n2021-4_b024_f08_x01_01

A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT TO DEFINE, ESTABLISH AND FIX A DEFINITE POLICY AND PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROAD AND HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION, MAKING IT A PART OF THE INCLUSION OF IT IN ALL ROAD CONSTRUCTION BUILDING PROGRAMS OF THE STATE ROAD DEPARTMENT AND OF THE COUNTY ROADS UNDER BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF FLORIDA; FIXING UNIFORM AND STANDARD RIGHT OF WAYS; PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE WORK; CREATING THE POSITION OF “DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION”, DEFINING HIS OFFICIAL STATUS, DUTIES, SALARY, AND THE MANNER OF HIS APPOINTMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA:

SECTION 1. That Highway Beautification shall be defined as the conservation of natural growth and replanting where found necessary along the right of ways of all state and county roads in Florida. Beautification shall be construed as a part of all road construction in Florida, and made the duty of the State Road Department and all Boards of County Commissioners to include the road and highway beautification work in all and every program of road construction planned, or all and every contract let for road construction or improvement or repair. Highway Beautification shall be understood to mean the replanting and restoration of the natural beauty of all roadsides in Florida where the beauty of the natural growth has been destroyed and the roads denuded. That the beauty of all roads projected for the future must be conserved and restored by replating wherever needed.

SECTION 2. The Governor shall appoint a “Director of Conservation” who shall be an expert in conservation and planting, and who shall hold office at the will of the Governor. He shall not only have a knowledge of plant life, but must be regarded as an authority on roadside and highway beautificat-