21  acquisition of a parcel or the approval of a project. The

22  continued expenditures necessary for a capital improvement

23  approved under this subsection shall not be eligible for

24  funding provided in this chapter. Such capital improvements or

25  capital project expenditures must have a useful life that is

26  at least as long as the debt repayment period of the bond

27  issue from which they were funded.

28         Section 7.  Subsection (10) and paragraph (b) of

29  subsection (12) of section 259.032, Florida Statutes, are

30  amended to read:

31

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  1         259.032  Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund;

  2  purpose.--

  3         (10)(a)  State, regional, or local governmental

  4  agencies or private entities designated to manage lands under

  5  this section shall develop and adopt, with the approval of the

  6  board of trustees, an individual management plan for each

  7  project designed to conserve and protect such lands and their

  8  associated natural resources. Private sector involvement in

  9  management plan development may be used to expedite the

10  planning process.

11         (b)  Individual management plans required by s.

12  253.034(5), for parcels over 160 acres, shall be developed

13  with input from an advisory group. Members of this advisory

14  group shall include, at a minimum, representatives of the lead

15  land managing agency, comanaging entities, local private

16  property owners, the appropriate soil and water conservation

17  district, a local conservation organization, and a local

18  elected official.  The advisory group shall conduct at least

19  one public hearing within the county in which the parcel or

20  project is located. For those parcels or projects that are

21  within more than one county, at least one areawide public

22  hearing shall be acceptable and the lead managing agency shall

23  invite a local elected official from each county. The areawide

24  public hearing shall be held in the county in which the core

25  parcels are located. Notice of such public hearing shall be

26  posted on the parcel or project designated for management,

27  advertised in a paper of general circulation, and announced at

28  a scheduled meeting of the local governing body before the

29  actual public hearing.  The management prospectus required

30  pursuant to paragraph (9)(d) shall be available to the public

31  for a period of 30 days prior to the public hearing.

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  1         (c)  Once a plan is adopted, the managing agency or

  2  entity shall update the plan at least every 5 years in a form

  3  and manner prescribed by rule of the board of trustees. Such

  4  updates, for parcels over 160 acres, shall be developed with

  5  input from an advisory group. Such plans may include transfers

  6  of leasehold interests to appropriate conservation

  7  organizations or governmental entities designated by the Land

  8  Acquisition and Management Advisory Council or its successor,

  9  for uses consistent with the purposes of the organizations and

10  the protection, preservation, conservation, restoration, and

11  proper management of the lands and their resources. Volunteer

12  management assistance is encouraged, including, but not

13  limited to, assistance by youths participating in programs

14  sponsored by state or local agencies, by volunteers sponsored

15  by environmental or civic organizations, and by individuals

16  participating in programs for committed delinquents and

17  adults.

18         (d)  For each project for which lands are acquired

19  after July 1, 1995, an individual management plan shall be

20  adopted and in place no later than 1 year after the essential

21  parcel or parcels identified in the annual Conservation and

22  Recreation Lands report prepared pursuant to s. 259.035(2)(a)

23  have been acquired. Beginning in fiscal year 1998-1999, the

24  Department of Environmental Protection shall distribute only

25  75 percent of the acquisition funds to which a budget entity

26  or water management district would otherwise be entitled from

27  the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund to any budget entity or any

28  water management district that has more than one-third of its

29  management plans overdue.

30

31

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  1         (e)  Individual management plans shall conform to the

  2  appropriate policies and guidelines of the state land

  3  management plan and shall include, but not be limited to:

  4         1.  A statement of the purpose for which the lands were

  5  acquired, the projected use or uses as defined in s. 253.034,

  6  and the statutory authority for such use or uses.

  7         2.  Key management activities necessary to preserve and

  8  protect natural resources and restore habitat, and for

  9  controlling the spread of nonnative plants and animals, and

10  for prescribed fire and other appropriate resource management

11  activities.

12         3.  A specific description of how the managing agency

13  plans to identify, locate, protect, and preserve, or otherwise

14  use fragile, nonrenewable natural and cultural resources.

15         4.  A priority schedule for conducting management

16  activities, based on the purposes for which the lands were

17  acquired.

18         5.  A cost estimate for conducting priority management

19  activities, to include recommendations for cost-effective

20  methods of accomplishing those activities.

21         6.  A cost estimate for conducting other management

22  activities which would enhance the natural resource value or

23  public recreation value for which the lands were acquired. The

24  cost estimate shall include recommendations for cost-effective

25  methods of accomplishing those activities.

26         7.  A determination of the public uses and public

27  access that would be consistent with the purposes for which

28  the lands were acquired.

29         (f)  The Division of State Lands shall submit a copy of

30  each individual management plan for parcels which exceed 160

31

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  1  acres in size to each member of the Land Acquisition and

  2  Management Advisory Council or its successor, which shall:

  3         1.  Within 60 days after receiving a plan from the

  4  division, review each plan for compliance with the

  5  requirements of this subsection and with the requirements of

  6  the rules established by the board pursuant to this

  7  subsection.

  8         2.  Consider the propriety of the recommendations of

  9  the managing agency with regard to the future use or

10  protection of the property.

11         3.  After its review, submit the plan, along with its

12  recommendations and comments, to the board of trustees, with

13  recommendations as to whether to approve the plan as

14  submitted, approve the plan with modifications, or reject the

15  plan.

16         (g)  The board of trustees shall consider the

17  individual management plan submitted by each state agency and

18  the recommendations of the Land Acquisition and Management

19  Advisory Council, or its successor, and the Division of State

20  Lands and shall approve the plan with or without modification

21  or reject such plan. The use or possession of any lands owned

22  by the board of trustees which is not in accordance with an

23  approved individual management plan is subject to termination

24  by the board of trustees.

25

26  By July 1 of each year, each governmental agency, including

27  the water management districts, and each private entity

28  designated to manage lands shall report to the Secretary of

29  Environmental Protection on the progress of funding, staffing,

30  and resource management of every project for which the agency

31  or entity is responsible.

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  1         (12)

  2         (b)  Payment in lieu of taxes shall be available:

  3         1.  To all counties that have a population of 150,000

  4  or fewer less and in which the amount of the tax loss from all

  5  completed Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever acquisitions

  6  in the county exceeds 0.01 percent of the county's total

  7  taxable value. Population levels shall be determined pursuant

  8  to s. 11.031.

  9         2.  To all local governments located in eligible

10  counties.

11         3.  To Glades County, where a privately owned and

12  operated prison leased to the state has recently been opened

13  and where privately owned and operated juvenile justice

14  facilities leased to the state have recently been constructed

15  and opened, a payment in lieu of taxes, in an amount that

16  offsets the loss of property tax revenue, which funds have

17  already been appropriated and allocated from the Department of

18  Correction's budget for the purpose of reimbursing amounts

19  equal to lost ad valorem taxes.

20

21  Counties and local governments that did not receive payments

22  in lieu of taxes for lands purchased pursuant to s. 259.101

23  during fiscal year 1999-2000, if such counties and local

24  governments would have received payments pursuant to this

25  subsection as that section existed on June 30, 1999, shall

26  receive retroactive payments for such tax losses.

27         Section 8.  Paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (1)

28  and subsections (7) and (8) of section 259.0345, Florida

29  Statutes, are amended to read:

30         259.0345  Florida Forever Advisory Council.--

31         (1)

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  1         (b)  The members appointed by the Governor shall serve

  2  3-year 4-year terms, except that, initially, to provide for

  3  staggered terms, three of the appointees shall serve 2-year

  4  terms.  No appointee shall serve more than 6 years.  The

  5  Governor may at any time fill a vacancy for the unexpired term

  6  of a member appointed under paragraph (a).

  7         (e)  Appointments shall be made by August 15, 1999, and

  8  the council's first meeting shall be held by September 15,

  9  1999.  Beginning, January 1, 2000, The council shall, at a

10  minimum, meet twice a year.

11         (7)  The council shall provide a report by December 15,

12  2000, to the Secretary of Environmental Protection, who shall

13  forward the report to the board of trustees for its approval.

14  After approval by the board of trustees, the secretary shall

15  forward the approved report to the President of the Senate and

16  the Speaker of the House of Representatives, before the

17  beginning of the 2001 Regular Session, for review by the

18  appropriate legislative substantive committee. The Legislature

19  may reject, modify, or take no action relative to the goals

20  and performance measures established by the report. If no

21  action is taken, the goals and performance measures shall be

22  implemented. The report must meet the following requirements:

23         (a)  Establish specific goals for those identified in

24  s. 259.105(4).

25         (b)  Provide recommendations expanding or refining the

26  goals identified in s. 259.105(4).

27         (c)  Identify specific performance measures that may be

28  used to analyze progress towards the goals established. It is

29  recognized that, during the development of this report, the

30  council may identify other recommendations concerning the

31  implementation of Florida Forever. These recommendations must

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  1  be incorporated in the reports identified in subsection (8).

  2  The council shall provide a report, by November 1, 2000, to

  3  the Secretary of Environmental Protection, who shall forward

  4  the report to the board of trustees for their approval.  After

  5  approval by the board of trustees, the secretary shall forward

  6  the approved report to the President of the Senate and the

  7  Speaker of the House of Representatives, at least 30 days

  8  prior to the 2001 Regular Legislative Session, for review by

  9  the appropriate legislative committees with jurisdiction over

10  the department.  The Legislature may reject, modify, or take

11  no action relative to the goals and performance measures

12  established by the report.  If no action is taken, the goals

13  and performance measures shall be implemented.  The report

14  shall meet the following requirements:

15         (a)  Establish specific goals for those identified in

16  s. 259.105(4).

17         (b)  Provide recommendations expanding or refining the

18  goals identified in s. 259.105(4).

19         (c)  Provide recommendations for the development and

20  identification of performance measures to be used for

21  analyzing the progress made towards the goals established

22  pursuant to s. 259.105(4).

23         (d)  Provide recommendations for the process by which

24  projects are to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the

25  Acquisition and Restoration Council. The advisory council is

26  to specifically examine ways to streamline the process created

27  by the Florida Forever Act.

28         (8)  The council shall provide a report, at least 30

29  days prior to the regular legislative sessions in the

30  following years:  2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.  The report shall

31  be provided to the Secretary of Environmental Protection, who

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  1  shall forward the report to the board of trustees for their

  2  approval.  After approval by the board of trustees, the

  3  secretary shall forward the approved report to the President

  4  of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

  5  The report shall provide: recommendations for adjusting or

  6  expanding the goals detailed in s. 259.105(4); recommendations

  7  for adjusting the percentage distributions detailed in s.

  8  259.105(3); and recommendations concerning other aspects of

  9  the Florida Forever Act. In making recommendations for

10  adjusting the percentage distributions detailed in s.

11  259.105(3), the council shall consider which agencies have

12  encumbered their funds in a timely manner and unencumbered

13  balances, if any, in each agency's Florida Forever subaccount.

14  The recommendations may include increases in percentage

15  distributions to those agencies that have encumbered Florida

16  Forever funds in a timely manner.

17         Section 9.  Section 259.035, Florida Statutes, as

18  amended by section 16 of chapter 99-247, Laws of Florida, is

19  amended to read:

20         259.035  Acquisition and Restoration Council.--

21         (1)  There is created, effective March 1, 2000, the

22  Acquisition and Restoration Council.

23         (a)  The council shall be composed of nine voting

24  members, four of whom shall be appointed by the Governor.

25  These four appointees shall be from scientific disciplines

26  related to land, water, or environmental sciences. They shall

27  serve 4-year terms, except that, initially, to provide for

28  staggered terms, two of the appointees shall serve 2-year

29  terms.  All subsequent appointments shall be for 4-year terms.

30  No appointee shall serve more than 6 years.  The Governor may

31

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  1  at any time fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of a member

  2  appointed under this paragraph.

  3         (b)  The five remaining appointees shall be composed of

  4  the Secretary of Environmental Protection the department, the

  5  director of the Division of Forestry of the Department of

  6  Agriculture and Consumer Services, the executive director of

  7  the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the director of

  8  the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of

  9  State, and the secretary of the Department of Community

10  Affairs, or their respective designees.

11         (c)  The Governor shall appoint the chair of the

12  council, and a vice chair shall be elected from among the

13  members.

14         (d)  The council shall hold periodic meetings at the

15  request of the chair.

16         (e)  The Department of Environmental Protection shall

17  provide primary staff support to the council and shall ensure

18  that council meetings are electronically recorded.  Such

19  recording shall be preserved pursuant to chapters 119 and 257.

20         (f)  The board of trustees department has authority to

21  adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement

22  the provisions of this section.

23         (2)  The four members of the council appointed by the

24  Governor shall receive $75 per day while engaged in the

25  business of the council, as well as expenses and per diem for

26  travel, including attendance at meetings, as allowed state

27  officers and employees while in the performance of their

28  duties, pursuant to s. 112.061.

29         (3)  The council shall provide assistance to the board

30  of trustees in reviewing the recommendations and plans for

31  state-owned lands required under ss. s. 253.034 and 259.032.

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  1  The council shall, in reviewing such recommendations and

  2  plans, consider the optimization of multiple-use and

  3  conservation strategies to accomplish the provisions funded

  4  pursuant to ss. s. 259.101(3)(a) and 259.105(3)(b). Such funds

  5  shall only be used to acquire lands identified in the annual

  6  Conservation and Recreation Lands list approved by the board

  7  of trustees in the year 2000.

  8         (4)  The council may use existing rules adopted by the

  9  board of trustees, until it develops and recommends amendments

10  to those rules, to competitively evaluate, select, and rank

11  projects eligible for the Conservation and Recreation Lands

12  list pursuant to ss. 259.032(3) and 259.101(4) and, beginning

13  no later than May 1, 2001, for Florida Forever funds pursuant

14  to s. 259.105(3)(b). In developing or amending the rules, the

15  council shall give weight to the criteria included in s.

16  259.105(9). The board of trustees shall review the

17  recommendations and shall adopt rules necessary to administer

18  this section.

19         (5)  An affirmative vote of five members of the council

20  is required in order to change a project boundary or to place

21  a proposed project on a list developed pursuant to subsection

22  (4). Any member of the council who by family or a business

23  relationship has a connection with all or a portion of any

24  proposed project shall declare the interest before voting on

25  its inclusion on a list.

26         (6)  The proposal for a project pursuant to this

27  section or s. 259.105(3)(b) may be implemented only if adopted

28  by the council and approved by the board of trustees. The

29  council shall consider and evaluate in writing the merits and

30  demerits of each project that is proposed for Conservation and

31  Recreation Lands, Florida Preservation 2000, or Florida

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  1  Forever funding and shall ensure that each proposed project

  2  will meet a stated public purpose for the restoration,

  3  conservation, or preservation of environmentally sensitive

  4  lands and water areas or for providing outdoor recreational

  5  opportunities. The council also shall determine whether the

  6  project conforms, where applicable with the comprehensive plan

  7  developed pursuant to s. 259.04(1)(a), the comprehensive

  8  multipurpose outdoor recreation plan developed pursuant to s.

  9  375.021, the state lands management plan adopted pursuant to

10  s. 253.03(7), the water resources work plans developed

11  pursuant to s. 373.199, and the provisions of s. 259.032, s.

12  259.101, or s. 259.105, whichever is applicable.

13         Section 10.  Subsections (3) and (9) of section

14  259.101, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

15         259.101  Florida Preservation 2000 Act.--

16         (3)  LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAMS SUPPLEMENTED.--Less the

17  costs of issuance, the costs of funding reserve accounts, and

18  other costs with respect to the bonds, the proceeds of bonds

19  issued pursuant to this act shall be deposited into the

20  Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund created by s. 375.045.

21  Ten percent of the proceeds of any bonds deposited into the

22  Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall be distributed by the

23  Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of

24  Environmental Protection for the purchase by the South Florida

25  Water Management District of lands in Dade, Broward, and Palm

26  Beach Counties identified in s. 7, chapter 95-349, Laws of

27  Florida. This distribution shall apply for any bond issue for

28  the 1995-1996 fiscal year. For the 1997-1998 fiscal year only,

29  $20 million per year from the proceeds of any bonds deposited

30  into the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall be

31  distributed by the Department of Environmental Protection to

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  1  the St. Johns Water Management District for the purchase of

  2  lands necessary to restore Lake Apopka. The remaining proceeds

  3  shall be distributed by the Department of Environmental

  4  Protection in the following manner:

  5         (a)  Fifty percent to the Department of Environmental

  6  Protection for the purchase of public lands as described in s.

  7  259.032.  Of this 50 percent, at least one-fifth shall be used

  8  for the acquisition of coastal lands.

  9         (b)  Thirty percent to the Department of Environmental

10  Protection for the purchase of water management lands pursuant

11  to s. 373.59, to be distributed among the water management

12  districts as provided in that section. Funds received by each

13  district may also be used for acquisition of lands necessary

14  to implement surface water improvement and management plans

15  approved in accordance with s. 373.456 or for acquisition of

16  lands necessary to implement the Everglades Construction

17  Project authorized by s. 373.4592.

18         (c)  Ten percent to the Department of Community Affairs

19  to provide land acquisition grants and loans to local

20  governments through the Florida Communities Trust pursuant to

21  part III of chapter 380.  From funds allocated to the trust,

22  $3 million annually shall be used by the Division of State

23  Lands within the Department of Environmental Protection to

24  implement the Green Swamp Land Protection Initiative Authority

25  specifically for the purchase of conservation easements

26  through land protection agreements, as defined in s.

27  380.0677(4) s. 380.0677(5), of lands, or severable interests

28  or rights in lands, in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State

29  Concern.  From funds allocated to the trust, $3 million

30  annually shall be used by the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan

31  Land Authority specifically for the purchase of any real

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  1  property interest in either those lands subject to the Rate of

  2  Growth Ordinances adopted by local governments in Monroe

  3  County or those lands within the boundary of an approved

  4  Conservation and Recreation Lands project located within the

  5  Florida Keys or Key West Areas of Critical State Concern;

  6  however, title to lands acquired within the boundary of an

  7  approved Conservation and Recreation Lands project may, in

  8  accordance with an approved joint acquisition agreement, vest

  9  in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust

10  Fund. Of the remaining funds allocated to the trust after the

11  above transfers occur, one-half shall be matched by local

12  governments on a dollar-for-dollar basis. To the extent

13  allowed by federal requirements for the use of bond proceeds,

14  the trust shall expend Preservation 2000 funds to carry out

15  the purposes of part III of chapter 380.

16         (d)  Two and nine-tenths percent to the Department of

17  Environmental Protection for the purchase of inholdings and

18  additions to state parks. For the purposes of this paragraph,

19  "state park" means all real property in the state under the

20  jurisdiction of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the

21  department, or which may come under its jurisdiction.

22         (e)  Two and nine-tenths percent to the Division of

23  Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

24  Services to fund the acquisition of state forest inholdings

25  and additions pursuant to s. 589.07.

26         (f)  Two and nine-tenths percent to the Fish and

27  Wildlife Conservation Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to

28  fund the acquisition of inholdings and additions to lands

29  managed by the commission which are important to the

30  conservation of fish and wildlife.

31

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  1         (g)  One and three-tenths percent to the Department of

  2  Environmental Protection for the Florida Greenways and Trails

  3  Program, to acquire greenways and trails or greenways and

  4  trails systems pursuant to chapter 260, including, but not

  5  limited to, abandoned railroad rights-of-way and the Florida

  6  National Scenic Trail.

  7

  8  Local governments may use federal grants or loans, private

  9  donations, or environmental mitigation funds, including

10  environmental mitigation funds required pursuant to s.

11  338.250, for any part or all of any local match required for

12  the purposes described in this subsection.  Bond proceeds

13  allocated pursuant to paragraph (c) may be used to purchase

14  lands on the priority lists developed pursuant to s. 259.035.

15  Title to lands purchased pursuant to paragraphs (a), (d), (e),

16  (f), and (g) shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the

17  Internal Improvement Trust Fund, except that title to lands,

18  or rights or interests therein, acquired by either the

19  Southwest Florida Water Management District or the St. Johns

20  River Water Management District in furtherance of the Green

21  Swamp Land Authority's mission pursuant to s. 380.0677(3),

22  shall be vested in the district where the acquisition project

23  is located. Title to lands purchased pursuant to paragraph (c)

24  may be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal

25  Improvement Trust Fund. The board of trustees shall hold title

26  to land protection agreements and conservation easements that

27  were or will be acquired pursuant to s. 380.0677, and, except

28  that title to lands, or rights or interests therein, acquired

29  by either the Southwest Florida Water Management District and

30  or the St. Johns River Water Management District shall monitor

31  such agreements and easements within their respective

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  1  districts until the state assumes this responsibility. in

  2  furtherance of the Green Swamp Land Authority's mission

  3  pursuant to s. 380.0677(3), shall be vested in the district

  4  where the acquisition project is located.  This subsection is

  5  repealed effective October 1, 2000. Prior to repeal, the

  6  Legislature shall review the provisions scheduled for repeal

  7  and shall determine whether to reenact or modify the

  8  provisions or to take no action.

  9         (9)(a)  The Legislature finds that, with the increasing

10  pressures on the natural areas of this state, the state must

11  develop creative techniques to maximize the use of acquisition

12  and management moneys.  The Legislature also finds that the

13  state's environmental land-buying agencies should be

14  encouraged to augment their traditional, fee simple

15  acquisition programs with the use of alternatives to fee

16  simple acquisition techniques.  The Legislature also finds

17  that using alternatives to fee simple acquisition by public

18  land-buying agencies will achieve the following public policy

19  goals:

20         1.  Allow more lands to be brought under public

21  protection for preservation, conservation, and recreational

22  purposes at less expense using public funds.

23         2.  Retain, on local government tax rolls, some portion

24  of or interest in lands which are under public protection.

25         3.  Reduce long-term management costs by allowing

26  private property owners to continue acting as stewards of the

27  land, where appropriate.

28

29  Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that public

30  land-buying agencies develop programs to pursue alternatives

31  to fee simple acquisition and to educate private landowners

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  1  about such alternatives and the benefits of such alternatives.

  2  It also is the intent of the Legislature that the department

  3  and the water management districts spend a portion of their

  4  shares of Preservation 2000 bond proceeds to purchase eligible

  5  properties using alternatives to fee simple acquisition.

  6  Finally, it is the intent of the Legislature that public

  7  agencies acquire lands in fee simple for public access and

  8  recreational activities.  Lands protected using alternatives

  9  to fee simple acquisition techniques shall not be accessible

10  to the public unless such access is negotiated with and agreed

11  to by the private landowners who retain interests in such

12  lands.

13         (b)  The Land Acquisition Advisory Council and the

14  water management districts shall identify, within their 1997

15  acquisition plans, those projects which require a full fee

16  simple interest to achieve the public policy goals, along with

17  the reasons why full title is determined to be necessary.  The

18  council and the water management districts may use

19  alternatives to fee simple acquisition to bring the remaining

20  projects in their acquisition plans under public protection.

21  For the purposes of this subsection, the term "alternatives to

22  fee simple acquisition" includes, but is not limited to:

23  purchase of development rights; conservation easements;

24  flowage easements; purchase of timber rights, mineral rights,

25  or hunting rights; purchase of agricultural interests or

26  silvicultural interests; land protection agreements; fee

27  simple acquisitions with reservations; or any other

28  acquisition technique which achieves the public policy goals

29  listed in paragraph (a).  It is presumed that a private

30  landowner retains the full range of uses for all the rights or

31  interests in the landowner's land which are not specifically

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  1  acquired by the public agency.  Life estates and fee simple

  2  acquisitions with leaseback provisions shall not qualify as an

  3  alternative to fee simple acquisition under this subsection,

  4  although the department and the districts are encouraged to

  5  use such techniques where appropriate.

  6         (c)  Beginning in fiscal year 1996-1997, the department

  7  and each water management district shall implement initiatives

  8  to use alternatives to fee simple acquisition and to educate

  9  private landowners about such alternatives. These initiatives

10  shall include at least two acquisitions a year by the

11  department and each water management district utilizing

12  alternatives to fee simple.

13         (d)  The Legislature finds that the lack of direct

14  sales comparison information has served as an impediment to

15  successful implementation of alternatives to fee simple

16  acquisition.  It is the intent of the Legislature that, in the

17  absence of direct comparable sales information, appraisals of

18  alternatives to fee simple acquisitions be based on the

19  difference between the full fee simple valuation and the value

20  of the interests remaining with the seller after acquisition.

21         (e)  The public agency which has been assigned

22  management responsibility shall inspect and monitor any

23  less-than-fee-simple interest according to the terms of the

24  purchase agreement relating to such interest.

25         (f)1.  Pursuant to subsection (3) and beginning in

26  fiscal year 1999-2000, that portion of the unencumbered

27  balances of each program described in paragraphs (3)(c), (d),

28  (e), (f), and (g) which has been on deposit in such program's

29  Preservation 2000 account for more than 3 fiscal years shall

30  be redistributed equally to the Department of Environmental

31  Protection, Division of State Lands P2000 sub account for the

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  1  purchase of State Lands as described in s. 259.032 and Water

  2  Management District P2000 sub account for the purchase of

  3  Water Management Lands pursuant to ss. 373.456, 373.4592 and

  4  373.59. For the purposes of this subsection, the term

  5  "unencumbered balances" means the portion of Preservation 2000

  6  bond proceeds which is not obligated through the signing of a

  7  purchase contract between a public agency and a private

  8  landowner, except that the program described in paragraph

  9  (3)(c) may not lose any portion of its unencumbered funds

10  which remain unobligated because of extraordinary

11  circumstances that hampered the affected local governments'

12  abilities to close on land acquisition projects approved

13  through the Florida Communities Trust program. Extraordinary

14  circumstances shall be determined by the Florida Communities

15  Trust governing body and may include such things as death or

16  bankruptcy of the owner of property; a change in the land use

17  designation of the property; natural disasters that affected a

18  local government's ability to consummate the sales contract on

19  such property; or any other condition that the Florida

20  Communities Trust governing board determined to be

21  extraordinary. The portion of the funds redistributed in the

22  Water Management District P2000 sub account shall be

23  distributed to the water management districts as provided in

24  s. 373.59(8).

25         2.  The department and the water management districts

26  may enter into joint acquisition agreements to jointly fund

27  the purchase of lands using alternatives to fee simple

28  techniques.

29         (g)  If the department or any water management district

30  is unable to spend the funds it receives pursuant to paragraph

31

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  1  (f) within the same fiscal year, the unspent funds shall be

  2  carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year.

  3         (h)  This subsection is repealed July 1 of the year

  4  following the final authorization of Preservation 2000 bonds.

  5         Section 11.  Subsections (3), (9), (14), (16), and (18)

  6  and paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 259.105,

  7  Florida Statutes, are amended, paragraphs (p), (q), (r), and

  8  (s) are added to subsection (4) of that section, and

  9  subsection (20) is added to that section to read:

10         259.105  The Florida Forever Act.--

11         (3)  Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding

12  reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the

13  proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be

14  deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund created by s.

15  259.1051. The proceeds shall be distributed by the Department

16  of Environmental Protection in the following manner:

17         (a)  Thirty-five percent to the Department of

18  Environmental Protection for the acquisition of lands and

19  capital project expenditures necessary to implement the water

20  management districts' priority lists developed pursuant to s.

21  373.199.  The funds are to be distributed to the water

22  management districts as provided in subsection (11).  A

23  minimum of 50 percent of the total funds provided over the

24  life of the Florida Forever program pursuant to this paragraph

25  shall be used for the acquisition of lands.

26         (b)  Thirty-five percent to the Department of

27  Environmental Protection for the acquisition of lands and

28  capital project expenditures described in this section. Of the

29  proceeds distributed pursuant to this paragraph, it is the

30  intent of the Legislature that an increased priority be given

31  to those acquisitions which achieve a combination of

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  1  conservation goals, including protecting Florida's water

  2  resources and natural groundwater recharge. Capital project

  3  expenditures may not exceed 10 percent of the funds allocated

  4  pursuant to this paragraph.

  5         (c)  Twenty-four percent to the Department of Community

  6  Affairs for use by the Florida Communities Trust for land

  7  acquisition the purposes of part III of chapter 380, and

  8  grants to local governments or nonprofit environmental

  9  organizations that are tax exempt under s. 501(c)(3) of the

10  United States Internal Revenue Code for the acquisition of

11  community-based projects, urban open spaces, parks, and

12  greenways to implement local government comprehensive plans.

13  From funds available to the trust, 92 percent shall be used by

14  the trust, and 8 percent shall be transferred annually to the

15  Land Acquisition Trust Fund for grants pursuant to s. 375.075.

16  From funds available to the trust and used for land

17  acquisition, 75 percent shall be matched by local governments

18  on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  The Legislature intends that

19  the Florida Communities Trust emphasize funding projects in

20  low-income or otherwise disadvantaged communities.  At least

21  thirty percent of the total allocation provided to the trust

22  shall be used in Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas, but

23  one-half of that amount shall be used in localities in which

24  the project site is located in built-up commercial,

25  industrial, or mixed-use areas and functions to intersperse

26  open spaces within congested urban core areas.  From funds

27  allocated to the trust, no less than 5 percent shall be used

28  to acquire lands for recreational trail systems, provided that

29  in the event these funds are not needed for such projects,

30  they will be available for other trust projects.  Local

31  governments may use federal grants or loans, private

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  1  donations, or environmental mitigation funds, including

  2  environmental mitigation funds required pursuant to s.

  3  338.250, for any part or all of any local match required for

  4  acquisitions funded through the Florida Communities Trust.

  5  Any lands purchased by nonprofit organizations using funds

  6  allocated under this paragraph must provide for such lands to

  7  remain permanently in public use through a reversion of title

  8  to local or state government, conservation easement, or other

  9  appropriate mechanism.  Projects funded with funds allocated

10  to the Trust shall be selected in a competitive process

11  measured against criteria adopted in rule by the Trust.

12         (d)  One and five-tenths percent to the Department of

13  Environmental Protection for the purchase of inholdings and

14  additions to state parks and for capital project expenditures

15  as described in this section. Capital project expenditures may

16  not exceed 10 percent of the funds allocated under this

17  paragraph. For the purposes of this paragraph, "state park"

18  means any real property in the state which is under the

19  jurisdiction of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the

20  department, or which may come under its jurisdiction.

21         (e)  One and five-tenths percent to the Division of

22  Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

23  Services to fund the acquisition of state forest inholdings

24  and additions pursuant to s. 589.07, and the implementation of

25  reforestation plans or sustainable forestry management

26  practices, and for capital project expenditures as described

27  in this section. Capital project expenditures may not exceed

28  10 percent of the funds allocated under this paragraph.

29         (f)  One and five-tenths percent to the Fish and

30  Wildlife Conservation Commission to fund the acquisition of

31  inholdings and additions to lands managed by the commission

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  1  which are important to the conservation of fish and wildlife

  2  and for capital project expenditures as described in this

  3  section. Capital project expenditures may not exceed 10

  4  percent of the funds allocated under this paragraph.

  5         (g)  One and five-tenths percent to the Department of

  6  Environmental Protection for the Florida Greenways and Trails

  7  Program, to acquire greenways and trails or greenways and

  8  trail systems pursuant to chapter 260, including, but not

  9  limited to, abandoned railroad rights-of-way and the Florida

10  National Scenic Trail and for capital project expenditures as

11  described in this section. Capital project expenditures may

12  not exceed 10 percent of the funds allocated under this

13  paragraph.

14         (h)  It is the intent of the Legislature that proceeds

15  of Florida Forever bonds distributed under this section shall

16  be expended in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

17  An agency that receives proceeds from Florida Forever bonds

18  under this section may not maintain a balance of unencumbered

19  funds in its Florida Forever subaccount beyond 3 fiscal years

20  from the date of deposit of funds from each bond issue. Any

21  funds that have not been expended or encumbered after 3 fiscal

22  years from the date of deposit shall be distributed by the

23  Legislature at its next regular session for use in the Florida

24  Forever program.

25         (i)(h)  For the purposes of paragraphs (d), (e), (f),

26  and (g), the agencies which receive the funds shall develop

27  their individual acquisition or restoration lists. Proposed

28  additions may be acquired if they are identified within the

29  original project boundary, the management plan required

30  pursuant to s. 253.034(5), or the management prospectus

31  required pursuant to s. 259.032(9)(d). Proposed additions not

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  1  meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall be submitted

  2  to the Acquisition and Restoration Council for approval.  The

  3  council may only approve the proposed addition if it meets two

  4  or more of the following criteria: serves as a link or

  5  corridor to other publicly owned property; enhances the

  6  protection or management of the property; would add a

  7  desirable resource to the property; would create a more

  8  manageable boundary configuration; has a high resource value

  9  that otherwise would be unprotected; or can be acquired at

10  less than fair market value.

11         (4)  It is the intent of the Legislature that projects

12  or acquisitions funded pursuant to paragraphs (3)(a) and (b)

13  contribute to the achievement of the following goals:

14         (p)  The implementation of practices that provide

15  sufficient quantities of water available to meet current and

16  future needs of the natural system and residents of the state,

17  as measured by execution of water-resource-development

18  components of the districts' water management plans. However,

19  funds provided for capital improvements under this purpose are

20  limited to those provided the water management districts in

21  paragraph (3)(a).

22         (q)  An increase in the state's inventory of historical

23  and cultural sites as measured by the number of sites

24  acquired.

25         (r)  An increase in the protection of fragile coastal

26  resources, as measured by the linear feet and acreage of

27  coastline acquired.

28         (s)  An increase in the protection of significant

29  surface waters of the state, as measured by the acreage of

30  lands acquired to buffer them.

31

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  1         (7)(a)  Beginning no later than July 1, 2001 2000, and

  2  every year thereafter, the Acquisition and Restoration Council

  3  shall accept applications from state agencies, local

  4  governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, private

  5  land trusts, and individuals for project proposals eligible

  6  for funding pursuant to paragraph (3)(b). The council shall

  7  evaluate the proposals received pursuant to this subsection to

  8  ensure that they meet at least one of the criteria under

  9  subsection (9).

10         (9)  The Acquisition and Restoration Council shall

11  recommend rules for adoption by the board of trustees develop

12  a rule to competitively evaluate, select, and rank projects

13  eligible for Florida Forever funds pursuant to paragraph

14  (3)(b) and for additions to the Conservation and Recreation

15  Lands list pursuant to ss. 259.032 and 259.101(4). In

16  developing these proposed rules, this rule the Acquisition and

17  Restoration Council shall give weight to the following

18  criteria:

19         (a)  The project meets multiple goals described in

20  subsection (4).

21         (b)  The project is part of an ongoing governmental

22  effort to restore, protect, or develop land areas or water

23  resources.

24         (c)  The project enhances or facilitates management of

25  properties already under public ownership.

26         (d)  The project has significant archaeological or

27  historic value.

28         (e)  The project has funding sources that are

29  identified and assured through at least the first 2 years of

30  the project.

31

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  1         (f)  The project contributes to the solution of water

  2  resource problems on a regional basis.

  3         (g)  The project has a significant portion of its land

  4  area in imminent danger of development, in imminent danger of

  5  losing its significant natural attributes or recreational open

  6  space, or in imminent danger of subdivision which would result

  7  in multiple ownership and make acquisition of the project

  8  costly or less likely to be accomplished.

  9         (h)  The project implements an element from a plan

10  developed by an ecosystem management team.

11         (i)  The project is one of the components of the

12  Everglades restoration effort.

13         (j)  The project may be purchased at 80 percent of

14  appraised value.

15         (k)  The project may be acquired, in whole or in part,

16  using alternatives to fee simple, including but not limited

17  to, purchase of development rights, hunting rights,

18  agricultural or silvicultural rights, or mineral rights or;

19  obtaining conservation easements or flowage easements; or use

20  of land protection agreements as defined in s. 380.0677(5).

21         (l)  The project is a joint acquisition, either among

22  public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private entities,

23  or by a public-private partnership.

24         (14)  Each year that bonds are to be issued pursuant to

25  this section, the Acquisition and Restoration Council shall

26  review the most current that year's approved project list and

27  shall, by the first board meeting in May, present to the Board

28  of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for

29  approval a listing of projects developed pursuant to

30  subsection (8). The board of trustees may remove projects from

31

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  1  the list developed pursuant to this subsection, but may not

  2  add projects or rearrange project rankings.

  3         (16)  All proposals for projects pursuant to paragraph

  4  (3)(b) or subsection (20) shall be implemented only if adopted

  5  by the Acquisition and Restoration Council and approved by the

  6  board of trustees.  The council shall consider and evaluate in

  7  writing the merits and demerits of each project that is

  8  proposed for Florida Forever funding and each proposed

  9  addition to the Conservation and Recreation Lands list

10  program. The council and shall ensure that each proposed

11  project will meet a stated public purpose for the restoration,

12  conservation, or preservation of environmentally sensitive

13  lands and water areas or for providing outdoor recreational

14  opportunities and that each proposed addition to the

15  Conservation and Recreation Lands list will meet the public

16  purposes under s. 259.032(3) and, when applicable, s.

17  259.101(4). The council also shall determine whether if the

18  project or addition conforms, where applicable, with the

19  comprehensive plan developed pursuant to s. 259.04(1)(a), the

20  comprehensive multipurpose outdoor recreation plan developed

21  pursuant to s. 375.021, the state lands management plan

22  adopted pursuant to s. 253.03(7), the water resources work

23  plans developed pursuant to s. 373.199, and the provisions of

24  this section.

25         (18)  The Acquisition and Restoration Council shall may

26  recommend adoption of rules by the board of trustees necessary

27  to implement the provisions of this section relating to:

28  solicitation, scoring, selecting, and ranking of Florida

29  Forever project proposals; disposing of or leasing lands or

30  water areas selected for funding through the Florida Forever

31  program; and the process of reviewing and recommending for

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  1  approval or rejection the land management plans associated

  2  with publicly owned properties. Rules promulgated pursuant to

  3  this subsection shall be submitted to the President of the

  4  Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for

  5  review by the Legislature, no later than 30 days prior to the

  6  2001 2000 Regular Session and shall become effective only

  7  after legislative review. In its review, the Legislature may

  8  reject, modify, or take no action relative to such rules. The

  9  board of trustees council shall conform such rules to changes

10  made by the Legislature, or, if no action was taken by the

11  Legislature, such rules shall become effective.

12         (20)  The Acquisition and Restoration Council, as

13  successors to the Land Acquisition and Restoration Council,

14  may amend existing Conservation and Recreation Lands projects

15  and add to or delete from the 2000 Conservation and Recreation

16  Lands list until funding for the Conservation and Recreation

17  Lands program has been expended. The amendments to the 2000

18  Conservation and Recreation Lands list will be reported to the

19  board of trustees in conjunction with the council's report

20  developed pursuant to s. 259.105(15).

21         Section 12.  Section 260.018, Florida Statutes, is

22  amended to read:

23         260.018  Agency recognition.--All agencies of the

24  state, regional planning councils through their comprehensive

25  plans, and local governments through their local comprehensive

26  planning process pursuant to chapter 163 shall recognize the

27  special character of publicly owned lands and waters

28  designated by the state as greenways and trails and shall not

29  take any action which will impair their use as designated.

30  Identification of lands or waterways in planning materials,

31  maps, data, and other information developed or used in the

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  1  greenways and trails program shall not be cause for such lands

  2  or waterways to be subject to this section, unless such lands

  3  or waterways have been designated as a part of the statewide

  4  system of or greenways and trails pursuant to s.

  5  260.016(2)(d).

  6         Section 13.  Subsections (2) and (3) of section

  7  373.139, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  8         373.139  Acquisition of real property.--

  9         (2)  The governing board of the district is empowered

10  and authorized to acquire in fee or less than fee title to

11  real property, and easements therein, by purchase, gift,

12  devise, lease, eminent domain, or otherwise for flood control,

13  water storage, water management, conservation and protection

14  of water resources, aquifer recharge, water resource and water

15  supply development, and preservation of wetlands, streams, and

16  lakes. Eminent domain powers may be used only for acquiring

17  real property for flood control and water storage or for

18  curing title defects or encumbrances to real property to be

19  acquired from a willing seller.

20         (3)(a)  The initial 5-year workplan and any subsequent

21  modifications or additions thereto shall be adopted by each

22  water management district after a public hearing. Each water

23  management district shall provide at least 14 days' advance

24  notice of the hearing date and shall separately notify each

25  county commission within which a proposed workplan project or

26  project modification or addition is located of the hearing

27  date. No acquisition of lands shall occur without a public

28  hearing similar to those held pursuant to the provisions set

29  forth in s. 120.54.

30         (a)(b)  Title information, appraisal reports, offers,

31  and counteroffers are confidential and exempt from the

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  1  provisions of s. 119.07(1) until an option contract is

  2  executed or, if no option contract is executed, until 30 days

  3  before a contract or agreement for purchase is considered for

  4  approval by the governing board.  However, each district may,

  5  at its discretion, disclose appraisal reports to private

  6  landowners during negotiations for acquisitions using

  7  alternatives to fee simple techniques, if the district

  8  determines that disclosure of such reports will bring the

  9  proposed acquisition to closure. In the event that negotiation

10  is terminated by the district, the title information,

11  appraisal report, offers, and counteroffers shall become

12  available pursuant to s. 119.07(1). Notwithstanding the

13  provisions of this section and s. 259.041, a district and the

14  Division of State Lands may share and disclose title

15  information, appraisal reports, appraisal information, offers,

16  and counteroffers when joint acquisition of property is

17  contemplated. A district and the Division of State Lands shall

18  maintain the confidentiality of such title information,

19  appraisal reports, appraisal information, offers, and

20  counteroffers in conformance with this section and s. 259.041,

21  except in those cases in which a district and the division

22  have exercised discretion to disclose such information.

23         (b)(c)  The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall

24  release moneys from the appropriate account or trust fund to a

25  district for preacquisition costs within 30 days after receipt

26  of a resolution adopted by the district's governing board

27  which identifies and justifies any such preacquisition costs

28  necessary for the purchase of any lands listed in the

29  district's 5-year work plan.  The district shall return to the

30  department any funds not used for the purposes stated in the

31

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  1  resolution, and the department shall deposit the unused funds

  2  into the appropriate account or trust fund.

  3         (c)(d)  The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall

  4  release acquisition moneys from the appropriate account or

  5  trust fund to a district following receipt of a resolution

  6  adopted by the governing board identifying the lands being

  7  acquired and certifying that such acquisition is consistent

  8  with the 5-year work plan of acquisition and other provisions

  9  of this section. The governing board also shall provide to the

10  Secretary of Environmental Protection a copy of all certified

11  appraisals used to determine the value of the land to be

12  purchased.  Each parcel to be acquired must have at least one

13  appraisal.  Two appraisals are required when the estimated

14  value of the parcel exceeds $500,000.  However, when both

15  appraisals exceed $500,000 and differ significantly, a third

16  appraisal may be obtained.  If the purchase price is greater

17  than the appraisal price, the governing board shall submit

18  written justification for the increased price.  The Secretary

19  of Environmental Protection may withhold moneys for any

20  purchase that is not consistent with the 5-year plan or the

21  intent of this section or that is in excess of appraised

22  value.  The governing board may appeal any denial to the Land

23  and Water Adjudicatory Commission pursuant to s. 373.114.

24         Section 14.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section

25  373.1391, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         373.1391  Management of real property.--

27         (1)

28         (c)  In developing or reviewing land management plans

29  when should a dispute arises arise that has not been cannot be

30  resolved by a the water management district's final agency

31  action districts, that dispute must issue shall be resolved

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  1  under chapter 120 forwarded to the Secretary of Environmental

  2  Protection who shall submit it to the Florida Forever Advisory

  3  Council.

  4         Section 15.  Subsection (7) of section 373.199, Florida

  5  Statutes, is amended to read:

  6         373.199  Florida Forever Water Management District Work

  7  Plan.--

  8         (7)  By June January 1, 2001, of each year, each

  9  district shall file with the President of the Senate, the

10  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Legislature and the

11  Secretary of Environmental Protection the initial 5-year

12  workplan as required under subsection (2). By January 1 of

13  each year thereafter, each district shall file with the

14  President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

15  Representatives, and the Secretary of Environmental Protection

16  a report of acquisitions completed during the year together

17  with modifications or additions to its 5-year work plan.

18  Included in the report shall be:

19         (a)  A description of land management activity for each

20  property or project area owned by the water management

21  district.

22         (b)  A list of any lands surplused and the amount of

23  compensation received.

24         (c)  The progress of funding, staffing, and resource

25  management of every project funded pursuant to s. 259.101, s.

26  259.105, or s. 373.59 for which the district is responsible.

27

28  The secretary shall submit the report referenced in this

29  subsection to the Board of Trustees of the Internal

30  Improvement Trust Fund together required pursuant to this

31  subsection along with the Acquisition and Restoration

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  1  Council's project list as Florida Forever report required

  2  under s. 259.105.

  3         Section 16.  Subsections (1) and (10) of section

  4  373.59, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  5         373.59  Water Management Lands Trust Fund.--

  6         (1)  There is established within the Department of

  7  Environmental Protection the Water Management Lands Trust Fund

  8  to be used as a nonlapsing fund for the purposes of this

  9  section. The moneys in this fund are hereby continually

10  appropriated for the purposes of land acquisition, management,

11  maintenance, capital improvements of land titled to the

12  districts, payments in lieu of taxes, debt service on bonds

13  issued prior to July 1, 1999, debt service on bonds issued on

14  or after July 1, 1999, which are issued to refund bonds issued

15  before July 1, 1999, preacquisition costs associated with land

16  purchases, and the department's costs of administration of the

17  fund.  The department's costs of administration shall be

18  charged proportionally against each district's allocation

19  using the formula provided in subsection (8).  Capital

20  improvements shall include, but need not be limited to,

21  perimeter fencing, signs, firelanes, control of invasive

22  exotic species, controlled burning, habitat inventory and

23  restoration, law enforcement, access roads and trails, and

24  minimal public accommodations, such as primitive campsites,

25  garbage receptacles, and toilets.

26         (10)(a)  Beginning July 1, 1999, not more than

27  one-fourth of the land management funds provided for in

28  subsections (1) and (8) in any year shall be reserved annually

29  by a governing board, during the development of its annual

30  operating budget, for payments in lieu of taxes for all actual

31  tax losses incurred as a result of governing board

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  1  acquisitions for water management districts pursuant to ss.

  2  259.101, 259.105, and 373.59 under the Florida Forever program

  3  during any year. Reserved funds not used for payments in lieu

  4  of taxes in any year shall revert to the Water Management

  5  Lands Trust Fund to be used in accordance with the provisions

  6  of this section.

  7         (b)  Payment in lieu of taxes shall be available:

  8         1.  To all counties that have a population of 150,000

  9  or fewer less and in which the amount of tax loss from all

10  completed Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever acquisitions

11  in the county exceeds 0.01 percent of the county's total

12  taxable value. Population levels shall be determined pursuant

13  to s. 11.031.

14         2.  To all local governments located in eligible

15  counties and whose lands are bought and taken off the tax

16  rolls.

17

18  For properties acquired after January 1, 2000, in the event

19  that such properties otherwise eligible for payment in lieu of

20  taxes under this subsection are leased or reserved and remain

21  subject to ad valorem taxes, payments in lieu of taxes shall

22  commence or recommence upon the expiration or termination of

23  the lease or reservation, but in no event shall there be more

24  than a total of ten annual payments in lieu of taxes for each

25  tax loss. If the lease is terminated for only a portion of the

26  lands at any time, the ten annual payments shall be made for

27  that portion only commencing the year after such termination,

28  without limiting the requirement that ten annual payments

29  shall be made on the remaining portion or portions of the land

30  as the lease on each expires. For the purposes of this

31  subsection, "local government" includes municipalities, the

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  1  county school board, mosquito control districts, and any other

  2  local government entity which levies ad valorem taxes.

  3         (c)  If sufficient insufficient funds are unavailable

  4  available in any year to make full payments to all qualifying

  5  counties and local governments, such counties and local

  6  governments shall receive a pro rata share of the moneys

  7  available.

  8         (d)  The payment amount shall be based on the average

  9  amount of actual taxes paid on the property for the 3 years

10  preceding acquisition. Applications for payment in lieu of

11  taxes shall be made no later than January 31 of the year

12  following acquisition. No payment in lieu of taxes shall be

13  made for properties which were exempt from ad valorem taxation

14  for the year immediately preceding acquisition.  If property

15  that was subject to ad valorem taxation was acquired by a

16  tax-exempt entity for ultimate conveyance to the state under

17  this chapter, payment in lieu of taxes shall be made for such

18  property based upon the average amount of taxes paid on the

19  property for the 3 years prior to its being removed from the

20  tax rolls. The water management districts shall certify to the

21  Department of Revenue those properties that may be eligible

22  under this provision. Once eligibility has been established,

23  that governmental entity shall receive 10 consecutive annual

24  payments for each tax loss, and no further eligibility

25  determination shall be made during that period.

26         (e)  Payment in lieu of taxes pursuant to this

27  subsection shall be made annually to qualifying counties and

28  local governments after certification by the Department of

29  Revenue that the amounts applied for are reasonably

30  appropriate, based on the amount of actual taxes paid on the

31  eligible property, and after the water management districts

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  1  have provided supporting documents to the Comptroller and have

  2  requested that payment be made in accordance with the

  3  requirements of this section.

  4         (f)  If a water management district conveys to a county

  5  or local government title to any land owned by the district,

  6  any payments in lieu of taxes on the land made to the county

  7  or local government shall be discontinued as of the date of

  8  the conveyance.

  9         (g)  The districts may make retroactive payments to

10  counties and local governments that did not receive payments

11  in lieu of taxes for lands purchased under ss. 259.101 and

12  373.59 during fiscal year 1999-2000 if the counties and local

13  governments would have received those payments under ss.

14  259.032(12) and 373.59(14).

15         Section 17.  Section 375.051, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         375.051  Issuance of revenue bonds subject to

18  constitutional authorization.--The acquisition of lands, water

19  areas, and related resources by the department under this act

20  is a public purpose for which revenue bonds may be issued when

21  and only when there has been granted in the State Constitution

22  specific authorization for the department to issue revenue

23  bonds to pay the cost of acquiring such lands, water areas,

24  and related resources and to construct, improve, enlarge, and

25  extend capital improvements and facilities thereon as

26  determined by the department to be necessary for the purposes

27  of this act.  The department may utilize the services and

28  facilities of the Department of Legal Affairs, the Board of

29  Administration, or any other agency in this regard.  No

30  revenue bonds, revenue certificates, or other evidences of

31  indebtedness shall be issued for the purposes of this act

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  1  except as specifically authorized by the State Constitution.

  2  All revenue bonds, revenue certificates, or other evidences of

  3  indebtedness issued pursuant to this act shall be submitted to

  4  the State Board of Administration for approval or disapproval.

  5  No individual series of bonds may be issued pursuant to this

  6  section unless the first year's debt service for the remainder

  7  of the fiscal year in which the bonds are issued such bonds is

  8  specifically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act.

  9         Section 18.  Subsection (1) of section 375.075, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         375.075  Outdoor recreation; financial assistance to

12  local governments.--

13         (1)  The Department of Environmental Protection is

14  authorized, pursuant to s. 370.023, to establish the Florida

15  Recreation Development Assistance Program to provide grants to

16  qualified local governmental entities to acquire or develop

17  land for public outdoor recreation purposes. To the extent not

18  needed for debt service on bonds issued pursuant to s.

19  375.051, each fiscal year through fiscal year 2000-2001, the

20  department shall develop and plan a program which shall be

21  based upon funding of not less than 5 percent of the money

22  credited to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s.

23  201.15(2) and (3) in that year. Beginning fiscal year

24  2001-2002, the department shall develop and plan a program

25  which shall be based upon the cumulative total funding

26  provided from this section and from the Florida Forever Trust

27  Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c).

28         Section 19.  Subsection (11) of section 380.507,

29  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

30

31

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  1         380.507  Powers of the trust.--The trust shall have all

  2  the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes

  3  and provisions of this part, including:

  4         (11)  To make rules necessary to carry out the purposes

  5  of this part and to exercise any power granted in this part,

  6  pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. The trust shall

  7  adopt rules governing the acquisition of lands by local

  8  governments or the trust using proceeds from the Preservation

  9  2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund, consistent

10  with the intent expressed in the Florida Forever Act. Such

11  rules for land acquisition must include, but are not limited

12  to, procedures for appraisals and confidentiality consistent

13  with ss. 125.355(1)(a) and (b) and 166.045(1)(a) and (b), a

14  method of determining a maximum purchase price, and procedures

15  to assure that the land is acquired in a voluntarily

16  negotiated transaction, surveyed, conveyed with marketable

17  title, and examined for hazardous materials contamination.

18  Land acquisition procedures of a local land authority created

19  pursuant to s. 380.0663 or s. 380.0677 may be used for the

20  land acquisition programs described by ss. 259.101(3)(c) and

21  259.105 if within areas of critical state concern designated

22  pursuant to s. 380.05, subject to approval of the trust.

23         Section 20.  Subsection (7) of section 380.510, Florida

24  Statutes, is amended to read:

25         380.510  Conditions of grants and loans.--

26         (7)  Any funds received by the trust from the

27  Preservation 2000 Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.101(3)(c) and

28  the Florida Forever Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c)

29  shall be held separate and apart from any other funds held by

30  the trust and shall be used only to pay the cost of the

31  acquisition of lands by a local government or the state for

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  1  the land acquisition purposes of this part. In addition to the

  2  other conditions set forth in this section, the disbursement

  3  of Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever funds from the trust

  4  shall be subject to the following conditions:

  5         (a)  The administration and use of any funds received

  6  by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the

  7  Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be subject to such terms and

  8  conditions imposed thereon by the agency of the state

  9  responsible for the bonds, the proceeds of which are deposited

10  in the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever

11  Trust Fund, including restrictions imposed to ensure that the

12  interest on any such bonds issued by the state as tax-exempt

13  bonds will not be included in the gross income of the holders

14  of such bonds for federal income tax purposes.

15         (b)  All deeds or leases with respect to any real

16  property acquired with funds received by the trust from the

17  Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall contain such covenants and

18  restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such

19  real property at all times complies with s. 375.051 and s. 9,

20  Art. XII of the State Constitution. All deeds or leases with

21  respect to any real property acquired with funds received by

22  the trust from the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall contain

23  such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure

24  that the use of such real property at all times complies with

25  s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution. Each deed or

26  lease shall contain a reversion, conveyance, or termination

27  clause that will vest title in the Board of Trustees of the

28  Internal Improvement Trust Fund if any of the covenants or

29  restrictions are violated by the titleholder or leaseholder or

30  by some third party with the knowledge of the titleholder or

31  leaseholder.

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  1         Section 21.  Subsection (9) of section 211.3103,

  2  Florida Statutes, is repealed.

  3         Section 22.  Except as otherwise provided in this act,

  4  this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

  5

  6          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  7                            CS/SB 1710

  8

  9  1) Clarified that an agency that receives proceeds from
    Florida Forever bonds may not maintain a balance of unexpended
10  or unencumbered funds in its Florida Forever subaccount beyond
    3 years from the date of deposit of funds from each bond
11  issue.

12  2) Changes the date the annual Florida Forever work plan is
    due from June 1 to January 1.
13
    3) Restores the Water Management Lands Trust Fund as a source
14  of funding for the Florida Forever Advisory Council.

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

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23

24

25

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27

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