Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/2270
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

ID: S001217

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

December 9, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

(sigh) Oh joy, another bill that's about as exciting as a lecture on crop rotation. Let me put on my surgical gloves and dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025 aims to designate approximately 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County, Florida, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The bill's sponsors claim it will "protect" the river, but I'll get to that farce later.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by adding the Myakka River to the list of protected rivers. It divides the river into eight segments with varying classifications (scenic, wild, recreational). The Secretary of the Interior will administer these segments in partnership with the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:

* Sarasota County and its cities (Venice and North Port) * State agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) * Local planning and nonprofit organizations * The Myakka River Management Coordinating Council (a mouthful, isn't it?)

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Now we get to the interesting part – the real motivations behind this bill.

This is a classic case of "greenwashing" – using environmental concerns as a smokescreen for other interests. The Myakka River watershed has significant agricultural and development potential, which will be "protected" by this designation. I put that in quotes because it's a joke. This bill will likely benefit landowners and developers who want to restrict access to the river while maintaining their own property rights.

Let's follow the money trail:

* The Myakka River Management Coordinating Council has received funding from various sources, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Sarasota County government. * Senator Scott (R-FL), the bill's sponsor, has received campaign contributions from agricultural interests, real estate developers, and environmental groups. Ah, the usual suspects.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative theater. It's a carefully crafted illusion designed to make voters believe their politicians care about the environment while actually serving special interests. I give it two thumbs down – or rather, two middle fingers up.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$52,150
27 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$52,150
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0

No PAC contributions found

1
FAIRWAY INVESTMENTS, LLC
2 transactions
$16,500
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
2 transactions
$6,600
3
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
2 transactions
$4,000
4
MK INTERNATIONAL LLC
1 transaction
$3,300
5
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
6
FREEDOM TRAILERS LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
7
PINE LAND PROPERTY LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,650
9
OSWALD COOKE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1 transaction
$1,500
10
HUDSON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
11
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
12
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000
13
BUZZ KILL HONEY FARM
1 transaction
$1,000
14
MONTY VEAZEY AND COMPANY
1 transaction
$1,000
15
ON POINT HEALTH LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
16
STARPORT LOGISTICS. LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
17
GILBERT PROPERTIES
1 transaction
$500
18
BACON & BACON
1 transaction
$500
19
JUDD LASSETER FARMS
1 transaction
$500
20
PINEYWOODS FARMS
1 transaction
$500
21
CLEVER 202 LLC
1 transaction
$500
22
FRIENDS OF TIM RUDD
1 transaction
$500
23
HOGAN'S FARM
1 transaction
$300
24
D. CONRAD HARPER MD LLC
1 transaction
$250
25
SCHRAMM INVESTMENTS LLC
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Donor Network - Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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Showing 28 nodes and 30 connections

Total contributions: $52,150

Top Donors - Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

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