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The 2025 Florida Legislative Session closed with a mix of good and bad bills that will impact the environment and quality of life for years to come. �ԹϺ���’s staff and chapter advocates were a loud and effective voice for natural resources through the session and into budget overtime. Thank you for your tenacity and endurance!

Good Bills Signed into Law

HB 209, State Park Preservation Act, passes and is signed by Governor DeSantis. This legislation was prompted by the groundswell of opposition in the Summer of 2024 when incompatible golf courses and other facilities were proposed in state parks. The bill prohibits those uses in state parks and was buoyed by advocacy from constituents in every district. 

HB 1143 - Protections for the Apalachicola River basin from oil and gas exploration. 

SB 948 - "Renter beware" disclosure requirements for flood-prone properties.

Bad Bills that Died

HB 1169 - A bill that could have constrained the conservation work of water management districts never made it through the session.

SB 1118 - A bill that would have potentially reduced or eliminated the power of local referenda to regulate housing density and would have undermined local control over zoning decisions.

SB 1142 - A bill that would have allowed landowners to remove conservation protections from small properties (under 15 acres) that are mostly surrounded by development, weakening efforts to manage stormwater, prevent flooding, and protect habitats.

Bad Bills that We Improved

SB 1080 - A bill that could have led to uncontrolled urban sprawl was improved before passing both the House and Senate.

Bad Bills Signed into Law

SB 492 - The Governor signed into law this wetland mitigation banking bill, which removes requirements that mitigation credits are purchased within the same watershed as the impacts and could lead to flooding and water quality declines.

SB 180 - The Governor signed into law this bill aimed at strengthening disaster recovery, but also blocks local governments in Florida—within 100 miles of a hurricane-impacted area—from adopting any comprehensive plan amendments deemed more “restrictive or burdensome.” This broad and vague language effectively prohibits these communities from tightening local growth regulations, regardless of need.

Budget Highlights

�ԹϺ��� was dismayed by the Legislature’s stark underfunding of the Florida Forever land conservation program, one of the state’s most important tools for protecting natural lands. Out of a $117.4 billion state budget, only $18 million was allocated to secure future parks, forests, and wildlife areas—far short of what’s needed to meet demand and preserve Florida’s natural heritage. Similarly, despite the attention our state parks received this year, they were allocated just $36.5 million for land and facilities management.

On a more positive note, Everglades restoration efforts will continue with a strong $742 million investment. Additionally, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program received $250 million to help preserve working farms and ranchlands—key to both Florida’s environment and economy.

However, the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program received no funding this year. Instead, most water-related funding was directed to the Wastewater Grant Program for discretionary member projects, reducing the state’s ability to prioritize investments based on environmental need and measurable outcomes. On June 30, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed the state budget, delivering good news for land conservation by vetoing the Legislature’s proposed $200 million sweep from previously appropriated funds for the Ocala to Osceola Corridor and Caloosahatchee Big Cypress Land Acquisition Projects. However, a major disappointment was his veto of the $6.5 million allocated for the long-awaited restoration of the Ocklawaha River.