CS/HB 349 - Water Resources Management Summary

• Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to grant easements on sovereignty submerged lands for mitigation banks permitted under Florida law, provided they meet public interest criteria and protect natural resources.

• Directs the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt and modify rules by June 30, 2023 to ensure financial assurances for mitigation banks are equivalent and sufficient for long-term management.

• Exempts certain docks on recorded easements from permit and verification requirements if they meet specified conditions, including size limits (500 square feet in Outstanding Florida Waters, 1,000 square feet elsewhere) and are used only for recreational, noncommercial boat mooring.

• Grants exempted docks authorization to use submerged lands upon Board of Trustees approval and creates a presumption of environmental compliance for structures associated with exempt docks that meet subsection requirements.

• Establishes that floating vessel platforms and boat lifts meeting specified criteria are exempt from certain permitting requirements and defines "local government" to include charter counties and counties with manatee protection plans.