FL S1096

Creates the "Florida Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act" to coordinate efforts among the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Department of Environmental Protection to preserve bear habitat and reduce human-bear conflicts.

Establishes a Bear-Resistant Garbage Container Account within the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund with at least $50 million appropriation, allowing counties and municipalities in conflict-prone areas to borrow funds for purchasing and distributing bear-resistant garbage containers to residences.

Prohibits harvesting of saw palmetto berries and the sale of timber rights for acorn-producing oak trees on state lands designated as Florida black bear habitat.

Requires adjusted burn schedules for state forests and parks containing bear habitat to allow regrowth of oak trees, saw palmettos, and berry-producing plants that provide natural food sources to prevent bears from entering residential areas.

Mandates the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission establish designation standards for bear habitat and conflict areas by July 1, 2017, and designate specific areas and state lands by February 1, 2018, with the list maintained on the commission website and reviewed every three years.