FloridaState trust land transfers to Tequesta for a permanent public park
The measure directs Florida’s state land trust to transfer about 41.1 acres in Martin County to Tequesta for continuous public-park use and protection.
What it does
The state land trust must transfer about 41.1 acres and its improvements to Tequesta, which would receive full ownership subject to continuing restrictions.
Tequesta must keep the property as a public park and greenspace for outdoor recreation, education, conservation, and protection of natural and historical resources.
Tequesta must retain the property forever; if it sells or otherwise disposes of the property or improvements, ownership returns to the state land trust.
Argument forKeeping the land as a public park could give residents lasting access to recreation, conservation, education, and natural-resource protection.
Argument againstThe permanent-ownership rule and required reversion could limit Tequesta’s ability to sell, change, or reuse the property later.
More detail
The state land trust must transfer the described property and improvements to the Village of Tequesta with full ownership. The property covers about 41.1 acres in Martin County across described portions of Sections 19 and 24, including its improvements. Tequesta may use the property for any use allowed by law, subject to the continuing use and ownership rules in the act. The transfer must occur within 60 days after this act takes effect.
Tequesta must manage and protect the property as a public park and greenspace. The requirement covers the transferred property and all improvements on it. Allowed activities include outdoor recreation, education, conservation, and protecting natural and historical resources. The continuous public-park and greenspace requirement applies after the property is transferred.
Tequesta must keep the property and its improvements forever, or ownership returns to the state land trust if the village sells or disposes of them. The rule includes improvements funded wholly or partly by Tequesta. Any sale or other disposition by the village triggers the return of ownership to the state land trust on behalf of Florida. The permanent ownership rule applies after the transfer and continues indefinitely unless a sale or other disposition triggers reversion.
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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. 2026-195Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; 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 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11Passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Jan 22Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Bill released to House Calendar
- Jan 22Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 22Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 13Now in State Affairs Committee
- Jan 13Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Jan 13Favorable by Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 9Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Dec 11Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 11Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 11Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 4Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Nov 24Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 24Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 20FiledIntroduced
- Dec 11Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
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