CS/HB 7047 - State Land Acquisition Summary

• Increases the estimated value threshold requiring Board of Trustees approval for land acquisition agreements from $5 million to $1 million

• Removes the requirement that initial land acquisitions for Florida Forever projects be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval

• Changes appraisal thresholds requiring two appraisals from $5 million to $1 million estimated value, and allows board or Department of Environmental Protection to acquire parcels at the highest approved appraisal value

• Requires (rather than permits) the Department of Environmental Protection to disclose appraisal reports to private landowners during negotiations and removes the requirement that landowners maintain confidentiality of those reports

• Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to submit an updated agricultural land acquisition priority list to the Acquisition and Restoration Council by March 1, 2024

• Requires annual $100 million appropriation from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection for land acquisition pursuant to section 259.105

• Takes effect July 1, 2023