New Florida bill signed to increase transparency on conservation land deals

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure Wednesday intended to increase public notice before the state or water management districts consider selling or exchanging conservation lands.

The measure (HB 441) requires at least 30 days public notice posted online before the Acquisition and Restoration Council, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or a water management governing board considers the sale or exchange of conservation land.

The notice requires an explanation of why these lands are no longer needed for conservation purposes.

The proposal was crafted following a 2025 effort to exchange 600 acres from the Guana River Wildlife Management Area in St. Johns County for privately held lands in St. Johns, Lafayette, Osceola and Volusia counties, which received only one week of public notification. The requested exchange was eventually withdrawn.

The new law takes effect July 1.

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