F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 7,755 Engrossed 1 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to areas of critical state concern;

amending s.

377.24, F.S.;

revising the criteria for a prohibition on drilling, exploration, or production of specified petroleum products;

action by claimants.— (1) A person entering into a formal contract with the state or any county, city, or political subdivision thereof, or other public authority or private entity, for the construction of a public building, for the prosecution and completion of a public work, or for repairs upon a public building or public work shall be required, before commencing the work or before recommencing the work after a default or abandonment, to execute and record in the public records of the county where the improvement is located, a payment and performance bond with a Page 1 of 43 CODING:

hb755hb755-01-c1 -02-e1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 7,755 Engrossed 1 2026 and record in the public records of the county where the improvement is located, a payment and performance bond with a surety insurer authorized to do business in this state as surety.

259.105 The Florida Forever Act.— (3) Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the Page 2 of 43 CODING:

hb755hb755-01-c1 -02-e1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 7,755 Engrossed 1 2026 (3) Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the proceeds of cash payments or bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund created by s.

Subsection (10) of section 377.24, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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Words stricken are deletions;

words underlined are additions.

hb755 -02-e1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 7, Engrossed 1 2026 377.24 Notice of intention to drill well;

permits;

abandoned wells and dry holes.— (10) Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, the drilling, exploration, or production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products is prohibited in counties designated as rural areas of opportunity under s.

288.0656 if the proposed site is within 10 miles of a national estuarine research reserve.

If such a county also contains an area of critical state concern, the drilling, exploration, or production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products is prohibited within 30 miles of a national estuarine research reserve.

Section 4.

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hb755hb755-01-c1 -02-e1