The Florida Senate

311.07  Florida seaport transportation and economic development funding.

311.09  Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.

311.105  Florida Seaport Environmental Management Committee; permitting; mitigation.

311.11  Seaport Employment Training Grant Program.

311.115  Seaport Security Standards Advisory Council.

311.12  Seaport security.

311.121  Qualifications, training, and certification of licensed security officers at Florida seaports.

311.122  Seaport law enforcement agency; authorization; requirements; powers; training.

311.123  Maritime domain security awareness training program.

311.124  Trespassing; detention by a certified seaport security officer.

311.13  Certain information exempt from disclosure.

311.14  Seaport freight-mobility planning.

311.22  Additional authorization for funding certain dredging projects.

311.07  Florida seaport transportation and economic development funding.--

(1)  There is created the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program within the Department of Transportation to finance port transportation or port facilities projects that will improve the movement and intermodal transportation of cargo or passengers in commerce and trade and that will support the interests, purposes, and requirements of ports located in this state.

(2)  A minimum of $8 million per year shall be made available from the State Transportation Trust Fund to fund the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program.

(3)(a)  Program funds shall be used to fund approved projects on a 50-50 matching basis with any of the deepwater ports, as listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), which is governed by a public body or any other deepwater port which is governed by a public body and which complies with the water quality provisions of s. 403.061, the comprehensive master plan requirements of s. 163.3178(2)(k), and the local financial management and reporting provisions of part III of chapter 218. Program funds also may be used by the Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council to develop with the Florida Trade Data Center such trade data information products which will assist Florida's seaports and international trade.

(b)  Projects eligible for funding by grants under the program are limited to the following port facilities or port transportation projects:

1.  Transportation facilities within the jurisdiction of the port.

2.  The dredging or deepening of channels, turning basins, or harbors.

3.  The construction or rehabilitation of wharves, docks, structures, jetties, piers, storage facilities, cruise terminals, automated people mover systems, or any facilities necessary or useful in connection with any of the foregoing.

4.  The acquisition of vessel tracking systems, container cranes, or other mechanized equipment used in the movement of cargo or passengers in international commerce.

5.  The acquisition of land to be used for port purposes.

6.  The acquisition, improvement, enlargement, or extension of existing port facilities.

7.  Environmental protection projects which are necessary because of requirements imposed by a state agency as a condition of a permit or other form of state approval; which are necessary for environmental mitigation required as a condition of a state, federal, or local environmental permit; which are necessary for the acquisition of spoil disposal sites and improvements to existing and future spoil sites; or which result from the funding of eligible projects listed in this paragraph.

8.  Transportation facilities as defined in s. 334.03(31) which are not otherwise part of the Department of Transportation's adopted work program.

9.  Seaport intermodal access projects identified in the 5-year Florida Seaport Mission Plan as provided in s. 311.09(3).

10.  Construction or rehabilitation of port facilities as defined in s. 315.02, excluding any park or recreational facilities, in ports listed in s. 311.09(1) with operating revenues of $5 million or less, provided that such projects create economic development opportunities, capital improvements, and positive financial returns to such ports.

(c)  To be eligible for consideration by the council pursuant to this section, a project must be consistent with the port comprehensive master plan which is incorporated as part of the approved local government comprehensive plan as required by s. 163.3178(2)(k) or other provisions of the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, part II of chapter 163.

(4)  A port eligible for matching funds under the program may receive a distribution of not more than $7 million during any 1 calendar year and a distribution of not more than $30 million during any 5-calendar-year period.

(5)  Any port which receives funding under the program shall institute procedures to ensure that jobs created as a result of the state funding shall be subject to equal opportunity hiring practices in the manner provided in s. 110.112.

(6)  The Department of Transportation shall subject any project that receives funds pursuant to this section and s. 320.20 to a final audit. The department may adopt rules and perform such other acts as are necessary or convenient to ensure that the final audits are conducted and that any deficiency or questioned costs noted by the audit are resolved.

History.--s. 65, ch. 90-136; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 55, ch. 93-120; s. 20, ch. 94-237; s. 130, ch. 96-320; s. 48, ch. 97-278; s. 5, ch. 97-280; s. 40, ch. 2000-152; s. 3, ch. 2000-266; s. 99, ch. 2001-266; s. 1, ch. 2002-190; s. 51, ch. 2004-269; s. 7, ch. 2006-2.

311.09  Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.--

(1)  The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council is created within the Department of Transportation. The council consists of the following 17 members: the port director, or the port director's designee, of each of the ports of Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, Port Everglades, Miami, Port Manatee, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Port St. Joe, Panama City, Pensacola, Key West, and Fernandina; the secretary of the Department of Transportation or his or her designee; the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or his or her designee; and the secretary of the Department of Community Affairs or his or her designee.

(2)  The council shall adopt bylaws governing the manner in which the business of the council will be conducted. The bylaws shall specify the procedure by which the chairperson of the council is elected.

(3)  The council shall prepare a 5-year Florida Seaport Mission Plan defining the goals and objectives of the council concerning the development of port facilities and an intermodal transportation system consistent with the goals of the Florida Transportation Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.155. The Florida Seaport Mission Plan shall include specific recommendations for the construction of transportation facilities connecting any port to another transportation mode and for the efficient, cost-effective development of transportation facilities or port facilities for the purpose of enhancing international trade, promoting cargo flow, increasing cruise passenger movements, increasing port revenues, and providing economic benefits to the state. The council shall update the 5-year Florida Seaport Mission Plan annually and shall submit the plan no later than February 1 of each year to the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; the Department of Transportation; and the Department of Community Affairs. The council shall develop programs, based on an examination of existing programs in Florida and other states, for the training of minorities and secondary school students in job skills associated with employment opportunities in the maritime industry, and report on progress and recommendations for further action to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives annually.

(4)  The council shall adopt rules for evaluating projects which may be funded under ss. 311.07 and 320.20. The rules shall provide criteria for evaluating the economic benefit of the project, measured by the potential for the proposed project to maintain or increase cargo flow, cruise passenger movement, international commerce, port revenues, and the number of jobs for the port's local community.

(5)  The council shall review and approve or disapprove each project eligible to be funded pursuant to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program. The council shall annually submit to the Secretary of Transportation; the director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; and the Secretary of Community Affairs a list of projects which have been approved by the council. The list shall specify the recommended funding level for each project; and, if staged implementation of the project is appropriate, the funding requirements for each stage shall be specified.

(6)  The Department of Community Affairs shall review the list of projects approved by the council to determine consistency with approved local government comprehensive plans of the units of local government in which the port is located and consistency with the port master plan. The Department of Community Affairs shall identify and notify the council of those projects which are not consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with such comprehensive plans and port master plans.

(7)  The Department of Transportation shall review the list of projects approved by the council for consistency with the Florida Transportation Plan and the department's adopted work program. In evaluating the consistency of a project, the department shall determine whether the transportation impact of the proposed project is adequately handled by existing state-owned transportation facilities or by the construction of additional state-owned transportation facilities as identified in the Florida Transportation Plan and the department's adopted work program. In reviewing for consistency a transportation facility project as defined in s. 334.03(31) which is not otherwise part of the department's work program, the department shall evaluate whether the project is needed to provide for projected movement of cargo or passengers from the port to a state transportation facility or local road. If the project is needed to provide for projected movement of cargo or passengers, the project shall be approved for consistency as a consideration to facilitate the economic development and growth of the state in a timely manner. The Department of Transportation shall identify those projects which are inconsistent with the Florida Transportation Plan and the adopted work program and shall notify the council of projects found to be inconsistent.

(8)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall review the list of projects approved by the council to evaluate the economic benefit of the project and to determine whether the project is consistent with the Florida Seaport Mission Plan. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall review the economic benefits of each project based upon the rules adopted pursuant to subsection (4). The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall identify those projects which it has determined do not offer an economic benefit to the state or are not consistent with the Florida Seaport Mission Plan and shall notify the council of its findings.

(9)  The council shall review the findings of the Department of Community Affairs; the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; and the Department of Transportation. Projects found to be inconsistent pursuant to subsections (6), (7), and (8) and projects which have been determined not to offer an economic benefit to the state pursuant to subsection (8) shall not be included in the list of projects to be funded.

(10)  The Department of Transportation shall include in its annual legislative budget request a Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development grant program for expenditure of funds of not less than $8 million per year. Such budget shall include funding for projects approved by the council which have been determined by each agency to be consistent and which have been determined by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to be economically beneficial. The council may submit to the department a list of approved projects that could be made production-ready within the next 2 years. The list shall be submitted as part of the needs and project list prepared pursuant to s. 339.135.

(11)  The council shall meet at the call of its chairperson, at the request of a majority of its membership, or at such times as may be prescribed in its bylaws. However, the council must meet at least semiannually. A majority of voting members of the council constitutes a quorum for the purpose of transacting the business of the council. All members of the council are voting members. A vote of the majority of the voting members present is sufficient for any action of the council, except that a member representing the Department of Transportation, the Department of Community Affairs, or the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may vote to overrule any action of the council approving a project pursuant to subsection (5). The bylaws of the council may require a greater vote for a particular action.

(12)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. The council may elect to provide an administrative staff to provide services to the council on matters relating to the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program and the council. The cost for such administrative services shall be paid by all ports that receive funding from the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program, based upon a pro rata formula measured by each recipient's share of the funds as compared to the total funds disbursed to all recipients during the year. The share of costs for administrative services shall be paid in its total amount by the recipient port upon execution by the port and the Department of Transportation of a joint participation agreement for each council-approved project, and such payment is in addition to the matching funds required to be paid by the recipient port. Except as otherwise exempted by law, all moneys derived from the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program shall be expended in accordance with the provisions of s. 287.057. Seaports subject to competitive negotiation requirements of a local governing body shall abide by the provisions of s. 287.055.

History.--s. 65, ch. 90-136; s. 26, ch. 90-227; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 56, ch. 93-120; s. 4, ch. 93-164; s. 4, ch. 93-262; s. 21, ch. 94-237; s. 87, ch. 95-143; s. 892, ch. 95-148; s. 10, ch. 95-257; s. 131, ch. 96-320; s. 71, ch. 99-385; s. 4, ch. 2000-266; s. 64, ch. 2002-20.

311.105  Florida Seaport Environmental Management Committee; permitting; mitigation.--

(1)(a)  There is created the Florida Seaport Environmental Management Committee, which shall be under the direction of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.

(b)  The committee shall consist of the following members: the Secretary of Environmental Protection, or his or her designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; a designee from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; a designee from the Florida Inland Navigation District, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; the Secretary of Community Affairs, or his or her designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; and five or more port directors, as voting members, appointed to the committee by the council chair, who shall also designate one such member as committee chair.

(c)  The committee shall meet at the call of the chair but must meet at least semiannually. A majority of the voting members constitutes a quorum for the purpose of transacting business of the committee, and a vote of the majority of the voting members present is required for official action by the committee.

(d)  The committee shall provide a forum for discussion of environmental issues, including, but not limited to, those relating to maintenance dredging and dredged-material management; environmental mitigation; air and water quality permitting; and the maintenance of navigation channels, port harbors, turning basins, harbor berths, and associated facilities.

(e)  The committee shall work closely with the Department of Environmental Protection, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and ports listed in s. 403.021(9)(b) to ensure that suitable dredged material is deposited on Florida's beaches to the extent the committee determines to be economically feasible and consistent with beach restoration and other beneficial uses criteria of the Department of Environmental Protection.

(2)  Each application for a permit authorized pursuant to s. 403.061(37) must include:

(a)  A description of maintenance dredging activities to be conducted and proposed methods of dredged-material management.

(b)  A characterization of the materials to be dredged and the materials within dredged-material management sites.

(c)  A description of dredged-material management sites and plans.

(d)  A description of measures to be undertaken, including environmental compliance monitoring, to minimize adverse environmental effects of maintenance dredging and dredged-material management.

(e)  Such scheduling information as is required to facilitate state supplementary funding of federal maintenance dredging and dredged-material management programs consistent with beach restoration criteria of the Department of Environmental Protection.

(3)  Each application for a permit authorized pursuant to s. 403.061(38) must include the provisions of paragraphs (2)(b)-(e) and the following:

(a)  A description of dredging and dredged-material management and other related activities associated with port development, including the expansion of navigation channels, dredged-material management sites, port harbors, turning basins, harbor berths, and associated facilities.

(b)  A discussion of environmental mitigation as is proposed for dredging and dredged-material management for port development, including the expansion of navigation channels, dredged-material management sites, port harbors, turning basins, harbor berths, and associated facilities.

(4)  Environmental mitigation is not required for dredging and dredged-material management for the maintenance of port harbors, navigation channels, turning basins, or harbor berths if all prior conditions of the original permit to construct the port harbor, navigation channel, dredged-material management site, turning basin, or harbor berth issued by the Department of Environmental Protection or its predecessor agency are met.

(5)  Where appropriate, the Department of Environmental Protection shall provide mitigation credits to those deepwater ports that provide for innovative approaches to the onshore and nearshore placement of suitable dredged material consistent with beach restoration and other beneficial uses criteria of the department.

(6)  Dredged-material management activities authorized pursuant to s. 403.061(37) or (38) shall be incorporated into port master plans developed pursuant to s. 163.3178(2)(k).

History.--s. 132, ch. 96-320; s. 4, ch. 98-326.

311.11  Seaport Employment Training Grant Program.--

(1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in cooperation with the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, shall establish a Seaport Employment Training Grant Program within the office. The office shall grant funds appropriated by the Legislature to the program for the purpose of stimulating and supporting seaport training and employment programs which will seek to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with employment opportunities in the port, maritime, and transportation industries, and for the purpose of providing such other training, educational, and information services as required to stimulate jobs in the described industries. Funds may be used for the purchase of equipment to be used for training purposes, hiring instructors, and any other purpose associated with the training program. The office's contribution to any specific training program may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program. Matching contributions may include services in kind, including, but not limited to, training instructors, equipment usage, and training facilities.

(2)  The office shall adopt criteria to implement this section.

History.--s. 12, ch. 92-277; s. 133, ch. 96-320; s. 3, ch. 96-418; s. 49, ch. 97-278.

311.115  Seaport Security Standards Advisory Council.--The Seaport Security Standards Advisory Council is created under the Office of Drug Control. The council shall serve as an advisory council as provided in s. 20.03(7).

(1)  The members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor and consist of the following:

(a)  Two seaport directors.

(b)  Two seaport security directors.

(c)  One representative of seaport tenants.

(d)  One representative of seaport workers.

(e)  One member from the Department of Law Enforcement.

(f)  One member from the Office of Motor Carrier Compliance of the Department of Transportation.

(g)  One member from the Office of the Attorney General.

(h)  One member from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(i)  One member from the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(j)  One member from the Office of Drug Control.

(k)  One member from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

(l)  The Director of the Division of Emergency Management, or his or her designee.

(2)  In addition to the members designated in subsection (1), the council may invite a representative of the United States Coast Guard to attend and participate in council meetings as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the council.

(3)  Members of the council shall be appointed to 4-year terms. A vacancy shall be filled by the Governor for the balance of the unexpired term.

(4)  The council shall be chaired by the member from the Office of Drug Control.

(5)  At least every 4 years after January 15, 2007, the Office of Drug Control shall convene the council to review the minimum security standards referenced in s. 311.12(1) for applicability to and effectiveness in combating current narcotics and terrorism threats to the state's seaports. All sources of information allowed by law shall be used in assessing the applicability and effectiveness of the standards.

(6)  Council members shall serve without pay, but shall be entitled to per diem and travel expenses for attendance at officially called meetings as provided in s. 112.061.

(7)  The council shall consult with the appropriate area maritime security committees to assess possible impacts to commerce and trade contained in the council's nonclassified recommendations and findings.

(8)  The recommendations and findings of the council shall be transmitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2009-171.

311.12  Seaport security.--

(1)  SECURITY STANDARDS.--

(a)  The statewide minimum standards for seaport security applicable to seaports listed in s. 311.09 shall be those based on the Florida Seaport Security Assessment 2000 and set forth in the Port Security Standards Compliance Plan delivered to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate on December 11, 2000. The Office of Drug Control within the Executive Office of the Governor shall maintain a sufficient number of copies of the standards at its offices for distribution to the public and provide copies to each affected seaport upon request.

(b)  A seaport may implement security measures that are more stringent, more extensive, or supplemental to the minimum security standards established by this subsection.

(c)  The provisions of s. 790.251 are not superseded, preempted, or otherwise modified in any way by the provisions of this section.

(2)  EXEMPTION.--The Department of Law Enforcement may exempt all or part of a seaport listed in s. 311.09 from the requirements of this section if the department determines that activity associated with the use of the seaport or part of the seaport is not vulnerable to criminal activity or terrorism. The department shall periodically review such exemptions to determine if there is a change in use. Such change may warrant removal of all or part of the exemption.

(3)  SECURITY PLAN.--Each seaport listed in s. 311.09 shall adopt and maintain a security plan specific to that seaport which provides for a secure seaport infrastructure that promotes the safety and security of state residents and visitors and the flow of legitimate trade and travel.

(a)  Every 5 years after January 1, 2007, each seaport director, with the assistance of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force and in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, shall revise the seaport's security plan based on the director's ongoing assessment of security risks, the risks of terrorist activities, and the specific and identifiable needs of the seaport for ensuring that the seaport is in substantial compliance with the minimum security standards established under subsection (1).

(b)  Each adopted or revised security plan must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Drug Control and the Department of Law Enforcement for compliance with federal facility security assessment requirements under 33 C.F.R. s. 105.305 and the minimum security standards established under subsection (1). Within 30 days after completion, a copy of the written review shall be delivered to the United States Coast Guard, the Regional Domestic Security Task Force, and the Domestic Security Oversight Council.

(4)  SECURE AND RESTRICTED AREAS.--Each seaport listed in s. 311.09 must clearly designate in seaport security plans, and clearly identify with appropriate signs and markers on the premises of a seaport, all secure and restricted areas as defined by the United States Department of Homeland Security-United States Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 03-07 and 49 C.F.R. part 1572. The plans must also address access eligibility requirements and corresponding security enforcement authorizations.

(a)  The seaport's security plan must set forth the conditions and restrictions to be imposed on persons employed at, doing business at, or visiting the seaport who have access to secure and restricted areas which are sufficient to provide substantial compliance with the minimum security standards established in subsection (1) and federal regulations.

1.  All seaport employees and other persons working at the seaport who have regular access to secure or restricted areas must comply with federal access control regulations and state criminal history checks as prescribed in this section.

2.  All persons and objects in secure and restricted areas are subject to search by a sworn state-certified law enforcement officer, a Class D seaport security officer certified under Maritime Transportation Security Act guidelines and s. 311.121, or an employee of the seaport security force certified under the Maritime Transportation Security Act guidelines and s. 311.121.

3.  Persons found in these areas without the proper permission are subject to the trespass provisions of ss. 810.08 and 810.09.

(b)  As determined by the seaport director's most current risk assessment under paragraph (3)(a), any secure or restricted area that has a potential human occupancy of 50 persons or more, any cruise terminal, or any business operation that is adjacent to a public access area must be protected from the most probable and credible terrorist threat to human life.

(c)  The seaport must provide clear notice of the prohibition against possession of concealed weapons and other contraband material on the premises of the seaport. Any person in a restricted area who has in his or her possession a concealed weapon, or who operates or has possession or control of a vehicle in or upon which a concealed weapon is placed or stored, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. This paragraph does not apply to active-duty certified federal or state law enforcement personnel or persons so designated by the seaport director in writing.

(d)  During a period of high terrorist threat level, as designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Law Enforcement, or during an emergency declared at a port by the seaport security director due to events applicable to that particular seaport, the management or controlling authority of the port may temporarily designate any part of the seaport property as a secure or restricted area. The duration of such designation is limited to the period in which the high terrorist threat level is in effect or a port emergency exists.

(5)  ACCESS ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM.--Subject to legislative appropriations, the Department of Law Enforcement shall administer a statewide seaport access eligibility reporting system.

(a)  The system must include, at a minimum, the following:

1.  A centralized, secure method of collecting and maintaining fingerprints, other biometric data, or other means of confirming the identity of persons authorized to enter a secure or restricted area of a seaport.

2.  A methodology for receiving from and transmitting information to each seaport regarding a person's authority to enter a secure or restricted area of the seaport.

3.  A means for receiving prompt notification from a seaport when a person's authorization to enter a secure or restricted area of a seaport has been suspended or revoked.

4.  A means to communicate to seaports when a person's authorization to enter a secure or restricted area of a seaport has been suspended or revoked.

(b)  Each seaport listed in s. 311.09 is responsible for granting, modifying, restricting, or denying access to secure and restricted areas to seaport employees, other persons working at the seaport, visitors who have business with the seaport, or other persons regularly appearing at the seaport. Based upon the person's criminal history check, each seaport may determine the specific access eligibility to be granted to that person. Each seaport is responsible for access eligibility verification at its location.

(c)  Upon determining that a person is eligible to enter a secure or restricted area of a port pursuant to subsections (6) and (7), the seaport shall, within 3 business days, report the determination to the department for inclusion in the system.

(d)  All information submitted to the department regarding a person's access eligibility screening may be retained by the department for subsequent use in promoting seaport security, including, but not limited to, the review of the person's criminal history status to ensure that the person has not become disqualified for such access.

(e)  The following fees may not be charged by more than one seaport and shall be paid by the seaport, another employing entity, or the person being entered into the system to the department or to the seaport if the seaport is acting as an agent of the department for the purpose of collecting the fees:

1.  The cost of the state criminal history check under subsection (7).

2.  A $50 fee to cover the initial cost of entering the person into the system and an additional $50 fee every 5 years thereafter to coincide with the issuance of the federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential described in subsection (6). The fee covers all costs for entering or maintaining the person in the system including the retention and use of the person's fingerprint, other biometric data, or other identifying information.

3.  The seaport entering the person into the system may charge an administrative fee to cover, but not exceed, the seaport's actual administrative costs for processing the results of the state criminal history check and entering the person into the system.

(f)  All fees identified in paragraph (e) must be paid before the person may be granted access to a secure or restricted area. Failure to comply with the criminal history check and failure to pay the fees are grounds for immediate denial of access.

(g)  Persons, corporations, or other business entities that employ persons to work or do business at seaports shall notify the seaport of the termination, resignation, work-related incapacitation, or death of an employee who has access permission.

1.  If the seaport determines that the person has been employed by another appropriate entity or is self-employed for purposes of performing work at the seaport, the seaport may reinstate the person's access eligibility.

2.  A business entity's failure to report a change in an employee's work status within 7 days after the change may result in revocation of the business entity's access to the seaport.

(h)  In addition to access permissions granted or denied by seaports, access eligibility may be restricted or revoked by the department if there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in terrorism or criminal violations that could affect the security of a port or otherwise render the person ineligible for seaport access.

(i)  Any suspension or revocation of port access must be reported by the seaport to the department within 24 hours after such suspension or revocation.

(j)  The submission of information known to be false or misleading to the department for entry into the system is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(6)  ACCESS TO SECURE AND RESTRICTED AREAS.--

(a)  Any person seeking authorization for unescorted access to secure and restricted areas of a seaport must possess, unless waived under paragraph (7)(e), a valid federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and execute an affidavit under oath which provides TWIC identification information and indicates the following:

1.  The TWIC is currently valid and in full force and effect.

2.  The TWIC was not received through the waiver process for disqualifying criminal history allowed by federal law.

3.  He or she has not, in any jurisdiction, civilian or military, been convicted of, entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, or been found not guilty by reason of insanity, of any disqualifying felony under subsection (7) or any crime that includes the use or possession of a firearm.

(b)  Upon submission of a completed affidavit as provided in paragraph (a), the completion of the state criminal history check as provided in subsection (7), and payment of all required fees under subsection (5), a seaport may grant the person access to secure or restricted areas of the port.

(c)  Any port granting a person access to secure or restricted areas shall report the grant of access to the Department of Law Enforcement for inclusion in the access eligibility reporting system under subsection (5) within 3 business days.

(d)  The submission of false information on the affidavit required by this section is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Upon conviction for a violation of this provision, the person convicted forfeits all privilege of access to secure or restricted areas of a seaport and is disqualified from future approval for access to such areas.

(e)  Any affidavit form created for use under this subsection must contain the following statement in conspicuous type: "SUBMISSION OF FALSE INFORMATION ON THIS AFFIDAVIT IS A FELONY UNDER FLORIDA LAW AND WILL, UPON CONVICTION, RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR ACCESS TO A SECURE OR RESTRICTED AREA OF A SEAPORT."

(f)  Upon each 5-year renewal of a person's TWIC, the person must submit another affidavit as required by this subsection.

(7)  CRIMINAL HISTORY SCREENING.--A fingerprint-based criminal history check must be performed on employee applicants, current employees, and other persons authorized to regularly enter a secure or restricted area, or the entire seaport if the seaport security plan does not designate one or more secure or restricted areas.

(a)  A person is disqualified from employment or unescorted access if the person:

1.  Was convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any of the offenses listed in paragraph (b) in any jurisdiction, civilian or military, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, during the 7 years before the date of the person's application for access; or

2.  Was released from incarceration, or any supervision imposed as a result of sentencing, for committing any of the disqualifying crimes listed in paragraph (b) in any jurisdiction, civilian or military, during the 5 years before the date of the person's application for access.

(b)  Disqualifying offenses include:

1.  An act of terrorism as defined in s. 775.30.

2.  A violation involving a weapon of mass destruction or a hoax weapon of mass destruction as provided in s. 790.166.

3.  Planting of a hoax bomb as provided in s. 790.165.

4.  A violation of s. 876.02 or s. 876.36.

5.  A violation of s. 860.065.

6.  Trafficking as provided in s. 893.135.

7.  Racketeering activity as provided in s. 895.03.

8.  Dealing in stolen property as provided in s. 812.019.

9.  Money laundering as provided in s. 896.101.

10.  Criminal use of personal identification as provided in s. 817.568.

11.  Bribery as provided in s. 838.015.

12.  A violation of s. 316.302, relating to the transport of hazardous materials.

13.  A forcible felony as defined in s. 776.08.

14.  A violation of s. 790.07.

15.  Any crime that includes the use or possession of a firearm.

16.  A felony violation for theft as provided in s. 812.014.

17.  Robbery as provided in s. 812.13.

18.  Burglary as provided in s. 810.02.

19.  Any violation involving the sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance.

20.  Any offense under the laws of another jurisdiction that is similar to an offense listed in this paragraph.

21.  Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of the offenses listed in this paragraph.

(c)  Each individual who is subject to a criminal history check shall file a complete set of fingerprints taken in a manner acceptable to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing. The results of the criminal history check must be reported to the requesting seaport and may be shared among seaports.

(d)  All fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement shall be retained by the department and entered into the statewide automated fingerprint identification system established in s. 943.05(2)(b) and available for use in accordance with s. 943.05(2)(g) and (h). An arrest record that is identified with the retained fingerprints of a person subject to the screening shall be reported to the seaport where the person has been granted access to a secure or restricted area. If the fingerprints of a person who has been granted access were not retained, or are otherwise not suitable for use by the department, the person must be refingerprinted in a manner that allows the department to perform its functions as provided in this section.

(e)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall establish a waiver process for a person who does not have a TWIC, obtained a TWIC though a federal waiver process, or is found to be unqualified under paragraph (a) and denied employment by a seaport or unescorted access to secure or restricted areas. If the person does not have a TWIC and a federal criminal history record check is required, the Department of Law Enforcement may forward the person's fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check. The cost of the national check must be paid by the seaport, which may collect it as reimbursement from the person.

1.  Consideration for a waiver shall be based on the circumstances of any disqualifying act or offense, restitution made by the individual, and other factors from which it may be determined that the individual does not pose a risk of engaging in any act within the public seaports regulated under this chapter that would pose a risk to or threaten the security of the seaport and the public's health, safety, or welfare.

2.  The waiver process begins when an individual who has been denied initial employment within or denied unescorted access to secure or restricted areas of a public seaport submits an application for a waiver and a notarized letter or affidavit from the individual's employer or union representative which states the mitigating reasons for initiating the waiver process.

3.  Within 90 days after receipt of the application, the administrative staff of the Parole Commission shall conduct a factual review of the waiver application. Findings of fact shall be transmitted to the department for review. The department shall make a copy of those findings available to the applicant before final disposition of the waiver request.

4.  The department shall make a final disposition of the waiver request based on the factual findings of the investigation by the Parole Commission. The department shall notify the waiver applicant of the final disposition of the waiver.

5.  The review process under this paragraph is exempt from chapter 120.

6.  By October 1 of each year, each seaport shall report to the department each instance of denial of employment within, or access to, secure or restricted areas, and each instance waiving a denial occurring during the last 12 months. The report must include the identity of the individual affected, the factors supporting the denial or waiver, and any other material factors used to make the determination.

(f)  In addition to the waiver procedure established by the Department of Law Enforcement under paragraph (e), each seaport security plan may establish a procedure to appeal a denial of employment or access based upon procedural inaccuracies or discrepancies regarding criminal history factors established pursuant to this subsection.

(g)  Each seaport may allow immediate waivers on a temporary basis to meet special or emergency needs of the seaport or its users. Policies, procedures, and criteria for implementation of this paragraph must be included in the seaport security plan. All waivers granted by the seaports pursuant to this paragraph must be reported to the department within 30 days after issuance.

(8)  WAIVER FROM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS.--The Office of Drug Control and the Department of Law Enforcement may modify or waive any physical facility requirement or other requirement contained in the minimum security standards upon a determination that the purposes of the standards have been reasonably met or exceeded by the seaport requesting the modification or waiver. An alternate means of compliance must not diminish the safety or security of the seaport and must be verified through an extensive risk analysis conducted by the seaport director.

(a)  Waiver requests shall be submitted in writing, along with supporting documentation, to the Office of Drug Control and the Department of Law Enforcement. The office and the department have 90 days to jointly grant or reject the waiver, in whole or in part.

(b)  The seaport may submit any waivers that are not granted or are jointly rejected to the Domestic Security Oversight Council for review within 90 days. The council shall recommend that the Office of Drug Control and the Department of Law Enforcement grant the waiver or reject the waiver, in whole or in part. The office and the department shall give great weight to the council's recommendations.

(c)  A request seeking a waiver from the seaport law enforcement personnel standards established under s. 311.122(3) may not be granted for percentages below 10 percent.

(d)  Any modifications or waivers granted under this subsection shall be noted in the annual report submitted by the Department of Law Enforcement pursuant to subsection (10).

(9)  INSPECTIONS.--It is the intent of the Legislature that the state's seaports adhere to security practices that are consistent with the risks assigned to each seaport through the ongoing risk assessment process established in paragraph (3)(a).

(a)  The Department of Law Enforcement, or any entity designated by the department, shall conduct at least one annual unannounced inspection of each seaport to determine whether the seaport is meeting the minimum security standards established pursuant to subsection (1) and to identify seaport security changes or improvements needed or otherwise recommended.

(b)  The Department of Law Enforcement, or any entity designated by the department, may conduct additional announced or unannounced inspections or operations within or affecting any seaport to test compliance with, or the effectiveness of, security plans and operations at each seaport, to determine compliance with physical facility requirements and standards, or to assist the department in identifying changes or improvements needed to bring a seaport into compliance with minimum security standards.

(c)  Within 30 days after completing the inspection report, the department shall submit a copy of the report to the Domestic Security Oversight Council.

(d)  A seaport may request that the Domestic Security Oversight Council review the findings in the department's report as they relate to the requirements of this section. The council may review only those findings that are in dispute by the seaport. In reviewing the disputed findings, the council may concur in the findings of the department or the seaport or may recommend corrective action to the seaport. The department and the seaport shall give great weight to the council's findings and recommendations.

(e)  All seaports shall allow the Department of Law Enforcement, or an entity designated by the department, unimpeded access to affected areas and facilities for the purpose of plan or compliance inspections or other operations authorized by this section.

(10)  REPORTS.--The Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Office of Drug Control, shall annually complete a report indicating the observations and findings of all reviews, inspections, or other operations relating to the seaports conducted during the year and any recommendations resulting from such reviews, inspections, and operations. A copy of the report shall be provided to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing body of each seaport or seaport authority, and each seaport director. The report must include each director's response indicating what actions, if any, have been taken or are planned to be taken pursuant to the observations, findings, and recommendations reported by the department.

(11)  FUNDING.--

(a)  In making decisions regarding security projects or other funding applicable to each seaport listed in s. 311.09, the Legislature may consider the Department of Law Enforcement's annual report under subsection (10) as authoritative, especially regarding each seaport's degree of substantial compliance with the minimum security standards established in subsection (1).

(b)  The Legislature shall regularly review the ongoing costs of operational security on seaports, the impacts of this section on those costs, mitigating factors that may reduce costs without reducing security, and the methods by which seaports may implement operational security using a combination of sworn law enforcement officers and private security services.

(c)  Subject to the provisions of this chapter and appropriations made for seaport security, state funds may not be expended for security costs without certification of need for such expenditures by the Office of Ports Administrator within the Department of Law Enforcement.

(d)  If funds are appropriated for seaport security, the Office of Drug Control, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council shall mutually determine the allocation of such funds for security project needs identified in the approved seaport security plans. Any seaport that receives state funds for security projects must enter into a joint participation agreement with the appropriate state entity and use the seaport security plan as the basis for the agreement.

1.  If funds are made available over more than 1 fiscal year, the agreement must reflect the entire scope of the project approved in the security plan and, as practicable, allow for reimbursement for authorized projects over more than 1 year.

2.  The agreement may include specific timeframes for completion of a security project and the applicable funding reimbursement dates. The agreement may also require a contractual penalty of up to $1,000 per day to be imposed for failure to meet project completion dates if state funding is available. Any such penalty shall be deposited into the State Transportation Trust Fund and used for seaport security operations and capital improvements.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2000-360; s. 1, ch. 2001-112; s. 1, ch. 2003-96; s. 1, ch. 2004-261; s. 6, ch. 2005-128; s. 2, ch. 2006-193; s. 2, ch. 2009-171.

311.121  Qualifications, training, and certification of licensed security officers at Florida seaports.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that seaports in the state be able to mitigate operational security costs without reducing security levels by employing a combination of certified law enforcement officers and certified private security service officers. In order to accomplish this intent, seaports shall have the option to recruit and employ seaport security officers who are trained and certified pursuant to the provisions of this section. The Department of Law Enforcement shall adhere to this intent in the approval and certification process for seaport security required under s. 311.12.

(2)  The authority or governing board of each seaport identified under s. 311.09 that is subject to the statewide minimum seaport security standards established in s. 311.12 shall require that a candidate for certification as a seaport security officer:

(a)  Has received a Class D license as a security officer under chapter 493.

(b)  Has successfully completed the certified training curriculum for a Class D license or has been determined by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to have equivalent experience as established by rule of the department.

(c)  Has completed the training or training equivalency and testing process established by this section for becoming a certified seaport security officer.

(3)  The Seaport Security Officer Qualification, Training, and Standards Coordinating Council is created under the Department of Law Enforcement.

(a)  The executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement shall appoint 11 members to the council, to include:

1.  The seaport administrator of the Department of Law Enforcement.

2.  The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.

3.  The director of the Division of Licensing of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

4.  The administrator of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council.

5.  Two seaport security directors from seaports designated under s. 311.09.

6.  One director of a state law enforcement academy.

7.  One representative of a local law enforcement agency.

8.  Two representatives of contract security services.

9.  One representative of the Division of Driver Licenses of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

(b)  In addition to the members designated in paragraph (a), the executive director may invite a representative of the United States Coast Guard to attend and participate in council meetings as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the council.

(c)  Council members designated under subparagraphs (a)1.-4. shall serve for the duration of their employment or appointment. Council members designated under ¹subparagraphs (a)5.-9. shall be appointed for 4-year terms.

(d)  The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee shall serve as chair of the council.

(e)  The council shall meet upon the call of the chair, and at least once a year to update or modify curriculum recommendations.

(f)  Council members shall serve without pay; however, per diem and travel allowances may be claimed for attendance of officially called meetings as provided by s. 112.061.

(g)  The council shall identify the qualifications, training, and standards for seaport security officer certification and recommend a curriculum for the seaport security officer training program that includes at least 218 hours of initial certification training and that conforms to or exceeds model courses approved under s. 109 of the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 for facility personnel with specific security duties.

1.  The council may recommend training equivalencies that may be substituted for portions of the required training.

2.  The council shall recommend a continuing education curriculum of at least 8 hours of additional training for each annual licensing period.

(4)(a)  The Department of Education shall develop the curriculum recommendations and classroom-hour specifications of the Seaport Security Officer Qualifications, Training, and Standards Coordinating Council into initial and continuing education and training programs for seaport security officer certification.

(b)  Such training programs shall be used by schools licensed under s. 493.6304, and each instructor providing training must hold a Class D license pursuant to s. 493.6301.

(c)  A seaport authority or other organization involved in seaport-related activities may apply to become a school licensed under s. 493.6304.

(d)  The training programs shall include proficiency examinations that must be passed by each candidate for certification who successfully completes the required hours of training or provides proof of authorized training equivalencies.

(e)  A candidate for certification must be provided with a list of authorized training equivalencies in advance of training; however, each candidate for certification must successfully complete 20 hours of study specific to Florida Maritime Security and pass the related portion of the proficiency examination.

(5)  Seaport security officer certificates shall be provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for issuance by a school licensed under s. 493.6304, and such school may issue the certificate to an applicant who has successfully completed the training program. A school shall notify the Division of Licensing within the department upon the issuance of each certificate. The notification must include the name and Class D license number of the certificate holder and a copy of the certificate. The department shall place the notification with the licensee's file. Notification may be provided by electronic or paper format pursuant to instruction of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(6)(a)  Upon completion of the certification process, a person holding a Class D license must apply for a revised license pursuant to s. 493.6107(2), which license shall state that the licensee is certified as a seaport security officer.

(b)  A person who has been issued a seaport security officer certificate is authorized to perform duties specifically required of a seaport security officer.

(c)  The certificate is valid for the duration of the seaport security officer's Class D license and shall be renewed upon renewal of the license.

(d)  The certificate shall become void if the seaport security officer's Class D license is revoked or allowed to lapse for more than 1 year or if the licensee fails to complete the annual continuing education requirement prior to expiration of the Class D license.

(e)  Renewal of certification following licensure revocation or a lapse of longer than 1 year requires, at a minimum, 20 hours of recertification training and reexamination of the applicant.

History.--s. 3, ch. 2006-193; s. 2, ch. 2009-40; s. 4, ch. 2009-171.

¹Note.--Substituted by the editors for a reference to subparagraphs (b)5.-9.; paragraph (b) does not contain subparagraphs, and subparagraphs (a)5.-9. relate to designation of specified council members.

311.122  Seaport law enforcement agency; authorization; requirements; powers; training.--

(1)  Each seaport in the state is authorized to create a seaport law enforcement agency for its facility, which authority in no way precludes the seaport from contracting with local governments or law enforcement agencies to comply with the security standards required by this chapter.

(2)  Each seaport law enforcement agency shall meet all of the standards set by the state under certified law enforcement guidelines and requirements and shall be certified as provided under chapter 943.

(3)  If a seaport creates a seaport law enforcement agency for its facility, a minimum of 30 percent of the aggregate personnel of each seaport law enforcement agency shall be sworn state-certified law enforcement officers with additional Maritime Transportation Security Act seaport training; a minimum of 30 percent of on-duty personnel of each seaport law enforcement agency shall be sworn state-certified law enforcement officers with additional Maritime Transportation Security Act seaport training; and at least one on-duty supervisor must be a sworn state-certified law enforcement officer with additional Maritime Transportation Security Act seaport training.

(4)  For the purposes of this chapter, where applicable, seaport law enforcement agency officers shall have the same powers as university police officers as provided in s. 1012.97; however, such powers do not extend beyond the property of the seaport except in connection with an investigation initiated on seaport property or in connection with an immediate, imminent threat to the seaport.

(5)  For the purposes of this chapter, sworn state-certified seaport security officers shall have the same law enforcement powers with respect to the enforcement of traffic laws on seaport property as university police officers under s. 1012.97, community college police officers under s. 1012.88, and airport police officers under the provisions of s. 316.640(1)(a)1.d.(I) and (II).

(6)  Certified seaport security officers shall have the authority to immediately tow any vehicle parked illegally as indicated by an existing sign or during an emergency as deemed necessary to maintain seaport security.

History.--s. 4, ch. 2006-193.

311.123  Maritime domain security awareness training program.--

(1)  The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, in conjunction with the Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of Drug Control within the Executive Office of the Governor, shall create a maritime domain security awareness training program to instruct all personnel employed within a seaport's boundaries about the security procedures required of them for implementation of the seaport security plan required under s. 311.12(3).

(2)  The training program curriculum must include security training required pursuant to 33 C.F.R. part 105 and must be designed to enable the seaports in this state to meet the training, drill, and exercise requirements of 33 C.F.R. part 105 and individual seaport security plans and to otherwise comply with the requirements of s. 311.12.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2006-193; s. 5, ch. 2009-171.

311.124  Trespassing; detention by a certified seaport security officer.--

(1)  Any Class D or Class G seaport security officer certified under the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 guidelines and s. 311.121 or any employee of the seaport security force certified under the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 guidelines and s. 311.121 who has probable cause to believe that a person is trespassing pursuant to s. 810.08 or s. 810.09 or this chapter in a designated secure or restricted area pursuant to s. 311.12(4) is authorized to detain such person in a reasonable manner for a reasonable period of time pending the arrival of a law enforcement officer, and such action does not render the security officer criminally or civilly liable for false arrest, false imprisonment, or unlawful detention.

(2)  Upon detaining a person for trespass, the seaport security officer shall immediately call a certified law enforcement officer to the scene.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2006-193; s. 6, ch. 2009-171.

311.13  Certain information exempt from disclosure.--Seaport security plans created pursuant to s. 311.12 are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. In addition, photographs, maps, blueprints, drawings, and similar materials that depict critical seaport operating facilities are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, to the extent that a seaport reasonably determines that such items contain information that is not generally known and that could jeopardize the security of the seaport; however, information relating to real estate leases, layout plans, blueprints, or information relevant thereto, is not included in this exemption.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2000-292; s. 1, ch. 2005-53; s. 7, ch. 2009-171.

311.14  Seaport freight-mobility planning.--

(1)  The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, in cooperation with the Office of the State Public Transportation Administrator within the Department of Transportation, shall develop freight-mobility and trade-corridor plans to assist in making freight-mobility investments that contribute to the economic growth of the state. Such plans should enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system across and between transportation modes throughout Florida for people and freight.

(2)  The Office of the State Public Transportation Administrator shall act to integrate freight-mobility and trade-corridor plans into the Florida Transportation Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.155 and into the plans and programs of metropolitan planning organizations as provided in s. 339.175. The office may also provide assistance in expediting the transportation permitting process relating to the construction of seaport freight-mobility projects located outside the physical borders of seaports. The Department of Transportation may contract, as provided in s. 334.044, with any port listed in s. 311.09(1) or any such other statutorily authorized seaport entity to act as an agent in the construction of seaport freight-mobility projects.

History.--s. 69, ch. 99-251.

311.22  Additional authorization for funding certain dredging projects.--

(1)  The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council shall establish a program to fund dredging projects in counties having a population of fewer than 300,000 according to the last official census. Funds made available under this program may be used to fund approved projects for the dredging or deepening of channels, turning basins, or harbors on a 25-percent local matching basis with any port authority, as such term is defined in s. 315.02(2), which complies with the permitting requirements in part IV of chapter 373 and the local financial management and reporting provisions of part III of chapter 218.

¹(2)  The council shall adopt rules for evaluating the projects that may be funded pursuant to this section. The rules must provide criteria for evaluating the economic benefit of the project. The rules must include the creation of an administrative review process by the council which is similar to the process ²described in s. 311.09(5)-(12), and provide for a review by the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development of all projects submitted for funding under this section.

History.--ss. 42, 55, ch. 2005-71; s. 1, ch. 2005-261; s. 1, ch. 2005-281; s. 39, ch. 2006-26; ss. 34, 53, 54, ch. 2007-73; s. 16, ch. 2007-196; s. 8, ch. 2008-5.

¹Note.--As enacted by s. 42, ch. 2005-71, and s. 1, ch. 2005-281. For a description of multiple acts in the same session affecting a statutory provision, see preface to the Florida Statutes, "Statutory Construction." Subsection (2) was also enacted by s. 1, ch. 2005-261, and that version reads:

(2)  The council shall adopt rules for evaluating projects submitted for funding pursuant to this section and establish criteria for evaluating the economic benefit of such projects. The rules shall also establish and require an administrative review process similar to the process contained in s. 311.09(5)-(9) for projects approved for funding pursuant to this section to be reviewed by the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

²Note.--As enacted by s. 1, ch. 2005-281. The s. 42, ch. 2005-71, version uses the word "contained" instead of "described."