FloridaMarion County district may build roads, water systems, and trails
The district covers about 5,161 acres in Marion County and may build public facilities there, while county land-use and permit rules continue to apply.
What it does
The district may build and maintain public facilities and services, including roads, water systems, and trails, across about 5,161 acres in Marion County. County land-use and permit rules still apply.
The district may fund its work through property taxes, assessments, and charges for services. Property taxes need voter approval and a board elected by district voters; improvement assessments must reflect benefits to affected properties.
As more qualified electors live in the district, more board seats shift from landowner elections to voter elections. District voters elect all five members once the district has 25,000 qualified electors.
Argument forThe district could build roads, water systems, and trails across its boundaries, giving residents more connected public facilities and recreation options.
Argument againstProperty owners could face assessments for improvements that benefit their land, and property taxes could follow if district voters approve them after electing the full board.
More detail
The Uplands Stewardship District may plan, build, maintain, and finance public facilities and services. The district covers about 5,161 acres in the parts of Marion County described in the act. The district cannot take over Marion County's planning, zoning, or development-permit powers. District work remains subject to applicable county plans, permits, and land-use rules.
The district board may raise money through property taxes, assessments, and charges for district services. These funding powers apply to property and users within the district. Property taxes require a board made up entirely of members elected by district voters and approval by voters in a referendum. Assessments for improvements must reflect the benefits to the affected properties, and the board must provide notice and a hearing. The board must hold a public hearing before setting charges for district facilities or services. The district may levy property taxes only after all board members are elected by district voters and voters approve the taxes in a referendum.
The way board members are elected shifts from landowners to district voters as the district gains qualified electors. The election rules apply to the district's five-member board. Qualified electors must be at least 18, U.S. citizens, legal residents of Florida and the district, registered to vote in Marion County, and county residents. The number of voter-elected seats rises at 10,000, 16,000, 21,000, and 23,000 qualified electors; at 25,000, voters elect all five members. A new election is not required before a current board member's term ends. In election years, the board counts qualified electors as of April 15. Each seat change takes effect after the first general election following its population threshold.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-217Latest
- Jun 25Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 15Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 25Referred to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25In Messages
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 116, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 10Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 10Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 10Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 2Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Ways & Means Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Reported out of Ways & Means Committee
- Feb 2Favorable by Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Jan 29Added to Ways & Means Committee agenda
- Jan 29Now in Ways & Means Committee
- Jan 29Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 29Referred to Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Jan 281st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28CS FiledMinor
- Jan 28Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 28Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 26Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 7FiledIntroduced
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