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CS/HB 7115 — OGSR/Economic Development Agencies
by State Affairs Committee; Government Operations Subcommittee; Rep. Patronis (CS/CS/SB 1206 by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; Commerce and Tourism Committee; and Senator Lynn)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Commerce and Tourism Committee (CM)
Currently, certain business records are confidential and exempt from Florida’s public records requirements when held by an economic development agency and requested to be exempt by the affected business. Examples of economic development agencies include the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Enterprise Florida, Inc., (EFI), and public economic development agencies of local governments.
The following information is confidential and exempt from public records requirements:
- Upon written request, information relating to a business’s plans, intentions, and interests to locate, relocate, or expand its business activities in Florida.
- Trade secrets.
- Proprietary confidential business information.
- A federal employer identification number, unemployment compensation account number, or Florida sales tax registration number.
- Certain information pertaining to economic incentive programs.
This bill reenacts the public records exemptions, which will repeal on October 2, 2012, if this bill does not become law.
The bill makes additional changes, including:
- Providing that a business’s plans, intentions, and interests may become public record 180 days after a final project order for an economic incentive agreement is issued, or until a date specified in the final order; and
- Making certain wage, job, and tax information public 180 days after a final project order for an economic incentive agreement is issued, or until a date specified in the final order.
These changes do not expand the public records exemption currently in law.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 116-0