Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S938: Conservation Easements
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requiring a water management district to release a conservation easement upon application of the fee simple owner of a parcel of land if certain conditions are met; requiring that the ad valorem taxes of the property be based on the just value of the property; authorizing such property to be used for development consistent with the zoning designation of the adjacent lands; providing that the property owner assumes responsibility for any stormwater requirements if the property is developed, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to conservation easements; amending s. 704.06, F.S.; requiring a water management district to release a conservation easement upon application of the fee simple owner of a parcel of land if certain conditions are met; requiring that the ad valorem taxes of the property be based on the just value of the property; authorizing such property to be used for development consistent with the zoning designation of the adjacent lands; providing that the property owner assumes responsibility for any stormwater requirements if the property is developed…
From the introduced text, December 17, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to conservation easements; amending s. 704.06, F.S.; requiring a water management district to release a conservation easement upon application of the fee simple owner of a parcel of land if certain conditions are met; requiring that the ad valorem taxes of the property be based on the just value of the property; authorizing such property to be used for development consistent with the zoning designation of the adjacent lands; providing that the property owner assumes responsibility for any stormwater requirements if the property is developed; requiring a property owner to comply with certain ordinances; requiring the property owner to seek the water management district's approval for stormwater permit modifications; providing applicability; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (14) is added to section 704.06, Florida Statutes, to creation; acquisition; enforcement.-- (14)(a) Upon application to a water management district by the fee simple owner of a parcel of land subject to a conservation easement, the water management district must release the conservation easement if all of the following conditions are met: 1. The land subject to the conservation easement is fewer than 15 acres and is bordered on three or more sides by impervious surfaces. 2. Any undeveloped adjacent parcels of land …