Tallahassee Judge Rules Florida Misused Conservation Funds

In 2014, the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative (Amendment 1) was passed overwhelmingly with 74.96% of the vote. Upon passage by the voters, the Florida Constitution now regulates that 33% of net revenue from the existing excise tax on documents to be dedicated to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. This Trust Fund was developed to acquire and improve conservation easements, wildlife management areas, wetlands, forests, and more.

However, a Tallahassee circuit judge has recently ruled that the state of Florida has not been properly appropriating the funds to the Trust, issuing a summary judgment in favor of the Trust. This summary judgment gives the Trust a victory in the case without needing to go to trial.

Attorney Sean Byrne of Bach, Jacobs & Byrne, P.A. is a real property attorney with extensive experience in land conservation law, including the creation and sale of conservation easements. If you are seeking counsel regarding a land conservation easement, call (941) 906-1231 to set up a consultation.