We would like to thank everyone for their support. Go to our new website and see how you can protect Florida's black bears. The Florida Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act (SB1304) was introduced into the Florida senate by Senator Linda Stewart on February 28, 2017. Its companion bill in the House (HB491) was introduced by Rep. Amy Mercado on March 7th. The bill, which would take effect July 1, 2017, calls for certain actions to be coordinated between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the protection and preservation of the Florida black bear and its habitat within state forests, state parks, and conservation easements authorized by the state (i.e., on “state lands”).