The Florida Senate

CHAPTER 288

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS (ss. 288.012-288.1258)

PART II

DIVISION OF BOND FINANCE (ss. 288.13-288.33)

PART III

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES (ss. 288.35-288.386)

PART IV

SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS (ss. 288.7011-288.714)

PART V

EXPORT FINANCE (ss. 288.770-288.778)

PART VI

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (ss. 288.809-288.855)

PART VII

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, INC. (ss. 288.901-288.9415)

PART VIII

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (ss. 288.9511-288.9520)

PART IX

CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT (ss. 288.9602-288.9618)

PART X

DEFENSE CONVERSION AND TRANSITION (ss. 288.971-288.980)

PART XI

CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANY ACT (s. 288.99)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

288.012  State of Florida foreign offices.

288.017  Cooperative advertising matching grants program.

288.018  Regional Rural Development Grants Program.

288.019  Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation processes.

288.021  Economic development liaison.

288.0251  International development outreach activities in Latin America and Caribbean Basin.

288.035  Economic development activities.

288.037  Department of State; agreement with county tax collector.

288.038  Department of Labor and Employment Security; agreement with county tax collector.

288.039  Employing and Training our Youths (ENTRY).

288.041  Solar energy industry; legislative findings and policy; promotional activities.

288.0415  Solar energy; advancement; economic development strategy.

288.046  Quick-response training; legislative intent.

288.047  Quick-response training for economic development.

288.063  Contracts for transportation projects.

288.065  Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.

288.0655  Rural Infrastructure Fund.

288.0656  Rural Economic Development Initiative.

288.06561  Reduction or waiver of financial match requirements.

288.0657  Florida rural economic development strategy grants.

288.0658  Nature-based recreation; promotion and other assistance by Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

288.075  Confidentiality of records.

288.095  Economic Development Trust Fund.

288.1045  Qualified defense contractor tax refund program.

288.106  Tax refund program for qualified target industry businesses.

288.1067  Confidentiality of records.

288.107  Brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds.

288.108  High-impact business.

288.1088  Quick Action Closing Fund.

288.109  One-Stop Permitting System.

288.1092  One-Stop Permitting System Grant Program.

288.1093  Quick Permitting County Designation Program.

288.1095  Information concerning the One-Stop Permitting System.

288.1162  Professional sports franchises; spring training franchises; duties.

288.1166  Professional sports facility; designation as shelter site for the homeless; establishment of local programs.

288.1167  Sports franchise contract provisions for food and beverage concession and contract awards to minority business enterprises.

288.1168  Professional golf hall of fame facility.

288.1169  International Game Fish Association World Center facility.

288.1175  Agriculture education and promotion facility.

288.1185  Recycling Markets Advisory Committee.

288.122  Tourism Promotional Trust Fund.

288.1221  Legislative intent.

288.1222  Definitions.

288.1223  Florida Commission on Tourism; creation; purpose; membership.

288.1224  Powers and duties.

288.1226  Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; use of property; board of directors; duties; audit.

288.12265  Welcome centers.

288.1227  Annual report of the Florida Commission on Tourism; audits.

288.1229  Promotion and development of sports-related industries and amateur athletics; direct-support organization; powers and duties.

288.12295  Promotion and development of sports-related industries; direct-support organization; confidentiality of donor identities.

288.1231  Purpose.

288.1232  Legislative findings.

288.1233  Definitions; ss. 288.1231-288.1237.

288.1234  Guarantee of state obligations; Olympic Games Guaranty Account.

288.1235  State execution of games-support contracts; assistance of state agencies.

288.1236  Authority of state agencies.

288.1237  Local organizing committee; responsibilities.

288.124  Convention grants program.

288.125  Definition of "entertainment industry".

288.1251  Promotion and development of entertainment industry; Office of Film and Entertainment; creation; purpose; powers and duties.

288.1252  Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council; creation; purpose; membership; powers and duties.

288.1253  Travel and entertainment expenses.

288.1258  Entertainment industry qualified production companies; application procedure; categories; duties of the Department of Revenue; records and reports.

288.012  State of Florida foreign offices.--The Legislature finds that the expansion of international trade and tourism is vital to the overall health and growth of the economy of this state. This expansion is hampered by the lack of technical and business assistance, financial assistance, and information services for businesses in this state. The Legislature finds that these businesses could be assisted by providing these services at State of Florida foreign offices. The Legislature further finds that the accessibility and provision of services at these offices can be enhanced through cooperative agreements or strategic alliances between state entities, local entities, foreign entities, and private businesses.

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to:

(a)  Establish and operate offices in foreign countries for the purpose of promoting the trade and economic development of the state, and promoting the gathering of trade data information and research on trade opportunities in specific countries.

(b)  Enter into agreements with governmental and private sector entities to establish and operate offices in foreign countries containing provisions which may be in conflict with general laws of the state pertaining to the purchase of office space, employment of personnel, and contracts for services. When agreements pursuant to this section are made which set compensation in foreign currency, such agreements shall be subject to the requirements of s. 215.425, but the purchase of foreign currency by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to meet such obligations shall be subject only to s. 216.311.

(2)  Each foreign office shall have in place an operational plan approved by the participating boards or other governing authority, a copy of which shall be provided to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. These operating plans shall be reviewed and updated each fiscal year and shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(a)  Specific policies and procedures encompassing the entire scope of the operation and management of each office.

(b)  A comprehensive, commercial strategic plan identifying marketing opportunities and industry sector priorities for the foreign country or area in which a foreign office is located.

(c)  Provisions for access to information for Florida businesses through the Florida Trade Data Center. Each foreign office shall obtain and forward trade leads and inquiries to the center on a regular basis.

(d)  Identification of new and emerging market opportunities for Florida businesses. Each foreign office shall provide the Florida Trade Data Center with a compilation of foreign buyers and importers in industry sector priority areas on an annual basis. In return, the Florida Trade Data Center shall make available to each foreign office, and to Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Commission on Tourism, the Florida Ports Council, the Department of State, the Department of Citrus, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, trade industry, commodity, and opportunity information. This information shall be provided to such offices and entities either free of charge or on a fee basis with fees set only to recover the costs of providing the information.

(e)  Provision of access for Florida businesses to the services of the Florida Trade Data Center, international trade assistance services provided by state and local entities, seaport and airport information, and other services identified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(f)  Qualitative and quantitative performance measures for each office, including, but not limited to, the number of businesses assisted, the number of trade leads and inquiries generated, the number of foreign buyers and importers contacted, and the amount and type of marketing conducted.

(3)  By October 1 of each year, each foreign office shall submit to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development a complete and detailed report on its activities and accomplishments during the preceding fiscal year. In a format provided by Enterprise Florida, Inc., the report must set forth information on:

(a)  The number of Florida companies assisted.

(b)  The number of inquiries received about investment opportunities in this state.

(c)  The number of trade leads generated.

(d)  The number of investment projects announced.

(e)  The estimated U.S. dollar value of sales confirmations.

(f)  The number of representation agreements.

(g)  The number of company consultations.

(h)  Barriers or other issues affecting the effective operation of the office.

(i)  Changes in office operations which are planned for the current fiscal year.

(j)  Marketing activities conducted.

(k)  Strategic alliances formed with organizations in the country in which the office is located.

(l)  Activities conducted with other Florida foreign offices.

(m)  Any other information that the office believes would contribute to an understanding of its activities.

(4)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in connection with the establishment, operation, and management of any of its offices located in a foreign country, is exempt from the provisions of ss. 255.21, 255.25, and 255.254 relating to leasing of buildings; ss. 283.33 and 283.35 relating to bids for printing; ss. 287.001-287.20 relating to purchasing and motor vehicles; and ss. 282.003-282.111 relating to communications, and from all statutory provisions relating to state employment.

(a)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may exercise such exemptions only upon prior approval of the Governor.

(b)  If approval for an exemption under this section is granted as an integral part of a plan of operation for a specified foreign office, such action shall constitute continuing authority for the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to exercise the exemption, but only in the context and upon the terms originally granted. Any modification of the approved plan of operation with respect to an exemption contained therein must be resubmitted to the Governor for his or her approval. An approval granted to exercise an exemption in any other context shall be restricted to the specific instance for which the exemption is to be exercised.

(c)  As used in this subsection, the term "plan of operation" means the plan developed pursuant to subsection (2).

(d)  Upon final action by the Governor with respect to a request to exercise the exemption authorized in this subsection, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall report such action, along with the original request and any modifications thereto, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives within 30 days.

(5)  Where feasible and appropriate, and subject to s. 288.1224(9), foreign offices established and operated under this section may provide one-stop access to the economic development, trade, and tourism information, services, and programs of the state. Where feasible and appropriate, and subject to s. 288.1224(9), such offices may also be collocated with other foreign offices of the state.

(6)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to make and to enter into contracts with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Florida Commission on Tourism to carry out the provisions of this section. The authority, duties, and exemptions provided in this section apply to Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Florida Commission on Tourism to the same degree and subject to the same conditions as applied to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. To the greatest extent possible, such contracts shall include provisions for cooperative agreements or strategic alliances between state entities, foreign entities, local entities, and private businesses to operate foreign offices.

History.--s. 1, ch. 80-401; s. 1, ch. 82-115; ss. 3, 6, ch. 83-252; ss. 9, 10, ch. 88-201; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 89-150; s. 112, ch. 90-201; ss. 40, 44, ch. 90-335; s. 53, ch. 91-5; s. 9, ch. 92-277; s. 219, ch. 95-148; s. 30, ch. 96-320; s. 14, ch. 97-278; s. 80, ch. 99-251; s. 4, ch. 2000-208; s. 58, ch. 2001-61.

288.017  Cooperative advertising matching grants program.--

(1)  The Florida Commission on Tourism is authorized to establish a cooperative advertising matching grants program and, pursuant thereto, to make expenditures and enter into contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations for the purpose of publicizing the tourism advantages of the state. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, based on recommendations from the Florida Commission on Tourism, shall have final approval of grants awarded through this program. The commission may contract with its direct-support organization to administer the program.

(2)  The total annual allocation of funds for this grant program may not exceed $40,000. Each grant awarded under the program shall be limited to no more than $2,500 and shall be matched by nonstate dollars. All grants shall be restricted to local governments and nonprofit corporations serving and located in municipalities having a population of 50,000 persons or less or in counties with an unincorporated area having a population of 200,000 persons or less.

(3)  The Florida Commission on Tourism shall conduct an annual competitive selection process for the award of grants under the program. In determining its recommendations for the grant awards, the commission shall consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for advertising assistance, the feasibility and projected benefit of the applicant's proposal, the amount of nonstate funds that will be leveraged, and such other criteria as the commission deems appropriate. In evaluating grant applications, the office shall consider recommendations from the Florida Commission on Tourism. The office, however, has final approval authority for any grant under this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 91-218; s. 31, ch. 96-320.

288.018  Regional Rural Development Grants Program.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall establish a matching grant program to provide funding to regionally based economic development organizations representing rural counties and communities for the purpose of building the professional capacity of their organizations. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants to such regionally based economic development organizations. The maximum amount an organization may receive in any year will be $35,000, or $100,000 in a rural area of critical economic concern recommended by the Rural Economic Development Initiative and designated by the Governor, and must be matched each year by an equivalent amount of nonstate resources.

(2)  In approving the participants, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for assistance and require the following:

(a)  Documentation of official commitments of support from each of the units of local government represented by the regional organization.

(b)  Demonstration that each unit of local government has made a financial or in-kind commitment to the regional organization.

(c)  Demonstration that the private sector has made financial or in-kind commitments to the regional organization.

(d)  Demonstration that the organization is in existence and actively involved in economic development activities serving the region.

(e)  Demonstration of the manner in which the organization is or will coordinate its efforts with those of other local and state organizations.

(3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may also contract for the development of an enterprise zone web portal or websites for each enterprise zone which will be used to market the program for job creation in disadvantaged urban and rural enterprise zones. Each enterprise zone web page should include downloadable links to state forms and information, as well as local message boards that help businesses and residents receive information concerning zone boundaries, job openings, zone programs, and neighborhood improvement activities.

(4)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may expend up to $750,000 each fiscal year from funds appropriated to the Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund for the purposes outlined in this section. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may contract with Enterprise Florida, Inc., for the administration of the purposes specified in this section. Funds released to Enterprise Florida, Inc., for this purpose shall be released quarterly and shall be calculated based on the applications in process.

History.--s. 32, ch. 96-320; s. 94, ch. 99-251; s. 9, ch. 2001-201.

288.019  Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation processes.--Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest extent possible, the member agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) as defined in s. 288.0656(6)(a) shall review all grant and loan application evaluation criteria to ensure the fullest access for rural counties as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(b) to resources available throughout the state.

(1)  Each REDI agency and organization shall review all evaluation and scoring procedures and develop modifications to those procedures which minimize the impact of a project within a rural area.

(2)  Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must provide for an appropriate ranking based on the proportionate impact that projects have on a rural area when compared with similar project impacts on an urban area.

(3)  Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an equal level of financial support from an urban county and a rural county.

(a)  The evaluation criteria should weight contribution in proportion to the amount of funding available at the local level.

(b)  In-kind match should be allowed and applied as financial match when a county is experiencing financial distress through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of the state's average by 5 percentage points or because of the loss of its ad valorem base.

(4)  For existing programs, the modified evaluation criteria and scoring procedure must be delivered to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. The REDI agencies and organizations shall review and make comments. Future rules, programs, evaluation criteria, and scoring processes must be brought before a REDI meeting for review, discussion, and recommendation to allow rural counties fuller access to the state's resources.

History.--s. 10, ch. 2001-201.

288.021  Economic development liaison.--

(1)  The heads of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection and an additional member appointed by the secretary of the department, the Department of Labor and Employment Security, the Department of Education, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Revenue, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, each water management district, and each Department of Transportation District office shall designate a high-level staff member from within such agency to serve as the economic development liaison for the agency. This person shall report to the agency head and have general knowledge both of the state's permitting and other regulatory functions and of the state's economic goals, policies, and programs. This person shall also be the primary point of contact for the agency with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development on issues and projects important to the economic development of Florida, including its rural areas, to expedite project review, to ensure a prompt, effective response to problems arising with regard to permitting and regulatory functions, and to work closely with the other economic development liaisons to resolve interagency conflicts.

(2)  Within 30 days of April 17, 1992, and whenever it is necessary to change the designee, the head of each agency shall notify the Governor in writing of the person designated as the economic development liaison for such agency.

History.--s. 14, ch. 92-277; s. 115, ch. 94-356; s. 33, ch. 96-320; s. 3, ch. 99-244; s. 85, ch. 99-245.

288.0251  International development outreach activities in Latin America and Caribbean Basin.--The Department of State may contract for the implementation of Florida's international volunteer corps to provide short-term training and technical assistance activities in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. The entity contracted under this section must require that such activities be conducted by qualified volunteers who are citizens of the state. The contracting agency must have a statewide focus and experience in coordinating international volunteer programs.

History.--s. 9, ch. 86-139; s. 82, ch. 90-201; s. 25, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; ss. 15, 65, ch. 93-187; s. 34, ch. 96-320; s. 24, ch. 99-251.

Note.--Former s. 229.6056.

288.035  Economic development activities.--

(1)  The Florida Public Service Commission may authorize public utilities to recover reasonable economic development expenses. For purposes of this section, recoverable "economic development expenses" are those expenses described in subsection (2) which are consistent with criteria to be established by rules adopted by the ¹Department of Commerce as of June 30, 1996, or as those criteria are later modified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(2)  Such rules shall provide that authorized economic development expenses shall be limited to the following:

(a)  Expenditures for operational assistance, including the participation in trade shows and prospecting missions with state and local entities.

(b)  Expenditures for assisting the state and local governments in the design of strategic plans for economic development activities.

(c)  Expenditures for marketing and research services, including assisting local governments in marketing specific sites for business and industry development or recruitment, and assisting local governments in responding to inquiries from business and industry concerning the development of specific sites.

(3)  The Florida Public Service Commission shall adopt rules for the recovery of economic development expenses by public utilities, including the sharing of expenses by shareholders.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-136; s. 35, ch. 96-320.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

288.037  Department of State; agreement with county tax collector.--In order to further the economic development goals of the state, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Department of State may enter into an agreement with the county tax collector for the purpose of appointing the county tax collector as the department's agent to accept applications for licenses or other similar registrations and applications for renewals of licenses or other similar registrations. The agreement must specify the time within which the tax collector must forward any applications and accompanying application fees to the department.

History.--s. 55, ch. 97-278.

288.038  Department of Labor and Employment Security; agreement with county tax collector.--In order to further the economic development goals of the state, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Department of Labor and Employment Security may enter into an agreement with the county tax collector for the purpose of appointing the county tax collector as the department's agent to accept applications for licenses or other similar registrations and applications for renewals of licenses or other similar registrations. The agreement must specify the time within which the tax collector must forward any applications and accompanying application fees to the department.

History.--s. 56, ch. 97-278.

288.039  Employing and Training our Youths (ENTRY).--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

(a)  "Director" means the executive director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(b)  "Eligible business" means any sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, corporation, bank, savings association, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or other group or combination, or successor business.

(c)  "Eligible youth employee" means a student between the ages of 15 and 18 currently enrolled at a Florida public school, who has not been previously employed within the preceding 12 months by the eligible business, or a successor eligible business, claiming the credit allowed in this section. The youth employee shall be deemed to be employed if the youth performs duties in connection with the operations of the business on a regular basis, provided the youth is performing such duties on an average of at least 12 hours per week each month throughout the year and is being paid for such duties at a rate no less than the minimum wage established pursuant to federal law.

(d)  "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the state.

(e)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(f)  "Public school" shall have the same meaning as in s. 1000.04(1).

(2)  TAX REFUND; ELIGIBLE AMOUNTS.--

(a)  Contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Legislature, the director may approve an eligible business to receive tax refund payments of up to $1,600 per eligible youth employee. An eligible business may not receive tax refund payments for more than five eligible youth employees in any single fiscal year.

(b)  After entering into an employment/tax refund agreement under subsection (3), an eligible business may receive refunds for the following taxes or fees due and paid by that business:

1.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions under chapter 212.

2.  Corporate income taxes under chapter 220.

3.  Intangible personal property taxes under chapter 199.

4.  Emergency excise taxes under chapter 221.

5.  Excise taxes on documents under chapter 201.

6.  Ad valorem taxes paid, as defined in s. 220.03(1).

7.  Insurance premium taxes under s. 624.509.

8.  Occupational license fees under chapter 205.

However, an eligible business may not receive a refund under this section for any amount of credit, refund, or exemption granted to that business for any of such taxes or fees. If a refund for such taxes or fees is provided by the office, which taxes or fees are subsequently adjusted by the application of any credit, refund, or exemption granted to the eligible business other than as provided in this section, the business shall reimburse the office for the amount of that credit, refund, or exemption. An eligible business shall notify and tender payment to the office within 20 days after receiving any credit, refund, or exemption other than the one provided in this section.

(c)  An eligible business that fraudulently claims a refund under this section:

1.  Is liable for repayment of the amount of refund to the office, plus a mandatory penalty in the amount of 200 percent of the tax refund which shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund.

2.  Is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3)  ADMINISTRATION.--

(a)  To apply for tax refunds pursuant to this section, an eligible business must file an employment/tax refund application, developed by the office, at the public school the eligible youth employee attends.

(b)  The public school shall forward the application to the office within 5 calendar days after receipt of a complete application. Within 10 calendar days after receipt of the application, the office shall enter a final order that either approves or disapproves the application. The decisions must be in writing and must provide the justifications for approval or disapproval.

(c)  An eligible business that has been approved by the office to receive tax refunds may apply to the office for a refund at the end of each calendar quarter the eligible youth employee is employed by the business. An eligible business may not receive refund payments of more than 25 percent of the total tax refunds due such business under this section each calendar quarter. Termination of employment of an eligible youth employee shall result in loss of eligibility for tax refunds for such employee under this section.

(d)  The claim for refund by an eligible business must include a copy of all receipts pertaining to the payment of taxes for which the refund is sought.

(e)  Nothing in this section shall create a presumption that an eligible business will receive any tax refund under this section.

(f)  The office is authorized to develop rules and forms, pursuant to chapter 120, to implement the provisions of this section. The office is authorized to verify information provided in any claim submitted for tax credits under this section with regard to employment and wage levels or the payment of the taxes to the appropriate agency or authority, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Labor and Employment Security, or any local government or authority.

(4)  REPEAL.--The provisions of this section shall expire and be void on June 30, 2007.

History.--s. 58, ch. 97-278; s. 61, ch. 99-13; s. 946, ch. 2002-387.

288.041  Solar energy industry; legislative findings and policy; promotional activities.--

(1)  It is hereby found and declared that:

(a)  The solar energy industry in this state has been a leader in the nation in the manufacture, supply, and delivery of solar energy systems.

(b)  The use of solar energy in this state has been demonstrated to save conventional energy sources.

(c)  The solar energy industry offers the prospect for improved economic welfare of this state through creation of jobs, increased energy security, and enhancing the quality of the environment of this state.

(d)  Through helping to provide for a clean environment and healthy economy, the solar energy industry contributes to the continued growth and development of the tourist industry of this state.

(2)  It is the policy of this state to promote, stimulate, develop, and advance the growth of the solar energy industry in this state.

(3)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards shall assist in the expansion of the solar energy industry in this state. Such efforts shall be undertaken in cooperation with the Department of Community Affairs, the Florida Solar Energy Center, and the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, and shall include:

(a)  Providing assistance and support to new and existing photovoltaic companies, with special emphasis on attracting one or more manufacturers of photovoltaic products to locate within this state.

(b)  Sponsoring initiatives which aid and take full advantage of the export market potential of solar technologies.

(c)  Informing the business sector of this state about opportunities for cost-effective commercial applications of solar technologies.

(d)  Encouraging employment of residents of this state by solar energy companies.

(e)  Retaining existing solar energy companies and supporting their expansion efforts in this state.

(f)  Supporting the promotion of solar energy by sponsoring workshops, seminars, conferences, and educational programs on the benefits of solar energy.

(g)  Recognizing outstanding developments and achievements in, and contributions to, the solar energy industry.

(h)  Collecting and disseminating solar energy information relevant to the promotion of solar energy applications.

(i)  Enlisting the support of persons, civic groups, the solar energy industry, and other organizations to promote and improve solar energy products and services.

(4)  The ¹department shall also promote projects that demonstrate viable applications of solar technology which may include, but shall not be limited to: irrigation and stock watering, process heat for dairy and citrus operations, aquaculture, hydroponics, horticulture, waste detoxification, and other means of meeting the energy needs of the agricultural industry.

(5)  By January 15 of each year, the Department of Community Affairs shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the impact of the solar energy industry on the economy of this state and shall make any recommendations on initiatives to further promote the solar energy industry as the department deems appropriate.

History.--s. 2, ch. 93-249; s. 23, ch. 94-321; s. 36, ch. 96-320; s. 62, ch. 99-13.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

288.0415  Solar energy; advancement; economic development strategy.--The use of solar energy is a proven, effective means of reducing air pollution, while also creating new jobs, saving energy, lowering consumer utility bills, and stimulating economic development. As such, this state is committed to advancing the use of solar energy in the state. Towards this end, the state shall give priority to removing identified barriers to and providing incentives for increased solar energy development and use. In addition, the state shall capitalize on solar energy as an economic development strategy for job creation, market development, international trade, and other related means of stimulating and enhancing the economy of this state.

History.--s. 22, ch. 94-321.

288.046  Quick-response training; legislative intent.--The Legislature recognizes the importance of providing a skilled workforce for attracting new industries and retaining and expanding existing businesses and industries in this state. It is the intent of the Legislature that a program exist to meet the short-term, immediate, workforce-skill needs of such businesses and industries. It is further the intent of the Legislature that funds provided for the purposes of s. 288.047 be expended on businesses and industries that support the state's economic development goals, particularly high value-added businesses or businesses that locate in and provide jobs in the state's distressed urban and rural areas, and that instruction funded pursuant to s. 288.047 lead to permanent, quality employment opportunities.

History.--s. 1, ch. 93-187; s. 77, ch. 2000-165.

288.047  Quick-response training for economic development.--

(1)  The Quick-Response Training Program is created to meet the workforce-skill needs of existing, new, and expanding industries. The program shall be administered by Workforce Florida, Inc., in conjunction with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Department of Education. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall adopt guidelines for the administration of this program. Workforce Florida, Inc., shall provide technical services and shall identify businesses that seek services through the program. Workforce Florida, Inc., may contract with Enterprise Florida, Inc., or administer this program directly, if it is determined that such an arrangement maximizes the amount of the Quick Response grant going to direct services.

(2)  Workforce Florida, Inc., shall ensure that instruction funded pursuant to this section is not available through the local community college or school district and that the instruction promotes economic development by providing specialized training to new workers or retraining for current employees to meet changing skill requirements caused by new technology or new product lines and to prevent potential layoffs. Such funds may not be expended to provide training for instruction related to retail businesses or to reimburse businesses for trainee wages. Funds made available pursuant to this section may not be expended in connection with the relocation of a business from one community to another community in this state unless Workforce Florida, Inc., determines that without such relocation the business will move outside this state or determines that the business has a compelling economic rationale for the relocation which creates additional jobs.

(3)  Requests for funding through the Quick-Response Training Program may be produced through inquiries from a specific business or industry, inquiries from a school district director of career education or community college occupational dean on behalf of a business or industry, or through official state or local economic development efforts. In allocating funds for the purposes of the program, Workforce Florida, Inc., shall establish criteria for approval of requests for funding and shall select the entity that provides the most efficient, cost-effective instruction meeting such criteria. Program funds may be allocated to any area technical center, community college, or state university. Program funds may be allocated to private postsecondary institutions only upon a review that includes, but is not limited to, accreditation and licensure documentation and prior approval by Workforce Florida, Inc. Instruction funded through the program must terminate when participants demonstrate competence at the level specified in the request; however, the grant term may not exceed 24 months. Costs and expenditures for the Quick-Response Training Program must be documented and separated from those incurred by the training provider.

(4)  For the first 6 months of each fiscal year, Workforce Florida, Inc., shall set aside 30 percent of the amount appropriated for the Quick-Response Training Program by the Legislature to fund instructional programs for businesses located in an enterprise zone or brownfield area. Any unencumbered funds remaining undisbursed from this set-aside at the end of the 6-month period may be used to provide funding for any program qualifying for funding pursuant to this section.

(5)  Prior to the allocation of funds for any request pursuant to this section, Workforce Florida, Inc., shall prepare a grant agreement between the business or industry requesting funds, the educational institution receiving funding through the program, and Workforce Florida, Inc. Such agreement must include, but is not limited to:

(a)  An identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the instructional program, the qualifications of such personnel, and the respective responsibilities of the parties for paying costs associated with the employment of such personnel.

(b)  An identification of the estimated length of the instructional program.

(c)  An identification of all direct, training-related costs, including tuition and fees, curriculum development, books and classroom materials, and overhead or indirect costs, not to exceed 5 percent of the grant amount.

(d)  An identification of special program requirements that are not addressed otherwise in the agreement.

(e)  Permission to access information specific to the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of instruction for evaluation purposes. Information which, if released, would disclose the identity of the person to whom the information pertains or disclose the identity of the person's employer is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The agreement must specify that any evaluations published subsequent to the instruction may not identify the employer or any individual participant.

(6)  For the purposes of this section, Workforce Florida, Inc., may accept grants of money, materials, services, or property of any kind from any agency, corporation, or individual.

(7)  In providing instruction pursuant to this section, materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, business transactions, or proprietary information received, produced, ascertained, or discovered by employees of the respective departments, district school boards, community college district boards of trustees, or other personnel employed for the purposes of this section is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The state may seek copyright protection for all instructional materials and ancillary written documents developed wholly or partially with state funds as a result of instruction provided pursuant to this section, except for materials that are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(8)  There is created a Quick-Response Training Program for participants in the welfare transition program. Workforce Florida, Inc., may award quick-response training grants and develop applicable guidelines for the training of participants in the welfare transition program. In addition to a local economic development organization, grants must be endorsed by the applicable regional workforce board.

(a)  Training funded pursuant to this subsection may not exceed 12 months, and may be provided by the local community college, school district, regional workforce board, or the business employing the participant, including on-the-job training. Training will provide entry-level skills to new workers, including those employed in retail, who are participants in the welfare transition program.

(b)  Participants trained pursuant to this subsection must be employed at a wage not less than $6 per hour.

(c)  Funds made available pursuant to this subsection may be expended in connection with the relocation of a business from one community to another community if approved by Workforce Florida, Inc.

(9)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, eligible matching contributions received under the Quick-Response Training Program under this section may be counted toward the private-sector support of Enterprise Florida, Inc., under s. 288.90151(5)(d).

(10)  Workforce Florida, Inc., and Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall ensure maximum coordination and cooperation in administering this section, in such a manner that any division of responsibility between the two organizations which relates to marketing or administering the Quick-Response Training Program is not apparent to a business that inquires about or applies for funding under this section. The organizations shall provide such a business with a single point of contact for information and assistance.

History.--s. 2, ch. 93-187; ss. 2, 71, ch. 94-136; s. 874, ch. 95-148; s. 3, ch. 95-345; s. 37, ch. 96-320; s. 134, ch. 96-406; s. 15, ch. 97-278; s. 34, ch. 97-307; s. 23, ch. 98-57; s. 78, ch. 2000-165; s. 3, ch. 2000-317.

288.063  Contracts for transportation projects.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to make, and based on a recommendation from Enterprise Florida, Inc., to approve, expenditures and enter into contracts for direct costs of transportation projects with the appropriate governmental body. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development has final approval authority for any project under this section.

(2)  Any contract with a governmental body for construction of any transportation project executed by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall:

(a)  Specify and identify the transportation project to be constructed for a new or expanding business and the number of full-time permanent jobs that will result from the project.

(b)  Require that the appropriate governmental body award the construction of the particular transportation project to the lowest and best bidder in accordance with applicable state and federal statutes or regulations unless the project can be constructed with existing local government employees within the contract period specified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(c)  Require that the appropriate governmental body provide the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development with quarterly progress reports. Each quarterly progress report shall contain a narrative description of the work completed according to the project schedule, a description of any change orders executed by the appropriate governmental body, a budget summary detailing planned expenditures versus actual expenditures, and identification of minority business enterprises used as contractors and subcontractors. Records of all progress payments made for work in connection with such transportation projects, and any change orders executed by the appropriate governmental body and payments made pursuant to such orders, shall be maintained by that governmental body in accordance with accepted governmental accounting principles and practices and shall be subject to financial audit as required by law. In addition, the appropriate governmental body, upon completion and acceptance of the transportation project, shall make certification to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development that the project has been completed in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contractual agreements between the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the appropriate governmental body and meets minimum construction standards established in accordance with s. 336.045.

(d)  Specify that the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall transfer funds upon receipt of a request for funds from the local government, on no more than a quarterly basis, consistent with project needs. A contract totaling less than $200,000 is exempt from this transfer requirement. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall not transfer any funds unless construction has begun on the facility of the business on whose behalf the award was made. Local governments shall expend funds in a timely manner.

(e)  Require that program funds be used only on those transportation projects that have been properly reviewed and approved in accordance with the criteria set forth in this section.

(f)  Require that the governing board of the appropriate local governmental body agree by resolution to accept future maintenance and other attendant costs occurring after completion of the transportation project if the project is construction on a county or municipal system.

(3)  With respect to any contract executed pursuant to this section, the term "transportation project" means a transportation facility as defined in s. 334.03(31) which is necessary in the judgment of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to facilitate the economic development and growth of the state. Except for applications received prior to July 1, 1996, such transportation projects shall be approved only as a consideration to attract new employment opportunities to the state or expand or retain employment in existing companies operating within the state, or to allow for the construction or expansion of a state or federal correctional facility in a county with a population of 75,000 or less that creates new employment opportunities or expands or retains employment in the county. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall institute procedures to ensure that small and minority businesses have equal access to funding provided under this section. Funding for approved transportation projects may include any expenses, other than administrative costs and equipment purchases specified in the contract, necessary for new, or improvement to existing, transportation facilities. Funds made available pursuant to this section may not be expended in connection with the relocation of a business from one community to another community in this state unless the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development determines that without such relocation the business will move outside this state or determines that the business has a compelling economic rationale for the relocation which creates additional jobs.

(4)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may adopt criteria by which transportation projects are to be specified and identified. In approving transportation projects for funding, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall consider factors including, but not limited to, the cost per job created or retained considering the amount of transportation funds requested; the average hourly rate of wages for jobs created; the reliance on the program as an inducement for the project's location decision; the amount of capital investment to be made by the business; the demonstrated local commitment; the location of the project in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to s. 290.0055; the location of the project in a spaceport territory as defined in s. 331.304; the unemployment rate of the surrounding area; the poverty rate of the community; and the adoption of an economic element as part of its local comprehensive plan in accordance with s. 163.3177(7)(j). The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may contact any agency it deems appropriate for additional input regarding the approval of projects.

(5)  No project that has not been specified and identified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in accordance with subsection (4) prior to the initiation of construction shall be eligible for funding.

(6)  The Department of Transportation may be the contracting agency when the project is on the State Highway System. In addition, upon request by the appropriate governmental body, the department may advise and assist it or plan and construct other such transportation projects for it.

(7)  For the purpose of this section, the Florida Space Authority may serve as the local government or as the contracting agency for transportation projects within spaceport territory as defined by s. 331.304.

(8)  Each local government receiving funds under this section shall submit to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development a financial audit of the local entity conducted by an independent certified public accountant. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall develop procedures to ensure that audits are received and reviewed in a timely manner and that deficiencies or questioned costs noted in the audit are resolved.

(9)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall monitor on site each grant recipient, including, but not limited to, the construction of the business facility, to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.

(10)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds appropriated for this purpose shall not be subject to reversion.

¹(11)  In addition to the other provisions of this section, projects that the Legislature deems necessary to facilitate the economic development and growth of the state may be designated and funded in the General Appropriations Act. Such transportation projects create new employment opportunities, expand transportation infrastructure, improve mobility, or increase transportation innovation. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall enter into contracts with, and make expenditures to, the appropriate entities for the costs of transportation projects designated in the General Appropriations Act. This subsection expires July 1, 2003.

History.--s. 7, ch. 80-209; s. 1, ch. 81-171; s. 3, ch. 84-294; s. 266, ch. 84-309; s. 2, ch. 85-180; s. 44, ch. 88-201; s. 2, ch. 89-352; s. 5, ch. 90-136; ss. 5, 6, ch. 90-192; s. 2, ch. 91-218; s. 19, ch. 91-262; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 16, ch. 93-187; s. 46, ch. 93-206; ss. 3, 72, ch. 94-136; s. 19, ch. 94-322; s. 116, ch. 94-356; s. 876, ch. 95-148; s. 41, ch. 96-320; s. 67, ch. 96-323; s. 16, ch. 97-278; s. 12, ch. 98-258; s. 13, ch. 99-256; s. 36, ch. 2000-152; s. 4, ch. 2002-183; ss. 54, 79, ch. 2002-402.

¹Note.--

A.  Section 54, ch. 2002-402, created subsection (11) "[i]n order to implement Specific Appropriation 2486 of the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act." A portion of Specific Appropriation 2486 was vetoed. See ch. 2002-394, the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act.

B.  Section 79, ch. 2002-402, provides that "[a]section of this act that implements a specific appropriation or specifically identified proviso language in the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act is void if the specific appropriation or specifically identified proviso language is vetoed. A section of this act that implements more than one specific appropriation or more than one portion of specifically identified proviso language in the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act is void if all the specific appropriations or portions of specifically identified proviso language are vetoed." Not all portions of Specific Appropriation 2486 relating to the creation of subsection (11) were vetoed.

288.065  Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.--

(1)  The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Program is established in the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and local financial resources by providing local governments with financial assistance to further promote the economic viability of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives addressing employment opportunities for residents of these communities.

(2)  The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local governments, or economic development organizations substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within counties with populations of 75,000 or less, or any county that has a population of 100,000 or less and is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less, as determined by the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901, residing in incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of local government, or economic development organizations substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within a rural area of critical economic concern. Requests for loans shall be made by application to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Loans shall be made pursuant to agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between the applicant and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. The loans shall be the legal obligations of the applicant. All repayments of principal and interest shall be returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to other applicants. However, in a rural area of critical economic concern designated by the Governor, and upon approval by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, repayments of principal and interest may be retained by the applicant if such repayments are dedicated and matched to fund regionally based economic development organizations representing the rural area of critical economic concern.

(3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall manage the fund, establishing loan practices that must include, but are not limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates, uses of funding, application procedures, and application review procedures. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall have final approval authority for any loan under this section.

(4)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds appropriated for this purpose shall not be subject to reversion.

History.--s. 42, ch. 96-320; s. 18, ch. 97-278; s. 95, ch. 99-251; s. 11, ch. 2001-201.

288.0655  Rural Infrastructure Fund.--

(1)  There is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development the Rural Infrastructure Fund to facilitate the planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities which will encourage job creation, capital investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural economies by promoting tourism, trade, and economic development.

(2)(a)  Funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be distributed by the office through grant programs that maximize the use of federal, local, and private resources, including, but not limited to, those available under the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.

(b)  To facilitate access of rural communities and rural areas of critical economic concern as defined by the Rural Economic Development Initiative to infrastructure funding programs of the Federal Government, such as those offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce, and state programs, including those offered by Rural Economic Development Initiative agencies, and to facilitate local government or private infrastructure funding efforts, the office may award grants for up to 30 percent of the total infrastructure project cost. Eligible projects must be related to specific job-creation or job-retention opportunities. Eligible projects may also include improving any inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action that prohibits economic or community growth or reducing the costs to community users of proposed infrastructure improvements that exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses of funds shall include improvements to public infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may include the following public or public-private partnership facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities; roads or other remedies to transportation impediments; nature-based tourism facilities; or other physical requirements necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development activities in the community. Authorized infrastructure may also include publicly owned self-powered nature-based tourism facilities and additions to the distribution facilities of the existing natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s. 367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater facility, which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a water or wastewater system in this state where:

1.  A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater utility as defined herein; and

2.  Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to provide such service.

(c)  To facilitate timely response and induce the location or expansion of specific job creating opportunities, the office may award grants for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and preparation activities. Authorized grants shall be up to $50,000 for an employment project with a business committed to create at least 100 jobs, up to $150,000 for an employment project with a business committed to create at least 300 jobs, and up to $300,000 for a project in a rural area of critical economic concern. Grants awarded under this paragraph may be used in conjunction with grants awarded under paragraph (b), provided that the total amount of both grants does not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. In evaluating applications under this paragraph, the office shall consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative and consultant expenses.

(d)  By September 1, 1999, the office shall pursue execution of a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture under which state funds available through the Rural Infrastructure Fund may be advanced, in excess of the prescribed state share, for a project that has received from the department a preliminary determination of eligibility for federal financial support. State funds in excess of the prescribed state share which are advanced pursuant to this paragraph and the memorandum of agreement shall be reimbursed when funds are awarded under an application for federal funding.

(e)  To enable local governments to access the resources available pursuant to s. 403.973(18), the office may award grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other activities related to the identification and preclearance review of land which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized grants under this paragraph shall not exceed $75,000 each, except in the case of a project in a rural area of critical economic concern, in which case the grant shall not exceed $300,000. Any funds awarded under this paragraph must be matched at a level of 50 percent with local funds, except that any funds awarded for a project in a rural area of critical economic concern must be matched at a level of 33 percent with local funds. In evaluating applications under this paragraph, the office shall consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative and consultant expenses.

(3)  The office, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., VISIT Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as appropriate, shall review applications and evaluate the economic benefit of the projects and their long-term viability. The office shall have final approval for any grant under this section and must make a grant decision within 30 days of receiving a completed application.

(4)  By September 1, 1999, the office shall, in consultation with the organizations listed in subsection (3), and other organizations, develop guidelines and criteria governing submission of applications for funding, review and evaluation of such applications, and approval of funding under this section. The office shall consider factors including, but not limited to, the project's potential for enhanced job creation or increased capital investment, the demonstration of local public and private commitment, the location of the project in an enterprise zone, the location of the project in a community development corporation service area, the location of the project in a county designated under s. 212.097, the unemployment rate of the surrounding area, and the poverty rate of the community.

(5)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall not be subject to reversion.

History.--s. 96, ch. 99-251; s. 37, ch. 2000-152; s. 1, ch. 2002-392.

288.0656  Rural Economic Development Initiative.--

(1)  The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as "REDI," is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, and the participation of state and regional agencies in this initiative is authorized.

(2)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Economic distress" means conditions affecting the fiscal and economic viability of a rural community, including such factors as low per capita income, low per capita taxable values, high unemployment, high underemployment, low weekly earned wages compared to the state average, low housing values compared to the state average, high percentages of the population receiving public assistance, high poverty levels compared to the state average, and a lack of year-round stable employment opportunities.

(b)  "Rural community" means:

1.  A county with a population of 75,000 or less.

2.  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

3.  A municipality within a county described in subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.

4.  An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or less and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural or resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress factors identified in paragraph (a) and verified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.

(3)  REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and focusing the efforts and resources of state and regional agencies on the problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and community viability of Florida's economically distressed rural communities, working with local governments, community-based organizations, and private organizations that have an interest in the growth and development of these communities to find ways to balance environmental and growth management issues with local needs.

(4)  REDI shall review and evaluate the impact of statutes and rules on rural communities and shall work to minimize any adverse impact.

(5)  REDI shall facilitate better access to state resources by promoting direct access and referrals to appropriate state and regional agencies and statewide organizations. REDI may undertake outreach, capacity-building, and other advocacy efforts to improve conditions in rural communities. These activities may include sponsorship of conferences and achievement awards.

(6)(a)  By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the following agencies and organizations shall designate a high-level staff person from within the agency or organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency or organization:

1.  The Department of Community Affairs.

2.  The Department of Transportation.

3.  The Department of Environmental Protection.

4.  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

5.  The Department of State.

6.  The Department of Health.

7.  The Department of Children and Family Services.

8.  The Department of Corrections.

9.  The Agency for Workforce Innovation.

10.  The Department of Education.

11.  The Department of Juvenile Justice.

12.  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

13.  Each water management district.

14.  Enterprise Florida, Inc.

15.  Workforce Florida, Inc.

16.  The Florida Commission on Tourism or VISIT Florida.

17.  The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.

18.  The Florida State Rural Development Council.

19.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).

An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and the names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(b)  Each REDI representative must have comprehensive knowledge of his or her agency's functions, both regulatory and service in nature, and of the state's economic goals, policies, and programs. This person shall be the primary point of contact for his or her agency with REDI on issues and projects relating to economically distressed rural communities and with regard to expediting project review, shall ensure a prompt effective response to problems arising with regard to rural issues, and shall work closely with the other REDI representatives in the identification of opportunities for preferential awards of program funds and allowances and waiver of program requirements when necessary to encourage and facilitate long-term private capital investment and job creation.

(c)  The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact on rural communities and the development of alternative proposals to mitigate that impact.

(d)  Each REDI representative shall be responsible for ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her agency is informed about the Rural Economic Development Initiative and for providing assistance throughout the agency in the implementation of REDI activities.

(7)  REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three rural areas of critical economic concern. A rural area of critical economic concern must be a rural community, or a region composed of such, that has been adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional impact that will create more than 1,000 jobs over a 5-year period. The Governor may by executive order designate up to three rural areas of critical economic concern which will establish these areas as priority assignments for REDI as well as to allow the Governor, acting through REDI, to waive criteria, requirements, or similar provisions of any economic development incentive. Such incentives shall include, but not be limited to: the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under s. 288.106, the Quick Response Training Program under s. 288.047, the Quick Response Training Program for participants in the welfare transition program under s. 288.047(8), transportation projects under s. 288.063, the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund under s. 288.107, and the rural job tax credit program under ss. 212.098 and 220.1895. Designation as a rural area of critical economic concern under this subsection shall be contingent upon the execution of a memorandum of agreement among the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the governing body of the county; and the governing bodies of any municipalities to be included within a rural area of critical economic concern. Such agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the designation, including, but not limited to, the duties and responsibilities of the county and any participating municipalities to take actions designed to facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in the area, as well as the recruitment of new businesses to the area.

(8)  REDI shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each year on or before February 1 on all REDI activities. This report shall include a status report on all projects currently being coordinated through REDI, the number of preferential awards and allowances made pursuant to this section, the dollar amount of such awards, and the names of the recipients. The report shall also include a description of all waivers of program requirements granted. The report shall also include information as to the economic impact of the projects coordinated by REDI.

History.--s. 97, ch. 99-251; s. 79, ch. 2000-165; s. 12, ch. 2001-201.

288.06561  Reduction or waiver of financial match requirements.--Notwithstanding any other law, the member agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), as defined in s. 288.0656(6)(a), shall review the financial match requirements for projects in rural areas as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(b).

(1)  Each agency and organization shall develop a proposal to waive or reduce the match requirement for rural areas.

(2)  Agencies and organizations shall ensure that all proposals are submitted to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for review by the REDI agencies.

(3)  These proposals shall be delivered to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. A meeting of REDI agencies and organizations must be called within 30 days after receipt of such proposals for REDI comment and recommendations on each proposal.

(4)  Waivers and reductions must be requested by the county or community, and such county or community must have three or more of the factors identified in s. 288.0656(2)(a).

(5)  Any other funds available to the project may be used for financial match of federal programs when there is fiscal hardship, and the match requirements may not be waived or reduced.

(6)  When match requirements are not reduced or eliminated, donations of land, though usually not recognized as an in-kind match, may be permitted.

(7)  To the fullest extent possible, agencies and organizations shall expedite the rule adoption and amendment process if necessary to incorporate the reduction in match by rural areas in fiscal distress.

(8)  REDI shall include in its annual report an evaluation on the status of changes to rules, number of awards made with waivers, and recommendations for future changes.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2001-201.

288.0657  Florida rural economic development strategy grants.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "rural community" means:

(a)  A county with a population of 75,000 or less.

(b)  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

(c)  A municipality within a county described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

For purposes of this subsection, population shall be determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.

(2)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the office for providing grants to assist rural communities to develop and implement strategic economic development plans.

(3)  A rural community, an economic development organization in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at least one rural community or such economic development organizations may apply for such grants.

(4)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall establish criteria for reviewing grant applications. These criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the degree of participation and commitment by the local community and the application's consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application's proposal to ensure such consistency. The International Trade and Economic Development Board of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall review each application for a grant and shall submit annually to the office for approval a list of all applications that are recommended by the board and VISIT Florida, arranged in order of priority. The office may approve grants only to the extent that funds are appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.

History.--s. 98, ch. 99-251.

288.0658  Nature-based recreation; promotion and other assistance by Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.--The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is directed to assist the Florida Commission on Tourism; the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, doing business as VISIT Florida; convention and visitor bureaus; tourist development councils; economic development organizations; and local governments through the provision of marketing advice, technical expertise, promotional support, and product development related to nature-based recreation and sustainable use of natural resources. In carrying out this responsibility, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall focus its efforts on fostering nature-based recreation in rural communities and regions encompassing rural communities. As used in this section, the term "nature-based recreation" means leisure activities related to the state's lands, waters, and fish and wildlife resources, including, but not limited to, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hunting, backpacking, and nature photography.

History.--s. 100, ch. 99-251.

288.075  Confidentiality of records.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "economic development agency" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, any industrial development authority created in accordance with part III of chapter 159 or by special law, the Florida Space Authority created in part II of chapter 331, the Florida Commercial Space Financing Corporation created in part III of chapter 331, the public economic development agency of a county or municipality, or any research and development authority created in accordance with part V of chapter 159. The term also includes any private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity when authorized by the state, a municipality, or a county to promote the general business interests or industrial interests of the state or that municipality or county.

(2)  Upon written request from a private corporation, partnership, or person, records of an economic development agency which contain or would provide information concerning plans, intentions, or interests of such private corporation, partnership, or person to locate, relocate, or expand any of its business activities in this state are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for 24 months after the date an economic development agency receives a request for confidentiality or until disclosed by an economic development agency pursuant to subsection (4) or by the party requesting confidentiality under this section. Confidentiality must be maintained until the expiration of the 24-month period or until documents or information are otherwise disclosed, whichever occurs first. Any confidentiality provided under this section does not apply when any party petitions a court of competent jurisdiction and, in the opinion of the court, proves need for access to such documents. This exemption expires October 2, 2006, and is subject to review by the Legislature under the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15.

(3)  This section does not waive any provision of chapter 120 or any other provision of law requiring a public hearing.

(4)  A public officer or employee may not enter into a binding agreement with any corporation, partnership, or person who has requested confidentiality of information pursuant to this section, until 90 days after such information is made public, unless such public officer or employee is acting in an official capacity, the agreement does not accrue to the personal benefit of such public officer or employee, and, in the professional judgment of such officer or employee, the agreement is necessary to effectuate an economic development project.

(5)  An economic development agency may extend the period of confidentiality specified in subsection (2) for up to an additional 12 months upon written request from the private corporation, partnership, or person who originally requested confidentiality under this section and upon a finding by the economic development agency that such private corporation, partnership, or person is still actively considering locating, relocating, or expanding its business activities in this state. Such a request for an extension in the period of confidentiality must be received prior to the expiration of any confidentiality originally provided under this section.

(6)  Notwithstanding the period of confidentiality specified in subsection (2), trade secrets, as defined by s. 812.081, contained in the records of an economic development agency relating to the plans, intentions, or interests of a corporation, partnership, or person who has requested confidentiality pursuant to this section are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution for 10 years after the date an economic development agency receives a request for confidentiality or until otherwise disclosed, whichever occurs first. The 10-year period of confidentiality provided by this subsection does not apply to any portion of the records other than trade secrets as defined by s. 812.081.

(7)  Any person who is an employee of an economic development agency who violates the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 1, ch. 77-75; s. 1, ch. 79-395; s. 3, ch. 83-47; s. 1, ch. 86-152; s. 1, ch. 86-180; s. 1, ch. 86-218; s. 1, ch. 89-217; s. 104, ch. 90-360; s. 245, ch. 91-224; s. 220, ch. 95-148; s. 1, ch. 95-378; s. 1, ch. 96-353; s. 135, ch. 96-406; s. 14, ch. 99-256; s. 1, ch. 2001-161; s. 5, ch. 2002-183.

288.095  Economic Development Trust Fund.--

(1)  The Economic Development Trust Fund is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Moneys deposited into the fund must be used only to support the authorized activities and operations of the office.

(2)  There is created, within the Economic Development Trust Fund, the Economic Development Incentives Account. The Economic Development Incentives Account consists of moneys appropriated to the account for purposes of the tax incentives programs authorized under ss. 288.1045 and 288.106, and local financial support provided under ss. 288.1045 and 288.106. Moneys in the Economic Development Incentives Account shall be subject to the provisions of s. 216.301(1)(a).

(3)(a)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may approve applications for certification pursuant to ss. 288.1045(3) and 288.106. However, the total state share of tax refund payments scheduled in all active certifications for fiscal year 2001-2002 may not exceed $30 million. The total for each subsequent fiscal year may not exceed $35 million.

(b)  The total amount of tax refund claims approved for payment by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development based on actual project performance may not exceed the amount appropriated to the Economic Development Incentives Account for such purposes for the fiscal year. In the event the Legislature does not appropriate an amount sufficient to satisfy estimates by the office for tax refunds under ss. 288.1045 and 288.106 in a fiscal year, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall, not later than July 15 of such year, determine the proportion of each refund claim which shall be paid by dividing the amount appropriated for tax refunds for the fiscal year by the estimated total of refund claims for the fiscal year. The amount of each claim for a tax refund shall be multiplied by the resulting quotient. If, after the payment of all such refund claims, funds remain in the Economic Development Incentives Account for tax refunds, the office shall recalculate the proportion for each refund claim and adjust the amount of each claim accordingly.

(c)  By December 31 of each year, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall submit a complete and detailed report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development of all applications received, recommendations made to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, final decisions issued, tax refund agreements executed, and tax refunds paid or other payments made under all programs funded out of the Economic Development Incentives Account, including analyses of benefits and costs, types of projects supported, and employment and investment created. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall also include a separate analysis of the impact of such tax refunds on state enterprise zones designated pursuant to s. 290.0065, rural communities, brownfield areas, and distressed urban communities. The report must discuss whether the authority and moneys appropriated by the Legislature to the Economic Development Incentives Account were managed and expended in a prudent, fiducially sound manner. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall assist Enterprise Florida, Inc., in the collection of data related to business performance and incentive payments.

(d)  Moneys in the Economic Development Incentives Account may be used only to pay tax refunds and other payments authorized under s. 288.1045, s. 288.106, or s. 288.107.

(e)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection, including rules providing for the use of moneys in the Economic Development Incentives Account and for the administration of the Economic Development Incentives Account.

History.--s. 5, ch. 92-111; ss. 4, 7, ch. 93-414; ss. 15, 75, ch. 94-136; s. 43, ch. 96-320; s. 10, ch. 97-277; s. 12, ch. 97-278; s. 25, ch. 99-251; s. 41, ch. 2001-201; s. 2, ch. 2002-392.

288.1045  Qualified defense contractor tax refund program.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

(a)  "Consolidation of a Department of Defense contract" means the consolidation of one or more of an applicant's facilities under one or more Department of Defense contracts either from outside this state or from inside and outside this state, into one or more of the applicant's facilities inside this state.

(b)  "Average wage in the area" means the average of all wages and salaries in the state, the county, or in the standard metropolitan area in which the business unit is located.

(c)  "Applicant" means any business entity that holds a valid Department of Defense contract or any business entity that is a subcontractor under a valid Department of Defense contract or any business entity that holds a valid contract for the reuse of a defense-related facility, including all members of an affiliated group of corporations as defined in s. 220.03(1)(b).

(d)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(e)  "Department of Defense contract" means a competitively bid Department of Defense contract or subcontract or a competitively bid federal agency contract or subcontract issued on behalf of the Department of Defense for manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design with a duration of 2 or more years, but excluding any contract or subcontract to provide goods, improvements to real or tangible property, or services directly to or for any particular military base or installation in this state. The term includes contracts or subcontracts for products or services for military use which contracts or subcontracts are approved by the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of State, or the United States Coast Guard.

(f)  "New Department of Defense contract" means a Department of Defense contract entered into after the date application for certification as a qualified applicant is made and after January 1, 1994.

(g)  "Jobs" means full-time equivalent positions, consistent with the use of such terms by the Agency for Workforce Innovation for the purpose of unemployment compensation tax, resulting directly from a project in this state. This number does not include temporary construction jobs involved with the construction of facilities for the project.

(h)  "Nondefense production jobs" means employment exclusively for activities that, directly or indirectly, are unrelated to the Department of Defense.

(i)  "Project" means any business undertaking in this state under a new Department of Defense contract, consolidation of a Department of Defense contract, or conversion of defense production jobs over to nondefense production jobs or reuse of defense-related facilities.

(j)  "Qualified applicant" means an applicant that has been approved by the director to be eligible for tax refunds pursuant to this section.

(k)  "Director" means the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(l)  "Taxable year" means the same as in s. 220.03(1)(z).

(m)  "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the state.

(n)  "Business unit" means an employing unit, as defined in s. 443.036, that is registered with the Agency for Workforce Innovation for unemployment compensation purposes or means a subcategory or division of an employing unit that is accepted by the Agency for Workforce Innovation as a reporting unit.

(o)  "Local financial support" means funding from local sources, public or private, which is paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund and which is equal to 20 percent of the annual tax refund for a qualified applicant. Local financial support may include excess payments made to a utility company under a designated program to allow decreases in service by the utility company under conditions, regardless of when application is made. A qualified applicant may not provide, directly or indirectly, more than 5 percent of such funding in any fiscal year. The sources of such funding may not include, directly or indirectly, state funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund or any state trust fund, excluding tax revenues shared with local governments pursuant to law.

(p)  "Contract for reuse of a defense-related facility" means a contract with a duration of 2 or more years for the use of a facility for manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design of tangible personal property, but excluding any contract to provide goods, improvements to real or tangible property, or services directly to or for any particular military base or installation in this state. Such facility must be located within a port, as defined in s. 313.21, and have been occupied by a business entity that held a valid Department of Defense contract or occupied by any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, within 1 year of any contract being executed for the reuse of such facility. A contract for reuse of a defense-related facility may not include any contract for reuse of such facility for any Department of Defense contract for manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design.

(q)  "Local financial support exemption option" means the option to exercise an exemption from the local financial support requirement available to any applicant whose project is located in a county designated by the Rural Economic Development Initiative, if the county commissioners of the county in which the project will be located adopt a resolution requesting that the applicant's project be exempt from the local financial support requirement. Any applicant that exercises this option is not eligible for more than 80 percent of the total tax refunds allowed such applicant under this section.

(2)  GRANTING OF A TAX REFUND; ELIGIBLE AMOUNTS.--

(a)  There shall be allowed, from the Economic Development Trust Fund, a refund to a qualified applicant for the amount of eligible taxes certified by the director which were paid by such qualified applicant. The total amount of refunds for all fiscal years for each qualified applicant shall be determined pursuant to subsection (3). The annual amount of a refund to a qualified applicant shall be determined pursuant to subsection (5).

(b)  A qualified applicant may not be qualified for any project to receive more than $5,000 times the number of jobs provided in the tax refund agreement pursuant to subparagraph (4)(a)1. A qualified applicant may not receive refunds of more than 25 percent of the total tax refunds provided in the tax refund agreement pursuant to subparagraph (4)(a)1. in any fiscal year, provided that no qualified applicant may receive more than $2.5 million in tax refunds pursuant to this section in any fiscal year.

(c)  A qualified applicant may not receive more than $7.5 million in tax refunds pursuant to this section in all fiscal years.

(d)  Contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Legislature, the director may approve not more in tax refunds than the amount appropriated to the Economic Development Trust Fund for tax refunds, for a fiscal year pursuant to subsection (5) and s. 288.095.

(e)  For the first 6 months of each fiscal year, the director shall set aside 30 percent of the amount appropriated for refunds pursuant to this section by the Legislature to provide tax refunds only to qualified applicants who employ 500 or fewer full-time employees in this state. Any unencumbered funds remaining undisbursed from this set-aside at the end of the 6-month period may be used to provide tax refunds for any qualified applicants pursuant to this section.

(f)  After entering into a tax refund agreement pursuant to subsection (4), a qualified applicant may receive refunds from the Economic Development Trust Fund for the following taxes due and paid by the qualified applicant beginning with the applicant's first taxable year that begins after entering into the agreement:

1.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions paid pursuant to chapter 212.

2.  Corporate income taxes paid pursuant to chapter 220.

3.  Intangible personal property taxes paid pursuant to chapter 199.

4.  Emergency excise taxes paid pursuant to chapter 221.

5.  Excise taxes paid on documents pursuant to chapter 201.

6.  Ad valorem taxes paid, as defined in s. 220.03(1)(a) on June 1, 1996.

However, a qualified applicant may not receive a tax refund pursuant to this section for any amount of credit, refund, or exemption granted such contractor for any of such taxes. If a refund for such taxes is provided by the office, which taxes are subsequently adjusted by the application of any credit, refund, or exemption granted to the qualified applicant other than that provided in this section, the qualified applicant shall reimburse the Economic Development Trust Fund for the amount of such credit, refund, or exemption. A qualified applicant must notify and tender payment to the office within 20 days after receiving a credit, refund, or exemption, other than that provided in this section.

(g)  Any qualified applicant who fraudulently claims this refund is liable for repayment of the refund to the Economic Development Trust Fund plus a mandatory penalty of 200 percent of the tax refund which shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. Any qualified applicant who fraudulently claims this refund commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(h)  Funds made available pursuant to this section may not be expended in connection with the relocation of a business from one community to another community in this state unless the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development determines that without such relocation the business will move outside this state or determines that the business has a compelling economic rationale for the relocation which creates additional jobs.

(3)  APPLICATION PROCESS; REQUIREMENTS; AGENCY DETERMINATION.--

(a)  To apply for certification as a qualified applicant pursuant to this section, an applicant must file an application with the office which satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (e), paragraphs (c) and (e), or paragraphs (d) and (e). An applicant may not apply for certification pursuant to this section after a proposal has been submitted for a new Department of Defense contract, after the applicant has made the decision to consolidate an existing Department of Defense contract in this state for which such applicant is seeking certification, or after the applicant has made the decision to convert defense production jobs to nondefense production jobs for which such applicant is seeking certification.

(b)  Applications for certification based on the consolidation of a Department of Defense contract or a new Department of Defense contract must be submitted to the office as prescribed by the office and must include, but are not limited to, the following information:

1.  The applicant's federal employer identification number, the applicant's Florida sales tax registration number, and a notarized signature of an officer of the applicant.

2.  The permanent location of the manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design facility in this state at which the project is or is to be located.

3.  The Department of Defense contract numbers of the contract to be consolidated, the new Department of Defense contract number, or the "RFP" number of a proposed Department of Defense contract.

4.  The date the contract was executed or is expected to be executed, and the date the contract is due to expire or is expected to expire.

5.  The commencement date for project operations under the contract in this state.

6.  The number of net new full-time equivalent Florida jobs included in the project as of December 31 of each year and the average wage of such jobs.

7.  The total number of full-time equivalent employees employed by the applicant in this state.

8.  The percentage of the applicant's gross receipts derived from Department of Defense contracts during the 5 taxable years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted.

9.  The amount of:

a.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions paid pursuant to chapter 212;

b.  Corporate income taxes paid pursuant to chapter 220;

c.  Intangible personal property taxes paid pursuant to chapter 199;

d.  Emergency excise taxes paid pursuant to chapter 221;

e.  Excise taxes paid on documents pursuant to chapter 201; and

f.  Ad valorem taxes paid

during the 5 fiscal years immediately preceding the date of the application, and the projected amounts of such taxes to be due in the 3 fiscal years immediately following the date of the application.

10.  The estimated amount of tax refunds to be claimed for each fiscal year.

11.  A brief statement concerning the applicant's need for tax refunds, and the proposed uses of such refunds by the applicant.

12.  A resolution adopted by the county commissioners of the county in which the project will be located, which recommends the applicant be approved as a qualified applicant, and which indicates that the necessary commitments of local financial support for the applicant exist. Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the county commission may review the proposed public or private sources of such support and determine whether the proposed sources of local financial support can be provided or, for any applicant whose project is located in a county designated by the Rural Economic Development Initiative, a resolution adopted by the county commissioners of such county requesting that the applicant's project be exempt from the local financial support requirement.

13.  Any additional information requested by the office.

(c)  Applications for certification based on the conversion of defense production jobs to nondefense production jobs must be submitted to the office as prescribed by the office and must include, but are not limited to, the following information:

1.  The applicant's federal employer identification number, the applicant's Florida sales tax registration number, and a notarized signature of an officer of the applicant.

2.  The permanent location of the manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design facility in this state at which the project is or is to be located.

3.  The Department of Defense contract numbers of the contract under which the defense production jobs will be converted to nondefense production jobs.

4.  The date the contract was executed, and the date the contract is due to expire or is expected to expire, or was canceled.

5.  The commencement date for the nondefense production operations in this state.

6.  The number of net new full-time equivalent Florida jobs included in the nondefense production project as of December 31 of each year and the average wage of such jobs.

7.  The total number of full-time equivalent employees employed by the applicant in this state.

8.  The percentage of the applicant's gross receipts derived from Department of Defense contracts during the 5 taxable years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted.

9.  The amount of:

a.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions paid pursuant to chapter 212;

b.  Corporate income taxes paid pursuant to chapter 220;

c.  Intangible personal property taxes paid pursuant to chapter 199;

d.  Emergency excise taxes paid pursuant to chapter 221;

e.  Excise taxes paid on documents pursuant to chapter 201; and

f.  Ad valorem taxes paid

during the 5 fiscal years immediately preceding the date of the application, and the projected amounts of such taxes to be due in the 3 fiscal years immediately following the date of the application.

10.  The estimated amount of tax refunds to be claimed for each fiscal year.

11.  A brief statement concerning the applicant's need for tax refunds, and the proposed uses of such refunds by the applicant.

12.  A resolution adopted by the county commissioners of the county in which the project will be located, which recommends the applicant be approved as a qualified applicant, and which indicates that the necessary commitments of local financial support for the applicant exist. Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the county commission may review the proposed public or private sources of such support and determine whether the proposed sources of local financial support can be provided or, for any applicant whose project is located in a county designated by the Rural Economic Development Initiative, a resolution adopted by the county commissioners of such county requesting that the applicant's project be exempt from the local financial support requirement.

13.  Any additional information requested by the office.

(d)  Applications for certification based on a contract for reuse of a defense-related facility must be submitted to the office as prescribed by the office and must include, but are not limited to, the following information:

1.  The applicant's Florida sales tax registration number and a notarized signature of an officer of the applicant.

2.  The permanent location of the manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, or design facility in this state at which the project is or is to be located.

3.  The business entity holding a valid Department of Defense contract or branch of the Armed Forces of the United States that previously occupied the facility, and the date such entity last occupied the facility.

4.  A copy of the contract to reuse the facility, or such alternative proof as may be prescribed by the office that the applicant is seeking to contract for the reuse of such facility.

5.  The date the contract to reuse the facility was executed or is expected to be executed, and the date the contract is due to expire or is expected to expire.

6.  The commencement date for project operations under the contract in this state.

7.  The number of net new full-time equivalent Florida jobs included in the project as of December 31 of each year and the average wage of such jobs.

8.  The total number of full-time equivalent employees employed by the applicant in this state.

9.  The amount of:

a.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions paid pursuant to chapter 212.

b.  Corporate income taxes paid pursuant to chapter 220.

c.  Intangible personal property taxes paid pursuant to chapter 199.

d.  Emergency excise taxes paid pursuant to chapter 221.

e.  Excise taxes paid on documents pursuant to chapter 201.

f.  Ad valorem taxes paid during the 5 fiscal years immediately preceding the date of the application, and the projected amounts of such taxes to be due in the 3 fiscal years immediately following the date of the application.

10.  The estimated amount of tax refunds to be claimed for each fiscal year.

11.  A brief statement concerning the applicant's need for tax refunds, and the proposed uses of such refunds by the applicant.

12.  A resolution adopted by the county commissioners of the county in which the project will be located, which recommends the applicant be approved as a qualified applicant, and which indicates that the necessary commitments of local financial support for the applicant exist. Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the county commission may review the proposed public or private sources of such support and determine whether the proposed sources of local financial support can be provided or, for any applicant whose project is located in a county designated by the Rural Economic Development Initiative, a resolution adopted by the county commissioners of such county requesting that the applicant's project be exempt from the local financial support requirement.

13.  Any additional information requested by the office.

(e)  To qualify for review by the office, the application of an applicant must, at a minimum, establish the following to the satisfaction of the office:

1.  The jobs proposed to be provided under the application, pursuant to subparagraph (b)6. or subparagraph (c)6., must pay an estimated annual average wage equaling at least 115 percent of the average wage in the area where the project is to be located.

2.  The consolidation of a Department of Defense contract must result in a net increase of at least 25 percent in the number of jobs at the applicant's facilities in this state or the addition of at least 80 jobs at the applicant's facilities in this state.

3.  The conversion of defense production jobs to nondefense production jobs must result in net increases in nondefense employment at the applicant's facilities in this state.

4.  The Department of Defense contract cannot allow the business to include the costs of relocation or retooling in its base as allowable costs under a cost-plus, or similar, contract.

5.  A business unit of the applicant must have derived not less than 60 percent of its gross receipts in this state from Department of Defense contracts over the applicant's last fiscal year, and must have derived not less than an average of 60 percent of its gross receipts in this state from Department of Defense contracts over the 5 years preceding the date an application is submitted pursuant to this section. This subparagraph does not apply to any application for certification based on a contract for reuse of a defense-related facility.

6.  The reuse of a defense-related facility must result in the creation of at least 100 jobs at such facility.

(f)  Each application meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (e), paragraphs (c) and (e), or paragraphs (d) and (e) must be submitted to the office for a determination of eligibility. The office shall review, evaluate, and score each application based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

1.  Expected contributions to the state strategic economic development plan adopted by Enterprise Florida, Inc., taking into account the extent to which the project contributes to the state's high-technology base, and the long-term impact of the project and the applicant on the state's economy.

2.  The economic benefit of the jobs created or retained by the project in this state, taking into account the cost and average wage of each job created or retained, and the potential risk to existing jobs.

3.  The amount of capital investment to be made by the applicant in this state.

4.  The local commitment and support for the project and applicant.

5.  The impact of the project on the local community, taking into account the unemployment rate for the county where the project will be located.

6.  The dependence of the local community on the defense industry.

7.  The impact of any tax refunds granted pursuant to this section on the viability of the project and the probability that the project will occur in this state if such tax refunds are granted to the applicant, taking into account the expected long-term commitment of the applicant to economic growth and employment in this state.

8.  The length of the project, or the expected long-term commitment to this state resulting from the project.

(g)  The office shall forward its written findings and evaluation on each application meeting the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (e), paragraphs (c) and (e), or paragraphs (d) and (e) to the director within 60 calendar days after receipt of a complete application. The office shall notify each applicant when its application is complete, and when the 60-day period begins. In its written report to the director, the office shall specifically address each of the factors specified in paragraph (f), and shall make a specific assessment with respect to the minimum requirements established in paragraph (e). The office shall include in its report projections of the tax refunds the applicant would be eligible to receive in each fiscal year based on the creation and maintenance of the net new Florida jobs specified in subparagraph (b)6., subparagraph (c)6., or subparagraph (d)7. as of December 31 of the preceding state fiscal year.

(h)  Within 30 days after receipt of the office's findings and evaluation, the director shall issue a letter of certification which either approves or disapproves an application. The decision must be in writing and provide the justifications for either approval or disapproval. If appropriate, the director shall enter into a written agreement with the qualified applicant pursuant to subsection (4).

(i)  The director may not certify any applicant as a qualified applicant when the value of tax refunds to be included in that letter of certification exceeds the available amount of authority to certify new businesses as determined in s. 288.095(3). A letter of certification that approves an application must specify the maximum amount of a tax refund that is to be available to the contractor for each fiscal year and the total amount of tax refunds for all fiscal years.

(j)  This section does not create a presumption that an applicant should receive any tax refunds under this section.

(4)  QUALIFIED DEFENSE CONTRACTOR TAX REFUND AGREEMENT.--

(a)  A qualified applicant shall enter into a written agreement with the office containing, but not limited to, the following:

1.  The total number of full-time equivalent jobs in this state that are or will be dedicated to the qualified applicant's project, the average wage of such jobs, the definitions that will apply for measuring the achievement of these terms during the pendency of the agreement, and a time schedule or plan for when such jobs will be in place and active in this state.

2.  The maximum amount of a refund that the qualified applicant is eligible to receive for each fiscal year, based on the job creation or retention and maintenance schedule specified in subparagraph 1.

3.  An agreement with the office allowing the office to review and verify the financial and personnel records of the qualified applicant to ascertain whether the qualified applicant is complying with the requirements of this section.

4.  The date by which, in each fiscal year, the qualified applicant may file a claim pursuant to subsection (5) to be considered to receive a tax refund in the following fiscal year.

5.  That local financial support shall be annually available and will be paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund.

(b)  Compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement is a condition precedent for receipt of tax refunds each year. The failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement shall result in the loss of eligibility for receipt of all tax refunds previously authorized pursuant to this section, and the revocation of the certification as a qualified applicant by the director, unless the qualified applicant is eligible to receive and elects to accept a prorated refund under paragraph (5)(g) or the office grants the qualified applicant an economic-stimulus exemption.

1.  A qualified applicant may submit, in writing, a request to the office for an economic-stimulus exemption. The request must provide quantitative evidence demonstrating how negative economic conditions in the qualified applicant's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting the qualified applicant, have prevented the qualified applicant from complying with the terms and conditions of its tax refund agreement.

2.  Upon receipt of a request under subparagraph 1., the director shall have 45 days to notify the requesting qualified applicant, in writing, if its exemption has been granted or denied. In determining if an exemption should be granted, the director shall consider the extent to which negative economic conditions in the requesting qualified applicant's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting the qualified applicant, have prevented the qualified applicant from complying with the terms and conditions of its tax refund agreement.

3.  As a condition for receiving a prorated refund under paragraph (5)(g) or an economic-stimulus exemption under this paragraph, a qualified applicant must agree to renegotiate its tax refund agreement with the office to, at a minimum, ensure that the terms of the agreement comply with current law and office procedures governing application for and award of tax refunds. Upon approving the award of a prorated refund or granting an economic-stimulus exemption, the office shall renegotiate the tax refund agreement with the qualified applicant as required by this subparagraph. When amending the agreement of a qualified applicant receiving an economic-stimulus exemption, the office may extend the duration of the agreement for a period not to exceed 1 year.

4.  A qualified applicant may submit a request for an economic-stimulus exemption to the office in lieu of any tax refund claim scheduled to be submitted after January 1, 2001, but before July 1, 2003.

5.  A qualified applicant that receives an economic-stimulus exemption may not receive a tax refund for the period covered by the exemption.

(c)  The agreement shall be signed by the director and the authorized officer of the qualified applicant.

(d)  The agreement must contain the following legend, clearly printed on its face in bold type of not less than 10 points:

"This agreement is neither a general obligation of the State of Florida, nor is it backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Florida. Payment of tax refunds are conditioned on and subject to specific annual appropriations by the Florida Legislature of funds sufficient to pay amounts authorized in s. 288.1045, Florida Statutes."

(5)  ANNUAL CLAIM FOR REFUND FROM A QUALIFIED DEFENSE CONTRACTOR.--

(a)  To be eligible to claim any scheduled tax refund, qualified applicants who have entered into a written agreement with the office pursuant to subsection (4) and who have entered into a valid new Department of Defense contract, commenced the consolidation of a Department of Defense contract, commenced the conversion of defense production jobs to nondefense production jobs, or entered into a valid contract for reuse of a defense-related facility must apply by January 31 of each fiscal year to the office for tax refunds scheduled to be paid from the appropriation for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 following the January 31 claims-submission date. The office may, upon written request, grant a 30-day extension of the filing date. The application must include a notarized signature of an officer of the applicant.

(b)  The claim for refund by the qualified applicant must include a copy of all receipts pertaining to the payment of taxes for which a refund is sought, and data related to achieving each performance item contained in the tax refund agreement pursuant to subsection (4). The amount requested as a tax refund may not exceed the amount for the relevant fiscal year in the written agreement entered pursuant to subsection (4).

(c)  A tax refund may not be approved for any qualified applicant unless local financial support has been paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund for that refund. If the local financial support is less than 20 percent of the approved tax refund, the tax refund shall be reduced. The tax refund paid may not exceed 5 times the local financial support received. Funding from local sources includes tax abatement under s. 196.1995 provided to a qualified applicant. The amount of any tax refund for an applicant approved under this section shall be reduced by the amount of any such tax abatement, and the limitations in subsection (2) and paragraph (3)(h) shall be reduced by the amount of any such tax abatement. A report listing all sources of the local financial support shall be provided to the office when such support is paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund.

(d)  The director, with assistance from the office, the Department of Revenue, and the Agency for Workforce Innovation, shall, by June 30 following the scheduled date for submitting the tax refund claim, specify by written order the approval or disapproval of the tax refund claim and, if approved, the amount of the tax refund that is authorized to be paid to the qualified applicant for the annual tax refund. The office may grant an extension of this date upon the request of the qualified applicant for the purpose of filing additional information in support of the claim.

(e)  The total amount of tax refunds approved by the director under this section in any fiscal year may not exceed the amount appropriated to the Economic Development Trust Fund for such purposes for the fiscal year. If the Legislature does not appropriate an amount sufficient to satisfy projections by the office for tax refunds in a fiscal year, the director shall, not later than July 15 of such year, determine the proportion of each refund claim which shall be paid by dividing the amount appropriated for tax refunds for the fiscal year by the projected total amount of refund claims for the fiscal year. The amount of each claim for a tax refund shall be multiplied by the resulting quotient. If, after the payment of all such refund claims, funds remain in the Economic Development Trust Fund for tax refunds, the director shall recalculate the proportion for each refund claim and adjust the amount of each claim accordingly.

(f)  Upon approval of the tax refund pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d), the Comptroller shall issue a warrant for the amount included in the written order. In the event of any appeal of the written order, the Comptroller may not issue a warrant for a refund to the qualified applicant until the conclusion of all appeals of the written order.

(g)  A prorated tax refund, less a 5 percent penalty, shall be approved for a qualified applicant provided all other applicable requirements have been satisfied and the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the director that it has achieved at least 80 percent of its projected employment and that the average wage paid by the qualified applicant is at least 90 percent of the average wage specified in the tax refund agreement, but in no case less than 115 percent of the average private sector wage in the area available at the time of certification. The prorated tax refund shall be calculated by multiplying the tax refund amount for which the qualified applicant would have been eligible, if all applicable requirements had been satisfied, by the percentage of the average employment specified in the tax refund agreement which was achieved, and by the percentage of the average wages specified in the tax refund agreement which was achieved.

(h)  This section does not create a presumption that a tax refund claim will be approved and paid.

(6)  ADMINISTRATION.--

(a)  The office may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 120 for the administration of this section.

(b)  The office may verify information provided in any claim submitted for tax credits under this section with regard to employment and wage levels or the payment of the taxes with the appropriate agency or authority including the Department of Revenue, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or any local government or authority.

(c)  To facilitate the process of monitoring and auditing applications made under this program, the office may provide a list of qualified applicants to the Department of Revenue, to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or to any local government or authority. The office may request the assistance of said entities with respect to monitoring jobs, wages, and the payment of the taxes listed in subsection (2).

(d)  By December 1 of each year, the office shall submit a complete and detailed report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of all tax refunds paid under this section, including analyses of benefits and costs, types of projects supported, employment and investment created, geographic distribution of tax refunds granted, and minority business participation. The report must indicate whether the moneys appropriated by the Legislature to the qualified applicant tax refund program were expended in a prudent, fiducially sound manner.

(e)  Funds specifically appropriated for the tax refund program under this section may not be used for any purpose other than the payment of tax refunds authorized by this section.

(7)  EXPIRATION.--An applicant may not be certified as qualified under this section after June 30, 2004.

History.--s. 1, ch. 96-348; s. 10, ch. 97-79; s. 30, ch. 97-99; s. 17, ch. 97-278; s. 85, ch. 99-251; s. 1, ch. 2002-225; s. 3, ch. 2002-392.

288.106  Tax refund program for qualified target industry businesses.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

(a)  "Account" means the Economic Development Incentives Account within the Economic Development Trust Fund established under s. 288.095.

(b)  "Average private sector wage in the area" means the statewide private sector average wage or the average of all private sector wages and salaries in the county or in the standard metropolitan area in which the business is located.

(c)  "Business" means an employing unit, as defined in s. 443.036, which is registered with the Department of Labor and Employment Security for unemployment compensation purposes or a subcategory or division of an employing unit which is accepted by the Department of Labor and Employment Security as a reporting unit.

(d)  "Corporate headquarters business" means an international, national, or regional headquarters office of a multinational or multistate business enterprise or national trade association, whether separate from or connected with other facilities used by such business.

(e)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(f)  "Enterprise zone" means an area designated as an enterprise zone pursuant to s. 290.0065.

(g)  "Expansion of an existing business" means the expansion of an existing Florida business by or through additions to real and personal property, resulting in a net increase in employment of not less than 10 percent at such business.

(h)  "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the state.

(i)  "Jobs" means full-time equivalent positions, as such terms are consistent with terms used by the Department of Labor and Employment Security and the United States Department of Labor for purposes of unemployment compensation tax administration and employment estimation, resulting directly from a project in this state. This number shall not include temporary construction jobs involved with the construction of facilities for the project or any jobs which have previously been included in any application for tax refunds under s. 288.1045 or this section.

(j)  "Local financial support" means funding from local sources, public or private, which is paid to the Economic Development Trust Fund and which is equal to 20 percent of the annual tax refund for a qualified target industry business. A qualified target industry business may not provide, directly or indirectly, more than 5 percent of such funding in any fiscal year. The sources of such funding may not include, directly or indirectly, state funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund or any state trust fund, excluding tax revenues shared with local governments pursuant to law.

(k)  "Local financial support exemption option" means the option to exercise an exemption from the local financial support requirement available to any applicant whose project is located in a brownfield area or a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer or a county with a population of 100,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer. Any applicant that exercises this option shall not be eligible for more than 80 percent of the total tax refunds allowed such applicant under this section.

(l)  "New business" means a business which heretofore did not exist in this state, first beginning operations on a site located in this state and clearly separate from any other commercial or industrial operations owned by the same business.

(m)  "Project" means the creation of a new business or expansion of an existing business.

(n)  "Director" means the Director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(o)  "Target industry business" means a corporate headquarters business or any business that is engaged in one of the target industries identified pursuant to the following criteria developed by the office in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc.:

1.  Future growth.--Industry forecasts should indicate strong expectation for future growth in both employment and output, according to the most recent available data. Special consideration should be given to Florida's growing access to international markets or to replacing imports.

2.  Stability.--The industry should not be subject to periodic layoffs, whether due to seasonality or sensitivity to volatile economic variables such as weather. The industry should also be relatively resistant to recession, so that the demand for products of this industry is not necessarily subject to decline during an economic downturn.

3.  High wage.--The industry should pay relatively high wages compared to statewide or area averages.

4.  Market and resource independent.--The location of industry businesses should not be dependent on Florida markets or resources as indicated by industry analysis.

5.  Industrial base diversification and strengthening.--The industry should contribute toward expanding or diversifying the state's or area's economic base, as indicated by analysis of employment and output shares compared to national and regional trends. Special consideration should be given to industries that strengthen regional economies by adding value to basic products or building regional industrial clusters as indicated by industry analysis.

6.  Economic benefits.--The industry should have strong positive impacts on or benefits to the state and regional economies.

The office, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall develop a list of such target industries annually and submit such list as part of the final agency legislative budget request submitted pursuant to s. 216.023(1). A target industry business may not include any industry engaged in retail activities; any electrical utility company; any phosphate or other solid minerals severance, mining, or processing operation; any oil or gas exploration or production operation; or any firm subject to regulation by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

(p)  "Taxable year" means taxable year as defined in s. 220.03(1)(z).

(q)  "Qualified target industry business" means a target industry business that has been approved by the director to be eligible for tax refunds pursuant to this section.

(r)  "Rural county" means a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer or a county with a population of 100,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.

(s)  "Rural city" means a city with a population of 10,000 or less, or a city with a population of greater than 10,000 but less than 20,000 which has been determined by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to have economic characteristics such as, but not limited to, a significant percentage of residents on public assistance, a significant percentage of residents with income below the poverty level, or a significant percentage of the city's employment base in agriculture-related industries.

(t)  "Rural community" means:

1.  A county with a population of 75,000 or less.

2.  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

3.  A municipality within a county described in subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.

For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.

(u)  "Authorized local economic development agency" means any public or private entity, including those defined in s. 288.075, authorized by a county or municipality to promote the general business or industrial interests of that county or municipality.

(2)  TAX REFUND; ELIGIBLE AMOUNTS.--

(a)  There shall be allowed, from the account, a refund to a qualified target industry business for the amount of eligible taxes certified by the director which were paid by such business. The total amount of refunds for all fiscal years for each qualified target industry business must be determined pursuant to subsection (3). The annual amount of a refund to a qualified target industry business must be determined pursuant to subsection (5).

(b)  Upon approval by the director, a qualified target industry business shall be allowed tax refund payments equal to $3,000 times the number of jobs specified in the tax refund agreement under subparagraph (4)(a)1., or equal to $6,000 times the number of jobs if the project is located in a rural county or an enterprise zone. Further, a qualified target industry business shall be allowed additional tax refund payments equal to $1,000 times the number of jobs specified in the tax refund agreement under subparagraph (4)(a)1., if such jobs pay an annual average wage of at least 150 percent of the average private sector wage in the area, or equal to $2,000 times the number of jobs if such jobs pay an annual average wage of at least 200 percent of the average private sector wage in the area. A qualified target industry business may not receive refund payments of more than 25 percent of the total tax refunds specified in the tax refund agreement under subparagraph (4)(a)1. in any fiscal year. Further, a qualified target industry business may not receive more than $1.5 million in refunds under this section in any single fiscal year, or more than $2.5 million in any single fiscal year if the project is located in an enterprise zone. A qualified target industry may not receive more than $5 million in refund payments under this section in all fiscal years, or more than $7.5 million if the project is located in an enterprise zone. Funds made available pursuant to this section may not be expended in connection with the relocation of a business from one community to another community in this state unless the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development determines that without such relocation the business will move outside this state or determines that the business has a compelling economic rationale for the relocation and that the relocation will create additional jobs.

(c)  After entering into a tax refund agreement under subsection (4), a qualified target industry business may:

1.  Receive refunds from the account for the following taxes due and paid by that business beginning with the first taxable year of the business which begins after entering into the agreement:

a.  Corporate income taxes under chapter 220.

b.  Insurance premium tax under s. 624.509.

2.  Receive refunds from the account for the following taxes due and paid by that business after entering into the agreement:

a.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions under chapter 212.

b.  Intangible personal property taxes under chapter 199.

c.  Emergency excise taxes under chapter 221.

d.  Excise taxes on documents under chapter 201.

e.  Ad valorem taxes paid, as defined in s. 220.03(1).

(d)  However, a qualified target industry business may not receive a refund under this section for any amount of credit, refund, or exemption granted to that business for any of such taxes. If a refund for such taxes is provided by the office, which taxes are subsequently adjusted by the application of any credit, refund, or exemption granted to the qualified target industry business other than as provided in this section, the business shall reimburse the account for the amount of that credit, refund, or exemption. A qualified target industry business shall notify and tender payment to the office within 20 days after receiving any credit, refund, or exemption other than one provided in this section.

(e)  A qualified target industry business that fraudulently claims a refund under this section:

1.  Is liable for repayment of the amount of the refund to the account, plus a mandatory penalty in the amount of 200 percent of the tax refund which shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

2.  Is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3)  APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS.--

(a)  To apply for certification as a qualified target industry business under this section, the business must file an application with the office before the business has made the decision to locate a new business in this state or before the business had made the decision to expand an existing business in this state. The application shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1.  The applicant's federal employer identification number and the applicant's state sales tax registration number.

2.  The permanent location of the applicant's facility in this state at which the project is or is to be located.

3.  A description of the type of business activity or product covered by the project, including four-digit SIC codes for all activities included in the project.

4.  The number of net new full-time equivalent Florida jobs at the qualified target industry business as of December 31 of each year included in the project and the average wage of those jobs. If more than one type of business activity or product is included in the project, the number of jobs and average wage for those jobs must be separately stated for each type of business activity or product.

5.  The total number of full-time equivalent employees employed by the applicant in this state.

6.  The anticipated commencement date of the project.

7.  A brief statement concerning the role that the tax refunds requested will play in the decision of the applicant to locate or expand in this state.

8.  An estimate of the proportion of the sales resulting from the project that will be made outside this state.

9.  A resolution adopted by the governing board of the county or municipality in which the project will be located, which resolution recommends that certain types of businesses be approved as a qualified target industry business and states that the commitments of local financial support necessary for the target industry business exist. In advance of the passage of such resolution, the office may also accept an official letter from an authorized local economic development agency that endorses the proposed target industry project and pledges that sources of local financial support for such project exist. For the purposes of making pledges of local financial support under this subsection, the authorized local economic development agency shall be officially designated by the passage of a one-time resolution by the local governing authority.

10.  Any additional information requested by the office.

(b)  To qualify for review by the office, the application of a target industry business must, at a minimum, establish the following to the satisfaction of the office:

1.  The jobs proposed to be provided under the application, pursuant to subparagraph (a)4., must pay an estimated annual average wage equaling at least 115 percent of the average private sector wage in the area where the business is to be located or the statewide private sector average wage. The office may waive this average wage requirement at the request of the local governing body recommending the project and Enterprise Florida, Inc. The wage requirement may only be waived for a project located in a brownfield area designated under s. 376.80 or in a rural city or county or in an enterprise zone and only when the merits of the individual project or the specific circumstances in the community in relationship to the project warrant such action. If the local governing body and Enterprise Florida, Inc., make such a recommendation, it must be transmitted in writing and the specific justification for the waiver recommendation must be explained. If the director elects to waive the wage requirement, the waiver must be stated in writing and the reasons for granting the waiver must be explained.

2.  The target industry business's project must result in the creation of at least 10 jobs at such project and, if an expansion of an existing business, must result in a net increase in employment of not less than 10 percent at such business. Notwithstanding the definition of the term "expansion of an existing business" in paragraph (1)(g), at the request of the local governing body recommending the project and Enterprise Florida, Inc., the office may define an "expansion of an existing business" in a rural community or an enterprise zone as the expansion of a business resulting in a net increase in employment of less than 10 percent at such business if the merits of the individual project or the specific circumstances in the community in relationship to the project warrant such action. If the local governing body and Enterprise Florida, Inc., make such a request, it must be transmitted in writing and the specific justification for the request must be explained. If the director elects to grant such request, such election must be stated in writing and the reason for granting the request must be explained.

3.  The business activity or product for the applicant's project is within an industry or industries that have been identified by the office to be high-value-added industries that contribute to the area and to the economic growth of the state and that produce a higher standard of living for citizens of this state in the new global economy or that can be shown to make an equivalent contribution to the area and state's economic progress. The director must approve requests to waive the wage requirement for brownfield areas designated under s. 376.80 unless it is demonstrated that such action is not in the public interest.

(c)  Each application meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) must be submitted to the office for determination of eligibility. The office shall review and evaluate each application based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

1.  Expected contributions to the state strategic economic development plan adopted by Enterprise Florida, Inc., taking into account the long-term effects of the project and of the applicant on the state economy.

2.  The economic benefit of the jobs created by the project in this state, taking into account the cost and average wage of each job created.

3.  The amount of capital investment to be made by the applicant in this state.

4.  The local commitment and support for the project.

5.  The effect of the project on the local community, taking into account the unemployment rate for the county where the project will be located.

6.  The effect of any tax refunds granted pursuant to this section on the viability of the project and the probability that the project will be undertaken in this state if such tax refunds are granted to the applicant, taking into account the expected long-term commitment of the applicant to economic growth and employment in this state.

7.  The expected long-term commitment to this state resulting from the project.

8.  A review of the business's past activities in this state or other states, including whether such business has been subjected to criminal or civil fines and penalties. Nothing in this subparagraph shall require the disclosure of confidential information.

(d)  The office shall forward its written findings and evaluation concerning each application meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) to the director within 45 calendar days after receipt of a complete application. The office shall notify each target industry business when its application is complete, and of the time when the 45-day period begins. In its written report to the director, the office shall specifically address each of the factors specified in paragraph (c) and shall make a specific assessment with respect to the minimum requirements established in paragraph (b). The office shall include in its report projections of the tax refunds the business would be eligible to receive in each fiscal year based on the creation and maintenance of the net new Florida jobs specified in subparagraph (a)4. as of December 31 of the preceding state fiscal year.

(e)1.  Within 30 days after receipt of the office's findings and evaluation, the director shall issue a letter of certification that either approves or disapproves the application of the target industry business. The decision must be in writing and must provide the justifications for approval or disapproval.

2.  If appropriate, the director shall enter into a written agreement with the qualified target industry business pursuant to subsection (4).

(f)  The director may not certify any target industry business as a qualified target industry business if the value of tax refunds to be included in that letter of certification exceeds the available amount of authority to certify new businesses as determined in s. 288.095(3). However, if the commitments of local financial support represent less than 20 percent of the eligible tax refund payments, or to otherwise preserve the viability and fiscal integrity of the program, the director may certify a qualified target industry business to receive tax refund payments of less than the allowable amounts specified in paragraph (2)(b). A letter of certification that approves an application must specify the maximum amount of tax refund that will be available to the qualified industry business in each fiscal year and the total amount of tax refunds that will be available to the business for all fiscal years.

(g)  Nothing in this section shall create a presumption that an applicant will receive any tax refunds under this section. However, the office may issue nonbinding opinion letters, upon the request of prospective applicants, as to the applicants' eligibility and the potential amount of refunds.

(4)  TAX REFUND AGREEMENT.--

(a)  Each qualified target industry business must enter into a written agreement with the office which specifies, at a minimum:

1.  The total number of full-time equivalent jobs in this state that will be dedicated to the project, the average wage of those jobs, the definitions that will apply for measuring the achievement of these terms during the pendency of the agreement, and a time schedule or plan for when such jobs will be in place and active in this state.

2.  The maximum amount of tax refunds which the qualified target industry business is eligible to receive on the project and the maximum amount of a tax refund that the qualified target industry business is eligible to receive for each fiscal year, based on the job creation and maintenance schedule specified in subparagraph 1.

3.  That the office may review and verify the financial and personnel records of the qualified target industry business to ascertain whether that business is in compliance with this section.

4.  The date by which, in each fiscal year, the qualified target industry business may file a claim under subsection (5) to be considered to receive a tax refund in the following fiscal year.

5.  That local financial support will be annually available and will be paid to the account. The director may not enter into a written agreement with a qualified target industry business if the local financial support resolution is not passed by the local governing authority within 90 days after he or she has issued the letter of certification under subsection (3).

(b)  Compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement is a condition precedent for the receipt of a tax refund each year. The failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the tax refund agreement results in the loss of eligibility for receipt of all tax refunds previously authorized under this section and the revocation by the director of the certification of the business entity as a qualified target industry business, unless the business is eligible to receive and elects to accept a prorated refund under paragraph (5)(d) or the office grants the business an economic-stimulus exemption.

1.  A qualified target industry business may submit, in writing, a request to the office for an economic-stimulus exemption. The request must provide quantitative evidence demonstrating how negative economic conditions in the business's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting the qualified target industry business, have prevented the business from complying with the terms and conditions of its tax refund agreement.

2.  Upon receipt of a request under subparagraph 1., the director shall have 45 days to notify the requesting business, in writing, if its exemption has been granted or denied. In determining if an exemption should be granted, the director shall consider the extent to which negative economic conditions in the requesting business's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting the qualified target industry business, have prevented the business from complying with the terms and conditions of its tax refund agreement.

3.  As a condition for receiving a prorated refund under paragraph (5)(d) or an economic-stimulus exemption under this paragraph, a qualified target industry business must agree to renegotiate its tax refund agreement with the office to, at a minimum, ensure that the terms of the agreement comply with current law and office procedures governing application for and award of tax refunds. Upon approving the award of a prorated refund or granting an economic-stimulus exemption, the office shall renegotiate the tax refund agreement with the business as required by this subparagraph. When amending the agreement of a business receiving an economic-stimulus exemption, the office may extend the duration of the agreement for a period not to exceed 1 year.

4.  A qualified target industry business may submit a request for an economic-stimulus exemption to the office in lieu of any tax refund claim scheduled to be submitted after January 1, 2001, but before July 1, 2003.

5.  A qualified target industry business that receives an economic-stimulus exemption may not receive a tax refund for the period covered by the exemption.

(c)  The agreement must be signed by the director and by an authorized officer of the qualified target industry business within 120 days after the issuance of the letter of certification under subsection (3), but not before passage and receipt of the resolution of local financial support. The office may grant an extension of this period at the written request of the qualified target industry business.

(d)  The agreement must contain the following legend, clearly printed on its face in bold type of not less than 10 points in size: "This agreement is neither a general obligation of the State of Florida, nor is it backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Florida. Payment of tax refunds are conditioned on and subject to specific annual appropriations by the Florida Legislature of moneys sufficient to pay amounts authorized in section 288.106, Florida Statutes."

(5)  ANNUAL CLAIM FOR REFUND.--

(a)  To be eligible to claim any scheduled tax refund, a qualified target industry business that has entered into a tax refund agreement with the office under subsection (4) must apply by January 31 of each fiscal year to the office for the tax refund scheduled to be paid from the appropriation for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 following the January 31 claims-submission date. The office may, upon written request, grant a 30-day extension of the filing date.

(b)  The claim for refund by the qualified target industry business must include a copy of all receipts pertaining to the payment of taxes for which the refund is sought and data related to achievement of each performance item specified in the tax refund agreement. The amount requested as a tax refund may not exceed the amount specified for the relevant fiscal year in that agreement.

(c)  A tax refund may not be approved for a qualified target industry business unless the required local financial support has been paid into the account for that refund. If the local financial support provided is less than 20 percent of the approved tax refund, the tax refund must be reduced. In no event may the tax refund exceed an amount that is equal to 5 times the amount of the local financial support received. Further, funding from local sources includes any tax abatement granted to that business under s. 196.1995 or the appraised market value of municipal or county land conveyed or provided at a discount to that business. The amount of any tax refund for such business approved under this section must be reduced by the amount of any such tax abatement granted or the value of the land granted; and the limitations in subsection (2) and paragraph (3)(f) must be reduced by the amount of any such tax abatement or the value of the land granted. A report listing all sources of the local financial support shall be provided to the office when such support is paid to the account.

(d)  A prorated tax refund, less a 5-percent penalty, shall be approved for a qualified target industry business provided all other applicable requirements have been satisfied and the business proves to the satisfaction of the director that it has achieved at least 80 percent of its projected employment and that the average wage paid by the business is at least 90 percent of the average wage specified in the tax refund agreement, but in no case less than 115 percent of the average private sector wage in the area available at the time of certification, or 150 percent or 200 percent of the average private sector wage if the business requested the additional per-job tax refund authorized in paragraph (2)(b) for wages above those levels. The prorated tax refund shall be calculated by multiplying the tax refund amount for which the qualified target industry business would have been eligible, if all applicable requirements had been satisfied, by the percentage of the average employment specified in the tax refund agreement which was achieved, and by the percentage of the average wages specified in the tax refund agreement which was achieved.

(e)  The director, with such assistance as may be required from the office, the Department of Revenue, or the Agency for Workforce Innovation, shall, by June 30 following the scheduled date for submission of the tax refund claim, specify by written order the approval or disapproval of the tax refund claim and, if approved, the amount of the tax refund that is authorized to be paid to the qualified target industry business for the annual tax refund. The office may grant an extension of this date on the request of the qualified target industry business for the purpose of filing additional information in support of the claim.

(f)  The total amount of tax refund claims approved by the director under this section in any fiscal year must not exceed the amount authorized under s. 288.095(3).

(g)  This section does not create a presumption that a tax refund claim will be approved and paid.

(h)  Upon approval of the tax refund under paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), the Comptroller shall issue a warrant for the amount specified in the written order. If the written order is appealed, the Comptroller may not issue a warrant for a refund to the qualified target industry business until the conclusion of all appeals of that order.

(6)  ADMINISTRATION.--

(a)  The office is authorized to verify information provided in any claim submitted for tax credits under this section with regard to employment and wage levels or the payment of the taxes to the appropriate agency or authority, including the Department of Revenue, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or any local government or authority.

(b)  To facilitate the process of monitoring and auditing applications made under this program, the office may provide a list of qualified target industry businesses to the Department of Revenue, to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or to any local government or authority. The office may request the assistance of those entities with respect to monitoring jobs, wages, and the payment of the taxes listed in subsection (2).

(c)  Funds specifically appropriated for the tax refund program for qualified target industry businesses may not be used for any purpose other than the payment of tax refunds authorized by this section.

(7)  EXPIRATION.--This section expires June 30, 2004.

History.--s. 76, ch. 94-136; s. 44, ch. 96-320; s. 31, ch. 97-99; s. 19, ch. 97-278; s. 7, ch. 98-75; s. 26, ch. 99-251; s. 38, ch. 2000-210; s. 59, ch. 2001-61; s. 11, ch. 2002-294; s. 4, ch. 2002-392.

288.1067  Confidentiality of records.--

(1)  The following information held by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida, Inc., or county or municipal governmental entities, and their employees or agents, pursuant to the incentive programs for qualified businesses as provided in s. 220.191, s. 288.1045, s. 288.106, s. 288.108, or s. 288.1088 is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, for a period not to exceed the duration of the relevant tax refund, tax credit, or incentive agreement:

(a)  The business's federal employer identification number, unemployment compensation account number, and Florida sales tax registration number.

(b)  Any trade secret information as defined in s. 812.081. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, trade secret information shall continue to be confidential and exempt after the duration of the tax refund, tax credit, or incentive agreement.

(c)  The percentage of the business's sales occurring outside this state and, for businesses applying under s. 288.1045, the percentage of the business's gross receipts derived from Department of Defense contracts during the 5 years immediately preceding the date the business's application is submitted.

(d)  The anticipated wages for the project jobs that the business plans to create, as reported on the application for certification.

(e)  The average wage actually paid by the business for those jobs created by the project and any detailed proprietary business information or an employee's personal identifying information, held as evidence of the achievement or nonachievement of the wage requirements of the tax refund, tax credit, or incentive agreement programs or of the job creation requirements of such programs.

(f)  Any proprietary business information regarding capital investment in eligible building and equipment made by the qualified business project when held by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development as evidence of the achievement or nonachievement of the investment requirements for the tax credit certification under s. 220.191, for the high-impact performance agreement under s. 288.108, or for the Quick Action Closing Fund agreement under s. 288.1088.

(g)  The amount of:

1.  Taxes on sales, use, and other transactions paid pursuant to chapter 212;

2.  Corporate income taxes paid pursuant to chapter 220;

3.  Intangible personal property taxes paid pursuant to chapter 199;

4.  Emergency excise taxes paid pursuant to chapter 221;

5.  Insurance premium taxes paid pursuant to chapter 624;

6.  Excise taxes paid on documents pursuant to chapter 201; or

7.  Ad valorem taxes paid, as defined in s. 220.03(1),

which the qualified business reports on its application for certification or reports during the term of the tax refund agreement, and for which the qualified business claims a tax refund under s. 288.1045 or s. 288.106, and any such information held as evidence of the achievement or nonachievement of performance items contained in the tax refund agreement.

(2)  Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or Enterprise Florida, Inc., from releasing:

(a)  The names of qualified businesses, the total number of jobs each business expects to create, the total number of jobs created by each business, and the amount of tax refunds awarded to and claimed by each business under ¹s. 228.1045 or s. 288.106. However, for a business applying under s. 288.1045 based on obtaining a new Department of Defense contract, the total number of jobs expected and the amount of tax refunds claimed shall not be released until the new Department of Defense contract is awarded;

(b)  The amount of incentives awarded and claimed by each business under s. 288.108 or s. 288.1088; or

(c)  The names of qualified businesses, the total number of jobs each business expects to create, and the total number of jobs created by each business under s. 220.191.

(3)  Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or Enterprise Florida, Inc., from publishing statistics in the aggregate and so classified as to prevent the identification of a single qualified applicant.

(4)  This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2007, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2002-68.

¹Note.--Section 228.1045 does not exist; the reference should probably be to s. 288.1045, which is related contextually.

288.107  Brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

(a)  "Account" means the Economic Development Incentives Account as authorized in s. 288.095.

(b)  "Brownfield sites" means sites that are generally abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination.

(c)  "Brownfield area" means a contiguous area of one or more brownfield sites, some of which may not be contaminated, and which has been designated by a local government by resolution. Such areas may include all or portions of community redevelopment areas, enterprise zones, empowerment zones, other such designated economically deprived communities and areas, and Environmental-Protection-Agency-designated brownfield pilot projects.

(d)  "Director" means the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(e)  "Eligible business" means:

1.  A qualified target industry business as defined in s. 288.106(1)(o); or

2.  A business that can demonstrate a fixed capital investment of at least $2 million in mixed-use business activities, including multiunit housing, commercial, retail, and industrial in brownfield areas and which provides benefits to its employees.

(f)  "Jobs" means full-time equivalent positions, consistent with the use of such terms by the Department of Labor and Employment Security for the purpose of unemployment compensation tax, resulting directly from a project in this state. This number does not include temporary construction jobs involved with the construction of facilities for the project and which are not associated with the implementation of the site rehabilitation as provided in s. 376.80.

(g)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(h)  "Project" means the creation of a new business or the expansion of an existing business as defined in s. 288.106.

(2)  BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT BONUS REFUND.--Bonus refunds shall be approved by the office as specified in the final order issued by the director and allowed from the account as follows:

(a)  A bonus refund of $2,500 shall be allowed to any qualified target industry business as defined by s. 288.106 for each new Florida job created in a brownfield area which is claimed on the qualified target industry business's annual refund claim authorized in s. 288.106(5).

(b)  A bonus refund of up to $2,500 shall be allowed to any other eligible business as defined in subparagraph (1)(e)2. for each new Florida job created in a brownfield which is claimed under an annual claim procedure similar to the annual refund claim authorized in s. 288.106(5). The amount of the refund shall be equal to 20 percent of the average annual wage for the jobs created.

(3)  CRITERIA.--The minimum criteria for participation in the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund are:

(a)  The creation of at least 10 new full-time permanent jobs. Such jobs shall not include construction or site rehabilitation jobs associated with the implementation of a brownfield site agreement as described in s. 376.80(5).

(b)  The completion of a fixed capital investment of at least $2 million in mixed-use business activities, including multiunit housing, commercial, retail, and industrial in brownfield areas, by an eligible business applying for a refund under paragraph (2)(b) which provides benefits to its employees.

(c)  That the designation as a brownfield will diversify and strengthen the economy of the area surrounding the site.

(d)  That the designation as a brownfield will promote capital investment in the area beyond that contemplated for the rehabilitation of the site.

(4)  PAYMENT OF BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT BONUS REFUNDS.--

(a)  To be eligible to receive a bonus refund for new Florida jobs created in a brownfield, a business must have been certified as a qualified target industry business under s. 288.106 or eligible business as defined in paragraph (1)(e) and must have indicated on the qualified target industry tax refund application form submitted in accordance with s. 288.106(3) or other similar agreement for other eligible business as defined in paragraph (1)(e) that the project for which the application is submitted is or will be located in a brownfield and that the business is applying for certification as a qualified brownfield business under this section, and must have signed a qualified target industry tax refund agreement with the office which indicates that the business has been certified as a qualified target industry business located in a brownfield and specifies the schedule of brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds that the business may be eligible to receive in each fiscal year.

(b)  To be considered to receive an eligible brownfield redevelopment bonus refund payment, the business meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) must submit a claim once each fiscal year on a claim form approved by the office which indicates the location of the brownfield, the address of the business facility's brownfield location, the name of the brownfield in which it is located, the number of jobs created, and the average wage of the jobs created by the business within the brownfield as defined in s. 288.106 or other eligible business as defined in paragraph (1)(e) and the administrative rules and policies for that section.

(c)  The bonus refunds shall be available on the same schedule as the qualified target industry tax refund payments scheduled in the qualified target industry tax refund agreement authorized in s. 288.106 or other similar agreement for other eligible businesses as defined in paragraph (1)(e).

(d)  After entering into a tax refund agreement as provided in s. 288.106 or other similar agreement for other eligible businesses as defined in paragraph (1)(e), an eligible business may receive brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds from the account pursuant to s. 288.106(2)(c).

(e)  An eligible business that fraudulently claims a refund under this section:

1.  Is liable for repayment of the amount of the refund to the account, plus a mandatory penalty in the amount of 200 percent of the tax refund, which shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

2.  Commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(f)  The office shall review all applications submitted under s. 288.106 or other similar application forms for other eligible businesses as defined in paragraph (1)(e) which indicate that the proposed project will be located in a brownfield and determine, with the assistance of the Department of Environmental Protection, that the project location is within a brownfield as provided in this act.

(g)  The office shall approve all claims for a brownfield redevelopment bonus refund payment that are found to meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (d).

(h)  The director, with such assistance as may be required from the office and the Department of Environmental Protection, shall specify by written final order the amount of the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund that is authorized for the qualified target industry business for the fiscal year within 30 days after the date that the claim for the annual tax refund is received by the office.

(i)  The total amount of the bonus refunds approved by the director under this section in any fiscal year must not exceed the total amount appropriated to the Economic Development Incentives Account for this purpose for the fiscal year. In the event that the Legislature does not appropriate an amount sufficient to satisfy projections by the office for brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds under this section in a fiscal year, the office shall, not later than July 15 of such year, determine the proportion of each brownfield redevelopment bonus refund claim which shall be paid by dividing the amount appropriated for tax refunds for the fiscal year by the projected total of brownfield redevelopment bonus refund claims for the fiscal year. The amount of each claim for a brownfield redevelopment bonus tax refund shall be multiplied by the resulting quotient. If, after the payment of all such refund claims, funds remain in the Economic Development Incentives Account for brownfield redevelopment tax refunds, the office shall recalculate the proportion for each refund claim and adjust the amount of each claim accordingly.

(j)  Upon approval of the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund, payment shall be made for the amount specified in the final order. If the final order is appealed, payment may not be made for a refund to the qualified target industry business until the conclusion of all appeals of that order.

(5)  ADMINISTRATION.--

(a)  The office is authorized to verify information provided in any claim submitted for tax credits under this section with regard to employment and wage levels or the payment of the taxes to the appropriate agency or authority, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Labor and Employment Security, or any local government or authority.

(b)  To facilitate the process of monitoring and auditing applications made under this program, the office may provide a list of qualified target industry businesses to the Department of Revenue, to the Department of Labor and Employment Security, to the Department of Environmental Protection, or to any local government authority. The office may request the assistance of those entities with respect to monitoring the payment of the taxes listed in s. 288.106(2).

History.--s. 11, ch. 97-277; s. 8, ch. 98-75; s. 40, ch. 2000-210; s. 4, ch. 2000-317; s. 12, ch. 2002-294.

288.108  High-impact business.--

(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.--The Legislature finds that attracting, retaining, and providing favorable conditions for the growth of certain high-impact facilities provides widespread economic benefits to Florida citizens through high-quality employment opportunities in the facility and in related facilities attracted to Florida, through the increased tax base provided by the high-impact facility and its related sector businesses, through an enhanced entrepreneurial climate in the state and the resulting business and employment opportunities, and through the stimulation and enhancement of the state's universities and community colleges. It is the policy of this state to stimulate growth of these business sectors and the state economy by enhancing Florida's competitive position and encouraging the location of such major high-impact facilities in the state.

(2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Eligible high-impact business" means a business in one of the high-impact sectors identified by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and certified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development as provided in subsection (5), which is making a cumulative investment in the state of at least $100 million and creating at least 100 new full-time equivalent jobs in the state or a research and development facility making a cumulative investment of at least $75 million and creating at least 75 new full-time equivalent jobs. Such investment and employment must be achieved in a period not to exceed 3 years after the date the business is certified as a qualified high-impact business.

(b)  "Qualified high-impact business" means a business in one of the high-impact sectors that has been certified by the office as a qualified high-impact business to receive a high-impact sector performance grant.

(c)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(d)  "Director" means the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(e)  "Cumulative investment" means the total investment in buildings and equipment made by a qualified high-impact business since the beginning of construction of such facility.

(f)  "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the state.

(g)  "Jobs" means full-time equivalent positions, as such terms are consistent with terms used by the Department of Labor and Employment Security and the United States Department of Labor for purposes of unemployment compensation tax administration and employment estimation, resulting directly from a project in this state. This definition does not include temporary construction jobs involved in the construction of the project facility.

(h)  "Commencement of operations" means that the qualified high-impact business has begun to actively operate the principal function for which the facility was constructed as determined by the office and specified in the qualified high-impact business agreement.

(i)  "Research and development" means basic and applied research in science or engineering, as well as the design, development, and testing of prototypes or processes of new or improved products. Research and development does not mean market research, routine consumer product testing, sales research, research in the social sciences or psychology, nontechnological activities or technical services.

(3)  HIGH-IMPACT SECTOR PERFORMANCE GRANTS; ELIGIBLE AMOUNTS.--

(a)  Upon commencement of operations, a qualified high-impact business is eligible to receive a high-impact business performance grant in the amount as determined by the office under subsection (5), consistent with eligible amounts as provided in paragraph (b), and specified in the qualified high-impact business agreement. The precise conditions that are considered commencement of operations must be specified in the qualified high-impact business agreement.

(b)  The office may, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., negotiate qualified high-impact business performance grant awards for any single qualified high-impact business. In negotiating such awards, the office shall consider the following guidelines in conjunction with other relevant applicant impact and cost information and analysis as required in subsection (5). A qualified high-impact business making a cumulative investment of $100 million and creating 100 jobs may be eligible for a total qualified high-impact business performance grant of $1 million to $2 million. A qualified high-impact business making a cumulative investment of $800 million and creating 800 jobs may be eligible for a qualified high-impact business performance grant of $10 million to $12 million. A qualified high-impact business, engaged in research and development, making a cumulative investment of $75 million and creating 75 jobs may be eligible for a total qualified high-impact business performance grant of $2 million to $3 million. A qualified high-impact business, engaged in research and development, making a cumulative investment of $150 million and creating 150 jobs may be eligible for a qualified high-impact business performance grant of $3.5 million to $4.5 million.

(c)  Fifty percent of the performance grant awarded under subsection (5) must be paid to the qualified high-impact business upon certification by the business that operations have commenced.

(d)  The balance of the performance grant award shall be paid to the qualified high-impact business upon the business's certification that full operations have commenced and that the full investment and employment goals specified in the qualified high-impact business agreement have been met and verified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. The verification must occur not later than 60 days after the qualified high-impact business has provided the certification specified in this paragraph.

(e)  The office may, upon a showing of reasonable cause for delay and significant progress toward the achievement of the investment and employment goals specified in the qualified high-impact business agreement, extend the date for commencement of operations, not to exceed an additional 2 years beyond the limit specified in paragraph (2)(a), but in no case may any high-impact sector performance grant payment be made to the business until the scheduled goals have been achieved.

(4)  OFFICE OF TOURISM, TRADE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO APPROVE QUALIFIED HIGH-IMPACT BUSINESS PERFORMANCE GRANTS.--

(a)  The total amount of active performance grants scheduled for payment by the office in any single fiscal year may not exceed the lesser of $30 million or the amount appropriated by the Legislature for that fiscal year for qualified high-impact business performance grants. If the scheduled grant payments are not made in the year for which they were scheduled in the qualified high-impact business agreement and are rescheduled as authorized in paragraph (3)(e), they are, for purposes of this paragraph, deemed to have been paid in the year in which they were originally scheduled in the qualified high-impact business agreement.

(b)  If the Legislature does not appropriate an amount sufficient to satisfy the qualified high-impact business performance grant payments scheduled for any fiscal year, the office shall, not later than July 15 of that year, determine the proportion of each grant payment which may be paid by dividing the amount appropriated for qualified high-impact business performance grant payments for the fiscal year by the total performance grant payments scheduled in all performance grant agreements for the fiscal year. The amount of each grant scheduled for payment in that fiscal year must be multiplied by the resulting quotient. All businesses affected by this calculation must be notified by August 1 of each fiscal year. If, after the payment of all the refund claims, funds remain in the appropriation for payment of qualified high-impact business performance grants, the office shall recalculate the proportion for each performance grant payment and adjust the amount of each claim accordingly.

(5)  APPLICATIONS; CERTIFICATION PROCESS; GRANT AGREEMENT.--

(a)  Any eligible business, as defined in subsection (2), shall apply to Enterprise Florida, Inc., for consideration as a qualified high-impact business before the business has made a decision to locate or expand a facility in this state. The application, developed by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1.  A complete description of the type of facility, business operations, and product or service associated with the project.

2.  The number of full-time equivalent jobs that will be created by the project and the average annual wage of those jobs.

3.  The cumulative amount of investment to be dedicated to this project within 3 years.

4.  A statement concerning any special impacts the facility is expected to stimulate in the sector, the state, or regional economy and in state universities and community colleges.

5.  A statement concerning the role the grant will play in the decision of the applicant business to locate or expand in this state.

6.  Any additional information requested by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(b)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall review each submitted application and inform the applicant business whether or not its application is complete within 10 working days. Once the application is deemed complete, Enterprise Florida, Inc., has 10 working days within which to evaluate the application and recommend approval or disapproval of the application to the director. In recommending an applicant business for approval, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall include a recommended grant award amount in its evaluation forwarded to the office.

(c)  Upon receipt of the evaluation and recommendation of Enterprise Florida, Inc., the director has 5 working days to enter a final order that either approves or disapproves an applicant business as a qualified high-impact business facility, unless the business requests an extension of the time. The final order shall specify the total amount of the qualified high-impact business facility performance grant award, the performance conditions that must be met to obtain the award, and the schedule for payment of the performance grant.

(d)  The director and the qualified high-impact business shall enter into a performance grant agreement setting forth the conditions for payment of the qualified high-impact business performance grant. The agreement shall include the total amount of the qualified high-impact business facility performance grant award, the performance conditions that must be met to obtain the award, including the employment, average salary, investment, the methodology for determining if the conditions have been met, and the schedule of performance grant payments.

(6)  SELECTION AND DESIGNATION OF HIGH-IMPACT SECTORS.--

(a)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall, at its discretion, initiate the process of selecting a new high-impact sector for designation or recommending the deactivation of a designated high-impact sector.

(b)  The office has authority, only after recommendation from Enterprise Florida, Inc., to designate a high-impact sector or to deauthorize a designated high-impact sector.

(c)  To begin the process of selecting and designating a new high-impact sector, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall undertake a thorough study of the proposed sector. This study must consider the definition of the sector, including the types of facilities which characterize the sector that might qualify for a high-impact performance grant and whether a powerful incentive like the high-impact performance grant is needed to induce major facilities in the sector to locate or grow in this state; the benefits that major facilities in the sector have or could have on the state's economy and the relative significance of those benefits; the needs of the sector and major sector facilities, including natural, public, and human resources and benefits and costs with regard to these resources; the sector's current and future markets; the current fiscal and potential fiscal impacts of the sector, to both the state and its communities; any geographic opportunities or limitations with regard to the sector, including areas of the state most likely to benefit from the sector and areas unlikely to benefit from the sector; the state's advantages or disadvantages with regard to the sector; and the long-term expectations for the industry on a global level and in the state. If Enterprise Florida, Inc., finds favorable conditions for the designation of the sector as a high-impact sector, it shall include in the study recommendations for a complete and comprehensive sector strategy, including appropriate marketing and workforce strategies for the entire sector and any recommendations that Enterprise Florida, Inc., may have for statutory or policy changes needed to improve the state's business climate and to attract and grow Florida businesses, particularly small businesses, in the proposed sector. The study shall reflect the finding of the sector-business network specified in paragraph (d).

(d)  In conjunction with the study required in paragraph (c), Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall develop and consult with a network of sector businesses. While this network may include non-Florida businesses, it must include any businesses currently within the state. If the number of Florida businesses in the sector is large, a representative cross section of Florida sector businesses may form the core of this network.

(e)  The study and its findings and recommendations and the recommendations gathered from the sector-business network must be discussed and considered during the meeting required in s. 14.2015(2)(e).

(f)  If after consideration of the completed study required in paragraph (c) and the input derived from consultation with the sector-business network in paragraph (d) and the quarterly meeting as required in paragraph (e), the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., finds that the sector will have exceptionally large and widespread benefits to the state and its citizens, relative to any public costs; that the sector is characterized by the types of facilities that require exceptionally large investments and provide employment opportunities to a relatively large number of workers in high-quality, high-income jobs that might qualify for a high-impact performance grant; and that given the competition for such businesses it may be necessary for the state to be able to offer a large inducement, such as a high-impact performance grant, to attract such a business to the state or to encourage businesses to continue to grow in the state, the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., may recommend that the office consider the designation of the sector as a high-impact business sector.

(g)  Upon receiving a recommendation from the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., together with the study required in paragraph (c) and a summary of the findings and recommendations of the sector-business network required in paragraph (d), including a list of all meetings of the sector network and participants in those meetings and the findings and recommendations from the quarterly meeting as required in paragraph (e), the office shall after a thorough evaluation of the study and accompanying materials report its findings and either concur in the recommendation of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and designate the sector as a high-impact business sector or notify Enterprise Florida, Inc., that it does not concur and deny the board's request for designation or return the recommendation and study to Enterprise Florida, Inc., for further evaluation. In any case, the director's decision must be in writing and justify the reasons for the decision.

(h)  If the office designates the sector as a high-impact sector, it shall, within 30 days, notify the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of its decision and provide a complete report on its decision, including copies of the material provided by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development's evaluation and comment on any statutory or policy changes recommended by Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(i)  For the purposes of this subsection, a high-impact sector consists of the silicon technology sector that Enterprise Florida, Inc., has found to be focused around the type of high-impact businesses for which the incentive created in this subsection is required and will create the kinds of sector and economy wide benefits that justify the use of state resources to encourage these investments and require substantial inducements to compete with the incentive packages offered by other states and nations.

(7)  REPORTING.--The office shall by December 1 of each year issue a complete and detailed report of all designated high-impact sectors, all applications received and their disposition, all final orders issued, and all payments made, including analyses of benefits and costs, types of projects supported, and employment and investments created. The report shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(8)  RULEMAKING.--The office may adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

History.--s. 13, ch. 97-278; s. 65, ch. 99-13; s. 11, ch. 99-251; s. 6, ch. 2002-392.

288.1088  Quick Action Closing Fund.--

(1)(a)  The Legislature finds that attracting, retaining, and providing favorable conditions for the growth of certain high-impact business facilities, privately developed critical rural infrastructure, or key facilities in economically distressed urban or rural communities which provide widespread economic benefits to the public through high-quality employment opportunities in such facilities or in related facilities attracted to the state, through the increased tax base provided by the high-impact facility and related businesses, through an enhanced entrepreneurial climate in the state and the resulting business and employment opportunities, and through the stimulation and enhancement of the state's universities and community colleges. In the global economy, there exists serious and fierce international competition for these facilities, and in most instances, when all available resources for economic development have been used, the state continues to encounter severe competitive disadvantages in vying for these business facilities. Florida's rural areas must provide a competitive environment for business in the information age. This often requires an incentive to make it feasible for private investors to provide infrastructure in those areas.

(b)  The Legislature therefore declares that sufficient resources shall be available to respond to extraordinary economic opportunities and to compete effectively for these high-impact business facilities, critical private infrastructure in rural areas, and key businesses in economically distressed urban or rural communities.

(2)  There is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development the Quick Action Closing Fund.

(3)(a)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall evaluate individual proposals for high-impact business facilities and forward recommendations regarding the use of moneys in the fund for such facilities to the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Such evaluation and recommendation must include, but need not be limited to:

1.  A description of the type of facility or infrastructure, its operations, and the associated product or service associated with the facility.

2.  The number of full-time-equivalent jobs that will be created by the facility and the total estimated average annual wages of those jobs or, in the case of privately developed rural infrastructure, the types of business activities and jobs stimulated by the investment.

3.  The cumulative amount of investment to be dedicated to the facility within a specified period.

4.  A statement of any special impacts the facility is expected to stimulate in a particular business sector in the state or regional economy or in the state's universities and community colleges.

5.  A statement of the role the incentive is expected to play in the decision of the applicant business to locate or expand in this state or for the private investor to provide critical rural infrastructure.

(b)  Upon receipt of the evaluation and recommendation from Enterprise Florida, Inc., the director shall recommend approval or disapproval of a project for receipt of funds from the Quick Action Closing Fund to the Governor. In recommending a project, the director shall include proposed performance conditions that the project must meet to obtain incentive funds. The Governor shall consult with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives before giving final approval for a project. The Executive Office of the Governor shall recommend approval of a project and release of funds pursuant to the legislative consultation and review requirements set forth in s. 216.177. The recommendation must include proposed performance conditions the project must meet to obtain funds.

(c)  Upon the approval of the Governor, the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the business shall enter into a contract that sets forth the conditions for payment of moneys from the fund. The contract must include the total amount of funds awarded; the performance conditions that must be met to obtain the award, including, but not limited to, net new employment in the state, average salary, and total capital investment; demonstrate a baseline of current service and a measure of enhanced capability; the methodology for validating performance; the schedule of payments from the fund; and sanctions for failure to meet performance conditions.

(d)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall validate contractor performance. Such validation shall be reported within 6 months after completion of the contract to the Governor, President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

History.--s. 105, ch. 99-251; s. 13, ch. 2001-201.

288.109  One-Stop Permitting System.--

(1)  By January 1, 2001, the State Technology Office must establish and implement an Internet site for the One-Stop Permitting System. The One-Stop Permitting System Internet site shall provide individuals and businesses with information concerning development permits; guidance on what development permits are needed for particular projects; permit requirements; and who may be contacted for more information concerning a particular development permit for a specific location. The office shall design and construct the Internet site and may competitively procure and contract for services to develop the site. In designing and constructing the Internet site, the office must solicit input from potential users of the site.

(2)  The office shall develop the One-Stop Permitting System Internet site to allow an applicant to complete and submit application forms for development permits to agencies and counties. The Internet site must be capable of allowing an applicant to submit payment for permit fees and must provide payment options. After initially establishing the Internet site, the office shall implement, in the most timely manner possible, the capabilities described in this subsection. The office shall also develop a protocol for adding to the One-Stop Permitting System additional state agencies and counties that agree to participate. The office may competitively procure and contract for services to develop such capabilities.

(3)  As used in this section, the term "development permit" includes any state, regional, or local permits or approvals necessary for the physical location or expansion of a business, including, but not limited to:

(a)  Wetland or environmental resource permits.

(b)  Surface water management permits.

(c)  Stormwater permits.

(d)  Site plan approvals.

(e)  Zoning approvals and comprehensive plan amendments.

(f)  Building permits.

(g)  Transportation concurrency approvals.

(h)  Consumptive water-use permits.

(i)  Wastewater permits.

(4)  The One-Stop Permitting System must initially provide access to the following state agencies, water management districts and counties, with other agencies and counties that agree to participate:

(a)  The Department of Environmental Protection.

(b)  The Department of Community Affairs.

(c)  The Department of Management Services.

(d)  The Department of Transportation, including district offices.

(e)  The Northwest Florida Water Management District.

(f)  The St. Johns River Water Management District.

(g)  The Southwest Florida Water Management District.

(h)  The Suwannee River Water Management District.

(i)  The South Florida Water Management District.

(j)  Selected counties that agree to participate.

(5)  By January 1, 2001, the following state agencies, and the programs within such agencies which require the issuance of licenses, permits, and approvals to businesses, must also be integrated into the One-Stop Permitting System:

(a)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(b)  The Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

(c)  The Department of Health.

(d)  The Department of Insurance.

(e)  The Department of Labor.

(f)  The Department of Revenue.

(g)  The Department of State.

(h)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

(i)  Other state agencies.

(6)  The office may add counties and municipalities to the One-Stop Permitting System as such local governments agree to participate and develop the technical capability of joining the system.

(7)  To the extent feasible, state agencies are directed to develop and implement on-line permitting systems.

(8)  Section 120.60(1) shall apply to any development permit or license filed under the One-Stop Permitting System, except the 90-day time period for approving or denying a completed application shall be 60 days. In the case of permits issued by the water management districts, each completed application that does not require governing board approval must be approved or denied within 60 days after receipt. However, completed permit applications which must be considered by a water management district governing board shall be approved or denied at the next regularly scheduled meeting after the 60-day period has expired. The 60-day period for approving or denying a complete application does not apply in the case of a development permit application evaluated under a federally delegated or approved permitting program. However, the reviewing agency shall make a good faith effort to act on such permit applications within 60 days.

(9)  Each agency shall maintain a record of the time required for that agency to process each application that is filed using the One-Stop Permitting System and submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each year which compiles such information.

¹(10)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law or administrative rule to the contrary, the fee imposed by a state agency or water management district for issuing a development permit shall be waived for a 6-month period beginning on the date the state agency or water management district begins accepting development permit applications over the Internet and the applicant submits the development permit to the agency or district using the One-Stop Permitting System. The 6-month fee waiver shall not apply to development permit fees assessed by the Electrical Power Plant Siting Act, ss. 403.501-403.519; the Transmission Line Siting Act, ss. 403.52-403.5365; the statewide Multi-purpose Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Act, ss. 403.78-403.7893; and the Natural Gas Pipeline Siting Act, ss. 403.9401-403.9425.

(11)  A state agency or water management district is authorized to reduce a development permit fee by 25 percent for applicants who submit a complete application over the Internet when the applicant is not required to submit additional information to the agency or water management district.

History.--s. 4, ch. 99-244; s. 8, ch. 2000-197; s. 6, ch. 2001-278; s. 51, ch. 2002-20.

¹Note.--Subsection (10) was repealed by s. 6, ch. 2001-278, but the text was published and amended by s. 51, ch. 2002-20. It is published here, as amended by s. 51, ch. 2002-20, pending further clarification by the Legislature.

288.1092  One-Stop Permitting System Grant Program.--There is created within the State Technology Office the One-Stop Permitting System Grant Program. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage counties to coordinate and integrate the development of the county's permitting process with the One-Stop Permitting System. The office shall review grant applications and, subject to available funds, if a county is certified as a Quick Permitting County under s. 288.1093, shall award a grant of up to $50,000 to provide for such integration. The office must review a grant application for consistency with the purpose of the One-Stop Permitting System to provide access to development permit information and application forms. Grants shall be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified Quick Permitting Counties. The grant moneys may be used to purchase software, hardware, or consulting services necessary for the county to create an interface with the One-Stop Permitting System. Grant moneys may not be used to pay administrative costs. The grant application must specify what items or services the county intends to purchase using the grant moneys, the amount of each of the items or services to be purchased, and how the items or services are necessary for the county to create an interface with the One-Stop Permitting System.

History.--s. 5, ch. 99-244; s. 7, ch. 2001-278.

288.1093  Quick Permitting County Designation Program.--

(1)  There is established within the State Technology Office the Quick Permitting County Designation Program. To be designated as a Quick Permitting County, the chair of the board of county commissioners of the applying county must certify to the office that the county meets the criteria specified in subsection (3).

(2)  As used in this section, the term "development permitting" includes permits and approvals necessary for the physical location of a business, including, but not limited to:

(a)  Wetland or environmental resource permits.

(b)  Surface water management permits.

(c)  Stormwater permits.

(d)  Site plan approvals.

(e)  Zoning and comprehensive plan amendments.

(f)  Building permits.

(g)  Transportation concurrency approvals.

(h)  Wastewater permits.

(3)  In order to qualify for a Quick Permitting County designation, a county must certify to the office that the county has implemented the following best-management practices:

(a)  The establishment of a single point of contact for a business seeking assistance in obtaining a permit;

(b)  The selection of high-priority projects for accelerated permit review;

(c)  The use of documented preapplication meetings following standard procedures;

(d)  The maintenance of an inventory of sites suitable for high-priority projects;

(e)  The development of a list of consultants who conduct business in the county;

(f)  The evaluation and elimination of duplicative approval and permitting requirements within the county;

(g)  The commitment to participate, through the entry of an interlocal agreement for individual projects, in the expedited permit process set forth in s. 403.973;

(h)  The development of a timetable for processing development permits and approvals; and

(i)  The use of interagency coordination to facilitate permit processing.

History.--s. 6, ch. 99-244; s. 8, ch. 2001-278.

288.1095  Information concerning the One-Stop Permitting System.--The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall develop literature that explains the One-Stop Permitting System and identifies those counties that have been designated as Quick Permitting Counties. The literature must be updated at least once each year. To the maximum extent feasible, state agencies and Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall distribute such literature and inform the public of the One-Stop Permitting System and the Quick Permitting Counties. In addition, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall provide this information to prospective, new, expanding, and relocating businesses seeking to conduct business in this state, municipalities, counties, economic-development organizations, and chambers of commerce.

History.--s. 7, ch. 99-244.

288.1162  Professional sports franchises; spring training franchises; duties.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall serve as the state agency for screening applicants for state funding pursuant to s. 212.20 and for certifying an applicant as a "facility for a new professional sports franchise," a "facility for a retained professional sports franchise," or a "facility for a retained spring training franchise."

(2)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall develop rules for the receipt and processing of applications for funding pursuant to s. 212.20.

(3)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "New professional sports franchise" means a professional sports franchise that is not based in this state prior to April 1, 1987.

(b)  "Retained professional sports franchise" means a professional sports franchise that has had a league-authorized location in this state on or before December 31, 1976, and has continuously remained at that location, and has never been located at a facility that has been previously certified under any provision of this section.

(4)  Prior to certifying an applicant as a "facility for a new professional sports franchise" or a "facility for a retained professional sports franchise," the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development must determine that:

(a)  A "unit of local government" as defined in s. 218.369 is responsible for the construction, management, or operation of the professional sports franchise facility or holds title to the property on which the professional sports franchise facility is located.

(b)  The applicant has a verified copy of a signed agreement with a new professional sports franchise for the use of the facility for a term of at least 10 years, or in the case of a retained professional sports franchise, an agreement for use of the facility for a term of at least 20 years.

(c)  The applicant has a verified copy of the approval from the governing authority of the league in which the new professional sports franchise exists authorizing the location of the professional sports franchise in this state after April 1, 1987, or in the case of a retained professional sports franchise, verified evidence that it has had a league-authorized location in this state on or before December 31, 1976. The term "league" means the National League or the American League of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, or the National Hockey League.

(d)  The applicant has projections, verified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, which demonstrate that the new or retained professional sports franchise will attract a paid attendance of more than 300,000 annually.

(e)  The applicant has an independent analysis or study, verified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, which demonstrates that the amount of the revenues generated by the taxes imposed under chapter 212 with respect to the use and operation of the professional sports franchise facility will equal or exceed $2 million annually.

(f)  The municipality in which the facility for a new or retained professional sports franchise is located, or the county if the facility for a new or retained professional sports franchise is located in an unincorporated area, has certified by resolution after a public hearing that the application serves a public purpose.

(g)  The applicant has demonstrated that it has provided, is capable of providing, or has financial or other commitments to provide more than one-half of the costs incurred or related to the improvement and development of the facility.

(h)  No applicant previously certified under any provision of this section who has received funding under such certification shall be eligible for an additional certification.

(5)(a)  As used in this section, the term "retained spring training franchise" means a spring training franchise that has been based in this state prior to January 1, 2000.

(b)  Prior to certifying an applicant as a "facility for a retained spring training franchise," the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development must determine that:

1.  A "unit of local government" as defined in s. 218.369 is responsible for the acquisition, construction, management, or operation of the facility for a retained spring training franchise or holds title to the property on which the facility for a retained spring training franchise is located.

2.  The applicant has a verified copy of a signed agreement with a retained spring training franchise for the use of the facility for a term of at least 15 years.

3.  The applicant has a financial commitment to provide 50 percent or more of the funds required by an agreement for the acquisition, construction, or renovation of the facility for a retained spring training franchise. The agreement can be contingent upon the awarding of funds under this section and other conditions precedent to use by the spring training franchise.

4.  The applicant has projections, verified by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, which demonstrate that the facility for a retained spring training franchise will attract a paid attendance of at least 50,000 annually.

5.  The facility for a retained spring training franchise is located in a county that is levying a tourist development tax pursuant to s. 125.0104.

(c)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall competitively evaluate applications for funding of a facility for a retained spring training franchise. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2000, with certifications to be made by January 1, 2001. If the number of applicants exceeds five and the aggregate funding request of all applications exceeds $208,335 per month, the office shall rank the applications according to a selection criteria, certifying the highest ranked proposals. The evaluation criteria shall include, with priority given in descending order to the following items:

1.  The intended use of the funds by the applicant, with priority given to the construction of a new facility.

2.  The length of time that the existing franchise has been located in the state, with priority given to retaining franchises that have been in the same location the longest.

3.  The length of time that a facility to be used by a retained spring training franchise has been used by one or more spring training franchises, with priority given to a facility that has been in continuous use as a facility for spring training the longest.

4.  For those teams leasing a spring training facility from a unit of local government, the remaining time on the lease for facilities used by the spring training franchise, with priority given to the shortest time period remaining on the lease.

5.  The duration of the future-use agreement with the retained spring training franchise, with priority given to the future-use agreement having the longest duration.

6.  The amount of the local match, with priority given to the largest percentage of local match proposed.

7.  The net increase of total active recreation space owned by the applying unit of local government following the acquisition of land for the spring training facility, with priority given to the largest percentage increase of total active recreation space.

8.  The location of the facility in a brownfield, an enterprise zone, a community redevelopment area, or other area of targeted development or revitalization included in an Urban Infill Redevelopment Plan, with priority given to facilities located in these areas.

9.  The projections on paid attendance attracted by the facility and the proposed effect on the economy of the local community, with priority given to the highest projected paid attendance.

(d)  Funds may not be expended to subsidize privately owned and maintained facilities for use by the spring training franchise. Funds may be used to relocate a retained spring training franchise to another unit of local government only if the existing unit of local government with the retained spring training franchise agrees to the relocation.

(6)  An applicant certified as a facility for a new professional sports franchise or a facility for a retained professional sports franchise or as a facility for a retained spring training franchise may use funds provided pursuant to s. 212.20 only for the public purpose of paying for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of a facility for a new professional sports franchise, a facility for a retained professional sports franchise, or a facility for a retained spring training franchise or to pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to, bonds issued for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of such facility or for the reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.

(7)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall notify the Department of Revenue of any facility certified as a facility for a new professional sports franchise or a facility for a retained professional sports franchise or as a facility for a retained spring training franchise. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall certify no more than eight facilities as facilities for a new professional sports franchise or as facilities for a retained professional sports franchise and shall certify at least five as facilities for retained spring training franchises, including in such total any facilities certified by the ¹Department of Commerce before July 1, 1996. The office may make no more than one certification for any facility. The office may not certify funding for less than the requested amount to any applicant certified as a facility for a retained spring training franchise.

(8)  The Department of Revenue may audit as provided in s. 213.34 to verify that the distributions pursuant to this section have been expended as required in this section. Such information is subject to the confidentiality requirements of chapter 213. If the Department of Revenue determines that the distributions pursuant to this section have not been expended as required by this section, it may pursue recovery of such funds pursuant to the laws and rules governing the assessment of taxes.

(9)  An applicant is not qualified for certification under this section if the franchise formed the basis for a previous certification, unless the previous certification was withdrawn by the facility or invalidated by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or the ¹Department of Commerce before any funds were distributed pursuant to s. 212.20. This subsection does not disqualify an applicant if the previous certification occurred between May 23, 1993, and May 25, 1993; however, any funds to be distributed pursuant to s. 212.20 for the second certification shall be offset by the amount distributed to the previous certified facility. Distribution of funds for the second certification shall not be made until all amounts payable for the first certification have been distributed.

History.--s. 2, ch. 88-226; s. 3, ch. 89-217; s. 49, ch. 89-356; s. 3, ch. 91-274; s. 35, ch. 94-338; s. 2, ch. 95-304; s. 45, ch. 96-320; s. 32, ch. 97-99; s. 2, ch. 2000-186.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

288.1166  Professional sports facility; designation as shelter site for the homeless; establishment of local programs.--Any professional sports facility constructed with financial assistance from the State of Florida shall be designated as a shelter site for the homeless in accordance with the criteria of locally existing homeless shelter programs, except when the facility is otherwise contractually obligated for a specific event or activity. Should a local program not be in existence in the facility's area, such program shall be established in accordance with normally accepted criteria as defined by the county or its designee.

History.--s. 8, ch. 88-226.

288.1167  Sports franchise contract provisions for food and beverage concession and contract awards to minority business enterprises.--Any applicant who receives funding pursuant to the provisions of s. 212.20 must demonstrate that:

(1)  Funds and facilities with respect to food and beverage and related concessions shall be awarded to minority business enterprises as defined in s. 288.703 on the same terms and conditions as the general food and beverage concessionaire and in accordance with the minority business enterprise procurement goals set forth in s. 287.09451;

(2)  At least 15 percent of a company contracted to manage a professional sports franchise facility or a spring training franchise facility is owned by minority business enterprises or by a minority person as those terms are defined in s. 288.703; or

(3)  At least 15 percent of all operational service contracts with a professional sports franchise facility or a spring training franchise facility are awarded to minority business enterprises or to a minority person as those terms are defined in s. 288.703.

History.--s. 10, ch. 88-226; s. 13, ch. 91-162; s. 4, ch. 91-274; s. 20, ch. 94-322; s. 61, ch. 2001-61.

288.1168  Professional golf hall of fame facility.--

(1)  The ¹Department of Commerce shall serve as the state agency for screening applicants for state funding pursuant to s. 212.20 and for certifying one applicant as the professional golf hall of fame facility in the state.

(2)  Prior to certifying the professional golf hall of fame facility, the ¹Department of Commerce must determine that:

(a)  The professional golf hall of fame facility is the only professional golf hall of fame in the United States recognized by the PGA Tour, Inc.

(b)  The applicant is a unit of local government as defined in s. 218.369 or a private sector group that has contracted to construct or operate the professional golf hall of fame facility on land owned by a unit of local government.

(c)  The municipality in which the professional golf hall of fame facility is located, or the county if the facility is located in an unincorporated area, has certified by resolution after a public hearing that the application serves a public purpose.

(d)  There are existing projections that the professional golf hall of fame facility will attract a paid attendance of more than 300,000 annually.

(e)  There is an independent analysis or study, using methodology approved by the ¹department, which demonstrates that the amount of the revenues generated by the taxes imposed under chapter 212 with respect to the use and operation of the professional golf hall of fame facility will equal or exceed $2 million annually.

(f)  The applicant has submitted an agreement to provide $2 million annually in national and international media promotion of the professional golf hall of fame facility, Florida, and Florida tourism, through the PGA Tour, Inc., or its affiliates, at the then-current commercial rate, during the period of time that the facility receives funds pursuant to s. 212.20. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the PGA Tour, Inc., or its affiliates, must agree annually on a reasonable percentage of advertising specifically allocated for generic Florida advertising. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall have final approval of all generic advertising. Failure on the part of the PGA Tour, Inc., or its affiliates to annually provide the advertising as provided in this paragraph or subsection (6) shall result in the termination of funding as provided in s. 212.20.

(g)  Documentation exists that demonstrates that the applicant has provided, is capable of providing, or has financial or other commitments to provide more than one-half of the costs incurred or related to the improvement and development of the facility.

(h)  The application is signed by an official senior executive of the applicant and is notarized according to Florida law providing for penalties for falsification.

(3)  The applicant may use funds provided pursuant to s. 212.20 for the public purpose of paying for the construction, reconstruction, renovation, or operation of the professional golf hall of fame facility, or to pay or pledge for payment of debt service on, or to fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to, bonds issued for the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of the facility or for the reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued for such purpose.

(4)  Upon determining that an applicant is or is not certifiable, the Secretary of ¹Commerce shall notify the applicant of his or her status by means of an official letter. If certifiable, the ²secretary shall notify the executive director of the Department of Revenue and the applicant of such certification by means of an official letter granting certification. From the date of such certification, the applicant shall have 5 years to open the professional golf hall of fame facility to the public and notify the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development of such opening. The Department of Revenue shall not begin distributing funds until 30 days following notice by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development that the professional golf hall of fame facility is open to the public.

(5)  The Department of Revenue may audit as provided in s. 213.34 to verify that the distributions under this section have been expended as required by this section.

(6)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development must recertify every 10 years that the facility is open, continues to be the only professional golf hall of fame in the United States recognized by the PGA Tour, Inc., and is meeting the minimum projections for attendance or sales tax revenue as required at the time of original certification. If the facility is not certified as meeting the minimum projections, the PGA Tour, Inc., shall increase its required advertising contribution of $2 million annually to $2.5 million annually in lieu of reduction of any funds as provided by s. 212.20. The additional $500,000 must be allocated in its entirety for the use and promotion of generic Florida advertising as determined by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. If the facility is not open to the public or is no longer in use as the only professional golf hall of fame in the United States recognized by the PGA Tour, Inc., the entire $2.5 million for advertising must be used for generic Florida advertising as determined by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

History.--s. 2, ch. 93-233; s. 221, ch. 95-148; s. 34, ch. 95-196; s. 5, ch. 95-420; s. 4, ch. 96-221; s. 46, ch. 96-320; s. 137, ch. 96-406; s. 33, ch. 97-99.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

²Note.--Secretary of Commerce. Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

288.1169  International Game Fish Association World Center facility.--

(1)  The ¹Department of Commerce shall serve as the state agency approving applicants for funding pursuant to s. 212.20 and for certifying the applicant as the International Game Fish Association World Center facility. For purposes of this section, "facility" means the International Game Fish Association World Center, and "project" means the International Game Fish Association World Center and new colocated improvements by private sector concerns who have made cash or in-kind contributions to the facility of $1 million or more.

(2)  Prior to certifying this facility, the ¹department must determine that:

(a)  The International Game Fish Association World Center is the only fishing museum, Hall of Fame, and international administrative headquarters in the United States recognized by the International Game Fish Association, and that one or more private sector concerns have committed to donate to the International Game Fish Association land upon which the International Game Fish Association World Center will operate.

(b)  International Game Fish Association is a not-for-profit Florida corporation that has contracted to construct and operate the facility.

(c)  The municipality in which the facility is located, or the county if the facility is located in an unincorporated area, has certified by resolution after a public hearing that the facility serves a public purpose.

(d)  There are existing projections that the International Game Fish Association World Center facility and the colocated facilities of private sector concerns will attract an attendance of more than 1.8 million annually.

(e)  There is an independent analysis or study, using methodology approved by the ¹department, which demonstrates that the amount of the revenues generated by the taxes imposed under chapter 212 with respect to the use and operation of the project will exceed $1 million annually.

(f)  There are existing projections that the project will attract more than 300,000 persons annually who are not residents of the state.

(g)  The applicant has submitted an agreement to provide $500,000 annually in national and international media promotion of the facility, at the then-current commercial rates, during the period of time that the facility receives funds pursuant to s. 212.20. Failure on the part of the applicant to annually provide the advertising as provided in this paragraph shall result in the termination of the funding as provided in s. 212.20. The applicant can discharge its obligation under this paragraph by contracting with other persons, including private sector concerns who participate in the project.

(h)  Documentation exists that demonstrates that the applicant has provided, and is capable of providing, or has financial or other commitments to provide, more than one-half of the cost incurred or related to the improvements and the development of the facility.

(i)  The application is signed by senior officials of the International Game Fish Association and is notarized according to Florida law providing for penalties for falsification.

(3)  The applicant may use funds provided pursuant to s. 212.20 for the purpose of paying for the construction, reconstruction, renovation, promotion, or operation of the facility, or to pay or pledge for payment of debt service on, or to fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to, bonds issued for the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of the facility or for the reimbursement of such costs or by refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.

(4)  Upon determining that an applicant is or is not certifiable, the ¹Department of Commerce shall notify the applicant of its status by means of an official letter. If certifiable, the ¹Department of Commerce shall notify the executive director of the Department of Revenue and the applicant of such certification by means of an official letter granting certification. From the date of such certification, the applicant shall have 5 years to open the facility to the public and notify the ¹Department of Commerce of such opening. The Department of Revenue shall not begin distributing funds until 30 days following notice by the ¹Department of Commerce that the facility is open to the public.

(5)  The Department of Revenue may audit as provided in s. 213.34 to verify that the contributions pursuant to this section have been expended as required by this section.

(6)  The ¹Department of Commerce must recertify every 10 years that the facility is open, that the International Game Fish Association World Center continues to be the only international administrative headquarters, fishing museum, and Hall of Fame in the United States recognized by the International Game Fish Association, and that the project is meeting the minimum projections for attendance or sales tax revenues as required at the time of original certification. If the facility is not recertified during this 10-year review as meeting the minimum projections, then funding will be abated until certification criteria are met. If the project fails to generate $1 million of annual revenues pursuant to paragraph (2)(e), the distribution of revenues pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.d. shall be reduced to an amount equal to $83,333 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual revenues generated and the denominator of which is $1 million. Such reduction shall remain in effect until revenues generated by the project in a 12-month period equal or exceed $1 million.

History.--s. 2, ch. 96-415; s. 66, ch. 99-13; s. 12, ch. 2000-173; s. 4, ch. 2000-206; s. 30, ch. 2000-355; s. 62, ch. 2001-61; s. 32, ch. 2001-140.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

288.1175  Agriculture education and promotion facility.--

(1)  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall serve as the state agency for screening applicants for state funding pursuant to this section and for certifying an applicant as a qualified agriculture education and promotion facility as defined in subsection (3).

(2)  The department shall develop rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 for the receipt and processing of applications for funding of projects pursuant to this section.

(3)  As used in this section, the term "agriculture education and promotion facility" means an exhibition hall, arena, civic center, exposition center, or other capital project or facility which can be used for exhibitions, demonstrations, trade shows, classrooms, civic events, and other purposes that promote agriculture, horticulture, livestock, equestrian, and other resources of the state and educate the residents as to these resources.

(4)  The department shall certify a facility as an agriculture education and promotion facility if the department determines that:

(a)  The applicant is a unit of local government as defined in s. 218.369, or a fair association as defined in s. 616.001(9), which is responsible for the planning, design, permitting, construction, renovation, management, and operation of the agriculture education and promotion facility or holds title to the property on which such facility is to be developed and located.

(b)  The applicant has projections, verified by the department, which demonstrate that the agriculture education and promotion facility will serve more than 25,000 visitors annually.

(c)  The municipality in which the facility is located, or the county if the facility is located in an unincorporated area, has certified by resolution after a public hearing that the proposed agriculture education and promotion facility serves a public purpose.

(d)  The applicant has demonstrated that it has provided, is capable of providing, or has financial or other commitments to provide more than 40 percent of the costs incurred or related to the planning, design, permitting, construction, or renovation of the facility. The applicant may include the value of the land and any improvements thereon in determining its contribution to the development of the facility.

(5)  The department shall competitively evaluate applications for funding of an agriculture education and promotion facility. If the number of applicants exceeds three, the department shall rank the applications based upon criteria developed by the department, with priority given in descending order to the following items:

(a)  The intended use of the funds by the applicant, with priority given to the construction of a new facility.

(b)  The amount of local match, with priority given to the largest percentage of local match proposed.

(c)  The location of the facility in a brownfield site as defined in s. 376.79(3), a rural enterprise zone as defined in s. 290.004(8), an agriculturally depressed area as defined in s. 570.242(1), a redevelopment area established pursuant to s. 373.461(5)(g), or a county that has lost its agricultural land to environmental restoration projects.

(d)  The net increase, as a result of the facility, of total available exhibition, arena, or civic center space within the jurisdictional limits of the local government in which the facility is to be located, with priority given to the largest percentage increase of total exhibition, arena, or civic center space.

(e)  The historic record of the applicant in promoting agriculture and educating the public about agriculture, including, without limitation, awards, premiums, scholarships, auctions, and other such activities.

(f)  The highest projection on paid attendance attracted by the agriculture education and promotion facility and the proposed economic impact on the local community.

(g)  The location of the facility with respect to an Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) facility, with priority given to facilities closer in proximity to an IFAS facility.

(6)  Funds may not be expended to develop or subsidize privately owned facilities, except for facilities owned by fair associations as defined in s. 616.001(9).

(7)  An applicant may use funds provided pursuant to this section only for the public purpose of paying for the planning, design, permitting, construction, or renovation of an agriculture education and promotion facility or to pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to, bonds issued for the planning, design, permitting, construction, or renovation of such facility or for the reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.

(8)  Applications must be submitted by October 1 of each year. The department may not recommend funding for less than the requested amount to any applicant certified as an agriculture education and promotion facility; however, funding of certified applicants shall be subject to the amount provided by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act for this program.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2002-301.

288.1185  Recycling Markets Advisory Committee.--

(1)  There is created the Recycling Markets Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the "committee," to be administratively housed in the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. The purpose of the committee shall be to serve as the mechanism for coordination among state agencies and the private sector to coordinate policy and overall strategic planning for developing new markets and expanding and enhancing existing markets for recovered materials. The committee may not duplicate or replace agency programs, but shall enhance, coordinate, and recommend priorities for those programs.

(2)(a)  The committee shall consist of 12 members, 10 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, each of whom is or has been actively engaged in the recycling industry or a related business area, including the use of product packaging materials, or is a local government official with a demonstrated knowledge of recycling; a member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve without voting rights as an ex officio member of the committee; and a member of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve without voting rights as an ex officio member of the committee.

(b)  Members of the committee shall be appointed within 60 days after this section takes effect.

(c)  A chairperson shall be appointed by the Governor from among the members of the committee.

(d)  The committee shall meet at the call of its chairperson or at the request of a majority of its membership, but at least biannually. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum is necessary to take official action.

(e)  Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(f)  The committee may appoint ad hoc committees, which may include persons who are not members of the committee, to study recycled materials market development problems and issues and advise the committee on these subjects. Ad hoc committee members may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(g)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall coordinate with agencies listed in paragraph (3)(a) to provide support as necessary to enable the committee to adequately carry out its functions.

(3)(a)  The heads of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Energy Office, and the Governor shall each designate a staff member from within the agency to serve as the recycling market development liaison for the agency. This person shall have knowledge of recycling and the issues and problems related to recycling and recycled materials market development. This person shall be the primary point of contact for the agency on issues related to recycled materials market development. These liaisons shall be available for committee meetings and shall work closely with the committee and other recycling market development liaisons to further the goals of the committee, as appropriate.

(b)  Whenever it is necessary to change the designee, the head of each agency shall notify the Governor in writing of the person designated as the recycling market development liaison for such agency.

(4)(a)  By October 1, 1993, the committee shall develop a plan to set goals and provide direction for developing new markets and expanding and enhancing existing markets for recovered materials.

(b)  In developing the plan and any needed legislation, the committee shall consider:

1.  Developing new markets and expanding and enhancing existing markets for recovered materials.

2.  Pursuing expanded end uses for recycled materials.

3.  Targeting materials for concentrated market development efforts.

4.  Developing proposals for new incentives for market development, particularly focusing on targeted materials.

5.  Providing guidance on issues such as permitting, finance options for recycling market development, site location, research and development, grant program criteria for recycled materials markets, recycling markets education and information, and minimum content.

6.  Coordinating the efforts of various government entities with market development responsibilities.

7.  Evaluating the need for competitively solicited, cooperative ventures in rural areas for collecting, processing, marketing, and procuring collected materials.

8.  Evaluating source-reduced products as they relate to state procurement policy. The evaluation shall include, but is not limited to, the environmental and economic impact of source-reduced product purchases on the state. For the purposes of this section, "source-reduced" means any method, process, product, or technology which significantly or substantially reduces the volume or weight of a product while providing, at a minimum, equivalent or generally similar performance and service to and for the users of such materials.

(5)  By November 1 of each year, beginning in 1994, the committee shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a complete and detailed report setting forth in appropriate detail the operations and accomplishments of the committee and the activities of existing agencies and programs in support of the goals established by the committee, including any recommendations for statutory changes.

(6)  In order to support the functions of the committee, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may hire staff or contract with other agencies for staff support and enter into contracts for support, research, planning, evaluation, and communication and promotion services.

History.--s. 5, ch. 93-207; s. 117, ch. 94-356; s. 47, ch. 96-320; s. 67, ch. 99-13.

288.122  Tourism Promotional Trust Fund.--There is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development of the Executive Office of the Governor the Tourism Promotional Trust Fund. Moneys deposited in the Tourism Promotional Trust Fund shall only be used to support the authorized activities and operations of the Florida Commission on Tourism, and to support tourism promotion and marketing activities, services, functions, and programs administered by the Florida Commission on Tourism through a contract with the commission's direct-support organization created under s. 288.1226.

History.--s. 1, ch. 80-234; s. 12, ch. 88-201; s. 8, ch. 91-218; s. 23, ch. 95-430; s. 48, ch. 96-320.

Note.--Former s. 288.342.

288.1221  Legislative intent.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a public-private partnership to provide policy direction to and technical expertise in the promotion and marketing of the state's tourism attributes. The Legislature further intends to authorize this partnership to recommend the tenets of an industry standard 4-year marketing plan for an annual marketing plan for tourism promotion and recommend a comparable organizational structure to carry out such a plan. The Legislature intends to have such a plan funded by that portion of the rental car surcharge annually dedicated to the Tourism Promotional Trust Fund, pursuant to s. 212.0606, and by the tourism industry.

(2)  Further, it is the intent of the Legislature to mobilize all the available resources of Florida's vital tourism industry in a state-sponsored public-private partnership to promote and enhance Florida tourism. The state's consistent, clearly articulated, and long-standing policy has been to promote collective action by state and local government authorities and the various representatives of the tourist industry to upgrade the image of Florida as a quality destination and to assure, to the maximum extent possible, that the benefits of such collective action are extended equitably throughout the state. To carry out the implementation of this policy, the Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to maintain the Florida Commission on Tourism under the aegis of the Executive Office of the Governor to focus and provide state supervision of ongoing collective action to promote Florida tourism. The Legislature further finds that it is in the public interest for activities in promotion and support of Florida tourism to be carried out by a private sector, direct-support organization created expressly for such purpose as the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. By creating this public-private partnership, it is the intent of the Legislature to coordinate existing private and public-funded tourism promotional activities in a cost-effective manner to avoid waste and duplication in these activities while achieving the maximum public benefit from all expenditures that directly and indirectly support Florida tourism.

History.--s. 1, ch. 92-299; s. 49, ch. 96-320; s. 40, ch. 97-100; s. 14, ch. 99-251.

288.1222  Definitions.--For the purposes of ss. 288.017, ¹288.121-288.1226, and 288.124, the term:

(1)  "Tourism promotion" means any marketing efforts exercised to attract domestic and international visitors from outside the state to destinations in Florida and to stimulate Florida resident tourism to areas within the state.

(2)  "Tourist" means any person who participates in trade or recreation activities outside the county of his or her permanent residence or who rents or leases transient living quarters or accommodations as described in s. 125.0104(3)(a).

(3)  "Commission" means the Florida Commission on Tourism.

(4)  "County destination marketing organization" means a public or private agency that is funded by local option tourist development tax revenues under s. 125.0104, or local option convention development tax revenues under s. 212.0305, and is officially designated by a county commission to market and promote the area for tourism or convention business or, in any county which has not levied such taxes, a public or private agency that is officially designated by the county commission to market and promote the area for tourism or convention business.

(5)  "Direct-support organization" means the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-299; s. 50, ch. 96-320; s. 15, ch. 99-251.

¹Note.--Section 288.121 was repealed by s. 154, ch. 96-320.

288.1223  Florida Commission on Tourism; creation; purpose; membership.--

(1)  There is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development the Florida Commission on Tourism. The purpose of the commission is to oversee this state's efforts to increase the positive impact of tourism, including increased employment for state citizens, to all sectors of the economy through effective marketing activities; to continually upgrade the image of Florida as a quality destination; to promote tourism objectives with all geographic, socioeconomic, and community sectors considered equitably; and to judge its efforts by the same standards of accountability and integrity as those used by successful, respected private sector businesses.

(2)(a)  The commission shall consist of 17 general tourism-industry-related members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and 11 additional tourism-industry-related members, appointed by the Governor, including 3 representatives from the statewide rental car industry, 3 representatives from tourist-related statewide associations, including those that represent hotels, campgrounds, and attractions, 3 representatives from county destination marketing organizations, 1 representative from the cruise industry, and 1 representative from the airline industry, who will each serve for a term of 2 years, the Governor, and 2 additional ex officio members, who will serve for a term of 2 years, including a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate and a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(b)  When making the 17 general tourism-industry-related appointments to the commission, the Governor shall appoint persons who are residents of the state, recognized tourism leaders, including, but not limited to, representatives of tourist development councils, convention and visitor bureaus, and associations, and chairs of the board, presidents, chief executive officers, chief operating officers, or persons of comparable executive level or influence of leading or otherwise important tourism industries. Consideration shall be given to appointing members who represent those tourist-related lodging, retail, attraction, and transportation industries which contribute significantly to the promotion of Florida as a tourist destination from their private budgets and publicly through their voluntary tourism promotion investment contributions. Minority persons, as defined in s. 288.703, shall be included in the appointments to the commission and to any advisory committee appointed by the commission, so that the commission and advisory committees are broadly representative of the population of Florida. In addition, members shall be appointed in such a manner as to equitably represent all geographic areas of the state, with no fewer than two and no more than four members from any of the following regions:

1.  Region 1, composed of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties.

2.  Region 2, composed of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union Counties.

3.  Region 3, composed of Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.

4.  Region 4, composed of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.

5.  Region 5, composed of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Lee Counties.

6.  Region 6, composed of Broward, Dade, Martin, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties.

No more than one member may be an employee of any one company, organization, council, or bureau.

(c)  Initially, of the 17 general tourism-industry-related members, the Governor shall appoint 7 members for terms of 4 years, 5 members for terms of 2 years, and 5 members for terms of 1 year. Thereafter, after receiving recommendations from the Florida Commission on Tourism, the Governor shall appoint all members for terms of 4 years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a person possessing the proper qualifications and shall reflect the proper balance of representation described in paragraph (b).

(d)  General tourism-industry-related members shall be limited to two 4-year full consecutive terms. This limitation applies to terms begun after June 30, 1996.

(e)  The commission shall meet at least quarterly. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.

(f)  The Governor shall serve as chair of the commission. The commission shall annually elect one of its tourism-industry-related members as vice chair, who shall preside in the absence of the chair.

(g)  The commission may appoint advisory committees, representing each of the six regions named in this section, and any other advisory committees the commission deems appropriate, which may include members from outside the commission to study special problems or issues and advise the commission on those subjects. The commission may also establish an executive committee comprised of nine members recommended by the vice chair and appointed by the chair. The operating procedures of such committees shall be established by the commission.

(h)  The members of the commission shall serve without compensation but will be entitled to per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061 while in the performance of their duties.

(i)  Each member of the commission shall file full and public disclosure of financial interests at the times and places and in the same manner required of elected constitutional officers under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution and any law implementing that provision.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-299; s. 223, ch. 95-148; s. 51, ch. 96-320; s. 16, ch. 99-251; s. 43, ch. 2000-158; s. 5, ch. 2000-208.

288.1224  Powers and duties.--The commission:

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of part I of chapter 287, upon the approval of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, shall contract with a direct-support organization incorporated as a private, not-for-profit corporation, as defined in s. 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to execute the tourism marketing and promotion services, functions, and programs for this state including, but not limited to, the activities prescribed by the 4-year marketing plan. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall review such contract in an expedient manner and shall timely make any recommendations so as to allow for the date of the contract to be met. The commission shall serve as contract administrator.

(2)  Shall advise the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the direct-support organization regarding the domestic and international tourism promotion programs for this state.

(3)  Shall be responsible for the prudent use of all public and private funds and shall ensure that the use of such funds is in accordance with all applicable laws, bylaws, and contractual requirements.

(4)(a)  Shall recommend the tenets of a 4-year marketing plan to sustain tourism growth, which plan shall be annual in construction and ongoing in nature. Any annual revisions of such a plan shall carry forward the concepts of the remaining 3-year portion of that plan and consider a continuum portion to preserve the 4-year timeframe of the plan.

(b)  The plan shall include an emergency response component and research designs.

(c)  The plan shall include provisions for the direct-support organization to reach the targeted one-to-one match of private to public contributions within a period of 4 calendar years after the implementation date of the plan. For the purposes of calculating the required one-to-one match, matching private funds shall be divided into four categories. The first category is direct cash contributions, which include, but are not limited to, cash derived from strategic alliances, contributions of stocks and bonds, and partnership contributions. The second category is fees for services, which include, but are not limited to, event participation, research, and brochure placement and transparencies. The third category is cooperative advertising, which is the value based on cost of contributed productions, air time, and print space. The fourth category is in-kind contributions, which include, but are not limited to, the value of strategic alliance services contributed, the value of loaned employees, discounted service fees, items contributed for use in promotions, and radio or television air time or print space for promotions. The value of air time or print space shall be calculated by taking the actual time or space and multiplying by the nonnegotiated unit price for that specific time or space which is known as the media equivalency value. In order to avoid duplication in determining media equivalency value, only the value of the promotion itself shall be included; the value of the items contributed for the promotion shall not be included. Documentation for the components of the four categories of private match shall be kept on file for inspection as determined necessary.

(d)  The plan shall include recommendations regarding specific performance standards and measurable outcomes for the commission and its direct-support organization. The commission, in consultation with the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall develop a plan for monitoring its operations to ensure that performance data are maintained and supported by records of the organization.

(e)  Prior to the 2003 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a review of, and prepare a report on, the Florida Commission on Tourism and its direct-support organization. The review shall be comprehensive in its scope, but, at a minimum, must be conducted in such a manner as to specifically determine:

1.  The progress toward achieving the established outcomes.

2.  The circumstances contributing to the organization's ability to achieve, not achieve, or exceed its established outcomes.

3.  Whether it would be sound public policy to continue or discontinue funding the organization, and the consequences of discontinuing the organization.

The report shall be submitted by January 1, 2003, to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader.

(5)  Shall develop an operational structure to carry out the marketing plan recommended by the commission pursuant to this section.

(6)  May appear on its own behalf before boards, commissions, departments, or other agencies of municipal, county, state, or federal government.

(7)  In the performance of its duties, may undertake or commission marketing research and advertising research studies.

(a)  The identity of any person who responds to a marketing or advertising research project conducted pursuant to this subsection, and trade secrets, as defined by s. 812.081, obtained pursuant to such research, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(b)  Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(8)  Shall develop a budget, in conjunction with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, and in keeping with the commission's 4-year marketing plan, for the operation and activities of the commission and for the provision of tourism promotion programs, services, and functions through a contract with a direct-support organization created for such purposes. The budget shall be submitted to the Governor.

(9)  Is authorized to establish and operate tourism offices in foreign countries in the execution of its responsibilities for promoting the development of tourism. To facilitate the performance of these responsibilities, the commission is authorized to contract with the commission's direct-support organization to establish and administer such offices. Where feasible, appropriate, and recommended by the 4-year marketing plan, the commission may collocate the programs of foreign tourism offices in cooperation with any foreign office operated by any agency of this state.

(a)  The commission, or its direct-support organization, may enter into agreements necessary to establish and operate an office in a foreign country containing provisions which may be in conflict with general laws of the state pertaining to the purchase of office space, employment of personnel, and contracts for services. When agreements pursuant to this section are made which set compensation in foreign currency, such agreements shall be subject to the requirements of s. 215.425, but the purchase of foreign currency by the commission, or its direct-support organization, to meet such obligations shall be subject only to s. 216.311.

(b)  The Florida Commission on Tourism, or its direct-support organization, in connection with the establishment, operation, and management of any of its tourism offices located in a foreign country, is exempt from the provisions of ss. 255.21, 255.25, and 255.254 relating to leasing of buildings; ss. 283.33 and 283.35 relating to bids for printing; ss. 287.001-287.20 relating to purchasing and motor vehicles; and ss. 282.003-282.111 relating to communications, and from all statutory provisions relating to state employment, if the laws, administrative code, or business practices or customs of the foreign country, or political or administrative subdivision thereof, in which such office is located are in conflict with these provisions.

(10)  Shall receive staff support from the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation and shall not employ any additional staff. The president and chief executive officer of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation shall serve without compensation as the executive director of the commission. As executive director, he or she shall have the authority to conduct any official business of the commission, as authorized by the commission.

(11)  Shall establish a statewide advisory committee of the commission to assist the commission with implementation of a plan to protect and promote all of the natural, coastal, historical, and cultural tourism assets of this state. The duties of the committee shall include, but are not limited to, helping to develop and review nature-based tourism and heritage tourism policies, coordinate governmental and private sector interests in nature-based tourism and heritage tourism, and integrate federal, state, regional, and local nature-based tourism and heritage tourism marketing strategies. The chair of the commission shall appoint members of the advisory committee based upon recommendations from the commission. Members shall include:

(a)  A representative of each of the following state governmental organizations: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, the Department of State, the Florida Greenways Coordinating Council, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

(b)  A representative of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(c)  Representatives of regional nature-based tourism or heritage tourism committees or associations that are established by local tourism organizations throughout the state.

(d)  Representatives of the private sector with experience in environmental, historical, cultural, recreational, or other tourism-related activities.

(e)  Representatives of two not-for-profit environmental organizations with expertise in environmental resource protection and land management.

(f)  A representative from a local economic development organization serving a rural community.

(g)  A representative from a local economic development organization serving a nonrural community.

(h)  Representatives from any other organizations that the chair of the commission, based upon recommendations from the commission, deems appropriate.

(12)  Shall incorporate nature-based tourism and heritage tourism components into its comprehensive tourism marketing plan for the state, including, but not limited to:

(a)  Promoting travel experiences that combine visits to commercial destinations in the state with visits to nature-based or heritage-based sites in the state;

(b)  Promoting travel experiences that combine visits to multiple nature-based or heritage-based sites within a region or within two or more regions in the state;

(c)  Assisting local and regional tourism organizations in incorporating nature-based tourism and heritage tourism components into local marketing plans and in establishing cooperative local or regional advisory committees on nature-based tourism and heritage tourism;

(d)  Working with local and regional tourism organizations to identify nature-based tourism and heritage tourism sites, including identifying private sector businesses engaged in activities supporting or related to nature-based tourism and heritage tourism; and

(e)  Providing guidance to local and regional economic development organizations on the identification, enhancement, and promotion of nature-based tourism and heritage tourism assets as a component of the overall job-creating efforts of such organizations.

The marketing plan shall include specific provisions for directing tourism promotion resources toward promotion and development of nature-based tourism and heritage tourism. The marketing plan shall also include provisions specifically addressing promotion and development of nature-based tourism and heritage tourism in rural communities in the state.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-299; s. 2, ch. 95-368; s. 52, ch. 96-320; s. 139, ch. 96-406; s. 4, ch. 96-418; s. 28, ch. 99-247; s. 17, ch. 99-251; s. 6, ch. 2000-159; s. 6, ch. 2000-208.

288.1226  Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; use of property; board of directors; duties; audit.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--For the purposes of this section, the term "corporation" means the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation.

(2)  ESTABLISHMENT.--The Florida Commission on Tourism shall establish, no later than July 31, 1996, the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation as a direct-support organization:

(a)  Which is a corporation not for profit, as defined in s. 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that is incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.

(b)  Which is organized and operated exclusively to request, receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to manage and make expenditures for the operation of the activities, services, functions, and programs of this state which relate to the statewide, national, and international promotion and marketing of tourism.

(c)  Which the Florida Commission on Tourism and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, after review, have certified whether it is operating in a manner consistent with the policies and goals of the commission and its long-range marketing plan.

(d)  Which shall not be considered an agency for the purposes of chapters 120, 216, and 287; ss. 255.21, 255.25, and 255.254, relating to leasing of buildings; ss. 283.33 and 283.35, relating to bids for printing; s. 215.31; and parts I, II, and IV-VIII of chapter 112.

(e)  Which shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 119, relating to public meetings, and those provisions of chapter 286 relating to public meetings and records.

(3)  USE OF PROPERTY.--The commission:

(a)  Is authorized to permit the use of property and facilities of the commission by the corporation, subject to the provisions of this section.

(b)  Shall prescribe conditions with which the corporation must comply in order to use property and facilities of the commission. Such conditions shall provide for budget and audit review and for oversight by the commission.

(c)  Shall not permit the use of property and facilities of the commission if the corporation does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or religion.

(4)  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.--The board of directors of the corporation shall be composed of 28 tourism-industry-related members, appointed by the Florida Commission on Tourism from its own membership. The vice chair of the commission shall serve as chair of the corporation's board of directors.

(5)  POWERS AND DUTIES.--The corporation, in the performance of its duties:

(a)  May make and enter into contracts and assume such other functions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the Florida Commission on Tourism's 4-year marketing plan and the corporation's contract with the commission which are not inconsistent with this or any other provision of law.

(b)  May develop a program to provide incentives and to attract and recognize those entities which make significant financial and promotional contributions towards the expanded tourism promotion activities of the corporation.

(c)  May commission and adopt, in cooperation with the commission, an official tourism logo to be used in all promotional materials directly produced by the corporation. The corporation may establish a cooperative marketing program with other public and private entities which allows the use of this logo in tourism promotion campaigns which meet the standards of the commission and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for which the corporation may charge a reasonable fee.

(d)  May sue and be sued and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person.

(e)  May adopt, use, and alter a common corporate seal. However, such seal must always contain the words "corporation not for profit."

(f)  Shall elect or appoint such officers and agents as its affairs shall require and allow them reasonable compensation.

(g)  Shall hire and establish salaries and personnel and employee benefit programs for such permanent and temporary employees as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the Florida Commission on Tourism's 4-year marketing plan and the corporation's contract with the commission which are not inconsistent with this or any other provision of law.

(h)  Shall provide staff support to the Florida Commission on Tourism. The president and chief executive officer of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation shall serve without compensation as the executive director of the commission.

(i)  May adopt, change, amend, and repeal bylaws, not inconsistent with law or its articles of incorporation, for the administration of the provisions of the Florida Commission on Tourism's 4-year marketing plan and the corporation's contract with the commission.

(j)  May conduct its affairs, carry on its operations, and have offices and exercise the powers granted by this act in any state, territory, district, or possession of the United States or any foreign country. Where feasible, appropriate, and recommended by the 4-year marketing plan developed by the Florida Commission on Tourism, the corporation may collocate the programs of foreign tourism offices in cooperation with any foreign office operated by any agency of this state.

(k)  May appear on its own behalf before boards, commissions, departments, or other agencies of municipal, county, state, or federal government.

(l)  May request or accept any grant, payment, or gift, of funds or property made by this state or by the United States or any department or agency thereof or by any individual, firm, corporation, municipality, county, or organization for any or all of the purposes of the Florida Commission on Tourism's 4-year marketing plan and the corporation's contract with the commission that are not inconsistent with this or any other provision of law. Such funds shall be deposited in a bank account established by the corporation's board of directors. The corporation may expend such funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of any such grant, payment, or gift, in the pursuit of its administration or in support of the programs it administers. The corporation shall separately account for the public funds and the private funds deposited into the corporation's bank account.

(m)  Shall establish a plan for participation in the corporation which will provide additional funding for the administration and duties of the corporation.

(n)  In the performance of its duties, may undertake, or contract for, marketing projects and advertising research projects.

(o)  In addition to any indemnification available under chapter 617, the corporation may indemnify, and purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of, directors, officers, and employees of the corporation against any personal liability or accountability by reason of actions taken while acting within the scope of their authority.

(6)  ANNUAL AUDIT.--The corporation shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981. The annual audit report shall be submitted to the Auditor General; the Office of Policy Analysis and Government Accountability; and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for review. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; and the Auditor General have the authority to require and receive from the corporation or from its independent auditor any detail or supplemental data relative to the operation of the corporation. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall annually certify whether the corporation is operating in a manner and achieving the objectives that are consistent with the policies and goals of the commission and its long-range marketing plan. The identity of a donor or prospective donor to the corporation who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor's report.

(7)  The corporation shall provide a quarterly report to the commission which shall:

(a)  Measure the current vitality of the visitor industry of this state as compared to the vitality of such industry for the year to date and for comparable quarters of past years. Indicators of vitality shall be determined by the commission and shall include, but not be limited to, estimated visitor count and party size, length of stay, average expenditure per party, and visitor origin and destination.

(b)  Provide detailed, unaudited financial statements of sources and uses of public and private funds.

(c)  Measure progress towards annual goals and objectives set forth in the commission's 4-year marketing plan.

(d)  Review all pertinent research findings.

(e)  Provide other measures of accountability as requested by the commission.

(8)  The identity of any person who responds to a marketing project or advertising research project conducted by the corporation in the performance of its duties on behalf of the commission, or trade secrets as defined by s. 812.081 obtained pursuant to such activities, are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

History.--s. 7, ch. 92-299; s. 6, ch. 94-136; s. 877, ch. 95-148; s. 1, ch. 95-369; s. 1, ch. 96-297; s. 53, ch. 96-320; s. 140, ch. 96-406; s. 41, ch. 97-100; s. 18, ch. 99-251; s. 1, ch. 2001-69; s. 91, ch. 2001-266.

288.12265  Welcome centers.--

(1)  Effective July 1, 1999, responsibility for the welcome centers is assigned to the Florida Commission on Tourism which shall contract with the commission's direct-support organization to employ all welcome center staff. On or before June 30, 1999, all welcome center staff shall be offered employment through the direct-support organization at the same salary such staff received through the Department of Transportation, prior to July 1, 1999, but with the same benefits provided by the direct-support organization to the organization's employees. Welcome center employees shall have until January 1, 2000, to choose to be employed by the direct-support organization or to remain employed by the state. Those employees who choose to remain employed by the state may continue to be assigned by the Department of Transportation to the welcome centers until June 30, 2001. Upon vacating a career service position by a career service employee, the position shall be abolished. The agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Florida Commission on Tourism concerning the funding of positions in the welcome centers shall continue until all welcome center employees are employed by the direct-support organization, or until those employees choosing to remain employed by the state have found other state employment, or until June 30, 2001, whichever occurs first.

(2)  Effective July 1, 1999, the Florida Commission on Tourism, through its direct-support organization, shall administer and operate the welcome centers. Pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation, the commission shall be responsible for routine repair, replacement, or improvement and the day-to-day management of interior areas occupied by the welcome centers. All other repairs, replacements, or improvements to the welcome centers shall be the responsibility of the Department of Transportation.

History.--s. 4, ch. 96-320; s. 19, ch. 99-251.

Note.--Former s. 335.166.

288.1227  Annual report of the Florida Commission on Tourism; audits.--

(1)  Prior to December 1 of each year, the Florida Commission on Tourism shall submit to the Governor; the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Senate Minority Leader; and the House Minority Leader a complete and detailed report setting forth for itself and its direct-support organization:

(a)  Its operations and accomplishments during the fiscal year.

(b)  Its business and operational plan and its tourism-marketing plan, including recommendations on methods for implementing and funding the tourism-marketing plan.

(c)  The assets and liabilities of the direct-support organization at the end of its most recent fiscal year.

(d)  A copy of the annual financial and compliance audit conducted under s. 288.1226(6).

(2)  The Auditor General may, pursuant to his or her own authority or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, conduct an audit of the commission or its direct-support organization.

History.--s. 54, ch. 96-320.

288.1229  Promotion and development of sports-related industries and amateur athletics; direct-support organization; powers and duties.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may authorize a direct-support organization to assist the office in:

(a)  The promotion and development of the sports industry and related industries for the purpose of improving the economic presence of these industries in Florida.

(b)  The promotion of amateur athletic participation for the citizens of Florida and the promotion of Florida as a host for national and international amateur athletic competitions for the purpose of encouraging and increasing the direct and ancillary economic benefits of amateur athletic events and competitions.

(2)  To be authorized as a direct-support organization, an organization must:

(a)  Be incorporated as a corporation not for profit pursuant to chapter 617.

(b)  Be governed by a board of directors, which must consist of up to 15 members appointed by the Governor and up to 15 members appointed by the existing board of directors. In making appointments, the board must consider a potential member's background in community service and sports activism in, and financial support of, the sports industry, professional sports, or organized amateur athletics. Members must be residents of the state and highly knowledgeable about or active in professional or organized amateur sports. The board must contain representatives of all geographical regions of the state and must represent ethnic and gender diversity. The terms of office of the members shall be 4 years. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms. The Governor may remove any member for cause and shall fill all vacancies that occur.

(c)  Have as its purpose, as stated in its articles of incorporation, to receive, hold, invest, and administer property; to raise funds and receive gifts; and to promote and develop the sports industry and related industries for the purpose of increasing the economic presence of these industries in Florida.

(d)  Have a prior determination by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development that the organization will benefit the office and act in the best interests of the state as a direct-support organization to the office.

(3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall contract with the organization and shall include in the contract that:

(a)  The office may review the organization's articles of incorporation.

(b)  The organization shall submit an annual budget proposal to the office, on a form provided by the office, in accordance with office procedures for filing budget proposals based upon the recommendation of the office.

(c)  Any funds that the organization holds in trust will revert to the state upon the expiration or cancellation of the contract.

(d)  The organization is subject to an annual financial and performance review by the office to determine whether the organization is complying with the terms of the contract and whether it is acting in a manner consistent with the goals of the office and in the best interests of the state.

(e)  The fiscal year of the organization will begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the next ensuing year.

(4)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may allow the organization to use the property, facilities, personnel, and services of the office if the organization provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin, subject to the approval of the director of the office.

(5)  The organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981.

(6)  The organization is not granted any taxing power.

(7)  In exercising the power provided in this section, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may authorize and contract with the direct-support organization existing on June 30, 1996, and authorized by the former Florida Department of Commerce to promote sports-related industries. An appointed member of the board of directors of such direct-support organization as of June 30, 1996, may serve the remainder of his or her unexpired term.

(8)  To promote amateur sports and physical fitness, the direct-support organization shall:

(a)  Develop, foster, and coordinate services and programs for amateur sports for the people of Florida.

(b)  Sponsor amateur sports workshops, clinics, conferences, and other similar activities.

(c)  Give recognition to outstanding developments and achievements in, and contributions to, amateur sports.

(d)  Encourage, support, and assist local governments and communities in the development of or hosting of local amateur athletic events and competitions.

(e)  Promote Florida as a host for national and international amateur athletic competitions. As part of this effort, the direct-support organization shall:

1.  Assist and support Florida cities or communities bidding or seeking to host the Summer Olympics or Pan American Games.

2.  Annually report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the status of the efforts of cities or communities bidding to host the Summer Olympics or Pan American Games, including, but not limited to, current financial and infrastructure status, projected financial and infrastructure needs, and recommendations for satisfying the unmet needs and fulfilling the requirements for a successful bid in any year that the Summer Olympics or Pan American Games are held in this state.

(f)  Develop a statewide program of amateur athletic competition to be known as the "Sunshine State Games."

(g)  Continue the successful amateur sports programs previously conducted by the Florida Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Amateur Sports created under former s. 14.22.

(h)  Encourage and continue the use of volunteers in its amateur sports programs to the maximum extent possible.

(i)  Develop, foster, and coordinate services and programs designed to encourage the participation of Florida's youth in Olympic sports activities and competitions.

(j)  Foster and coordinate services and programs designed to contribute to the physical fitness of the citizens of Florida.

(9)(a)  The Sunshine State Games shall be patterned after the Summer Olympics with variations as necessitated by availability of facilities, equipment, and expertise. The games shall be designed to encourage the participation of athletes representing a broad range of age groups, skill levels, and Florida communities. Participants shall be residents of this state. Regional competitions shall be held throughout the state, and the top qualifiers in each sport shall proceed to the final competitions to be held at a site in the state with the necessary facilities and equipment for conducting the competitions.

(b)  The Executive Office of the Governor is authorized to permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of or at any State University System facility or institution by the direct-support organization operating the Sunshine State Games. For the purposes of this paragraph, personal services includes full-time or part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.

History.--s. 56, ch. 96-320; s. 7, ch. 99-251; s. 63, ch. 2001-61; s. 92, ch. 2001-266.

288.12295  Promotion and development of sports-related industries; direct-support organization; confidentiality of donor identities.--The identity of a donor or prospective donor to the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such anonymity shall be maintained in audit reports.

History.--s. 2, ch. 96-326; s. 1, ch. 2001-150.

288.1231  Purpose.--The purpose of chapter 2000-148, Laws of Florida, is to provide the necessary assurances and commitments required by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee in selecting a host city for the XXXth Olympic Games in 2012.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2000-148.

288.1232  Legislative findings.--The selection of a candidate city in this state to host the 2012 Olympic Games will confer significant benefits to the state as a whole and to the communities where the games are held, including:

(1)  Invaluable public visibility throughout the world.

(2)  Increased tourism and economic growth.

(3)  Significant job creation.

(4)  The development of state-of-the-art sports facilities and venues that Floridians will enjoy long after the games have concluded.

(5)  Enhanced opportunities for Florida athletes to train and compete in amateur athletics at the international level.

(6)  An enduring legacy of good will throughout the world.

(7)  The opportunity to secure federal infrastructure funding for key community projects.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2000-148.

288.1233  Definitions; ss. 288.1231-288.1237.--As used in this act, the term:

(1)  "Candidate city" means a municipality in this state which has qualified for consideration by the United States Olympic Committee as the United States candidate city to host the XXXth Olympic Games in 2012.

(2)  "Games" means the XXXth Olympic Games to be held in 2012, the corresponding Paralympic Games, and all related pre-Olympic competitions and events.

(3)  "Games support contract" means the joinder undertaking, joinder agreement, and similar contracts executed by the state and the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee in connection with the selection of the candidate city to host the games.

(4)  "International Olympic Committee" means the international governing body responsible for organizing and conducting the Olympic Games.

(5)  "Joinder agreement" means an agreement entered into by the state and the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee, setting out representations and assurances by the state in connection with the selection of the candidate city to host the games.

(6)  "Joinder undertaking" means an agreement entered into by the state and the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee that the state will execute a joinder agreement if the candidate city is selected to host the games.

(7)  "Local organizing committee" means a nonprofit corporation or its successor in interest which:

(a)  Has been authorized by the candidate city to pursue an application to the United States Olympic Committee and bid on the city's behalf to host the games.

(b)  Has executed an agreement with the United States Olympic Committee regarding the candidate city's bid to host the games.

(8)  "Net financial deficit" means those potential losses resulting from the conduct of the games which the state is obligated to indemnify and insure against pursuant to a games support contract. Expenses or liabilities arising from cancellation of the games or any part thereof due to any cause beyond the local organizing committee's reasonable control, including acts of war, riots and other civil disturbances, acts of God, flood, fire, weather, and earthquakes, shall not be included in calculating the net financial deficit.

(9)  "United States Olympic Committee" means the official national Olympic Committee of the United States of America which has been authorized by law to govern all matters relating to national participation in the Olympic Games.

History.--s. 3, ch. 2000-148.

288.1234  Guarantee of state obligations; Olympic Games Guaranty Account.--

(1)  There is created, within the Economic Development Trust Fund established pursuant to s. 288.095, the Olympic Games Guaranty Account. The Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall be used for the sole purpose of fulfilling the state's obligations under a games-support contract to indemnify and insure against any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games. The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 shall be responsible for administration of the Olympic Games Guaranty Account.

(2)  With funds from the Olympic Games Guaranty Account, the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 shall obtain adequate security, acceptable to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, to demonstrate the state's ability to fulfill its obligations under the games-support contracts to indemnify and insure up to $175 million of any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games. Such security may be provided by state funds committed to the Olympic Games Guaranty Account, or by insurance coverage, letters of credit, or other acceptable security instruments purchased or secured by such funds, or by any combination of these options. In no event may the liability of the state under all games-support contracts entered into pursuant to this act exceed $175 million in the aggregate.

(3)  By July 1, 2001, the local organizing committee shall provide adequate security, acceptable to the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 to demonstrate the local organizing committee's ability to indemnify and insure the first $25 million of any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games for which the state would be liable under the games-support contracts. Such security may be provided through the establishment of an internal guaranty fund, insurance coverage, letters of credit, or other acceptable security instruments, or by any combination of these options. Any such security will identify the state as an additional insured. If adequate proof of security is not provided as part of the bid and maintained throughout the course of the games, the Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall be terminated.

(4)  Under this act, the state shall be a payor of last resort with regard to any net financial deficit. The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may not permit the security provided by the state pursuant to this act to be accessed to cover any net financial deficit indemnified by the state under the games support contracts until:

(a)  The security provided by the local organizing committee pursuant to this act is fully expended and exhausted;

(b)  Any security provided by any other person or entity is fully expended and exhausted;

(c)  The limits of all available insurance policies covering the net financial deficit, or any expense or liability used in determining the net financial deficit, have been fully expended and exhausted; and

(d)  Contribution has been sought, where practical and feasible, from all persons who bear any legal responsibility for the net financial deficit or for any expense or liability used in determining the net financial deficit.

(5)  The State of Florida may choose to fund the Olympic Games Guaranty Account in any manner it considers appropriate.

(6)  No additional state funds shall be deposited into the Olympic Games Guaranty Account once the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 determines that the account has achieved, or is reasonably expected to accrue, a sufficient balance to provide adequate security, acceptable to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, to demonstrate the state's ability to fulfill its obligations under the games-support contracts to indemnify and insure up to $175 million of any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games.

(7)  Moneys in the Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall not be subject to the provisions of s. 216.301(1)(a). Any funds maintained in the Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall be assigned to the State Board of Administration for investment.

(8)  If the candidate city is selected by the International Olympic Committee as the host city for the games, the Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall be terminated upon the determination by the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 that the state's obligations under the games-support contracts to indemnify and insure against any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games are concluded. If the candidate city is not selected by the United States Olympic Committee as the United States candidate city to host the games, or if the candidate city is not selected by the International Olympic Committee as the host city for the games, the Olympic Games Guaranty Account shall be immediately terminated.

(9)  Upon the termination of the Olympic Games Guaranty Account, all sums earmarked or transferred to the Olympic Games Guaranty Account from the Working Capital Fund shall immediately revert to the Working Capital Fund and shall be free for other uses, and all sums appropriated to the Olympic Games Guaranty Account from the General Revenue Fund, and any investment earnings retained in the Olympic Games Guaranty Account, shall immediately revert to the General Revenue Fund and be available for appropriation.

History.--s. 4, ch. 2000-148.

288.1235  State execution of games-support contracts; assistance of state agencies.--

(1)  The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 shall review an application from a local organizing committee that the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229, on behalf of the state, commit to enter into a games-support contract that is required by the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee in connection with the selection of a candidate city in this state to host the games.

(2)  An application made under subsection (1) must be accompanied by:

(a)  A description and summary of the games for which host-city designation is sought by the local organizing committee.

(b)  A description of the proposal that the local organizing committee intends to submit to the United States Olympic Committee, including the proposed venues to be used to conduct the games.

(c)  Projections of the paid attendance and direct and indirect economic impact of the games on the state and the candidate city, including the basis and methodology for such projections.

(d)  The anticipated total cost of presenting the games and the committee's plan for financing this cost.

(e)  The resources committed to the conduct of the games by the candidate city and any other participating municipalities or government entities.

(f)  Any other information reasonably requested by the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229, within 30 days after receipt of the application, to assist the direct-support organization in completing its evaluation as required under subsection (3).

(3)  Within 60 days after receiving all information required under subsection (2), the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 shall approve or deny any application made under subsection (1). In making this determination, the direct-support organization must make findings regarding the following:

(a)  The reasonableness and reliability of the local organizing committee's revenue and expenditure projections.

(b)  The reasonableness and reliability of the projection relating to the direct and indirect economic impact of hosting the games.

(c)  The extent to which the candidate city and other participating jurisdictions have committed sufficient resources to the conduct of the games.

(d)  The extent to which the local organizing committee has sought to maximize the use of existing venues throughout the state, within the limitation imposed by the United States Olympic Committee regarding transportation, accommodations, facility capacity, and customs and practices.

(e)  The extent to which the local organizing committee has demonstrated that it has provided, is capable of providing, has financial or other commitments to provide for, or provides findings of projected financial revenues reasonably calculated to cover the costs incurred or anticipated in relation to presentation of the games.

(f)  The extent to which the state's obligations and risks are reasonable in light of the anticipated benefits to the state and its residents.

(4)  The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may agree in a joinder undertaking entered into with the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee that the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 will:

(a)  Execute a joinder agreement if the United States Olympic Committee selects a candidate city in the state to host the games.

(b)  Refrain from taking any action after the execution of the joinder undertaking which would impair its ability to execute the joinder agreement.

(5)  The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may agree in a joinder agreement that the state will fulfill its obligations under a games-support contract to indemnify and insure the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee against any net financial deficit resulting from the conduct of the games.

(6)  The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may agree to execute a games-support contract only if the candidate city has executed a contract with the United States Olympic Committee which contains substantially similar terms and:

(a)  The findings made pursuant to subsection (3) continue to be valid.

(b)  The state's obligations and risk pursuant to the games-support contract are reasonable in light of the anticipated benefits to the state and its residents.

(c)  Any financial commitments of the state will be satisfied exclusively by recourse to the Olympic Games Guaranty Account.

(7)  The direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may require a local organizing committee to list the state as an additional insured on any policy of insurance purchased by the local organizing committee and required by the United States Olympic Committee or the International Olympic Committee to be in effect in connection with the games.

(8)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 may not obligate the state to pay any part of the cost of acquiring any interest in real or personal property or the cost of planning, designing, or constructing any improvement to real property.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2000-148.

288.1236  Authority of state agencies.--All agencies of the state may make and enter into agreements with the local organizing committee to provide the local organizing committee with:

(1)  Such public services as are customarily performed or available from the agency as may be needed by the local organizing committee to host the games; and

(2)  Such access to and use of any real and personal property owned or controlled by the agency as may be needed by the local organizing committee to host the games.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2000-148.

288.1237  Local organizing committee; responsibilities.--

(1)  The local organizing committee may not engage in any conduct that reflects unfavorably upon this state, the candidate city, or the Olympic movement, or that is contrary to law or to the rules and regulations of the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee.

(2)  By April 15 annually, the local organizing committee shall certify to the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229 that the local organizing committee:

(a)  Is a nonprofit corporation, duly organized and validly existing for the purpose of pursuing a candidate city's bid to host the games;

(b)  Is qualified as a tax-exempt organization under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible by contributors; and

(c)  Has, and will continue to maintain, a 20-percent representation of athletes on its board of directors and executive committee, as required by the organizational documents of the committee.

(3)  The local organizing committee shall maintain, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, complete and accurate books and records of all receipts, expenditures, assets, and liabilities of the committee.

(4)  The local organizing committee shall provide to the direct-support organization authorized under s. 288.1229, in the form and manner in which they are provided to the United States Olympic Committee, annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and certified by an independent accounting firm.

History.--s. 7, ch. 2000-148.

288.124  Convention grants program.--The Commission on Tourism is authorized to establish a convention grants program and, pursuant thereto, to recommend to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development expenditures and contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations or organizations for the purpose of attracting national conferences and conventions to Florida. Preference shall be given to local governments and nonprofit corporations or organizations seeking to attract minority conventions to Florida. Minority conventions are events that primarily involve minority persons, as defined in s. 288.703, who are residents or nonresidents of the state. The commission shall establish guidelines governing the award of grants and the administration of this program. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development has final approval authority for any grants under this section. The total annual allocation of funds for this program shall not exceed $40,000.

History.--s. 5, ch. 91-218; s. 57, ch. 96-320.

288.125  Definition of "entertainment industry".--For the purposes of ss. 288.1251-288.1253, the term "entertainment industry" means those persons or entities engaged in the operation of motion picture or television studios or recording studios; those persons or entities engaged in the preproduction, production, or postproduction of motion pictures, made-for-TV motion pictures, television series, commercial advertising, music videos, or sound recordings; and those persons or entities providing products or services directly related to the preproduction, production, or postproduction of motion pictures, made-for-TV motion pictures, television series, commercial advertising, music videos, or sound recordings, including, but not limited to, the broadcast industry.

History.--s. 2, ch. 99-251; s. 38, ch. 2000-152.

288.1251  Promotion and development of entertainment industry; Office of Film and Entertainment; creation; purpose; powers and duties.--

(1)  CREATION.--

(a)  There is hereby created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development the Office of Film and Entertainment for the purpose of developing, marketing, promoting, and providing services to the state's entertainment industry.

(b)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall conduct a national search for a qualified person to fill the position of Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, and the Executive Director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall hire the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment. Guidelines for selection of the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment shall include, but not be limited to, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment having the following:

1.  A working knowledge of the equipment, personnel, financial, and day-to-day production operations of the industries to be served by the office;

2.  Marketing and promotion experience related to the industries to be served by the office;

3.  Experience working with a variety of individuals representing large and small entertainment-related businesses, industry associations, local community entertainment industry liaisons, and labor organizations; and

4.  Experience working with a variety of state and local governmental agencies.

(2)  POWERS AND DUTIES.--

(a)  The Office of Film and Entertainment, in performance of its duties, shall:

1.  In consultation with the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council, develop and implement a 5-year strategic plan to guide the activities of the Office of Film and Entertainment in the areas of entertainment industry development, marketing, promotion, liaison services, field office administration, and information. The plan, to be developed by no later than June 30, 2000, shall:

a.  Be annual in construction and ongoing in nature.

b.  Include recommendations relating to the organizational structure of the office.

c.  Include an annual budget projection for the office for each year of the plan.

d.  Include an operational model for the office to use in implementing programs for rural and urban areas designed to:

(I)  Develop and promote the state's entertainment industry.

(II)  Have the office serve as a liaison between the entertainment industry and other state and local governmental agencies, local film commissions, and labor organizations.

(III)  Gather statistical information related to the state's entertainment industry.

(IV)  Provide information and service to businesses, communities, organizations, and individuals engaged in entertainment industry activities.

(V)  Administer field offices outside the state and coordinate with regional offices maintained by counties and regions of the state, as described in sub-sub-subparagraph (II), as necessary.

e.  Include performance standards and measurable outcomes for the programs to be implemented by the office.

f.  Include an assessment of, and make recommendations on, the feasibility of creating an alternative public-private partnership for the purpose of contracting with such a partnership for the administration of the state's entertainment industry promotion, development, marketing, and service programs.

2.  Develop, market, and facilitate a smooth working relationship between state agencies and local governments in cooperation with local film commission offices for out-of-state and indigenous entertainment industry production entities.

3.  Implement a structured methodology prescribed for coordinating activities of local offices with each other and the commissioner's office.

4.  Represent the state's indigenous entertainment industry to key decisionmakers within the national and international entertainment industry, and to state and local officials.

5.  Prepare an inventory and analysis of the state's entertainment industry, including, but not limited to, information on crew, related businesses, support services, job creation, talent, and economic impact and coordinate with local offices to develop an information tool for common use.

6.  Represent key decisionmakers within the national and international entertainment industry to the indigenous entertainment industry and to state and local officials.

7.  Serve as liaison between entertainment industry producers and labor organizations.

8.  Identify, solicit, and recruit entertainment production opportunities for the state.

9.  Assist rural communities and other small communities in the state in developing the expertise and capacity necessary for such communities to develop, market, promote, and provide services to the state's entertainment industry.

(b)  The Office of Film and Entertainment, in the performance of its duties, may:

1.  Conduct or contract for specific promotion and marketing functions, including, but not limited to, production of a statewide directory, production and maintenance of an Internet website, establishment and maintenance of a toll-free number, organization of trade show participation, and appropriate cooperative marketing opportunities.

2.  Conduct its affairs, carry on its operations, establish offices, and exercise the powers granted by this act in any state, territory, district, or possession of the United States.

3.  Carry out any program of information, special events, or publicity designed to attract entertainment industry to Florida.

4.  Develop relationships and leverage resources with other public and private organizations or groups in their efforts to publicize to the entertainment industry in this state, other states, and other countries the depth of Florida's entertainment industry talent, crew, production companies, production equipment resources, related businesses, and support services, including the establishment of and expenditure for a program of cooperative advertising with these public and private organizations and groups in accordance with the provisions of chapter 120.

5.  Provide and arrange for reasonable and necessary promotional items and services for such persons as the office deems proper in connection with the performance of the promotional and other duties of the office.

6.  Prepare an annual economic impact analysis on entertainment industry-related activities in the state.

7.  Request or accept any grant, payment, or gift of funds or property made by this state, the United States, or any department or agency thereof, or by any individual, firm, corporation, municipality, county, or organization, for any or all of the purposes of the Office of Film and Entertainment's 5-year strategic plan or those permitted activities enumerated in this paragraph. Such funds shall be deposited in the Grants and Donations Trust Fund of the Executive Office of the Governor for use by the Office of Film and Entertainment in carrying out its responsibilities and duties as delineated in law. The office may expend such funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of any such grant, payment, or gift in the pursuit of its administration or in support of fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. The office shall separately account for the public funds and the private funds deposited into the trust fund.

History.--s. 3, ch. 99-251; s. 5, ch. 2001-106.

288.1252  Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council; creation; purpose; membership; powers and duties.--

(1)  CREATION.--There is hereby created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development of the Executive Office of the Governor, for administrative purposes only, the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council.

(2)  PURPOSE.--The purpose of the council shall be to serve as an advisory body to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and to the Office of Film and Entertainment to provide these offices with industry insight and expertise related to developing, marketing, promoting, and providing service to the state's entertainment industry.

(3)  MEMBERSHIP.--

(a)  The council shall consist of 17 members, seven to be appointed by the Governor, five to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and five to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the initial appointments being made no later than August 1, 1999.

(b)  When making appointments to the council, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint persons who are residents of the state and who are highly knowledgeable of, active in, and recognized leaders in Florida's motion picture, television, video, sound recording, or other entertainment industries. These persons shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of local film commissions, representatives of entertainment associations, a representative of the broadcast industry, representatives of labor organizations in the entertainment industry, and board chairs, presidents, chief executive officers, chief operating officers, or persons of comparable executive position or stature of leading or otherwise important entertainment industry businesses and offices. Council members shall be appointed in such a manner as to equitably represent the broadest spectrum of the entertainment industry and geographic areas of the state.

(c)  Council members shall serve for 4-year terms, except that the initial terms shall be staggered:

1.  The Governor shall appoint one member for a 1-year term, two members for 2-year terms, two members for 3-year terms, and two members for 4-year terms.

2.  The President of the Senate shall appoint one member for a 1-year term, one member for a 2-year term, two members for 3-year terms, and one member for a 4-year term.

3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member for a 1-year term, one member for a 2-year term, two members for 3-year terms, and one member for a 4-year term.

(d)  Subsequent appointments shall be made by the official who appointed the council member whose expired term is to be filled.

(e)  The Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, a representative of Enterprise Florida, Inc., a representative of Workforce Florida, Inc., and a representative of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the council, and shall be in addition to the 17 appointed members of the council.

(f)  Absence from three consecutive meetings shall result in automatic removal from the council.

(g)  A vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the official who appointed the vacating member.

(h)  No more than one member of the council may be an employee of any one company, organization, or association.

(i)  Any member shall be eligible for reappointment but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

(4)  MEETINGS; ORGANIZATION.--

(a)  The council shall meet no less frequently than once each quarter of the calendar year, but may meet more often as set by the council.

(b)  The council shall annually elect from its appointed membership one member to serve as chair of the council and one member to serve as vice chair. The Office of Film and Entertainment shall provide staff assistance to the council, which shall include, but not be limited to, keeping records of the proceedings of the council, and serving as custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the council.

(c)  A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum.

(d)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in performance of their duties.

(5)  POWERS AND DUTIES.--The Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this act, including, but not limited to, the power to:

(a)  Adopt bylaws for the governance of its affairs and the conduct of its business.

(b)  Advise and consult with the Office of Film and Entertainment on the content, development, and implementation of the 5-year strategic plan to guide the activities of the office.

(c)  Review the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment's administration of the programs related to the strategic plan, and advise the commissioner on the programs and any changes that might be made to better meet the strategic plan.

(d)  Consider and study the needs of the entertainment industry for the purpose of advising the commissioner and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(e)  Identify and make recommendations on state agency and local government actions that may have an impact on the entertainment industry or that may appear to industry representatives as an official state or local action affecting production in the state.

(f)  Consider all matters submitted to it by the commissioner and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(g)  Advise and consult with the commissioner and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, at their request or upon its own initiative, regarding the promulgation, administration, and enforcement of all laws and rules relating to the entertainment industry.

(h)  Suggest policies and practices for the conduct of business by the Office of Film and Entertainment or by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development that will improve internal operations affecting the entertainment industry and will enhance the economic development initiatives of the state for the industry.

(i)  Appear on its own behalf before boards, commissions, departments, or other agencies of municipal, county, or state government, or the Federal Government.

History.--s. 4, ch. 99-251; s. 6, ch. 2001-106.

288.1253  Travel and entertainment expenses.--

(1)  As used in this section:

(a)  "Business client" means any person, other than a state official or state employee, who receives the services of representatives of the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with the performance of its statutory duties, including persons or representatives of entertainment industry companies considering location, relocation, or expansion of an entertainment industry business within the state.

(b)  "Entertainment expenses" means the actual, necessary, and reasonable costs of providing hospitality for business clients or guests, which costs are defined and prescribed by rules adopted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, subject to approval by the Comptroller.

(c)  "Guest" means a person, other than a state official or state employee, authorized by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to receive the hospitality of the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with the performance of its statutory duties.

(d)  "Travel expenses" means the actual, necessary, and reasonable costs of transportation, meals, lodging, and incidental expenses normally incurred by a traveler, which costs are defined and prescribed by rules adopted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, subject to approval by the Comptroller.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 112.061, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall adopt rules by which it may make expenditures by advancement or reimbursement, or a combination thereof, to:

(a)  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, security staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, or staff of the Office of Film and Entertainment for travel expenses or entertainment expenses incurred by such individuals solely and exclusively in connection with the performance of the statutory duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(b)  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, security staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, or staff of the Office of Film and Entertainment for travel expenses or entertainment expenses incurred by such individuals on behalf of guests, business clients, or authorized persons as defined in s. 112.061(2)(e) solely and exclusively in connection with the performance of the statutory duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(c)  Third-party vendors for the travel or entertainment expenses of guests, business clients, or authorized persons as defined in s. 112.061(2)(e) incurred solely and exclusively while such persons are participating in activities or events carried out by the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with that office's statutory duties.

The rules shall be subject to approval by the Comptroller prior to promulgation. The rules shall require the submission of paid receipts, or other proof of expenditure prescribed by the Comptroller, with any claim for reimbursement and shall require, as a condition for any advancement of funds, an agreement to submit paid receipts or other proof of expenditure and to refund any unused portion of the advancement within 15 days after the expense is incurred or, if the advancement is made in connection with travel, within 10 working days after the traveler's return to headquarters. However, with respect to an advancement of funds made solely for travel expenses, the rules may allow paid receipts or other proof of expenditure to be submitted, and any unused portion of the advancement to be refunded, within 10 working days after the traveler's return to headquarters. Operational or promotional advancements, as defined in s. 288.35(4), obtained pursuant to this section shall not be commingled with any other state funds.

(3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall prepare an annual report of the expenditures of the Office of Film and Entertainment and provide such report to the Legislature no later than December 30 of each year for the expenditures of the previous fiscal year. The report shall consist of a summary of all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred within the United States and all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred outside the United States, as well as a summary of all successful projects that developed from such travel.

(4)  The Office of Film and Entertainment and its employees and representatives, when authorized, may accept and use complimentary travel, accommodations, meeting space, meals, equipment, transportation, and any other goods or services necessary for or beneficial to the performance of the office's duties and purposes, so long as such acceptance or use is not in conflict with part III of chapter 112. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall, by rule, develop internal controls to ensure that such goods or services accepted or used pursuant to this subsection are limited to those that will assist solely and exclusively in the furtherance of the office's goals and are in compliance with part III of chapter 112.

(5)  Any claim submitted under this section shall not be required to be sworn to before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths, but any claim authorized or required to be made under any provision of this section shall contain a statement that the expenses were actually incurred as necessary travel or entertainment expenses in the performance of official duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment and shall be verified by written declaration that it is true and correct as to every material matter. Any person who willfully makes and subscribes to any claim which he or she does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter or who willfully aids or assists in, procures, or counsels or advises with respect to, the preparation or presentation of a claim pursuant to this section that is fraudulent or false as to any material matter, whether or not such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present the claim, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Whoever receives an advancement or reimbursement by means of a false claim is civilly liable, in the amount of the overpayment, for the reimbursement of the public fund from which the claim was paid.

History.--s. 5, ch. 99-251; s. 7, ch. 2001-106.

288.1258  Entertainment industry qualified production companies; application procedure; categories; duties of the Department of Revenue; records and reports.--

(1)  PRODUCTION COMPANIES AUTHORIZED TO APPLY.--

(a)  Any production company engaged in this state in the production of motion pictures, made-for-TV motion pictures, television series, commercial advertising, music videos, or sound recordings may submit an application to the Department of Revenue to be approved by the Office of Film and Entertainment as a qualified production company for the purpose of receiving a sales and use tax certificate of exemption from the Department of Revenue.

(b)  For the purposes of this section, "qualified production company" means any production company that has submitted a properly completed application to the Department of Revenue and that is subsequently qualified by the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURE.--

(a)  The Department of Revenue will review all submitted applications for the required information. Within 10 working days after the receipt of a properly completed application, the Department of Revenue will forward the completed application to the Office of Film and Entertainment for approval.

(b)1.  The Office of Film and Entertainment shall establish a process by which an entertainment industry production company may be approved by the office as a qualified production company and may receive a certificate of exemption from the Department of Revenue for the sales and use tax exemptions under ss. 212.031, 212.06, and 212.08.

2.  Upon determination by the Office of Film and Entertainment that a production company meets the established approval criteria and qualifies for exemption, the Office of Film and Entertainment shall return the approved application or application renewal or extension to the Department of Revenue, which shall issue a certificate of exemption.

3.  The Office of Film and Entertainment shall deny an application or application for renewal or extension from a production company if it determines that the production company does not meet the established approval criteria.

(c)  The Office of Film and Entertainment shall develop, with the cooperation of the Department of Revenue and local government entertainment industry promotion agencies, a standardized application form for use in approving qualified production companies.

1.  The application form shall include, but not be limited to, production-related information on employment, proposed budgets, planned purchases of items exempted from sales and use taxes under ss. 212.031, 212.06, and 212.08, a signed affirmation from the applicant that any items purchased for which the applicant is seeking a tax exemption are intended for use exclusively as an integral part of entertainment industry preproduction, production, or postproduction activities engaged in primarily in this state, and a signed affirmation from the Office of Film and Entertainment that the information on the application form has been verified and is correct. In lieu of information on projected employment, proposed budgets, or planned purchases of exempted items, a production company seeking a 1-year certificate of exemption may submit summary historical data on employment, production budgets, and purchases of exempted items related to production activities in this state. Any information gathered from production companies for the purposes of this section shall be considered confidential taxpayer information and shall be disclosed only as provided in s. 213.053.

2.  The application form may be distributed to applicants by the Office of Film and Entertainment or local film commissions.

(d)  All applications, renewals, and extensions for designation as a qualified production company shall be processed by the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(e)  In the event that the Department of Revenue determines that a production company no longer qualifies for a certificate of exemption, or has used a certificate of exemption for purposes other than those authorized by this section and chapter 212, the Department of Revenue shall revoke the certificate of exemption of that production company, and any sales or use taxes exempted on items purchased or leased by the production company during the time such company did not qualify for a certificate of exemption or improperly used a certificate of exemption shall become immediately due to the Department of Revenue, along with interest and penalty as provided by s. 212.12. In addition to the other penalties imposed by law, any person who knowingly and willfully falsifies an application, or uses a certificate of exemption for purposes other than those authorized by this section and chapter 212, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in ss. 775.082, 775.083, and 775.084.

(3)  CATEGORIES.--

(a)1.  A production company may be qualified for designation as a qualified production company for a period of 1 year if the company has operated a business in Florida at a permanent address for a period of 12 consecutive months. Such a qualified production company shall receive a single 1-year certificate of exemption from the Department of Revenue for the sales and use tax exemptions under ss. 212.031, 212.06, and 212.08, which certificate shall expire 1 year after issuance or upon the cessation of business operations in the state, at which time the certificate shall be surrendered to the Department of Revenue.

2.  The Office of Film and Entertainment shall develop a method by which a qualified production company may annually renew a 1-year certificate of exemption for a period of up to 5 years without requiring the production company to resubmit a new application during that 5-year period.

3.  Any qualified production company may submit a new application for a 1-year certificate of exemption upon the expiration of that company's certificate of exemption.

(b)1.  A production company may be qualified for designation as a qualified production company for a period of 90 days. Such production company shall receive a single 90-day certificate of exemption from the Department of Revenue for the sales and use tax exemptions under ss. 212.031, 212.06, and 212.08, which certificate shall expire 90 days after issuance, with extensions contingent upon approval of the Office of Film and Entertainment. The certificate shall be surrendered to the Department of Revenue upon its expiration.

2.  Any production company may submit a new application for a 90-day certificate of exemption upon the expiration of that company's certificate of exemption.

(4)  DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.--

(a)  The Department of Revenue shall review the initial application and notify the applicant of any omissions and request additional information if needed. An application shall be complete upon receipt of all requested information. The Department of Revenue shall forward all complete applications to the Office of Film and Entertainment within 10 working days.

(b)  The Department of Revenue shall issue a numbered certificate of exemption to a qualified production company within 5 working days of the receipt of an approved application, application renewal, or application extension from the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(c)  The Department of Revenue may promulgate such rules and shall prescribe and publish such forms as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section or any of the sales tax exemptions which are reasonably related to the provisions of this section.

(d)  The Department of Revenue is authorized to establish audit procedures in accordance with the provisions of ss. 212.12, 212.13, and 213.34 which relate to the sales tax exemption provisions of this section.

(5)  RELATIONSHIP OF TAX EXEMPTIONS TO INDUSTRY GROWTH; REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE.--The Office of Film and Entertainment shall keep annual records from the information provided on taxpayer applications for tax exemption certificates beginning January 1, 2001. These records shall reflect a percentage comparison of the annual amount of funds exempted to the estimated amount of funds expended in relation to entertainment industry products. In addition, the office shall maintain data showing annual growth in Florida-based entertainment industry companies and entertainment industry employment and wages. The Office of Film and Entertainment shall report this information to the Legislature by no later than December 1 of each year.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2000-182; s. 8, ch. 2001-106.

PART II

DIVISION OF BOND FINANCE

288.13  Cooperation with other units, boards, agencies, and individuals.

288.14  Board of Trustees of Internal Improvement Trust Fund may cooperate.

288.15  Powers of Division of Bond Finance.

288.17  Revenue certificates.

288.18  Planning, promoting, and supervising state building projects.

288.23  Division authorized to acquire roads and bridges.

288.24  Division authorized to acquire ferries and toll ferries.

288.27  Lease or sale by division.

288.28  Department of Transportation authorized to lease or purchase certain roads and bridges.

288.281  Financing construction or acquisition of roads and bridges; additional method.

288.29  Ratifying prior transactions.

288.30  Cumulative provisions.

288.31  Armories; financing construction authorized.

288.33  School buildings; financing construction authorized.

288.13  Cooperation with other units, boards, agencies, and individuals.--Express authority and power is hereby given any county, municipality, drainage district, road or bridge district, school district or any other political subdivision, board, or commission in the state to make and enter into, with the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration, contracts and leases, within the provisions and purposes of this chapter. The division is hereby expressly authorized to make agreements with and enter into any and all contracts with any political subdivisions of the state.

History.--s. 3, ch. 15861, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151 (112); s. 2, ch. 22821, 1945; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 264, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.04.

288.14  Board of Trustees of Internal Improvement Trust Fund may cooperate.--The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may convey and grant to the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration, and enter into agreements permitting the use and occupation by the division, with or without compensation, of land under its control and not in use for state purposes, including swamps, overflowed lands, bottoms of streams, lakes, rivers, bays, and other waters of the state, and the riparian rights thereto appertaining, as, in the judgment of said board, may be reasonably necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

History.--s. 4, ch. 15861, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(113); s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 22, 27, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 265, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.05.

288.15  Powers of Division of Bond Finance.--There is hereby granted to and vested in the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration the power, right, franchise, and authority:

(1)  To take, exclusively occupy, use, and possess rights-of-way for any projects, enterprises, or undertakings of the division, over and across state-owned lands not otherwise in use for state purposes.

(2)(a)  The division is hereby authorized and empowered to exercise the power of eminent domain and may condemn for the use of the division any and all lands, easements, rights-of-way, riparian rights, property, and property rights of every description required in carrying out the objects and purposes of this chapter.

(b)  The proceedings for condemnation hereunder may be instituted and conducted in the name of the division, and the procedure shall be the same as is prescribed by chapter 73.

(3)  To own and to acquire by donation, purchase, or otherwise, real and personal property, tangible and intangible, and to lease, sell, alienate, and dispose of the same or any part or parts thereof in carrying out the objects and purposes of this chapter.

(4)  To subscribe for, purchase, acquire, own, sell, or otherwise dispose of bonds and obligations of municipalities and political subdivisions of the state, needful or incident to carrying out the objects and purposes of this chapter, and exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges incident to ownership thereof.

(5)  In order to carry out the objectives and purposes of this chapter, the division is authorized to acquire, own, construct, operate, maintain, improve, and extend public buildings, facilities, or works within the state which are of the character hereinafter specifically mentioned. All public buildings, facilities, and works which the division is authorized to own, construct, operate, and maintain must be such as can ultimately be owned and operated by an agency, department, board, bureau, or commission of the state. All or any such buildings, facilities, or works may be of a revenue-producing character in order that the cost of the same or some part of improvements or extensions thereto may be paid from receipts therefrom, including in Tallahassee only rentals, leases, and sales to both public and nonpublic agencies through the issue and sales or disposition of revenue bonds, notes, or certificates of the division. The buildings, facilities, and works which the division is hereby authorized to acquire, construct, operate, maintain, improve, and extend are:

(a)  Toll bridges or tunnels, and toll roads wherever the same are connected with or form a part of the state system of public roads. The location and construction of same shall first be approved by the Department of Transportation.

(b)  To accept as a gift or grant or to purchase or lease from the Federal Government any personal property or any real property, fixtures, or appurtenances thereto, located in the state, payment for which can be made from the revenues derived therefrom, which will be used in the development of the agriculture, forest and reforestation of the state or such property as will provide recreation for the public and citizens of the state.

(c)  It is expressly declared that the Division of Bond Finance shall not be authorized:

1.  Except as is provided in s. 288.13, to acquire, own, or construct any buildings, facilities, or works which are to be maintained and operated solely for municipal or local purpose; and

2.  To so accept, purchase, or lease from the Federal Government any property or business ordinarily owned and operated by private business; provided, however, this provision does not prohibit or limit such purchase, acceptance of gift, or lease of surplus property to be used for noncompetitive government purposes.

(d)  Public buildings, facilities, and additions or improvements to existing buildings and facilities for ultimate use in connection with any of the several state institutions, departments, bureaus, boards, or commissions; and, in furtherance of this paragraph, the Department of Management Services and the State Board of Education are authorized to cooperate with the Division of Bond Finance and to do and perform all acts and things necessary thereto. Any property acquired by the Division of Bond Finance under the provisions of this chapter may ultimately be conveyed to the state free and clear of all debt or other encumbrance.

(e)  The Division of Bond Finance is hereby authorized to collect reasonable rentals, tolls, or charges for the use of public buildings, facilities, or works constructed, acquired, or owned by it and for the products and services of the same exclusively for the purpose of paying the expenses of improving, repairing, maintaining, and operating its facilities and properties and paying the principal and interest on its obligations. The division is authorized by reasonable regulations to prescribe for the use of buildings, facilities, works, or projects owned and operated by it, the amount of rentals, tolls, or charges and may make and enter into contracts with any municipality, district, county or other political subdivision, board, commission, agency, or department of the state for the use of such projects or sale of the products or services thereof; provided, that the receipts from any project shall not be expended on any other project except as provided in subsection (8).

(f)  However, the provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to authorize the construction, acquisition, ownership, or operation by the division of any project other than the class of projects referred to in this subsection.

(6)  To secure, assemble, study, map, plat, and chart any and all data which may pertain to the governance, rehabilitation, welfare, health, transportation, commerce, marketing, finance, business, population, land use, sanitation, waterways, mineral resources, parks, wildlife, public buildings and property, and the laws relating to social, economic, or conservational matters of the state, its political subdivisions, and its people for the purpose of advising and assisting, proposing, and recommending to state administrative officers, the state Legislature, and the people of the state plans for the future development, welfare, and governance of the state, in order that the state's plan of development may be coordinated, its economic resources be conserved, and the welfare of its people be promoted.

(7)  It is expressly provided:

(a)  That nothing in this chapter shall be construed as vesting in the Division of Bond Finance the power, right, or privilege to engage in private enterprise or business for profit; and

(b)  That nothing in this chapter shall authorize the purchase, condemnation, or other acquisition by the division of the properties or securities of privately owned utilities or any part of same.

(8)  The division is hereby authorized and directed to proceed with the acquisition of land and buildings thereon now needed or to be needed for use in whole or in part by any agency, board, bureau, or commission of the state, such acquisition to be within the area defined by the Department of Management Services for the long-range development of the proposed Capitol Center; and

(a)  To construct, acquire, own, and operate buildings and facilities thereon, such buildings and facilities to be financed by the revenue they yield, through the issuance of revenue certificates;

(b)  To have specific authority in financing the acquisition, construction, and operation of such buildings and facilities, to utilize rentals to both public and nonpublic agencies as well as any regularly appropriated state or other public funds; however, no revenue from lands, buildings, or facilities now owned by the state may be pledged to finance the acquisition of land, buildings, or facilities pursuant to the provisions of this law, except revenue from land, buildings, or facilities purchased or acquired pursuant to the provisions of this law.

(9)  Subsections (5) and (8) shall be liberally construed to effectuate the objectives and purposes thereof and the public policy of the state as hereby declared.

History.--ss. 5, 6, ch. 15861, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(114), (115); ss. 3, 4, ch. 20509, 1941; s. 3, ch. 22821, 1945; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 26851, 1951; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; s. 2, ch. 57-57; s. 2, ch. 65-173; s. 3, ch. 65-178; s. 2, ch. 65-255; s. 2, ch. 65-525; s. 18, ch. 69-216; ss. 22, 23, 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 84, ch. 71-355; s. 2, ch. 73-326; s. 2, ch. 75-70; s. 20, ch. 83-216; s. 58, ch. 85-349; s. 5, ch. 88-215; s. 266, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 92, ch. 98-279.

Note.--Former s. 420.06.

288.17  Revenue certificates.--The Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration is authorized to issue interest-bearing revenue certificates for construction of all state buildings approved by the Legislature in its appropriation acts and requested by the Department of Management Services or by the ¹Board of Regents.

History.--s. 1, ch. 29831, 1955; s. 1, ch. 65-512; s. 1, ch. 67-603; ss. 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 85, ch. 71-355; s. 267, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

¹Note.--Abolished by s. 3, ch. 2001-170.

288.18  Planning, promoting, and supervising state building projects.--

(1)  The Department of Management Services shall be responsible for promoting any state building project financed as provided by law in any community where a state building is needed.

(2)  Whenever the Division of Bond Finance and the Board of Administration shall find a building project financially feasible, all state agencies, commissions, bureaus, or branch offices of any department occupying rented office space in the area, shall occupy space in the state buildings to the extent that space is available.

(3)  Any state agency required to occupy space by the Department of Management Services may contract for such space and pledge such rentals as are provided and appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of financing the retirement of revenue certificates for the lifetime of any issue.

History.--s. 2, ch. 29831, 1955; ss. 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 83, ch. 71-377; s. 2, ch. 75-70; s. 59, ch. 85-349; s. 268, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 93, ch. 98-279.

288.23  Division authorized to acquire roads and bridges.--

(1)  The Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration is authorized and empowered, upon the application of any county or counties evidenced by resolution of the board or boards of county commissioners thereof, to acquire by purchase, gift, or eminent domain and/or to construct within such county or counties so making application therefor, any road or bridge, including the acquisition of necessary rights-of-way therefor, connecting state highways within such county or counties; provided, however, in the event the said division shall determine, agree, or contract to build or construct any road or bridge under the provisions hereof then it shall so advise the Department of Transportation of such determination, agreement, or contract and shall give the Department of Transportation complete copies of all documents, agreements, resolutions, contracts, and instruments relating to such matter and shall request the Department of Transportation to do such construction work including the acquisition of necessary rights-of-way, planning, surveying, and actual construction of such project and shall also transfer to the credit of the Department of Transportation in the Treasury of the state the funds hereinafter provided for such projects and the Department of Transportation shall thereupon be authorized, empowered, and directed to proceed with such construction, including the acquisition of necessary rights-of-way, and to use the said funds for such work, and no other work, in the same manner that it is now authorized to use the funds otherwise provided by law for its use in construction of roads and bridges.

(2)  The authority herein and hereby conferred to acquire rights-of-way shall be construed to extend to and include the acquisition of new rights-of-way separately to be used in the future for the construction of new roads and new bridges and for the acquisition of rights-of-way to be used in the future for widening or four-laning or extending, or otherwise improving, existing state roads and bridges. Provided, however, that no rights-of-way shall be acquired hereunder except for use in the construction of roads and bridges that have been prior to such acquisition legally designated as state roads and bridges, and provided further, that if any provision or any part of any provision of this amended section shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this amended section. The acquisition of rights-of-way as provided above separately and in advance of the construction of improvements on such rights-of-way, shall be and constitute a separate project or purpose under the provisions of this chapter or under the provisions of any other law or laws, and the Division of Bond Finance shall be fully authorized to issue its bonds, notes or certificates in the manner provided in this chapter to finance the cost of the acquisition of such rights-of-way separately and in advance of the construction of improvements on such rights-of-way.

History.--s. 1, ch. 23758, 1947; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-86; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 269, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.12.

288.24  Division authorized to acquire ferries and toll ferries.--

(1)  The Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration is authorized:

(a)  To acquire, own, maintain, and operate ferries and toll ferries wherever the same are connected with or form a part of or are auxiliary to the state system of public roads.

(b)  To fix and collect reasonable rentals, tolls, or charges for the use of any ferries operated by or under agreement with the said division.

(c)  To enter into a contract or contracts with the Department of Transportation for the acquisition, maintenance, or operation of any such ferry or ferries.

(2)  The acquisition, ownership, maintenance, and operation of said ferries and toll ferries shall be exercised in accordance with existing laws governing the powers of said division in connection with other buildings, facilities, additions, and improvements.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 25009, 1949; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 60, ch. 79-164; s. 270, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.121.

288.27  Lease or sale by division.--The Division of Bond Finance is authorized and empowered to lease or sell roads or bridges acquired or constructed pursuant to s. 288.23 to the Department of Transportation, upon such terms and conditions as will secure sufficient revenue for paying all cost incurred in connection with the acquisition or construction of such roads or bridges and which will represent the fair market value thereof for leasehold and for purchase purposes.

History.--s. 3, ch. 23758, 1947; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106.

Note.--Former s. 420.14.

288.28  Department of Transportation authorized to lease or purchase certain roads and bridges.--The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to lease or purchase from the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration such roads or bridges as may have been acquired or constructed under the provisions of s. 288.23 and to pay either the rental or the purchase price from the surplus gasoline taxes which may, in the future, accrue to the credit of the county or counties in which the road or bridge is located, under the provisions of s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution.

History.--s. 4, ch. 23758, 1947; s. 1, ch. 26768, 1951; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 18, ch. 69-216; s. 271, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.15.

288.281  Financing construction or acquisition of roads and bridges; additional method.--

(1)  Upon request of any county, any road or bridge district, or any authority, evidenced by a resolution duly adopted by the governing body thereof, the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration is authorized and empowered to issue and sell interest-bearing bonds, notes, or certificates in its own name for and on behalf of said county, road or bridge district, or authority, for the purpose of financing the construction of roads or bridges within the county, district, or authority, or the acquisition of rights-of-way for such roads. The governing body of the county, district, or authority may request in said resolution that the division construct or acquire said project by and through its statutory agent, the Department of Transportation.

(2)  Any county, road or bridge district, or authority making application to the Division of Bond Finance pursuant to this section may prescribe the terms, conditions, and limitations under which said bonds, notes, or certificates shall be issued and sold and the proceeds of the sale of said bonds, notes, and certificates shall be applied.

(3)  Any bonds, notes, or certificates issued by the division pursuant to this section may be secured by and payable as to both principal and interest, in whole or in part, from the 20-percent surplus gasoline tax funds accruing under the provisions of s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution, tolls or other revenue derived from the operation of the project, or ad valorem taxes or any combination thereof that may be legally available to said county, road or bridge district, or authority. If authorized by the Department of Transportation bonds, notes, or certificates may be additionally secured by and payable as to both principal and interest from legally available 80-percent surplus gasoline tax funds accruing to the Department of Transportation under the provisions of s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution.

(4)  This section is intended to be cumulative of other powers granted to the Division of Bond Finance, the Department of Transportation, the counties, districts, and authorities under other provisions of law and is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or modify any such provisions.

History.--s. 1, ch. 61-433; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 18, ch. 69-216; s. 272, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

288.29  Ratifying prior transactions.--Any transaction heretofore consummated, or in the process of consummation, in whole or in part, concerning the acquisition, condemnation, financing, construction, lease, or sale of any such road or bridge within the intendment of ss. 288.23, 288.24, 288.27, 288.28, 288.29, 288.30, be and the same is hereby ratified, legalized and confirmed.

History.--s. 5, ch. 23758, 1947; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955.

Note.--Former s. 420.16.

288.30  Cumulative provisions.--Sections 288.23, 288.24, 288.27, 288.28, and 288.29 are intended to be cumulative of other powers granted to the Division of Bond Finance and the Department of Transportation under other provisions of law and are not intended to repeal, abrogate, or modify any such provisions.

History.--s. 6, ch. 23758, 1947; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 23, 35, ch. 69-106.

Note.--Former s. 420.17.

288.31  Armories; financing construction authorized.--

(1)  The Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration shall have the power to borrow money and incur obligations by way of bonds, notes, or revenue certificates and issue such obligations for the purpose of financing, either in whole or in part, the construction of armories in such counties and municipalities as designated by the State Armory Board. The authority hereby conferred shall empower the said division to issue such certificates or bonds for the financing of the share or portion of the cost to be borne by a county or municipality when required by the provisions of a grant of funds from the state or the Federal Government or any other source, or to authorize the borrowing and issuing of obligations for financing such an armory in its entirety. Bonds, notes, or certificates issued hereunder shall be issued in conformity to all the provisions of chapter 215, and the division shall be empowered to fix the rentals or charges to be collected for the purpose of the retirement or purchase of said obligations. The division and the county or municipality shall be empowered to enter into such lease, or leases, as may be necessary to ensure the providing of sufficient funds to retire such obligations and when the said obligations shall have been fully paid, the armory shall be conveyed to the state. Leases with the county or municipality under the terms of this section shall provide for the control of the building and its use to be vested in the military commander representing the Armory Board in accordance with the provisions of s. 250.41.

(2)  For the purpose of determining the amount of the contribution of any county or municipality toward the requirement of matching state or federal funds, real estate provided or donated by such county or municipality may be considered as a portion of the contribution required to the amount of the fair appraised value of the same as determined by the Armory Board, and all lands, buildings and structures shall be conveyed to and become the property of the Division of Bond Finance when it acts under the provisions of this section, the same to be conveyed to the state when all obligations against same shall have been paid in full.

(3)  Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing the pledging, mortgaging or otherwise hypothecating the real estate and armory building, but the obligations issued hereunder shall pledge only the income from the armory building as covered in its rental by the county or municipality or from other sources.

(4)  The purpose of this section is to provide a means for financing and supplying the funds necessary to be furnished by a county or municipality to meet and match funds made available by the state or federal government on a matching basis or to provide the total amount of the construction costs of armories.

(5)  Counties and municipalities are hereby authorized and empowered to levy taxes not to exceed 1 mill to provide the funds necessary for the lease or leases herein provided and for the retirement of bonds or certificates of indebtedness issued by the division under the provisions of this section.

(6)  Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to repeal any provision of chapter 250, as amended in 1949.

History.--s. 1, ch. 24200, 1947; ss. 1, 2, ch. 25125, 1949; (2), s. 10, ch. 26484, 1951; s. 11, ch. 29788, 1955; ss. 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 273, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

Note.--Former s. 420.18.

288.33  School buildings; financing construction authorized.--

(1)  Upon the request of the school board of any district with the approval of the State Board of Education evidenced by a resolution duly adopted by the governing body of each of such boards, the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration is authorized and empowered to issue and sell interest-bearing revenue bonds, notes, or certificates in its own name for the purpose of constructing, within the county, school buildings or additions thereto for rent, lease, or purchase by the school board of the district. The Division of Bond Finance may, by contract, make the school board its agent for the acquisition or construction of such school buildings, classrooms, or facilities.

(2)  Any school board, making application to the Division of Bond Finance pursuant to this section may prescribe the terms, conditions and limitations under which said bonds, notes, or certificates shall be issued and sold and the proceeds of the sale of said bonds, notes, and certificates shall be applied.

(3)  Under no circumstances shall any bonds, notes or certificates issued under this section by the division be construed as an obligation of the state nor of its subdivisions nor shall the state or its subdivisions under any theory be bound therefor. They shall be solely and only the obligations of the division in its corporate and representative capacity and shall be secured only by such revenues as shall be pledged as security for the payment thereof.

(4)  Any revenue bonds, notes or certificates issued by the Division of Bond Finance pursuant to this section may be secured by a lease-purchase agreement executed by the school board, which agreement may remain in effect until the bonds and all interest thereon and any refunding thereof have been paid in full. As security for the rentals agreed to be paid under the terms of the lease-purchase agreement, the school board may pledge and agree to pay as such rentals any moneys legally available for school purposes to such school board not prohibited by the Florida Constitution. Each school board requesting the construction of school buildings under this section shall annually request in its budget sufficient funds to meet the annual rentals agreed to be paid the Division of Bond Finance for lease or purchase of said buildings.

(5)  As further security for the repayment of said revenue bonds, notes or certificates, the said school board is authorized to pledge as rentals any funds which may be appropriated by the Legislature for school purposes to said school board. The authority to pledge funds provided for in this subsection is expressly limited to any funds as, if, and when appropriated, in that the Legislature is under no obligation to make any future appropriation.

(6)  Any school board requesting the Division of Bond Finance to construct school buildings pursuant to this section shall use said leased buildings for school purposes so long as a need exists therefor and until all of said revenue bonds, notes or certificates and the interest thereon, including any refundings thereof are paid in full; and thereupon title to said buildings shall vest in the school board.

(7)  This section is intended to be cumulative to the other powers granted to the Division of Bond Finance and is not intended to repeal or abrogate any such other powers. In financing school buildings pursuant to this section the division may utilize all the powers granted under this chapter.

(8)  No approval of any other state board, body, agency, or official other than as specified herein, shall be required for the issuance of such revenue bonds, notes or certificates as provided in this section except the approval of the State Board of Administration in the manner now provided by law.

History.--s. 1, ch. 67-428; ss. 22, 28, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-300; s. 274, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326.

PART III

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

288.35  Definitions.

288.36  Foreign trade zones; authority to establish, operate, and maintain.

288.37  Foreign trade zones; authority to select and describe locations and make rules.

288.38  Applicability of state laws and rules concerning citrus fruit and products.

288.386  Florida-Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative.

288.35  Definitions.--The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this part, shall have the following meanings:

(1)  "Corporation" means any corporation organized for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a foreign trade zone.

(2)  "Government agency" means the state or any county or political subdivision thereof; any state agency; any consolidated government of a county, and some or all of the municipalities located within said county; any chartered municipality in the state; and any of the institutions of such consolidated governments, counties, or municipalities. Specifically included are airports, port authorities, industrial authorities, and the Florida Space Authority.

(3)  "Act of Congress" means the Act of Congress approved June 18, 1934, entitled an Act to provide for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of foreign trade zones in ports of entry of the United States, to expedite and encourage foreign commerce, and for other purposes, as amended, and commonly known as the Foreign Trade Zones Act of 1934, 19 U.S.C. ss. 81a-81u.

(4)  "Operational and promotional advancements" means any advance of state funds which are drawn from the State Treasury for the purpose of paying legal obligations of the state on a cash basis.

History.--s. 1, ch. 76-42; s. 3, ch. 78-375; s. 15, ch. 99-256; s. 6, ch. 2002-183.

288.36  Foreign trade zones; authority to establish, operate, and maintain.--Any corporation or government agency shall have the power to apply to the proper authorities of the United States for a grant of the privilege of establishing, operating, and maintaining foreign trade zones and foreign trade subzones under the provisions of the Act of Congress and, when the grant is issued, to accept the grant and to establish, operate, and maintain the foreign trade zones and foreign trade subzones and do all things necessary and proper to carry into effect the establishment, operation, and maintenance of such zones, all in accordance with the Act of Congress and other applicable laws and rules and regulations.

History.--s. 2, ch. 76-42.

288.37  Foreign trade zones; authority to select and describe locations and make rules.--Any corporation or government agency may select and describe the location of the foreign trade zones or foreign trade subzones for which an application is made under the provisions of the Act of Congress and make such rules and regulations concerning the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the foreign trade zones or foreign trade subzones as may be necessary to comply with the Act of Congress or as may be necessary to comply with the rules and regulations made in accordance with the Act of Congress.

History.--s. 3, ch. 76-42.

288.38  Applicability of state laws and rules concerning citrus fruit and products.--Any application for establishment of a foreign trade zone made pursuant hereto shall include a provision that all laws of this state and rules of the Florida Department of Citrus applicable to citrus fruit and processed citrus products shall equally apply within any foreign trade zone so established.

History.--s. 4, ch. 76-42.

288.386  Florida-Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative.--

(1)  Contingent upon a specific appropriation, the Seaport Employment Training Grant Program (STEP) shall establish and administer the Florida-Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative for the purpose of assisting small and medium-sized businesses to become involved in international activities and helping them to identify markets with product demand, identify strategic alliances in those markets, and obtain the financing to effectuate trade opportunities in the Caribbean Basin. The initiative must focus assistance to businesses located in urban communities. The initiative shall offer export readiness, assistance and referral services, internships, seminars, workshops, conferences, and e-commerce plus mentoring and matchmaking services, but shall coordinate with and not duplicate those services provided by Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(2)  To enhance initiative effectiveness and leverage resources, STEP shall coordinate initiative activities with Enterprise Florida, Inc., United States Export Assistance Centers, Florida Export Finance Corporation, Florida Trade Data Center, Small Business Development Centers, and any other organizations STEP deems appropriate. The coordination may encompass export assistance and referral services, export financing, job-training programs, educational programs, market research and development, market promotion, trade missions, e-commerce, and mentoring and matchmaking services relative to the expansion of trade between Florida and the Caribbean Basin. The initiative shall also form alliances with multilateral, international, and domestic funding programs from Florida, the United States, and the Caribbean Basin to coordinate systems and programs for fundamental assistance in facilitating trade and investment.

(3)  STEP shall administer the Florida-Caribbean Basin Trade Initiative pursuant to a performance-based contract with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall develop performance measures, standards, and sanctions for the initiative. Performance measures must include, but are not limited to, the number of businesses assisted; the number of urban businesses assisted; and the increase in value of exports to the Caribbean which is attributable to the initiative.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2000-290.

PART IV

SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS

288.7011  Assistance to certified development corporation.

288.7015  Appointment of rules ombudsman; duties.

288.702  Short title.

288.703  Definitions.

288.7031  Application of certain definitions.

288.705  Statewide contracts register.

288.706  Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program.

288.707  Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.

288.708  President; employees.

288.709  Powers of the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.

288.7091  Duties of the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.

288.7092  Return on investment from activities of the corporation.

288.7095  Duties of the black business investment corporations.

288.71  Conditions for board action.

288.7101  Black Business Investment Board, Inc., state employee leasing program.

288.711  Florida Investment Incentive Trust Fund.

288.712  Florida guarantor funds.

288.713  Capital participation instruments.

288.714  Annual report.

288.7011  Assistance to certified development corporation.--The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to enter into contracts with a nonprofit, statewide development corporation certified pursuant to s. 503 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, to permit such corporation to locate and contract for administrative and technical staff assistance and support, including, without limitation, assistance to the development corporation in the packaging and servicing of loans for the purpose of stimulating and expanding the availability of private equity capital and long-term loans to small businesses. Such assistance and support will cease when the corporation has received state support in an amount the equivalent of $250,000 per year over a 5-year period beginning July 1, 1997. Any contract between the office and such corporation shall specify that the records of the corporation must be available for audit by the office and by the Auditor General.

History.--s. 58, ch. 96-320; s. 20, ch. 97-278.

288.7015  Appointment of rules ombudsman; duties.--The Governor shall appoint a rules ombudsman, as defined in s. 288.703, in the Executive Office of the Governor, for considering the impact of agency rules on the state's citizens and businesses. In carrying out duties as provided by law, the ombudsman shall consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., at which point the office may recommend to improve the regulatory environment of this state. The duties of the rules ombudsman are to:

(1)  Carry out the responsibility provided in s. 120.54(2), with respect to small businesses.

(2)  Review state agency rules that adversely or disproportionately impact businesses, particularly those relating to small and minority businesses.

(3)  Make recommendations on any existing or proposed rules to alleviate unnecessary or disproportionate adverse effects to businesses.

(4)(a)  By December 1, 1997, and annually thereafter, submit a report to the Legislature identifying and describing the extent to which rules of state agencies adversely impact trade promotion, economic growth and diversification in Florida, business profitability and viability, and, in particular, the startup of new businesses. The report must specifically identify and describe those agency rules repealed or modified during each calendar year in order to improve the regulatory climate for businesses operating in this state. The report must also identify those proposed rules for review and possible repeal or modification in the next calendar year.

(b)  The report must also specifically identify and describe the use and impact of state economic development incentives on minority-owned businesses. The report must detail how many minority-owned businesses received state economic development incentives administered by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, including private activity bonds, and the JOBs benefit.

(5)  Each state agency shall cooperate fully with the rules ombudsman in identifying such rules. Further, each agency shall take the necessary steps to waive, modify, or otherwise minimize such adverse effects of any such rules. However, nothing in this section authorizes any state agency to waive, modify, provide exceptions to, or otherwise alter any rule that is:

(a)  Expressly required to implement or enforce any statutory provision or the express legislative intent thereof;

(b)  Designed to protect persons against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, or marital status; or

(c)  Likely to prevent a significant risk or danger to the public health, the public safety, or the environment of the state.

(6)  The modification or waiver of any such rule pursuant to this section must be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of chapter 120.

History.--s. 5, ch. 96-320.

288.702  Short title.--This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Florida Small and Minority Business Assistance Act of 1985."

History.--s. 1, ch. 85-104.

288.703  Definitions.--As used in this act, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless the content shall indicate another meaning or intent:

(1)  "Small business" means an independently owned and operated business concern that employs 200 or fewer permanent full-time employees and that, together with its affiliates, has a net worth of not more than $5 million or any firm based in this state which has a Small Business Administration 8(a) certification. As applicable to sole proprietorships, the $5 million net worth requirement shall include both personal and business investments.

(2)  "Minority business enterprise" means any small business concern as defined in subsection (1) which is organized to engage in commercial transactions, which is domiciled in Florida, and which is at least 51-percent-owned by minority persons who are members of an insular group that is of a particular racial, ethnic, or gender makeup or national origin, which has been subjected historically to disparate treatment due to identification in and with that group resulting in an underrepresentation of commercial enterprises under the group's control, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by such persons. A minority business enterprise may primarily involve the practice of a profession. Ownership by a minority person does not include ownership which is the result of a transfer from a nonminority person to a minority person within a related immediate family group if the combined total net asset value of all members of such family group exceeds $1 million. For purposes of this subsection, the term "related immediate family group" means one or more children under 16 years of age and a parent of such children or the spouse of such parent residing in the same house or living unit.

(3)  "Minority person" means a lawful, permanent resident of Florida who is:

(a)  An African American, a person having origins in any of the racial groups of the African Diaspora.

(b)  A Hispanic American, a person of Spanish or Portuguese culture with origins in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South America, Central America, or the Caribbean, regardless of race.

(c)  An Asian American, a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands, including the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778.

(d)  A Native American, a person who has origins in any of the Indian Tribes of North America prior to 1835, upon presentation of proper documentation thereof as established by rule of the Department of Management Services.

(e)  An American woman.

(4)  "Certified minority business enterprise" means a business which has been certified by the certifying organization or jurisdiction in accordance with s. 287.0943(1) and (2).

(5)  "Department" means the Department of Management Services.

(6)  "Ombudsman" means an office or individual whose responsibilities include coordinating with the Office of Supplier Diversity for the interests of and providing assistance to small and minority business enterprises in dealing with governmental agencies and in developing proposals for changes in state agency rules.

(7)  "Financial institution" means any bank, trust company, insurance company, savings and loan association, credit union, federal lending agency, or foundation.

(8)  "Secretary" means the secretary of the Department of Management Services.

History.--s. 2, ch. 85-104; s. 14, ch. 91-162; s. 275, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 18, ch. 93-187; s. 22, ch. 94-322; s. 59, ch. 96-320; s. 2, ch. 98-295; s. 5, ch. 2000-286.

288.7031  Application of certain definitions.--The definitions of "small business," "minority business enterprise," and "certified minority business enterprise" provided in s. 288.703 apply to the state and all political subdivisions of the state.

History.--s. 3, ch. 98-295.

288.705  Statewide contracts register.--All state agencies shall in a timely manner provide the Florida Small Business Development Center Procurement System, a Type I center of the State University System funded as provided in Pub. L. No. 96-302, as amended, with all formal solicitations for contractual services, supplies, and commodities. The Small Business Development Center shall coordinate with Minority Business Development Centers to compile and distribute such information to Florida small and minority businesses requesting such service for the period of time necessary to familiarize the business with the market represented by state agencies. On or before February 1 of each year, the Small Business Development Center shall report to the Department of Labor and Employment Security on utilization of the statewide contracts register. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, information relating to:

(1)  The total number of solicitations received from state agencies during the calendar year.

(2)  The number of solicitations received from each state agency during the calendar year.

(3)  The method of distributing solicitation information to those businesses requesting such service.

(4)  The total number of businesses using the service.

(5)  The percentage of businesses using the service which are owned and controlled by minorities.

History.--s. 4, ch. 85-104; s. 277, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 23, ch. 94-322; s. 60, ch. 96-320.

288.706  Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that it is in the interest of the public welfare to meaningfully assist minority business enterprises that are vital to the overall economy of this state. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote diversity in state contracting by eliminating barriers to minority business enterprises providing goods and services to this state. Finally, the Legislature recognizes the contribution of minority business enterprises to employment opportunities in this state.

(2)  The Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program is created to promote the development of minority business enterprises, as defined in s. 288.703(2), increase the ability of minority business enterprises to compete for state contracts, and sustain the economic growth of minority business enterprises in this state. The goal of the program is to assist minority business enterprises by facilitating working capital loans to minority business enterprises that are vendors on state agency contracts. The Department of Management Services shall administer the program.

(3)  Notwithstanding ss. 215.422(14) and 216.181(16), and pursuant to s. 216.351, under the Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program, a state agency may disburse up to 10 percent of the base contract award amount to assist a minority business enterprise vendor that is awarded a state agency contract for goods or services in obtaining working capital financing as provided in subsection (5).

(4)  Notwithstanding ss. 215.422(14) and 216.181(16), and pursuant to s. 216.351, in lieu of applying for participation in the Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program, a minority business enterprise vendor awarded a state agency contract for the performance of professional services may apply with that contracting state agency for up to 5 percent of the base contract award amount. The contracting state agency may award such advance in order to facilitate the performance of that contract.

(5)  The following Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program procedures apply to minority business enterprise vendors for contracts awarded by a state agency for construction or professional services or for the provision of goods or services:

(a)  Upon receipt of an award of a prime contract or subcontract, a minority business enterprise vendor may seek to obtain working capital financing from a participating financial institution. The minority business enterprise vendor shall complete all the necessary requirements of the participating financial institution in order to obtain a working capital agreement. A minority business enterprise vendor shall only be entitled to participate in the program if a working capital agreement is established with a participating financial institution.

(b)  The working capital agreement may provide for a line of credit that is no less than 125 percent and no more than 200 percent of the designated loan mobilization payment described in paragraph (c).

(c)  The designated loan mobilization payment is that portion of the base contract award amount that is to be disbursed by the agency under this section. The actual amount of the designated loan mobilization payment shall be no less than $5,000 and no greater than $250,000. The amount of the designated loan mobilization payment shall be:

1.  No less than 5 percent and no more than 10 percent of the base contract award amount between the minority business enterprise prime contract vendor and the contracting state agency; or

2.  No less than 5 percent and no more than 10 percent of the base contract award amount between a minority business enterprise subcontract vendor and a minority business enterprise or nonminority business enterprise prime contract vendor.

(d)  The designated loan mobilization payment shall be disbursed pursuant to the working capital agreement and this subsection and shall be made payable by the contracting state agency to the minority business enterprise prime contract vendor and the participating financial institution using the tax identification number of the minority business enterprise vendor that is the debtor under the working capital agreement.

(e)  The following procedures shall apply when the minority business enterprise is the prime contract vendor to the contracting state agency:

1.  Pursuant to s. 216.351, the provisions of ss. 215.422(14) and 216.181(16) do not apply to this paragraph.

2.  For construction contracts, the designated loan mobilization payment shall be disbursed when:

a.  The minority business enterprise prime contract vendor requests disbursement in the first application for payment.

b.  The contracting state agency has issued a notice to proceed and has approved the first application for payment.

3.  For contracts other than construction contracts, the designated loan mobilization payment shall be disbursed when:

a.  The minority business enterprise prime contract vendor requests disbursement by letter delivered to the contracting state agency after the execution of the contract but prior to the commencement of work.

b.  The contracting state agency has approved the minority business enterprise prime contract vendor's letter of request.

4.  The designated loan mobilization payment may be paid by the contracting state agency prior to the commencement of work. In order to ensure that the contract time provisions do not commence until the minority business enterprise prime contract vendor has adequate working capital, the contract documents may provide that the contract shall commence at such time as the contracting state agency releases the designated loan mobilization payment to the minority business enterprise prime contract vendor and participating financial institution pursuant to the working capital agreement.

(f)  The following procedures shall apply when the minority business enterprise is the subcontract vendor:

1.  For purposes of this paragraph, the term "minority business enterprise subcontract vendor" is limited to subcontractors and suppliers to prime contract vendors that contract with a state agency.

2.  A designated loan mobilization payment for a minority business enterprise subcontract vendor shall be made:

a.  Upon approval by the contracting state agency of a letter from the minority business enterprise subcontract vendor and prime contract vendor that requests the designated loan mobilization payment and that indicates that the prime contract vendor is on notice of the request.

b.  Payable to the prime contract vendor and the participating financial institution, which shall pay these funds to the minority business enterprise subcontract vendor within 10 business days after the receipt of the funds from the state.

3.  No prime contract vendor shall retain more than 5 percent of the amount earned by a minority business enterprise subcontract vendor participating in this program, except that if the prime contract vendor is also participating in this program, the amount the prime contract vendor retains shall be subject to the provisions governing prime contract vendors.

(6)  All prime contract vendors shall be required to incorporate the designated loan mobilization payment procedures in subcontract agreements or purchase orders with minority business enterprise vendors participating in this program and to cooperate in the release of designated loan mobilization payments to achieve the objective of providing working capital for minority business enterprise subcontract vendors.

(7)  The contracting state agency shall encourage prime contract vendors to make weekly or biweekly payments to minority business enterprise subcontract vendors participating in this program.

(8)  The contracting state agency shall monitor compliance with this section. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the contracting state agency's right to insist upon strict compliance with the requirements of the contract documents.

(9)  The contracting state agency shall not be a party to a working capital agreement between a participating financial institution and a participating minority business enterprise vendor. The participating financial institution shall notify the contracting state agency head of vendor program applications received by such institution.

(10)  The Department of Management Services may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.

(11)  The Department of Management Services shall maintain a listing of financial institutions willing to participate in the Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program. This list of financial institutions shall not be exclusive. A minority business enterprise vendor who has a working relationship with a financial institution is encouraged to request that the financial institution apply to participate as a financial institution for the program.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2002-303.

288.707  Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that the public interest of Florida will be served by the creation and growth of black business enterprises by:

(a)  Establishing a partnership between the public sector and the private sector which seeks to leverage the provision of state funds with funds and other resources from private sector businesses and other nonstate sources;

(b)  Increasing opportunities for employment of blacks, as well as the population in general;

(c)  Providing role models and establishing business networks for the benefit of future generations of aspiring black entrepreneurs;

(d)  Strengthening the economy of the state by increasing the number of qualified black business enterprises, which in turn will increase competition in the marketplace and improve the welfare of economically depressed neighborhoods; and

(e)  Taking measures to increase access of black businesses to both debt and equity capital.

(2)  For the purposes of ss. 288.707-288.714:

(a)  "Black business enterprise" means any business concern that is organized to engage in commercial transactions and that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more African Americans as defined in s. 288.703 and whose management and daily operations are controlled by such persons.

(b)  "Black business investment corporation" means a subsidiary of a financial institution or a consortium of financial institutions investing in, or lending to, black business enterprises.

(c)  "Consortium" means two or more financial institutions that jointly negotiate and agree to provide assistance to black business enterprises as provided in ss. 288.707-288.714.

(3)  There is created a not-for-profit corporation to be known as the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the "corporation," which shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617 and which is not a unit or entity of state government.

(a)  The board of the corporation shall consist of the following members:

1.  Six members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, who must be experienced in investment finance and business development.

2.  One member from the private sector appointed by the President of the Senate, who must be experienced in investment finance and business development and who shall serve a term of 2 years.

3.  One member from the private sector appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who must be experienced in investment finance and business development and who shall serve a term of 2 years.

4.  Three representatives of black business investment corporations, who must be selected from among and by the chairs of the black business investment corporations. A representative from a black business investment corporation shall serve for a term of 2 years but is eligible for reappointment on a rotating basis with other representatives from black business investment corporations.

5.  The vice chair of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or his or her designee, who shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member, and who shall provide information, advice, and guidance designed to enhance the coordination of activities of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the corporation.

6.  The chair of the Florida Development Finance Corporation, created pursuant to s. 288.9604, who shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board.

(b)  Members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of 4 years, except that in making the initial appointments, the Governor shall appoint two members to serve for terms of 2 years, two members to serve for terms of 3 years, and two members to serve for terms of 4 years.

(c)  Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the board shall be appointed in a like manner and shall serve for only the unexpired term. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment.

(d)  The Governor shall appoint the chairperson who shall be a member of the board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The board shall annually elect one of its members as vice chairperson and shall designate a secretary-treasurer who need not be a member of the board. The secretary-treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of the board and shall be the custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the board, of the minute books of the board, and of its official seal.

(e)  The board shall meet at least four times each year, upon the call of the chair or the vice chair or at the request of a majority of the membership. A majority of the total number of all members fixed by paragraphs (a) and (h) shall constitute a quorum. The board may take official action by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present.

(f)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but members, the president of the board, and other board employees may be reimbursed for all reasonable, necessary, and actual expenses as determined by the board.

(g)  Each member of the board who is not otherwise required to file financial disclosure pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3144 shall file disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s. 112.3145.

(h)  Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board may by resolution appoint two at-large members to the board from the private sector, each of whom may serve a 1-year term. At-large members shall have the powers and duties of other members of the board, except that they may not serve on an executive committee. An at-large member is eligible for reappointment but may not vote on his or her own reappointment.

History.--ss. 9, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 9, ch. 94-136; s. 28, ch. 94-322; s. 878, ch. 95-148; ss. 61, 64, ch. 96-320; s. 47, ch. 99-251; s. 1, ch. 2002-180.

288.708  President; employees.--

(1)  The president of the corporation, who may also be designated as secretary-treasurer, shall be appointed by the board and shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The board shall establish and adjust the compensation of the president. The president shall be the chief administrative and operational officer of the corporation and shall direct and supervise administrative affairs and the general management of the corporation. The board may delegate to its president those powers and responsibilities it deems appropriate, except for appointment of the president. The president:

(a)  May contract with or employ legal and technical experts and such other employees, permanent and temporary, as shall be authorized by the board;

(b)  Shall attend meetings of the board; and

(c)  Shall cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the board and shall certify that such copies are true copies. All persons dealing with the corporation or board may rely upon such certification.

(2)  The corporation and its officers and board members are responsible for the prudent use of all public and private funds and shall ensure that the use of such funds is in accordance with all applicable laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements. An employee of the corporation may not receive compensation for employment that exceeds the salary paid to the Governor, unless the corporation and the employee have executed a contract that prescribes specific and measurable performance outcomes for the employee, the satisfaction of which provides the basis for the award of incentive payments that increase the employee's total compensation to a level above the salary paid to the Governor.

History.--ss. 10, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 28, ch. 94-322; s. 32, ch. 2001-43; s. 2, ch. 2002-180.

288.709  Powers of the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.--The board shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of ss. 288.707-288.714, including, but not limited to, the power to:

(1)  Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and adopt policies to implement the provisions of law conferring duties upon it. However, any proposed bylaws or policies affecting the operation or administration or financial well-being of any of the black business investment corporations must first be approved by a majority of the black business investment corporations. Such bylaws shall provide that the corporation is subject to the requirements of s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution and chapter 119 and s. 286.011.

(2)  Adopt an official seal.

(3)  Sue and be sued in its own name.

(4)  Make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its power and functions.

(5)  Acquire, hold, and dispose of personal property for its corporate purposes.

(6)  Enter into agreements or other transactions with any federal, state, or local agency.

(7)  Encourage financial institutions to participate in consortia for the purpose of investing in black business enterprises.

(8)  Ensure that funds available to the board for purposes set forth in ss. 288.707-288.714 are disbursed on a statewide basis and are not concentrated in one geographical area.

(9)  Invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in such investments as may be authorized for trust funds under s. 215.47; however, such investments will be made on behalf of the board by the Office of State Treasurer or by another trustee appointed for that purpose.

(10)  Appear in its own behalf before boards, commissions, departments, or other agencies of municipal, county, state, or Federal Government.

(11)  Procure insurance or require bond against any loss in connection with its property in such amounts and from such insurers as may be necessary or desirable.

(12)  Receive and accept from any federal, state, or local agency grants, loans, or advances for, or in aid of, the purposes of ss. 288.707-288.714, and to receive and accept contributions from any source of either money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for said purposes.

(13)  Create, issue, and buy and sell stock, evidences of indebtedness, and other capital participation instruments; to hold such stock, evidences of indebtedness, and capital participation instruments; and to underwrite the creation of a capital market for these securities in a manner designed to enhance development of capital ownership in the target group.

(14)  Provide and pay for such advisory services and technical assistance as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this act.

(15)  Engage in special programs to enhance the development of black business enterprises as authorized by this act.

(16)  Promote black ownership of financial institutions in Florida.

(17)  Take, hold, and improve property, including real property.

(18)  Do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of, and exercise the powers given and granted in, ss. 288.707-288.714, and exercise any other powers, rights, or responsibilities of a corporation.

(19)  In addition to any indemnification available under chapter 617, indemnify, and purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of, directors, officers, and employees of the corporation and its boards against any personal liability or accountability by reason of actions taken while acting within the scope of their authority.

(20)  Provide in its bylaws that, upon the dissolution of the corporation, all of its assets, after payment of all legal debts and liabilities, revert to this state.

History.--ss. 11, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 80, ch. 87-224; s. 28, ch. 94-322; s. 65, ch. 96-320; s. 57, ch. 98-200; s. 48, ch. 99-251; s. 3, ch. 2002-180.

288.7091  Duties of the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc.--The Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc., shall:

(1)  Establish certification criteria for black business investment corporations. Certification criteria shall include administrative capacity, fiduciary controls, and, in the case of existing black business investment corporations, solvency and soundness of prior loan decisions;

(2)  Ensure that any appropriations by the Legislature to the corporation on behalf of the black business investment corporations are provided to the corporations in the manner and amount prescribed by the Legislature;

(3)  Work with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and local economic development organizations to promote the retention and expansion of existing black business enterprises and to promote the formation and recruitment of new black business enterprises;

(4)  Develop a memorandum of understanding with Enterprise Florida, Inc., that outlines a strategy for collaboration with the programs, activities, and committees or similar units of Enterprise Florida, Inc., which memorandum of understanding shall provide for Enterprise Florida, Inc., to contract with the corporation, where practicable, for the delivery of economic development services relating to black business enterprises;

(5)  Include in the criteria for loan decisions, occupational forecasting results set forth in s. 216.136(9) which target high growth jobs;

(6)  Facilitate the formation of black business investment corporations in communities that are not currently served by such corporations and establish, in communities that are not currently served by an existing black business investment corporation, memoranda of understanding with local financial institutions that will provide loan guarantees for loans to black business enterprises;

(7)  Develop memoranda of understanding with the Departments of Education, Transportation, Community Affairs, and Management Services, as well as with Workforce Florida, Inc., and the ¹Florida Board of Education, detailing efforts of common interest and collaborations to expand black business development;

(8)  Intensify efforts to increase the number of franchises owned by black businesses and the number of black business enterprises in construction and construction-related projects, with emphasis on construction projects financed by federal, state, or local governments; and

(9)  Annually, prepare a report detailing the performance of each black business investment corporation, addressing the number of jobs created and/or retained, success and failure rates among loan recipients, and the amount of funds leveraged from other sources.

(10)  Annually, provide for a financial audit as defined in s. 11.45 of its accounts and records by an independent certified public accountant. The audit report shall be filed within 12 months after the end of the fiscal year to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Auditor General.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-271; s. 62, ch. 96-320; s. 53, ch. 2000-371; s. 4, ch. 2002-180.

¹Note.--The Florida Board of Education does not exist; the State Board of Education is established by s. 1001.01.

288.7092  Return on investment from activities of the corporation.--

(1)  The public funds appropriated each year for the operation of the corporation are invested in this public-private partnership to enhance black business ownership and investments in Florida. This policy shall be the Legislature's priority consideration when reviewing the return on investment for the corporation.

(2)  It is also the intent of the Legislature that the corporation coordinate its operations with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and with local economic development organizations to maximize the state and local return on investment to create jobs for Floridians.

(3)  It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize private sector support in operating the corporation as an endorsement of its value and as an enhancement of its efforts.

(4)(a)  The state's operating investment in the corporation is the budget contracted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to the corporation, less funding that is directed by the Legislature to be subcontracted to a specific recipient.

(b)  The board shall adopt for each upcoming fiscal year an operating budget for the organization which specifies the intended uses of the state's operating investment, other sources of income, and a plan for securing private sector support to the corporation. Each fiscal year, private sector support to the corporation shall be as follows: no less than 50 percent of the state's investment by July 1, 2003; no less than 60 percent of the state's investment by July 1, 2004; no less than 70 percent of the state's investment by July 1, 2005; no less than 80 percent of the state's investment by July 1, 2006; and no less than 100 percent of the state's investment by July 1, 2007.

(5)  Private sector support in operating the corporation includes:

(a)  Cash given directly to the corporation for its operating budget.

(b)  Cash jointly raised by the corporation and a local economic development organization, a group of such organizations, or a statewide business organization that supports collaborative projects.

(c)  Cash generated by products or services of the corporation.

(d)  In-kind contributions directly to the corporation, including private sector equipment contributed as part of technical assistance; goods and services, including time donated by loan officers, advertising or marketing support, and items used to promote the corporation; business expenditures; business services provided; business support; and other business contributions that augment the operations, program, activities, or assets of the corporation, including, but not limited to, an individual's time and expertise, sponsored publications, private sector staff services, payment for advertising placements, sponsorship of events, sponsored or joint research, discounts on leases or purchases, mission or program sponsorship, copayments, stock, warrants, royalties, or other private resources dedicated to the corporation, low-interest loans, participations, investment income, equity investments, and the economic impact of the corporation's investments and job creation and retention.

(6)  The corporation shall fully comply with the performance measures, standards, and sanctions in its contracts with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. The office shall ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the contract performance measures are consistent with performance measures that the office is required to develop and track under performance-based program budgeting.

(7)  As part of the annual report required under s. 288.714, the board of the corporation shall provide the Legislature with information quantifying the public's return on investment.

(8)  The corporation, in consultation with the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall hire a private accounting firm or economic analysis firm to develop the methodology for establishing and reporting return on investment and in-kind contributions as described in this section. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall review and offer feedback on the methodology before it is implemented. The private accounting firm or economic analysis firm shall certify whether the applicable statements in the annual report comply with this section.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2002-180.

288.7095  Duties of the black business investment corporations.--The black business investment corporations shall coordinate with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to avoid duplication and to develop local business and the necessary infrastructure to support it.

History.--s. 63, ch. 96-320.

288.71  Conditions for board action.--The board shall require of all programs in which the board participates that any black business enterprise demonstrate to the appropriate entity that:

(1)  The proposed investment is economically sound and will benefit the people of the state by increasing opportunities for employment, strengthening the economy of the state, or expanding black business enterprises.

(2)  The black business enterprise proposed to be assisted will be able to compete successfully in the private sector if it obtains the requested financial assistance and has, or will obtain, necessary technical or managerial support through a private mentor, a state or federally sponsored small business assistance center, or other credible source. In determining whether a black business enterprise will be able to compete successfully, the entity shall consider such factors as:

(a)  The successful completion of, or participation in, courses of study recognized by an appropriate accrediting agency or appropriate state agency as providing financial, technical, or managerial skills related to the operation of the business by the owner or partner;

(b)  The prior success of the owner or partner in personal, career, or business activities;

(c)  Amount of local and other financial assistance available to the black business enterprise;

(d)  The availability of ongoing technical or managerial assistance by private sources; and

(e)  Other factors identified by the board.

The board shall adopt rules that prescribe criteria used by the board to evaluate applications for financial assistance to black business enterprises.

History.--ss. 12, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 2, ch. 94-271; s. 28, ch. 94-322.

288.7101  Black Business Investment Board, Inc., state employee leasing program.--

(1)  The Department of Management Services shall establish a lease agreement program under which an employee as of June 30, 2002, of the Black Business Investment Board, Inc., created under chapter 85-104, Laws of Florida, retains his or her status as a state employee until a set date.

(2)  The Department of Management Services shall establish the terms and conditions of the program and such lease agreements.

(a)  Status as a state employee shall include the right to participate in the Florida Retirement System.

(b)  Any employee who participates in a lease agreement shall work under the direct supervision of the corporation.

(c)  Status as a state employee under a lease agreement as provided in this section expires on June 30, 2004, unless the employee voluntarily relinquishes his or her status as a state employee before that date.

History.--s. 9, ch. 2002-180.

288.711  Florida Investment Incentive Trust Fund.--

(1)  There is hereby created the Florida Investment Incentive Trust Fund from which money may be drawn for investments or loans, as authorized by this section, to encourage the development of appropriate financial mechanisms in the private sector to capitalize and assist in the development of black business enterprises. All income earned by investments of the fund shall be deposited in the fund for carrying out the purposes of ss. 288.707-288.714. Administrative costs of the program shall be appropriated in a lump-sum appropriation from the fund created herein and shall be provided in the General Appropriations Act.

(2)  The board is authorized to invest from the Florida Investment Incentive Trust Fund in black business investment corporations which conduct, or agree to conduct, programs of assisting the development of black business enterprises. Such investments shall be made under conditions required by law and as the board may, from time to time, require and may take any of the following forms:

(a)  Purchases of stock, preferred or common, voting or nonvoting, as determined by the board;

(b)  Loans, with or without recourse, in either a subordinated or priority position, as determined by the board; provided, however, that no more than 20 percent of the capital base may be used for direct loans to black business enterprises; or

(c)  Any other investment authorized by the board based on the expertise of its members.

(3)  It is the intent of the Legislature that if any one type of investment mechanism authorized in subsection (2) is held to be invalid all other valid mechanisms remain available.

(4)  All loans and investments, and any income related thereto, shall be used to carry out the public purpose of ss. 288.707-288.714, which is to develop black business enterprises. This is not meant to preclude a reasonable profit for the participating black business investment corporation or for return of equity developed to the state and participating financial institutions upon any distribution of the assets or excess income of the investment corporation.

History.--ss. 13, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 3, ch. 94-271; s. 28, ch. 94-322; s. 6, ch. 2002-180.

288.712  Florida guarantor funds.--

(1)  The board is authorized to establish, with or without public or private partners, guarantor funds to assure capital availability to black business enterprises and to assist qualified black business enterprises in obtaining surety bonds and other credit instruments when required.

(2)  There is hereby created in the State Treasury the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund, the Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund, and the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund.

(3)(a)  The board may contract with a regulated surety company to conduct a surety bond program for black business enterprises.

(b)  For purposes of this section, the corporation may utilize the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund in the State Treasury, consisting of moneys deposited or credited to the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund pursuant to appropriation made by law; any grants, gifts, and contributions received pursuant to ss. 288.707-288.714; all moneys recovered following defaults; and any other moneys obtained by the board for this purpose. The fund shall be administered by the corporation in trust for the purposes of this section and shall at no time be part of general public funds under the following procedures:

1.  The corporation is authorized to post or pledge the assets of the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund as collateral in amounts necessary to secure the issuance of bid bonds and construction contract bonds to black business enterprises. The board of the corporation shall establish a premium to be charged to the black business enterprise for which the assets have been so posted or pledged, pursuant to generally accepted actuarial principles, and shall establish such rules as may otherwise be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

2.  Any claims against the state arising from defaults shall be payable from the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund.

3.  Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the corporation from entering into a joint venture or other contractual agreement with a private insurer or to invest in a private entity to handle all or part of a black contractors bonding program, credit program, or both for black business enterprises. Such investments or joint venture shall be made under conditions required by law and as the board may, from time to time, require and may take any of the forms described in s. 288.711(2) and (3). The board is authorized and encouraged to contract with a regulated surety company to conduct a surety bond program for black business enterprises. Moneys from the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund may be used for these purposes.

(4)(a)  The board may establish a loan guaranty program to assure capital availability to black business enterprises.

(b)  If the board of the corporation chooses to establish a loan guaranty program, it shall use the Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund in the State Treasury, consisting of moneys deposited or credited to the Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund pursuant to appropriation made by law; any grants, gifts, and contributions received pursuant to ss. 288.707-288.714; all moneys recovered following defaults; and any other moneys obtained by the corporation for this purpose. The Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund shall be administered by the corporation in trust for the purposes of this section and shall at no time be part of general public funds under the following procedures:

1.  The corporation shall utilize the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund in the State Treasury, consisting of all premiums charged and collected in accordance with this section and any income earned from the moneys in the account. All expenses of the corporation in carrying out the purposes of this subsection shall be paid from the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund. Any moneys to the credit of the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund in excess of the amount necessary to fund the corporation's activity shall be held as a loss reserve to pay claims arising from defaults on loans underwritten in accordance with this section.

2.  Any claims against the state arising from defaults shall be payable initially from the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund and, secondarily, from the Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund.

3.  The corporation as loan guarantor may exercise all rights and powers of a company authorized by the Department of Insurance to guarantee loans but shall not be subject to any requirements of an insurance company under the Florida Insurance Code, nor to any rules of the Department of Insurance; however, the corporation shall refer to the insurance code and rules thereunder when designing and administering such program. The corporation shall follow sound actuarial principles when administering this program. The corporation shall establish a premium for the loan guaranty and such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

4.  The corporation may guarantee no more than 20 percent of the principal of a loan to a black business enterprise.

(5)(a)  The board shall establish a program to develop a secondary market for loans to black business enterprises. It shall cooperate with the Small Business Administration and the State Board of Administration in identifying market opportunities and barriers to efficient and effective handling of a secondary market for loans to black business enterprises.

(b)  If the board finds that an insufficient or ineffective secondary market exists in the state for loans to black business enterprises, the board is authorized to develop, with or without public or private partners, investment pools of such loans. It may insure such investment pools, use any of its moneys available to establish reserve funds, charge such premiums, and establish trust funds as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(6)  Nothing in this section grants or pledges to any obligee or other person any state moneys other than the moneys in the Black Contractors Bonding Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund, the Black Contractors Bond Trust Fund, the Black Business Loan Guaranty Trust Fund, the Black Business Loan Guaranty Program Administrative and Loss Reserve Fund, or moneys available upon request of the board specially retained for this purpose.

(7)  Personal financial records of persons participating in the programs pursuant to this section are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

History.--ss. 14, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 3, ch. 89-352; s. 105, ch. 90-360; s. 28, ch. 94-322; s. 1, ch. 95-386; s. 141, ch. 96-406; s. 7, ch. 2002-180.

288.713  Capital participation instruments.--

(1)  The board may issue capital participation instruments in the form of stock or equity investments repayable solely from revenues derived from underlying equity or loans made to black business enterprises and any payments from an insurer or guarantor of loans.

(2)  The board may authorize counties and municipalities to issue bonds to finance loan pools developed under s. 288.712 repayable solely from revenues derived from the underlying loans and any payments from an insurer or guarantor of the loans. The board shall have the power and authority to authorize the issuance of the bonds in the manner granted by ss. 215.57-215.83, except the following provisions shall control:

(a)  The bonds may be sold at either public or private sale.

(b)  All bonds issued under authority of this act shall state on the face thereof that the bonds are payable, both as to principal and interest, solely out of the revenues pledged, including any insurance or guaranties as to revenues, and do not constitute an obligation, either general or special, of the state or of any local government.

(c)  Any pledge of earnings, revenues, or other moneys made by a local government shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The earnings, revenues, or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the agency shall immediately be subject to the lien of that pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding as against the local government irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded or filed pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code.

History.--ss. 15, 32, ch. 85-104; s. 28, ch. 94-322.

288.714  Annual report.--By February 1 of each year the board of the corporation shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development a complete and detailed report setting forth:

(1)  Operations and accomplishments of the corporation;

(2)  The number of black business enterprises which participated during the past year in programs established or administered by the corporation;

(3)  The number of black business enterprises receiving assistance from the corporation and the manner in which the assistance was received;

(4)  The status of black business enterprises which participated in programs established or administered by the corporation;

(5)  The total number of jobs represented by black business enterprises participating in programs established or administered by the corporation;

(6)  Receipts and expenditures of the corporation during its most recent fiscal year in accordance with the categories or classifications established by the corporation for its operating and capital accounts;

(7)  Assets and liabilities of the corporation at the end of its most recent fiscal year and the status of its trust funds; and

(8)  A schedule of local bonds outstanding authorized by the corporation and capital participation instruments issued by the corporation for the year and the total to date.

History.--s. 20, ch. 85-104; s. 4, ch. 89-352; s. 66, ch. 96-320; s. 8, ch. 2002-180.

PART V

EXPORT FINANCE

288.770  Short title.

288.771  Legislative findings and intent.

288.772  Definitions.

288.773  Florida Export Finance Corporation.

288.774  Powers and limitations.

288.775  Florida Export Finance Corporation Guarantee Account.

288.776  Board of directors; powers and duties.

288.777  President of the corporation.

288.7771  Annual report of Florida Export Finance Corporation.

288.778  Department of Banking and Finance.

288.770  Short title.--Sections 288.771-288.778 may be cited as the "Florida Export Finance Corporation Act."

History.--s. 46, ch. 93-187; s. 68, ch. 99-13.

288.771  Legislative findings and intent.--The Legislature finds that the expansion of international trade is vital to the overall health and growth of Florida's economy; however, this expansion is severely slowed by the lack of financial and technical assistance for small and medium-sized Florida businesses. The Legislature further finds that these businesses could be assisted through the establishment of a Florida Export Finance Corporation designed to work with the United States Export-Import Bank, Small Business Administration, Foreign Credit Insurance Association, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Private Export Funding Corporation, and other federal, state, and private agencies and institutions to provide Florida traders with information, technical assistance, and financial support. It is the intention of the Legislature to expand job opportunities for Florida's workforce. Furthermore, it is the intention of the Legislature to avoid duplicating existing programs, and to coordinate, assist, augment, and improve the access to those programs by Florida-based small and medium-sized businesses and to promote Florida products and services in the international marketplace.

History.--s. 47, ch. 93-187.

288.772  Definitions.--For purposes of ss. 288.771-288.778:

(1)  "Account" means the Florida Export Finance Corporation account in the Florida Intergovernmental Relations Foundation, Inc.

(2)  "Board" means the board of directors of the Florida Export Finance Corporation.

(3)  "Corporation" means the Florida Export Finance Corporation.

(4)  "Domiciled in this state" means registered to do business in this state.

(5)  "Financial institution" shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in s. 655.005(1)(h).

(6)  "President" means the chief executive officer of the Florida Export Finance Corporation.

(7)  "Small and medium-sized businesses" or "businesses" means businesses domiciled in this state which employ less than 250 people and have a net worth of less than $6 million.

History.--s. 48, ch. 93-187; s. 68, ch. 96-320; s. 21, ch. 97-278.

288.773  Florida Export Finance Corporation.--The Florida Export Finance Corporation is hereby created as a corporation not for profit, to be incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State. The corporation is organized on a nonstock basis. The purpose of the corporation is to expand employment and income opportunities for residents of this state through increased exports of goods and services, by providing businesses domiciled in this state information and technical assistance on export opportunities, exporting techniques, and financial assistance through guarantees and direct loan originations for sale in support of export transactions. The corporation shall have the power and authority to carry out the following functions:

(1)  To coordinate the efforts of the corporation with programs and goals of the United States Export-Import Bank, the International Trade Administration of the United States Department of Commerce, the Foreign Credit Insurance Association, Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards, and other private and public programs and organizations, domestic and foreign, designed to provide export assistance and export-related financing.

(2)  To establish a network of contacts among those domestic and foreign public and private organizations which provide information, technical assistance, and financial support of exporting.

(3)  To assemble, publish, and disseminate information on export opportunities, techniques of exporting, sources of public and private export assistance, and sources of export-related financing.

(4)  To organize, host, and participate in seminars and other forums designed to disseminate information and technical assistance on exporting and export-related financing.

(5)  To insure, coinsure, lend, and guarantee loans, and to originate for sale direct export-related loans, extended to small and medium-sized businesses in this state pursuant to criteria, bylaws, rules, and policies adopted by the board.

History.--s. 49, ch. 93-187; s. 69, ch. 96-320.

288.774  Powers and limitations.--

(1)  The corporation may charge fees to help defray the operating expenses of its programs. The amount of fees shall be determined by the board.

(2)  The total of loans, guarantees, direct loan originations for sale and insured export transactions outstanding shall not be more than five times the balance of the account. The board may elect to require a higher reserve.

(3)(a)  The board shall adopt rules on the terms and limits for loans, guarantees, and direct loan originations, but a loan guarantee or a direct loan origination shall not exceed 90 percent of the transaction contract.

(b)  In providing assistance, the board shall be guided by the statewide economic development plan adopted pursuant to s. 288.905.

(c)  The board shall explore the possibility of organizing Florida financial institutions and international bank syndicates for the purpose of offering nonrecourse postexport financing to Florida exporters.

(4)  The board shall adopt rules to ensure that program participants graduate from the program to private financing and that no applicant receives more than $500,000 of assistance over any 5-year period. On a case-by-case basis, the board may exempt applicants from this limitation if the applicant demonstrates that he or she cannot secure financing from traditional lending sources. The term "applicant," as used in this subsection, means any individual corporate officer or business owner regardless of whether the business name changes from application to application.

History.--s. 50, ch. 93-187; s. 224, ch. 95-148; s. 70, ch. 96-320.

288.775  Florida Export Finance Corporation Guarantee Account.--

(1)  The board shall create the Florida Export Finance Corporation Guarantee Account for the purpose of receiving state, federal, and private financial resources, and the return from investments of those resources, and for the purposes of this part. The account shall be under the exclusive control of the board.

(2)  Resources in the account shall be allocated for operating expenses of the corporation and for other purposes authorized in this part.

(3)  Appropriations for the corporation shall be deposited into the account.

(a)  The board of the corporation may deposit the resources of the account designated for the purposes of this section with state or federally chartered financial institutions in this state and may invest the remaining portion in permissible securities.

(b)  At all times, the board shall attempt to maximize the returns on these funds.

(c)  All funds received from the activity of the corporation shall be redeposited in the account to be used to support the purposes of this part.

(4)  Any claims against the account shall be paid solely from the account. Under no circumstances shall the credit of the state be pledged other than funds appropriated by law to the account, nor shall the state be liable or obligated in any way for claims on the account or against the corporation.

History.--s. 51, ch. 93-187; s. 71, ch. 96-320; s. 22, ch. 97-278.

288.776  Board of directors; powers and duties.--

(1)(a)  The corporation shall have a board of directors consisting of 15 members representing all geographic areas of the state. Minority and gender representation must be considered when making appointments to the board. The board membership must include:

1.  A representative of the following businesses, all of which must be registered to do business in this state: a foreign bank, a state bank, a federal bank, an insurance company involved in covering trade financing risks, and a small or medium-sized exporter.

2.  The following persons or their designee: the President of Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Comptroller, the Secretary of State, a senior official of the United States Department of Commerce, and the chair of the Florida Black Business Investment Board.

(b)  Appointees who are not state or Federal Government officials shall serve for a term of 3 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Nonstate and nonfederal official vacancies on the board shall be filled by the board within 30 days after the effective date of the vacancy.

(2)  Board members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for all necessary expenses in the performance of their duties, including attending board meetings and conducting board business.

(3)  The board shall:

(a)  Prior to the expenditure of funds from the export finance account, adopt bylaws, rules, and policies which are necessary to carry out the responsibilities under this part, particularly with respect to the implementation of the corporation's programs to insure, coinsure, lend, provide loan guarantees, and make direct, guaranteed, or collateralized loans by the corporation to support export transactions. The corporation's bylaws, rules, and policies shall be reviewed and approved by Enterprise Florida, Inc., prior to final adoption by the board.

(b)  Hold regularly scheduled meetings, at least quarterly, in order to carry out the objectives and responsibilities of the board.

(c)  Issue an annual report to Enterprise Florida, Inc., on the activities of the corporation, including an evaluation of activities and recommendations for change. The evaluation shall include the corporation's impact on the following:

1.  Participation of private banks and other private organizations and individuals in the corporation's export financing programs.

2.  Access of small and medium-sized businesses in this state to federal export financing programs.

3.  Export volume of the small and medium-sized businesses in this state accessing the corporation's programs.

4.  Other economic and social benefits to international programs in this state.

(d)  Adopt policies, including criteria, establishing which exporters and export transactions shall be eligible for insurance, coinsurance, loan guarantees, and direct, guaranteed, or collateralized loans which may be extended by the corporation. Pursuant to this subsection, the board shall adopt rules to include the following criteria:

1.  Any individual signing any corporation loan application and loan or guarantee agreement shall have an equity in the business applying for financial assistance.

2.  Each program shall exclusively support the export of goods and services by small and medium-sized businesses which are domiciled in this state. Priority shall be given to goods which have value added in this state.

3.  Financial assistance shall only be extended when at least one of the following circumstances exists:

a.  The assistance is required to secure the participation of small and medium-sized export businesses in federal, state, or private financing programs.

b.  No conventional source of lender support is available for the business from public or private financing sources.

Personal financial records, trade secrets, or proprietary information of applicants shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(e)  Adopt requirements to ensure the full repayment of loans and loan guarantees, plus accrued interest, full-recourse claims, and indemnities on direct loan originations sold by the corporation, and the solvency of any insurance and coinsurance program extended under this part.

(f)  Approve any extension of insurance, coinsurance, loans, loan guarantees, or direct loan originations for sale, under this part.

(g)  Consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards, or any state or federal agency, to ensure that the respective loan guarantee or working capital loan origination programs are not duplicative and that each program makes full use of, to the extent practicable, the resources of the other.

(h)  Work to secure a delegated line of authority from the United States Export-Import Bank or other appropriate federal or state agency or private sector entity in order to take advantage of this possible funding or guarantee source.

(i)  Develop a streamlined application and review process, including a survey of businesses to obtain the statistics required in paragraph (c).

History.--s. 52, ch. 93-187; s. 2, ch. 95-386; s. 72, ch. 96-320; s. 142, ch. 96-406; s. 23, ch. 97-278; s. 69, ch. 99-13.

288.777  President of the corporation.--

(1)  The board shall appoint a president. The president shall be knowledgeable about private and public export assistance and export financing programs.

(2)  The president shall serve at the pleasure of the board and shall receive a salary and benefits as shall be fixed by the board.

(3)  The president shall administer the programs of the corporation and perform such duties as shall be delegated by the board.

(4)  The president may, upon approval of the board:

(a)  Contract for services.

(b)  Hold public hearings.

(c)  Call upon and reimburse for services any state agency or department for assistance in carrying out the objectives of this part.

(d)  Participate with government or private industry in programs for technical assistance, loans, technology transfer, or any other programs related to this part.

(e)  Undertake or commission studies on methods to increase financial resources to expand the exports of goods and services by small and medium-sized businesses in this state.

(f)  Hire staff and provide export finance training for them and other individuals involved in export finance assistance, including such training sessions as may be provided by the United States Export-Import Bank and other organizations.

(g)  Exercise any other powers as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this part.

(5)  The president shall provide staff to the board as requested.

(6)  The president shall submit an annual budget to be approved by the board.

History.--s. 53, ch. 93-187; s. 73, ch. 96-320; s. 24, ch. 97-278.

288.7771  Annual report of Florida Export Finance Corporation.--By March 31 of each year, the corporation shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader a complete and detailed report setting forth:

(1)  The report required in s. 288.776(3).

(2)  Its assets and liabilities at the end of its most recent fiscal year.

History.--s. 54, ch. 93-187; s. 74, ch. 96-320; s. 25, ch. 97-278; s. 64, ch. 2001-61.

288.778  Department of Banking and Finance.--The Department of Banking and Finance shall review the corporation's activities once every 24 months to determine compliance with this part and other related laws and rules and to evaluate the corporation's operations. The department shall prepare a report based on its review and evaluation with recommendation for any corrective action. The president shall submit to the department regular reports on the corporation's activities. The content and frequency of such reports shall be determined by the department. The department shall charge a fee for conducting the review and evaluation and preparing the related report, which fee shall not be in excess of the examination fee paid by financial institutions chartered or licensed under the financial institutions code of this state.

History.--s. 56, ch. 93-187; s. 19, ch. 99-155.

PART VI

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

288.809  Florida Intergovernmental Relations Foundation; use of property; board of directors; audit.

288.8155  International Trade Data Resource and Research Center.

288.816  Intergovernmental relations.

288.8175  Linkage institutes between postsecondary institutions in this state and foreign countries.

288.826  Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund.

288.851  Short title.

288.852  Legislative purpose.

288.853  International sanctions against Castro government.

288.854  Support for a free and independent Cuba.

288.855  Export or sale for export to foreign countries in violation of federal law prohibited.

288.809  Florida Intergovernmental Relations Foundation; use of property; board of directors; audit.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--For the purposes of this section, the term:

(a)  "Florida Intergovernmental Relations Foundation" means a direct-support organization:

1.  Which is a corporation not for profit that is incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State;

2.  Which is organized and operated exclusively to solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer property and, subject to the approval of the Department of State, to make expenditures to or for the promotion of intergovernmental relations programs; and

3.  Which the Department of State, after review, has certified to be operating in a manner consistent with the policies and goals of the department.

(b)  "Personal services" includes full-time or part-time personnel, as well as payroll processing.

(2)  USE OF PROPERTY.--The department:

(a)  Is authorized to permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of the department by the foundation, subject to the provisions of this section.

(b)  Shall prescribe conditions with which the foundation must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services of the department. Such conditions shall provide for budget and audit review and for oversight by the department.

(c)  Shall not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services of the foundation if the foundation does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or religion.

(3)  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.--The board of directors of the foundation shall be composed of seven members appointed by the Secretary of State, of whom no more than three shall be employees or elected officials of the state.

(4)  ANNUAL AUDIT.--The foundation shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981. The identity of a donor or prospective donor to the foundation who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor's report.

History.--s. 67, ch. 90-201; s. 9, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 11, ch. 92-299; s. 225, ch. 95-148; s. 2, ch. 95-369; s. 75, ch. 96-320; s. 143, ch. 96-406; s. 93, ch. 2001-266.

288.8155  International Trade Data Resource and Research Center.--Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council shall establish a comprehensive trade data resource and research center to be known as the "International Trade Data Resource and Research Center." The center shall be incorporated as a private nonprofit corporation operated in compliance with chapter 617, and shall not be a unit or entity of state government.

(1)  The center shall be governed by a board of directors composed of the following members: one representative appointed by Enterprise Florida, Inc., one representative appointed by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, and one representative appointed by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(2)  In addition to all powers authorized pursuant to chapter 617, the center shall have the power to:

(a)  Develop a statewide trade information system that may include, but is not limited to, timely import and export information; trade opportunities; intermodal transportation information that measures cargo flow by transportation mode; commodity trends; trade activity between Florida and specific countries; and other information as determined by the board of directors.

(b)  Develop an Internet based electronic commerce system designed to facilitate international trade in the Americas.

(c)  Provide research on trade opportunities in specific countries.

(d)  Provide any other terms and conditions required to effect the intent of the Legislature to ensure the general availability of trade data and research to Florida users and to promote the development of a center for the purposes enumerated in this section.

(e)  Make and enter into contracts and other instruments with public or private-sector entities, domestic or foreign, necessary or convenient for the purpose of exercising or performing its powers and functions.

(f)  Secure funding for the programs and activities of the center from federal, state, local, or private sources, and enter into contracts that provide terms and conditions to secure such funding.

(g)  Charge fees for services, programs, and activities developed pursuant to this section and for published materials.

(h)  Solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer any grant, payment, or gift of funds or property and make expenditures consistent with the powers granted to it.

(i)  Acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses, royalties, and other rights or interests thereunder or therein.

(3)  Information produced by the center will be made available to Enterprise Florida, Inc.; the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; and state agencies under such terms as decided by the board of directors.

History.--s. 8, ch. 92-277; s. 76, ch. 96-320; s. 68, ch. 99-251.

288.816  Intergovernmental relations.--

(1)  The Secretary of State shall be responsible for consular operations and the sister city and sister state program and shall serve as liaison with foreign, federal, and other state international organizations and with county and municipal governments in Florida.

(2)  The secretary shall be responsible for all consular relations between the state and all foreign governments doing business in Florida. The secretary shall monitor United States laws and directives to ensure that all federal treaties regarding foreign privileges and immunities are properly observed. The secretary shall promulgate rules which shall:

(a)  Establish a viable system of registration for foreign government officials residing or having jurisdiction in the state. Emphasis shall be placed on maintaining active communication between the secretary and the United States Department of State in order to be currently informed regarding foreign governmental personnel stationed in, or with official responsibilities for, Florida. Active dialogue shall also be maintained with foreign countries which historically have had dealings with Florida in order to keep them informed of the proper procedure for registering with the state.

(b)  Maintain and systematically update a current and accurate list of all such foreign governmental officials, consuls, or consulates.

(c)  Issue certificates to such foreign governmental officials after verification pursuant to proper investigations through United States Department of State sources and the appropriate foreign government.

(d)  Verify entitlement to sales and use tax exemptions pursuant to United States Department of State guidelines and identification methods.

(e)  Verify entitlement to issuance of special motor vehicle license plates by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to honorary consuls or such other officials representing foreign governments who are not entitled to issuance of special Consul Corps license plates by the United States Government.

(f)  Establish a system of communication to provide all state and local law enforcement agencies with information regarding proper procedures relating to the arrest or incarceration of a foreign citizen.

(g)  Request the Department of Law Enforcement to provide transportation and protection services when necessary pursuant to s. 943.68.

(h)  Coordinate, when necessary, special activities between foreign governments and Florida state and local governments. These may include Consular Corps Day, Consular Corps conferences, and various other social, cultural, or educational activities.

(i)  Notify all newly arrived foreign governmental officials of the services offered by the secretary.

(3)  The Secretary of State shall operate the sister city and sister state program and establish such new programs as needed to further global understanding through the interchange of people, ideas, and culture between Florida and the world. To accomplish this purpose, the secretary shall have the power and authority to:

(a)  Coordinate and carry out activities designed to encourage the state and its subdivisions to participate in sister city and sister state affiliations with foreign countries and their subdivisions. Such activities may include a State of Florida sister cities conference.

(b)  Encourage cooperation with and disseminate information pertaining to the Sister Cities International Program and any other program whose object is to promote linkages with foreign countries and their subdivisions.

(c)  Maximize any aid available from all levels of government, public and private agencies, and other entities to facilitate such activities.

(d)  Establish a viable system of registration for sister city and sister state affiliations between the state and foreign countries and their subdivisions. Such system shall include a method to determine that sufficient ties are properly established as well as a method to supervise how these ties are maintained.

(e)  Maintain a current and accurate listing of all such affiliations. Sister city affiliations shall not be discouraged between the state and any country specified in s. 620(f)(1) of the federal Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, with whom the United States is currently conducting diplomatic relations unless a mandate from the United States Government expressly prohibits such affiliations.

(4)  The Secretary of State shall serve as a contact for the state with the Florida Washington Office, the Florida Congressional Delegation, and United States Government agencies with respect to laws or policies which may affect the interests of the state in the area of international relations. All inquiries received regarding international economic trade development or reverse investment opportunities shall be referred to Enterprise Florida, Inc. In addition, the secretary shall serve as liaison with other states with respect to international programs of interest to Florida. The secretary shall also investigate and make suggestions regarding possible areas of joint action or regional cooperation with these states.

(5)  The Secretary of State shall have the power and duty to encourage the relocation to Florida of consular offices and multilateral and international agencies and organizations.

(6)  The Secretary of State, through membership on the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall help to contribute an international perspective to the state's development efforts.

History.--s. 74, ch. 90-201; s. 16, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 77, ch. 96-320; s. 26, ch. 97-278; s. 2, ch. 2001-200; s. 23, ch. 2002-21.

288.8175  Linkage institutes between postsecondary institutions in this state and foreign countries.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term "department" means the Department of State.

(2)  There are created Florida linkage institutes. A primary purpose of these institutes is to assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational, and social ties between this state and strategic foreign countries through the promotion of expanded public and private dialogue on cooperative research and technical assistance activities, increased bilateral commerce, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of language training skills between the postsecondary institutions in this state and those of selected foreign countries. Each institute must ensure that minority students are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in the exchange programs.

(3)  Each institute must be governed by an agreement, approved by the department, between the State University System and the Florida Community College System with the counterpart organization in a foreign country. Each institute must report to the department regarding its program activities, expenditures, and policies.

(4)  Each institute must be co-administered in this state by a university-community college partnership, as designated in subsection (5), and must have a private sector and public sector advisory committee. The advisory committee must be representative of the international education and commercial interests of the state and may have members who are native to the foreign country partner. Six members must be appointed by the department. The department must appoint at least one member who is an international educator. The presidents, or their designees, of the participating university and community college must also serve on the advisory committee.

(5)  The institutes are:

(a)  Florida-Brazil Institute (University of Florida and Miami-Dade Community College).

(b)  Florida-Costa Rica Institute (Florida State University and Valencia Community College).

(c)  Florida Caribbean Institute (Florida International University and Daytona Beach Community College).

(d)  Florida-Canada Institute (University of Central Florida and Palm Beach Junior College).

(e)  Florida-China Institute (University of West Florida, University of South Florida, and Brevard Community College).

(f)  Florida-Japan Institute (University of South Florida, University of West Florida, and St. Petersburg Community College).

(g)  Florida-France Institute (New College of the University of South Florida, Miami-Dade Community College, and Florida State University).

(h)  Florida-Israel Institute (Florida Atlantic University and Broward Community College).

(i)  Florida-West Africa Institute (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of North Florida, and Florida Community College at Jacksonville).

(j)  Florida-Eastern Europe Institute (University of Central Florida and Lake Sumter Community College).

(k)  Florida-Mexico Institute (Florida International University and Polk Community College).

(6)  Each institute is allowed to exempt from s. 1009.21 up to 25 full-time equivalent students per year from the respective host countries to study in any of the state universities or community colleges in this state as resident students for tuition purposes. The institute directors shall develop criteria, to be approved by the Department of Education, for the selection of these students. Students must return home within 3 years after their tenure of graduate or undergraduate study for a length of time equal to their exemption period.

(7)  Each state university and community college linkage institute partner may enter into an agreement for a student exchange program, that requires that the tuition and fees of a student who is enrolled in a state university or community college and who is participating in an exchange program be paid to the university or community college while the student is participating in the exchange program. The agreement may also require that the tuition and fees of a student who is enrolled in a postsecondary institution in a foreign country and who is participating in an exchange program be paid to the foreign institution of enrollment.

(8)  No later than 60 days before every regular session of the Legislature, the department shall present to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate a review of linkage institute program activity, criteria for their operation, accountability standards, recommended funding levels, and recommendations for establishing, maintaining, or abolishing linkage institutes. The criteria shall be developed in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc. The criteria must include, but need not be limited to, the purpose stated in subsection (2) and:

(a)  The importance of economic, political, and social ties between this state and the country or region.

(b)  The potential for growth and expansion of commercial, educational, and cultural links.

(c)  The viability of regionally oriented, rather than country-specific, linkages, based on historical or emerging regional economic or political trading blocs.

(9)  A linkage institute may not be created or funded except upon the recommendation of the department and except by amendment to this section.

(10)  The department shall review and make linkage-institute budget requests to the Governor and the Legislature. State appropriations for institutes created under this section must be made by a single lump-sum line item to the department, which must apportion the funds among the various institutes in accordance with criteria established by the department.

(11)  Linkage institutes may also accept and administer moneys provided by the department for research and development of international trade. The department shall, by March 1, report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in each year in which the department has provided moneys for a linkage institute. The report must detail the purpose of the expenditure by the department and the use of the moneys by the linkage institutes and must include a copy of the research documents or related materials produced, if any.

History.--s. 23, ch. 87-329; s. 1, ch. 88-162; s. 78, ch. 90-201; s. 34, ch. 90-302; s. 21, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 66, ch. 93-187; s. 78, ch. 96-320; s. 27, ch. 97-278; s. 36, ch. 2000-258; s. 947, ch. 2002-387.

Note.--Former s. 240.137.

288.826  Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund.--There is hereby established in the State Treasury the Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund. The moneys deposited into this trust fund shall be administered by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for the operation of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards and for the operation of Florida foreign offices under s. 288.012.

History.--s. 91, ch. 90-132; s. 114, ch. 90-201; s. 55, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 16, ch. 92-299; s. 13, ch. 95-430; s. 79, ch. 96-320.

288.851  Short title.--This act may be cited as the "Cuban Freedom Act."

History.--s. 1, ch. 96-188.

288.852  Legislative purpose.--It is the purpose of this act to assist in strengthening international sanctions against the government of Fidel Castro and his regime in the Republic of Cuba, encouraging the holding of free and fair elections, providing a policy framework for the United States and Florida to support a transition government and a democratically elected government in Cuba, and protecting the rights of Floridians who own claims to confiscated property abroad.

History.--s. 2, ch. 96-188.

288.853  International sanctions against Castro government.--

(1)  The Legislature hereby finds that:

(a)  The acts of Fidel Castro and his government, including human rights violations, are a threat to international peace and to the peace of the State of Florida.

(b)  The President should instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to seek, in the Security Council, an international embargo against the Castro dictatorship, similar to consultations conducted with respect to Haiti.

(c)  There should be a detrimental impact on United States assistance to any independent state of the former Soviet Union which resumes efforts to make operational the nuclear facility at Cienfuegos, Cuba.

(2)  The Legislature hereby supports and reaffirms s. 1704(a) of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, which states that the President should encourage foreign countries to restrict trade and credit relations with Cuba, and urges the President to take immediate steps to apply sanctions described in s. 1704(b)(1) of such act against countries assisting Cuba.

(3)  To the extent allowed by federal law, no loan, credit, or other financing may be extended knowingly by a citizen or legal resident of Florida, a state agency, or a financial institution located or doing business in Florida to any person for the purpose of financing transactions involving any confiscated property, as defined by s. 4 of the federal Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, the claim to which is owned by a citizen or legal resident of Florida as of July 1, 1996, except for financing by the citizen or legal resident of Florida owning such claim for a transaction permitted under state and federal law. Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 so long as the imposition of the state penalty does not in any way interfere with full federal prosecution and penalties.

(4)  The Legislature hereby requests:

(a)  Congress and the President to withhold payment to any international financial institution that approves a loan or other assistance to Cuba in an amount equal to the amount of the loan or assistance provided to Cuba.

(b)  The President to instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to oppose the readmission of Cuba to the Organization of American States until a democratically elected government exists in Cuba.

(c)  Upon the termination of Fidel Castro's government in Cuba to take steps during the period that a transition government is in power in Cuba to support the processing of Cuba's application for membership in any international financial institution, to take effect after a democratically elected government is in power in Cuba.

(5)  Furthermore, contingent upon annual appropriation, to the extent covered by the report submitted by the President according to s. 108 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, and until such time as the President submits a determination under s. 203(c)(1) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, the Governor shall submit an annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on assistance to and commerce with Cuba by citizens and legal residents of Florida. Each report shall contain:

(a)  Identification of Cuba's trading partners and the extent of such trade.

(b)  A description of joint ventures completed or under consideration by foreign nationals and business firms located in or doing business in Florida involving facilities in Cuba.

(c)  A determination as to whether any facilities are claimed by a citizen of Florida.

(d)  Steps taken to assure that raw materials and semifinished or finished goods produced by facilities in Cuba involving Cuban and/or foreign nationals or businesses are not entering the Florida market.

(6)(a)  It is illegal for any person, firm, or corporation to import into Florida any sugars, syrups, or molasses that are the product of a country that the President determines has imported sugar, syrup, or molasses from Cuba. The intent of this section is to prevent indirect subsidization of the Cuban sugar industry through countries that buy Cuban sugar for domestic consumption and sell their own sugar to the United States at inflated prices under the sugar quota allotment program. Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 so long as the imposition of the state penalty does not in any way interfere with full federal prosecution and penalties.

(b)  The requirements of paragraph (a) shall not apply if the country described in paragraph (a) certifies to the President that the country will not import sugar, syrup, or molasses that is the product of Cuba until free and fair elections are held in Cuba.

History.--s. 3, ch. 96-188; s. 70, ch. 99-13.

288.854  Support for a free and independent Cuba.--

(1)  It is the policy of Florida to:

(a)  Support the self-determination of the Cuban people.

(b)  Facilitate a peaceful transition to representative democracy and a free market economy in Cuba.

(c)  Be impartial toward any individual or entity in the selection by the Cuban people of their future government.

(2)  Once the President has determined that a democratically elected government exists in Cuba, the Legislature of Florida supports the United States policy to:

(a)  Restore diplomatic recognition and support the reintegration of Cuba into entities of the Inter-American System.

(b)  Remove the economic embargo.

(c)  Pursue a mutually beneficial trading relationship.

(3)  Florida's participation in the economic embargo on Cuba shall be terminated by Florida upon transmittal to Congress of a presidential determination that a democratically elected government is in power in Cuba.

(4)  For the purposes of this act, the term:

(a)  A "transition government in Cuba" means one which:

1.  Is demonstrably in transition from communist totalitarian dictatorship to democracy.

2.  Has released all political prisoners.

3.  Has dissolved the present Department of State Security in the Cuban Ministry of the Interior.

4.  Also "makes public commitments" to:

a.  Establishing an independent judiciary.

b.  Respecting internationally recognized human rights and basic freedoms.

c.  Guaranteeing the rights of free speech and freedom of the press.

d.  Permitting the reinstatement of citizenship to Cuban-born nationals returning to Cuba.

e.  Organizing free and fair elections for a new government.

f.  Assuring the right to private property.

g.  Taking appropriate steps either to return to United States citizens property taken by the government of Cuba on or after January 1, 1959, or to provide equitable compensation to United States citizens for such property.

h.  Having a currency that is fully convertible domestically and internationally.

i.  Granting permits to privately owned telecommunications and media companies to operate in Cuba.

j.  Allowing the establishment of an independent labor movement and of independent social, economic, and political associations.

5.  Does not include Fidel Castro or Raul Castro.

6.  Has given adequate assurances that it will allow the speedy and efficient distribution of assistance to the Cuban people.

7.  Permits the deployment throughout Cuba of independent and unfettered international human rights monitors.

(b)  A "democratic government in Cuba" means one which:

1.  Is the product of free and fair elections in which opposition parties had sufficient time to organize and were permitted full access to media.

2.  Is showing respect for basic civil liberties and human rights.

3.  Has established an independent judiciary.

4.  Is moving toward a market-oriented economic system based on the right to own and enjoy property.

5.  Is committed to making constitutional changes that would ensure regular free and fair elections.

6.  Has returned to United States citizens, and entities which are 50 percent or more beneficially owned by United States citizens, property taken by the government of Cuba from such citizens and entities on or after January 1, 1959, or provides full compensation in accordance with international law standards.

History.--s. 4, ch. 96-188.

288.855  Export or sale for export to foreign countries in violation of federal law prohibited.--No person, corporation, company, or other entity shall export or make a sale intended for export to a foreign country of any goods, products, or services in violation of any federal law. Except as prohibited by the preceding sentence, no person, corporation, company, or other entity, by contract or otherwise, shall prohibit, restrict, or restrain the exportation or a sale intended for exportation from the state to a foreign country of any goods, products, or services.

History.--s. 5, ch. 96-188.

PART VII

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, INC.

288.901  Enterprise Florida, Inc.; creation; membership; organization; meetings; disclosure.

288.9015  Enterprise Florida, Inc.; purpose; duties.

288.90151  Return on investment from activities of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

288.903  Board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.; president; employees.

288.904  Powers of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

288.905  Duties of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

288.906  Annual report of Enterprise Florida, Inc.; audits; confidentiality.

288.911  Creation and implementation of a marketing and image campaign.

288.9415  International Trade Grants.

288.901  Enterprise Florida, Inc.; creation; membership; organization; meetings; disclosure.--

(1)  There is created a not-for-profit corporation, to be known as "Enterprise Florida, Inc.," which shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617, and which shall not be a unit or entity of state government. The Legislature determines, however, that public policy dictates that Enterprise Florida, Inc., operate in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. To this end, the Legislature specifically declares that Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards and advisory committees or similar groups created by Enterprise Florida, Inc., are subject to the provisions of chapter 119, relating to public records and those provisions of chapter 286 relating to public meetings and records.

(2)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall establish one or more corporate offices, at least one of which shall be located in Leon County. The Department of Management Services may establish a lease agreement program under which Enterprise Florida, Inc., may hire any individual who, as of June 30, 1996, is employed by the ¹Department of Commerce or who, as of January 1, 1997, is employed by the Executive Office of the Governor and has responsibilities specifically in support of the Workforce Development Board established under ²s. 288.9620. Under such agreement, the employee shall retain his or her status as a state employee but shall work under the direct supervision of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Retention of state employee status shall include the right to participate in the Florida Retirement System. The Department of Management Services shall establish the terms and conditions of such lease agreements.

(3)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall be governed by a board of directors. The board of directors shall consist of the following members:

(a)  The Governor or the Governor's designee.

(b)  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee.

(c)  The Secretary of Labor and Employment Security or the secretary's designee.

(d)  A member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate as an ex officio member of the board and serve at the pleasure of the President.

(e)  A member of the House of Representatives, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as an ex officio member of the board and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker.

(f)  The chairperson of the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.

(g)  Twelve members from the private sector, six of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, three of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. All appointees are subject to Senate confirmation. In making such appointments, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall ensure that the composition of the board is reflective of the diversity of Florida's business community, and to the greatest degree possible shall include, but not be limited to, individuals representing large companies, small companies, minority companies, and individuals representing municipal, county, or regional economic development organizations. Of the 12 members from the private sector, 7 must have significant experience in international business, with expertise in the areas of transportation, finance, law, and manufacturing. The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall also consider whether the current board members, together with potential appointees, reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, as well as the geographic distribution, of the population of the state.

(h)  The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.

(4)(a)  Vacancies on the board shall be filled by appointment by the Governor, the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, depending on who appointed the member whose vacancy is to be filled or whose term has expired.

(b)  Members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. Any member is eligible for reappointment.

(5)  A vacancy on the board of directors shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(6)  Appointive members may be removed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, for cause. Absence from three consecutive meetings results in automatic removal.

(7)  The Governor shall serve as chairperson of the board of directors. The board of directors shall biennially elect one of its appointive members as vice chairperson. The president shall keep a record of the proceedings of the board of directors and is the custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the board of directors, the minutes of the board of directors, and the official seal of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(8)  The board of directors shall meet at least four times each year, upon the call of the chairperson, at the request of the vice chairperson, or at the request of a majority of the membership. A majority of the total number of all directors fixed by subsection (3) shall constitute a quorum. The board of directors may take official action by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present.

(9)  Members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but members, the president, and staff may be reimbursed for all reasonable, necessary, and actual expenses, as determined by the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(10)  Each member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., who is not otherwise required to file financial disclosure pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3144, shall file disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s. 112.3145.

(11)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3), the board of directors may by resolution appoint at-large members to the board from the private sector, each of whom may serve a 1-year term. At-large members shall have the powers and duties of other members of the board, except that they may not serve on an executive committee. An at-large member is eligible for reappointment but may not vote on his or her own reappointment. An at-large member shall be eligible to fill vacancies occurring among private-sector appointees under subsection (3).

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-277; s. 2, ch. 94-232; s. 881, ch. 95-148; s. 80, ch. 96-320; s. 28, ch. 97-278; s. 27, ch. 99-251; s. 80, ch. 2000-165.

¹Note.--Section 20.17, which created the Department of Commerce, was repealed effective December 31, 1996, by s. 3, ch. 96-320.

²Note.--Transferred to s. 288.9952 by s. 53, ch. 99-251; further transferred to s. 445.004 by s. 4, ch. 2000-165.

288.9015  Enterprise Florida, Inc.; purpose; duties.--

(1)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., is the principal economic development organization for the state. It shall be the responsibility of Enterprise Florida, Inc., to provide leadership for business development in Florida by aggressively establishing a unified approach to Florida's efforts of international trade and reverse investment; by aggressively marketing the state as a probusiness location for potential new investment; and by aggressively assisting in the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the creation of new businesses. In support of this effort, Enterprise Florida, Inc., may develop and implement specific programs or strategies that address the creation, expansion, and retention of Florida business; the development of import and export trade; and the recruitment of worldwide business.

(2)  It shall be the responsibility of Enterprise Florida, Inc., to aggressively market Florida's rural communities, distressed urban communities, and enterprise zones as locations for potential new investment, to aggressively assist in the retention and expansion of existing businesses in these communities, and to aggressively assist these communities in the identification and development of new economic development opportunities for job creation, fully marketing state incentive programs such as the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under s. 288.106 and the Quick Action Closing Fund under s. 288.1088 in economically distressed areas.

(3)  It shall be the responsibility of Enterprise Florida, Inc., through the Workforce Development Board, to develop a comprehensive approach to workforce development that will result in better employment opportunities for the residents of this state. Such comprehensive approach must include:

(a)  Creating and maintaining a highly skilled workforce that is capable of responding to rapidly changing technology and diversified market opportunities.

(b)  Training, educating, and assisting target populations, such as those who are economically disadvantaged or who participate in the WAGES Program or otherwise receive public assistance to become independent, self-reliant, and self-sufficient. This approach must ensure the effective use of federal, state, local, and private resources in reducing the need for public assistance.

(4)  It shall be the responsibility of Enterprise Florida, Inc., to assess, on an ongoing basis, Florida's economic development competitiveness as measured against other business locations, to identify and regularly reevaluate Florida's economic development strengths and weaknesses, and to incorporate such information into the strategic planning process under s. 288.904.

(5)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall incorporate the needs of small and minority businesses into the economic-development, international-trade and reverse-investment, and workforce-development responsibilities assigned to the organization by this section. Where practicable and consistent with the expertise of the Black Business Investment Board, Inc., Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall contract with the corporation for the delivery of services in fulfillment of the responsibilities of Enterprise Florida, Inc., relating to small and minority businesses.

(6)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall not endorse any candidate for any elected public office, nor shall it contribute moneys to the campaign of any such candidate.

(7)  As part of its business development and marketing responsibilities, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall prepare a business guide and checklist that contains basic information on the federal, state, and local requirements for starting and operating a business in this state. The guide and checklist must describe how additional information can be obtained on any such requirements and shall include, to the extent feasible, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of appropriate government agency representatives. The guide and checklist must also contain information useful to persons who may be starting a business for the first time, including, but not limited to, information on business structure, financing, and planning.

History.--s. 81, ch. 96-320; s. 29, ch. 97-278; s. 28, ch. 99-251; s. 14, ch. 2001-201; s. 10, ch. 2002-180.

288.90151  Return on investment from activities of Enterprise Florida, Inc.--

(1)  The public funds appropriated each year for the operation of Enterprise Florida, Inc., are invested in this public-private partnership to enhance international trade and economic development, to spur job-creating investments, to create new employment opportunities for Floridians, and to prepare Floridians for those jobs. This policy will be the Legislature's priority consideration when reviewing the return-on-investment for Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(2)  It is also the intent of the Legislature that Enterprise Florida, Inc., coordinate its operations with local economic-development organizations to maximize the state and local return-on-investment to create jobs for Floridians.

(3)  It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize private-sector support in operating Enterprise Florida, Inc., as an endorsement of its value and as an enhancement of its efforts.

(4)(a)  The state's operating investment in Enterprise Florida, Inc., is the budget contracted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to Enterprise Florida, Inc., less funding that is directed by the Legislature to be subcontracted to a specific recipient.

(b)  The board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall adopt for each upcoming fiscal year an operating budget for the organization that specifies the intended uses of the state's operating investment and a plan for securing private-sector support to Enterprise Florida, Inc. Each fiscal year private-sector support to Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall equal no less than 100 percent of the state's operating investment, including at least $1 million in cash as defined in paragraph (5)(a), and an additional $400,000 in cash as defined in paragraphs (5)(a), (b), and (c).

(5)  Private-sector support in operating Enterprise Florida, Inc., includes:

(a)  Cash given directly to Enterprise Florida, Inc., for its operating budget;

(b)  Cash jointly raised by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and a local economic development organization, a group of such organizations, or a statewide business organization that supports collaborative projects;

(c)  Cash generated by products or services of Enterprise Florida, Inc.; and

(d)  In-kind contributions directly to Enterprise Florida, Inc., including: business expenditures; business services provided; business support; or other business contributions that augment the operations, program, activities, or assets of Enterprise Florida, Inc., including, but not limited to: an individual's time and expertise; sponsored publications; private-sector staff services; payment for advertising placements; sponsorship of events; sponsored or joint research; discounts on leases or purchases; mission or program sponsorship; and copayments, stock, warrants, royalties, or other private resources dedicated to Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(6)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall fully comply with the performance measures, standards, and sanctions in its contracts with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development under s. 14.2015(2)(h) and (7). The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the contract performance measures are consistent with performance measures that the office is required to develop and track under performance-based program budgeting.

(7)  As part of the annual report required under s. 288.906, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall provide the Legislature with information quantifying the public's return-on-investment as described in this section for fiscal year 1997-1998 and each subsequent fiscal year. The annual report shall also include the results of a customer-satisfaction survey of businesses served, as well as the lead economic development staff person of each local economic development organization that employs a full-time or part-time staff person.

(8)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., in consultation with the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall hire a private accounting firm to develop the methodology for establishing and reporting return-on-investment and in-kind contributions as described in this section and to develop, analyze, and report on the results of the customer-satisfaction survey. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall review and offer feedback on the methodology before it is implemented. The private accounting firm shall certify whether the applicable statements in the annual report comply with this subsection.

History.--s. 114, ch. 96-320; s. 2, ch. 97-278; s. 29, ch. 99-251.

288.903  Board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.; president; employees.--

(1)  The president of Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall be appointed by the board of directors and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The board of directors shall establish and adjust the compensation of the president. The president is the chief administrative and operational officer of the board of directors and of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and shall direct and supervise the administrative affairs of the board of directors and any other boards of Enterprise Florida, Inc. The board of directors may delegate to its president those powers and responsibilities it deems appropriate, except for the appointment of a president.

(2)  The board of directors may establish an executive committee consisting of the chairperson or a designee, the vice chairperson, and as many additional members of the board of directors as the board deems appropriate, except that such committee must have a minimum of five members. The executive committee shall have such authority as the board of directors delegates to it, except that the board may not delegate the authority to hire or fire the president or the authority to establish or adjust the compensation paid to the president.

(3)  The board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its officers shall be responsible for the prudent use of all public and private funds and shall ensure that the use of such funds is in accordance with all applicable laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements. No employee of Enterprise Florida, Inc., may receive compensation for employment which exceeds the salary paid to the Governor, unless the board of directors and the employee have executed a contract that prescribes specific, measurable performance outcomes for the employee, the satisfaction of which provides the basis for the award of incentive payments that increase the employee's total compensation to a level above the salary paid to the Governor.

History.--s. 4, ch. 92-277; s. 83, ch. 96-320; s. 30, ch. 97-278; s. 30, ch. 99-251.

288.904  Powers of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.--

(1)  The board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall have the power to:

(a)  Secure funding for programs and activities of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards from federal, state, local, and private sources and from fees charged for services and published materials and solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer any grant, payment, or gift of funds or property and make expenditures consistent with the powers granted to it.

(b)1.  Make and enter into contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions, except that any contract made with an organization represented on the board of directors must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire board of directors, and the board member representing such organization shall abstain from voting. No more than 65 percent of the dollar value of all contracts or other agreements entered into in any fiscal year, exclusive of grant programs, shall be made with an organization represented on the board of directors. An organization represented on the board may not enter into a contract to receive a state-funded economic development incentive or similar grant, unless such incentive award is specifically endorsed by a two-thirds vote of the entire board. The board member representing such organization, if applicable, shall abstain from voting and refrain from discussing the issue with other members of the board. No more than 50 percent of the dollar value of grants issued by the board in any fiscal year may go to businesses associated with board members.

2.  A contract that Enterprise Florida, Inc., executes with a person or organization under which such person or organization agrees to perform economic development services or similar business assistance services on behalf of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or on behalf of the state must include provisions requiring that such person or organization report on performance, account for proper use of funds provided under the contract, coordinate with other components of state and local economic development systems, and avoid duplication of existing state and local services and activities.

(c)  Sue and be sued, and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings, in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person.

(d)  Adopt, use, and alter a common corporate seal for Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards. Notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 617 to the contrary, this seal is not required to contain the words "corporation not for profit."

(e)  Elect or appoint such officers and agents as its affairs require and allow them reasonable compensation.

(f)  Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, not inconsistent with the powers granted to it or the articles of incorporation, for the administration of the affairs of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the exercise of its corporate powers.

(g)  Acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses, royalties, and other rights or interests thereunder or therein.

(h)  Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted to it.

(i)  Use the state seal, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 15.03, when appropriate, to establish that Enterprise Florida, Inc., is the principal economic and trade development organization for the state, and for other standard corporate identity applications. Use of the state seal is not to replace use of a corporate seal as provided in this section.

(j)  Carry forward any unexpended state appropriations into succeeding fiscal years.

(k)  Procure insurance or require bond against any loss in connection with the property of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards, in such amounts and from such insurers as is necessary or desirable.

(l)  Create and dissolve advisory committees, working groups, task forces, or similar organizations, as necessary to carry out the mission of Enterprise Florida, Inc. By August 1, 1999, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall establish an advisory committee on international business issues, and an advisory committee on small business issues. These committees shall be comprised of individuals representing the private sector and the public sector with expertise in the respective subject areas. The purpose of the committees shall be to guide and advise Enterprise Florida, Inc., on the development and implementation of policies, strategies, programs, and activities affecting international business and small business. The advisory committee on international business and the advisory committee on small business shall meet at the call of the chairperson or vice chairperson of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., but shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings of the advisory committee on international business and the advisory committee on small business may be held telephonically; however, meetings of the committees that are held in person shall be rotated at different locations around the state to ensure participation of local and regional economic development practitioners and other members of the public. Members of advisory committees, working groups, task forces, or similar organizations created by Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable, necessary, and actual expenses, as determined by the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(2)  The powers granted to Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall be liberally construed in order that Enterprise Florida, Inc., may aggressively pursue its purpose of being the principal economic development organization for the state.

(3)  Under no circumstances may the credit of the State of Florida be pledged on behalf of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(4)  In addition to any indemnification available under chapter 617, Enterprise Florida, Inc., may indemnify, and purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of, directors, officers, and employees of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards against any personal liability or accountability by reason of actions taken while acting within the scope of their authority.

History.--s. 5, ch. 92-277; s. 84, ch. 96-320; s. 31, ch. 97-278; s. 31, ch. 99-251; s. 81, ch. 2000-165.

288.905  Duties of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.--

(1)  In the performance of its functions and duties, the board of directors may establish, implement, and manage policies, strategies, and programs for Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards. These policies, strategies, and programs shall promote business formation, expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive marketing and international development and export assistance, which together lead to more and better jobs with higher wages for all geographic regions and communities of the state, including rural areas and urban core areas, and for all residents, including minorities. In developing such policies, strategies, and programs, the board of directors shall solicit advice from and consider the recommendations of its boards, any advisory committees or similar groups created by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and local and regional partners.

(2)  The board of directors shall, in conjunction with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the Office of Urban Opportunities, and local and regional economic development partners, develop a strategic plan for economic development for the State of Florida. Such plan shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader and shall be updated or modified before January 1 of each year. The plan must be approved by the board of directors prior to submission to the Governor and Legislature.

(3)(a)  The strategic plan required under this section shall include, but is not limited to, strategies for the promotion of business formation, expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive marketing, international development, and export assistance, which lead to more and better jobs and higher wages for all geographic regions and disadvantaged communities and populations of the state, including rural areas, minority businesses, and urban core areas. Further, the strategic plan shall give consideration to the economic diversity of the state and its regions and their associated industrial clusters and develop realistic policies and programs to further their development.

(b)1.  The strategic plan required under this section shall include specific provisions for the stimulation of economic development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities and counties of the state.

2.  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall involve local governments, local and regional economic development organizations, and other local, state, and federal economic, international, and workforce development entities, both public and private, in developing and carrying out policies, strategies, and programs, seeking to partner and collaborate to produce enhanced public benefit at a lesser cost.

3.  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall involve rural, urban, small-business, and minority-business development agencies and organizations, both public and private, in developing and carrying out policies, strategies, and programs.

4.  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall develop a comprehensive marketing plan for redevelopment of brownfield areas designated pursuant to s. 376.80. The plan must include, but is not limited to, strategies to distribute information about current designated brownfield areas and the available economic incentives for redevelopment of brownfield areas. Such strategies are to be used in the promotion of business formation, expansion, recruitment, retention, and workforce development programs.

(c)  The strategic plan required under this section shall include the promotion of the successful long-term economic development of the state with increased emphasis in market research and information to local economic development entities and generation of foreign investment in the state that creates jobs with above-average wages, internationalization of this state, with strong emphasis in reverse investment that creates high wage jobs for the state and its many regions, including programs that establish viable overseas markets, generate foreign investment, assist in meeting the financing requirements of export-ready firms, broaden opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate availability of and access to education and training programs which will assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to compete successfully in the global marketplace.

(d)  The strategic plan required under this section shall include the identification of business sectors that are of current or future importance to the state's economy and to the state's worldwide business image, and development of specific strategies to promote the development of such sectors.

(4)(a)  The strategic plan shall also include recommendations regarding specific performance standards and measurable outcomes. Enterprise Florida, Inc., in consultation with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall establish performance-measure outcomes for Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards and advisory committees. Enterprise Florida, Inc., in consultation with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall develop a plan for monitoring its operations to ensure that performance data are maintained and supported by records of the organization. On a biennial basis, Enterprise Florida, Inc., in consultation with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, shall review the performance-measure outcomes for Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards, and make any appropriate modifications to them. In developing measurable objectives and performance outcomes, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall consider the effect of its programs, activities, and services on its client population. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall establish standards such as job growth among client firms, growth in the number and strength of businesses within targeted sectors, client satisfaction, including the satisfaction of its local and regional economic development partners, businesses retained and recruited statewide and within rural and urban core communities, employer wage growth, and increased export sales among client companies to use in evaluating performance toward accomplishing the mission of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(b)  The performance standards and measurable outcomes established and regularly reviewed by Enterprise Florida, Inc., under this subsection must also include benchmarks and goals to measure the impact of state economic development policies and programs. Such benchmarks and goals may include, but are not limited to:

1.  Net annual job growth rate in this state compared to neighboring southern states and the United States as a whole.

2.  Unemployment rate in this state compared to neighboring southern states and the United States as a whole.

3.  Wage distribution based on the percentage of people working in this state who earned 15 percent below the state average, within 15 percent of the state average, and 15 percent or more above the state average.

4.  Annual percentage of growth in the production of goods and services within Florida compared to neighboring southern states and the United States as a whole.

5.  Changes in jobs in this state by major industry based on the percentage of growth or decline in the number of full-time or part-time jobs in this state.

6.  Number of new business startups in this state.

7.  Goods produced in this state that are exported to other countries.

8.  Capital investment for commercial and industrial purposes, agricultural production and processing, and international trade.

(c)  Prior to the 2002 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a review of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards and shall submit a report by January 1, 2002, to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader. The review shall be comprehensive in its scope, but, at a minimum, must be conducted in such a manner as to specifically determine:

1.  The progress towards achieving the established outcomes.

2.  The circumstances contributing to the organization's ability to achieve, not achieve, or exceed its established outcomes.

3.  Whether it would be sound public policy to continue or discontinue funding the organization, and the consequences of discontinuing the organization.

(5)  The board of directors shall coordinate and collaborate with local and regional economic development organizations, which shall be the state's primary agents for the direct delivery of economic development and international development services.

(6)  Any employee leased by Enterprise Florida, Inc., from the state, or any employee who derives his or her salary from funds appropriated by the Legislature, may not receive a pay raise or bonus in excess of a pay raise or bonus that is received by similarly situated state employees. However, this subsection does not prohibit the payment of a pay raise or bonus from funds received from sources other than the Florida Legislature.

History.--s. 6, ch. 92-277; s. 85, ch. 96-320; s. 42, ch. 97-100; s. 32, ch. 97-278; s. 71, ch. 99-13; s. 32, ch. 99-251; s. 82, ch. 2000-165; s. 5, ch. 2000-317.

288.906  Annual report of Enterprise Florida, Inc.; audits; confidentiality.--Prior to December 1 of each year, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House Minority Leader a complete and detailed report including, but not limited to:

(1)  A description of the operations and accomplishments of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards and advisory committees or similar groups created by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and an identification of any major trends, initiatives, or developments affecting the performance of any program or activity.

(2)  An evaluation of progress towards achieving organizational goals and specific performance outcomes, both short-term and long-term, established pursuant to s. 288.905.

(3)  Methods for implementing and funding the operations of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards.

(4)  A description of the operations and accomplishments of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards with respect to aggressively marketing Florida's rural communities and distressed urban communities as locations for potential new investment and job creation, aggressively assisting in the creation, retention, and expansion of existing businesses and job growth in these communities, and aggressively assisting these communities in the identification and development of new economic development opportunities.

(5)  A description and evaluation of the operations and accomplishments of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its boards with respect to interaction with local and private economic development organizations, including an identification of any specific programs or activities which promoted the activities of such organizations and an identification of any specific programs or activities which promoted a comprehensive and coordinated approach to economic development in this state.

(6)  An assessment of job creation that directly benefits participants in the welfare transition program.

(7)  An annual compliance and financial audit of accounts and records by an independent certified public accountant at the end of its most recent fiscal year performed in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General.

The detailed report required by this subsection shall also include the information identified in subsections (1)-(7), if applicable, for any board established within the corporate structure of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

History.--s. 7, ch. 92-277; s. 231, ch. 95-148; s. 3, ch. 95-369; s. 86, ch. 96-320; s. 145, ch. 96-406; s. 33, ch. 97-278; s. 33, ch. 99-251; s. 83, ch. 2000-165; s. 141, ch. 2001-266.

288.911  Creation and implementation of a marketing and image campaign.--

(1)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., in collaboration with the private sector, shall create a marketing campaign to help attract, develop, and retain information technology businesses in this state. The campaign must be coordinated with any existing economic development promotion efforts in this state, and shall be jointly funded from private and public resources.

(2)  The message of the campaign shall be to increase national and international awareness of this state as a state ideally suited for the successful advancement of the information technology business sector. Marketing strategies shall include development of promotional materials, Internet and print advertising, public relations and media placement, trade show attendance at information technology events, and appropriate followup activities. Efforts to promote this state as a high-technology business leader must include identification and coordination of existing business technology resources, partnerships with economic development organizations and private sector businesses, continued retention and growth of businesses based in this state that produce high-technology products or use high-technology skills for manufacturing, and recruitment of new business in such area.

History.--s. 34, ch. 2000-164.

288.9415  International Trade Grants.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in the Executive Office of the Governor may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the office for providing grants for promotion of international trade.

(2)  A county, municipality, economic development council, the Florida Space Authority, or a not-for-profit association of businesses organized to assist in the promotion of international trade may apply for a grant of state funds for the promotion of international trade.

(3)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall review each application for a grant to promote international trade and shall submit annually to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development for approval lists of all recommended applications for the award of grants, arranged in order of priority. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may allocate grants only for projects that are approved or for which funds are appropriated by the Legislature. Projects approved and recommended by Enterprise Florida, Inc., which are not funded by the Legislature shall be retained on the project list for the following grant cycle only. All projects that are retained shall be required to submit such information as may be required by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development as of the established deadline date of the latest grant cycle in order to adequately reflect the most current status of the project.

History.--s. 36, ch. 97-278; s. 34, ch. 99-251; s. 16, ch. 99-256; s. 7, ch. 2002-183.

PART VIII

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

288.9511  Definitions.

288.9515  Authorized technology development programs.

288.95155  Florida Small Business Technology Growth Program.

288.9517  Audits; confidentiality.

288.9519  Not-for-profit corporation.

288.9520  Public records exemption.

¹288.9511  Definitions.--As used in ss. 288.9511-288.9517, the term:

(1)  "Educational institutions" means Florida technical institutes and vocational schools, and public and private community colleges, colleges, and universities in the state.

(2)  "Enterprise" means a firm with its principal place of business in this state which is engaged, or proposes to be engaged, in this state in agricultural industries, natural-resource-based or other manufacturing, research and development, or the provision of knowledge-based services.

(3)  "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or joint venture that carries on business, or proposes to carry on business, within the state.

(4)  "Product" means any product, device, technique, or process that is, or may be, developed or marketed commercially; the term does not refer, however, to basic research, but rather to products, devices, techniques, or processes that have advanced beyond the theoretical stage and are in a prototype or industry practice stage.

(5)  "Qualified security" means a public or private financial arrangement that involves any note, security, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest of participation in any profit-sharing agreement, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable security, investment contract, certificate of deposit for a security, certificate of interest or participation in a patent or application thereof, or in royalty or other payments under such a patent or application, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a security or any certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or option warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing to the extent allowed by law.

(6)  "Technology application" means the introduction and adaptation of off-the-shelf technologies and state-of-the-art management practices to the specific circumstances of an individual firm.

(7)  "Technology commercialization" means the process of bringing an investment-grade technology out of an enterprise, university, or federal laboratory for first-run application in the marketplace.

(8)  "Technology development" means strategically focused research aimed at developing investment-grade technologies essential to market competitiveness.

History.--ss. 4, 14, ch. 93-187; s. 90, ch. 96-320; s. 35, ch. 99-251.

¹Note.--

A.  Section 14, ch. 93-187, provides that "[s]ections 3 through 11 of this act are repealed December 31, 2003, and shall be reviewed by the Legislature prior to that date. The review must be in accordance with criteria set forth in law."

B.  Section 12, ch. 2002-265, provides that "[t]he legislative review required under section 14 of chapter 93-187, Laws of Florida, shall be conducted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability before December 1, 2002, using applicable criteria under section 11.513(3), Florida Statutes."

¹288.9515  Authorized technology development programs.--

(1)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., may create technology applications services, and may serve as an umbrella organization for technology applications service providers throughout the state which provide critical, managerial, technological, scientific, and related financial and business expertise essential for international and domestic competitiveness to small-sized and medium-sized manufacturing and knowledge-based service firms. Enterprise Florida, Inc., is authorized the following powers in order to carry out these functions:

(a)  Providing communication and coordination services among technology applications service providers throughout the state.

(b)  Providing coordinated marketing services to small-sized and medium-sized manufacturers in the state on behalf of, and in partnership with, technology applications service providers.

(c)  Securing additional sources of funds on behalf of, and in partnership with, technology applications service providers.

(d)  Developing plans and policies to assist small-sized and medium-sized manufacturing companies or other knowledge-based firms in Florida.

(e)  Entering into contracts with technology applications service providers for expanded availability of high-quality assistance to small-sized and medium-sized manufacturing companies or knowledge-based service firms, including, but not limited to, technological, human resources development, market planning, finance, and interfirm collaboration. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall ensure that all contracts in excess of $20,000 for the delivery of such assistance to Florida firms shall be based on competitive requests for proposals and shall establish clear standards for the delivery of services under such contracts. Such standards include, but are not limited to:

1.  The ability and capacity to deliver services in sufficient quality and quantity.

2.  The ability and capacity to deliver services in a timely manner.

3.  The ability and capacity to meet the needs of firms in the proposed market area.

(f)  Assisting other educational institutions, enterprises, or the entities providing business assistance to small-sized and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises.

(g)  Establishing a system to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of technology applications services provided to small-sized and medium-sized enterprises.

(h)  Establishing special education and informational programs for Florida enterprises and for educational institutions and enterprises providing business assistance to Florida enterprises.

(i)  Evaluating and documenting the needs of firms in this state for technology application services, and developing means to ensure that these needs are met, consistent with the powers provided for in this subsection.

(j)  Maintaining an office in such place or places as the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., approves.

(k)  Making and executing contracts with any person, enterprise, educational institution, association, or any other entity necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of the powers and functions of Enterprise Florida, Inc., under this subsection.

(l)  Receiving funds from any source to carry out the purposes of providing technology applications services, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of the state, or any enterprise or person, for any purpose consistent with the provisions of this subsection.

(2)  When choosing contractors under this section, preference shall be given to existing institutions, organizations, and enterprises so long as these existing institutions, organizations, and enterprises demonstrate the ability to perform at standards established by Enterprise Florida, Inc., under paragraph (1)(e). Neither the provisions of ss. 288.9511-288.9517 nor the actions taken by Enterprise Florida, Inc., under this section shall impair or hinder the operations, performance, or resources of any existing institution, organization, or enterprise.

(3)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., may create a technology development financing fund, to be called the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund. The fund shall increase technology development in this state by investing in technology development projects that have the potential to generate investment-grade technologies of importance to the state's economy as evidenced by the willingness of private businesses to coinvest in such projects. Enterprise Florida, Inc., may also demonstrate and develop effective approaches to, and benefits of, commercially oriented research collaborations between businesses, universities, and state and federal agencies and organizations. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall endeavor to maintain the fund as a self-supporting fund once the fund is sufficiently capitalized as reflected in the minimum funding report required in ²s. 288.9516. The technology research investment projects may include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Technology development projects expected to lead to a specific investment-grade technology that is of importance to industry in this state.

(b)  Technology development centers and facilities expected to generate a stream of products and processes with commercial application of importance to industry in this state.

(c)  Technology development projects that have, or are currently using, other federal or state funds such as federal Small Business Innovation Research awards.

(4)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall invest moneys contained in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund in technology application research or for technology development projects that have the potential for commercial market application. The partnership shall coordinate any investment in any space-related technology projects with the Florida Space Authority and the Technological Research and Development Authority.

(a)  The investment of moneys contained in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund is limited to investments in qualified securities in which a private enterprise in this state coinvests at least 40 percent of the total project costs, in conjunction with other cash or noncash investments from state educational institutions, state and federal agencies, or other institutions.

(b)  For the purposes of this fund, qualified securities include loans, loans convertible to equity, equity, loans with warrants attached that are beneficially owned by the board, royalty agreements, or any other contractual arrangement in which the board is providing scientific and technological services to any federal, state, county, or municipal agency, or to any individual, corporation, enterprise, association, or any other entity involving technology development.

(c)  Not more than $175,000 or 5 percent of the revenues generated by investment of moneys contained in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund, whichever is greater, may be used to pay operating expenses associated with operation of the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund.

(d)  In the event of liquidation or dissolution of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund, any rights or interests in a qualified security or portion of a qualified security purchased with moneys invested by the State of Florida shall vest in the state, under the control of the State Board of Administration. The state is entitled to, in proportion to the amount of investment in the fund by the state, any balance of funds remaining in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund after payment of all debts and obligations upon liquidation or dissolution of Enterprise Florida, Inc., or the fund.

(e)  The investment of funds contained in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund does not constitute a debt, liability, or obligation of the State of Florida or of any political subdivision thereof, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state or of any such political subdivision.

(5)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., may create technology commercialization programs in partnership with private enterprises, educational institutions, and other institutions to increase the rate at which technologies with potential commercial application are moved from university, public, and industry laboratories into the marketplace. Such programs shall be created based upon research to be conducted by Enterprise Florida, Inc.

History.--ss. 8, 14, ch. 93-187; s. 10, ch. 94-136; s. 94, ch. 96-320; s. 36, ch. 99-251; s. 8, ch. 2002-183.

¹Note.--

A.  Section 14, ch. 93-187, provides that "[s]ections 3 through 11 of this act are repealed December 31, 2003, and shall be reviewed by the Legislature prior to that date. The review must be in accordance with criteria set forth in law."

B.  Section 12, ch. 2002-265, provides that "[t]he legislative review required under section 14 of chapter 93-187, Laws of Florida, shall be conducted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability before December 1, 2002, using applicable criteria under section 11.513(3), Florida Statutes."

²Note.--Repealed by s. 44, ch. 99-251.

288.95155  Florida Small Business Technology Growth Program.--

(1)  The Florida Small Business Technology Growth Program is hereby established to provide financial assistance to businesses in this state having high job growth and emerging technology potential and fewer than 100 employees. The program shall be administered and managed by Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(2)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall establish a separate small business technology growth account in the Florida Technology Research Investment Fund for purposes of this section. Moneys in the account shall consist of appropriations by the Legislature, proceeds of any collateral used to secure such assistance, transfers, fees assessed for providing or processing such financial assistance, grants, interest earnings, earnings on financial assistance, and any moneys transferred to the account by the Department of Community Affairs from the Economic Opportunity Trust Fund for use in qualifying energy projects.

(3)  Pursuant to s. 216.351, the amount of any moneys appropriated to the account which are unused at the end of the fiscal year shall not be subject to reversion under s. 216.301. All moneys in the account are continuously appropriated to the account and may be used for loan guarantees, letter of credit guarantees, cash reserves for loan and letter of credit guarantees, payments of claims pursuant to contracts for guarantees, subordinated loans, loans with warrants, royalty investments, equity investments, and operations of the program. Any claim against the program shall be paid solely from the account. Neither the credit nor the taxing power of the state shall be pledged to secure the account or moneys in the account, other than from moneys appropriated or assigned to the account, and the state shall not be liable or obligated in any way for any claims against the account or against Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(4)  Awards of assistance from the program shall be finalized subject to the policies and procedures of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall leverage at least one dollar of matching investment for each dollar awarded from the program. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall give the highest priority to moderate-risk and high-risk ventures that offer the greatest opportunity for compelling economic development impact. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall establish for each award a risk-reward timetable that profiles the risks of the assistance, estimates the potential economic development impact, and establishes a timetable for reviewing the success or failure of the assistance. By December 31 of each year, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall evaluate, on a portfolio basis, the results of all awards of assistance made from the program during the year.

(5)  By January 1 of each year, Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall prepare a report on the financial status of the program and the account and shall submit a copy of the report to the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., the appropriate legislative committees responsible for economic development oversight, and the appropriate legislative appropriations subcommittees. The report shall specify the assets and liabilities of the account within the current fiscal year and shall include a portfolio update that lists all of the businesses assisted, the private dollars leveraged by each business assisted, and the growth in sales and in employment of each business assisted.

History.--s. 1, ch. 98-59; s. 37, ch. 99-251.

¹288.9517  Audits; confidentiality.--

(1)  The Auditor General and the director of the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability may, pursuant to their own authority or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, conduct an audit or examination of the technology development board or the programs or entities created by the board. The audit, examination, or report may not reveal the identity of any person who has anonymously made a donation to the board pursuant to subsection (2).

(2)  The identity of a donor, prospective donor, or inventor who contributes to the board who desires to remain anonymous and all information identifying such donor, prospective donor, or inventor who contributes to the board are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such anonymity shall be maintained in the report.

History.--ss. 10, 14, ch. 93-187; s. 233, ch. 95-148; s. 4, ch. 95-369; s. 96, ch. 96-320; s. 146, ch. 96-406; s. 94, ch. 2001-266.

¹Note.--

A.  Section 14, ch. 93-187, provides that "[s]ections 3 through 11 of this act are repealed December 31, 2003, and shall be reviewed by the Legislature prior to that date. The review must be in accordance with criteria set forth in law."

B.  Section 12, ch. 2002-265, provides that "[t]he legislative review required under section 14 of chapter 93-187, Laws of Florida, shall be conducted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability before December 1, 2002, using applicable criteria under section 11.513(3), Florida Statutes."

288.9519  Not-for-profit corporation.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the development of the state economy and to authorize the establishment of a not-for-profit organization that shall promote the competitiveness and profitability of high-technology business and industry through technology development projects of importance to specific manufacturing sectors in this state. This not-for-profit corporation shall work cooperatively with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and shall avoid duplicating the activities, programs, and functions of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(2)  In addition to all other powers and authority, not explicitly prohibited by statutes, this not-for-profit organization has the following powers and duties:

(a)  To receive funds appropriated to the organization by the Legislature. Such funds may not duplicate funds appropriated to Enterprise Florida, Inc., but shall serve to further the advancement of the state economy, jointly and collaboratively with Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(b)  To submit a legislative budget request through a state agency.

(c)  To accept gifts, grants, donations, expenses, in-kind services, or other goods or services for carrying out its purposes, and to expend such funds or assets in any legal manner according to the terms and conditions of acceptance and without interference, control, or restraint by the state.

(d)  To carry forward any unexpended state appropriations into succeeding fiscal years.

History.--s. 12, ch. 93-187; s. 98, ch. 96-320; s. 38, ch. 99-251.

288.9520  Public records exemption.--Materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable material, actual trade secrets, business transactions, financial and proprietary information, and agreements or proposals to receive funding that are received, generated, ascertained, or discovered by Enterprise Florida, Inc., including its affiliates or subsidiaries and partnership participants, such as private enterprises, educational institutions, and other organizations, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that a recipient of Enterprise Florida, Inc., research funds shall make available, upon request, the title and description of the research project, the name of the researcher, and the amount and source of funding provided for the project.

History.--s. 17, ch. 89-381; s. 81, ch. 90-360; s. 13, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 95-230; s. 99, ch. 96-320; s. 147, ch. 96-406; s. 39, ch. 99-251.

Note.--Former s. 240.539(7).

PART IX

CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

288.9602  Findings and declarations of necessity.

288.9603  Definitions.

288.9604  Creation of the authority.

288.9605  Corporation powers.

288.9606  Issue of revenue bonds.

288.9607  Guaranty of bond issues.

288.9608  Creation and funding of the guaranty account.

288.9609  Bonds as legal investments.

288.9610  Annual reports of Florida Development Finance Corporation.

288.9614  Authorized programs.

288.9618  Microenterprises.

288.9602  Findings and declarations of necessity.--The Legislature finds and declares that:

(1)  There is a need to enhance economic activity in the cities and counties of the state by attracting manufacturing, development, redevelopment of brownfield areas, business enterprise management, and other activities conducive to economic promotion in order to provide a stronger, more balanced, and stable economy in the cities and counties of the state.

(2)  A significant portion of businesses located in the cities and counties of the state or desiring to locate in the cities and counties of the state encounter difficulty in obtaining financing on terms competitive with those available to businesses located in other states and nations or are unable to obtain such financing at all.

(3)  The difficulty in obtaining such financing impairs the expansion of economic activity and the creation of jobs and income in communities throughout the state.

(4)  The businesses most often affected by these financing difficulties are small businesses critical to the economic development of the cities and counties of Florida.

(5)  The economic well-being of the people in, and the commercial and industrial resources of, the cities and counties of the state would be enhanced by the provision of financing to businesses on terms competitive with those available in the most developed financial markets worldwide.

(6)  In order to improve the prosperity and welfare of the cities and counties of this state and its inhabitants, to improve and promote the financing of projects related to the economic development of the cities and counties of this state, including redevelopment of brownfield areas, and to increase the purchasing power and opportunities for gainful employment of citizens of the cities and counties of this state, it is necessary and in the public interest to facilitate the financing of such projects as provided for in this act and to do so without regard to the boundaries between counties, municipalities, special districts, and other local governmental bodies or agencies in order to more effectively and efficiently serve the interests of the greatest number of people in the widest area practicable.

(7)  In order to promote and stimulate development and advance the business prosperity and economic welfare of the cities and counties of this state and its inhabitants; to encourage and assist new business and industry in this state through loans, investments, or other business transactions; to rehabilitate and assist existing businesses; to stimulate and assist in the expansion of all kinds of business activity; and to create maximum opportunities for employment, encouragement of thrift, and improvement of the standard of living of the citizens of Florida, it is necessary and in the public interest to facilitate the cooperation and action between organizations, public and private, in the promotion, development, and conduct of all kinds of business activity in the state.

(8)  In order to efficiently and effectively achieve the purposes of this act, it is necessary and in the public interest to create a special development finance authority to cooperate and act in conjunction with public agencies of this state and local governments of this state, through interlocal agreements pursuant to the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, in the promotion and advancement of projects related to economic development, including redevelopment of brownfield areas, throughout the state.

(9)  The purposes to be achieved by the special development finance authority through such projects and such financings of business and industry in compliance with the criteria and the requirements of this act are predominantly the public purposes stated in this section, and such purposes implement the governmental purposes under the State Constitution of providing for the health, safety, and welfare of the people, including implementing the purpose of s. 10(c), Art. VII of the State Constitution and simultaneously provide new and innovative means for the investment of public trust funds in accordance with s. 10(a), Art. VII of the State Constitution.

History.--ss. 26, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 11, ch. 98-75.

288.9603  Definitions.--

(1)  "Act" means the Florida Development Finance Corporation Act of 1993, and all acts supplemental thereto and amendatory thereof.

(2)  "Amortization payments" means periodic payments, such as monthly, semiannually, or annually, of interest on premiums, if any, and installments of principal of revenue bonds as required by an indenture of the corporation.

(3)  "Applicant" means the individual, firm, or corporation, whether for profit or nonprofit, charged with developing the project under the terms of the indenture of the corporation.

(4)  "Cash equivalents" shall include letters of credit issued by investment grade rated financial institutions or their subsidiaries; direct obligations of the government of the United States of America, or any agency thereof, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America; certificates of deposit issued by investment grade rated financial institutions or their subsidiaries; and investments in commercial paper which, at the time of acquisition by the corporation is accorded the highest rating by Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors Services, Inc., or any other nationally recognized credit rating agency of similar standing, provided that in each such case such investments shall be convertible to cash as may be reasonably necessary for application of such moneys as and when the same are to be applied in accordance with the provisions of this act.

(5)  "Corporation" means the Florida Development Finance Corporation.

(6)  "Debt service" shall mean for any bonds issued by the corporation and for which a guaranty has been issued pursuant to ss. 288.9606, 288.9607, and 288.9608, for any period for which such determination is to be made, the aggregate amount of all interest charges due or which shall become due on or with respect to such bonds during the period for which such determination is being made, plus the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments due or which shall become due on or with respect to such bonds during the period for which such determination is being made. Scheduled principal payments may include only principal payments that are scheduled as part of the terms of the original bond issue and that result in the reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the bonds.

(7)  "Economic development specialist" means a resident of the state who is professionally employed in the discipline of economic development or industrial development.

(8)  "Financial institution" means any banking corporation or trust company, savings and loan association, insurance company or related corporation, partnership, foundation, or other institution engaged primarily in lending or investing funds in this state.

(9)  "Maximum debt service" shall mean, for any period of 6 months or 1 year, as the case may be, during the life of any bonds issued by the corporation and for which a guaranty has been issued pursuant to ss. 288.9606, 288.9607, and 288.9608 and for which such determination is being made, the maximum amount of the debt service which is due or will become due during such period of time on or with respect to such bonds. For the purposes of calculating the amount of the maximum debt service with respect to any bonds which bear interest at a variable rate, the corporation shall utilize a fixed rate which it in its reasonable discretion determines to be appropriate.

(10)  "Partnership" means Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(11)  "Guaranty agreement" means an agreement by and between the corporation and a public agency pursuant to the provisions of s. 288.9607.

(12)  "Guaranty fund" means the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account established by the corporation pursuant to s. 288.9608.

(13)  "Interlocal agreement" means an agreement by and between the Florida Development Finance Corporation and a public agency of this state, pursuant to the provisions of s. 163.01.

(14)  "Public agency" means a political subdivision, agency, or officer of this state or of any state of the United States, including, but not limited to, state, government, county, city, school district, single and multipurpose special district, single and multipurpose public authority, metropolitan or consolidated government, an independently elected county officer, any agency of the United States Government, and any similar entity of any other state of the United States.

History.--ss. 27, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 100, ch. 96-320; s. 40, ch. 99-251.

288.9604  Creation of the authority.--

(1)  Upon a finding of necessity by a city or county of this state, selected pursuant to subsection (2), there is created a public body corporate and politic known as the "Florida Development Finance Corporation." The corporation shall be constituted as a public instrumentality of local government, and the exercise by the corporation of the powers conferred by this act shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function. The corporation has the power to function within the corporate limits of any public agency with which it has entered into an interlocal agreement for any of the purposes of this act.

(2)  A city or county of Florida shall be selected by a search committee of Enterprise Florida, Inc. This city or county shall be authorized to activate the corporation. The search committee shall be composed of two commercial banking representatives, the Senate member of the partnership, the House of Representatives member of the partnership, and a member who is an industry or economic development professional.

(3)  Upon activation of the corporation, the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, shall appoint the board of directors of the corporation, who shall be five in number. The terms of office for the directors shall be for 4 years from the date of their appointment. A vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. A director shall be eligible for reappointment. At least three of the directors of the corporation shall be bankers who have been selected by the Governor from a list of bankers who were nominated by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and one of the directors shall be an economic development specialist. The chairperson of the Florida Black Business Investment Board shall be an ex officio member of the board of the corporation.

(4)(a)  A director shall receive no compensation for his or her services, but is entitled to the necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor has been appointed.

(b)  The powers of the corporation shall be exercised by the directors thereof. A majority of the directors constitutes a quorum for the purposes of conducting business and exercising the powers of the corporation and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the corporation upon a vote of a majority of the directors present, unless in any case the bylaws require a larger number. Any person may be appointed as director if he or she resides, or is engaged in business, which means owning a business, practicing a profession, or performing a service for compensation or serving as an officer or director of a corporation or other business entity so engaged, within the state.

(c)  The directors of the corporation shall annually elect one of their members as chair and one as vice chair. The corporation may employ a president, technical experts, and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as it requires and determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For such legal services as it requires, the corporation may employ or retain its own counsel and legal staff. The corporation shall file with the governing body of each public agency with which it has entered into an interlocal agreement and with the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the Auditor General, on or before 90 days after the close of the fiscal year of the corporation, a report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income, and operating expenses as of the end of such fiscal year.

(5)  The board may remove a director for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office only after a hearing and only if he or she has been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days prior to such hearing and has had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. The removal of a director shall create a vacancy on the board which shall be filled pursuant to subsection (3).

History.--ss. 28, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 11, ch. 94-136; s. 882, ch. 95-148; s. 101, ch. 96-320; s. 43, ch. 97-100; s. 41, ch. 99-251; s. 38, ch. 2002-1.

288.9605  Corporation powers.--

(1)  The powers of the corporation created by s. 288.9604 shall include all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this act.

(2)  The corporation is authorized and empowered to:

(a)  Have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate and adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.

(b)  Adopt an official seal and alter the same at its pleasure.

(c)  Maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate.

(d)  Sue and be sued in its own name and plead and be impleaded.

(e)  Enter into interlocal agreements pursuant to s. 163.01(7) with public agencies of this state for the exercise of any power, privilege, or authority consistent with the purposes of this act.

(f)  Issue, from time to time, revenue bonds, including, but not limited to, bonds the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxation, for the purpose of financing and refinancing any capital projects for applicants and exercise all powers in connection with the authorization, issuance, and sale of bonds, subject to the provisions of s. 288.9606.

(g)  Issue bond anticipation notes in connection with the authorization, issuance, and sale of such bonds, pursuant to the provisions of s. 288.9606.

(h)  Make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers under the act.

(i)  Disseminate information about itself and its activities.

(j)  Acquire, by purchase, lease, option, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, real property, or personal property for its administrative purposes, together with any improvements thereon.

(k)  Hold, improve, clear, or prepare for development any such property.

(l)  Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any real or personal property.

(m)  Insure or provide for insurance of any real or personal property or operations of the corporation or any private enterprise against any risks or hazards, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance.

(n)  Establish and fund a guaranty fund.

(o)  Invest funds held in reserve or sinking funds or any such funds not required for immediate disbursement in property or securities in such manner as the board shall determine, subject to the authorizing resolution on any bonds issued, and to terms established in the investment agreement pursuant to ss. 288.9606, 288.9607, and 288.9608, and redeem such bonds as have been issued pursuant to s. 288.9606 at the redemption price established therein or purchase such bonds at less than redemption price, all such bonds so redeemed or purchased to be canceled.

(p)  Borrow money and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the Federal Government or the state, county, or other public body or from any sources, public or private, for the purposes of this act and give such security as may be required and enter into and carry out contracts or agreements in connection therewith; and include in any contract for financial assistance with the Federal Government for, or with respect to, any purposes under this act and related activities such conditions imposed pursuant to federal laws as the county or municipality deems reasonable and appropriate which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.

(q)  Make or have all surveys and plans necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of this act, contract with any person, public or private, in making and carrying out such plans, and adopt, approve, modify, and amend such plans.

(r)  Develop, test, and report methods and techniques and carry out demonstrations and other activities for the promotion of any of the purposes of this act.

(s)  Apply for, accept, and utilize grants from the Federal Government available for any of the purposes of this act.

(t)  Make expenditures necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.

(u)  Exercise all or any part or combination of powers granted in this act.

(v)  Enter into investment agreements with the Florida Black Business Investment Board concerning the issuance of bonds and other forms of indebtedness and capital for the purposes of ss. 288.707-288.714.

(w)  Determine the situations and circumstances for participation in partnerships by agreement with local governments, financial institutions, and others associated with the redevelopment of brownfield areas pursuant to the Brownfields Redevelopment Act for a limited state guaranty of revenue bonds, loan guarantees, or loan loss reserves.

History.--ss. 29, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 12, ch. 94-136; s. 12, ch. 98-75; s. 73, ch. 99-13.

288.9606  Issue of revenue bonds.--

(1)  When authorized by a public agency pursuant to s. 163.01(7), the corporation has power in its corporate capacity, in its discretion, to issue revenue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness which a public agency has the power to issue, from time to time to finance the undertaking of any purpose of this act and ss. 288.707-288.714, including, without limiting the generality thereof, the payment of principal and interest upon any advances for surveys and plans or preliminary loans, and has the power to issue refunding bonds for the payment or retirement of bonds previously issued. Bonds issued pursuant to this section shall bear the name "Florida Development Finance Corporation Revenue Bonds." The security for such bonds may be based upon such revenues as are legally available. In anticipation of the sale of such revenue bonds, the corporation may issue bond anticipation notes and may renew such notes from time to time, but the maximum maturity of any such note, including renewals thereof, may not exceed 5 years from the date of issuance of the original note. Such notes shall be paid from any revenues of the corporation available therefor and not otherwise pledged or from the proceeds of sale of the revenue bonds in anticipation of which they were issued. Any bond, note, or other form of indebtedness issued pursuant to this act shall mature no later than the end of the 30th fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the bond, note, or other form of indebtedness was issued.

(2)  Bonds issued under this section do not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction, and are not subject to the provisions of any other law or charter relating to the authorization, issuance, or sale of bonds. Bonds issued under the provisions of this act are declared to be for an essential public and governmental purpose. Bonds issued under this act, the interest on which is exempt from income taxes of the United States, together with interest thereon and income therefrom, are exempted from all taxes, except those taxes imposed by chapter 220, on interest, income, or profits on debt obligations owned by corporations.

(3)  Bonds issued under this section shall be authorized by a public agency of this state pursuant to the terms of an interlocal agreement; may be issued in one or more series; and shall bear such date or dates, be payable upon demand or mature at such time or times, bear interest rate or rates, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form either with or without coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payments at such place or places, be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, be secured in such manner, and have such other characteristics as may be provided by the interlocal agreement issued pursuant thereto. Bonds issued under this section may be sold in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price as the corporation may determine will effectuate the purpose of this act.

(4)  In case a director whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons issued under this act ceases to be a director before the delivery of such bonds, such signature is, nevertheless, valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such director had remained in office until such delivery.

(5)  In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforceability of any bond issued under this act, or the security therefor, any such bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the corporation in connection with any purpose of the act shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for such purpose, and such purpose shall be conclusively deemed to have been carried out in accordance with the act. The complaint in any action to validate such bonds shall be filed only in the Circuit Court for Leon County. The notice required to be published by s. 75.06 shall be published only in Leon County, and the complaint and order of the circuit court shall be served only on the State Attorney of the Second Judicial Circuit and on the state attorney of each circuit in each county where the public agencies which were initially a party to the interlocal agreement are located. Notice of such proceedings shall be published in the manner and the time required by s. 75.06, in Leon County and in each county where the public agencies which were initially a party to the interlocal agreement are located. Obligations of the corporation pursuant to a loan agreement as described in this subsection may be validated as provided in chapter 75. The validation of at least the first bonds approved by the corporation shall be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court. The complaint in the validation proceeding shall specifically address the constitutionality of using the investment of the earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund to guarantee such bonds. If such proceeding results in an adverse ruling and such bonds and guaranty are found to be unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable, then the corporation shall no longer be authorized to use the investment of the earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of the State Transportation Trust Fund to guarantee any bonds.

(6)  The proceeds of any bonds of the corporation may not be used, in any manner, to acquire any building or facility that will be, during the pendency of the financing, used by, occupied by, leased to, or paid for by any state, county, or municipal agency or entity.

History.--ss. 30, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 13, ch. 94-136; s. 102, ch. 96-320.

288.9607  Guaranty of bond issues.--

(1)  The corporation is hereby authorized to approve or deny, by a majority vote of the membership of the directors, the guaranty of any revenue bonds issued pursuant to this act. The guaranty may also be of the obligations of the corporation with respect to any letter of credit, bond insurance, or other form of credit enhancement provided by any person with respect to any revenue bonds issued by the corporation pursuant to this act.

(2)  Any applicant for financing from the corporation, requesting a guaranty of the bonds issued by the corporation under this act must submit a guaranty application, in a form acceptable to the corporation, together with supporting documentation to the corporation as provided in this section.

(3)  All applicants which have entered into a guaranty agreement with the corporation shall pay a guaranty premium on such terms and at such rates as the corporation shall determine prior to the issuance of the bonds. The corporation may adopt such guaranty premium structures as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, guaranty premiums which are payable one time upon the issuance of bonds or annual premiums payable upon the outstanding principal balance of bonds from time to time. The premium payment may be collected by the corporation from the lessee of the project involved, from the applicant, or from any other payee of the loan agreement involved.

(4)  All applications for a guaranty must acknowledge that as a condition to the issuance of the guaranty, the financing must be secured by a mortgage or security interest on the property acquired which will have such priority over other liens on such property as may be required by the corporation, and that the financing must be guaranteed by such person or persons with such ownership interest in the applicant as may be required by the corporation.

(5)  Personal financial records, trade secrets, or proprietary information of applicants shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(6)  If the application for a guaranty is approved by the corporation, the corporation and the applicant shall enter into a guaranty agreement. In accordance with the provisions of the guaranty agreement, the corporation guarantees to use the funds on deposit in its Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account to meet amortization payments on the bonds as they become due, in the event and to the extent that the applicant is unable to meet such payments in accordance with the terms of the bond indenture when called to do so by the trustee of the bondholders, or to make similar payments to reimburse any person which has provided credit enhancement for the bonds and which has advanced funds to meet such amortization payments as they become due. If the applicant defaults on bond amortization payments, the corporation may use funds on deposit in the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account to pay insurance, maintenance, and other costs which may be required for the preservation of any project or other collateral security for any bond issued by the corporation, or to otherwise protect the reserve account from loss, or to minimize losses to the reserve account, in each case in such manner as may be deemed necessary and advisable by the corporation.

(7)(a)  The corporation is authorized to enter into an investment agreement with the Department of Transportation and the State Board of Administration concerning the investment of the earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to s. 339.135(6)(b). Such investment shall be limited as follows:

1.  Not more than $4 million of the investment earnings earned on the investment of the minimum balance of the State Transportation Trust Fund in a fiscal year shall be at risk at any time on one or more bonds or series of bonds issued by the corporation.

2.  The investment earnings shall not be used to guarantee any bonds issued after June 30, 1998, and in no event shall the investment earnings be used to guarantee any bond issued for a maturity longer than 15 years.

3.  The corporation shall pay a reasonable fee, set by the State Board of Administration, in return for the investment of such funds. The fee shall not be less than the comparable rate for similar investments in terms of size and risk.

4.  The proceeds of bonds, or portions thereof, issued by the corporation for which a guaranty has been or will be issued pursuant to s. 288.9606, s. 288.9608, or this section used to make loans to any one person, including any related interests, as defined in s. 658.48, of such person, shall not exceed 20 percent of the principal of all such outstanding bonds of the corporation issued prior to the first composite bond issue of the corporation, or December 31, 1995, whichever comes first, and shall not exceed 15 percent of the principal of all such outstanding bonds of the corporation issued thereafter, in each case determined as of the date of issuance of the bonds for which such determination is being made and taking into account the principal amount of such bonds to be issued. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply when the total amount of all such outstanding bonds issued by the corporation is less than $10 million. For the purpose of calculating the limits imposed by the provisions of this subparagraph, the first $10 million of bonds issued by the corporation shall be taken into account.

5.  The corporation shall establish a debt service reserve account which contains not less than 6 months' debt service reserves from the proceeds of the sale of any bonds, or portions thereof, guaranteed by the corporation.

6.  The corporation shall establish an account known as the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account, the Guaranty Fund. The corporation shall deposit a sum of money or other cash equivalents into this fund and maintain a balance of money or cash equivalents in this fund, from sources other than the investment of earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund, not less than a sum equal to 1 year of maximum debt service on all outstanding bonds, or portions thereof, of the corporation for which a guaranty has been issued pursuant to ss. 288.9606, 288.9607, and 288.9608. In the event the corporation fails to maintain the balance required pursuant to this subparagraph for any reason other than a default on a bond issue of the corporation guaranteed pursuant to this section or because of the use by the corporation of any such funds to pay insurance, maintenance, or other costs which may be required for the preservation of any project or other collateral security for any bond issued by the corporation, or to otherwise protect the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account from loss while the applicant is in default on amortization payments, or to minimize losses to the reserve account in each case in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the corporation, the corporation shall immediately notify the Department of Transportation of such deficiency. Any supplemental funding authorized by an investment agreement entered into with the Department of Transportation and the State Board of Administration concerning the use of investment earnings of the minimum balance of funds is void unless such deficiency of funds is cured by the corporation within 90 days after the corporation has notified the Department of Transportation of such deficiency.

(b)  Unless specifically prohibited in the General Appropriations Act, the earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund may continue to be used pursuant to paragraph (a).

(c)  The guaranty shall not be a general obligation of the corporation or of the state, but shall be a special obligation, which constitutes the investment of a public trust fund. In no event shall the guaranty constitute an indebtedness of the corporation, the State of Florida, or any political subdivision thereof within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation. Each guaranty agreement shall have plainly stated on the face thereof that it has been entered into under the provisions of this act and that it does not constitute an indebtedness of the corporation, the state, or any political subdivision thereof within any constitutional or statutory limitation, and that neither the full faith and credit of the State of Florida nor any of its revenues is pledged to meet any of the obligations of the corporation under such guaranty agreement. Each such agreement shall state that the obligation of the corporation under the guaranty shall be limited to the funds available in the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account as authorized by this section.

The corporation shall include, as part of the annual report prepared pursuant to s. 288.9610, a detailed report concerning the use of guaranteed bond proceeds for loans guaranteed or issued pursuant to any agreement with the Florida Black Business Investment Board, including the percentage of such loans guaranteed or issued and the total volume of such loans guaranteed or issued.

(8)  In the event the corporation does not approve the application for a guaranty, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the corporation's determination that the application not be approved.

(9)  The membership of the corporation is authorized and directed to conduct such investigation as it may deem necessary for promulgation of regulations to govern the operation of the guaranty program authorized by this section. The regulations may include such other additional provisions, restrictions, and conditions as the corporation, after its investigation referred to in this subsection, shall determine to be proper to achieve the most effective utilization of the guaranty program. This may include, without limitation, a detailing of the remedies that must be exhausted by the bondholders, or a trustee acting on their behalf, prior to calling upon the corporation to perform under its guaranty agreement and the subrogation of other rights of the corporation with reference to the project and its operation or the financing in the event the corporation makes payment pursuant to the applicable guaranty agreement. The regulations promulgated by the corporation to govern the operation of the guaranty program shall contain specific provisions with respect to the rights of the corporation to enter, take over, and manage all financed properties upon default. These regulations shall set forth the respective rights of the corporation and the bondholders in regard thereto.

History.--ss. 31, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 14, ch. 94-136; s. 3, ch. 95-386; s. 103, ch. 96-320; s. 148, ch. 96-406; s. 74, ch. 99-13; s. 70, ch. 99-385.

288.9608  Creation and funding of the guaranty account.--

(1)  The corporation shall establish a debt service reserve account which contains not less than 6 months' debt service reserves from the proceeds of the sale of any bonds guaranteed by the corporation. Funds in such debt service reserve account shall be used prior to funds in the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account established in subsection (2). The corporation shall make best efforts to liquidate collateralized property and draw upon personal guarantees, and shall utilize the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account prior to use of supplemental funding for the Guaranty Reserve Account under the provisions of subsection (3).

(2)(a)  The corporation shall establish an account known as the Revenue Bond Guaranty Reserve Account, the Guaranty Fund. The corporation shall deposit a sum of money or other cash equivalents into this fund and maintain a balance in this fund, from sources other than the State Transportation Trust Fund, not less than a sum equal to 1 year of maximum debt service on all outstanding bonds, or portions thereof, of the corporation for which a guaranty has been issued pursuant to ss. 288.9606, 288.9607, and 288.9608.

(b)  If the corporation determines that the moneys in the Guaranty Fund are not sufficient to meet the obligations of the Guaranty Fund, the corporation is authorized to use the necessary amount of any available moneys that it may have which are not needed for, then or in the foreseeable future, or committed to other authorized functions and purposes of the corporation. Any such moneys so used may be reimbursed out of the Guaranty Fund if and when there are moneys therein available for the purpose.

(c)  The determination of when additional moneys will be needed for the Guaranty Fund, the amounts that will be needed, and the availability or unavailability of other moneys shall be made solely by the corporation in the exercise of its discretion. However, supplemental funding for the Guaranty Fund as described in subsection (3) shall be made in accordance with the investment agreement of the corporation and the Department of Transportation and the State Board of Administration.

(3)(a)  If the corporation determines that the funds in the Guaranty Fund will not be sufficient to meet the present or reasonably projected obligations of the Guaranty Fund, due to a default on a loan made by the corporation from the proceeds of a bond issued by the corporation which is guaranteed pursuant to s. 288.9607(7), no later than 90 days before amortization payments are due on such bonds, the corporation shall notify the Secretary of Transportation and the State Board of Administration of the amount of funds required to meet, as and when due, all amortization payments for which the Guaranty Fund is obligated. The Secretary of Transportation shall immediately notify the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations of the amount of funds required, and the projected impact on each affected year of the adopted work program of the Department of Transportation.

(b)  Within 30 days of the receipt of notification from the corporation, the Department of Transportation shall submit a budget amendment request to the Executive Office of the Governor pursuant to chapter 216, to increase budget authority to carry out the purposes of this section. Upon approval of said amendment, the department shall proceed to amend the adopted work program, if necessary, in accordance with the amendment. Within 60 days of the receipt of notification, and subject to approval of the budget authority, the Secretary of Transportation shall transfer, subject to the amount available from the source described in paragraph (c), the amount of funds requested by the corporation required to meet, as and when due, all amortization payments for which the Guaranty Fund is obligated. Any moneys so transferred shall be reimbursed to the Department of Transportation, with interest at the rate earned on investment by the State Treasury, from the funds available in the Guaranty Fund or as otherwise available to the corporation.

(c)  Pursuant to s. 288.9607(7), the Secretary of Transportation and the State Board of Administration may make available for transfer to the Guaranty Fund, earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund. However, the earnings accrued and collected upon the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund which shall be subject to transfer shall be limited to those earnings accrued and collected on the investment of the minimum balance of funds required to be maintained in the State Transportation Trust Fund for the fiscal year in which the notification is received by the secretary and fiscal years thereafter.

(4)  If the corporation receives supplemental funding for the Guaranty Fund under the provisions of this section, then any proceeds received by the corporation with respect to a loan in default, including proceeds from the sale of collateral for such loan, enforcement of personal guarantees or other pledges to the corporation to secure such loan, shall first be applied to the obligation of the corporation to repay the Department of Transportation pursuant to this section. Until such repayment is complete, no new bonds may be guaranteed pursuant to this section.

(5)  Prior to the use of the guaranty provided in this section, and on an annual basis, the corporation must certify in writing to the State Board of Administration and the Secretary of Transportation that it has fully implemented the requirements of this section and s. 288.9607 and the regulations of the corporation.

History.--ss. 32, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 234, ch. 95-148; s. 104, ch. 96-320.

288.9609  Bonds as legal investments.--All banks, trust companies, bankers, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking and investment business; all insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business; and all executors, administrators, curators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys, or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations issued by the corporation pursuant to an interlocal agreement with a public agency of this state. Such bonds and obligations shall be authorized security for all public deposits. It is the purpose of this section to authorize all persons, political subdivisions, and officers, public and private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them for the purchase of any such bonds or other obligations. Nothing contained in this section with regard to legal investments shall be construed as relieving any person of any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.

History.--ss. 33, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402.

288.9610  Annual reports of Florida Development Finance Corporation.--By December 1 of each year, the Florida Development Finance Corporation shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, the House Minority Leader, and the city or county activating the Florida Development Finance Corporation a complete and detailed report setting forth:

(1)  The evaluation required in s. 11.45(3)(a)11.

(2)  The operations and accomplishments of the Florida Development Finance Corporation, including the number of businesses assisted by the corporation.

(3)  Its assets and liabilities at the end of its most recent fiscal year, including a description of all of its outstanding revenue bonds.

History.--ss. 34, 62, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 93-402; s. 39, ch. 2002-1.

288.9614  Authorized programs.--Enterprise Florida, Inc., may take any action that it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this act in partnership with private enterprises, public agencies, and other organizations, including, but not limited to, efforts to address the long-term debt needs of small-sized and medium-sized firms, to address the needs of microenterprises, to expand availability of venture capital, and to increase international trade and export finance opportunities for firms critical to achieving the purposes of this act.

History.--s. 38, ch. 93-187; s. 108, ch. 96-320; s. 41, ch. 97-278; s. 42, ch. 99-251.

288.9618  Microenterprises.--

(1)  Subject to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may contract with some appropriate not-for-profit or governmental organization for any action that the office deems necessary to foster the development of microenterprises in the state. As used within this section, microenterprises are extremely small business enterprises which enable low and moderate income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment. Microenterprise programs are those which provide at least one of the following: small amounts of capital, business training, and technical assistance. Where feasible, the office or organizations under contract with the office shall work in cooperation with other organizations active in the study and support of microenterprises. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:

(a)  Maintaining a network of communication and coordination among existing microenterprise lending and assistance programs throughout the state.

(b)  Providing information and technical help to community-based or regional organizations attempting to establish new microenterprise programs.

(c)  Encouraging private sector investment in microenterprises and microenterprise lending programs.

(d)  Fostering mentoring and networking relationships among microenterprises and other businesses and public bodies in order to give microenterprises access to management advice and business leads.

(e)  Incorporating microenterprise components into the capital development programs and other business development programs operated by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its affiliates.

(f)  Providing organizational, financial, and marketing support for conferences, workshops, or similar events that focus on microenterprise development.

(g)  Establishing a program and guidelines for the award of matching grants on a competitive basis to support the operational expenses of not-for-profit organizations and government agencies that are engaged in microenterprise lending and other microenterprise assistance activities.

(h)  Coordinating with other organizations to ensure that participants in the WAGES Program are given opportunities to create microenterprises.

(2)  The office shall adopt guidelines for administering the program and shall establish criteria for the competitive evaluation of applications for funding. The office shall establish performance measures for this program prior to providing grant moneys to any entity and shall report such measures to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

History.--s. 40, ch. 97-278; s. 43, ch. 99-251.

PART X

DEFENSE CONVERSION AND TRANSITION

288.971  Legislative findings.

288.972  Legislative intent.

288.975  Military base reuse plans.

288.976  Military base closure and reuse.

288.977  Military base disposition.

288.980  Military base retention; legislative intent; grants program.

288.971  Legislative findings.--The Legislature finds that the Federal Government is in the midst of major post-Cold War reductions in the nation's defense industry with more than 40 percent reductions in defense spending and 30 percent decreases in military personnel by 1997 resulting in many military base closures and the elimination of numerous defense contracts for goods and services. Already, five communities of this state are facing the consequences of base closures and realignments with further actions expected during the next round of federal decisions in 1995. The Legislature also finds that defense programs and activities have been major factors in the state's economic and technological progress, responsible for over $16 billion in direct and indirect spending in the state, 50 percent of high-technology industry job growth in the early 1980's, and 177,000 military and civilian jobs on 15 military installations around the state. The Legislature further finds that the success the state, its communities, and its businesses will have in responding to these dramatic changes will depend on the ability of this state to act in a coordinated, well-planned, and prompt manner in response to defense downsizing impacts and issues.

History.--s. 2, ch. 94-323.

288.972  Legislative intent.--It is the policy of this state, once the Federal Government has proposed any base closure or has determined that military bases, lands, or installations are to be closed and made available for reuse, to:

(1)  Cooperate fully with the Federal Government and community base reuse commissions to ensure prompt effective plans for converting available base lands and facilities to uses which further the affected communities' welfare.

(2)  Conduct, in cooperation with federal and local government agencies, prompt and comprehensive assessments of the economic development, environmental, wildlife conservation, and growth management implications of base closure and reuse for use in making recommendations on land disposition.

(3)  Honor, consistent with the state's responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, the affected communities' plans in regard to base reuse.

(4)  Offer to affected communities, to the maximum extent feasible, guidance and technical assistance in formulating plans for the beneficial economic development, environmental resource management, and other use of available base lands.

(5)  Provide, to the maximum extent feasible, special assistance and outreach, in the form of counseling, training, and placement services, to workers in this state displaced by defense industry reductions, base closure, and realignments.

(6)  Expedite, consistent with the state's responsibility to protect the environment, manage growth, and fulfill its proprietary responsibilities, all state permitting, planning, and state lands ownership processes related to the closure and reuse of military base lands and facilities.

(7)  Actively encourage the Federal Government to provide adequate funding and expeditious action for military base closing and reuse and to provide, consistent with national security laws and authorities, good access to affected military installations and their personnel for the purpose of fulfilling state agency responsibilities.

(8)  Coordinate base retention efforts among communities in this state whose military installations are recommended for closure or realignment.

(9)  Coordinate the development of the Defense-Related Business Adjustment Program to increase commercial technology development by defense companies.

(10)  Coordinate the development, maintenance, and analysis of a workforce database to assist workers adversely affected by defense-related activities in their relocation efforts.

History.--s. 3, ch. 94-323; s. 2, ch. 96-348.

288.975  Military base reuse plans.--

(1)  This section contains optional provisions for military base reuse planning in recognition of the importance of ensuring prompt and effective planning for the conversion of military bases designated for closure by the Federal Government to maximize the welfare of impacted local governments and their constituents. While the reuse of these military bases shall provide substantial economic benefits to their host local governments, reuse activities may also have an adverse impact on the public facilities and services of local governments and impact resources and facilities of regional and statewide significance. The intent of this section is to address this unique relationship by providing for an optional military base reuse planning process that supersedes the provisions of chapter 380 pertaining to developments of regional impact and the requirements of part II of chapter 163, except as provided in this section.

(2)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Affected local government" means a local government adjoining the host local government and any other unit of local government that is not a host local government but that is identified in a proposed military base reuse plan as providing, operating, or maintaining one or more public facilities as defined in s. 163.3164(24) on lands within or serving a military base designated for closure by the Federal Government.

(b)  "Affected person" means a host local government; an affected local government; any state, regional, or federal agency; or a person who resides, owns property, or owns or operates a business within the boundaries of a host local government or affected local government.

(c)  "Base reuse activities" means development as defined in s. 380.04 on a military base designated for closure or closed by the Federal Government.

(d)  "Host local government" means a local government within the jurisdiction of which all or part of a military base designated for closure by the Federal Government is located. This shall not include a county if no part of a military base is located in its unincorporated area.

(e)  "Military base" means a military base designated for closure or closed by the Federal Government.

(f)  "Regional policy plan" means a strategic regional policy plan that has been adopted by rule by a regional planning council pursuant to s. 186.508.

(g)  "State comprehensive plan" means the plan as provided in chapter 187.

(3)  No later than 6 months after the designation of a military base for closure by the Federal Government, each host local government shall notify the secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in writing, by hand delivery or return receipt requested, as to whether it intends to use the optional provisions provided in this act. If a host local government does not opt to use the provisions of this act, land use planning and regulation pertaining to base reuse activities within those host local governments shall be subject to all applicable statutory requirements, including those contained within chapters 163 and 380.

(4)(a)  Military base reuse plans shall contain the following elements: future land use; intergovernmental coordination; transportation, which shall include roads, public transportation, and ports, aviation, and related facilities; capital improvements; coastal management, where applicable; recreation and open space; housing; conservation; and general infrastructure, which shall include potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, aquifer recharge, and stormwater management. Each element of the plan shall contain standards to assure compatibility with and minimize impacts on the surrounding community. Each element shall comply with the nonprocedural requirements for such related elements contained in part II of chapter 163 and rules adopted thereunder. The plan shall address each noncontiguous portion of a base specifically.

(b)  Military base reuse plans shall identify the need for and plans for provision of the following facilities and services for at least the next 5 years: roads, parking, public transportation, solid waste, drainage, sanitary sewer, potable water, and recreation and open space.

(c)  Military base reuse plans shall identify projected impacts to significant regional resources and natural resources of regional significance as identified by applicable regional planning councils in their regional policy plans and the actions that shall be taken to mitigate such impacts.

(d)  Data and analyses on which the plans are based shall include, at a minimum, the characteristics of vacant lands, projected use of vacant lands and redevelopment of developed lands, projected population growth, existing and projected public facilities, and projected impacts of base reuse activities on natural resources and those onsite and offsite public facilities and services listed in paragraph (b).

(e)  Military base reuse plans may contain additional elements and provisions at the option of the host local government.

(5)  At the discretion of the host local government, the provisions of this act may be complied with through the adoption of the military base reuse plan as a separate component of the local government comprehensive plan or through simultaneous amendments to all pertinent portions of the local government comprehensive plan. Once adopted and approved in accordance with this section, the military base reuse plan shall be considered to be part of the host local government's comprehensive plan and shall be thereafter implemented, amended, and reviewed in accordance with the provisions of part II of chapter 163. Local government comprehensive plan amendments necessary to initially adopt the military base reuse plan shall be exempt from the limitation on the frequency of plan amendments contained in s. 163.3187(2).

(6)  In the preparation and review of the military base reuse plans, local governments and regional and state agencies shall make every effort to avoid duplicative reviews and to use information and analyses generated by the federal environmental impact statement process and the federal community base reuse plan process.

(7)  A military base reuse plan shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan of the host local government and shall not conflict with the comprehensive plan of any affected local governments. A military base reuse plan shall be consistent with the nonprocedural requirements of part II of chapter 163 and rules adopted thereunder, applicable regional policy plans, and the state comprehensive plan.

(8)  At the request of a host local government, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall coordinate a presubmission workshop concerning a military base reuse plan within the boundaries of the host jurisdiction. Agencies that shall participate in the workshop shall include any affected local governments; the Department of Environmental Protection; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the Department of Community Affairs; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Health; the Department of Children and Family Services; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the Department of State; the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and any applicable water management districts and regional planning councils. The purposes of the workshop shall be to assist the host local government to understand issues of concern to the above listed entities pertaining to the military base site and to identify opportunities for better coordination of planning and review efforts with the information and analyses generated by the federal environmental impact statement process and the federal community base reuse planning process.

(9)  If a host local government elects to use the optional provisions of this act, it shall, no later than 12 months after notifying the agencies of its intent pursuant to subsection (3) either:

(a)  Send a copy of the proposed military base reuse plan for review to any affected local governments; the Department of Environmental Protection; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the Department of Community Affairs; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Health; the Department of Children and Family Services; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the Department of State; the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and any applicable water management districts and regional planning councils, or

(b)  Petition the secretary of the Department of Community Affairs for an extension of the deadline for submitting a proposed reuse plan. Such an extension request must be justified by changes or delays in the closure process by the federal Department of Defense or for reasons otherwise deemed to promote the orderly and beneficial planning of the subject military base reuse. The secretary of the Department of Community Affairs may grant extensions to the required submission date of the reuse plan.

(10)  Within 60 days after receipt of a proposed military base reuse plan, these entities shall review and provide comments to the host local government. The commencement of this review period shall be advertised in newspapers of general circulation within the host local government and any affected local government to allow for public comment. No later than 180 days after receipt and consideration of all comments, and the holding of at least two public hearings, the host local government shall adopt the military base reuse plan. The host local government shall comply with the notice requirements set forth in s. 163.3184(15) to ensure full public participation in this planning process.

(11)  Copies of the adopted military base reuse plan shall be forwarded within 10 days after its adoption to any affected local governments and regional and state agencies that submitted comments on the proposed military base reuse plan. In addition, notice shall be published in newspapers of general circulation in the host and any affected local governments. The notice shall state how and where a copy of the plan may be obtained or inspected. Within 45 days after receipt of the adopted military base reuse plan, or 45 days after the publication of the notice of the availability of the adopted plan for review, whichever is later, an affected person who submitted comments on the proposed plan may petition the host local government, challenging the military base reuse plan as not being in compliance with this act or any rule adopted pursuant to this act. The petition shall state each objection, identify its source, and provide a recommended action.

(12)  Following receipt of a petition, the petitioning party or parties and the host local government shall seek resolution of the issues in dispute. The issues in dispute shall be resolved as follows:

(a)  The petitioning parties and host local government shall have 45 days to resolve the issues in dispute. Other affected parties that submitted comments on the proposed military base reuse plan may be given the opportunity to formally participate in decisions and agreements made in these and subsequent proceedings by mutual consent of the petitioning party and the host local government. A third-party mediator may be used to help resolve the issues in dispute.

(b)  If resolution of the dispute cannot be achieved within 45 days, the petitioning parties and host local government may extend such dispute resolution for up to 45 days. If resolution of the dispute cannot be achieved with the above timeframes, the issues in dispute shall be submitted to the state land planning agency. If the issues stem from multiple petitions, the mediation shall be consolidated into a single proceeding. The state land planning agency shall have 45 days to hold informal hearings, if necessary, identify the issues in dispute, prepare a record of the proceedings, and provide recommended solutions to the parties. If the parties fail to implement the recommended solutions within 45 days, the state land planning agency shall submit the matter to the Administration Commission for final action. The report to the Administration Commission shall list each issue in dispute, describe the nature and basis for each dispute, identify the recommended solutions provided to the parties, and make recommendations for actions the Administration Commission should take to resolve the disputed issues.

(c)  If the state land planning agency is a party to the dispute, the issues in dispute shall be submitted to a party jointly selected by the state land planning agency and the host local government. The selected party shall comply with the responsibilities placed upon the state land planning agency in this section.

(d)  Within 45 days after receiving the report from the state land planning agency, the Administration Commission shall take action to resolve the issues in dispute. In deciding upon a proper resolution, the Administration Commission shall consider the nature of the issues in dispute, any requests for a formal administrative hearing pursuant to chapter 120, the compliance of the parties with this section, the extent of the conflict between the parties, the comparative hardships and the public interest involved. If the Administration Commission incorporates in its final order a term or condition that requires any local government to amend its local government comprehensive plan, the local government shall amend its plan within 60 days after the issuance of the order. Such amendment or amendments shall be exempt from the limitation of the frequency of plan amendments contained in s. 163.3187(2), and a public hearing on such amendment or amendments pursuant to s. 163.3184(15)(b)1. shall not be required. The final order of the Administration Commission is subject to appeal pursuant to s. 120.68. If the order of the Administration Commission is appealed, the time for the local government to amend its plan shall be tolled during the pendency of any local, state, or federal administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the military base reuse plan.

(13)  Following adoption of a military base reuse plan and resolution of any petitions filed pertaining to the plan, base reuse activities shall be exempt from all provisions of chapter 380 pertaining to developments of regional impact.

(14)  No later than 150 days following adoption of a military base reuse plan and resolution of any petitions filed pertaining to the plan, the host local government shall adopt new land development regulations or amend existing land development regulations as necessary to fully implement the military base reuse plan. With the exception of the 150-day adoption period, the adoption, review and enforcement of land development regulations pursuant to this section shall be governed by the provisions of ss. 163.3201, 163.3202, 163.3213, and 163.3215.

History.--s. 6, ch. 94-323; s. 116, ch. 96-320; s. 5, ch. 96-348; s. 45, ch. 97-100; s. 24, ch. 98-176; s. 53, ch. 99-8; s. 86, ch. 99-245.

288.976  Military base closure and reuse.--State agencies and departments shall, consistent with their statutory authorities and responsibility:

(1)  Consult with the appropriate federal agencies, local governments, and federally recognized community base reuse commissions as early as possible to coordinate information gathering, issue identification, impact assessment, potential land use options, citizen participation, review timelines, and all other aspects of base closure and reuse approvals. Such agencies shall invite federal and local government representatives to attend any agency preapplication conferences related to military base closure or reuse.

(2)  Make every effort to avoid duplicate reviews of impacts and, when possible and appropriate, use information analyses, and recommendations generated by the federal environmental impact statement process and the community base reuse plan process in state planning and permitting reviews.

(3)  Be authorized to enter into memorandums of agreement with federal agencies in order to facilitate the coordination of reviews.

(4)  Designate a person to serve as the agency coordinator for military base closure and reuse matters and notify the Governor in writing of the designation. The Governor shall notify the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the appropriate community base reuse commission chair, and the commanding officer of the affected installation of the appointment.

History.--s. 7, ch. 94-323.

288.977  Military base disposition.--State agencies or departments having an interest in acquiring or otherwise utilizing property on closed or realigned military bases may apply to acquire or use such property either by utilizing the standard state and local government screening process established in Pub. L. No. 101-510, s. 203, or by applying to a federal agency to use the property as a public benefit conveyance. The agency or department seeking to acquire or use property declared as surplus to the Federal Government by the United States Department of Defense shall provide to the Governor and the appropriate local government or federally recognized community base reuse commission, at the time of application to the Federal Government, a detailed description of the location and of the property as well as the agency's proposed or anticipated use of the property.

History.--s. 8, ch. 94-323.

288.980  Military base retention; legislative intent; grants program.--

(1)(a)  It is the intent of this state to provide the necessary means to assist communities with military installations that would be adversely affected by federal base realignment or closure actions. It is further the intent to encourage communities to initiate a coordinated program of response and plan of action in advance of future actions of the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission. It is critical that closure-vulnerable communities develop such a program to preserve affected military installations. The Legislature hereby recognizes that the state needs to coordinate all efforts that can facilitate the retention of all remaining military installations in the state. The Legislature, therefore, declares that providing such assistance to support the defense-related initiatives within this section is a public purpose for which public money may be used.

(b)  The Florida Defense Alliance, an organization within Enterprise Florida, is designated as the organization to ensure that Florida, its resident military bases and missions, and its military host communities are in competitive positions as the United States continues its defense realignment and downsizing. The defense alliance shall serve as an overall advisory body for Enterprise Florida defense-related activity. The Florida Defense Alliance may receive funding from appropriations made for that purpose administered by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(2)(a)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to award grants from any funds available to it to support activities related to the retention of military installations potentially affected by federal base closure or realignment.

(b)  The term "activities" as used in this section means studies, presentations, analyses, plans, and modeling. Staff salaries are not considered an "activity" for which grant funds may be awarded. Travel costs and costs incidental thereto incurred by a grant recipient shall be considered an "activity" for which grant funds may be awarded.

(c)  Except for grants issued pursuant to the Florida Military Installation Reuse Planning and Marketing Grant Program as described in paragraph (3)(c), the amount of any grant provided to an applicant may not exceed $250,000. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall require that an applicant:

1.  Represent a local government with a military installation or military installations that could be adversely affected by federal base realignment or closure.

2.  Agree to match at least 30 percent of any grant awarded.

3.  Prepare a coordinated program or plan of action delineating how the eligible project will be administered and accomplished.

4.  Provide documentation describing the potential for realignment or closure of a military installation located in the applicant's community and the adverse impacts such realignment or closure will have on the applicant's community.

(d)  In making grant awards the office shall consider, at a minimum, the following factors:

1.  The relative value of the particular military installation in terms of its importance to the local and state economy relative to other military installations vulnerable to closure.

2.  The potential job displacement within the local community should the military installation be closed.

3.  The potential adverse impact on industries and technologies which service the military installation.

(3)  The Florida Economic Reinvestment Initiative is established to respond to the need for this state and defense-dependent communities in this state to develop alternative economic diversification strategies to lessen reliance on national defense dollars in the wake of base closures and reduced federal defense expenditures and the need to formulate specific base reuse plans and identify any specific infrastructure needed to facilitate reuse. The initiative shall consist of the following three distinct grant programs to be administered by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development:

(a)  The Florida Defense Planning Grant Program, through which funds shall be used to analyze the extent to which the state is dependent on defense dollars and defense infrastructure and prepare alternative economic development strategies. The state shall work in conjunction with defense-dependent communities in developing strategies and approaches that will help communities make the transition from a defense economy to a nondefense economy. Grant awards may not exceed $250,000 per applicant and shall be available on a competitive basis.

(b)  The Florida Defense Implementation Grant Program, through which funds shall be made available to defense-dependent communities to implement the diversification strategies developed pursuant to paragraph (a). Eligible applicants include defense-dependent counties and cities, and local economic development councils located within such communities. Grant awards may not exceed $100,000 per applicant and shall be available on a competitive basis. Awards shall be matched on a one-to-one basis.

(c)  The Florida Military Installation Reuse Planning and Marketing Grant Program, through which funds shall be used to help counties, cities, and local economic development councils develop and implement plans for the reuse of closed or realigned military installations, including any necessary infrastructure improvements needed to facilitate reuse and related marketing activities.

Applications for grants under this subsection must include a coordinated program of work or plan of action delineating how the eligible project will be administered and accomplished, which must include a plan for ensuring close cooperation between civilian and military authorities in the conduct of the funded activities and a plan for public involvement.

(4)(a)  The Defense-Related Business Adjustment Program is hereby created. The Director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall coordinate the development of the Defense-Related Business Adjustment Program. Funds shall be available to assist defense-related companies in the creation of increased commercial technology development through investments in technology. Such technology must have a direct impact on critical state needs for the purpose of generating investment-grade technologies and encouraging the partnership of the private sector and government defense-related business adjustment. The following areas shall receive precedence in consideration for funding commercial technology development: law enforcement or corrections, environmental protection, transportation, education, and health care. Travel and costs incidental thereto, and staff salaries, are not considered an "activity" for which grant funds may be awarded.

(b)  The office shall require that an applicant:

1.  Be a defense-related business that could be adversely affected by federal base realignment or closure or reduced defense expenditures.

2.  Agree to match at least 50 percent of any funds awarded by the department in cash or in-kind services. Such match shall be directly related to activities for which the funds are being sought.

3.  Prepare a coordinated program or plan delineating how the funds will be administered.

4.  Provide documentation describing how defense-related realignment or closure will adversely impact defense-related companies.

(5)  The Retention of Military Installations Program is created. The Director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall coordinate and implement this program. The sum of $1.2 million is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 1999-2000 to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to implement this program for military installations located in counties with a population greater than 824,000. The funds shall be used to assist military installations potentially affected by federal base closure or realignment in covering current operating costs in an effort to retain the installation in this state. An eligible military installation for this program shall include a provider of simulation solutions for war-fighting experimentation, testing, and training which employs at least 500 civilian and military employees and has been operating in the state for a period of more than 10 years.

(6)  The director may award nonfederal matching funds specifically appropriated for construction, maintenance, and analysis of a Florida defense workforce database. Such funds will be used to create a registry of worker skills that can be used to match the worker needs of companies that are relocating to this state or to assist workers in relocating to other areas within this state where similar or related employment is available.

(7)  Payment of administrative expenses shall be limited to no more than 10 percent of any grants issued pursuant to this section.

(8)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall establish guidelines to implement and carry out the purpose and intent of this section.

History.--s. 9, ch. 94-323; s. 117, ch. 96-320; s. 6, ch. 96-348; s. 25, ch. 98-176; s. 101, ch. 99-251.

PART XI

CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANY ACT

288.99  Certified Capital Company Act.

288.99  Certified Capital Company Act.--

(1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section may be cited as the "Certified Capital Company Act."

(2)  PURPOSE.--The primary purpose of this act is to stimulate a substantial increase in venture capital investments in this state by providing an incentive for insurance companies to invest in certified capital companies in this state which, in turn, will make investments in new businesses or in expanding businesses, including minority-owned or minority-operated businesses and businesses located in a designated Front Porch community, enterprise zone, urban high-crime area, rural job tax credit county, or nationally recognized historic district. The increase in investment capital flowing into new or expanding businesses is intended to contribute to employment growth, create jobs which exceed the average wage for the county in which the jobs are created, and expand or diversify the economic base of this state.

¹(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Affiliate of an insurance company" means:

1.  Any person directly or indirectly beneficially owning, whether through rights, options, convertible interests, or otherwise, controlling, or holding power to vote 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities or other voting ownership interests of the insurance company;

2.  Any person 15 percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities or other voting ownership interest is directly or indirectly beneficially owned, whether through rights, options, convertible interests, or otherwise, controlled, or held with power to vote by the insurance company;

3.  Any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the insurance company;

4.  A partnership in which the insurance company is a general partner; or

5.  Any person who is a principal, director, employee, or agent of the insurance company or an immediate family member of the principal, director, employee, or agent.

(b)  "Certified capital" means an investment of cash by a certified investor in a certified capital company which fully funds the purchase price of either or both its equity interest in the certified capital company or a qualified debt instrument issued by the certified capital company.

(c)  "Certified capital company" means a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company which:

1.  Is certified by the department in accordance with this act.

2.  Receives investments of certified capital from two or more unaffiliated certified investors.

3.  Makes qualified investments as its primary activity.

(d)  "Certified investor" means any insurance company subject to premium tax liability pursuant to s. 624.509 that invests certified capital.

(e)  "Department" means the Department of Banking and Finance.

(f)  "Director" means the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(g)  "Early stage technology business" means a qualified business that is:

1.  Involved, at the time of the certified capital company's initial investment in such business, in activities related to developing initial product or service offerings, such as prototype development or the establishment of initial production or service processes;

2.  Less than 2 years old and has, together with its affiliates, less than $3 million in annual revenues for the fiscal year immediately preceding the initial investment by the certified capital company on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

3.  The Florida Black Business Investment Board;

4.  Any entity that is majority owned by the Florida Black Business Investment Board; or

5.  Any entity in which the Florida Black Business Investment Board holds a majority voting interest on the board of directors.

(h)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(i)  "Premium tax liability" means any liability incurred by an insurance company under the provisions of ss. 624.509 and 624.5091.

(j)  "Principal" means an executive officer of a corporation, partner of a partnership, manager of a limited liability company, or any other person with equivalent executive functions.

(k)  "Qualified business" means the Digital Divide Trust Fund established under the State of Florida Technology Office or a business that meets the following conditions as evidenced by documentation required by department rule:

1.  The business is headquartered in this state and its principal business operations are located in this state or at least 75 percent of the employees are employed in the state.

2.  At the time a certified capital company makes an initial investment in a business, the business would qualify for investment under 13 C.F.R. s. 121.301(c), which is involved in manufacturing, processing or assembling products, conducting research and development, or providing services.

3.  At the time a certified capital company makes an initial investment in a business, the business certifies in an affidavit that:

a.  The business is unable to obtain conventional financing, which means that the business has failed in an attempt to obtain funding for a loan from a bank or other commercial lender or that the business cannot reasonably be expected to qualify for such financing under the standards of commercial lending;

b.  The business plan for the business projects that the business is reasonably expected to achieve in excess of $25 million in sales revenue within 5 years after the initial investment, or the business is located in a designated Front Porch community, enterprise zone, urban high crime area, rural job tax credit county, or nationally recognized historic district;

c.  The business will maintain its headquarters in this state for the next 10 years and any new manufacturing facility financed by a qualified investment will remain in this state for the next 10 years, or the business is located in a designated Front Porch community, enterprise zone, urban high crime area, rural job tax credit county, or nationally recognized historic district; and

d.  The business has fewer than 200 employees and at least 75 percent of the employees are employed in this state. For purposes of this subsection, the term also includes the Florida Black Business Investment Board, any entity majority owned by the Florida Black Business Investment Board, or any entity in which the Florida Black Business Investment Board holds a majority voting interest on the board of directors.

4.  The term does not include:

a.  Any business predominantly engaged in retail sales, real estate development, insurance, banking, lending, or oil and gas exploration.

b.  Any business predominantly engaged in professional services provided by accountants, lawyers, or physicians.

c.  Any company that has no historical revenues and either has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is solely to engage in a merger or acquisition with any unidentified company or other entity.

d.  Any company that has a strategic plan to grow through the acquisition of firms with substantially similar business which would result in the planned net loss of Florida-based jobs over a 12-month period after the acquisition as determined by the department.

(l)  "Qualified debt instrument" means a debt instrument, or a hybrid of a debt instrument, issued by a certified capital company, at par value or a premium, with an original maturity date of at least 5 years after the date of issuance, a repayment schedule which is no faster than a level principal amortization over a 5-year period, and interest, distribution, or payment features which are not related to the profitability of the certified capital company or the performance of the certified capital company's investment portfolio.

(m)  "Qualified distribution" means any distribution or payment by a certified capital company for:

1.  Reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, professional fees, of forming and syndicating the certified capital company, if no such costs or expenses are paid to a certified investor, except as provided in subparagraph (4)(f)2., and the total cash, cash equivalents, and other current assets permitted by sub-subparagraph (5)(b)3.g. that can be converted into cash within 5 business days available to the certified capital company at the time of receipt of certified capital from certified investors, after deducting the costs and expenses of forming and syndicating the certified capital company, including any payments made over time for obligations incurred at the time of receipt of certified capital but excluding other future qualified distributions and payments made under paragraph (9)(a), are an amount equal to or greater than 50 percent of the total certified capital allocated to the certified capital pursuant to subsection (7);

2.  Reasonable costs of managing and operating the certified capital company, not exceeding 5 percent of the certified capital in any single year, including an annual management fee in an amount that does not exceed 2.5 percent of the certified capital of the certified capital company;

3.  Reasonable and necessary fees in accordance with industry custom for professional services, including, but not limited to, legal and accounting services, related to the operation of the certified capital company; or

4.  Any projected increase in federal or state taxes, including penalties and interest related to state and federal income taxes, of the equity owners of a certified capital company resulting from the earnings or other tax liability of the certified capital company to the extent that the increase is related to the ownership, management, or operation of a certified capital company.

(n)1.  "Qualified investment" means the investment of cash by a certified capital company in a qualified business for the purchase of any debt, equity, or hybrid security, including a debt instrument or security that has the characteristics of debt but which provides for conversion into equity or equity participation instruments such as options or warrants.

2.  The term does not include:

a.  Any investment made after the effective date of this act the contractual terms of which require the repayment of any portion of the principal in instances, other than default as determined by department rule, within 12 months following the initial investment by the certified capital company unless such investment has a repayment schedule no faster than a level principal amortization of at least 2 years;

b.  Any "follow-on" or "add-on" investment except for the amount by which the new investment is in addition to the amount of the certified capital company's initial investment returned to it other than in the form of interest, dividends, or other types of profit participation or distributions; or

c.  Any investment in a qualified business or affiliate of a qualified business that exceeds 15 percent of certified capital.

(o)  "Program One" means the $150 million in premium tax credits issued under this section in 1999, the allocation of such credits under this section, and the regulation of certified capital companies and investments made by them hereunder.

(p)  "Program Two" means the $150 million in premium tax credits to be issued under subsection (17), the allocation of such credits under this section, and the regulation of certified capital companies and investments made by them hereunder.

(4)  CERTIFICATION; GROUNDS FOR DENIAL OR DECERTIFICATION.--

(a)  To operate as a certified capital company, a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company must be certified by the department pursuant to this act.

(b)  An applicant for certification as a certified capital company must file a verified application with the department on or before December 1, 1998, a date determined in rules adopted pursuant to subsection (17) in the case of applicants for Program Two, in a form which the department may prescribe by rule. The applicant shall submit a nonrefundable application fee of $7,500 to the department. The applicant shall provide:

1.  The name of the applicant and the address of its principal office and each office in this state.

2.  The applicant's form and place of organization and the relevant organizational documents, bylaws, and amendments or restatements of such documents, bylaws, or amendments.

3.  Evidence from the Department of State that the applicant is registered with the Department of State as required by law, maintains an active status with the Department of State, and has not been dissolved or had its registration revoked, canceled, or withdrawn.

4.  The applicant's proposed method of doing business.

5.  The applicant's financial condition and history, including an audit report on the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The applicant must have, at the time of application for certification, an equity capitalization of at least $500,000 in the form of cash or cash equivalents. The applicant must maintain this equity capitalization until the applicant receives an allocation of certified capital pursuant to this act. If the date of the application is more than 90 days after preparation of the applicant's fiscal year-end financial statements, the applicant may file financial statements reviewed by an independent certified public accountant for the period subsequent to the audit report, together with the audited financial statement for the most recent fiscal year. If the applicant has been in business less than 12 months, and has not prepared an audited financial statement, the applicant may file a financial statement reviewed by an independent certified public accountant.

6.  Copies of any offering materials used or proposed to be used by the applicant in soliciting investments of certified capital from certified investors.

(c)  Within 60 days after receipt of a verified application, the department shall grant or deny certification as a certified capital company. If the department denies certification within the time period specified, the department shall inform the applicant of the grounds for the denial. If the department has not granted or denied certification within the time specified, the application shall be deemed approved. The department shall approve the application if the department finds that:

1.  The applicant satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b).

2.  No evidence exists that the applicant has committed any act specified in paragraph (d).

3.  At least two of the principals have a minimum of 5 years of experience making venture capital investments out of private equity funds, with not less than $20 million being provided by third-party investors for investment in the early stage of operating businesses. At least one full-time manager or principal of the certified capital company who has such experience must be primarily located in an office of the certified capital company which is based in this state.

4.  The applicant's proposed method of doing business and raising certified capital as described in its offering materials and other materials submitted to the department conforms with the requirements of this section.

(d)  The department may deny certification or decertify a certified capital company if the grounds for decertification are not removed or corrected within 90 days after the notice of such grounds is received by the certified capital company. The department may deny certification or decertify a certified capital company if the certified capital company fails to maintain common stock or paid-in capital of at least $500,000, or if the department determines that the applicant, or any principal or director of the certified capital company, has:

1.  Violated any provision of this section;

2.  Made a material misrepresentation or false statement or concealed any essential or material fact from any person during the application process or with respect to information and reports required of certified capital companies under this section;

3.  Been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime against the laws of this state or any other state or of the United States or any other country or government, including a fraudulent act in connection with the operation of a certified capital company, or in connection with the performance of fiduciary duties in another capacity;

4.  Been adjudicated liable in a civil action on grounds of fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation, or deceit; or

5.a.  Been the subject of any decision, finding, injunction, suspension, prohibition, revocation, denial, judgment, or administrative order by any court of competent jurisdiction, administrative law judge, or any state or federal agency, national securities, commodities, or option exchange, or national securities, commodities, or option association, involving a material violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or any rule or regulation adopted under such law, or any rule or regulation of any national securities, commodities, or options exchange, or national securities, commodities, or options association; or

b.  Been the subject of any injunction or adverse administrative order by a state or federal agency regulating banking, insurance, finance or small loan companies, real estate, mortgage brokers, or other related or similar industries.

(e)  Any offering material involving the sale of securities of the certified capital company shall include the following statement: "By authorizing the formation of a certified capital company, the State of Florida does not endorse the quality of management or the potential for earnings of such company and is not liable for damages or losses to a certified investor in the company. Use of the word 'certified' in an offering does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of the investment by the State of Florida. Investments in a certified capital company prior to the time such company is certified are not eligible for premium tax credits. If applicable provisions of law are violated, the state may require forfeiture of unused premium tax credits and repayment of used premium tax credits by the certified investor."

(f)1.  No insurance company or any affiliate of an insurance company shall, directly or indirectly, own, whether through rights, options, convertible interests, or otherwise, 15 percent or more of the voting equity interests of or manage or control the direction of investments of a certified capital company. This prohibition does not preclude a certified investor, insurance company, or any other party from exercising its legal rights and remedies, which may include interim management of a certified capital company, if a certified capital company is in default of its obligations under law or its contractual obligations to such certified investor, insurance company, or other party. Nothing in this subparagraph shall limit an insurance company's ownership of nonvoting equity interests in a certified capital company.

2.  A certified capital company may obtain a guaranty, indemnity, bond, insurance policy or other payment undertaking in favor of all of the certified investors of the certified capital company and its affiliates; provided that the entity from which such guaranty, indemnity, bond, insurance policy or other payment undertaking is obtained may not be a certified investor of, or be affiliated with more than one certified investor of, the certified capital company.

(g)  On or before December 31 of each year, each certified capital company shall pay to the department an annual, nonrefundable renewal certification fee of $5,000. If a certified capital company fails to pay its renewal fee by the specified deadline, the company must pay a late fee of $5,000 in addition to the renewal fee on or by January 31 of each year in order to continue its certification in the program. On or before April 30 of each year, each certified capital company shall file audited financial statements with the department. No renewal fees shall be required within 6 months after the date of initial certification.

(h)  The department shall administer and provide for the enforcement of certification requirements for certified capital companies as provided in this act. The department may adopt any rules necessary to carry out its duties, obligations, and powers related to certification, renewal of certification, or decertification of certified capital companies and may perform any other acts necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of such duties, obligations, and powers.

(i)  Decertification of a certified capital company under this subsection does not affect the ability of certified investors in such certified capital company from claiming future premium tax credits earned as a result of an investment in the certified capital company during the period in which it was duly certified.

(5)  INVESTMENTS BY CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANIES.--

(a)  To remain certified, a certified capital company must make qualified investments according to the following schedule:

1.  At least 20 percent of its certified capital must be invested in qualified investments by December 31, 2000.

2.  At least 30 percent of its certified capital must be invested in qualified investments by December 31, 2001.

3.  At least 40 percent of its certified capital must be invested in qualified investments by December 31, 2002.

4.  At least 50 percent of its certified capital must be invested in qualified investments by December 31, 2003. At least 50 percent of such qualified investments must be invested in early stage technology businesses.

(b)  All capital not invested in qualified investments by the certified capital company:

1.  Must be held in a financial institution as defined by s. 655.005(1)(h) or held by a broker-dealer registered under s. 517.12, except as set forth in sub-subparagraph 3.g.

2.  Must not be invested in a certified investor of the certified capital company or any affiliate of the certified investor of the certified capital company, except for an investment permitted by sub-subparagraph 3.g., provided repayment terms do not permit the obligor to directly or indirectly manage or control the investment decisions of the certified capital company.

3.  Must be invested only in:

a.  Any United States Treasury obligations;

b.  Certificates of deposit or other obligations, maturing within 3 years after acquisition of such certificates or obligations, issued by any financial institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States;

c.  Marketable obligations, maturing within 10 years or less after the acquisition of such obligations, which are rated "A" or better by any nationally recognized credit rating agency;

d.  Mortgage-backed securities, with an average life of 5 years or less, after the acquisition of such securities, which are rated "A" or better by any nationally recognized credit rating agency;

e.  Collateralized mortgage obligations and real estate mortgage investment conduits that are direct obligations of an agency of the United States Government; are not private-label issues; are in book-entry form; and do not include the classes of interest only, principal only, residual, or zero;

f.  Interests in money market funds, the portfolio of which is limited to cash and obligations described in sub-subparagraphs a.-d.; or

g.  Obligations that are issued by an insurance company that is not a certified investor of the certified capital company making the investment, that has provided a guarantee indemnity bond, insurance policy, or other payment undertaking in favor of the certified capital company's certified investors as permitted by subparagraph (3)(m)1. or an affiliate of such insurance company as defined by subparagraph (3)(a)3. that is not a certified investor of the certified capital company making the investment, provided that such obligations are:

(I)  Issued or guaranteed as to principal by an entity whose senior debt is rated "AA" or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or such other nationally recognized credit rating agency as the department may by rule determine.

(II)  Not subordinated to other unsecured indebtedness of the issuer or the guarantor.

(III)  Invested by such issuing entity in accordance with sub-subparagraphs 3.a.-f.

(IV)  Readily convertible into cash within 5 business days for the purpose of making a qualified investment unless such obligations are held to provide a guarantee, indemnity bond, insurance policy, or other payment undertaking in favor of the certified capital company's certified investors as permitted by subparagraph (3)(m)1.

(c)  The aggregate amount of all qualified investments made by the certified capital company from the date of its certification shall be considered in the calculation of the percentage requirements under paragraph (a).

(6)  PREMIUM TAX CREDIT; AMOUNT; LIMITATIONS.--

(a)  Any certified investor who makes an investment of certified capital shall earn a vested credit against premium tax liability equal to 100 percent of the certified capital invested by the certified investor. Certified investors shall be entitled to use no more than 10 percentage points of the vested premium tax credit earned under a particular program, including any carryforward credits from such program under this act, per year beginning with premium tax filings for calendar year 2000 for credits earned under Program One. Any premium tax credits not used by certified investors in any single year may be carried forward and applied against the premium tax liabilities of such investors for subsequent calendar years.

(b)  The credit to be applied against premium tax liability in any single year may not exceed the premium tax liability of the certified investor for that taxable year.

(c)  A certified investor claiming a credit against premium tax liability earned through an investment in a certified capital company shall not be required to pay any additional retaliatory tax levied pursuant to s. 624.5091 as a result of claiming such credit. Because credits under this section are available to a certified investor, s. 624.5091 does not limit such credit in any manner.

(d)  The amount of tax credits vested under the Certified Capital Company Act shall not be considered in ratemaking proceedings involving a certified investor.

(7)  ANNUAL TAX CREDIT; MAXIMUM AMOUNT; ALLOCATION PROCESS.--

(a)  The total amount of tax credits which may be allocated by the office shall not exceed $150 million with respect to Program One and $150 million with respect to Program Two. The total amount of tax credits which may be used by certified investors under this act shall not exceed $15 million annually with respect to credits earned under Program One and $15 million annually with respect to credits earned under Program Two.

(b)  The office shall be responsible for allocating premium tax credits as provided for in this act to certified capital companies.

(c)  Each certified capital company must apply to the office for an allocation of premium tax credits for potential certified investors on a form developed by the office with the cooperation of the Department of Revenue. The form shall be accompanied by an affidavit from each potential certified investor confirming that the potential certified investor has agreed to make an investment of certified capital in a certified capital company up to a specified amount, subject only to the receipt of a premium tax credit allocation pursuant to this subsection. No certified capital company shall submit premium tax allocation claims on behalf of certified investors that in the aggregate would exceed the total dollar amount appropriated by the Legislature for the specific program. No allocation shall be made to the potential investors of a certified capital company under Program Two unless such certified capital company has filed premium tax allocation claims of not less than $15 million in the aggregate.

(d)  The office shall inform each certified capital company of its share of total premium tax credits available for allocation to each of its potential investors.

(e)  If a certified capital company does not receive certified capital equaling the amount of premium tax credits allocated to a potential certified investor for which the investor filed a premium tax allocation claim within 10 business days after the investor received a notice of allocation, the certified capital company shall notify the office by overnight common carrier delivery service of the company's failure to receive the capital. That portion of the premium tax credits allocated to the certified capital company shall be forfeited. If the office must make a pro rata allocation under paragraph (f), the office shall reallocate such available credits among the other certified capital companies on the same pro rata basis as the initial allocation.

(f)  If the total amount of capital committed by all certified investors to certified capital companies in premium tax allocation claims under Program Two exceeds the aggregate cap on the amount of credits that may be awarded under Program Two, the premium tax credits that may be allowed to any one certified investor under Program Two shall be allocated using the following ratio:

A/B = X/>$150,000,000


where the letter "A" represents the total amount of certified capital certified investors have agreed to invest in any one certified capital company under Program Two, the letter "B" represents the aggregate amount of certified capital that all certified investors have agreed to invest in all certified capital companies under Program Two, the letter "X" is the numerator and represents the total amount of premium tax credits and certified capital that may be allocated to a certified capital company on a date determined by rule adopted by the department pursuant to subsection (17), and $150 million is the denominator and represents the total amount of premium tax credits and certified capital that may be allocated to all certified investors under Program Two. Any such premium tax credits are not first available for utilization until annual filings are made in 2001 for calendar year 2000 in the case of Program One, and the tax credits may be used at a rate not to exceed 10 percent annually per program.

(g)  The maximum amount of certified capital for which premium tax allocation claims may be filed on behalf of any certified investor and its affiliates by one or more certified capital companies may not exceed $15 million for Program One and $22.5 million for Program Two.

(h)  To the extent that less than $150 million in certified capital is raised in connection with the procedure set forth in paragraphs (c)-(g), the department may adopt rules to allow a subsequent allocation of the remaining premium tax credits authorized under this section.

(i)  The office shall issue a certification letter for each certified investor, showing the amount invested in the certified capital company under each program. The applicable certified capital company shall attest to the validity of the certification letter.

(8)  ANNUAL TAX CREDIT; CLAIM PROCESS.--

(a)  On an annual basis, on or before January 31, each certified capital company shall file with the department and the office, in consultation with the department, on a form prescribed by the office, for each calendar year:

1.  The total dollar amount the certified capital company received from certified investors, the identity of the certified investors, and the amount received from each certified investor during the immediately preceding calendar year.

2.  The total dollar amount the certified capital company invested and the amount invested in qualified businesses, together with the identity and location of those businesses and the amount invested in each qualified business during the immediately preceding calendar year.

3.  For informational purposes only, the total number of permanent, full-time jobs either created or retained by the qualified business during the immediately preceding calendar year, the average wage of the jobs created or retained, the industry sectors in which the qualified businesses operate, and any additional capital invested in qualified businesses from sources other than certified capital companies.

(b)  The form shall be verified by one or more principals of the certified capital company submitting the form. Verification shall be accomplished as provided in s. 92.525(1)(b) and subject to the provisions of s. 92.525(3).

(c)  The office shall review the form, and any supplemental documentation, submitted by each certified capital company for the purpose of verifying:

1.  That the businesses in which certified capital has been invested by the certified capital company are in fact qualified businesses, and that the amount of certified capital invested by the certified capital company is as represented in the form.

2.  The amount of certified capital invested in the certified capital company by the certified investors.

3.  The amount of premium tax credit available to certified investors.

(d)  The Department of Revenue is authorized to audit and examine the accounts, books, or records of certified capital companies and certified investors for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of any report and financial return which has been filed, and to ascertain a certified capital company's compliance with the tax-related provisions of this act.

(9)  REQUIREMENT FOR 100 PERCENT INVESTMENT; STATE PARTICIPATION.--

(a)  A certified capital company may make qualified distributions at any time. In order to make a distribution to its equity holders, other than a qualified distribution from funds related to a particular program, a certified capital company must have invested an amount cumulatively equal to 100 percent of its certified capital raised under such program in qualified investments. Payments to debt holders of a certified capital company, however, may be made without restriction with respect to repayments of principal and interest on indebtedness owed to them by a certified capital company, including indebtedness of the certified capital company on which certified investors earned premium tax credits. A debt holder that is also a certified investor or equity holder of a certified capital company may receive payments with respect to such debt without restrictions.

(b)  Cumulative distributions from a certified capital company from funds related to a particular program to its certified investors and equity holders under such program, other than qualified distributions, in excess of the certified capital company's original certified capital raised under such program and any additional capital contributions to the certified capital company with respect to such program may be audited by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm acceptable to the department, at the expense of the certified capital company, if the department directs such audit be conducted. The audit shall determine whether aggregate cumulative distributions from the funds related to a particular program made by the certified capital company to all certified investors and equity holders under such program, other than qualified distributions, have equaled the sum of the certified capital company's original certified capital raised under such program and any additional capital contributions to the certified capital company with respect to such program. If at the time of any such distribution made by the certified capital company, such distribution taken together with all other such distributions from the funds related to such program made by the certified capital company, other than qualified distributions, exceeds in the aggregate the sum of the certified capital company's original certified capital raised under such program and any additional capital contributions to the certified capital company with respect to such program, as determined by the audit, the certified capital company shall pay to the Department of Revenue 10 percent of the portion of such distribution in excess of such amount. Payments to the Department of Revenue by a certified capital company pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed the aggregate amount of tax credits used by all certified investors in such certified capital company for such program.

(10)  DECERTIFICATION.--

(a)  The department shall conduct an annual review of each certified capital company to determine if the certified capital company is abiding by the requirements of certification, to advise the certified capital company as to the eligibility status of its qualified investments, and to ensure that no investment has been made in violation of this act. The cost of the annual review shall be paid by each certified capital company.

(b)  Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to limit the Comptroller's authority to conduct audits of certified capital companies as deemed appropriate and necessary.

(c)  Any material violation of this section, or a finding that the certified capital company or any principal or director thereof has committed any act specified in paragraph (4)(d), shall be grounds for decertification of the certified capital company. If the department determines that a certified capital company is no longer in compliance with the certification requirements of this act, the department shall, by written notice, inform the officers of such company that the company may be subject to decertification 90 days after the date of mailing of the notice, unless the deficiencies are corrected and such company is again found to be in compliance with all certification requirements.

(d)  At the end of the 90-day grace period, if the certified capital company is still not in compliance with the certification requirements, the department may issue a notice to revoke or suspend the certification or to impose an administrative fine. The department shall advise each respondent of the right to an administrative hearing under chapter 120 prior to final action by the department.

(e)  If the department revokes a certification, such revocation shall also deny, suspend, or revoke the certifications of all affiliates of the certified capital company.

(f)  Decertification of a certified capital company for failure to meet all requirements for continued certification under paragraph (5)(a) with respect to the certified capital raised under a particular program may cause the recapture of premium tax credits previously claimed by such company under such program and the forfeiture of future premium tax credits to be claimed by certified investors under such program with respect to such certified capital company, as follows:

1.  Decertification of a certified capital company within 3 years after its certification date with respect to a particular program shall cause the recapture of all premium tax credits earned under such program and previously claimed by such company and the forfeiture of all future premium tax credits earned under such program which are to be claimed by certified investors with respect to such company.

2.  When a certified capital company meets all requirements for continued certification under subparagraph (5)(a)1. with respect to certified capital raised under a particular program and subsequently fails to meet the requirements for continued certification under the provisions of subparagraph (5)(a)2. with respect to certified capital raised under such program, those premium tax credits earned under such program which have been or will be taken by certified investors within 3 years after the certification date of the certified capital company with respect to such program shall not be subject to recapture or forfeiture; however, all premium tax credits earned under such program that have been or will be taken by certified investors after the third anniversary of the certification date of the certified capital company for such program shall be subject to recapture or forfeiture.

3.  When a certified capital company meets all requirements for continued certification under subparagraphs (5)(a)1. and 2. with respect to a particular program and subsequently fails to meet the requirements for continued certification under subparagraph (5)(a)3. with respect to such program, those premium tax credits earned under such program which have been or will be taken by certified investors within 4 years after the certification date of the certified capital company with respect to such program shall not be subject to recapture or forfeiture; however, all premium tax credits earned under such program that have been or will be taken by certified investors after the fourth anniversary of the certification date of the certified capital company with respect to such program shall be subject to recapture and forfeiture.

4.  If a certified capital company has met all requirements for continued certification under paragraph (5)(a) with respect to certified capital raised under a particular program, but such company is subsequently decertified, those premium tax credits earned under such program which have been or will be taken by certified investors within 5 years after the certification date of such company with respect to such program shall not be subject to recapture or forfeiture. Those premium tax credits earned under such program to be taken subsequent to the 5th year of certification with respect to such program shall be subject to forfeiture only if the certified capital company is decertified within 5 years after its certification date with respect to such program.

5.  If a certified capital company has invested an amount cumulatively equal to 100 percent of its certified capital raised under a particular program in qualified investments, all premium tax credits claimed or to be claimed by its certified investors under such program shall not be subject to recapture or forfeiture.

(g)  Decertification of a certified capital company pursuant to subsection (4) or this subsection does not affect the ability of certified investors in such certified capital company to continue to claim future premium tax credits earned as an investment in the certified capital company during the period in which it was duly certified.

(h)  The office shall send written notice to the address of each certified investor whose premium tax credit has been subject to recapture or forfeiture, using the address last shown on the last premium tax filing.

(i)  The certified investor is responsible for returning to the Department of Revenue any forfeited insurance premium tax credits, and such funds shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund of the state.

(j)  The certified investor shall file with the Department of Revenue an amended return or such other report as the department may prescribe by regulation and pay any required tax, not later than 60 days after such decertification has been agreed to or finally determined, whichever shall first occur.

(k)  A notice of deficiency may be issued:

1.  At any time within 5 years after the date such notification is given; or

2.  At any time if a certified investor fails to notify the Department of Revenue.

In either case, the amount of any proposed assessment set forth in such notice shall be limited to the amount of any deficiency resulting under this act from the recomputation of the certified investor's insurance premium tax and, if applicable, its retaliatory tax for the taxable year giving effect only to the item or items reflected in the decertification adjustment.

(l)  Any certified investor who fails to report and timely pay any tax due as a result of the forfeiture of its insurance premium tax credit is in violation of this subsection and is subject to a penalty of 10 percent of any underpayment or delinquent taxes due and payable.

(m)  When any taxpayer fails to pay any amount due as a result of the forfeiture of its insurance premium tax credit as provided for in this subsection, on or before the due date as specified in this subsection, interest shall be due on any insurance premium or retaliatory tax deficiency resulting from such forfeiture, at the rate of 12 percent per year from the due date of such amended return until paid.

(11)  TRANSFERABILITY.--The premium tax credit established pursuant to this act may be transferred or sold. The Department of Revenue shall adopt rules to facilitate the transfer or sale of such premium tax credits. A transfer or sale shall not affect the time schedule for taking the premium tax credit as provided in this act. Any premium tax credits recaptured shall be the liability of the taxpayer who actually claimed the premium tax credits. The claim of a transferee of a certified investor's unused premium tax credit shall be permitted in the same manner and subject to the same provisions and limitations of this act as the original certified investor.

(12)  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.--The office shall report on an annual basis to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before April 1:

(a)  The total dollar amount each certified capital company received from all certified investors and any other investor, the identity of the certified investors, and the total amount of premium tax credit used by each certified investor for the previous calendar year.

(b)  The total dollar amount invested by each certified capital company and that portion invested in qualified businesses, the identity and location of those businesses, the amount invested in each qualified business, and the total number of permanent, full-time jobs created or retained by each qualified business.

(c)  The return for the state as a result of the certified capital company investments, including the extent to which:

1.  Certified capital company investments have contributed to employment growth.

2.  The wage level of businesses in which certified capital companies have invested exceed the average wage for the county in which the jobs are located.

3.  The investments of the certified capital companies in qualified businesses have contributed to expanding or diversifying the economic base of the state.

(13)  FEES.--All fees and charges of any nature collected by the department pursuant to this act shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Revenue Fund.

(14)  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.--

(a)  The Department of Revenue may by rule prescribe forms and procedures for the tax credit filings, audits, and forfeiture of premium tax credits described in this section, and for certified capital company payments under paragraph (9)(b).

(b)  The office may adopt any rules necessary to carry out its duties, obligations, and powers related to the administration, review, and reporting provisions of this section and may perform any other acts necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of such duties, obligations, and powers.

(15)(a)  CONFIDENTIALITY OF INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW INFORMATION.--Except as otherwise provided by this section, any information relating to an investigation or department review of a certified capital company, including any consumer complaint, is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until the investigation or review is complete or ceases to be active. Such information shall remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution after the investigation or review is complete or ceases to be active if the information is submitted to any law enforcement or administrative agency for further investigation, and shall remain confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until that agency's investigation is complete or ceases to be active. For purposes of this subsection, an investigation or review shall be considered "active" so long as the department, a law enforcement agency, or an administrative agency is proceeding with reasonable dispatch and has a reasonable good faith belief that the investigation may lead to the filing of an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding. This section shall not be construed to prohibit disclosure of information which is required by law to be filed with the department and which, but for the investigation, would otherwise be subject to s. 119.07(1).

(b)  Except as necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter, a consumer complaint or information relating to an investigation or review shall remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) after an investigation or review is complete or ceases to be active to the extent disclosure would:

1.  Reveal a trade secret as defined in s. 688.002 or s. 812.081.

2.  Jeopardize the integrity of another active investigation or review.

3.  Disclose the identity of a confidential source or investigative techniques or procedures.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the department from providing information to any law enforcement or administrative agency. Any law enforcement or administrative agency receiving confidential information in connection with its official duties shall maintain the confidentiality of the information so long as it would otherwise be confidential.

(d)  In the event department personnel are or have been involved in an investigation or review of such nature as to endanger their lives or physical safety or that of their families, the home addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, and photographs of such personnel, together with the home addresses, telephone numbers, photographs, and places of employment of spouses and children of such personnel and the names and locations of schools and day care facilities attended by the children of such personnel are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).

(e)  All information obtained by the department from any person which is only made available to the department on a confidential or similarly restricted basis shall be confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1). This exemption shall not be construed to prohibit disclosure of information which is specifically required by law to be filed with the department or which is otherwise subject to s. 119.07(1).

(f)  If information subject to this subsection is offered in evidence in any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding, the presiding officer may, in his or her discretion, prevent the disclosure of information which would be confidential pursuant to paragraph (b).

(g)  A privilege against civil liability is granted to a person with regard to information or evidence furnished to the department, unless such person acts in bad faith or with malice in providing such information or evidence.

(h)  This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15, and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2005, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

(16)  CONFIDENTIALITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.--The social security number of any customer of a certified capital company, complainant, or person associated with a certified capital company or qualified business, is exempt from s. 119.07(1). This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act of 1995 in accordance with s. 119.15, and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2005, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

(17)  Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in paragraph (7)(a), in the first fiscal year in which the total insurance premium tax collections as determined by the Revenue Estimating Conference exceed collections for fiscal year 2000-2001 by more than the total amount of tax credits issued pursuant to this section which were used by certified investors in that year, the office may allocate to certified investors in accordance with paragraph (7)(a) tax credits for Program Two. The department shall establish, by rule, a date and procedures by which certified capital companies must file applications for allocations of such additional premium tax credits, which date shall be no later than 180 days from the date of determination by the Revenue Estimating Conference. With respect to new certified capital invested and premium tax credits earned pursuant to this subsection, the schedule specified in subparagraphs (5)(a)1.-4. is satisfied by investments by December 31 of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th calendar year, respectively, after the date established by the department for applications of additional premium tax credits. The department shall adopt rules by which an entity not already certified as a certified capital company may apply for certification as a certified capital company for participation in this additional allocation. The insurance premium tax credit authorized by Program Two may not be used by certified investors until the annual return due March 1, 2004, and may be used on all subsequent returns and estimated payments; however, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 624.5092(2)(b), the installments of taxes due and payable on April 15, 2004, and June 15, 2004, shall be based on the net tax due in 2003 not taking into account credits granted pursuant to this section for Program Two.

History.--s. 2, ch. 98-257; s. 49, ch. 99-251; s. 1, ch. 2000-311; s. 40, ch. 2002-1; s. 10, ch. 2002-404.

¹Note.--Section 11, ch. 2002-404, provides that "[e]xcept as otherwise specifically provided in this act, the provisions of this act shall apply only to 'Program Two' as defined in s. 288.99(3), Florida Statutes, as amended by this act."