TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A state House committee on Tuesday amended and advanced a state parks bill after winning support from environmentalists who had pushed for stronger language to protect state lands from development.
Details: Legislators filed bills after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration sparked protests last summer by proposing building golf courses, pickleball courts and lodges in state parks. Environmentalists backed the House bill Tuesday after previously arguing the legislation contained too many loopholes that would allow more amenities to be built.
“We think it’s a pretty tight bill now that will prevent golf courses, lodges and things of that nature from coming back,” Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, said after the House State Affairs committee meeting.
The committee voted unanimously to send the bill, FL HB209 (25R), to the House floor.
