Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, proposed a measure Friday that would set aside at least $50 million a year to help address issues such as beach erosion.
The bill (SB 174), filed for the 2018 legislative session, also seeks to revamp the way the state prioritizes beach and inlet-management projects. It includes a detailed scoring system that would be used in determining which projects should be priorities for funding.
The minimum of $50 million a year would come from the state's Land Acquisition Trust Fund, which also helps pay for such projects as Everglades restoration and springs protection. The 2018 session will start in January.
