The proposed rule is an intermediate step in the state listing process for the Florida reef gecko. In 2021, the FWC received a request to evaluate the Florida reef gecko for listing as State-designated Threatened and the Commission approved a Biological Review Group to evaluate the status of the species. Based on this evaluation, staff made a listing status recommendation to the Commissioners during their May 2024 meeting. Commissioners agreed that the species warranted listing as State-designated Threatened and approved incorporating the Florida reef gecko into Rule 68A027.001, F.A.C. as a candidate species. This proposed rule is the outcome of that listing recommendation and will allow staff to continue with the listing process. Once added to the list of candidate species, staff will draft a management plan and Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines, and return to the Commissioners for approval, which will then complete the listing process and add the Florida reef gecko to the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List.