ENROLLED
2015 Legislature SB 2516-A, 1st Engrossed
20152516Aer
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3 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:Section 1. (1) The following trust funds within the Department of Environmental Protection are terminated:(a) The Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-332.(b) The Florida Communities Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-244.(c) The Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-193.(d) The Water Management Lands Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-776.(e) The Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-131.(2)(a) All current balances remaining in the Florida Communities Trust Fund and the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall be transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-423.(b) All current balances remaining in the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund.(c) All current balances remaining in, and all revenues of, the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund, except for balances associated with the Reef Grounding Program and the Pollution Recovery Restricted Accounts, which shall be transferred to the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-780.(d) All current balances remaining in, and all revenues of, the Water Management Lands Trust Fund shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund, except for balances associated with debt service on bonds issued before February 1, 2009, by the South Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District, which shall be transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, FLAIR number 37-2-423.(3) The Department of Environmental Protection shall pay any outstanding debts or obligations of the terminated trust funds as required, and the Chief Financial Officer shall close out and remove the terminated trust funds from the various state accounting systems using generally accepted accounting principles concerning warrants outstanding, assets, and liabilities.Section 2. (1) The Conservation and Recreation Lands Program Trust Fund, FLAIR number 42-2-931, within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is terminated.(2) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall pay any outstanding debts or obligations of the terminated trust fund as soon as practicable, and the Chief Financial Officer shall close out and remove that terminated trust fund from the various state accounting systems using generally accepted accounting principles concerning warrants outstanding, assets, and liabilities.Section 3. (1) The Conservation and Recreation Lands Program Trust Fund, FLAIR number 72-2-931, within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is terminated.(2) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall pay any outstanding debts or obligations of the terminated trust fund as soon as practicable, and the Chief Financial Officer shall close out and remove that terminated trust fund from the various state accounting systems using generally accepted accounting principles concerning warrants outstanding, assets, and liabilities.Section 4. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (3) of section 17.61, Florida Statutes, to read:17.61 Chief Financial Officer; powers and duties in the investment of certain funds.—(3)(e) Moneys in any land acquisition trust fund created or designated to receive funds under s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution may not be invested as provided in this section, but shall be retained in those trust funds, with the interest appropriated to the General Revenue Fund, as provided in s. 17.57.Section 5. Section 161.05301, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 6. Subsection (3) of section 161.054, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:161.054 Administrative fines; liability for damage; liens.—(3) The imposition of a fine or an award of damages pursuant to this section shall create a lien upon the real and personal property of the violator, enforceable by the department as are statutory liens under chapter 85. The proceeds of such fines and awards of damages shall be deposited in the Florida Coastal Protection Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund.Section 7. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 161.091, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:161.091 Beach management; funding; repair and maintenance strategy.—(1) Subject to such appropriations as the Legislature may make therefor from time to time, disbursements from the Land Acquisition Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund may be made by the department in order to carry out the proper state responsibilities in a comprehensive, long-range, statewide beach management plan for erosion control; beach preservation, restoration, and nourishment; and storm and hurricane protection; and other activities authorized for beaches and shores pursuant to s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution. Legislative intent in appropriating such funds is for the implementation of those projects that contribute most significantly to addressing the state’s beach erosion problems.(3) In accordance with the intent expressed in s. 161.088 and the legislative finding that erosion of the beaches of this state is detrimental to tourism, the state’s major industry, further exposes the state’s highly developed coastline to severe storm damage, and threatens beach-related jobs, which, if not stopped, may significantly reduce state sales tax revenues, funds deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund, in the annual amounts provided in s. 201.15, shall be used, for a period of not less than 15 years, to fund the development, implementation, and administration of the state’s beach management plan, as provided in ss. 161.091-161.212 and as authorized in s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution, prior to the use of such funds deposited pursuant to s. 201.15 in that trust fund for any other purpose.Section 8. Section 201.0205, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:201.0205 Counties that have implemented ch. 83-220; inapplicability of 10-cent tax increase by s. 2, ch. 92-317, Laws of Florida.—The 10-cent tax increase in the documentary stamp tax levied by s. 2, chapter 92-317, does not apply to deeds and other taxable instruments relating to real property located in any county that has implemented the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida. Each such county and each eligible jurisdiction within such county may shall not be eligible to participate in programs funded pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9). However, each such county and each eligible jurisdiction within such county may shall be eligible to participate in programs funded pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10).Section 9. Section 201.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:201.15 Distribution of taxes collected.—All taxes collected under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be first made available to make payments when due on bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such pledge and availability for the payment of these bonds shall have priority over any requirement for the payment of service charges or costs of collection and enforcement under this section. All taxes collected under this chapter, except taxes distributed to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), are subject to the service charge imposed in s. 215.20(1). Before distribution pursuant to under this section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter. The Such costs and the service charge may not be levied against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to the extent that the costs and service charge are required to pay any amounts relating to the bonds. After distributions are made pursuant to subsection (1), All of the costs of the collection and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter and the service charge shall be available and transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and any other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized before January 1, 2015, secured by revenues distributed pursuant to this section subsection (1). All taxes remaining after deduction of costs and the service charge shall be distributed as follows:(1) Amounts necessary to make payments on bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, as provided under paragraphs (3)(a) and (b), or on any other bonds authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds shall be deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(2) If the amounts deposited pursuant to subsection (1) are less than 33 percent of all taxes collected after first deducting the costs of collection, an amount equal to 33 percent of all taxes collected after first deducting the costs of collection, minus the amounts deposited pursuant to subsection (1), shall be deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(3) Amounts on deposit in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund Sixty-three and thirty-one hundredths percent of the remaining taxes shall be used in for the following order purposes:(a) Payment of Amounts necessary to pay the debt service on, or funding of fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051 and Florida Forever bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618, shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to be used for such purposes. The amount used for such purposes transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund may not exceed $300 million in each fiscal year 1999-2000 and thereafter for Preservation 2000 bonds and bonds issued to refund Preservation 2000 bonds, and $300 million in fiscal year 2000-2001 and thereafter for Florida Forever bonds. The annual amount transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for Florida Forever bonds may not exceed $30 million in the first fiscal year in which bonds are issued. The limitation on the amount transferred shall be increased by an additional $30 million in each subsequent fiscal year, but may not exceed a total of $300 million in any fiscal year for all bonds issued. It is the intent of the Legislature that all bonds issued to fund the Florida Forever Act be retired by December 31, 2040. Except for bonds issued to refund previously issued bonds, no series of bonds may be issued pursuant to this paragraph unless such bonds are approved and the debt service for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the bonds are issued is specifically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act. For purposes of refunding Preservation 2000 bonds, amounts designated within this section for Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever bonds may be transferred between the two programs to the extent provided for in the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds are equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this section, except as specifically provided otherwise by the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds. Moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph, or earnings thereon, may not be used or made available to pay debt service on the Save Our Coast revenue bonds.(b) Payment of Moneys shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund in amounts necessary to pay debt service, or funding of debt service reserve funds provide reserves, and pay rebate obligations, or and other amounts due with respect to Everglades restoration bonds issued pursuant to under s. 215.619. Taxes distributed under paragraph (a) and this paragraph must be collectively distributed on a pro rata basis when the available moneys under this subsection are not sufficient to cover the amounts required under paragraph (a) and this paragraph.Bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619 are equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(4)(c) After the required distributions to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and deduction of the service charge imposed pursuant to s. 215.20(1) payments under paragraphs (a) and (b), the remainder shall be distributed as follows paid into the State Treasury to the credit of:(a)1. The State Transportation Trust Fund in the Department of Transportation in the amount of The lesser of 24.18442 38.2 percent of the remainder or $541.75 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Transportation Trust Fund. Out Of such funds, the first $50 million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year; $65 million for the 2013-2014 fiscal year; and $75 million for each the 2014-2015 fiscal year and all subsequent years, shall be transferred to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund within the Department of Economic Opportunity. Notwithstanding any other law, the remaining amount credited to the State Transportation Trust Fund shall remainder is to be used for the following specified purposes, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary:1.a. For the purposes of Capital funding for the New Starts Transit Program, authorized by Title 49, U.S.C. s. 5309 and specified in s. 341.051, in the amount of 10 percent of the these funds;2.b. For the purposes of The Small County Outreach Program specified in s. 339.2818, in the amount of 10 5 percent of the these funds. Effective July 1, 2014, the percentage allocated under this sub-subparagraph shall be increased to 10 percent;3.c. For the purposes of The Strategic Intermodal System specified in ss. 339.61, 339.62, 339.63, and 339.64, in the amount of 75 percent of the these funds after deduction of the payments required pursuant to subparagraphs 1. and 2. allocating for the New Starts Transit Program described in sub-subparagraph a. and the Small County Outreach Program described in sub-subparagraph b.; and4.d. For the purposes of The Transportation Regional Incentive Program specified in s. 339.2819, in the amount of 25 percent of the these funds after deduction of the payments required pursuant to subparagraphs 1. and 2. allocating for the New Starts Transit Program described in sub-subparagraph a. and the Small County Outreach Program described in sub-subparagraph b. Effective July 1, 2014, The first $60 million of the funds allocated pursuant to this subparagraph sub-subparagraph shall be allocated annually to the Florida Rail Enterprise for the purposes established in s. 341.303(5).(b)2. The Grants and Donations Trust Fund in the Department of Economic Opportunity in the amount of The lesser of 0.1456 .23 percent of the remainder or $3.25 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Grants and Donations Trust Fund in the Department of Economic Opportunity to fund technical assistance to local governments.3. The Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund in the amount of the lesser of 2.12 percent of the remainder or $30 million in each fiscal year, to be used for the preservation and repair of the state’s beaches as provided in ss. 161.091-161.212.4. General Inspection Trust Fund in the amount of the lesser of .02 percent of the remainder or $300,000 in each fiscal year to be used to fund oyster management and restoration programs as provided in s. 379.362(3).Moneys distributed pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) this paragraph may not be pledged for debt service unless such pledge is approved by referendum of the voters.(d) After the required payments under paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund to be used and expended for the purposes for which the General Revenue Fund was created and exists by law.(2) The lesser of 7.56 percent of the remaining taxes or $84.9 million in each fiscal year shall be distributed as follows:(a) Six million and three hundred thousand dollars shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.(b) The remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Sums deposited in the fund pursuant to this subsection may be used for any purpose for which funds deposited in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund may lawfully be used.(3)(a) The lesser of 1.94 percent of the remaining taxes or $26 million in each fiscal year shall be distributed in the following order:1. Amounts necessary to pay debt service or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to bonds issued before February 1, 2009, pursuant to this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.2. Eleven million dollars shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.3. The remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(b) Moneys deposited in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this subsection shall be used to acquire coastal lands or to pay debt service on bonds issued to acquire coastal lands and to develop and manage lands acquired with moneys from the trust fund.(4) The lesser of 4.2 percent of the remaining taxes or $60.5 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Water Management Lands Trust Fund. Sums deposited in that fund may be used for any purpose authorized in s. 373.59. An amount equal to the amounts necessary to pay debt service or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized pursuant to s. 215.619(1)(a)2. and the proviso associated with Specific Appropriation 1626A of the 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act shall be transferred annually from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund to the General Revenue Fund.(5) Of the remaining taxes, 3.52 percent shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund to carry out the purposes set forth in s. 259.032. Eleven and fifteen hundredths percent of the amount credited to the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund pursuant to this subsection shall be transferred to the State Game Trust Fund and used for land management activities.(6) The lesser of 2.28 percent of the remaining taxes or $34.1 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund to carry out the purposes set forth in ss. 369.22 and 369.252.(7) The lesser of .5 percent of the remaining taxes or $9.3 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Game Trust Fund to be used exclusively for the purpose of implementing the Lake Restoration 2020 Program.(8) One-half of one percent of the remaining taxes shall be paid into the State Treasury and divided equally to the credit of the Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund to address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural nonpoint sources and to the credit of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services General Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality impacts associated with agricultural nonpoint sources, respectively. These funds shall be used for research, development, demonstration, and implementation of suitable best management practices or other measures used to achieve water quality standards in surface waters and water segments identified pursuant to ss. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92-500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq. Implementation of best management practices and other measures may include cost-share grants, technical assistance, implementation tracking, and conservation leases or other agreements for water quality improvement. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may adopt rules governing the distribution of funds for implementation of best management practices. The unobligated balance of funds received from the distribution of taxes collected under this chapter to address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural nonpoint sources must be excluded when calculating the unobligated balance of the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund as it relates to the determination of the applicable excise tax rate.(c)(9) Eleven and twenty-four Seven and fifty-three hundredths percent of the remainder remaining taxes in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Housing Trust Fund. Out Of such funds, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the first $35 million shall be transferred annually, subject to any distribution required under subsection (5) (15), to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The remainder shall be used as follows:1.(a) Half of that amount shall be used for the purposes for which the State Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law.2.(b) Half of that amount shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Local Government Housing Trust Fund and used for the purposes for which the Local Government Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law.(d)(10) Twelve and ninety-three Eight and sixty-six hundredths percent of the remainder remaining taxes in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Housing Trust Fund. Out Of such funds, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the first $40 million shall be transferred annually, subject to any distribution required under subsection (5) (15), to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The remainder shall be used as follows:1.(a) Twelve and one-half percent of that amount shall be deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund and be expended by the Department of Economic Opportunity and by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for the purposes for which the State Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law.2.(b) Eighty-seven and one-half percent of that amount shall be distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund and used for the purposes for which the Local Government Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law. Funds from this category may also be used to provide for state and local services to assist the homeless.(e) The lesser of 0.017 percent of the remainder or $300,000 in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Inspection Trust Fund to be used to fund oyster management and restoration programs as provided in s. 379.362(3).(11) The distribution of proceeds deposited into the Water Management Lands Trust Fund and the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, pursuant to subsections (4) and (5), may not be used for land acquisition but may be used for preacquisition costs associated with land purchases. The Legislature intends that the Florida Forever program supplant the acquisition programs formerly authorized under ss. 259.032 and 373.59.(12) Amounts distributed pursuant to subsections (5), (6), (7), and (8) are subject to the payment of debt service on outstanding Conservation and Recreation Lands revenue bonds.(13) In each fiscal year that the remaining taxes exceed collections in the prior fiscal year, the stated maximum dollar amounts provided in subsections (2), (4), (6), and (7) shall each be increased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the increase in the remaining taxes collected under this chapter multiplied by the applicable percentage provided in those subsections.(14) If the payment requirements in any year for bonds outstanding on July 1, 2007, or bonds issued to refund such bonds, exceed the limitations of this section, distributions to the trust fund from which the bond payments are made must be increased to the lesser of the amount needed to pay bond obligations or the limit of the applicable percentage distribution provided in subsections (1)-(10).(5)(15) Distributions to the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to paragraphs (4)(c) and (d) subsections (9) and (10) must be sufficient to cover amounts required to be transferred to the Florida Affordable Housing Guarantee Program’s annual debt service reserve and guarantee fund pursuant to s. 420.5092(6)(a) and (b) up to the amount required to be transferred to such reserve and fund based on the percentage distribution of documentary stamp tax revenues to the State Housing Trust Fund which is in effect in the 2004-2005 fiscal year.(16) If amounts necessary to pay debt service or any other amounts payable with respect to Preservation 2000 bonds, Florida Forever bonds, or Everglades Restoration bonds authorized before January 1, 2015, exceed the amounts distributable pursuant to subsection (1), all moneys distributable pursuant to this section are available for such obligations and transferred in the amounts necessary to pay such obligations when due. However, amounts distributable pursuant to subsection (2), subsection (3), subsection (4), subsection (5), paragraph (9)(a), or paragraph (10)(a) are not available to pay such obligations to the extent that such moneys are necessary to pay debt service on bonds secured by revenues pursuant to those provisions.(6)(17) After the distributions provided in the preceding subsections, any remaining taxes shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.Section 10. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (6) of section 211.3103, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:211.3103 Levy of tax on severance of phosphate rock; rate, basis, and distribution of tax.—(6)(a) Beginning January 1, 2023 July 1 of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the proceeds of all taxes, interest, and penalties imposed under this section are exempt from the general revenue service charge provided in s. 215.20, and such proceeds shall be paid into the State Treasury as follows:1. To the credit of the State Park Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, 25.5 percent.2. To the credit of the General Revenue Fund of the state, 35.7 percent.3. For payment to counties in proportion to the number of tons of phosphate rock produced from a phosphate rock matrix located within such political boundary, 12.8 percent. The department shall distribute this portion of the proceeds annually based on production information reported by the producers on the annual returns for the taxable year. Any such proceeds received by a county shall be used only for phosphate-related expenses.4. For payment to counties that have been designated as a rural area of opportunity pursuant to s. 288.0656 in proportion to the number of tons of phosphate rock produced from a phosphate rock matrix located within such political boundary, 10.0 percent. The department shall distribute this portion of the proceeds annually based on production information reported by the producers on the annual returns for the taxable year. Payments under this subparagraph shall be made to the counties unless the Legislature by special act creates a local authority to promote and direct the economic development of the county. If such authority exists, payments shall be made to that authority.5. To the credit of the Nonmandatory Land Reclamation Trust Fund, 6.2 percent.6. To the credit of the Phosphate Research Trust Fund in the Division of Universities of the Department of Education, 6.2 percent.7. To the credit of the Minerals Trust Fund, 3.6 percent.(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), from July January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2022, the proceeds of all taxes, interest, and penalties imposed under this section are exempt from the general revenue service charge provided in s. 215.20, and such proceeds shall be paid to the State Treasury as follows:1. To the credit of the State Park Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, 22.8 percent.2. To the credit of the General Revenue Fund of the state, 31.9 percent.3. For payment to counties pursuant to subparagraph (a)3., 11.5 percent.4. For payment to counties pursuant to subparagraph (a)4., 8.9 percent.5. To the credit of the Nonmandatory Land Reclamation Trust Fund, 16.1 percent.6. To the credit of the Phosphate Research Trust Fund in the Division of Universities of the Department of Education, 5.6 percent.7. To the credit of the Minerals Trust Fund, 3.2 percent.Section 11. Subsection (2) of section 215.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:215.20 Certain income and certain trust funds to contribute to the General Revenue Fund.—(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the trust funds of the Department of Citrus and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including funds collected in the General Inspection Trust Fund for marketing orders and in the Florida Citrus Advertising Trust Fund, shall be subject to a 4 percent service charge, which is hereby appropriated to the General Revenue Fund. This subsection paragraph does not apply to the Conservation and Recreation Lands Program Trust Fund, the Citrus Inspection Trust Fund, the Florida Forever Program Trust Fund, the Market Improvements Working Capital Trust Fund, the Pest Control Trust Fund, the Plant Industry Trust Fund, or other funds collected in the General Inspection Trust Fund in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsections (2), (3), and (6) of section 215.618, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:215.618 Bonds for acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests and resources.—(1)(a) The issuance of Florida Forever bonds, not to exceed $5.3 billion, to finance or refinance the cost of acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests and resources, in urban and rural settings, for the purposes of restoration, conservation, recreation, water resource development, or historical preservation, and for capital improvements to lands and water areas that accomplish environmental restoration, enhance public access and recreational enjoyment, promote long-term management goals, and facilitate water resource development is hereby authorized, subject to the provisions of s. 259.105 and pursuant to s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution and, on or after July 1, 2015, to also finance or refinance the acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests as provided in s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution. Florida Forever bonds may also be issued to refund Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051. The $5.3 billion limitation on the issuance of Florida Forever bonds does not apply to refunding bonds. The duration of each series of Florida Forever bonds issued may not exceed 20 annual maturities. Not more than 58.25 percent of documentary stamp taxes collected may be taken into account for the purpose of satisfying an additional bonds test set forth in any authorizing resolution for bonds issued on or after July 1, 2015 Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds shall be equally and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(1)(a), except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds.(2) The state covenants does hereby covenant with the holders of Florida Forever bonds and Preservation 2000 bonds that it will not take any action which will materially and adversely affect the rights of such holders so long as such bonds are outstanding, including, but not limited to, a reduction in the portion of documentary stamp taxes distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for payment of debt service on Preservation 2000 bonds or Florida Forever bonds.(3) Bonds issued pursuant to this section are shall be payable from taxes distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 s. 201.15(1)(a). Bonds issued pursuant to this section do shall not constitute a general obligation of, or a pledge of the full faith and credit of, the state.(6) Pursuant to authority granted by s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution, there is hereby continued and re-created the Land Acquisition Trust Fund which shall be a continuation of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund which exists for purposes of s. 9(a)(1), Art. XII of the State Constitution. The Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall continue beyond the termination of bonding authority provided for in s. 9(a)(1), Art. XII of the State Constitution, pursuant to the authority provided by s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution and shall continue for so long as Preservation 2000 bonds or Florida Forever bonds are outstanding and secured by taxes distributable thereto.Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and subsections (2) and (3) of section 215.619, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:215.619 Bonds for Everglades restoration.—(1) The issuance of Everglades restoration bonds to finance or refinance the cost of the acquisition and improvement of land, water areas, and related property interests and resources for the purpose of implementing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan under s. 373.470, the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection Plan under s. 373.4595, the Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan under s. 373.4595, the St. Lucie River Watershed Protection Plan under s. 373.4595, and the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern protection program under ss. 380.05 and 380.0552 in order to restore and conserve natural systems through the implementation of water management projects, including wastewater management projects identified in the Keys Wastewater Plan, dated November 2007, and submitted to the Florida House of Representatives on December 4, 2007, is authorized in accordance with s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution.(b) The duration of Everglades restoration bonds may not exceed 20 annual maturities and must mature by December 31, 2040. Except for refunding bonds, a series of bonds may not be issued unless an amount equal to the debt service coming due in the year of issuance has been appropriated by the Legislature. Not more than 58.25 percent of documentary stamp taxes collected may be taken into account for the purpose of satisfying an additional bonds test set forth in any authorizing resolution for bonds issued on or after July 1, 2015. Beginning July 1, 2010, the Legislature shall analyze the ratio of the state’s debt to projected revenues before authorizing the issuance of bonds under this section.(2) The state covenants with the holders of Everglades restoration bonds that it will not take any action that will materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders so long as the bonds are outstanding, including, but not limited to, a reduction in the portion of documentary stamp taxes distributable under s. 205.15 s. 201.15(1) for payment of debt service on Preservation 2000 bonds, Florida Forever bonds, or Everglades restoration bonds.(3) Everglades restoration bonds are payable from, and secured by a first lien on, taxes distributable under s. 201.15 s. 201.15(1)(b) and do not constitute a general obligation of, or a pledge of the full faith and credit of, the state. Everglades restoration bonds shall be secured on a parity basis with Florida Forever bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 secured by moneys distributable under s. 201.15(1)(a).Section 14. Subsection (5) of section 253.027, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:253.027 Emergency archaeological property acquisition.—(5) ACCOUNT EXPENDITURES.—(a) No moneys shall be spent for the acquisition of any property, including title works, appraisal fees, and survey costs, unless:1. The property is an archaeological property of major statewide significance.2. The structures, artifacts, or relics, or their historic significance, will be irretrievably lost if the state cannot acquire the property.3. The site is presently on an acquisition list for Conservation and Recreation Lands or for Florida Forever lands, or complies with the criteria for inclusion on any such list, but has yet to be included on the list.4. No other source of immediate funding is available to purchase or otherwise protect the property.5. The site is not otherwise protected by local, state, or federal laws.6. The acquisition is not inconsistent with the state comprehensive plan and the state land acquisition program.(b) No moneys shall be spent from the account for excavation or restoration of the properties acquired. Funds may be spent for preliminary surveys to determine if the sites meet the criteria of this section. An amount not to exceed $100,000 may also be spent from the account to inventory and evaluate archaeological and historic resources on properties purchased, or proposed for purchase, pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(b) s. 259.032.Section 15. Subsection (12) of section 253.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:253.03 Board of trustees to administer state lands; lands enumerated.—(12) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund is hereby authorized to administer, manage, control, conserve, protect, and sell all real property forfeited to the state pursuant to ss. 895.01-895.09 or acquired by the state pursuant to s. 607.0505 or former s. 620.192. The board is directed to immediately determine the value of all such property and shall ascertain whether the property is in any way encumbered. If the board determines that it is in the best interest of the state to do so, funds from the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may be used to satisfy any such encumbrances. If forfeited property receipts are not sufficient to satisfy encumbrances on the property and expenses permitted under this section, funds from another appropriate the Land Acquisition trust fund may be used to satisfy any such encumbrances and expenses. All property acquired by the board pursuant to s. 607.0505, former s. 620.192, or ss. 895.01-895.09 shall be sold as soon as commercially feasible unless the Attorney General recommends and the board determines that retention of the property in public ownership would effectuate one or more of the following policies of statewide significance: protection or enhancement of floodplains, marshes, estuaries, lakes, rivers, wilderness areas, wildlife areas, wildlife habitat, or other environmentally sensitive natural areas or ecosystems; or preservation of significant archaeological or historical sites identified by the Secretary of State. In such event the property shall remain in the ownership of the board, to be controlled, managed, and disposed of in accordance with this chapter, and the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall be reimbursed from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, or other appropriate fund designated by the board, for any funds expended from the Internal Improvement Trust Fund pursuant to this subsection in regard to such property. Upon the recommendation of the Attorney General, the board may reimburse the investigative agency for its investigative expenses, costs, and attorneys’ fees, and may reimburse law enforcement agencies for actual expenses incurred in conducting investigations leading to the forfeiture of such property from funds deposited in the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the Department of Environmental Protection. The proceeds of the sale of property acquired under s. 607.0505, former s. 620.192, or ss. 895.01-895.09 shall be distributed as follows:(a) After satisfaction of any valid claims arising under the provisions of s. 895.09(1)(a) or (b), any moneys used to satisfy encumbrances and expended as costs of administration, appraisal, management, conservation, protection, sale, and real estate sales services and any interest earnings lost to the Land Acquisition trust fund that was used as of a date certified by the Department of Environmental Protection shall be replaced first in the Land Acquisition trust fund that was used to satisfy any such encumbrance or expense, if those funds were used, and then in the Internal Improvement Trust Fund; and(b) The remainder shall be distributed as set forth in s. 895.09.Section 16. Subsection (3), paragraphs (a) and (k) through (n) of subsection (6), and subsections (10) and (11) of section 253.034, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:253.034 State-owned lands; uses.—(3) Recognizing In recognition that recreational trails purchased with rails-to-trails funds pursuant to former s. 259.101(3)(g), Florida Statutes 2014, or s. 259.105(3)(h) have had historic transportation uses and that their linear character may extend many miles, the Legislature intends that if when the necessity arises to serve public needs, after balancing the need to protect trail users from collisions with automobiles and a preference for the use of overpasses and underpasses to the greatest extent feasible and practical, transportation uses shall be allowed to cross recreational trails purchased pursuant to former s. 259.101(3)(g), Florida Statutes 2014, or s. 259.105(3)(h). When these crossings are needed, the location and design should consider and mitigate the impact on humans and environmental resources, and the value of the land shall be paid based on fair market value.(6) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall determine which lands, the title to which is vested in the board, may be surplused. For conservation lands, the board shall determine whether the lands are no longer needed for conservation purposes and may dispose of them by an affirmative vote of at least three members. In the case of a land exchange involving the disposition of conservation lands, the board must determine by an affirmative vote of at least three members that the exchange will result in a net positive conservation benefit. For all other lands, the board shall determine whether the lands are no longer needed and may dispose of them by an affirmative vote of at least three members.(a) For the purposes of this subsection, all lands acquired by the state before July 1, 1999, using proceeds from Preservation 2000 bonds, the former Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, the former Water Management Lands Trust Fund, Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, and the Save Our Coast Program and titled to the board which are identified as core parcels or within original project boundaries are deemed to have been acquired for conservation purposes.(k) Proceeds from the any sale of surplus conservation lands purchased before July 1, 2015, pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund from which such lands were acquired.(l) Proceeds from the sale of surplus conservation lands purchased on or after July 1, 2015, shall be deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, except when such lands were purchased with funds other than those from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund or a land acquisition trust fund created to implement s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution, the proceeds shall be deposited into the fund from which the lands were purchased However, if the fund from which the lands were originally acquired no longer exists, such proceeds shall be deposited into an appropriate account to be used for land management by the lead managing agency assigned the lands before the lands were declared surplus.(m) Funds received from the sale of surplus nonconservation lands, or lands that were acquired by gift, by donation, or for no consideration, shall be deposited into the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.(n)(l) Notwithstanding this subsection, such disposition of land may not be made if it would have the effect of causing all or any portion of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to lose the exclusion from gross income for federal income tax purposes.(o)(m) The sale of filled, formerly submerged land that does not exceed 5 acres in area is not subject to review by the council or its successor.(p)(n) The board may adopt rules to administer this section which may include procedures for administering surplus land requests and criteria for when the division may approve requests to surplus nonconservation lands on behalf of the board.(10) The following additional uses of conservation lands acquired pursuant to the Florida Forever program and other state-funded conservation land purchase programs shall be authorized, upon a finding by the board of trustees, if they meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)-(e): water resource development projects, water supply development projects, stormwater management projects, linear facilities, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Such additional uses are authorized where:(a) Not inconsistent with the management plan for such lands;(b) Compatible with the natural ecosystem and resource values of such lands;(c) The proposed use is appropriately located on such lands and where due consideration is given to the use of other available lands;(d) The using entity reasonably compensates the titleholder for such use based upon an appropriate measure of value; and(e) The use is consistent with the public interest.A decision by the board of trustees pursuant to this section shall be given a presumption of correctness. Moneys received from the use of state lands pursuant to this section shall be returned to the lead managing entity in accordance with s. 259.032(9)(c) the provisions of s. 259.032(11)(c).(11) Lands listed as projects for acquisition may be managed for conservation pursuant to s. 259.032, on an interim basis by a private party in anticipation of a state purchase in accordance with a contractual arrangement between the acquiring agency and the private party that may include management service contracts, leases, cost-share arrangements or resource conservation agreements. Lands designated as eligible under this subsection shall be managed to maintain or enhance the resources the state is seeking to protect by acquiring the land. Funding for these contractual arrangements may originate from the documentary stamp tax revenue deposited into the Land Acquisition Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund and Water Management Lands Trust Fund. No more than $6.2 million may be expended from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund 5 percent of funds allocated under the trust funds shall be expended for this purpose.Section 17. Section 253.7824, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:253.7824 Sale of products; proceeds.—The department may authorize the removal and sale of products from the land where environmentally appropriate, the proceeds from which shall be deposited into the appropriate in the Land Acquisition trust fund in accordance with the same disposition provided under s. 253.034(6)(k), (l), or (m) applicable to the sale of land.Section 18. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 258.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:258.015 Citizen support organizations; use of property; audit.—(3) PARTNERSHIPS IN PARKS.—(b) The Legislature may annually appropriate funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for use only as state matching funds, in conjunction with private donations in aggregates of at least $60,000 matched by $40,000 of state funds for a total minimum project amount of $100,000 for capital improvement facility development at state parks, at either individually designated parks or for priority projects within the overall state park system. Not more than 30 percent of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund unencumbered fund balance or $3 million, whichever is less, shall be reserved, available annually for matching private donations. The amount held in reserve for the state match will be no greater than $6 million for any fiscal year. State funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund or other appropriate funding sources shall be used for matching private donations for 40 percent of the projects’ costs. Funds held in reserve for the purposes of this subsection shall be available only after the requirements of s. 375.041(4) s. 375.041(3) are met. Citizen support organizations organized and operating for the benefit of state parks may acquire private donations pursuant to this section, and matching state funds for approved projects may be provided in accordance with this subsection. The department is authorized to properly recognize and honor a private donor by placing a plaque or other appropriate designation noting the contribution on project facilities or by naming project facilities after the person or organization that provided matching funds. The department is authorized to adopt necessary administrative rules to carry out the purposes of this subsection.Section 19. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 258.435, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:258.435 Use of aquatic preserves for the accommodation of visitors.—(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall promote the public use of aquatic preserves and their associated uplands. The department may receive gifts and donations to carry out the purpose of this part. Moneys received in trust by the department by gift, devise, appropriation, or otherwise, subject to the terms of such trust, shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations Land Acquisition Trust Fund and appropriated to the department for the administration, development, improvement, promotion, and maintenance of aquatic preserves and their associated uplands and for any future acquisition or development of aquatic preserves and their associated uplands.(2) The department may grant a privilege or concession for the accommodation of visitors in and use of aquatic preserves and their associated state-owned uplands if the privilege or concession does not deny or interfere with the public’s access to such lands and is compatible with the aquatic preserve’s management plan as approved by the Acquisition and Restoration Council. Moneys received by the department under this subsection shall be deposited into the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. A concession must be granted based on business plans, qualifications, approach, and specified expectations or criteria. A privilege or concession may not be assigned or transferred by the grantee without the consent of the department.Section 20. Section 259.032, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:259.032 Conservation and recreation lands Trust Fund; purpose.—(1) It is the policy of the state that the citizens of this state shall be assured public ownership of natural areas for purposes of maintaining this state’s unique natural resources; protecting air, land, and water quality; promoting water resource development to meet the needs of natural systems and citizens of this state; promoting restoration activities on public lands; and providing lands for natural resource based recreation. In recognition of this policy, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide such public lands for the people residing in urban and metropolitan areas of the state, as well as those residing in less populated, rural areas. It is the further intent of the Legislature, with regard to the lands described in paragraph (2)(c) (3)(c), that a high priority be given to the acquisition, restoration, and management of such lands in or near counties exhibiting the greatest concentration of population and, with regard to the lands described in subsection (2) (3), that a high priority be given to acquiring lands or rights or interests in lands that advance the goals and objectives of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s approved species or habitat recovery plans, or lands within any area designated as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05 which, in the judgment of the advisory council established pursuant to s. 259.035, or its successor, cannot be adequately protected by application of land development regulations adopted pursuant to s. 380.05. Finally, it is the Legislature’s intent that lands acquired for conservation and recreation purposes through this program and any successor programs be managed in such a way as to protect or restore their natural resource values, and provide the greatest benefit, including public access, to the citizens of this state.(2)(a) The Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund is established within the Department of Environmental Protection. The fund shall be used as a nonlapsing, revolving fund exclusively for the purposes of this section. The fund shall be credited with proceeds from the following excise taxes:1. The excise taxes on documents as provided in s. 201.15; and2. The excise tax on the severance of phosphate rock as provided in s. 211.3103.The Department of Revenue shall credit to the fund each month the proceeds from such taxes as provided in this paragraph.(b) There shall annually be transferred from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund that amount, not to exceed $20 million annually, as shall be necessary to pay the debt service on, or fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts with respect to bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051 to acquire lands on the established priority list developed pursuant to ss. 259.101(4) and 259.105; however, no moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph, or earnings thereon, shall be used or made available to pay debt service on the Save Our Coast revenue bonds. Amounts transferred annually from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph shall have the highest priority over other payments or transfers from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, and no other payments or transfers shall be made from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund until such transfers to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund have been made. Moneys in the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund also shall be used to manage lands and to pay for related costs, activities, and functions pursuant to the provisions of this section.(2)(3) The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, may expend allocate moneys appropriated by the Legislature from the fund in any one year to acquire the fee or any lesser interest in lands for the following public purposes:(a) To conserve and protect environmentally unique and irreplaceable lands that contain native, relatively unaltered flora and fauna representing a natural area unique to, or scarce within, a region of this state or a larger geographic area;(b) To conserve and protect lands within designated areas of critical state concern, if the proposed acquisition relates to the natural resource protection purposes of the designation;(c) To conserve and protect native species habitat or endangered or threatened species, emphasizing long-term protection for endangered or threatened species designated G-1 or G-2 by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, and especially those areas that are special locations for breeding and reproduction;(d) To conserve, protect, manage, or restore important ecosystems, landscapes, and forests, if the protection and conservation of such lands is necessary to enhance or protect significant surface water, groundwater, coastal, recreational, timber, or fish or wildlife resources which cannot otherwise be accomplished through local and state regulatory programs;(e) To promote water resource development that benefits natural systems and citizens of the state;(f) To facilitate the restoration and subsequent health and vitality of the Florida Everglades;(g) To provide areas, including recreational trails, for natural resource based recreation and other outdoor recreation on any part of any site compatible with conservation purposes;(h) To preserve significant archaeological or historic sites;(i) To conserve urban open spaces suitable for greenways or outdoor recreation which are compatible with conservation purposes; or(j) To preserve agricultural lands under threat of conversion to development through less-than-fee acquisitions.(3)(4) Lands acquired for conservation and recreation purposes under this section shall be for use as state-designated parks, recreation areas, preserves, reserves, historic or archaeological sites, geologic or botanical sites, recreational trails, forests, wilderness areas, wildlife management areas, urban open space, or other state-designated recreation or conservation lands; or they shall qualify for such state designation and use if they are to be managed by other governmental agencies or nonstate entities as provided for in this section.(4)(5) The board of trustees may expend funds appropriated by the Legislature allocate, in any year, an amount not to exceed 5 percent of the money credited to the fund in that year, such allocation to be used for the initiation and maintenance of a natural areas inventory to aid in the identification of areas to be acquired for conservation and recreation purposes pursuant to this section.(6) Moneys in the fund not needed to meet obligations incurred under this section shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the fund and may be invested in the manner provided by law. Interest received on such investments shall be credited to the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund.(5)(7) The board of trustees may enter into any contract necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. The lead land managing agencies designated by the board of trustees also are directed by the Legislature to enter into contracts or interagency agreements with other governmental entities, including local soil and water conservation districts, or private land managers who have the expertise to perform specific management activities which a lead agency lacks, or which would cost more to provide in-house. Such activities shall include, but not be limited to, controlled burning, road and ditch maintenance, mowing, and wildlife assessments.(6)(8) Conservation and recreation lands to be considered for purchase under this section are subject to the selection procedures of s. 259.035 and related rules and shall be acquired in accordance with acquisition procedures for state lands provided for in s. 259.041, except as otherwise provided by the Legislature. An inholding or an addition to conservation and recreation lands a project selected for purchase pursuant to this chapter is not subject to the selection procedures of s. 259.035 if the estimated value of such inholding or addition does not exceed $500,000. When at least 90 percent of the acreage of a project has been purchased for conservation and recreation purposes pursuant to this chapter, the project may be removed from the list and the remaining acreage may continue to be purchased. Funds appropriated to acquire conservation and recreation lands Moneys from the fund may be used for title work, appraisal fees, environmental audits, and survey costs related to acquisition expenses for lands to be acquired, donated, or exchanged which qualify under the categories of this section, at the discretion of the board. When the Legislature has authorized the Department of Environmental Protection to condemn a specific parcel of land and such parcel has already been approved for acquisition under this section, the land may be acquired in accordance with the provisions of chapter 73 or chapter 74, and the funds appropriated to acquire conservation and recreation lands fund may be used to pay the condemnation award and all costs, including a reasonable attorney fees attorney’s fee, associated with condemnation.(7)(9) All lands managed under this chapter and s. 253.034 shall be:(a) Managed in a manner that will provide the greatest combination of benefits to the public and to the resources.(b) Managed for public outdoor recreation which is compatible with the conservation and protection of public lands. Such management may include, but not be limited to, the following public recreational uses: fishing, hunting, camping, bicycling, hiking, nature study, swimming, boating, canoeing, horseback riding, diving, model hobbyist activities, birding, sailing, jogging, and other related outdoor activities compatible with the purposes for which the lands were acquired.(c) Managed for the purposes for which the lands were acquired, consistent with paragraph (9)(a) (11)(a).(d) Concurrent with its adoption of the annual Conservation and Recreation Lands list of acquisition projects pursuant to s. 259.035, the board of trustees shall adopt a management prospectus for each project. The management prospectus shall delineate:1. The management goals for the property;2. The conditions that will affect the intensity of management;3. An estimate of the revenue-generating potential of the property, if appropriate;4. A timetable for implementing the various stages of management and for providing access to the public, if applicable;5. A description of potential multiple-use activities as described in this section and s. 253.034;6. Provisions for protecting existing infrastructure and for ensuring the security of the project upon acquisition;7. The anticipated costs of management and projected sources of revenue, including legislative appropriations, to fund management needs; and8. Recommendations as to how many employees will be needed to manage the property, and recommendations as to whether local governments, volunteer groups, the former landowner, or other interested parties can be involved in the management.(e) Concurrent with the approval of the acquisition contract pursuant to s. 259.041(3)(c) for any interest in lands except those lands being acquired under the provisions of s. 259.1052, the board of trustees shall designate an agency or agencies to manage such lands. The board shall evaluate and amend, as appropriate, the management policy statement for the project as provided by s. 259.035, consistent with the purposes for which the lands are acquired. For any fee simple acquisition of a parcel which is or will be leased back for agricultural purposes, or any acquisition of a less-than-fee interest in land that is or will be used for agricultural purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall first consider having a soil and water conservation district, created pursuant to chapter 582, manage and monitor such interests.(f) State agencies designated to manage lands acquired under this chapter or with funds deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, except those lands acquired under s. 259.1052, may contract with local governments and soil and water conservation districts to assist in management activities, including the responsibility of being the lead land manager. Such land management contracts may include a provision for the transfer of management funding to the local government or soil and water conservation district from the land acquisition Conservation and Recreation Lands trust fund of the lead land managing agency in an amount adequate for the local government or soil and water conservation district to perform its contractual land management responsibilities and proportionate to its responsibilities, and which otherwise would have been expended by the state agency to manage the property.(g) Immediately following the acquisition of any interest in conservation and recreation lands under this chapter, the Department of Environmental Protection, acting on behalf of the board of trustees, may issue to the lead managing entity an interim assignment letter to be effective until the execution of a formal lease.(8)(10)(a) State, regional, or local governmental agencies or private entities designated to manage lands under this section shall develop and adopt, with the approval of the board of trustees, an individual management plan for each project designed to conserve and protect such lands and their associated natural resources. Private sector involvement in management plan development may be used to expedite the planning process.(b) Individual management plans required by s. 253.034(5), for parcels over 160 acres, shall be developed with input from an advisory group. Members of this advisory group shall include, at a minimum, representatives of the lead land managing agency, comanaging entities, local private property owners, the appropriate soil and water conservation district, a local conservation organization, and a local elected official. The advisory group shall conduct at least one public hearing within the county in which the parcel or project is located. For those parcels or projects that are within more than one county, at least one areawide public hearing shall be acceptable and the lead managing agency shall invite a local elected official from each county. The areawide public hearing shall be held in the county in which the core parcels are located. Notice of such public hearing shall be posted on the parcel or project designated for management, advertised in a paper of general circulation, and announced at a scheduled meeting of the local governing body before the actual public hearing. The management prospectus required pursuant to paragraph (7)(d) (9)(d) shall be available to the public for a period of 30 days prior to the public hearing.(c) Once a plan is adopted, the managing agency or entity shall update the plan at least every 10 years in a form and manner prescribed by rule of the board of trustees. Such updates, for parcels over 160 acres, shall be developed with input from an advisory group. Such plans may include transfers of leasehold interests to appropriate conservation organizations or governmental entities designated by the Land Acquisition and Management Advisory Council or its successor, for uses consistent with the purposes of the organizations and the protection, preservation, conservation, restoration, and proper management of the lands and their resources. Volunteer management assistance is encouraged, including, but not limited to, assistance by youths participating in programs sponsored by state or local agencies, by volunteers sponsored by environmental or civic organizations, and by individuals participating in programs for committed delinquents and adults.(d)1. For each project for which lands are acquired after July 1, 1995, an individual management plan shall be adopted and in place no later than 1 year after the essential parcel or parcels identified in the priority list developed pursuant to s. 259.105 ss. 259.101(4) and 259.105 have been acquired. The Department of Environmental Protection shall distribute only 75 percent of the acquisition funds to which a budget entity or water management district would otherwise be entitled from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund to any budget entity or any water management district that has more than one-third of its management plans overdue.2. The requirements of subparagraph 1. do not apply to the individual management plan for the Babcock Crescent B Ranch being acquired pursuant to s. 259.1052. The management plan for the ranch shall be adopted and in place no later than 2 years following the date of acquisition by the state.(e) Individual management plans shall conform to the appropriate policies and guidelines of the state land management plan and shall include, but not be limited to:1. A statement of the purpose for which the lands were acquired, the projected use or uses as defined in s. 253.034, and the statutory authority for such use or uses.2. Key management activities necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, including, but not limited to, providing public access, preserving and protecting natural resources, protecting cultural and historical resources, restoring habitat, protecting threatened and endangered species, controlling the spread of nonnative plants and animals, performing prescribed fire activities, and other appropriate resource management.3. A specific description of how the managing agency plans to identify, locate, protect, and preserve, or otherwise use fragile, nonrenewable natural and cultural resources.4. A priority schedule for conducting management activities, based on the purposes for which the lands were acquired.5. A cost estimate for conducting priority management activities, to include recommendations for cost-effective methods of accomplishing those activities.6. A cost estimate for conducting other management activities which would enhance the natural resource value or public recreation value for which the lands were acquired. The cost estimate shall include recommendations for cost-effective methods of accomplishing those activities.7. A determination of the public uses and public access that would be consistent with the purposes for which the lands were acquired.(f) The Division of State Lands shall submit a copy of each individual management plan for parcels which exceed 160 acres in size to each member of the Acquisition and Restoration Council, which shall:1. Within 60 days after receiving a plan from the division, review each plan for compliance with the requirements of this subsection and with the requirements of the rules established by the board pursuant to this subsection.2. Consider the propriety of the recommendations of the managing agency with regard to the future use or protection of the property.3. After its review, submit the plan, along with its recommendations and comments, to the board of trustees, with recommendations as to whether to approve the plan as submitted, approve the plan with modifications, or reject the plan.(g) The board of trustees shall consider the individual management plan submitted by each state agency and the recommendations of the Acquisition and Restoration Council and the Division of State Lands and shall approve the plan with or without modification or reject such plan. The use or possession of any lands owned by the board of trustees which is not in accordance with an approved individual management plan is subject to termination by the board of trustees.By July 1 of each year, each governmental agency and each private entity designated to manage lands shall report to the Secretary of Environmental Protection on the progress of funding, staffing, and resource management of every project for which the agency or entity is responsible.(9)(11)(a) The Legislature recognizes that acquiring lands pursuant to this chapter serves the public interest by protecting land, air, and water resources which contribute to the public health and welfare, providing areas for natural resource based recreation, and ensuring the survival of unique and irreplaceable plant and animal species. The Legislature intends for these lands to be managed and maintained for the purposes for which they were acquired and for the public to have access to and use of these lands where it is consistent with acquisition purposes and would not harm the resources the state is seeking to protect on the public’s behalf.(b) An amount of not less than 1.5 percent of the cumulative total of funds ever deposited into the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be made available for the purposes of management, maintenance, and capital improvements not eligible for funding pursuant to s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution, and for associated contractual services, for conservation and recreation lands acquired with funds deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 28(a), Art. X of the State Constitution or pursuant to former s. 259.032, Florida Statutes 2014 this section, former s. 259.101, Florida Statutes 2014, s. 259.105, s. 259.1052, or previous programs for the acquisition of lands for conservation and recreation, including state forests, to which title is vested in the board of trustees and other conservation and recreation lands managed by a state agency. Of this amount, $250,000 shall be transferred annually to the Plant Industry Trust Fund within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the purpose of implementing the Endangered or Threatened Native Flora Conservation Grants Program pursuant to s. 581.185(11). Each agency with management responsibilities shall annually request from the Legislature funds sufficient to fulfill such responsibilities to implement individual management plans. For the purposes of this paragraph, capital improvements shall include, but need not be limited to, perimeter fencing, signs, firelanes, access roads and trails, and minimal public accommodations, such as primitive campsites, garbage receptacles, and toilets. Any equipment purchased with funds provided pursuant to this paragraph may be used for the purposes described in this paragraph on any conservation and recreation lands managed by a state agency. The funding requirement created in this paragraph is subject to an annual evaluation by the Legislature in order to ensure that such requirement does not impact the respective trust fund in a manner that would prevent the trust fund from meeting other minimum requirements.(c) All revenues generated through multiple-use management or compatible secondary-use management shall be returned to the lead agency responsible for such management and shall be used to pay for management activities on all conservation, preservation, and recreation lands under the agency’s jurisdiction. In addition, such revenues shall be segregated in an agency trust fund used for land management activities, other than a land acquisition trust fund, and such revenues shall remain available to the agency in subsequent fiscal years to support land management appropriations. For the purposes of this paragraph, compatible secondary-use management shall be those activities described in subsection (7) (9) undertaken on parcels designated as single use pursuant to s. 253.034(2)(b).(d) Up to one-fifth of the funds appropriated for the purposes identified provided for in paragraph (b) shall be reserved by the board of trustees for interim management of acquisitions and for associated contractual services, to ensure the conservation and protection of natural resources on project sites and to allow limited public recreational use of lands. Interim management activities may include, but not be limited to, resource assessments, control of invasive, nonnative species, habitat restoration, fencing, law enforcement, controlled burning, and public access consistent with preliminary determinations made pursuant to paragraph (7)(g) (9)(g). The board of trustees shall make these interim funds available immediately upon purchase.(e) The department shall set long-range and annual goals for the control and removal of nonnative, invasive plant species on public lands. Such goals shall differentiate between aquatic plant species and upland plant species. In setting such goals, the department may rank, in order of adverse impact, species that impede or destroy the functioning of natural systems. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), up to one-fourth of the funds provided for in paragraph (b) may be used by the agencies receiving those funds for control and removal of nonnative, invasive species on public lands.(f) For the 2014-2015 fiscal year only, moneys in the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund may be transferred to the Florida Forever Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program and to the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to support Everglades restoration projects included in the final report of the Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin, dated November 8, 2013, pursuant to nonoperating budget authority under s. 216.181(12). This subsection expires July 1, 2015.(10)(12)(a) Beginning July 1, 1999, the Legislature may appropriate shall make available sufficient funds annually from the Conservation and Recreation Lands trust fund to the department for payment in lieu of taxes to qualifying counties and local governments as defined in paragraph (b) for all actual tax losses incurred as a result of board of trustees acquisitions for state agencies under the Florida Forever program or the former Florida Preservation 2000 program during any year. Reserved funds not used for payments in lieu of taxes in any year shall revert to the fund to be used for land management in accordance with the provisions of this section.(b) Payment in lieu of taxes shall be available:1. To all counties that have a population of 150,000 or fewer. Population levels shall be determined pursuant to s. 11.031.2. To all local governments located in eligible counties.3. To Glades County, where a privately owned and operated prison leased to the state has recently been opened and where privately owned and operated juvenile justice facilities leased to the state have recently been constructed and opened, a payment in lieu of taxes, in an amount that offsets the loss of property tax revenue, which funds have already been appropriated and allocated from the Department of Correction’s budget for the purpose of reimbursing amounts equal to lost ad valorem taxes.(c) If insufficient funds are available in any year to make full payments to all qualifying counties and local governments, such counties and local governments shall receive a pro rata share of the moneys available.(d) The payment amount shall be based on the average amount of actual taxes paid on the property for the 3 years preceding acquisition. Applications for payment in lieu of taxes shall be made no later than January 31 of the year following acquisition. No payment in lieu of taxes shall be made for properties which were exempt from ad valorem taxation for the year immediately preceding acquisition.(e) If property which was subject to ad valorem taxation was acquired by a tax-exempt entity for ultimate conveyance to the state under this chapter, payment in lieu of taxes shall be made for such property based upon the average amount of taxes paid on the property for the 3 years before prior to its being removed from the tax rolls. The department shall certify to the Department of Revenue those properties that may be eligible under this provision. Once eligibility has been established, that county or local government shall receive annual payments for each tax loss until the qualifying county or local government exceeds the population threshold pursuant to this section.(f) Payment in lieu of taxes pursuant to this subsection shall be made annually to qualifying counties and local governments after certification by the Department of Revenue that the amounts applied for are reasonably appropriate, based on the amount of actual taxes paid on the eligible property. With the assistance of the local government requesting payment in lieu of taxes, the state agency that acquired the land is responsible for preparing and submitting application requests for payment to the Department of Revenue for certification.(g) If the board of trustees conveys to a local government title to any land owned by the board, any payments in lieu of taxes on the land made to the local government shall be discontinued as of the date of the conveyance.For the purposes of this subsection, “local government” includes municipalities, the county school board, mosquito control districts, and any other local government entity which levies ad valorem taxes, with the exception of a water management district.(13) Moneys credited to the fund each year which are not used for management, maintenance, or capital improvements pursuant to subsection (11); for payment in lieu of taxes pursuant to subsection (12); or for the purposes of subsection (5), shall be available for the acquisition of land pursuant to this section.(11)(14) The board of trustees may adopt rules to further define the categories of land for acquisition under this chapter.(12)(15) Within 90 days after receiving a certified letter from the owner of a property on the Conservation and Recreation Lands list or the priority list established pursuant to s. 259.105 objecting to the property being included in an acquisition project, where such property is a project or part of a project which has not been listed for purchase in the current year’s land acquisition work plan, the board of trustees shall delete the property from the list or from the boundary of an acquisition project on the list.Section 21. Subsections (3), (4), and (6) of section 259.035, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:259.035 Acquisition and Restoration Council.—(3) The council shall provide assistance to the board of trustees in reviewing the recommendations and plans for state-owned lands required under s. 253.034 and this chapter ss. 253.034 and 259.032. The council shall, in reviewing such recommendations and plans, consider the optimization of multiple-use and conservation strategies to accomplish the provisions funded pursuant to former s. 259.101(3)(a), Florida Statutes 2014, and to s. 259.105(3)(b) ss. 259.101(3)(a) and 259.105(3)(b).(4)(a) The council may use existing rules adopted by the board of trustees, until it develops and recommends amendments to those rules, to competitively evaluate, select, and rank projects eligible for the Conservation and Recreation Lands list pursuant to ss. 259.032(3) and 259.101(4).(a)(b) By December 1, 2016 2009, the Acquisition and Restoration Council shall develop rules defining specific criteria and numeric performance measures needed for lands that are to be acquired for public purpose under the Florida Forever program pursuant to s. 259.105 or with funds deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 28(a), Art. X of the State Constitution. Each recipient of Florida Forever funds shall assist the council in the development of such rules. These rules shall be reviewed and adopted by the board, then submitted to the Legislature for consideration by February 1, 2017 2010. The Legislature may reject, modify, or take no action relative to the proposed rules. If no action is taken, the rules shall be implemented. Subsequent to their approval, each recipient of Florida Forever funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall annually report to the Division of State Lands on each of the numeric performance measures accomplished during the previous fiscal year.(b)(c) In developing or amending rules, the council shall give weight to the criteria included in s. 259.105(9) (10). The board of trustees shall review the recommendations and shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.(6) The proposal for a project pursuant to this section or s. 259.105(3)(b) may be implemented only if adopted by the council and approved by the board of trustees. The council shall consider and evaluate in writing the merits and demerits of each project that is proposed for acquisition using funds available pursuant to s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution Conservation and Recreation Lands, Florida Preservation 2000, or Florida Forever funding and shall ensure that each proposed project meets the requirements of s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution will meet a stated public purpose for the restoration, conservation, or preservation of environmentally sensitive lands and water areas or for providing outdoor recreational opportunities. The council also shall determine whether the project conforms, where applicable, with the comprehensive plan developed pursuant to s. 259.04(1)(a), the comprehensive multipurpose outdoor recreation plan developed pursuant to s. 375.021, the state lands management plan adopted pursuant to s. 253.03(7), the water resources work plans developed pursuant to s. 373.199, and the provisions of s. 259.032, s. 259.101, or s. 259.105, whichever is applicable.Section 22. Subsection (4) of section 259.036, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:259.036 Management review teams.—(4) In the event a land management plan has not been adopted within the timeframes specified in s. 259.032(8) s. 259.032(10), the department may direct a management review of the property, to be conducted by the land management review team. The review shall consider the extent to which the land is being managed for the purposes for which it was acquired and the degree to which actual management practices are in compliance with the management policy statement and management prospectus for that property.Section 23. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 259.037, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:259.037 Land Management Uniform Accounting Council.—(3)(b) Each reporting agency shall also:1. Include a report of the available public use opportunities for each management unit of state land, the total management cost for public access and public use, and the cost associated with each use option.2. List the acres of land requiring minimal management effort, moderate management effort, and significant management effort pursuant to s. 259.032(9)(c) former s. 259.032(11)(c). For each category created in paragraph (a), the reporting agency shall include the amount of funds requested, the amount of funds received, and the amount of funds expended for land management.3. List acres managed and cost of management for each park, preserve, forest, reserve, or management area.4. List acres managed, cost of management, and lead manager for each state lands management unit for which secondary management activities were provided.5. Include a report of the estimated calculable financial benefits to the public for the ecosystem services provided by conservation lands, based on the best readily available information or science that provides a standard measurement methodology to be consistently applied by the land managing agencies. Such information may include, but need not be limited to, the value of natural lands for protecting the quality and quantity of drinking water through natural water filtration and recharge, contributions to protecting and improving air quality, benefits to agriculture through increased soil productivity and preservation of biodiversity, and savings to property and lives through flood control.Section 24. Subsection (1) of section 259.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:259.04 Board; powers and duties.—(1) For projects and acquisitions selected for purchase pursuant to ss. 259.035, 259.101, and 259.105:(a) The board is given the responsibility, authority, and power to develop and execute a comprehensive, statewide 5-year plan to conserve, restore, and protect environmentally endangered lands, ecosystems, lands necessary for outdoor recreational needs, and other lands as identified in ss. 259.032, 259.101, and 259.105. This plan shall be kept current through continual reevaluation and revision. The advisory council or its successor shall assist the board in the development, reevaluation, and revision of the plan.(b) The board may enter into contracts with the government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof; the state or any county, municipality, district authority, or political subdivision; or any private corporation, partnership, association, or person providing for or relating to the conservation or protection of certain lands in accomplishing the purposes of this chapter.(c) Within 45 days after the advisory council or its successor submits the lists of projects to the board, the board shall approve, in whole or in part, the lists of projects in the order of priority in which such projects are presented. To the greatest extent practicable, projects on the lists shall be acquired in their approved order of priority.(d) The board is authorized to acquire, by purchase, gift, or devise or otherwise, the fee title or any lesser interest of lands, water areas, and related resources for environmentally endangered lands.Section 25. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (11) and subsection (15) of section 259.041, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:259.041 Acquisition of state-owned lands for preservation, conservation, and recreation purposes.—(11)(a) The Legislature finds that, with the increasing pressures on the natural areas of this state and on open space suitable for recreational use, the state must develop creative techniques to maximize the use of acquisition and management funds. The Legislature also finds that the state’s conservation and recreational land acquisition agencies should be encouraged to augment their traditional, fee simple acquisition programs with the use of alternatives to fee simple acquisition techniques. Additionally, the Legislature finds that generations of private landowners have been good stewards of their land, protecting or restoring native habitats and ecosystems to the benefit of the natural resources of this state, its heritage, and its citizens. The Legislature also finds that using alternatives to fee simple acquisition by public land acquisition agencies will achieve the following public policy goals:1. Allow more lands to be brought under public protection for preservation, conservation, and recreational purposes with less expenditure of public funds.2. Retain, on local government tax rolls, some portion of or interest in lands which are under public protection.3. Reduce long-term management costs by allowing private property owners to continue acting as stewards of their land, where appropriate.Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that public land acquisition agencies develop programs to pursue alternatives to fee simple acquisition and to educate private landowners about such alternatives and the benefits of such alternatives. It is also the intent of the Legislature that a portion of the shares of Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever bond proceeds be used to purchase eligible properties using alternatives to fee simple acquisition.(b) All project applications shall identify, within their acquisition plans, projects that require a full fee simple interest to achieve the public policy goals, together with the reasons full title is determined to be necessary. The state agencies and the water management districts may use alternatives to fee simple acquisition to bring the remaining projects in their acquisition plans under public protection. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “alternatives to fee simple acquisition” includes, but is not limited to: purchase of development rights; obtaining conservation easements; obtaining flowage easements; purchase of timber rights, mineral rights, or hunting rights; purchase of agricultural interests or silvicultural interests; entering into land protection agreements as defined in s. 380.0677(3); fee simple acquisitions with reservations; creating life estates; or any other acquisition technique that achieves the public policy goals listed in paragraph (a). It is presumed that a private landowner retains the full range of uses for all the rights or interests in the landowner’s land which are not specifically acquired by the public agency. The lands upon which hunting rights are specifically acquired pursuant to this paragraph shall be available for hunting in accordance with the management plan or hunting regulations adopted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, unless the hunting rights are purchased specifically to protect activities on adjacent lands.(15) The board of trustees, by an affirmative vote of at least three of its members, may direct the department to purchase lands on an immediate basis using up to 15 percent of the funds allocated to the department pursuant to s. 259.105 ss. 259.101(3)(a) and 259.105 for the acquisition of lands that:(a) Are listed or placed at auction by the Federal Government as part of the Resolution Trust Corporation sale of lands from failed savings and loan associations;(b) Are listed or placed at auction by the Federal Government as part of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation sale of lands from failed banks; or(c) Will be developed or otherwise lost to potential public ownership, or for which federal matching funds will be lost, by the time the land can be purchased under the program within which the land is listed for acquisition.For such acquisitions, the board of trustees may waive or modify all procedures required for land acquisition pursuant to this chapter and all competitive bid procedures required pursuant to chapters 255 and 287. Lands acquired pursuant to this subsection must, at the time of purchase, be on one of the acquisition lists established pursuant to this chapter, or be essential for water resource development, protection, or restoration, or a significant portion of the lands must contain natural communities or plant or animal species that which are listed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as critically imperiled, imperiled, or rare, or as excellent quality occurrences of natural communities.Section 26. Section 259.101, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:259.101 Florida Preservation 2000 Act.—(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Preservation 2000 Act.”(2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds and declares that:(a) The alteration and development of Florida’s natural areas to accommodate its rapidly growing population have contributed to the degradation of water resources, the fragmentation and destruction of wildlife habitats, the loss of recreation space, and the diminishment of wetlands and forests.(b) Imminent development of Florida’s remaining natural areas and continuing increases in land values necessitate an aggressive program of public land acquisition during the next decade to preserve the quality of life that attracts so many people to Florida.(c) Acquisition of public lands, in fee simple or in any lesser interest, should be based on a comprehensive assessment of Florida’s natural resources and planned so as to protect the integrity of ecological systems and to provide multiple benefits, including preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, recreation space, and water recharge areas. Governmental agencies responsible for public land acquisition should work together to purchase lands jointly and to coordinate individual purchases within ecological systems.(d) One of the purposes of the Florida Communities Trust program is to acquire, protect, and preserve open space and recreation properties within urban areas where pristine animal and plant communities no longer exist. These areas are often overlooked in other programs because of their smaller size and proximity to developed property. These smaller parcels are, however, critically important to the quality of life in these urban areas for the residents who live there as well as to the many visitors to the state. The trust shall consider projects submitted by local governments which further the goals, objectives, and policies of the conservation, recreation and open space, or coastal elements of their local comprehensive plans or which serve to conserve natural resources or resolve land use conflicts.(e) South Florida’s water supply and unique natural environment depend on the protection of lands buffering the East Everglades and the Everglades water conservation areas.In addition, the Legislature recognizes the conflicting desires of the citizens of this state to prosper through economic development and to preserve the natural areas of Florida that development threatens to claim. The Legislature further recognizes the urgency of acquiring natural areas in the state for preservation, yet acknowledges the difficulty of ensuring adequate funding for accelerated acquisition in light of other equally critical financial needs of the state. It is the Legislature’s desire and intent to fund the implementation of the Florida Preservation 2000 Act for each of the 10 years of the program’s duration and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner.(3) TITLE TO CERTAIN PROPERTY ACQUIRED WITH PRESERVATION 2000 BONDS LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAMS SUPPLEMENTED.—Less the costs of issuance, the costs of funding reserve accounts, and other costs with respect to the bonds, the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be deposited into the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund created by s. 375.045. In fiscal year 2000-2001, for each Florida Preservation 2000 program described in paragraphs (a)-(g), that portion of each program’s total remaining cash balance which, as of June 30, 2000, is in excess of that program’s total remaining appropriation balances shall be redistributed by the department and deposited into the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund for land acquisition. For purposes of calculating the total remaining cash balances for this redistribution, the Florida Preservation 2000 Series 2000 bond proceeds, including interest thereon, and the fiscal year 1999-2000 General Appropriations Act amounts shall be deducted from the remaining cash and appropriation balances, respectively. The remaining proceeds shall be distributed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the following manner:(a) Fifty percent to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purchase of public lands as described in s. 259.032. Of this 50 percent, at least one-fifth shall be used for the acquisition of coastal lands.(b) Thirty percent to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purchase of water management lands pursuant to s. 373.59, to be distributed among the water management districts as provided in that section. Funds received by each district may also be used for acquisition of lands necessary to implement surface water improvement and management plans or for acquisition of lands necessary to implement the Everglades Construction Project authorized by s. 373.4592.(c) Ten percent to the Department of Environmental Protection to provide land acquisition grants and loans to local governments through the Florida Communities Trust pursuant to part III of chapter 380. From funds allocated to the trust, $3 million annually shall be used by the Division of State Lands within the Department of Environmental Protection to implement the Green Swamp Land Protection Initiative specifically for the purchase of conservation easements, as defined in s. 380.0677(3), of lands, or severable interests or rights in lands, in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. From funds allocated to the trust, $3 million annually shall be used by the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Land Authority specifically for the purchase of a real property interest in those lands subject to the Rate of Growth Ordinances adopted by local governments in Monroe County or those lands within the boundary of an approved Conservation and Recreation Lands project located within the Florida Keys or Key West Areas of Critical State Concern; however, title to lands acquired within the boundary of an approved Conservation and Recreation Lands project may, in accordance with an approved joint acquisition agreement, vest in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. Of the remaining funds, one-half shall be matched by local governments on a dollar-for-dollar basis. To the extent allowed by federal requirements for the use of bond proceeds, the trust shall expend Preservation 2000 funds to carry out the purposes of part III of chapter 380.(d) Two and nine-tenths percent to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purchase of inholdings and additions to state parks. For the purposes of this paragraph, “state park” means all real property in the state under the jurisdiction of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the department, or which may come under its jurisdiction.(e) Two and nine-tenths percent to the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to fund the acquisition of state forest inholdings and additions pursuant to s. 589.07.(f) Two and nine-tenths percent to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to fund the acquisition of inholdings and additions to lands managed by the commission which are important to the conservation of fish and wildlife.(g) One and three-tenths percent to the Department of Environmental Protection for the Florida Greenways and Trails Program, to acquire greenways and trails or greenways and trails systems pursuant to chapter 260, including, but not limited to, abandoned railroad rights-of-way and the Florida National Scenic Trail.Local governments may use federal grants or loans, private donations, or environmental mitigation funds, including environmental mitigation funds required pursuant to s. 338.250, for any part or all of any local match required for the purposes described in this subsection. Bond proceeds allocated pursuant to paragraph (c) may be used to purchase lands on the priority lists developed pursuant to s. 259.035. Title to lands purchased pursuant to former paragraphs (a), (d), (e), (f), or and (g) of this subsection, Florida Statutes 2014, shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. Title to lands purchased pursuant to former paragraph (c) of this subsection, Florida Statutes 2014, may be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. The board of trustees shall hold title to land protection agreements and conservation easements that were or will be acquired pursuant to former s. 380.0677, Florida Statutes 2014, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District shall monitor such agreements and easements within their respective districts until the state assumes this responsibility.(4) PROJECT CRITERIA.—(a) Proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this act and distributed pursuant to paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) shall be spent only on projects which meet at least one of the following criteria, as determined pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c):1. A significant portion of the land in the project is in imminent danger of development, in imminent danger of loss of its significant natural attributes, or in imminent danger of subdivision which will result in multiple ownership and may make acquisition of the project more costly or less likely to be accomplished;2. Compelling evidence exists that the land is likely to be developed during the next 12 months, or appraisals made during the past 5 years indicate an escalation in land value at an average rate that exceeds the average rate of interest likely to be paid on the bonds;3. A significant portion of the land in the project serves to protect or recharge groundwater and to protect other valuable natural resources or provide space for natural resource based recreation;4. The project can be purchased at 80 percent of appraised value or less;5. A significant portion of the land in the project serves as habitat for endangered, threatened, or rare species or serves to protect natural communities which are listed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as critically imperiled, imperiled, or rare, or as excellent quality occurrences of natural communities; or6. A significant portion of the land serves to preserve important archaeological or historical sites.(b) Each year that bonds are to be issued pursuant to this act, the Land Acquisition and Management Advisory Council shall review that year’s approved Conservation and Recreation Lands priority list and shall, by the first board meeting in February, present to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund for approval a listing of projects on the list which meet one or more of the criteria listed in paragraph (a). The board may remove projects from the list developed pursuant to this paragraph, but may not add projects.(c) Each year that bonds are to be issued pursuant to this act, each water management district governing board shall review the lands on its current year’s Save Our Rivers 5-year plan and shall, by January 15, adopt a listing of projects from the plan which meet one or more of the criteria listed in paragraph (a).(d) In the acquisition of coastal lands pursuant to paragraph (3)(a), the following additional criteria shall also be considered:1. The value of acquiring coastal high-hazard parcels, consistent with hazard mitigation and postdisaster redevelopment policies, in order to minimize the risk to life and property and to reduce the need for future disaster assistance.2. The value of acquiring beachfront parcels, irrespective of size, to provide public access and recreational opportunities in highly developed urban areas.3. The value of acquiring identified parcels the development of which would adversely affect coastal resources.When a nonprofit environmental organization which is tax-exempt pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code sells land to the state, such land at the time of such sale shall be deemed to meet one or more of the criteria listed in paragraph (a) if such land meets one or more of the criteria at the time the organization purchases it. Listings of projects compiled pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) may be revised to include projects on the Conservation and Recreation Lands priority list or in a water management district’s 5-year plan which come under the criteria in paragraph (a) after the dates specified in paragraph (b) or paragraph (c). The requirement of paragraph (3)(a) regarding coastal lands is met as long as an average of one-fifth of the cumulative proceeds allocated through fiscal year 1999-2000 pursuant to that paragraph is used to purchase coastal lands.(e) The Legislature finds that the Florida Preservation 2000 Program has provided financial resources that have enabled the acquisition of significant amounts of land for public ownership in the first 7 years of the program’s existence. In the remaining years of the Florida Preservation 2000 Program, agencies that receive funds are encouraged to better coordinate their expenditures so that future acquisitions, when combined with previous acquisitions, will form more complete patterns of protection for natural areas and functioning ecosystems to better accomplish the intent of paragraph (2)(c).(f) The Legislature intends that, in the remaining years of the Florida Preservation 2000 Program, emphasis be given to the completion of projects in which one or more parcels have already been acquired and to the acquisition of lands containing ecological resources which are either not represented or underrepresented on lands currently in public ownership. The Legislature also intends that future acquisitions under the Florida Preservation 2000 Program be limited to projects on the current project lists, or any additions to the list as determined and prioritized by the study, or those projects that can reasonably be expected to be acquired by the end of the Florida Preservation 2000 Program.(4)(5) FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE FUND USE.—Any funds received by the Florida Forest Service from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund pursuant to paragraph (3)(e) shall be used only to pay the cost of the acquisition of lands in furtherance of outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation in this state. The administration and use of any funds received by the Florida Forest Service from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund will be subject to such terms and conditions imposed thereon by the agency of the state responsible for the issuance of the revenue bonds, the proceeds of which are deposited in the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, including restrictions imposed to ensure that the interest on any such revenue bonds issued by the state as tax-exempt revenue bonds will not be included in the gross income of the holders of such bonds for federal income tax purposes. All deeds or leases with respect to any real property acquired with Preservation 2000 funds received by the Florida Forest Service must from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall contain sufficient such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 375.051 and s. 9, Art. XII of the 1968 Constitution of Florida; and shall contain reverter clauses providing for the reversion of title to such property to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or, in the case of a lease of such property, providing for termination of the lease upon a failure to use the property conveyed thereby for such purposes.(5)(6) DISPOSITION OF LANDS.—(a) Any lands acquired pursuant to former paragraphs paragraph (3)(a), paragraph (3)(c), paragraph (3)(d), paragraph (3)(e), paragraph (3)(f), or paragraph (3)(g) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, if title to such lands is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, may be disposed of by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund in accordance with the provisions and procedures set forth in s. 253.034(6), and lands acquired pursuant to former paragraph (3)(b) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, may be disposed of by the owning water management district in accordance with the procedures and provisions set forth in ss. 373.056 and 373.089 provided such disposition also shall satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c).(b) Before land acquired with Preservation 2000 funds may be surplused as required by s. 253.034(6), or determined to be no longer required for its purposes under s. 373.056(4), as whichever may be applicable, there shall first be a determination by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or, in the case of water management district lands, by the owning water management district, that such land no longer needs to be preserved in furtherance of the intent of the Florida Preservation 2000 Act. Any lands eligible to be disposed of under this procedure also may be used to acquire other lands through an exchange of lands if, provided such lands obtained in an exchange are described in the same paragraph of former subsection (3) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, as the lands disposed.(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), no such disposition of land shall be made if such disposition would have the effect of causing all or any portion of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to fund the Florida Preservation 2000 Act to lose their exclusion from gross income for purposes of federal income taxation. Any Revenue derived from the disposal of such lands acquired with Preservation 2000 funds may not be used for any purpose except for deposit into the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, or the Florida Forever Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection, for recredit to the share held under former subsection (3) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, in which such disposed land is described.(6)(7) ALTERNATE USES OF ACQUIRED LANDS.—(a) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, or, in the case of water management district lands, the owning water management district, may authorize the granting of a lease, easement, or license for the use of any lands acquired pursuant to former subsection (3) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, for any governmental use permitted by s. 17, Art. IX of the State Constitution of 1885, as adopted by s. 9(a), Art. XII of the State Constitution, and any other incidental public or private use that is determined by the board or the owning water management district to be compatible with the purposes for which such lands were acquired.(b) Any existing lease, easement, or license acquired for incidental public or private use on, under, or across any lands acquired pursuant to former subsection (3) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, shall be presumed not to be incompatible with the purposes for which such lands were acquired.(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), no such lease, easement, or license shall be entered into by the Department of Environmental Protection or other appropriate state agency if the granting of such lease, easement, or license would adversely affect the exclusion of the interest on any revenue bonds issued to fund the acquisition of the affected lands from gross income for federal income tax purposes, as described in s. 375.045(4).(7) ALTERNATIVES TO FEE SIMPLE ACQUISITION.—(8)(a) The Legislature finds that, with the increasing pressures on the natural areas of this state, the state must develop creative techniques to maximize the use of acquisition and management moneys. The Legislature also finds that the state’s environmental land-buying agencies should be encouraged to augment their traditional, fee simple acquisition programs with the use of alternatives to fee simple acquisition techniques. The Legislature also finds that using alternatives to fee simple acquisition by public land-buying agencies will achieve the following public policy goals:1. Allow more lands to be brought under public protection for preservation, conservation, and recreational purposes at less expense using public funds.2. Retain, on local government tax rolls, some portion of or interest in lands that which are under public protection.3. Reduce long-term management costs by allowing private property owners to continue acting as stewards of the land, as where appropriate.Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that public land-buying agencies develop programs to pursue alternatives to fee simple acquisition and to educate private landowners about such alternatives and the benefits of such alternatives. It also is the intent of the Legislature that the department and the water management districts spend a portion of their shares of Preservation 2000 bond proceeds to purchase eligible properties using alternatives to fee simple acquisition. Finally, it is the intent of the Legislature that public agencies acquire lands in fee simple for public access and recreational activities. Lands protected using alternatives to fee simple acquisition techniques may shall not be accessible to the public unless such access is negotiated with and agreed to by the private landowners who retain interests in such lands.(b) The Land Acquisition Advisory Council and the water management districts shall identify, within their 1997 acquisition plans, those projects that which require a full fee simple interest to achieve the public policy goals, along with the reasons why full title is determined to be necessary. The council and the water management districts may use alternatives to fee simple acquisition to bring the remaining projects in their acquisition plans under public protection. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “alternatives to fee simple acquisition” includes the, but is not limited to: purchase of development rights; conservation easements; flowage easements; the purchase of timber rights, mineral rights, or hunting rights; the purchase of agricultural interests or silvicultural interests; land protection agreements; fee simple acquisitions with reservations; or any other acquisition technique that which achieves the public policy goals identified listed in paragraph (a). It is presumed that a private landowner retains the full range of uses for all the rights or interests in the landowner’s land which are not specifically acquired by the public agency. Life estates and fee simple acquisitions with leaseback provisions do shall not qualify as an alternative to fee simple acquisition under this subsection, although the department and the districts are encouraged to use such techniques if where appropriate.(c) The department and each water management district shall implement initiatives to use alternatives to fee simple acquisition and to educate private landowners about such alternatives. These initiatives must shall include at least two acquisitions a year by the department and each water management district utilizing alternatives to fee simple.(d) The Legislature finds that the lack of direct sales comparison information has served as an impediment to successful implementation of alternatives to fee simple acquisition. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in the absence of direct comparable sales information, appraisals of alternatives to fee simple acquisitions be based on the difference between the full fee simple valuation and the value of the interests remaining with the seller after acquisition.(e) The public agency that which has been assigned management responsibility shall inspect and monitor any less-than-fee-simple interest according to the terms of the purchase agreement relating to such interest.(f) The department and the water management districts may enter into joint acquisition agreements to jointly fund the purchase of lands using alternatives to fee simple techniques.(8) PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE.—An agency or water management district that acquired lands using Preservation 2000 funds distributed pursuant to former subsection (3) of this section, Florida Statutes 2014, shall manage such lands to make them available for public recreational use if the recreational use does not interfere with the protection of natural resource values. The agency or district may enter into an agreement with the department or another appropriate state agency to transfer management authority or lease to such agencies’ lands purchased with Preservation 2000 funds for the purpose of managing the lands to make them available for public recreational use. The water management districts and the department shall take action to control the growth of nonnative invasive plant species on lands they manage which were purchased with Preservation 2000 funds.Section 27. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2), paragraphs (c), (l), and (m) of subsection (3), subsection (4), present subsection (5), paragraph (a) of present subsection (6), present subsection (10), paragraph (i) of present subsection (16), and present subsections (17) and (21) of section 259.105, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:259.105 The Florida Forever Act.—(2)(a) The Legislature finds and declares that:1. Land acquisition programs have provided tremendous financial resources for purchasing environmentally significant lands to protect those lands from imminent development or alteration, thereby ensuring present and future generations’ access to important waterways, open spaces, and recreation and conservation lands.2. The continued alteration and development of Florida’s natural and rural areas to accommodate the state’s growing population have contributed to the degradation of water resources, the fragmentation and destruction of wildlife habitats, the loss of outdoor recreation space, and the diminishment of wetlands, forests, working landscapes, and coastal open space.3. The potential development of Florida’s remaining natural areas and escalation of land values require government efforts to restore, bring under public protection, or acquire lands and water areas to preserve the state’s essential ecological functions and invaluable quality of life.4. It is essential to protect the state’s ecosystems by promoting a more efficient use of land, to ensure opportunities for viable agricultural activities on working lands, and to promote vital rural and urban communities that support and produce development patterns consistent with natural resource protection.5. Florida’s groundwater, surface waters, and springs are under tremendous pressure due to population growth and economic expansion and require special protection and restoration efforts, including the protection of uplands and springsheds that provide vital recharge to aquifer systems and are critical to the protection of water quality and water quantity of the aquifers and springs. To ensure that sufficient quantities of water are available to meet the current and future needs of the natural systems and citizens of the state, and assist in achieving the planning goals of the department and the water management districts, water resource development projects on public lands, where compatible with the resource values of and management objectives for the lands, are appropriate.6. The needs of urban, suburban, and small communities in Florida for high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities, greenways, trails, and open space have not been fully met by previous acquisition programs. Through such programs as the Florida Communities Trust and the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, the state shall place additional emphasis on acquiring, protecting, preserving, and restoring open space, ecological greenways, and recreation properties within urban, suburban, and rural areas where pristine natural communities or water bodies no longer exist because of the proximity of developed property.7. Many of Florida’s unique ecosystems, such as the Florida Everglades, are facing ecological collapse due to Florida’s burgeoning population growth and other economic activities. To preserve these valuable ecosystems for future generations, essential parcels of land must be acquired to facilitate ecosystem restoration.8. Access to public lands to support a broad range of outdoor recreational opportunities and the development of necessary infrastructure, where compatible with the resource values of and management objectives for such lands, promotes an appreciation for Florida’s natural assets and improves the quality of life.9. Acquisition of lands, in fee simple, less-than-fee interest, or other techniques shall be based on a comprehensive science-based assessment of Florida’s natural resources which targets essential conservation lands by prioritizing all current and future acquisitions based on a uniform set of data and planned so as to protect the integrity and function of ecological systems and working landscapes, and provide multiple benefits, including preservation of fish and wildlife habitat, recreation space for urban and rural areas, and the restoration of natural water storage, flow, and recharge.10. The state has embraced performance-based program budgeting as a tool to evaluate the achievements of publicly funded agencies, build in accountability, and reward those agencies which are able to consistently achieve quantifiable goals. While previous and existing state environmental programs have achieved varying degrees of success, few of these programs can be evaluated as to the extent of their achievements, primarily because performance measures, standards, outcomes, and goals were not established at the outset. Therefore, the Florida Forever program shall be developed and implemented in the context of measurable state goals and objectives.11. The state must play a major role in the recovery and management of its imperiled species through the acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management of ecosystems that can support the major life functions of such species. It is the intent of the Legislature to support local, state, and federal programs that result in net benefit to imperiled species habitat by providing public and private land owners meaningful incentives for acquiring, restoring, managing, and repopulating habitats for imperiled species. It is the further intent of the Legislature that public lands, both existing and to be acquired, identified by the lead land managing agency, in consultation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for animals or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for plants, as habitat or potentially restorable habitat for imperiled species, be restored, enhanced, managed, and repopulated as habitat for such species to advance the goals and objectives of imperiled species management consistent with the purposes for which such lands are acquired without restricting other uses identified in the management plan. It is also the intent of the Legislature that of the proceeds distributed pursuant to subsection (3), additional consideration be given to acquisitions that achieve a combination of conservation goals, including the restoration, enhancement, management, or repopulation of habitat for imperiled species. The Acquisition and Restoration Council, in addition to the criteria in subsection (9), shall give weight to projects that include acquisition, restoration, management, or repopulation of habitat for imperiled species. The term “imperiled species” as used in this chapter and chapter 253, means plants and animals that are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act, or state-listed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.a. As part of the state’s role, all state lands that have imperiled species habitat shall include as a consideration in management plan development the restoration, enhancement, management, and repopulation of such habitats. In addition, the lead land managing agency of such state lands may use fees received from public or private entities for projects to offset adverse impacts to imperiled species or their habitat in order to restore, enhance, manage, repopulate, or acquire land and to implement land management plans developed under s. 253.034 or a land management prospectus developed and implemented under this chapter. Such fees shall be deposited into a foundation or fund created by each land management agency under s. 379.223, s. 589.012, or s. 259.032(9)(c) s. 259.032(11)(c), to be used solely to restore, manage, enhance, repopulate, or acquire imperiled species habitat.b. Where habitat or potentially restorable habitat for imperiled species is located on state lands, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be included on any advisory group required under chapter 253, and the short-term and long-term management goals required under chapter 253 must advance the goals and objectives of imperiled species management consistent with the purposes for which the land was acquired without restricting other uses identified in the management plan.12. There is a need to change the focus and direction of the state’s major land acquisition programs and to extend funding and bonding capabilities, so that future generations may enjoy the natural resources of this state.(3) Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the proceeds of cash payments or bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund created by s. 259.1051. The proceeds shall be distributed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the following manner:(c) Twenty-one percent to the Department of Environmental Protection for use by the Florida Communities Trust for the purposes of part III of chapter 380, as described and limited by this subsection, and grants to local governments or nonprofit environmental organizations that are tax-exempt under s. 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code for the acquisition of community-based projects, urban open spaces, parks, and greenways to implement local government comprehensive plans. From funds available to the trust and used for land acquisition, 75 percent shall be matched by local governments on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The Legislature intends that the Florida Communities Trust emphasize funding projects in low-income or otherwise disadvantaged communities and projects that provide areas for direct water access and water-dependent facilities that are open to the public and offer public access by vessels to waters of the state, including boat ramps and associated parking and other support facilities. At least 30 percent of the total allocation provided to the trust shall be used in Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas, but one-half of that amount shall be used in localities in which the project site is located in built-up commercial, industrial, or mixed-use areas and functions to intersperse open spaces within congested urban core areas. From funds allocated to the trust, no less than 5 percent shall be used to acquire lands for recreational trail systems, provided that in the event these funds are not needed for such projects, they will be available for other trust projects. Local governments may use federal grants or loans, private donations, or environmental mitigation funds, including environmental mitigation funds required pursuant to s. 338.250, for any part or all of any local match required for acquisitions funded through the Florida Communities Trust. Any lands purchased by nonprofit organizations using funds allocated under this paragraph must provide for such lands to remain permanently in public use through a reversion of title to local or state government, conservation easement, or other appropriate mechanism. Projects funded with funds allocated to the trust shall be selected in a competitive process measured against criteria adopted in rule by the trust.(l) For the purposes of paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (h), the agencies that receive the funds shall develop their individual acquisition or restoration lists in accordance with specific criteria and numeric performance measures developed pursuant to s. 259.035(4). Proposed additions may be acquired if they are identified within the original project boundary, the management plan required pursuant to s. 253.034(5), or the management prospectus required pursuant to s. 259.032(7)(d) s. 259.032(9)(d). Proposed additions not meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall be submitted to the Acquisition and Restoration Council for approval. The council may only approve the proposed addition if it meets two or more of the following criteria: serves as a link or corridor to other publicly owned property; enhances the protection or management of the property; would add a desirable resource to the property; would create a more manageable boundary configuration; has a high resource value that otherwise would be unprotected; or can be acquired at less than fair market value.(m) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)-(j) and for the 2014-2015 fiscal year only:1. Five million dollars to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the acquisition of agricultural lands through perpetual conservation easements and other perpetual less-than-fee techniques, which will achieve the objectives of Florida Forever and s. 570.71.2. The remaining moneys appropriated from the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be distributed only to the Division of State Lands within the Department of Environmental Protection for land acquisitions that are less-than-fee interest, for partnerships in which the state’s portion of the acquisition cost is no more than 50 percent, or for conservation lands needed for military buffering or springs or water resources protection.This paragraph expires July 1, 2015.(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3) and for the 2014-2015 fiscal year only, the funds appropriated in section 56 of the 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act may be provided to water management districts for land acquisitions, including less-than-fee interest, identified by water management districts as being needed for water resource protection or ecosystem restoration. This subsection expires July 1, 2015.(4)(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that projects or acquisitions funded pursuant to paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) contribute to the achievement of the following goals, which shall be evaluated in accordance with specific criteria and numeric performance measures developed pursuant to s. 259.035(4):(a) Enhance the coordination and completion of land acquisition projects, as measured by:1. The number of acres acquired through the state’s land acquisition programs that contribute to the enhancement of essential natural resources, ecosystem service parcels, and connecting linkage corridors as identified and developed by the best available scientific analysis;2. The number of acres protected through the use of alternatives to fee simple acquisition; or3. The number of shared acquisition projects among Florida Forever funding partners and partners with other funding sources, including local governments and the Federal Government.(b) Increase the protection of Florida’s biodiversity at the species, natural community, and landscape levels, as measured by:1. The number of acres acquired of significant strategic habitat conservation areas;2. The number of acres acquired of highest priority conservation areas for Florida’s rarest species;3. The number of acres acquired of significant landscapes, landscape linkages, and conservation corridors, giving priority to completing linkages;4. The number of acres acquired of underrepresented native ecosystems;5. The number of landscape-sized protection areas of at least 50,000 acres that exhibit a mosaic of predominantly intact or restorable natural communities established through new acquisition projects or augmentations to previous projects; or6. The percentage increase in the number of occurrences of imperiled species on publicly managed conservation areas.(c) Protect, restore, and maintain the quality and natural functions of land, water, and wetland systems of the state, as measured by:1. The number of acres of publicly owned land identified as needing restoration, enhancement, and management, acres undergoing restoration or enhancement, acres with restoration activities completed, and acres managed to maintain such restored or enhanced conditions; the number of acres which represent actual or potential imperiled species habitat; the number of acres which are available pursuant to a management plan to restore, enhance, repopulate, and manage imperiled species habitat; and the number of acres of imperiled species habitat managed, restored, enhanced, repopulated, or acquired;2. The percentage of water segments that fully meet, partially meet, or do not meet their designated uses as reported in the Department of Environmental Protection’s State Water Quality Assessment 305(b) Report;3. The percentage completion of targeted capital improvements in surface water improvement and management plans created under s. 373.453(2), regional or master stormwater management system plans, or other adopted restoration plans;4. The number of acres acquired that protect natural floodplain functions;5. The number of acres acquired that protect surface waters of the state;6. The number of acres identified for acquisition to minimize damage from flooding and the percentage of those acres acquired;7. The number of acres acquired that protect fragile coastal resources;8. The number of acres of functional wetland systems protected;9. The percentage of miles of critically eroding beaches contiguous with public lands that are restored or protected from further erosion;10. The percentage of public lakes and rivers in which invasive, nonnative aquatic plants are under maintenance control; or11. The number of acres of public conservation lands in which upland invasive, exotic plants are under maintenance control.(d) Ensure that sufficient quantities of water are available to meet the current and future needs of natural systems and the citizens of the state, as measured by:1. The number of acres acquired which provide retention and storage of surface water in naturally occurring storage areas, such as lakes and wetlands, consistent with the maintenance of water resources or water supplies and consistent with district water supply plans;2. The quantity of water made available through the water resource development component of a district water supply plan for which a water management district is responsible; or3. The number of acres acquired of groundwater recharge areas critical to springs, sinks, aquifers, other natural systems, or water supply.(e) Increase natural resource-based public recreational and educational opportunities, as measured by:1. The number of acres acquired that are available for natural resource-based public recreation or education;2. The miles of trails that are available for public recreation, giving priority to those that provide significant connections including those that will assist in completing the Florida National Scenic Trail; or3. The number of new resource-based recreation facilities, by type, made available on public land.(f) Preserve significant archaeological or historic sites, as measured by:1. The increase in the number of and percentage of historic and archaeological properties listed in the Florida Master Site File or National Register of Historic Places which are protected or preserved for public use; or2. The increase in the number and percentage of historic and archaeological properties that are in state ownership.(g) Increase the amount of forestland available for sustainable management of natural resources, as measured by:1. The number of acres acquired that are available for sustainable forest management;2. The number of acres of state-owned forestland managed for economic return in accordance with current best management practices;3. The number of acres of forestland acquired that will serve to maintain natural groundwater recharge functions; or4. The percentage and number of acres identified for restoration actually restored by reforestation.(h) Increase the amount of open space available in urban areas, as measured by:1. The percentage of local governments that participate in land acquisition programs and acquire open space in urban cores; or2. The percentage and number of acres of purchases of open space within urban service areas.Florida Forever projects and acquisitions funded pursuant to paragraph (3)(c) shall be measured by goals developed by rule by the Florida Communities Trust Governing Board created in s. 380.504.(5)(6)(a) All lands acquired pursuant to this section shall be managed for multiple-use purposes, where compatible with the resource values of and management objectives for such lands. As used in this section, “multiple-use” includes, but is not limited to, outdoor recreational activities as described in ss. 253.034 and 259.032(7)(b) 259.032(9)(b), water resource development projects, sustainable forestry management, carbon sequestration, carbon mitigation, or carbon offsets.(9)(10) The Acquisition and Restoration Council shall recommend rules for adoption by the board of trustees to competitively evaluate, select, and rank projects eligible for Florida Forever funds pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) and for additions to the Conservation and Recreation Lands list pursuant to ss. 259.032 and 259.101(4). In developing these proposed rules, the Acquisition and Restoration Council shall give weight to the following criteria:(a) The project meets multiple goals described in subsection (4).(b) The project is part of an ongoing governmental effort to restore, protect, or develop land areas or water resources.(c) The project enhances or facilitates management of properties already under public ownership.(d) The project has significant archaeological or historic value.(e) The project has funding sources that are identified and assured through at least the first 2 years of the project.(f) The project contributes to the solution of water resource problems on a regional basis.(g) The project has a significant portion of its land area in imminent danger of development, in imminent danger of losing its significant natural attributes or recreational open space, or in imminent danger of subdivision which would result in multiple ownership and make acquisition of the project costly or less likely to be accomplished.(h) The project implements an element from a plan developed by an ecosystem management team.(i) The project is one of the components of the Everglades restoration effort.(j) The project may be purchased at 80 percent of appraised value.(k) The project may be acquired, in whole or in part, using alternatives to fee simple, including but not limited to, tax incentives, mitigation funds, or other revenues; the purchase of development rights, hunting rights, agricultural or silvicultural rights, or mineral rights; or obtaining conservation easements or flowage easements.(l) The project is a joint acquisition, either among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private entities, or by a public-private partnership.(15)(16) The Acquisition and Restoration Council shall submit to the board of trustees, with its list of projects, a report that includes, but shall not be limited to, the following information for each project listed:(i) A management policy statement for the project and a management prospectus pursuant to s. 259.032(7)(d) s. 259.032(9)(d).(16)(17) All proposals for projects pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) shall be implemented only if adopted by the Acquisition and Restoration Council and approved by the board of trustees. The council shall consider and evaluate in writing the merits and demerits of each project that is proposed for Florida Forever funding and each proposed addition to the Conservation and Recreation Lands list program. The council shall ensure that each proposed project will meet a stated public purpose for the restoration, conservation, or preservation of environmentally sensitive lands and water areas or for providing outdoor recreational opportunities and that each proposed addition to the Conservation and Recreation Lands list will meet the public purposes under s. 259.032(3) and, when applicable, s. 259.101(4). The council also shall determine whether the project or addition conforms, where applicable, with the comprehensive plan developed pursuant to s. 259.04(1)(a), the comprehensive multipurpose outdoor recreation plan developed pursuant to s. 375.021, the state lands management plan adopted pursuant to s. 253.03(7), the water resources work plans developed pursuant to s. 373.199, and the provisions of this section.(20)(21) Lands listed as projects for acquisition under the Florida Forever program may be managed for conservation pursuant to s. 259.032, on an interim basis by a private party in anticipation of a state purchase in accordance with a contractual arrangement between the acquiring agency and the private party that may include management service contracts, leases, cost-share arrangements, or resource conservation agreements. Lands designated as eligible under this subsection shall be managed to maintain or enhance the resources the state is seeking to protect by acquiring the land and to accelerate public access to the lands as soon as practicable. Funding for these contractual arrangements may originate from the documentary stamp tax revenue deposited into the Land Acquisition Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund and Water Management Lands Trust Fund. No more than $6.2 million may be expended from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund 5 percent of funds allocated under the trust funds shall be expended for this purpose.Section 28. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 259.1051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:259.1051 Florida Forever Trust Fund.—(1) There is created the Florida Forever Trust Fund to carry out the purposes of ss. 259.032, 259.105, 259.1052, and 375.031. The Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be held and administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. Proceeds from the sale of bonds, except proceeds of refunding bonds, issued under s. 215.618 and payable from moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund under s. 201.15(1) s. 201.15(1)(a), not to exceed $5.3 billion, must be deposited into this trust fund to be distributed and used as provided in s. 259.105(3). The bond resolution adopted by the governing board of the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration may provide for additional provisions that govern the disbursement of the bond proceeds.(3) The Department of Environmental Protection shall ensure that the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued under s. 215.618 and payable from moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund under s. 201.15(1) s. 201.15(1)(a) shall be administered and expended in a manner that ensures compliance of each issue of bonds that are issued on the basis that interest thereon will be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, with the applicable provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the exclusion of interest on the bonds from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Department of Environmental Protection shall administer the use and disbursement of the proceeds of such bonds or require that the use and disbursement thereof be administered in a manner to implement strategies to maximize any available benefits under the applicable provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent not inconsistent with the purposes identified in s. 259.105(3).Section 29. Subsection (4) of section 339.0801, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:339.0801 Allocation of increased revenues derived from amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) by ch. 2012-128.—Funds that result from increased revenues to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived from the amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) made by this act must be used annually, first as set forth in subsection (1) and then as set forth in subsections (2)-(5), notwithstanding any other provision of law:(4) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually thereafter, $10 million shall be allocated to the Small County Outreach Program, to be used as specified in s. 339.2818. These funds are in addition to the funds provided for the program pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)2 in s. 201.15(1)(c)1.b.Section 30. Subsection (9) of section 339.55, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:339.55 State-funded infrastructure bank.—(9) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a) s. 201.15(1)(c) for the purposes of the State Infrastructure Bank are hereby annually appropriated for expenditure to support that program.Section 31. Subsection (5) of section 341.303, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:341.303 Funding authorization and appropriations; eligibility and participation.—(5) FUND PARTICIPATION; FLORIDA RAIL ENTERPRISE.—(a) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is authorized to use funds provided pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)4. under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to fund:(a) Up to 50 percent of the nonfederal share of the costs of any eligible passenger rail capital improvement project.(b) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to fund Up to 100 percent of planning and development costs related to the provision of a passenger rail system, including, but not limited to, preliminary engineering, revenue studies, environmental impact studies, financial advisory services, engineering design, and other appropriate professional services.(c) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to fund The high-speed rail system.(d) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to fund Projects necessary to identify or address anticipated impacts of increased freight rail traffic resulting from the implementation of passenger rail systems as provided in s. 341.302(3)(b).Section 32. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 343.58, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:343.58 County funding for the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority.—(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and effective July 1, 2010, until as provided in paragraph (d), the department shall transfer annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority the amounts specified in subparagraph (a)1. or subparagraph (a)2.(b) Funding required by this subsection may not be provided from the funds dedicated to the Florida Rail Enterprise pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)4 under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d.Section 33. Section 369.252, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:369.252 Invasive plant control on public lands.—The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall establish a program to:(1) Achieve eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plants on public lands when the scientific data indicate that they are detrimental to the state’s natural environment or when the Commissioner of Agriculture finds that such plants or specific populations thereof are a threat to the agricultural productivity of the state;(2) Assist state and local government agencies in the development and implementation of coordinated management plans for the eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plant species on public lands;(3) Contract, or enter into agreements, with entities in the State University System or other governmental or private sector entities for research concerning control agents; production and growth of biological control agents; and development of workable methods for the eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic plants on public lands; and(4) Use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as authorized by the Legislature for carrying out activities under this section on public lands. A minimum of 20 percent of the amount appropriated by the Legislature for invasive plant control from credited to the Land Acquisition Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(6) shall be used for the purpose of controlling nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public lands.Section 34. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section 373.026, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.026 General powers and duties of the department.—The department, or its successor agency, shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter at the state level. However, it is the policy of the state that, to the greatest extent possible, the department may enter into interagency or interlocal agreements with any other state agency, any water management district, or any local government conducting programs related to or materially affecting the water resources of the state. All such agreements shall be subject to the provisions of s. 373.046. In addition to its other powers and duties, the department shall, to the greatest extent possible:(8)(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the use of state funds for land purchases from willing sellers is authorized for projects within the South Florida Water Management District’s approved 5-year plan of acquisition pursuant to s. 373.59 or within the South Florida Water Management District’s approved Florida Forever water management district work plan pursuant to s. 373.199.Section 35. Subsection (4) of section 373.089, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.089 Sale or exchange of lands, or interests or rights in lands.—The governing board of the district may sell lands, or interests or rights in lands, to which the district has acquired title or to which it may hereafter acquire title in the following manner:(4) The governing board of a district may exchange lands, or interests or rights in lands, owned by, or lands, or interests or rights in lands, for which title is otherwise vested in, the district for other lands, or interests or rights in lands, within the state owned by any person. The governing board shall fix the terms and conditions of any such exchange and may pay or receive any sum of money that the board considers necessary to equalize the values of exchanged properties. Land, or interests or rights in land, acquired under former s. 373.59, Florida Statutes 2014, may be exchanged only for lands, or interests or rights in lands, that otherwise meet the requirements of that section for acquisition.Section 36. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section 373.129, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.129 Maintenance of actions.—The department, the governing board of any water management district, any local board, or a local government to which authority has been delegated pursuant to s. 373.103(8), is authorized to commence and maintain proper and necessary actions and proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for any of the following purposes:(5) To recover a civil penalty for each offense in an amount not to exceed $10,000 per offense. Each date during which such violation occurs constitutes a separate offense.(a) A civil penalty recovered by a water management district pursuant to this subsection shall be retained deposited in the Water Management Lands Trust Fund established under s. 373.59 and used exclusively by the water management district that collected deposits the money into the fund. A civil penalty recovered by the department pursuant to this subsection must be deposited into the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund established under s. 376.307 Any such civil penalty recovered after the expiration of such fund shall be deposited in the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund and used exclusively within the water management district that deposits the money into the fund.Section 37. Subsection (5) of section 373.1391, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.1391 Management of real property.—(5) The following additional uses of lands acquired pursuant to the Florida Forever program and other state-funded land purchase programs shall be authorized, upon a finding by the governing board, if they meet the criteria specified in paragraphs (a)-(e): water resource development projects, water supply development projects, stormwater management projects, linear facilities, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Such additional uses are authorized where:(a) Not inconsistent with the management plan for such lands;(b) Compatible with the natural ecosystem and resource values of such lands;(c) The proposed use is appropriately located on such lands and where due consideration is given to the use of other available lands;(d) The using entity reasonably compensates the titleholder for such use based upon an appropriate measure of value; and(e) The use is consistent with the public interest.A decision by the governing board pursuant to this subsection shall be given a presumption of correctness. Moneys received from the use of state lands pursuant to this subsection shall be returned to the lead managing agency in accordance with the provisions of s. 373.59.Section 38. Subsection (7) of section 373.199, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.199 Florida Forever Water Management District Work Plan.—(7) By June 1, 2001, each district shall file with the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of Environmental Protection the initial 5-year work plan as required under subsection (2). By March 1 of each year thereafter, as part of the consolidated annual report required by s. 373.036(7), each district shall report on acquisitions completed during the year together with modifications or additions to its 5-year work plan. Included in the report shall be:(a) A description of land management activity for each property or project area owned by the water management district.(b) A list of any lands surplused and the amount of compensation received.(c) The progress of funding, staffing, and resource management of every project funded pursuant to former s. 259.101(3), Florida Statutes 2014 s. 259.101, s. 259.105, or former s. 373.59(2), Florida Statutes 2014, s. 373.59 for which the district is responsible.The secretary shall submit the report referenced in this subsection to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund together with the Acquisition and Restoration Council’s project list as required under s. 259.105.Section 39. Subsection (7) of section 373.430, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.430 Prohibitions, violation, penalty, intent.—(7) All moneys recovered under the provisions of this section shall be allocated to the use of the water management district, the department, or the local government, whichever undertook and maintained the enforcement action. All monetary penalties and damages recovered by the department or the state under the provisions of this section shall be deposited into in the Water Quality Assurance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund. All monetary penalties and damages recovered pursuant to this section by a water management district shall be retained deposited in the Water Management Lands Trust Fund established under s. 373.59 and used exclusively within the territory of the water management district which collected deposits the money into the fund. Any such monetary penalties and damages recovered after the expiration of such fund shall be deposited in the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund and used exclusively within the territory of the water management district which deposits the money into the fund. All monetary penalties and damages recovered pursuant to this subsection by a local government to which authority has been delegated pursuant to s. 373.103(8) shall be used to enhance surface water improvement or pollution control activities.Section 40. Subsections (3) through (6) of section 373.459, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:373.459 Funds for surface water improvement and management.—(3) The Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund shall be used for the deposit of funds appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of ss. 373.451-373.4595. The department shall administer all funds appropriated to or received for surface water improvement and management activities. Expenditure of the moneys shall be limited to the costs of detailed planning and plan and program implementation for priority surface water bodies. Moneys may from the fund shall not be expended for planning for, or construction or expansion of, treatment facilities for domestic or industrial waste disposal.(4) The department shall authorize the release of money from the fund in accordance with the provisions of s. 373.501(2) and procedures in s. 373.59(4) and (5).(5) Moneys in the fund which are not needed to meet current obligations incurred under this section shall be transferred to the State Board of Administration, to the credit of the trust fund, to be invested in the manner provided by law. Interest received on such investments shall be credited to the trust fund.(5)(6) The match requirement of subsection (2) does shall not apply to the Suwannee River Water Management District, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, or a financially disadvantaged small local government as defined in former s. 403.885(3).Section 41. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 373.4592, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.4592 Everglades improvement and management.—(3) EVERGLADES LONG-TERM PLAN.—(a) The Legislature finds that the Everglades Program required by this section establishes more extensive and comprehensive requirements for surface water improvement and management within the Everglades than the SWIM plan requirements provided in ss. 373.451 and 373.453. In order to avoid duplicative requirements, and in order to conserve the resources available to the district, the SWIM plan requirements of those sections shall not apply to the Everglades Protection Area and the EAA during the term of the Everglades Program, and the district will neither propose, nor take final agency action on, any Everglades SWIM plan for those areas until the Everglades Program is fully implemented. Funds identified under former s. 259.101(3)(b), Florida Statutes 2014, may be used for acquisition of lands necessary to implement the Everglades Construction Project, to the extent these funds are identified in the Statement of Principles of July 1993. The district’s actions in implementing the Everglades Construction Project relating to the responsibilities of the EAA and C-139 Basin for funding and water quality compliance in the EAA and the Everglades Protection Area shall be governed by this section. Other strategies or activities in the March 1992 Everglades SWIM plan may be implemented if otherwise authorized by law.Section 42. Subsection (4) of section 373.45926, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.45926 Everglades Trust Fund; allocation of revenues and expenditure of funds for conservation and protection of natural resources and abatement of water pollution.—(4) The following funds shall be deposited into the Everglades Trust Fund specifically for the implementation of the Everglades Forever Act.(a) Alligator Alley toll revenues pursuant to s. 338.26(3).(b) Everglades agricultural privilege tax revenues pursuant to s. 373.4592(6).(c) C-139 agricultural privilege tax revenues pursuant to s. 373.4592(7).(d) Special assessment revenues pursuant to s. 373.4592(8).(e) Ad valorem revenues pursuant to s. 373.4592(4)(a).(f) Federal funds appropriated by the United States Congress for any component of the Everglades Construction Project.(g) Preservation 2000 funds for acquisition of lands necessary for implementation of the Everglades Forever Act as prescribed in an annual appropriation.(g)(h) Any additional funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose.(h)(i) Gifts designated for implementation of the Everglades Forever Act from individuals, corporations, and other entities.(i)(j) Any additional funds that become available for this purpose from any other source.Section 43. Paragraph (e) of subsection (4), paragraph (a) of subsection (6), and paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section 373.470, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:373.470 Everglades restoration.—(4) SAVE OUR EVERGLADES TRUST FUND; FUNDS AUTHORIZED FOR DEPOSIT.—The following funds may be deposited into the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund created by s. 373.472 to finance implementation of the comprehensive plan, the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection Plan, the River Watershed Protection Plans, and the Keys Wastewater Plan:(e) Funds made available pursuant to s. 201.15 for debt service for Everglades restoration bonds.(6) DISTRIBUTIONS FROM SAVE OUR EVERGLADES TRUST FUND.—(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) and for funds appropriated for debt service, the department shall distribute funds in the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to the district in accordance with a legislative appropriation and s. 373.026(8)(b) and (c). Distribution of funds to the district from the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund shall be equally matched by the cumulative contributions from the district by fiscal year 2019-2020 by providing funding or credits toward project components. The dollar value of in-kind project design and construction work by the district in furtherance of the comprehensive plan and existing interest in public lands needed for a project component are credits towards the district’s contributions.(7) ANNUAL REPORT.—To provide enhanced oversight of and accountability for the financial commitments established under this section and the progress made in the implementation of the comprehensive plan, the following information must be prepared annually as part of the consolidated annual report required by s. 373.036(7):(b) The department shall prepare a detailed report on all funds expended by the state and credited toward the state’s share of funding for implementation of the comprehensive plan. The report shall include:1. A description of all expenditures, by source and amount, from the former Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, the former Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, the Florida Forever Trust Fund, the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund, and other named funds or accounts for the acquisition or construction of project components or other features or facilities that benefit the comprehensive plan.2. A description of the purposes for which the funds were expended.3. The unencumbered fiscal-year-end balance that remains in each trust fund or account identified in subparagraph 1.The information required in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) shall be provided as part of the consolidated annual report required by s. 373.036(7). The initial report is due by November 30, 2000, and each annual report thereafter is due by March 1.Section 44. Subsection (1) of section 373.472, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.472 Save Our Everglades Trust Fund.—(1) There is created within the Department of Environmental Protection the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund. Funds in the trust fund shall be expended to implement the comprehensive plan as defined in s. 373.470(2); the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection Plan as defined in s. 373.4595(2); the Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan as defined in s. 373.4595(2); the St. Lucie River Watershed Protection Plan as defined in s. 373.4595(2); the Long-Term Plan as defined in s. 373.4592(2); and the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern protection program under ss. 380.05 and 380.0552 to restore and conserve natural systems through the implementation of water management projects, including wastewater management projects identified in the “Keys Wastewater Plan” dated November 2007 and submitted to the Florida House of Representatives on December 4, 2007; and to pay debt service for Everglades restoration bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.619. The trust fund shall serve as the repository for state, local, and federal project contributions in accordance with s. 373.470(4).Section 45. Subsection (2) of section 373.584, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.584 Revenue bonds.—(2) Revenues derived by the district from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund as provided in s. 373.59 or any other revenues of the district may be pledged to the payment of such revenue bonds; however, the ad valorem taxing powers of the district may not be pledged to the payment of such revenue bonds without prior compliance with the requirements of the State Constitution as to the affirmative vote of the electors of the district and with the requirements of s. 373.563, and bonds payable from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund shall be issued solely for the purposes set forth in s. 373.59. Revenue bonds and notes shall be, and shall be deemed to be, for all purposes, negotiable instruments, subject only to the provisions of the revenue bonds and notes for registration. The powers and authority of districts to issue revenue bonds, including, but not limited to, bonds to finance a stormwater management system as defined by s. 373.403, and to enter into contracts incidental thereto, and to do all things necessary and desirable in connection with the issuance of revenue bonds, shall be coextensive with the powers and authority of municipalities to issue bonds under state law. The provisions of this section constitute full and complete authority for the issuance of revenue bonds and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purpose.Section 46. Section 373.59, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.59 Payment in lieu of taxes for lands acquired for water management district purposes Water Management Lands Trust Fund.—(1) There is established within the Department of Environmental Protection the Water Management Lands Trust Fund to be used as a nonlapsing fund for the purposes of this section. The moneys in this fund are hereby continually appropriated for the purposes of land acquisition, management, maintenance, capital improvements of land titled to the districts, payments in lieu of taxes, debt service on bonds issued prior to July 1, 1999, debt service on bonds issued on or after July 1, 1999, which are issued to refund bonds issued before July 1, 1999, preacquisition costs associated with land purchases, and the department’s costs of administration of the fund. No refunding bonds may be issued which mature after the final maturity date of the bonds being refunded or which provide for higher debt service in any year than is payable on such bonds as of February 1, 2009. The department’s costs of administration shall be charged proportionally against each district’s allocation using the formula provided in subsection (8). Capital improvements shall include, but need not be limited to, perimeter fencing, signs, firelanes, control of invasive exotic species, controlled burning, habitat inventory and restoration, law enforcement, access roads and trails, and minimal public accommodations, such as primitive campsites, garbage receptacles, and toilets. The moneys in the fund may also be appropriated to supplement operational expenditures at the Northwest Florida Water Management District and the Suwannee River Water Management District, with such appropriations allocated prior to the allocations set out in subsection (8) to the five water management districts.(2) Until the Preservation 2000 Program is concluded, each district shall file with the Legislature and the Secretary of Environmental Protection a report of acquisition activity, by January 15 of each year, together with modifications or additions to its 5-year plan of acquisition. Included in the report shall be an identification of those lands which require a full fee simple interest to achieve water management goals and those lands which can be acquired using alternatives to fee simple acquisition techniques and still achieve such goals. In their evaluation of which lands would be appropriate for acquisition through alternatives to fee simple, district staff shall consider criteria including, but not limited to, acquisition costs, the net present value of future land management costs, the net present value of ad valorem revenue loss to the local government, and the potential for revenue generated from activities compatible with acquisition objectives. The report shall also include a description of land management activity. However, no acquisition of lands shall occur without a public hearing similar to those held pursuant to the provisions set forth in s. 120.54. In the annual update of its 5-year plan for acquisition, each district shall identify lands needed to protect or recharge groundwater and shall establish a plan for their acquisition as necessary to protect potable water supplies. Lands which serve to protect or recharge groundwater identified pursuant to this paragraph shall also serve to protect other valuable natural resources or provide space for natural resource based recreation. Once all Preservation 2000 funds allocated to the water management districts have been expended or committed, this subsection shall be repealed.(3) Each district shall remove the property of an unwilling seller from its plan of acquisition at the next scheduled update of the plan, if in receipt of a request to do so by the property owner. This subsection shall be repealed at the conclusion of the Preservation 2000 program.(4) The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall release moneys from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund to a district for preacquisition costs within 30 days after receipt of a resolution adopted by the district’s governing board which identifies and justifies any such preacquisition costs necessary for the purchase of any lands listed in the district’s 5-year plan. The district shall return to the department any funds not used for the purposes stated in the resolution, and the department shall deposit the unused funds into the Water Management Lands Trust Fund.(5) The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall release to the districts moneys for management, maintenance, and capital improvements following receipt of a resolution and request adopted by the governing board which specifies the designated managing agency, specific management activities, public use, estimated annual operating costs, and other acceptable documentation to justify release of moneys.(6) If a district issues revenue bonds or notes under s. 373.584 prior to July 1, 1999, the district may pledge its share of the moneys in the Water Management Lands Trust Fund as security for such bonds or notes. The Department of Environmental Protection shall pay moneys from the trust fund to a district or its designee sufficient to pay the debt service, as it becomes due, on the outstanding bonds and notes of the district; however, such payments shall not exceed the district’s cumulative portion of the trust fund. However, any moneys remaining after payment of the amount due on the debt service shall be released to the district pursuant to subsection (5).(7) Any unused portion of a district’s share of the fund shall accumulate in the trust fund to the credit of that district. Interest earned on such portion shall also accumulate to the credit of that district to be used for management, maintenance, and capital improvements as provided in this section. The total moneys over the life of the fund available to any district under this section shall not be reduced except by resolution of the district governing board stating that the need for the moneys no longer exists. Any water management district with fund balances in the Water Management Lands Trust Fund as of March 1, 1999, may expend those funds for land acquisitions pursuant to s. 373.139, or for the purpose specified in this subsection.(8) Moneys from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund shall be allocated as follows:(a) Beginning with the 2009-2010 fiscal year, thirty percent shall be used first to pay debt service on bonds issued before February 1, 2009, by the South Florida Water Management District which are secured by revenues provided by this section or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to such bonds, then to transfer $3,000,000 to the credit of the General Revenue Fund in each fiscal year, and lastly to distribute the remainder to the South Florida Water Management District.(b) Beginning with the 2009-2010 fiscal year, twenty-five percent shall be used first to transfer $2,500,000 to the credit of the General Revenue Fund in each fiscal year and then to distribute the remainder to the Southwest Florida Water Management District.(c) Beginning with the 2009-2010 fiscal year, twenty-five percent shall be used first to pay debt service on bonds issued before February 1, 2009, by the St. Johns River Water Management District which are secured by revenues provided by this section or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to such bonds, then to transfer $2,500,000 to the credit of the General Revenue Fund in each fiscal year, and to distribute the remainder to the St. Johns River Water Management District.(d) Ten percent to the Suwannee River Water Management District.(e) Ten percent to the Northwest Florida Water Management District.(9) Moneys in the fund not needed to meet current obligations incurred under this section shall be transferred to the State Board of Administration, to the credit of the fund, to be invested in the manner provided by law. Interest received on such investments shall be credited to the fund.(10)(a) Beginning July 1, 1999, not more than one-fourth of the funds provided for in subsections (1) and (8) in any year shall be reserved annually by a governing board, during the development of its annual operating budget, for payments in lieu of taxes for all actual ad valorem tax losses incurred as a result of all governing board acquisitions for water management district purposes. Reserved funds not used for payments in lieu of taxes in any year shall revert to the Water Management Lands Trust Fund to be used in accordance with the provisions of this section.(2)(b) Payment in lieu of taxes shall be available:(a)1. To all counties that have a population of 150,000 or fewer. Population levels shall be determined pursuant to s. 186.901. The population estimates published April 1 and used in the revenue-sharing formula pursuant to s. 186.901 shall be used to determine eligibility under this subsection and shall apply to payments made for the subsequent fiscal year.(b)2. To all local governments located in eligible counties and whose lands are bought and taken off the tax rolls.For properties acquired after January 1, 2000, in the event that such properties otherwise eligible for payment in lieu of taxes under this subsection are leased or reserved and remain subject to ad valorem taxes, payments in lieu of taxes shall commence or recommence upon the expiration or termination of the lease or reservation. If the lease is terminated for only a portion of the lands at any time, the annual payments shall be made for that portion only commencing the year after such termination, without limiting the requirement that annual payments shall be made on the remaining portion or portions of the land as the lease on each expires. For the purposes of this subsection, “local government” includes municipalities and the county school board.(3)(c) If sufficient funds are unavailable in any year to make full payments to all qualifying counties and local governments, such counties and local governments shall receive a pro rata share of the moneys available.(4)(d) The payment amount shall be based on the average amount of actual ad valorem taxes paid on the property for the 3 years preceding acquisition. Applications for payment in lieu of taxes shall be made no later than May 31 of the year for which payment is sought. No payment in lieu of taxes shall be made for properties which were exempt from ad valorem taxation for the year immediately preceding acquisition.(5)(e) If property that was subject to ad valorem taxation was acquired by a tax-exempt entity for ultimate conveyance to the state under this chapter, payment in lieu of taxes shall be made for such property based upon the average amount of ad valorem taxes paid on the property for the 3 years prior to its being removed from the tax rolls. The water management districts shall certify to the Department of Revenue those properties that may be eligible under this provision. Once eligibility has been established, that governmental entity shall receive annual payments for each tax loss until the qualifying governmental entity exceeds the population threshold pursuant to subsection (2) paragraph (b).(6)(f) Payment in lieu of taxes pursuant to this section subsection shall be made annually to qualifying counties and local governments after certification by the Department of Revenue that the amounts applied for are reasonably appropriate, based on the amount of actual ad valorem taxes paid on the eligible property, and after the water management districts have provided supporting documents to the Chief Financial Officer and have requested that payment be made in accordance with the requirements of this section. With the assistance of the local government requesting payment in lieu of taxes, the water management district that acquired the land is responsible for preparing and submitting application requests for payment to the Department of Revenue for certification.(7)(g) If a water management district conveys to a county or local government title to any land owned by the district, any payments in lieu of taxes on the land made to the county or local government shall be discontinued as of the date of the conveyance.(11) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the governing board of a water management district may request, and the Secretary of Environmental Protection shall release upon such request, moneys allocated to the districts pursuant to subsection (8) for purposes consistent with the provisions of s. 373.709, s. 373.705, s. 373.139, or ss. 373.451-373.4595 and for legislatively authorized land acquisition and water restoration initiatives. No funds may be used pursuant to this subsection until necessary debt service obligations, requirements for payments in lieu of taxes, and land management obligations that may be required by this chapter are provided for.(12) Notwithstanding subsection (8), and for the 2014-2015 fiscal year only, the moneys from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund are allocated as follows:(a) An amount necessary to pay debt service on bonds issued before February 1, 2009, by the South Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District, which are secured by revenues provided pursuant to this section, or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to such bonds.(b) Eight million dollars to be transferred to the General Revenue Fund.(c) Seven million seven hundred thousand dollars to be transferred to the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to support Everglades restoration projects included in the final report of the Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin, dated November 8, 2013.(d) Any remaining funds to be provided in accordance with the General Appropriations Act.This subsection expires July 1, 2015.Section 47. Section 373.5905, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.5905 Reinstatement of payments in lieu of taxes; duration.—If a water management district has made a payment in lieu of taxes to a governmental entity and subsequently suspended such payment, beginning July 1, 2009, the water management district shall reinstate appropriate payments and continue the payments for as long as the county population remains below the population threshold pursuant to s. 373.59(2)(a) s. 373.59(10)(b). This section does not authorize or provide for payments in arrears.Section 48. Subsection (8) of section 373.703, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:373.703 Water production; general powers and duties.—In the performance of, and in conjunction with, its other powers and duties, the governing board of a water management district existing pursuant to this chapter:(8) In addition to the power to issue revenue bonds pursuant to s. 373.584, may issue revenue bonds for the purposes of paying the costs and expenses incurred in carrying out the purposes of this chapter or refunding obligations of the district issued pursuant to this section. Such revenue bonds shall be secured by, and be payable from, revenues derived from the operation, lease, or use of its water production and transmission facilities and other water-related facilities and from the sale of water or services relating thereto. Such revenue bonds may not be secured by, or be payable from, moneys derived by the district from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund or from ad valorem taxes received by the district or from moneys appropriated by the Legislature, unless otherwise specifically authorized by law. All provisions of s. 373.584 relating to the issuance of revenue bonds which are not inconsistent with this section shall apply to the issuance of revenue bonds pursuant to this section. The district may also issue bond anticipation notes in accordance with the provisions of s. 373.584.Section 49. Subsection (8) of section 375.031, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:375.031 Acquisition of land; procedures.—(8) The department may, if it deems it desirable and in the best interest of the program, request the board of trustees to sell or otherwise dispose of any lands or water storage areas acquired under this act. The board of trustees, when so requested, shall offer the lands or water storage areas, on such terms as the department may determine, first to other state agencies and then, if still available, to the county or municipality in which the lands or water storage areas lie. If not acquired by another state agency or local governmental body for beneficial public purposes, the lands or water storage areas shall then be offered by the board of trustees at public sale, after first giving notice of such sale by publication in a newspaper published in the county or counties in which such lands or water storage areas lie not less than once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. All proceeds from the sale or disposition of any lands or water storage areas pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the appropriate trust fund pursuant to s. 253.034(6)(k), (l), or (m) in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.Section 50. Section 375.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:375.041 Land Acquisition Trust Fund.—(1) There is created a Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection. The Land Acquisition Trust Fund is designated by s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution for receipt of certain documentary stamp tax revenue for the uses prescribed therein to facilitate and expedite the acquisition of land, water areas, and related resources required to accomplish the purposes of this act. The Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall be held and administered by the department. The Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall continue for as long as bonds are outstanding pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any bonds secured on a parity basis with such bonds, or until the requirement of s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution expires, whichever is later All moneys and revenue from the operation, management, sale, lease, or other disposition of land, water areas, related resources, and the facilities thereon acquired or constructed under this act shall be deposited in or credited to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Moneys accruing to any agency for the purposes enumerated in this act may be deposited in this fund. There shall also be deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund other moneys as authorized by appropriate act of the Legislature. All moneys so deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund shall be trust funds for the uses and purposes herein set forth, within the meaning of s. 215.32(1)(b); and such moneys shall not become or be commingled with the General Revenue Fund of the state, as defined by s. 215.32(1)(a).(2) All moneys and revenue from the sale or other disposition of land, water areas, or related resources acquired on or after July 1, 2015, for the purposes of s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution shall be deposited into or credited to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, except as otherwise provided pursuant to s. 253.034(6)(l).(3) Funds distributed into The moneys on deposit in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 shall be first applied to:(a) First, to pay debt service or to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to Florida Forever bonds issued under s. 215.618; and pay debt service, provide reserves, and pay rebate obligations and other amounts due with respect to Everglades restoration bonds issued under s. 215.619;(b) Then, to pay the debt service on bonds issued before February 1, 2009, by the South Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management District, which are secured by revenues provided pursuant to former s. 373.59, Florida Statutes 2014, or which are necessary to fund debt service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to such bonds. This paragraph expires July 1, 2016; and(c) Then, to distribute $32 million each fiscal year to the South Florida Water Management District for the Long-Term Plan as defined in s. 373.4592(2). This paragraph expires July 1, 2024 pay the rentals due under lease-purchase agreements or to meet debt service requirements of revenue bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051; provided, however, that debt service on Save Our Coast bonds shall not be paid from moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.032(2)(b).(4)(3)(a) Any remaining moneys in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund which are not distributed pledged for rentals or debt service as provided in subsection (3) (2) may be appropriated expended from time to time for the purposes set forth in s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution to acquire land, water areas, and related resources and to construct, improve, enlarge, extend, operate, and maintain capital improvements and facilities in accordance with the plan.(b) In addition to the uses allowed under paragraph (a), for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, moneys in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund may be transferred to support the Total Maximum Daily Loads Program as provided in the General Appropriations Act. This paragraph expires July 1, 2015.(c) For the 2014-2015 fiscal year only, moneys in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund may be transferred to the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund to support Everglades restoration projects included in the final report of the Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin, dated November 8, 2013, and to the Florida Forever Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program pursuant to nonoperating budget authority under s. 216.181(12). This paragraph expires July 1, 2015.(4) The department may disburse moneys in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to pay all necessary expenses to carry out the purposes of this act. The department shall disburse moneys from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the purpose of funding law enforcement services on state lands.(5) Moneys accruing to other agencies for the purposes designated in subsection (1) shall be transferred pursuant to nonoperating budget authority under s. 216.181(12). Agencies shall maintain the integrity of such transferred moneys. Any transferred moneys available from reversions or reductions of budget authority in the other agencies shall be transferred back to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection within 15 days after such reversion or reduction and must be available for future appropriation pursuant to s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution.(6)(5) When the Legislature has authorized the Department of Environmental Protection to condemn a specific parcel of land and such parcel already has been approved for acquisition through the fund, the land may be acquired in accordance with the provisions of chapter 73 or chapter 74, and the fund may be used to pay the condemnation award and all costs, including a reasonable attorney fees attorney’s fee, associated with condemnation.Section 51. Subsection (2) of section 375.044, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:375.044 Land Acquisition Trust Fund budget request.—(2) The legislative budget request shall be submitted to the Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature in conjunction with the provisions of ss. 216.023, 216.031, and 216.043. The 10-year request shall include, but need shall not be limited to:(a) A 10-year annual cash-flow analysis of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(b) The requested schedule of the agency for issuance of Save Our Coasts bonds.(b)(c) Forecasts of anticipated revenues to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.(c)(d) The estimate of the agency of Land Acquisition Trust Fund encumbrances and commitments for each year and the corresponding estimates of expenditures.Section 52. Section 375.045, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 53. Subsection (1) and paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 375.075, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:375.075 Outdoor recreation; financial assistance to local governments.—(1) The Department of Environmental Protection is authorized to establish the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program to provide grants, subject to legislative appropriation, to qualified local governmental entities to acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreation purposes. To the extent not needed for debt service on bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051, each year the department shall develop and plan a program which shall be based upon funding of not less than 5 percent of the money credited to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(2) and (3) in that year. The department shall develop and plan a program that must which shall be based upon the cumulative total funding appropriated by the Legislature for such purpose provided from this section and from the Florida Forever Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(d).(2)(c) Funds may not be released under No release of funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, or from the Florida Forever Trust Fund beginning in fiscal year 2001-2002, for this program may be made for these public recreation projects until the projects have been selected through the competitive selection process provided for in this section.Section 54. Section 376.11, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:376.11 Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund.—(1) The purpose of this section is to provide a mechanism to have financial resources immediately available for prevention of, and cleanup and rehabilitation after, a pollutant discharge, to prevent further damage by the pollutant, and to pay for damages. It is the legislative intent that this section be liberally construed to effect the purposes set forth, such interpretation being especially imperative in light of the danger to the environment and resources.(2) The Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund is established, to be used by the department and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a nonlapsing revolving fund for carrying out the purposes of ss. 376.011-376.21.(3) The following funds shall be deposited into the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund: To this fund shall be credited(a) All registration fees, penalties, judgments, damages recovered pursuant to s. 376.121, other fees and charges related to ss. 376.011-376.21, and the excise tax revenues levied, collected, and credited pursuant to ss. 206.9935(1) and 206.9945(1)(a);(b) Proceeds of fines and awards of damages pursuant to s. 161.054; and(c) Funds from other sources otherwise specified by law.(4) Charges against the fund shall be in accordance with this section.(5)(3) Moneys in the fund that are not needed currently to meet the obligations of the department in the exercise of its responsibilities under ss. 376.011-376.21 shall be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to the credit of the fund and may be invested in such manner as is provided for by statute. Interest received on such investment shall be credited to the fund, except as otherwise specified herein.(6)(4) Moneys in the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund may shall be used disbursed for the following purposes and no others:(a) To carry out the purposes of ss. 376.011-376.21.(b)(a) To pay administrative expenses, personnel expenses, and equipment costs of the department and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission related to the enforcement of ss. 376.011-376.21.(c)(b) All costs involved in the prevention and abatement of pollution related to the discharge of pollutants covered by ss. 376.011-376.21 and the abatement of other potential pollution hazards as authorized herein.(d)(c) All costs and expenses of the cleanup, restoration, and rehabilitation of waterfowl, wildlife, and all other natural resources damaged by the discharge of pollutants, including the costs of assessing and recovering damages to natural resources, whether performed or authorized by the department or any other state or local agency.(e)(d) All provable costs and damages which are the proximate results of the discharge of pollutants covered by ss. 376.011-376.21.(f)(e) Loans to the Inland Protection Trust Fund created in s. 376.3071.(g)(f) The interest earned from investments of the balance in the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund shall be used for funding the administrative expenses, personnel expenses, and equipment costs of the department relating to the enforcement of ss. 376.011-376.21.(h)(g) The funding of a grant program to local governments, pursuant to s. 376.15(3)(d) and (e), for the removal of derelict vessels from the public waters of the state.(i)(h) The department may spend up to $1 million per year from the principal of the fund to acquire, design, train, and maintain emergency cleanup response teams and equipment located at appropriate ports throughout the state for the purpose of cleaning oil and other toxic materials from coastal waters. When the teams and equipment are not needed for these purposes they may be used for any other valid purpose of the department.(j)(i) To provide a temporary transfer of funds in an amount not to exceed $10 million to the Minerals Trust Fund as set forth in s. 376.40.(k)(j) Funding for marine law enforcement.(7)(5) Any interest in lands acquired using moneys in the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund shall be held by the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, and such lands shall be acquired pursuant to the procedures set forth in s. 253.025.(8)(6) The department shall recover to the use of the fund from the person or persons causing the discharge or from the Federal Government, jointly and severally, all sums owed or expended from the fund, pursuant to s. 376.123(10), except that recoveries resulting from damage due to a discharge of a pollutant or other similar disaster shall be apportioned between the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund and the General Revenue Fund so as to repay the full costs to the General Revenue Fund of any sums disbursed therefrom as a result of such disaster. Requests for reimbursement to the fund for the above costs, if not paid within 30 days of demand, shall be turned over to the Department of Legal Affairs for collection.Section 55. Subsection (8) of section 376.123, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:376.123 Claims against the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund.—(8) If a person chooses to make a claim against the fund and accepts payment from, or a judgment against, the fund, then the department shall be subrogated to any cause of action that the claimant may have had, to the extent of such payment or judgment, and shall diligently pursue recovery on that cause of action pursuant to subsection (10) and s. 376.11(8) s. 376.11(6). In any such action, the amount of damages shall be proved by the department by submitting to the court a written report of the amounts paid or owed from the fund to claimants. Such written report shall be admissible as evidence, and the amounts paid from or owed by the fund to the claimants stated therein shall be irrebuttably presumed to be the amount of damages.Section 56. Paragraphs (g) through (l) are added to subsection (1) of section 376.307, Florida Statutes, subsection (4) of that section is amended, and subsection (8) is added to that section, to read:376.307 Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund.—(1) The Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund is intended to serve as a broad-based fund for use in responding to incidents of contamination that pose a serious danger to the quality of groundwater and surface water resources or otherwise pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. Moneys in this fund may be used:(g) For detailed planning for and implementation of programs for the management and restoration of ecosystems.(h) For development and implementation of surface water improvement and management plans and programs under ss. 373.451-373.4595.(i) For activities to restore polluted areas of the state, as defined by the department, to their condition before pollution occurred or to otherwise enhance pollution control activities.(j) For activities undertaken by the department to recover moneys as a result of actions against a person for a violation of chapter 373.(k) For funding activities described in s. 403.086(9) which are authorized for implementation under the Leah Schad Memorial Ocean Outfall Program.(l) For funding activities to restore or rehabilitate injured or destroyed coral reefs.(4) The trust fund shall be funded as follows:(a) An annual transfer of interest funds from the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund pursuant to s. 376.11(6)(g) s. 376.11(4)(f).(b) All excise taxes levied, collected, and credited to the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund in accordance with the provisions of ss. 206.9935(2) and 206.9945(1)(b).(c) All penalties, judgments, recoveries, reimbursements, and other fees and charges related to the enforcement of ss. 376.30-376.317, other than penalties, judgments, and other fees and charges related to the enforcement of ss. 376.3071 and 376.3073.(d) The fee on the retail sale of lead-acid batteries credited to the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund under s. 403.7185.(e) All penalties, judgments, recoveries, reimbursements, loans, and other fees and charges collected under s. 376.3078; tax revenues levied, collected, and credited under ss. 376.70 and 376.75; and registration fees collected under s. 376.303(1)(d).(f) All civil penalties recovered pursuant to s. 373.129(5)(a).(g) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of ss. 373.451-373.4595.(h) Moneys collected pursuant to s. 403.121 and designated for deposit into the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund.(i) Moneys recovered by the state as a result of actions initiated by the department against a person for a violation of chapter 373 or chapter 403.(j) Damages recovered pursuant to s. 403.93345 for coral reef protection.(k) Funds available for the Leah Schad Memorial Ocean Outfall Program pursuant to s. 403.08601.(l) Funds received by the state for injury to or destruction of coral reefs, which funds would otherwise be deposited into the General Revenue Fund or the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. The department may enter into settlement agreements that require responsible parties to pay a third party to fund projects related to the restoration of a coral reef, to accomplish mitigation for injury to a coral reef, or to support the activities of law enforcement agencies related to coral reef injury response, investigation, and assessment. Participation of a law enforcement agency in the receipt of funds through this mechanism shall be at the law enforcement agency’s discretion.(m) Moneys from sources otherwise specified by law.(8) A settlement entered into by the department may not limit the Legislature’s authority to appropriate moneys from the trust fund; however, the department may enter into a settlement in which the department agrees to request that moneys received pursuant to the settlement will be included in its legislative budget request for purposes set out in the settlement; and further, the department may enter into a settlement in cases involving joint enforcement with the Hillsborough County pollution control program, as a program approved by the department pursuant to s. 403.182, in which the department agrees that moneys are to be deposited into that local program’s pollution recovery fund and used for projects directed toward addressing the environmental damage that was the subject of the cause of action for which funds were received.Section 57. Subsection (4) of section 376.40, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:376.40 Petroleum exploration and production; purposes; funding.—(4) FUNDING.—There shall be deposited in the Minerals Trust Fund:(a) All fees charged permittees under ss. 377.24(1), 377.2408(1), and 377.2425(1)(b).(b) All penalties, judgments, recoveries, reimbursements, and other fees and charges related to the implementation of this section.(c) Any other funds required to be deposited in the trust fund under provisions of law.If moneys on deposit in the trust fund are not sufficient to satisfy the needed remedial or corrective action, and if the responsible party does not take remedial and corrective action in a timely manner or if a catastrophic event occurs, a temporary transfer of the required amount, or a maximum of $10 million, from the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund pursuant to s. 376.11(6)(j) s. 376.11(4)(i) is authorized. The Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund shall be reimbursed immediately upon deposit into the Minerals Trust Fund of moneys referred to in paragraph (b).Section 58. Section 379.202, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 59. Subsection (2) of section 379.206, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (3) is added to that section, to read:379.206 Grants and Donations Trust Fund.—(2) The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for allowable grant and donor agreement activities funded by restricted contractual revenue. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund shall consist of grants and donations from private and public nonfederal sources, development-of-regional-impact wildlife mitigation contributions, interest earnings, and cash advances from other trust funds.(3) If acquisition pursuant to this section will result in state ownership of land, title shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund as required in chapter 253. Land acquisition pursuant to this section shall be voluntary, negotiated acquisition and, if title is to be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, is subject to the acquisition procedures of s. 253.025.Section 60. Section 379.212, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:379.212 Land Acquisition Trust Fund.—(1)(a) There is established within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to implement s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution for the purpose of acquiring, assisting other agencies or local governments in acquiring, or managing lands important to the conservation of fish and wildlife.(b) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or its designee shall manage such lands for the primary purpose of maintaining and enhancing their habitat value for fish and wildlife. Other uses may be allowed that are not contrary to this purpose.(c) Where acquisition pursuant to this section will result in state ownership of land, title shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund as required in chapter 253. Land acquisition pursuant to this section shall be voluntary, negotiated acquisition and, where title is to be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, is subject to the acquisition procedures of s. 253.025.(d) Acquisition costs shall include purchase prices and costs and fees associated with title work, surveys, and appraisals required to complete an acquisition.(2) The fund may be credited with funds transferred from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection as provided in s. 375.041 Moneys which may be deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the purposes of this section may include, but not be limited to, donations, grants, development-of-regional-impact wildlife mitigation contributions, or legislative appropriations. Preservation 2000 acquisition moneys and Conservation and Recreation Lands management moneys shall not be deposited into this fund.(3) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall maintain the integrity of such moneys transferred from the Department of Environmental Protection. Any transferred moneys available from reversions and reductions in budget authority shall be transferred back to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection within 15 days after such reversion or reduction and must be available for future appropriation pursuant to s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution.Section 61. (1) All undisbursed, unobligated balances and all certified forward appropriations remaining in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on June 30, 2015, shall be transferred to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund, FLAIR number 77-2-339, within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.(2) This section shall take effect upon this act becoming a law or on June 29, 2015, whichever occurs earlier.Section 62. Subsection (2) of section 379.214, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:379.214 Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund.—(2) Funds to be credited to and uses of the trust fund shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of ss. 201.15, 206.606, 328.76, 369.20, 369.22, 369.252, and 379.502.Section 63. Subsection (12) of section 380.0666, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:380.0666 Powers of land authority.—The land authority shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this act, including the following powers, which are in addition to all other powers granted by other provisions of this act:(12) To identify parcels of land within the area or areas of critical state concern that would be appropriate acquisitions by the state from the Conservation and Recreational Lands Trust Fund and recommend such acquisitions to the advisory council established pursuant to s. 259.035 or its successor.Section 64. Section 380.0677, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 65. Subsection (11) of section 380.507, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:380.507 Powers of the trust.—The trust shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this part, including:(11) To make rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this part and to exercise any power granted in this part, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. The trust shall adopt rules governing the acquisition of lands with using proceeds from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund, consistent with the intent expressed in the Florida Forever Act. Such rules for land acquisition must include, but are not limited to, procedures for appraisals and confidentiality consistent with ss. 125.355(1)(a) and (b) and 166.045(1)(a) and (b), a method of determining a maximum purchase price, and procedures to assure that the land is acquired in a voluntarily negotiated transaction, surveyed, conveyed with marketable title, and examined for hazardous materials contamination. Land acquisition procedures of a local land authority created pursuant to s. 380.0663 or s. 380.0677 may be used for the land acquisition programs described in former s. by ss. 259.101(3)(c), Florida Statutes 2014, and in s. 259.105 if within areas of critical state concern designated pursuant to s. 380.05, subject to approval of the trust.Section 66. Subsection (4) of section 380.508, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:380.508 Projects; development, review, and approval.—(4) Projects or activities which the trust undertakes, coordinates, or funds in any manner shall comply with the following guidelines:(a) The purpose of redevelopment projects shall be to restore areas which are adversely affected by scattered ownership, poor lot layout, inadequate park and open space, incompatible land uses, or other conditions which endanger the environment or impede orderly development. Grants and loans awarded for redevelopment projects shall be used for assembling parcels of land within redevelopment project areas for the redesign of such areas and for the installation of public improvements required to serve such areas. After redesign and installation of public improvements, if any, lands in redevelopment projects, with the exception of lands acquired for public purposes, shall be conveyed to any person for development in accordance with a redevelopment project plan approved according to this part.(b) The purpose of resource enhancement projects shall be to enhance natural resources which, because of indiscriminate dredging or filling, improper location of improvements, natural or human-induced events, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants and loans awarded for resource enhancement projects shall be used for the assembly of parcels of land to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designed improvements, and for other corrective measures which will enhance the natural and scenic character of project areas.(c) The purpose of public access projects shall be to acquire interests in and initially develop lands which are suitable for and which will be used for public accessways to surface waters. The trust shall identify local governments and nonprofit organizations which will accept responsibility for maintenance and liability for public accessways which are located outside the state park system. The trust may lease any public access site developed under this part to a local government or nonprofit organization, provided that the conditions of the lease guarantee public use of the site. The trust may accept, from any local government or nonprofit organization, fees collected for providing public access to surface waters. The trust shall expend any such funds it accepts only for acquisition, development, and maintenance of such public accessways. To the maximum extent possible, the trust shall expend such fees in the general area where they are collected or in areas where public access to surface waters is clearly deficient. The trust may transfer funds, including such fees, to a local government or nonprofit organization to acquire public access sites. In developing or coordinating public access projects, the trust shall ensure that project plans involving beach access are consistent with state laws governing beach access.(d) The purpose of urban waterfront restoration projects shall be to restore deteriorated or deteriorating urban waterfronts for public use and enjoyment. Urban waterfront restoration projects shall include public access sites.(e) The purpose of working waterfront projects shall be to restore and preserve working waterfronts as provided in s. 380.5105.(f) The trust shall cooperate with local governments, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations in ensuring the reservation of lands for parks, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, historical preservation, or scientific study. If In the event that any local government, state agency, federal agency, or nonprofit organization is unable, due to limited financial resources or other circumstances of a temporary nature, to acquire a site for the purposes described in this paragraph, the trust may acquire and hold the site for subsequent conveyance to the appropriate governmental agency or nonprofit organization. The trust may provide such technical assistance as is required to aid local governments, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations in completing acquisition and related functions. The trust may shall not reserve lands acquired in accordance with this paragraph for more than 5 years from the time of acquisition. A local government, federal or state agency, or nonprofit organization may acquire the land at any time during this period for public purposes. The purchase price shall be based upon the trust’s cost of acquisition, plus administrative and management costs in reserving the land. The payment of the this purchase price shall be by money, trust-approved property of an equivalent value, or a combination of money and trust-approved property. If, after the 5-year period, the trust has not sold to a governmental agency or nonprofit organization land acquired for site reservation, the trust shall dispose of such land at fair market value or shall trade it for other land of comparable value which will serve to accomplish the purposes of this part. Any proceeds from the sale of such land received by the department shall be deposited into in the appropriate Florida Communities trust fund pursuant to s. 253.034(6)(k), (l), or (m).Project costs may include costs of providing parks, open space, public access sites, scenic easements, and other areas and facilities serving the public where such features are part of a project plan approved according to this part. In undertaking or coordinating projects or activities authorized by this part, the trust shall, when appropriate, use and promote the use of creative land acquisition methods, including the acquisition of less than fee interest through, among other methods, conservation easements, transfer of development rights, leases, and leaseback arrangements. The trust also shall assist local governments in the use of sound alternative methods of financing for funding projects and activities authorized under by this part. Any funds over and above eligible project costs, which remain after completion of a project approved according to this part, shall be transmitted to the state and deposited into in the Florida Forever Florida Communities Trust Fund.Section 67. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and subsections (5) and (7) of section 380.510, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:380.510 Conditions of grants and loans.—(3) In the case of a grant or loan for land acquisition, agreements shall provide all of the following:(f) The term of any grant using funds received from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, pursuant to s. 259.101(3)(c), shall be for a period not to exceed 24 months. The governing board of the trust may offer a grant with a shorter term and may extend a grant beyond 24 months when the grant recipient demonstrates that significant progress is being made toward closing the project or that extenuating circumstances warrant an extension of time. If a local government project which was awarded a grant is not closed within 24 months and the governing board of the trust does not grant an extension, the grant reverts to the trust’s unencumbered balance of Preservation 2000 funds to be redistributed to other eligible projects. The local government may reapply for a grant to fund the project in the trust’s next application cycle.Any deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby a nonprofit organization or local government acquires real property under this section shall set forth the interest of the state. The trust shall keep at least one copy of any such instrument and shall provide at least one copy to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.(5) Any funds the trust collects from a nonprofit organization or local government under a grant or loan agreement shall be deposited into in the Internal Improvement Florida Communities Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection.(7) Any funds received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c) or s. 375.041 s. 259.101(3)(c) and the Florida Forever Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c) shall be held separate and apart from any other funds held by the trust and shall be used for the land acquisition purposes of this part. In addition to the other conditions set forth in this section, the disbursement of Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever funds from the trust shall be subject to the following conditions:(a) The administration and use of Florida Forever any funds are received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be subject to such terms and conditions imposed thereon by the agency of the state responsible for the bonds, the proceeds of which are deposited into in the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund, including restrictions imposed to ensure that the interest on any such bonds issued by the state as tax-exempt bonds is will not be included in the gross income of the holders of such bonds for federal income tax purposes.(b) All deeds or leases with respect to any real property acquired with funds received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, the Florida Forever Trust Fund, or the Land Acquisition Trust Fund must shall contain such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 375.051 and s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution. Each deed All deeds or lease leases with respect to any real property acquired with funds received by the trust from the Florida Forever Trust Fund before July 1, 2015, must shall contain such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution. Each deed or lease with respect to any real property acquired with funds received by the trust from the Florida Forever Trust Fund after July 1, 2015, must contain covenants and restrictions sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution. Each deed or lease must shall contain a reversion, conveyance, or termination clause that vests will vest title in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund if any of the covenants or restrictions are violated by the titleholder or leaseholder or by some third party with the knowledge of the titleholder or leaseholder.Section 68. Section 380.511, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 69. Subsection (2) of section 403.0615, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:403.0615 Water resources restoration and preservation.—(2) Subject to specific legislative appropriation, the department shall establish a program to assist in the restoration and preservation of bodies of water and to enhance existing public access when deemed necessary for the enhancement of the restoration effort. This program shall be funded from the General Revenue Fund, from funds available from the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund, and from available federal moneys.Section 70. Section 403.08601, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:403.08601 Leah Schad Memorial Ocean Outfall Program.—The Legislature declares that as funds become available the state may assist the local governments and agencies responsible for implementing the Leah Schad Memorial Ocean Outfall Program pursuant to s. 403.086(9). Funds received from other sources provided for in law, the General Appropriations Act, from gifts designated for implementation of the plan from individuals, corporations, or other entities, or federal funds appropriated by Congress for implementation of the plan, may be deposited into an account of the Water Quality Assurance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund created pursuant to s. 403.1651.Section 71. Subsection (11) of section 403.121, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:403.121 Enforcement; procedure; remedies.—The department shall have the following judicial and administrative remedies available to it for violations of this chapter, as specified in s. 403.161(1).(11) Penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into in the Water Quality Assurance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund or other trust fund designated by statute and shall be used to fund the restoration of ecosystems, or polluted areas of the state, as defined by the department, to their condition before pollution occurred. The Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium may use a portion of the fund to administer the mediation process provided in paragraph (2)(e) and to contract with private mediators for administrative penalty cases.Section 72. Section 403.1651, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 73. Subsection (1) of section 403.885, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:403.885 Water Projects Grant Program.—(1) The Department of Environmental Protection shall administer a grant program to use funds transferred pursuant to s. 212.20 to the Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund or other moneys as appropriated by the Legislature for water quality improvement, stormwater management, wastewater management, and water restoration and other water projects as specifically appropriated by the Legislature. Eligible recipients of such grants include counties, municipalities, water management districts, and special districts that have legal responsibilities for water quality improvement, water management, stormwater management, wastewater management, lake and river water restoration projects, and drinking water projects pursuant to this section.Section 74. Section 403.8911, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 75. Subsection (6) of section 403.9325, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:403.9325 Definitions.—For the purposes of ss. 403.9321-403.9333, the term:(6) “Public lands that have been set aside for conservation or preservation” means:(a) Lands and interests acquired with funds deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s. 28(a), Art. X of the State Constitution;(b)(a) Conservation and recreation lands under chapter 259;(c)(b) State and national parks;(d)(c) State and national reserves and preserves, except as provided in s. 403.9326(3);(e)(d) State and national wilderness areas;(f)(e) National wildlife refuges (only those lands under Federal Government ownership);(g)(f) Lands acquired under the through the Water Management Lands Trust Fund, Save Our Rivers Program;(h)(g) Lands acquired under the Save Our Coast program;(i)(h) Lands acquired under the environmentally endangered lands bond program;(j)(i) Public lands designated as conservation or preservation under a local government comprehensive plan;(k)(j) Lands purchased by a water management district, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or any other state agency for conservation or preservation purposes;(l)(k) Public lands encumbered by a conservation easement that does not provide for the trimming of mangroves; and(m)(l) Public lands designated as critical wildlife areas by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.Section 76. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and subsection (11) of section 403.93345, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:403.93345 Coral reef protection.—(3) As used in this section, the term:(f) “Fund” means the Water Quality Assurance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund.(11) All damages recovered by or on behalf of this state for injury to, or destruction of, the coral reefs of the state that would otherwise be deposited in the general revenue accounts of the State Treasury or in the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall be deposited into in the Water Quality Assurance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund in the department and shall remain in such account until expended by the department for the purposes of this section. Moneys in the fund received from damages recovered for injury to, or destruction of, coral reefs must be expended only for the following purposes:(a) To provide funds to the department for reasonable costs incurred in obtaining payment of the damages for injury to, or destruction of, coral reefs, including administrative costs and costs of experts and consultants. Such funds may be provided in advance of recovery of damages.(b) To pay for restoration or rehabilitation of the injured or destroyed coral reefs or other natural resources by a state agency or through a contract to any qualified person.(c) To pay for alternative projects selected by the department. Any such project shall be selected on the basis of its anticipated benefits to the residents of this state who used the injured or destroyed coral reefs or other natural resources or will benefit from the alternative project.(d) All claims for trust fund reimbursements under paragraph (a) must be made within 90 days after payment of damages is made to the state.(e) Each private recipient of fund disbursements shall be required to agree in advance that its accounts and records of expenditures of such moneys are subject to audit at any time by appropriate state officials and to submit a final written report describing such expenditures within 90 days after the funds have been expended.(f) When payments are made to a state agency from the fund for expenses compensable under this subsection, such expenditures shall be considered as being for extraordinary expenses, and no agency appropriation shall be reduced by any amount as a result of such reimbursement.Section 77. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 420.5092, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:420.5092 Florida Affordable Housing Guarantee Program.—(5) Pursuant to s. 16, Art. VII of the State Constitution, the corporation may issue, in accordance with s. 420.509, revenue bonds of the corporation to establish the guarantee fund. The Such revenue bonds are shall be primarily payable from and secured by annual debt service reserves, from interest earned on funds on deposit in the guarantee fund, from fees, charges, and reimbursements established by the corporation for the issuance of affordable housing guarantees, and from any other revenue sources received by the corporation and deposited by the corporation into the guarantee fund for the issuance of affordable housing guarantees. If To the extent such primary revenue sources are considered insufficient by the corporation, pursuant to the certification provided in subsection (6), to fully fund the annual debt service reserve, the certified deficiency in such reserve is also shall be additionally payable from the first proceeds of the documentary stamp tax moneys deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the ensuing state fiscal year.(6)(a) If the primary revenue sources to be used for repayment of revenue bonds used to establish the guarantee fund are insufficient for such repayment, the annual principal and interest due on each series of revenue bonds are shall be payable from funds in the annual debt service reserve. The corporation shall, before June 1 of each year, perform a financial audit to determine whether at the end of the state fiscal year there will be on deposit in the guarantee fund an annual debt service reserve from interest earned pursuant to the investment of the guarantee fund, fees, charges, and reimbursements received from issued affordable housing guarantees and other revenue sources available to the corporation. Based upon the findings in such guarantee fund financial audit, the corporation shall certify to the Chief Financial Officer the amount of any projected deficiency in the annual debt service reserve for any series of outstanding bonds as of the end of the state fiscal year and the amount necessary to maintain such annual debt service reserve. Upon receipt of such certification, the Chief Financial Officer shall transfer to the annual debt service reserve, from the first available taxes distributed to the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the ensuing state fiscal year, the amount certified as necessary to maintain the annual debt service reserve.(b) If the claims payment obligations under affordable housing guarantees from amounts on deposit in the guarantee fund would cause the claims paying rating assigned to the guarantee fund to be less than the third-highest rating classification of any nationally recognized rating service, which classifications being consistent with s. 215.84(3) and rules adopted thereto by the State Board of Administration, the corporation shall certify to the Chief Financial Officer the amount of such claims payment obligations. Upon receipt of such certification, the Chief Financial Officer shall transfer to the guarantee fund, from the first available taxes distributed to the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the ensuing state fiscal year, the amount certified as necessary to meet such obligations, such transfer to be subordinate to any transfer referenced in paragraph (a) and not to exceed 50 percent of the amounts distributed to the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the preceding state fiscal year.Section 78. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:420.9073 Local housing distributions.—(1) Distributions calculated in this section shall be disbursed on a quarterly or more frequent basis by the corporation pursuant to s. 420.9072, subject to availability of funds. Each county’s share of the funds to be distributed from the portion of the funds in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund received pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) shall be calculated by the corporation for each fiscal year as follows:(a) Each county other than a county that has implemented the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida, shall receive the guaranteed amount for each fiscal year.(b) Each county other than a county that has implemented the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida, may receive an additional share calculated as follows:1. Multiply each county’s percentage of the total state population excluding the population of any county that has implemented the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida, by the total funds to be distributed.2. If the result in subparagraph 1. is less than the guaranteed amount as determined in subsection (3), that county’s additional share shall be zero.3. For each county in which the result in subparagraph 1. is greater than the guaranteed amount as determined in subsection (3), the amount calculated in subparagraph 1. shall be reduced by the guaranteed amount. The result for each such county shall be expressed as a percentage of the amounts so determined for all counties. Each such county shall receive an additional share equal to such percentage multiplied by the total funds received by the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) reduced by the guaranteed amount paid to all counties.(2) Distributions calculated in this section shall be disbursed on a quarterly or more frequent basis by the corporation pursuant to s. 420.9072, subject to availability of funds. Each county’s share of the funds to be distributed from the portion of the funds in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund received pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) shall be calculated by the corporation for each fiscal year as follows:(a) Each county shall receive the guaranteed amount for each fiscal year.(b) Each county may receive an additional share calculated as follows:1. Multiply each county’s percentage of the total state population, by the total funds to be distributed.2. If the result in subparagraph 1. is less than the guaranteed amount as determined in subsection (3), that county’s additional share shall be zero.3. For each county in which the result in subparagraph 1. is greater than the guaranteed amount, the amount calculated in subparagraph 1. shall be reduced by the guaranteed amount. The result for each such county shall be expressed as a percentage of the amounts so determined for all counties. Each such county shall receive an additional share equal to this percentage multiplied by the total funds received by the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) as reduced by the guaranteed amount paid to all counties.(3) Calculation of guaranteed amounts:(a) The guaranteed amount under subsection (1) shall be calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) and the denominator of which is the total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.(b) The guaranteed amount under subsection (2) shall be calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) and the denominator of which is the total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.Section 79. Section 570.207, Florida Statutes, is repealed.Section 80. Subsection (2) of section 570.321, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:570.321 Plant Industry Trust Fund.—(2) Funds to be credited to and uses of the trust fund shall be administered in accordance with ss. 259.032, 581.031, 581.141, 581.211, 581.212, 586.045, 586.15, 586.16, 593.114, and 593.117.Section 81. Subsection (12) of section 570.71, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:570.71 Conservation easements and agreements.—(12) The department may use appropriated funds from the following sources to implement this section:(a) State funds;(b) Federal funds;(c) Other governmental entities;(d) Nongovernmental organizations; or(e) Private individuals.Any such funds provided, other than from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, shall be deposited into the Incidental Conservation and Recreation Lands Program Trust Fund within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and used for the purposes of this section, including administrative and operating expenses related to appraisals, mapping, title process, personnel, and other real estate expenses.Section 82. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 895.09, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:895.09 Disposition of funds obtained through forfeiture proceedings.—(1) A court entering a judgment of forfeiture in a proceeding brought pursuant to s. 895.05 shall retain jurisdiction to direct the distribution of any cash or of any cash proceeds realized from the forfeiture and disposition of the property. The court shall direct the distribution of the funds in the following order of priority:(c) Any claim by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund on behalf of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Land Acquisition trust fund used pursuant to s. 253.03(12), not including administrative costs of the Department of Environmental Protection previously paid directly from the Internal Improvement Trust Fund in accordance with legislative appropriation.Section 83. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 201.15, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 339.2818, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:339.2818 Small County Outreach Program.—(6) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 for the purposes of the Small County Outreach Program are hereby annually appropriated for expenditure to support the Small County Outreach Program.Section 84. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 201.15, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (5) of section 339.2819, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:339.2819 Transportation Regional Incentive Program.—(5) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 for the purposes of the Transportation Regional Incentive Program are hereby annually appropriated for expenditure to support that program.Section 85. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 201.15, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 339.61, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:339.61 Florida Strategic Intermodal System; legislative findings, declaration, and intent.—(3) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 for the purposes of the Florida Strategic Intermodal System are hereby annually appropriated for expenditure to support that program.Section 86. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 201.15, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 341.051, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:341.051 Administration and financing of public transit and intercity bus service programs and projects.—(6) ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.—Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 for the New Starts Transit Program are hereby annually appropriated for expenditure to support the New Starts Transit Program.For purposes of this section, the term “net operating costs” means all operating costs of a project less any federal funds, fares, or other sources of income to the project.Section 87. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 201.15, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 420.9079, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:420.9079 Local Government Housing Trust Fund.—(1) There is created in the State Treasury the Local Government Housing Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the corporation on behalf of the department according to the provisions of ss. 420.907-420.9076 and this section. There shall be deposited into the fund a portion of the documentary stamp tax revenues as provided in s. 201.15, moneys received from any other source for the purposes of ss. 420.907-420.9076 and this section, and all proceeds derived from the investment of such moneys. Moneys in the fund that are not currently needed for the purposes of the programs administered pursuant to ss. 420.907-420.9076 and this section shall be deposited to the credit of the fund and may be invested as provided by law. The interest received on any such investment shall be credited to the fund.Section 88. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 376.307, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 287.0595, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:287.0595 Pollution response action contracts; department rules.—(2) In adopting rules under this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall follow the criteria applicable to the department’s contracting to the maximum extent possible, consistent with the goals and purposes of ss. 376.307 and 376.3071.Section 89. If any law amended by this act was also amended by a law enacted during the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature, such law shall be construed as if enacted during the same session of the Legislature, and full effect shall be given to each if possible.Section 90. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1, 2015, except that if an earlier effective date is specified herein for any section, that section shall operate retroactively to that date. If this act fails to become a law until after July 1, 2015, it shall take effect upon becoming a law and operate retroactively to July 1, 2015, except that if an earlier effective date is specified herein for any section, that section shall take effect upon becoming a law and operate retroactively to that date.