‘Blue Ribbon’ land conservation bill clears first Committee stop

A measure aimed at incentivizing private large-scale landowners to set aside conservation lands has cleared its first Committee stop, the Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, with one minor amendment.

Rep. Lauren Melo’s measure (HB 299) aims to encourage Florida’s largest private landowners to serve as long-term stewards of both the natural and built environments. It would establish “Blue Ribbon” projects for landowners who control or own at least 10,000 contiguous acres. The measures would require participating landowners to conserve at least 60% of the property.

The adopted amendment to the House bill adds language granting easements to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and similar government entities to the definition of “reserve area,” the space that would be conserved under the program.

The bill would allow landowners to bypass the usual local government approval processes typically undertaken for development projects. However, landowners would still need approval from local governments based on compliance with applicable statutes, including development orders and concurrency requirements.

The stated Blue Ribbon project goals are to protect wildlife and natural areas; limit urban sprawl; provide a range of housing options, including missing middle and affordable housing; create quality communities designed to reduce vehicle trips and promote multiple mobility options; and enhance local economic development objectives and job creation.

The proposal is driven by a desire to implement smart growth strategies, ensuring growth occurs only where it can be supported. The proposal requires phased planning for water, wastewater, transportation, schools and utilities.

It also emphasizes sustainability beyond conservation lands by ensuring that new development supports population density in compact, multi-mobility-focused communities.

The measure also seeks to ensure the state is a good steward of taxpayer dollars by allowing conservation lands to be secured without public dollars.

“HB 299 creates a framework that secures large-scale private land conservation for the long term — without requiring state purchase or taxpayer subsidies,” Melo previously told Florida Politics of the bill.

Sen. Stan McClain is sponsoring an identical bill (SB 354) in the upper chamber. It has not yet been heard in Committee. The House version has two more Committee stops: Commerce and State Affairs.