Recently introduced legislation (HB803 and SB1054) propose the legalization of what could be construed as state-sanctioned looting of archaeological sites, and should not become law. Professional archaeologists and related professional associations are nearly, if not completely, unanimous in their opposition to this legislation. Further, it appears that this legislation is lobbied for by corporate entities and individuals with special interests related to artifact trafficking and the sale of antiquities. The analysis of archaeological sites and the knowledge produced from them is often almost entirely dependent on the integrity of the sites and the spatial relationships between various objects and artifacts within those sites. It is important to note that artifacts rarely exist in isolation, and it is the spatial relationship of the artifacts present at a site that informs archaeological research and analysis as much, and often much more so, than the artifacts themselves. 

The language in these bills does not guarantee or even remotely imply that the integrity of sites (either known or unknown) will be adequately protected, and the details of finds documented properly. The criteria for permitting under the language in these bills are completely unclear in terms of the methods to be used, and further, provide no indication that the potential permittees are capable of adequately (in terms of future research) performing tasks that are, at a minimum, generally conducted under professional supervision. Once destroyed, the spatial context and the information in it is gone forever, along with any potential for the reconstruction of history and past life-ways that might have otherwise been elicited from it. This proposed legislation does not promote responsible stewardship of historical resources, or a thorough consideration of public interests in understanding a common past, but rather, this legislation appears to disproportionately benefit persons with interests in the antiquities market.

See the below links for more information and professional takes on the issue:

http://flpublicarchaeology.org/resources/collecting.php​

http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/blog/ncrc/2015/12/15/florida-proposed-house-bill-803senate-bill-1054/

Here is a link to the Florida Senate bill, which is identical to the House bill.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2016/1054/BillText/Filed/HTML