Senate Bill 1560e2

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  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to economic development;

  3         providing a short title; providing intent;

  4         amending s. 163.3177, F.S.; providing

  5         requirements for the future land use element of

  6         a local government comprehensive plan with

  7         respect to rural areas; amending s. 186.502,

  8         F.S.; providing that a regional planning

  9         council shall have a duty to assist local

10         governments with economic development; amending

11         s. 186.504, F.S.; providing that the ex

12         officio, nonvoting membership of each regional

13         planning council shall include a representative

14         nominated by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the

15         Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

16         Development; amending s. 186.505, F.S.;

17         authorizing the use of regional planning

18         council personnel, consultants, or technical or

19         professional assistants to help local

20         governments with economic development

21         activities; amending s. 212.098, F.S.;

22         authorizing the Office of Tourism, Trade, and

23         Economic Development to recommend to the

24         Legislature additions to or deletions from the

25         list of standard industrial classifications

26         used to determine an eligible business for

27         purposes of the Rural Job Tax Credit Program;

28         amending s. 288.018, F.S.; authorizing the

29         Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

30         Development to approve regional rural

31         development grants on an annual basis;


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  1         increasing the maximum amount of each grant

  2         award; increasing the total amount that may be

  3         expended annually for such grants; amending s.

  4         288.065, F.S.; revising the population criteria

  5         for local government participation in the Rural

  6         Community Development Revolving Loan Fund;

  7         prescribing conditions under which repayments

  8         of principal and interest under the Rural

  9         Community Development Revolving Loan Fund may

10         be retained by a unit of local government;

11         creating s. 288.0655, F.S.; creating the Rural

12         Infrastructure Fund for infrastructure projects

13         in rural communities; providing for an annual

14         deposit in the Economic Development Trust Fund

15         in support of such infrastructure fund;

16         authorizing grants for infrastructure projects

17         and related studies; requiring the development

18         of guidelines; providing that funds

19         appropriated for such infrastructure fund shall

20         not be subject to reversion; amending s.

21         320.20, F.S.; requiring the deposit of a

22         certain amount of motor vehicle registration

23         funds in the Economic Development Trust Fund in

24         support of the Rural Infrastructure Fund;

25         prescribing the manner in which such funds may

26         be used in support of bonds or other debt

27         instruments; specifying that certain debts

28         related to the Rural Infrastructure Fund shall

29         not constitute a general obligation of the

30         state; prohibiting diversion of such funds;

31         amending s. 288.106, F.S., relating to the tax


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  1         refund program for qualified target industry

  2         businesses; providing a definition; authorizing

  3         the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

  4         Development to reduce certain employment

  5         requirements for an expanding business in a

  6         rural community or enterprise zone under

  7         certain conditions; creating the Rural Economic

  8         Development Initiative within the office and

  9         providing its duties and responsibilities;

10         directing specified agencies to select a

11         representative to work with the initiative;

12         providing for the recommendation and

13         designation of rural areas of critical economic

14         concern; providing for the waiver of certain

15         criteria and rules with respect to such areas;

16         providing for the commitment of certain

17         services, resources, benefits, and staffing

18         with respect to such areas; requiring execution

19         of a memorandum of agreement as a condition to

20         designation as a rural area of critical

21         economic concern;  providing for an annual

22         report; authorizing the Office of Tourism,

23         Trade, and Economic Development to accept and

24         administer moneys appropriated for grants to

25         assist rural communities to develop and

26         implement strategic economic development plans;

27         providing for review of grant applications;

28         authorizing the Department of Community Affairs

29         to establish a grant program to assist rural

30         counties in financing studies regarding the

31         establishment of municipal service taxing or


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  1         benefit units; providing for rules; providing

  2         an appropriation; amending s. 236.081, F.S.;

  3         providing an exclusion under the computation of

  4         school district required local effort for

  5         certain nonpayment of property taxes in a rural

  6         area of critical economic concern; creating s.

  7         311.20, F.S.; creating the Northwest Florida

  8         Seaport Transportation and Economic Development

  9         Council; providing for the membership of the

10         council; requiring the council to develop a

11         strategic regional development plan;

12         prescribing powers of the council; providing

13         for staffing of the council; amending s.

14         378.601, F.S.; exempting specified heavy mining

15         operations from requirements for

16         development-of-regional-impact review under

17         certain circumstances; directing the Florida

18         Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to

19         provide assistance related to promotion and

20         development of nature-based recreation;

21         specifying a minimum percentage of funds to be

22         allocated to economic development under the

23         Florida Small Cities Community Development

24         Block Grant Program; creating s. 230.23027,

25         F.S.; establishing the Small School District

26         Stabilization Program; providing for a best

27         financial management practices review of

28         certain small districts; providing an effective

29         date.

30

31  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:


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  1         Section 1.  Short title.--This act may be cited as the

  2  "Rural Economic Development Enhancement Act" or the "Backyard

  3  Florida Act of 1999."

  4         Section 2.  Legislative intent.--

  5         (1)  The Legislature finds and declares that because of

  6  climate, tourism, industrialization, technological advances,

  7  federal and state government policies, transportation, and

  8  migration, Florida's urban communities have grown rapidly over

  9  the past 40 years. This growth and prosperity, however, have

10  not been shared by Florida's rural communities, although they

11  are the stewards of the vast majority of the land and natural

12  resources. Without this land and these resources, the state's

13  growth and prosperity cannot continue. In short, successful

14  rural communities are essential to the overall success of the

15  state's economy.

16         (2)  The Legislature further finds and declares that

17  many rural areas of the state are experiencing not only a lack

18  of growth, but severe and sustained economic distress. Median

19  household incomes are significantly less than the state's

20  median household income level. Job creation rates trail those

21  in more urbanized areas. In many cases, rural counties have

22  lost jobs, which handicaps local economies and drains wealth

23  from these communities. These and other factors, including

24  government policies, amplify and compound social, health, and

25  community problems, making job creation and economic

26  development even more difficult. Moreover, the Legislature

27  finds that traditional program and service delivery is often

28  hampered by the necessarily rigid structure of the programs

29  themselves and the lack of local resources.

30         (3)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for

31  the most efficient and effective delivery of programs of


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  1  assistance and support to rural communities, including the

  2  use, where appropriate, of regulatory flexibility through

  3  multiagency coordination and adequate funding. Therefore, the

  4  Legislature determines and declares that the provisions of

  5  this act fulfill an important state interest.

  6         Section 3.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section

  7  163.3177, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, is amended to

  8  read:

  9         163.3177  Required and optional elements of

10  comprehensive plan; studies and surveys.--

11         (6)  In addition to the requirements of subsections

12  (1)-(5), the comprehensive plan shall include the following

13  elements:

14         (a)  A future land use plan element designating

15  proposed future general distribution, location, and extent of

16  the uses of land for residential uses, commercial uses,

17  industry, agriculture, recreation, conservation, education,

18  public buildings and grounds, other public facilities, and

19  other categories of the public and private uses of land.  The

20  future land use plan shall include standards to be followed in

21  the control and distribution of population densities and

22  building and structure intensities.  The proposed

23  distribution, location, and extent of the various categories

24  of land use shall be shown on a land use map or map series

25  which shall be supplemented by goals, policies, and measurable

26  objectives.  Each land use category shall be defined in terms

27  of the types of uses included and specific standards for the

28  density or intensity of use.  The future land use plan shall

29  be based upon surveys, studies, and data regarding the area,

30  including the amount of land required to accommodate

31  anticipated growth; the projected population of the area; the


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  1  character of undeveloped land; the availability of public

  2  services; and the need for redevelopment, including the

  3  renewal of blighted areas and the elimination of nonconforming

  4  uses which are inconsistent with the character of the

  5  community; and, in rural communities, the need for job

  6  creation, capital investment, and economic development that

  7  will strengthen and diversify the community's economy. The

  8  future land use plan may designate areas for future planned

  9  development use involving combinations of types of uses for

10  which special regulations may be necessary to ensure

11  development in accord with the principles and standards of the

12  comprehensive plan and this act. In addition, for rural

13  communities, the amount of land designated for future planned

14  industrial use shall be based upon surveys and studies that

15  reflect the need for job creation, capital investment, and the

16  necessity to strengthen and diversify the local economies, and

17  shall not be limited solely by the projected population of the

18  rural community. The future land use plan of a county may also

19  designate areas for possible future municipal incorporation.

20  The land use maps or map series shall generally identify and

21  depict historic district boundaries and shall designate

22  historically significant properties meriting protection.  The

23  future land use element must clearly identify the land use

24  categories in which public schools are an allowable use.  When

25  delineating the land use categories in which public schools

26  are an allowable use, a local government shall include in the

27  categories sufficient land proximate to residential

28  development to meet the projected needs for schools in

29  coordination with public school boards and may establish

30  differing criteria for schools of different type or size.

31  Each local government shall include lands contiguous to


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  1  existing school sites, to the maximum extent possible, within

  2  the land use categories in which public schools are an

  3  allowable use. All comprehensive plans must comply with this

  4  paragraph no later than October 1, 1999, or the deadline for

  5  the local government evaluation and appraisal report,

  6  whichever occurs first. The failure by a local government to

  7  comply with this requirement will result in the prohibition of

  8  the local government's ability to amend the local

  9  comprehensive plan as provided by s. 163.3187(6). An amendment

10  proposed by a local government for purposes of identifying the

11  land use categories in which public schools are an allowable

12  use is exempt from the limitation on the frequency of plan

13  amendments contained in s. 163.3187. The future land use

14  element shall include criteria which encourage the location of

15  schools proximate to urban residential areas to the extent

16  possible and shall require that the local government seek to

17  collocate public facilities, such as parks, libraries, and

18  community centers, with schools to the extent possible.

19         Section 4.  Subsection (5) is added to section 186.502,

20  Florida Statutes, to read:

21         186.502  Legislative findings; public purpose.--

22         (5)  The regional planning council shall have a duty to

23  assist local governments with activities designed to promote

24  and facilitate economic development in the geographic area

25  covered by the council.

26         Section 5.  Subsection (4) of section 186.504, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         186.504  Regional planning councils; creation;

29  membership.--

30         (4)  In addition to voting members appointed pursuant

31  to paragraph (2)(c), the Governor shall appoint the following


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  1  ex officio nonvoting members to each regional planning

  2  council:

  3         (a)  A representative of the Department of

  4  Transportation.

  5         (b)  A representative of the Department of

  6  Environmental Protection.

  7         (c)  A representative nominated by Enterprise Florida,

  8  Inc., and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

  9  Development of the Department of Commerce.

10         (d)  A representative of the appropriate water

11  management district or districts.

12

13  The Governor may also appoint ex officio nonvoting members

14  representing appropriate metropolitan planning organizations

15  and regional water supply authorities.

16         Section 6.  Subsection (25) is added to section

17  186.505, Florida Statutes, to read:

18         186.505  Regional planning councils; powers and

19  duties.--Any regional planning council created hereunder shall

20  have the following powers:

21         (25)  To use personnel, consultants, or technical or

22  professional assistants of the council to help local

23  governments within the geographic area covered by the council

24  conduct economic development activities.

25         Section 7.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

26  212.098, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, is amended to

27  read:

28         212.098  Rural Job Tax Credit Program.--

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

30         (a)  "Eligible business" means any sole proprietorship,

31  firm, partnership, or corporation that is located in a


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  1  qualified county and is predominantly engaged in, or is

  2  headquarters for a business predominantly engaged in,

  3  activities usually provided for consideration by firms

  4  classified within the following standard industrial

  5  classifications:  SIC 01 through SIC 09 (agriculture,

  6  forestry, and fishing); SIC 20 through SIC 39 (manufacturing);

  7  SIC 422 (public warehousing and storage); SIC 70 (hotels and

  8  other lodging places); SIC 7391 (research and development);

  9  SIC 7992 (public golf courses); and SIC 7996 (amusement

10  parks). Excluded from eligible receipts are receipts from

11  retail sales, except such receipts for hotels and other

12  lodging places classified in SIC 70, public golf courses in

13  SIC 7992, and amusement parks in SIC 7996. In addition, the

14  Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development may, as

15  part of its final budget request submitted pursuant to s.

16  216.023, recommend additions to or deletions from the list of

17  standard industrial classifications used to determine an

18  eligible business, and the Legislature may implement such

19  recommendations. For purposes of this paragraph, the term

20  "predominantly" means that more than 50 percent of the

21  business's gross receipts from all sources is generated by

22  those activities usually provided for consideration by firms

23  in the specified standard industrial classification. The

24  determination of whether the business is located in a

25  qualified county and the tier ranking of that county must be

26  based on the date of application for the credit under this

27  section. Commonly owned and controlled entities are to be

28  considered a single business entity.

29         Section 8.  Subsections (1) and (3) of section 288.018,

30  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31         288.018  Regional Rural Development Grants Program.--


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  1         (1)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

  2  Development shall establish a matching grant program to

  3  provide funding to regionally based economic development

  4  organizations representing rural counties and communities for

  5  the purpose of building the professional capacity of their

  6  organizations. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

  7  Development is authorized to approve, on an annual basis,

  8  grants to such regionally based economic development

  9  organizations. The maximum amount an organization may receive

10  in any year will be $35,000, or $100,000 in a rural area of

11  critical economic concern recommended by the Rural Economic

12  Development Initiative and designated by the Governor, $20,000

13  and must be matched each year by an equivalent amount of

14  nonstate resources.

15         (3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

16  Development may expend up to $600,000 $100,000 each fiscal

17  year from funds appropriated to the Rural Community

18  Development Revolving Loan Fund for the purposes outlined in

19  this section.

20         Section 9.  Subsection (2) of section 288.065, Florida

21  Statutes, is amended to read:

22         288.065  Rural Community Development Revolving Loan

23  Fund.--

24         (2)  The program shall provide for long-term loans,

25  loan guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local

26  governments within counties with populations of 75,000 or less

27  than 50,000, or any county that has a population of 100,000 or

28  less and is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000

29  or less than 50,000, as determined by the most recent official

30  estimate pursuant to s. 186.901, residing in incorporated and

31  unincorporated areas of the county. Requests for loans shall


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  1  be made by application to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and

  2  Economic Development. Loans shall be made pursuant to

  3  agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to

  4  between the local government and the Office of Tourism, Trade,

  5  and Economic Development. The loans shall be the legal

  6  obligations of the local government. All repayments of

  7  principal and interest shall be returned to the loan fund and

  8  made available for loans to other applicants. However, in a

  9  rural area of critical economic concern designated by the

10  Governor, and upon approval by the Office of Tourism, Trade,

11  and Economic Development, repayments of principal and interest

12  may be retained by a unit of local government if such

13  repayments are dedicated and matched to fund regionally based

14  economic development organizations representing the rural area

15  of critical economic concern.

16         Section 10.  Section 288.0655, Florida Statutes, is

17  created to read:

18         288.0655  Rural Infrastructure Fund.--

19         (1)  There is created within the Office of Tourism,

20  Trade, and Economic Development the Rural Infrastructure Fund

21  to facilitate the planning, preparing, and financing of

22  infrastructure projects in rural communities which will

23  encourage job creation, capital investment, and the

24  strengthening and diversification of rural economies by

25  promoting tourism, trade, and economic development.

26         (2)  On July 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, $8

27  million shall be deposited in the Economic Development Trust

28  Fund, as provided in s. 320.20(5), solely for the purpose of

29  funding the Rural Infrastructure Fund.

30         (3)(a)  Funds under this section shall be distributed

31  by the office through a grant program that maximizes the use


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  1  of federal, local, and private resources, including, but not

  2  limited to, those available under the Small Cities Community

  3  Development Block Grant Program.

  4         (b)  To facilitate access of rural communities and

  5  rural areas of critical economic concern as defined by the

  6  Rural Economic Development Initiative to infrastructure

  7  funding programs of the Federal Government, such as those

  8  offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S.

  9  Department of Commerce, the office may award grants to

10  applicants for such federal programs for up to 30 percent of

11  the total infrastructure project cost. Eligible projects must

12  be related to specific job-creating opportunities. Eligible

13  uses of funds shall include improvements to public

14  infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites and upgrades

15  to or development of public tourism infrastructure. Authorized

16  infrastructure may include the following public or

17  public-private partnership facilities: storm water systems;

18  telecommunications facilities; roads or other remedies to

19  transportation impediments; nature-based tourism facilities;

20  or other physical requirements necessary to facilitate

21  tourism, trade, and economic development activities in the

22  community. Authorized infrastructure may also include

23  publicly-owned self-powered nature-based tourism facilities

24  and additions to the distribution facilities of the existing

25  natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the

26  existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the

27  existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s.

28  367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater

29  utility, which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a

30  water or wastewater system in this state where:

31


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  1         1.  A contribution-in-aid of construction is required

  2  to serve public or public-private partnership facilities under

  3  the tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water or wastewater

  4  utility as defined herein; and

  5         2.  Such utilities as defined herein are willing and

  6  able to provide such service.

  7         (c)  To facilitate timely response and induce the

  8  location or expansion of specific job creating opportunities,

  9  the office may award grants for infrastructure feasibility

10  studies, design and engineering activities, or other

11  infrastructure planning and preparation activities. Authorized

12  grants shall be up to $50,000 for an employment project with a

13  business committed to create at least 100 jobs, up to $150,000

14  for an employment project with a business committed to create

15  at least 300 jobs, and up to $300,000 for a project in a rural

16  area of critical economic concern. Grants awarded under this

17  paragraph may be used in conjunction with grants awarded under

18  paragraph (b), provided that the total amount of both grants

19  does not exceed 30 percent of the total project cost. In

20  evaluating applications under this paragraph, the office shall

21  consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize

22  administrative and consultant expenses.

23         (d)  By September 1, 1999, the office shall pursue

24  execution of a memorandum of agreement with the U.S.

25  Department of Agriculture under which state funds available

26  through the Rural Infrastructure Fund may be advanced, in

27  excess of the prescribed state share, for a project that has

28  received from the department a preliminary determination of

29  eligibility for federal financial support. State funds in

30  excess of the prescribed state share which are advanced

31  pursuant to this paragraph and the memorandum of agreement


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  1  shall be reimbursed when funds are awarded under an

  2  application for federal funding.

  3         (e)  To enable local governments to access the

  4  resources available pursuant to s. 403.973(16), the office may

  5  award grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other

  6  activities related to the identification and preclearance

  7  review of land which is suitable for preclearance review.

  8  Authorized grants under this paragraph shall not exceed

  9  $75,000 each, except in the case of a project in a rural area

10  of critical economic concern, in which case the grant shall

11  not exceed $300,000. Any funds awarded under this paragraph

12  must be matched at a level of 50 percent with local funds,

13  except that any funds awarded for a project in a rural area of

14  critical economic concern must be matched at a level of 33

15  percent with local funds. In evaluating applications under

16  this paragraph, the office shall consider the extent to which

17  the application seeks to minimize administrative and

18  consultant expenses.

19         (4)  The office, in consultation with Enterprise

20  Florida, Inc., VISIT Florida, the Department of Environmental

21  Protection, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

22  Commission, as appropriate, shall review applications and

23  evaluate the economic benefit of the projects and their

24  long-term viability. The office shall have final approval for

25  any grant under this section and must make a grant decision

26  within 30 days of receiving a completed application.

27         (5)  By September 1, 1999, the office shall, in

28  consultation with the organizations listed in subsection (4),

29  and other organizations, develop guidelines and criteria

30  governing submission of applications for funding, review and

31  evaluation of such applications, and approval of funding under


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  1  this section. The office shall consider factors including, but

  2  not limited to, the project's potential for enhanced job

  3  creation or increased capital investment, the demonstration of

  4  local public and private commitment, the location of the

  5  project in an enterprise zone, the location of the project in

  6  a community development corporation service area as defined in

  7  s. 290.035(2), the location of the project in a county

  8  designated under s. 212.097, the unemployment rate of the

  9  surrounding area, and the poverty rate of the community.

10         (6)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301,

11  funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall not

12  be subject to reversion.

13         Section 11.  Present subsection (5) of section 320.20,

14  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (6) and a new

15  subsection (5) is added to that section to read:

16         320.20  Disposition of license tax moneys.--The revenue

17  derived from the registration of motor vehicles, including any

18  delinquent fees and excluding those revenues collected and

19  distributed under the provisions of s. 320.081, must be

20  distributed monthly, as collected, as follows:

21         (5)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law except

22  subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4), on July 1, 1999, and

23  annually thereafter, $8 million shall be deposited in the

24  Economic Development Trust Fund under s. 288.095, solely for

25  the purposes of funding the Rural Infrastructure Fund under s.

26  288.0655. Such revenues may be assigned, pledged, or set aside

27  as a trust for the payment of principal or interest on bonds,

28  grant anticipation notes, variable rate demand obligations,

29  including, but not limited to, tax exempt commercial paper and

30  derivative instruments, or any other form of indebtedness, or

31  used to purchase credit support to permit such borrowings,


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  1  issued by a governing body under s. 163.01(7)(d), or

  2  appropriate local government having jurisdiction thereof, or

  3  collectively by interlocal agreement among any applicable

  4  government; however, such debt shall not constitute a general

  5  obligation of the State of Florida. The state does hereby

  6  covenant with holders of such revenue bonds or other

  7  instruments of indebtedness issued hereunder that it will not

  8  repeal or impair or amend in any manner that will materially

  9  and adversely affect the rights of such holders so long as

10  bonds authorized by this subsection are outstanding. Any

11  revenues which are not pledged to the repayment of bonds as

12  authorized by this subsection may be utilized for purposes

13  authorized under the Rural Infrastructure Fund. The Office of

14  Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall approve

15  distribution of funds for rural infrastructure related to

16  tourism, trade, and economic development. The office and the

17  Department of Transportation are authorized to perform such

18  acts as are required to facilitate and implement the

19  provisions of this subsection. To better enable the counties

20  and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to

21  cooperate to their mutual advantage, the governing body of

22  each government may exercise powers provided to municipalities

23  or counties in s. 163.01(7)(d). The use of funds provided

24  under this subsection is limited to eligible projects listed

25  in s. 288.0655. Unexpended proceeds derived from a project

26  completed with the use of program funds, beyond operating

27  costs and debt service, shall be restricted to further capital

28  improvements consistent with tourism, trade, and economic

29  development infrastructure purposes and for no other purpose.

30  Use of such unexpended proceeds for purposes other than

31  tourism, trade, and economic development infrastructure is


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  1  prohibited. Any funds deposited in the Economic Development

  2  Trust Fund for the purposes of the Rural Infrastructure Fund

  3  under s. 288.0655 shall not be diverted to any other purpose.

  4  Any such diversion shall trigger immediate repayment to the

  5  Economic Development Trust Fund from the Working Capital Trust

  6  Fund.

  7         Section 12.  Paragraph (t) is added to subsection (2)

  8  of section 288.106, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, and

  9  paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of that section is amended, to

10  read:

11         288.106  Tax refund program for qualified target

12  industry businesses.--

13         (2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

14         (t)  "Rural community" means:

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

16         2.  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that

17  is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

18         3.  A municipality within a county described in

19  subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.

20

21  For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined

22  in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant

23  to s. 186.901.

24         (4)  APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS.--

25         (b)  To qualify for review by the office, the

26  application of a target industry business must, at a minimum,

27  establish the following to the satisfaction of the office:

28         1.  The jobs proposed to be provided under the

29  application, pursuant to subparagraph (a)4., must pay an

30  estimated annual average wage equaling at least 115 percent of

31  the average private sector wage in the area where the business


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  1  is to be located or the statewide private sector average wage.

  2  The office may waive this average wage requirement at the

  3  request of the local governing body recommending the project

  4  and Enterprise Florida, Inc.  The wage requirement may only be

  5  waived for a project located in a brownfield area designated

  6  under s. 376.80 or in a rural city or county or in an

  7  enterprise zone and only when the merits of the individual

  8  project or the specific circumstances in the community in

  9  relationship to the project warrant such action.  If the local

10  governing body and Enterprise Florida, Inc., make such a

11  recommendation, it must be transmitted in writing and the

12  specific justification for the waiver recommendation must be

13  explained.  If the director elects to waive the wage

14  requirement, the waiver must be stated in writing and the

15  reasons for granting the waiver must be explained.

16         2.  The target industry business's project must result

17  in the creation of at least 10 jobs at such project and, if an

18  expansion of an existing business, must result in a net

19  increase in employment of not less than 10 percent at such

20  business. However, at the request of the local governing body

21  recommending the project and Enterprise Florida, Inc., the

22  office may approve an expansion of an existing business under

23  this section in a rural community or an enterprise zone that

24  results in a net increase in employment of less than 10

25  percent if the merits of the individual project or the

26  specific circumstances in the community in relation to the

27  project warrant this action.  If the local governing body and

28  Enterprise Florida, Inc., make such a recommendation, it must

29  be transmitted in writing and the specific justification for

30  the request must be explained.  If the director elects to

31


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  1  accept such request, this decision must be stated in writing

  2  and the reasons for granting the request must be explained.

  3         3.  The business activity or product for the

  4  applicant's project is within an industry or industries that

  5  have been identified by the office to be high-value-added

  6  industries that contribute to the area and to the economic

  7  growth of the state and that produce a higher standard of

  8  living for citizens of this state in the new global economy or

  9  that can be shown to make an equivalent contribution to the

10  area and state's economic progress.  The director must approve

11  requests to waive the wage requirement for brownfield areas

12  designated under s. 376.80 unless it is demonstrated that such

13  action is not in the public interest.

14         Section 13.  Rural Economic Development Initiative.--

15         (1)  The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known

16  as "REDI," is created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and

17  Economic Development, and the participation of state and

18  regional agencies in this initiative is authorized.

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

20         (a)  "Economic distress" means conditions affecting the

21  fiscal and economic viability of a rural community, including

22  such factors as low per capita income, low per capita taxable

23  values, high unemployment, high underemployment, low weekly

24  earned wages compared to the state average, low housing values

25  compared to the state average, high percentages of the

26  population receiving public assistance, high poverty levels

27  compared to the state average, and a lack of year-round stable

28  employment opportunities.

29         (b)  "Rural community" means:

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

31


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  1         2.  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that

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

  3         3.  A municipality within a county described in

  4  subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.

  5         4.  An unincorporated federal enterprise community or

  6  an incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or less

  7  and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural or

  8  resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as

  9  rural, which has at least three or more of the economic

10  distress factors identified in paragraph (2)(a) and verified

11  by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

12

13  For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined

14  in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant

15  to section 186.901, Florida Statutes.

16         (3)  REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and

17  focusing the efforts and resources of state and regional

18  agencies on the problems which affect the fiscal, economic,

19  and community viability of Florida's economically distressed

20  rural communities, working with local governments,

21  community-based organizations, and private organizations that

22  have an interest in the growth and development of these

23  communities to find ways to balance environmental and growth

24  management issues with local needs.

25         (4)  REDI shall review and evaluate the impact of

26  statutes and rules on rural communities and shall work to

27  minimize any adverse impact.

28         (5)  REDI shall facilitate better access to state

29  resources by promoting direct access and referrals to

30  appropriate state and regional agencies and statewide

31  organizations. REDI may undertake outreach, capacity-building,


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  1  and other advocacy efforts to improve conditions in rural

  2  communities. These activities may include sponsorship of

  3  conferences and achievement awards.

  4         (6)(a)  No later than August 1, 1999, the head of each

  5  of the following agencies and organizations shall designate a

  6  high-level staff person from within the agency or organization

  7  to serve as the REDI representative for the agency or

  8  organization:

  9         1.  The Department of Community Affairs.

10         2.  The Department of Transportation.

11         3.  The Department of Environmental Protection.

12         4.  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

13  Services.

14         5.  The Department of State.

15         6.  The Department of Health.

16         7.  The Department of Children and Family Services.

17         8.  The Department of Corrections.

18         9.  The Department of Labor and Employment Security.

19         10.  The Department of Education.

20         11.  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

21         12.  Each water management district.

22         13.  Enterprise Florida, Inc.

23         14.  The Florida Commission on Tourism or VISIT

24  Florida.

25         15.  The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.

26         16.  The Florida State Rural Development Council.

27         17.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

28  (IFAS).

29

30  An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and the

31  names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the


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  1  director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

  2  Development.

  3         (b)  Each REDI representative must have comprehensive

  4  knowledge of his or her agency's functions, both regulatory

  5  and service in nature, and of the state's economic goals,

  6  policies, and programs. This person shall be the primary point

  7  of contact for his or her agency with REDI on issues and

  8  projects relating to economically distressed rural communities

  9  and with regard to expediting project review, shall ensure a

10  prompt effective response to problems arising with regard to

11  rural issues, and shall work closely with the other REDI

12  representatives in the identification of opportunities for

13  preferential awards of program funds and allowances and waiver

14  of program requirements when necessary to encourage and

15  facilitate long-term private capital investment and job

16  creation.

17         (c)  The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in

18  the review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse

19  impact on rural communities and the development of alternative

20  proposals to mitigate that impact.

21         (d)  Each REDI representative shall be responsible for

22  ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her

23  agency is informed about the Rural Economic Development

24  Initiative and for providing assistance throughout the agency

25  in the implementation of REDI activities.

26         (7)  REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three

27  rural areas of critical economic concern. A rural area of

28  critical economic concern must be a rural community, or a

29  region composed of such, that has been adversely affected by

30  an extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that

31  presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional


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  1  impact that will create more than 1,000 jobs over a 5-year

  2  period. The Governor may by executive order designate up to

  3  three rural areas of critical economic concern which will

  4  establish these areas as priority assignments for REDI as well

  5  as to allow the Governor, acting through REDI, to:

  6         (a)  Waive criteria, requirements, or similar

  7  provisions of any economic development incentive. Such

  8  incentives shall include, but not be limited to: the Qualified

  9  Target Industry Tax Refund Program under section 288.106,

10  Florida Statutes, the Quick Response Training Program under

11  section 288.047, Florida Statutes, the WAGES Quick Response

12  Training Program under section 288.047(10), Florida Statutes,

13  transportation projects under section 288.063, Florida

14  Statutes, the brownfield redevelopment bonus refund under

15  section 288.107, Florida Statutes, and the rural job tax

16  credit program under sections 212.098 and 220.1895, Florida

17  Statutes.

18         (b)  Waive agency rules to empower the agency to commit

19  and coordinate their resources, staff, or assistance to these

20  rural communities, as well as to suspend procedural

21  requirements of law that do not compromise the public's

22  health, safety, or welfare.

23         (c)  Provide rapid response assistance, training

24  services, and educational opportunities for employees; develop

25  training programs; and pay tuition or training expenses for

26  employees from resources coordinated by the Workforce

27  Development Board.

28         (d)  Commit the resources or benefits of the Rural

29  Community Development Revolving Loan Fund under section

30  288.065, Florida Statutes, the Regional Rural Grants Program

31  under section 288.018, Florida Statutes, the rural job tax


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  1  credit program under sections 212.098 and 220.1895, Florida

  2  Statutes, and the federal Community Development Block Grant

  3  Program.

  4         (e)  Direct the assignment of staffing and resources

  5  from Enterprise Florida, Inc.

  6

  7  Designation as a rural area of critical economic concern under

  8  this subsection shall be contingent upon the execution of a

  9  memorandum of agreement among the Office of Tourism, Trade,

10  and Economic Development, the governing body of the county,

11  and the governing bodies of any municipalities to be included

12  within a rural area of critical economic concern. Such

13  agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the

14  designation, including, but not limited to, the duties and

15  responsibilities of the county and any participating

16  municipalities to take actions designed to facilitate the

17  retention and expansion of existing businesses in the area, as

18  well as the recruitment of new businesses to the area.

19         (8)  REDI shall submit a report to the Governor, the

20  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of

21  Representatives each year on or before February 1 on all REDI

22  activities. This report shall include a status report on all

23  projects currently being coordinated through REDI, the number

24  of preferential awards and allowances made pursuant to this

25  section, the dollar amount of such awards, and the names of

26  the recipients. The report shall also include a description of

27  all waivers of program requirements granted. The report shall

28  also include information as to the economic impact of the

29  projects coordinated by REDI.

30         Section 14.  Florida rural economic development

31  strategy grants.--


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

  2  community" means:

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

  4         (b)  A county with a population of 100,000 or less that

  5  is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

  6         (c)  A municipality within a county described in

  7  paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

  8

  9  For purposes of this subsection, population shall be

10  determined in accordance with the most recent official

11  estimate pursuant to section 186.901, Florida Statutes.

12         (2)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

13  Development may accept and administer moneys appropriated to

14  the office for providing grants to assist rural communities to

15  develop and implement strategic economic development plans.

16         (3)  A rural community, an economic development

17  organization in a rural area, or a regional organization

18  representing at least one rural community or such economic

19  development organizations may apply for such grants.

20         (4)  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall

21  establish criteria for reviewing grant applications. These

22  criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the degree of

23  participation and commitment by the local community and the

24  application's consistency with local comprehensive plans or

25  the application's proposal to ensure such consistency. The

26  International Trade and Economic Development Board of

27  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and VISIT Florida, shall review each

28  application for a grant and shall submit annually to the

29  office for approval a list of all applications that are

30  recommended by the board and VISIT Florida, arranged in order

31  of priority. The office may approve grants only to the extent


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  1  that funds are appropriated for such grants by the

  2  Legislature.

  3         Section 15.  Establishment of municipal service taxing

  4  or benefit units; grants to rural counties.--

  5         (1)  As used in this section, the term "rural county"

  6  means a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer persons,

  7  determined pursuant to section 186.901, Florida Statutes.

  8         (2)  Subject to legislative appropriation, the

  9  Department of Community Affairs shall establish a grant

10  program to assist any rural county in making a determination

11  whether to establish a municipal service taxing or benefit

12  unit as authorized by section 125.01, Florida Statutes.  Under

13  this program, any rural county that is considering the

14  establishment of a municipal service taxing or benefit unit

15  and that wishes to conduct a study to determine the necessity

16  for and advisability of establishing such a unit may apply to

17  the department for a grant to assist in financing the study.

18  If the application is approved by the department, the

19  department may award a grant to the county in an amount equal

20  to 75 percent of the cost of the study, if the county agrees

21  to finance 25 percent of the cost of the study itself.  A copy

22  of the study shall be submitted to the department within 30

23  days after it is completed.

24         (3)  The department shall establish an application form

25  and application procedures and requirements by rule pursuant

26  to chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

27         Section 16.  There is appropriated from the General

28  Revenue Fund to the Department of Community Affairs for Fiscal

29  Year 1999-2000 the sum of $1 million to carry out the purposes

30  of a grant program for rural county municipal service taxing

31  or benefit unit feasibility studies.


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  1         Section 17.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section

  2  236.081, Florida Statutes, 1998 Supplement, is amended to

  3  read:

  4         236.081  Funds for operation of schools.--If the annual

  5  allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each

  6  district for operation of schools is not determined in the

  7  annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing

  8  the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as

  9  follows:

10         (4)  COMPUTATION OF DISTRICT REQUIRED LOCAL

11  EFFORT.--The Legislature shall prescribe the aggregate

12  required local effort for all school districts collectively as

13  an item in the General Appropriations Act for each fiscal

14  year. The amount that each district shall provide annually

15  toward the cost of the Florida Education Finance Program for

16  kindergarten through grade 12 programs shall be calculated as

17  follows:

18         (d)  Exclusions Exclusion.--

19         1.  In those instances in which:

20         a.1.  There is litigation either attacking the

21  authority of the property appraiser to include certain

22  property on the tax assessment roll as taxable property or

23  contesting the assessed value of certain property on the tax

24  assessment roll, and

25         b.2.  The assessed value of the property in contest

26  involves more than 6 percent of the total nonexempt assessment

27  roll,

28

29  the assessed value of the property in contest shall be

30  excluded from the taxable value for school purposes for

31  purposes of computing the district required local effort.


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  1         2.  In those instances in which there is a nonpayment

  2  of property taxes in a community designated as a rural area of

  3  critical economic concern that exceeds 6 percent of the total

  4  nonexempt assessment roll, the assessed value of the property

  5  that is the subject of the nonpayment shall be excluded from

  6  the taxable value for school purposes for purposes of

  7  computing the district required local effort.

  8         Section 18.  Section 311.20, Florida Statutes, is

  9  created to read:

10         311.20  Northwest Florida Seaport Transportation and

11  Economic Development Council.--

12         (1)  There is created the Northwest Florida Seaport

13  Transportation and Economic Development Council as a

14  corporation not for profit to be incorporated under the

15  provisions of chapter 617. The purpose of the council is to

16  enhance economic development in the northwest Florida region

17  by creating jobs and increasing cargo flow and port revenues

18  at the three ports located in the region and the regional

19  communities.

20         (2)(a)  The council shall consist of the following

21  members: the port director or designee of the port of Panama

22  City; the port director or designee of the port of Pensacola;

23  the port director or designee of the port of Port St. Joe; the

24  director or designee of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and

25  Economic Development; and a representative from Enterprise

26  Florida, Inc. In addition, the members of the council may

27  appoint up to four ex officio nonvoting members to the

28  council.

29         (b)  Members of the council shall serve without

30  compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per

31  diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.


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  1         (3)  The council shall develop a comprehensive

  2  strategic regional development plan that includes, but is not

  3  limited to, the following:

  4         (a)  A marketing strategy for development at the three

  5  ports and their respective communities;

  6         (b)  A review of multi-modal transportation

  7  requirements for the region; and

  8         (c)  An identification of specific transportation and

  9  economic development projects that create jobs and increase

10  cargo flow and port revenues at the three ports and the

11  regional communities. Subject to specific appropriation by the

12  Legislature, the council may grant funds for the development

13  of such projects.

14         (4)  The council shall have all the powers necessary

15  and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and

16  provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, the

17  power to:

18         (a)  Solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer any

19  grant, payment, or gift of funds or property.

20         (b)  Purchase, receive, hold, lease, or otherwise

21  acquire, and to sell, convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise

22  dispose of, real property and personal property together with

23  such rights and privileges as may be incidental and

24  appurtenant thereto and the use thereof.

25         (c)  Make and enter into contracts and other

26  instruments with public or private sector entities for the

27  purpose of exercising or performing its powers and functions.

28         (5)  The council may appoint an executive director, and

29  the executive director may employ such staff as may be

30  authorized by the council. The compensation of the executive

31  director and staff shall be set by the council.


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  1         Section 19.  Subsection (5) of section 378.601, Florida

  2  Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         378.601  Heavy minerals.--

  4         (5)  Any heavy mineral mining operation which annually

  5  mines less than 500 acres and whose proposed consumption of

  6  water is 3 million gallons per day or less shall not be

  7  required to undergo development of regional impact review

  8  pursuant to s. 380.06, provided permits and plan approvals

  9  pursuant to either this section and part IV of chapter 373, or

10  s. 378.901, are issued.  This subsection applies only in the

11  following circumstances:

12         (a)  Mining is conducted in counties where the operator

13  has conducted heavy mineral mining activities prior to March

14  1, 1997; and

15         (b)  The operator of the heavy mineral mining operation

16  has executed a developer agreement pursuant to s. 380.032 or

17  has received a development order under s. 380.06(15) as of

18  March 1, 1997. Lands mined pursuant to this section need not

19  be the subject of the developer agreement or development

20  order.

21         Section 20.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

22  Commission is directed to assist the Florida Commission on

23  Tourism; the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation,

24  doing business as VISIT Florida; convention and visitor

25  bureaus; tourist development councils; economic development

26  organizations; and local governments through the provision of

27  marketing advice, technical expertise, promotional support,

28  and product development related to nature-based recreation and

29  sustainable use of natural resources. In carrying out this

30  responsibility, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

31  Commission shall focus its efforts on fostering nature-based


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  1  recreation in rural communities and regions encompassing rural

  2  communities. As used in this section, the term "nature-based

  3  recreation" means leisure activities related to the state's

  4  lands, waters, and fish and wildlife resources, including, but

  5  not limited to, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, canoeing,

  6  kayaking, camping, hunting, backpacking, and nature

  7  photography.

  8         Section 21.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section

  9  290.044(4), Florida Statutes, regarding the distribution of

10  funds to categories under the Florida Small Cities Community

11  Development Block Grant Program, in no case shall the

12  percentage of funds for the economic development category be

13  less than 40 percent.

14         Section 22.  Section 230.23027, Florida Statutes, is

15  created to read:

16         230.23027  Small School District Stabilization

17  Program.--

18         (1)  There is created the Small School District

19  Stabilization Program to assist school districts in rural

20  communities that document economic conditions or other

21  significant community influences that negatively impact the

22  school district. The purpose of the program is to provide

23  technical assistance and financial support to maintain the

24  stability of the educational program in the school district. A

25  rural community means a county with a population of 75,000 or

26  less; or a county with a population of 100,000 or less that is

27  contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or less.

28         (2)  In order to participate in this program, a school

29  district must be located in a rural area of critical economic

30  concern designated by the Executive Office of the Governor,

31  and the school board must submit a resolution to the Office of


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  1  Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development requesting

  2  participation in the program. A rural area of critical

  3  economic concern must be a rural community, or a region

  4  composed of such, that has been adversely affected by an

  5  extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that

  6  presents a unique economic development concern or opportunity

  7  of regional impact. The resolution must be accompanied with

  8  documentation of the economic conditions in the community,

  9  provide information indicating the negative impact of these

10  conditions on the school district's financial stability, and

11  the school district must participate in a best financial

12  management practices review to determine potential

13  efficiencies that could be implemented to reduce program costs

14  in the district.

15         (3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic

16  Development, in consultation with the Department of Education,

17  shall review the resolution and other information required by

18  subsection (2) and determine whether the school district is

19  eligible to participate in the program. Factors influencing

20  the office's determination may include, but are not limited

21  to, reductions in the county tax roll resulting from business

22  closures or other causes, or a reduction in student enrollment

23  due to business closures or impacts in the local economy.

24         (4)  Effective July 1, 2000, and thereafter, when the

25  Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development authorizes

26  a school district to participate in the program, the

27  Legislature may give priority to that district for a best

28  financial management practices review in the school district,

29  as authorized in s. 11.515, to the extent that funding is

30  provided annually for such purpose in the General

31


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  1  Appropriations Act. The scope of the review shall be as set

  2  forth in s. 11.515.

  3         (5)  Effective July 1, 2000, and thereafter, the

  4  Department of Education may award the school district a

  5  stabilization grant intended to protect the district from

  6  continued financial reductions. The amount of the grant will

  7  be determined by the Department of Education and may be

  8  equivalent to the amount of the decline in revenues projected

  9  for the next fiscal year. In addition, the Office of Tourism,

10  Trade, and Economic Development may implement a rural economic

11  development initiative to identify the economic factors that

12  are negatively impacting the community and may consult with

13  Enterprise Florida, Inc., in developing a plan to assist the

14  county with its economic transition. The grant will be

15  available to the school district for a period of up to 5 years

16  to the extent that funding is provided for such purpose in the

17  General Appropriations Act.

18         (6)  Based on the availability of funds the Office of

19  Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or the Department of

20  Education may enter into contracts or issue grants necessary

21  to implement the program.

22         Section 23.  This act shall take effect July 1, 1999.

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