TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A bill that would encourage cattle grazing on public lands advanced through its first state House committee Wednesday, despite some opponents’ concerns with its lack of guardrails.
Details: The state House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee voted 16-2 to advance HB 1421, a bill that would require state agencies to evaluate the suitability of public lands for cattle. Under the bill, any lands deemed appropriate would need to be outlined in a land management plan and allowed for cattle grazing leases. If an agency determines lands are unsuitable for cattle, it would need to provide an explanation in its management plan.
The bill doesn’t outline how lands will be deemed suitable or whether state agencies will get the final say on a cattle-grazing decision, which rankled some Democrats on the panel.
“I wouldn’t want to see cattle grazing supersede some of the other benefits that we have for our state parks,” said state Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg), one of two Democrats to vote against the bill.
