SB 1846

Present law authorizes the commissioner of environment and conservation and the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund board ("board"") to use funds from the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund (""fund"") for i nfrastructure upgrades to the Ocoee River management zone (""zone"") ; t ourism promotion and economic development activities that benefit the zone; and o ther reasonable expenses if there are sufficient funds available after necessary expenditures. This bill outlines ways in which the commissioner and the board may use the fund for t ourism promotion and economic development activities that benefit the zone, including h iring pe ople to coordinate community and outdoor events on the Ocoee River; and c ontributing funds to events operated on the Ocoee River for the benefit of a nonprofit organization . Further, the commissioner and board may use the fund for professional services, if necessary, to conduct the business of the board under other reasonable e xpenses. However, this bill requires that a ny expenditures made by the board for infrastructure upgrades to the zone and other reasonable expenses to first be approved by a simple majority vote of the board. OCOEE RIVER RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD Present law provides that t he board consist s of nine voting members, including the manager of the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park . This bill replaces the manager with t he director of the division of state parks in the department of environment and conservation who, effective July 1, 2026, will complete the remaining term of the manager and serve in such position as a member of the board thereafter . PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATION WITHIN THE ZONE Present law prohibits the department of environment and conservation from issuing more than 24 permits for commercial operation. Any p erson who is issued and is possessing a permit as of June 30, 2024, may transfer the permit with prior written approval of the commissioner t o a member of the person's immediate family p ursuant to a purchase and sale agreement, or a s authorized by department rule. Present law defines ""i mmediate family "" as a spouse, child, step-child, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-i n-law, parent, or grandparent. This bill allows a ny person who is issued and possessing a permit as of June 30, 2024, to transfer the permit with prior written approval of the commissioner to a member of the person's immediate family pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement, or as authorized by department rule . However, on or after July 1, 2026, t he department cannot issue more than 24 permits for commercial operation, and, as permits are revoked or otherwise not renewed, the department must reduce the maximum number of permits issued to 12 . If a permit that was previously issued as of June 30, 2024, is revoked or if a permittee operating a commercial operation conducting business within the zone goes out of business, then the person whose permit is revoked or whose commercial operation goes out of business may not apply for a subsequent permit . Further, a new permit must not be issued, except to p urchasers of businesses conducting such business within the zone on or after the date of revocation or date the businesses closed, as applicable; a nd i mmediate family members to whom ownership of such businesses is transferred on or after the date of revocation or date the businesses closed."