Florida Governor enacts legislation channeling gambling money to environmental projects

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill on Thursday that redirects substantial revenues from the state's gambling pact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida toward land preservation, wildlife protection and waterway conservation projects.

Speaking at the headquarters of the South Florida Water Management District in Broward County, DeSantis emphasized the significance of the measure, highlighting its potential impact on the state's restoration initiatives.

"The compact is in place, and we’re getting revenue share, and that’s good," DeSantis stated during the press conference. "So what are we going to do with that? We are going to dedicate the bulk of the revenue to these restoration programs. So we are looking at about $750 million a year to the state just from the Seminole Tribe gaming compact. That’s a lot of resources."

Measure SB 1638 garnered unanimous approval in both chambers of the Legislature and was championed as a priority by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. It mandates that 96% of the proceeds from the 2021 gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida be allocated to various environmental initiatives during the fiscal year 2024-2025. 

These initiatives include:

• $150 million to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for operations and maintenance.
• $100 million for uplands management and eradication of invasive species.
• $100 million for land acquisitions to support the wildlife corridor.
• $100 million to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Resilient Florida Trust Fund.
• $79 million for the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program.

Under the terms of the 2021 Gaming Compact, the Seminole Tribe is obligated to make a guaranteed minimum payment totaling $2.5 billion over the initial five years of the agreement.

Reflecting on the significance of the collaboration between the Tribe and the state, Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola, Jr. underscored the enduring partnership during the Broward press conference.

"The Tribe is always going to be part of the state. This is our home. This is where we grew up. This is where we’ll be buried. And the state is always going to be here," Osceola stated. "Myself and the governor may not be in these elected positions, but the Tribe and the state will always be a great partner and be the only partners that each other should have. Going forward to protect all of the natural resources."

Following the signing of the legislation, Governor DeSantis hailed his administration's environmental stewardship since taking office in 2019. However, his remarks also touched on contentious issues surrounding climate change and environmental policy, with the governor expressing skepticism toward certain measures.