HB 7075 — Military Installations
by Community and Military Affairs Subcommittee and Rep. Workman (SB 2076 by Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security 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: Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
Encroachment
The bill amends s. 163.3175, F.S., to clarify provisions relating to military commanding officer comments on proposed land use changes that may have an impact on the mission of a military installation. The bill clarifies that commanding officer comments on proposed land use changes are advisory to the local government, and provides that the advisory comments must be based upon appropriate data and analyses provided with the comments. The bill also provides that the local government must consider a commanding officer’s comments, underlying studies, and reports in the same manner as comments received by other reviewing agencies representing interests that may be affected by proposed changes such as the environment, public schools, or transportation.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2012.
Grants for Military Base Retention
Current law provides for seven defense-related grant programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity to assist defense-dependent communities in their transition from a defense economy to a non-defense economy in light of the federal BRAC process. In an effort to expand the scope of these grant programs to include military base retention and to consolidate programs that have not been funded or implemented since its enactment, the bill amends s. 288.980, F.S., to streamline the existing seven programs into three comprehensive programs – the Military Base Protection Program; the Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant Program; and the Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant Program.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2012.
Florida Defense Support Task Force
The bill repeals s. 288.987, F.S., which established the Florida Council for Military Base and Mission Support (Council) and creates a type two transfer of the authority, rights, responsibilities, rules and all other resources of the Council to the Florida Defense Support Task Force (Task Force). In addition, the bill transfers the Council’s exemption from public records and public meetings requirements relating to the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s military bases and strategies to the Task Force.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 116-0