House Bill hb1953
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Florida House of Representatives - 2001 HB 1953
By the Committee on Information Technology and
Representatives Hart, Mack, Mealor, Jennings, Harrell, Green,
Wallace and Fiorentino
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to emerging and strategic
3 technologies; creating the "Florida Emerging
4 and Strategic Technologies Act"; providing a
5 short title; creating s. 121.155, F.S.;
6 providing legislative findings and intent with
7 respect to economic development strategies of
8 the state; providing legislative intent with
9 respect to investment and reinvestment of
10 available funds of the System Trust Fund in
11 support of economic development goals and
12 strategies of the state; providing legislative
13 intent with respect to the establishment by the
14 State Board of Administration of partnerships
15 with specified venture capital firms; requiring
16 staff of the State Board of Administration to
17 solicit specified information; providing an
18 additional duty of the State Board of
19 Administration; amending s. 159.26, F.S.;
20 including information technology and the
21 promotion and advancement thereof within the
22 scope of legislative findings and purposes of
23 the Florida Industrial Development Financing
24 Act; amending s. 159.27, F.S.; expanding the
25 definition of "project"; defining "information
26 technology facility"; amending s. 220.02, F.S.;
27 revising the order of credits against the
28 corporate income tax; amending s. 220.13, F.S.;
29 expanding additions with respect to the
30 calculation of adjusted federal income;
31 creating s. 220.192, F.S.; providing a targeted
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1 workforce development tax credit for specified
2 corporations; providing requirements for
3 obtaining the credit; providing limits on the
4 amount of the credit; providing an annual limit
5 on the total amount of credits approved under
6 the act; requiring approval of applications for
7 credit by the Office of Student Financial
8 Assistance of the Department of Education;
9 providing for carryover of the credit;
10 providing for eligibility of specified
11 taxpayers for the credit; providing eligibility
12 requirements; providing application
13 requirements; providing rulemaking authority of
14 the Office of Student Financial Assistance and
15 the Department of Revenue; providing liability
16 for repayment of credit; providing for
17 expiration of the credit; amending s. 240.710,
18 F.S.; revising duties of the Digital Media
19 Education Coordination Group; placing the group
20 within the Division of Universities; revising
21 the agencies with which the group works;
22 requiring the group to submit an annual report;
23 creating s. 240.1055, F.S.; providing an
24 economic development mission statement for the
25 state system of postsecondary education;
26 amending s. 240.299, F.S.; providing additional
27 authority of the Board of Regents and the State
28 Board of Community Colleges with respect to the
29 implementation of the statewide
30 computer-assisted student advising system;
31 providing for expenditure of specified
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1 proceeds; amending s. 288.095, F.S., relating
2 to the Economic Development Trust Fund within
3 the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
4 Development; removing obsolete provisions;
5 increasing the total state share of annual tax
6 refund payments under the qualified defense
7 contractor tax refund program and the qualified
8 target industry tax refund program; amending s.
9 288.108, F.S.; revising provisions relating to
10 the selection and designation of high-impact
11 sectors for purposes of high-impact business
12 sector performance grants; providing a
13 definition; amending s. 288.911, F.S.; revising
14 and clarifying provisions relating to the
15 marketing campaign conducted by Enterprise
16 Florida, Inc., to promote information
17 technology and other high-technology industries
18 in the state; providing purposes and
19 requirements of the campaign; providing for the
20 creation of a steering committee; providing
21 composition and duties of the steering
22 committee; creating s. 288.9522, F.S.; creating
23 the Florida Research Consortium; providing for
24 organization, membership, purpose, powers,
25 duties, and administration of the consortium;
26 requiring specified annual reports; amending
27 ss. 445.012, 445.0121, 445.0122, 445.0124, and
28 445.0125, F.S.; expanding the Careers for
29 Florida's Future Incentive Grant Program to
30 include grants for master's and doctorate
31 coursework; providing eligibility requirements
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1 for initial and renewal awards; revising
2 provisions to conform; amending s. 445.045,
3 F.S.; reassigning responsibility for the
4 development and maintenance of a website that
5 promotes and markets the information technology
6 industry in the state from the Department of
7 Labor and Employment Security to Workforce
8 Florida, Inc.; reassigning specified
9 coordinated duties; providing additional duties
10 and authority of Workforce Florida, Inc.;
11 reenacting ss. 159.416(1) and (2)(a) and
12 373.1963(1)(b), F.S., to incorporate the
13 amendment to s. 159.27, F.S., in references
14 thereto; reenacting ss. 288.1045(2)(d) and
15 (3)(i), 288.1234(1), 288.106(1)(a), (3)(f), and
16 (5)(f), and 288.107(1)(a), F.S., to incorporate
17 the amendment to s. 288.095, F.S., in
18 references thereto; reenacting s.
19 220.191(1)(h), F.S., to incorporate the
20 amendment to s. 288.108, F.S., in a reference
21 thereto; directing Workforce Florida, Inc., to
22 establish a pilot matching grant program for
23 youth internships in high-technology fields,
24 subject to legislative appropriation; providing
25 for use of grants and maximum grant amounts;
26 providing eligibility requirements; requiring
27 an eligible business to submit an internship
28 work plan; requiring Workforce Florida, Inc.,
29 to establish guidelines for the administration
30 of the program and specified criteria;
31 requiring a report; providing legislative
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1 findings and intent with respect to the
2 establishment of joint-use advanced digital
3 media research and production facilities;
4 authorizing the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
5 Economic Development to create and administer a
6 program to facilitate the establishment and
7 maintenance of such facilities; specifying
8 purposes of such facilities; providing powers
9 and duties of the office; defining "digital
10 media"; providing appropriations; providing for
11 the reappropriation of specified funds;
12 creating a Workforce Development Technology
13 Center at Seminole Community College; providing
14 purpose of the center; providing an effective
15 date.
16
17 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
19 Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Florida
20 Emerging and Strategic Technologies Act."
21 Section 2. Section 121.155, Florida Statutes, is
22 created to read:
23 121.155 Investments in support of economic development
24 strategies; legislative findings and intent.--
25 (1) The Legislature finds that:
26 (a) The recruitment, retention, and expansion of
27 high-technology businesses are a principal economic
28 development strategy of the state.
29 (b) High-technology businesses have the potential to
30 contribute significantly to the prosperity of the state and
31
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1 its residents through the creation of employment opportunities
2 and through the generation of revenues into the economy.
3 (c) A significant barrier to the growth of
4 high-technology businesses in the state is caused by a lack of
5 access to sources of capital to support the activities of such
6 businesses.
7 (d) The State Board of Administration, through the
8 investment of funds of the System Trust Fund, has the ability
9 to influence the availability of capital in the marketplace
10 for businesses located in the state.
11 (e) The investment of funds of the System Trust Fund
12 in a manner consistent with the economic development goals of
13 the state enhances the prospects for fulfillment of such
14 goals.
15 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State
16 Board of Administration, consistent with sound investment
17 policy and with the investment provisions set forth in ss.
18 215.44-215.53, maximize opportunities to invest and reinvest
19 available funds of the System Trust Fund in a manner that is
20 consistent with, and that supports fulfillment of, the
21 economic development strategies of the state, including
22 investing and reinvesting funds in support of the capital
23 needs of emerging and strategic high-technology businesses
24 located in the state. It is further the intent of the
25 Legislature that the State Board of Administration, in
26 supporting fulfillment of the economic development strategies
27 of the state, establish partnerships, where feasible, with
28 venture capital firms designed to facilitate investment of
29 venture capital in high-technology businesses located in this
30 state.
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1 (3) Staff of the State Board of Administration shall
2 regularly solicit information from the Office of Tourism,
3 Trade, and Economic Development, the State Technology Office,
4 itflorida.com, Inc. and Enterprise Florida, Inc., on those
5 high-technology business sectors that research indicates have
6 significant potential to contribute to the economic
7 development of the state and shall provide such information to
8 the Investment Advisory Council created under s. 215.444.
9 (4) As part of the annual report required under s.
10 215.44, the State Board of Administration shall describe those
11 investment activities during the year in furtherance of the
12 findings and intent of this section.
13 Section 3. Section 159.26, Florida Statutes, is
14 amended to read:
15 159.26 Legislative findings and purposes.--The
16 Legislature finds and declares that:
17 (1) The agriculture, tourism, urban development,
18 historic preservation, information technology, education, and
19 health care industries, among others, are vital to the economy
20 of the state and to the welfare of the people and need to be
21 enhanced and expanded to improve the competitive position of
22 the state;
23 (2) There is a need to enhance other economic activity
24 in the state by attracting manufacturing development, business
25 enterprise management, and other activities conducive to
26 economic promotion in order to provide a stronger, more
27 balanced, and stable economy in the state, while providing
28 through pollution control and otherwise for the health and
29 safety of the people;
30 (3) In order to improve the prosperity and welfare of
31 the state and its inhabitants; to improve education, living
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1 conditions, and health care; to promote the preservation of
2 historic structures; to promote the rehabilitation of
3 enterprise zones; to promote improved transportation; to
4 promote effective and efficient pollution control throughout
5 the state; to promote the advancement of education and science
6 and research in and the economic development of the state; to
7 promote the advancement of information technology; and to
8 increase purchasing power and opportunities for gainful
9 employment, it is necessary and in the public interest to
10 facilitate the financing of the projects provided for in this
11 part and to facilitate and encourage the planning and
12 development of these projects without regard to the boundaries
13 between counties, municipalities, special districts, and other
14 local governmental bodies or agencies in order to more
15 effectively and efficiently serve the interests of the
16 greatest number of people in the widest area practicable; and
17 (4) The purposes to be achieved by such projects and
18 the financing of them in compliance with the criteria and
19 requirements of this part are predominantly the public
20 purposes stated in this section, and such purposes implement
21 the governmental purposes under the State Constitution of
22 providing for the health, safety, and welfare of the people,
23 including implementing the purpose of s. 10(c), Art. VII of
24 the State Constitution.
25 Section 4. Subsection (5) of section 159.27, Florida
26 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (25) is added to said
27 section, to read:
28 159.27 Definitions.--The following words and terms,
29 unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning,
30 shall have the following meanings:
31
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1 (5) "Project" means any capital project comprising an
2 industrial or manufacturing plant, a research and development
3 park, an information technology facility, an agricultural
4 processing or storage facility, a warehousing or distribution
5 facility, a headquarters facility, a tourism facility, a
6 convention or trade show facility, an urban parking facility,
7 a trade center, a health care facility, an educational
8 facility, a correctional or detention facility, a motion
9 picture production facility, a preservation or rehabilitation
10 of a certified historic structure, an airport or port
11 facility, a commercial project in an enterprise zone, a
12 pollution-control facility, a hazardous or solid waste
13 facility, a social service center, or a mass commuting
14 facility, including one or more buildings and other
15 structures, whether or not on the same site or sites; any
16 rehabilitation, improvement, renovation, or enlargement of, or
17 any addition to, any buildings or structures for use as a
18 factory, a mill, a processing plant, an assembly plant, a
19 fabricating plant, an industrial distribution center, a
20 repair, overhaul, or service facility, a test facility, an
21 agricultural processing or storage facility, a warehousing or
22 distribution facility, a headquarters facility, a tourism
23 facility, a convention or trade show facility, an urban
24 parking facility, a trade center, a health care facility, an
25 educational facility, a correctional or detention facility, a
26 motion picture production facility, a preservation or
27 rehabilitation of a certified historic structure, an airport
28 or port facility, a commercial project in an enterprise zone,
29 a pollution-control facility, a hazardous or solid waste
30 facility, a social service center, or a mass commuting
31 facility, and other facilities, including research and
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1 development facilities and information technology facilities,
2 for manufacturing, processing, assembling, repairing,
3 overhauling, servicing, testing, or handling of any products
4 or commodities embraced in any industrial or manufacturing
5 plant, in connection with the purposes of a research and
6 development park, or other facilities for or used in
7 connection with an agricultural processing or storage
8 facility, a warehousing or distribution facility, a
9 headquarters facility, a tourism facility, a convention or
10 trade show facility, an urban parking facility, a trade
11 center, a health care facility, an educational facility, a
12 correctional or detention facility, a motion picture
13 production facility, a preservation or rehabilitation of a
14 certified historic structure, an airport or port facility, or
15 a commercial project in an enterprise zone or for controlling
16 air or water pollution or for the disposal, processing,
17 conversion, or reclamation of hazardous or solid waste, a
18 social service center, or a mass commuting facility; and
19 including also the sites thereof and other rights in land
20 therefor whether improved or unimproved, machinery, equipment,
21 site preparation and landscaping, and all appurtenances and
22 facilities incidental thereto, such as warehouses, utilities,
23 access roads, railroad sidings, truck docking and similar
24 facilities, parking facilities, office or storage or training
25 facilities, public lodging and restaurant facilities, dockage,
26 wharfage, solar energy facilities, and other improvements
27 necessary or convenient for any manufacturing or industrial
28 plant, research and development park, information technology
29 facility, agricultural processing or storage facility,
30 warehousing or distribution facility, tourism facility,
31 convention or trade show facility, urban parking facility,
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1 trade center, health care facility, educational facility, a
2 correctional or detention facility, motion picture production
3 facility, preservation or rehabilitation of a certified
4 historic structure, airport or port facility, commercial
5 project in an enterprise zone, pollution-control facility,
6 hazardous or solid waste facility, social service center, or a
7 mass commuting facility and any one or more combinations of
8 the foregoing.
9 (25) "Information technology facility" means a
10 building or structure, including infrastructure such as roads,
11 power, water, network access points, and fiber optic cable
12 leading to the structure, which is used to house businesses
13 classified under the following North American Industry
14 Classifications: 334111 (electronic computer manufacturing),
15 334112 (computer storage device manufacturing), 334113
16 (computer terminal manufacturing), 334119 (other computer
17 peripheral equipment manufacturing), 334613 (magnetic and
18 optical recording media manufacturing), 334418 (printed
19 circuit assembly manufacturing), 334411 (electronic tube
20 manufacturing), 334412 (bare printed circuit board
21 manufacturing), 334413 (semiconductor and related device
22 manufacturing), 334417 (electronic connector manufacturing),
23 541511 (custom computer programming services), 334611
24 (software reproducing), 541512 (computer systems design
25 services), 514210 (data processing services), 514191 (on-line
26 information services), 811212 (computer and office machine
27 repair and maintenance), 443120 (computer and software
28 stores-retail), 541519 (other computer related services),
29 421430 (computer and computer peripheral equipment and
30 software wholesalers), 511210 (software publishers), 541511
31 (custom computer programming services), and 611420 (computer
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1 training). The term also includes joint-use advanced digital
2 media research and production facilities created pursuant to
3 HB , 2001 Regular Session.
4 Section 5. Subsection (8) of section 220.02, Florida
5 Statutes, is amended to read:
6 220.02 Legislative intent.--
7 (8) It is the intent of the Legislature that credits
8 against either the corporate income tax or the franchise tax
9 be applied in the following order: those enumerated in s.
10 631.828, those enumerated in s. 220.191, those enumerated in
11 s. 220.181, those enumerated in s. 220.183, those enumerated
12 in s. 220.182, those enumerated in s. 220.1895, those
13 enumerated in s. 221.02, those enumerated in s. 220.184, those
14 enumerated in s. 220.186, those enumerated in s. 220.1845,
15 those enumerated in s. 220.19, and those enumerated in s.
16 220.185, and those enumerated in s. 220.192.
17 Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
18 220.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
19 220.13 "Adjusted federal income" defined.--
20 (1) The term "adjusted federal income" means an amount
21 equal to the taxpayer's taxable income as defined in
22 subsection (2), or such taxable income of more than one
23 taxpayer as provided in s. 220.131, for the taxable year,
24 adjusted as follows:
25 (a) Additions.--There shall be added to such taxable
26 income:
27 1. The amount of any tax upon or measured by income,
28 excluding taxes based on gross receipts or revenues, paid or
29 accrued as a liability to the District of Columbia or any
30 state of the United States which is deductible from gross
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1 income in the computation of taxable income for the taxable
2 year.
3 2. The amount of interest which is excluded from
4 taxable income under s. 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or
5 any other federal law, less the associated expenses disallowed
6 in the computation of taxable income under s. 265 of the
7 Internal Revenue Code or any other law, excluding 60 percent
8 of any amounts included in alternative minimum taxable income,
9 as defined in s. 55(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the
10 taxpayer pays tax under s. 220.11(3).
11 3. In the case of a regulated investment company or
12 real estate investment trust, an amount equal to the excess of
13 the net long-term capital gain for the taxable year over the
14 amount of the capital gain dividends attributable to the
15 taxable year.
16 4. That portion of the wages or salaries paid or
17 incurred for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of
18 the credit allowable for the taxable year under s. 220.181.
19 The provisions of this subparagraph shall expire and be void
20 on June 30, 2005.
21 5. That portion of the ad valorem school taxes paid or
22 incurred for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of
23 the credit allowable for the taxable year under s. 220.182.
24 The provisions of this subparagraph shall expire and be void
25 on June 30, 2005.
26 6. The amount of emergency excise tax paid or accrued
27 as a liability to this state under chapter 221 which tax is
28 deductible from gross income in the computation of taxable
29 income for the taxable year.
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1 7. That portion of assessments to fund a guaranty
2 association incurred for the taxable year which is equal to
3 the amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year.
4 8. In the case of a nonprofit corporation which holds
5 a pari-mutuel permit and which is exempt from federal income
6 tax as a farmers' cooperative, an amount equal to the excess
7 of the gross income attributable to the pari-mutuel operations
8 over the attributable expenses for the taxable year.
9 9. The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year
10 under s. 220.1895.
11 10. Up to 9 nine percent of the eligible basis of any
12 designated project which is equal to the credit allowable for
13 the taxable year under s. 220.185.
14 11. The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year
15 under s. 220.192.
16 Section 7. Section 220.192, Florida Statutes, is
17 created to read:
18 220.192 Targeted workforce development tax credit.--
19 (1) AUTHORIZATION TO GRANT TARGETED WORKFORCE
20 DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT; LIMITATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL CREDITS AND
21 PROGRAM SPENDING.--
22 (a) There shall be allowed a credit of 50 percent of
23 the matriculation and fees paid by a corporation, classified
24 as a small and/or minority business pursuant to s. 288.703, on
25 behalf of any current or prospective employee of the
26 corporation enrolling in a program that confers credit toward
27 a college degree or occupational certificate in information
28 technology, against any tax due for a taxable year under this
29 chapter. The employee must be a Florida resident for tuition
30 purposes as defined in s. 240.1201. The college credit degree
31 or certificate program shall be in a regionally or nationally
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1 accredited institution of higher education in the state with a
2 student loan default rate less than the federal threshold
3 established in 34 C.F.R. s. 668.187.
4 (b) No corporation shall receive more than $50,000 in
5 annual tax credits for all approved matriculation and fee
6 payments made in any one year. In no instance shall the
7 matriculation and fees claimed for credit exceed 150 percent
8 of the matriculation costs for the state community colleges.
9 (c) The total amount of tax credit that may be granted
10 for all payments approved under this section shall not exceed
11 $5 million annually.
12 (d) All applications for the granting of the tax
13 credit shall require the approval of the Office of Student
14 Financial Assistance of the Department of Education.
15 (e) If the credit granted pursuant to this section is
16 not fully used in any one year because of insufficient tax
17 liability on the part of the corporation, the unused amount
18 may be carried forward for a period not to exceed 5 years. The
19 carryover credit may be used in a subsequent year when the tax
20 imposed by this chapter for such year exceeds the credit for
21 such year under this section after applying the other credits
22 and unused credit carryovers in the order provided in s.
23 220.02(8).
24 (f) A taxpayer that files a Florida consolidated
25 return as a member of an affiliated group pursuant to s.
26 220.131(1) may be allowed the credit on a consolidated return
27 basis.
28 (2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.--
29 (a) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall designate the
30 information technology programs which are eligible for the
31 credit pursuant to this section.
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1 (b) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall update the list of
2 information technology programs eligible for the credit under
3 this section annually as a component of the Workforce
4 Estimating Conference.
5 (c) Tax credits granted pursuant to this section shall
6 be allowed only for those college courses satisfactorily
7 completed by the current or prospective employee and shall
8 apply only to courses taken after July 1, 2001.
9 (3) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.--Any qualifying
10 corporation wishing to obtain a tax credit under this section
11 must submit an application for tax credit to the Office of
12 Student Financial Assistance, which shall include the name of
13 the applicant, the information technology programs in which
14 the current or prospective employees are to be enrolled, the
15 names and social security numbers of the current or
16 prospective employees for whom proposed matriculation and fees
17 will be paid, the payment proposal, and other supporting
18 information as may be prescribed by rule. The application must
19 state the number of current and prospective employees to be
20 enrolled in each program and the anticipated total
21 matriculation and fees.
22 (4) ADMINISTRATION.--
23 (a) The Office of Student Financial Assistance has
24 authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54
25 to implement the provisions of this section, including rules
26 for the approval or disapproval of applications by
27 corporations, and rules to provide for cooperative
28 arrangements between for-profit and not-for-profit
29 corporations.
30 (b) The decision of the Office of Student Financial
31 Assistance shall be in writing and, if approved, shall state
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1 the maximum credit allowable to the corporation. A copy of the
2 decision shall be transmitted to the executive director of the
3 Department of Revenue, who shall apply such credit to the tax
4 liability of the corporation.
5 (c) Receipts from the educational institution
6 reflecting payment of matriculation and fees in approved
7 information technology programs must be submitted with all
8 applications for the granting of the tax credit under this
9 section.
10 (d) The Department of Revenue has authority to adopt
11 rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the
12 provisions of this section.
13 (e) Any corporation that claims this credit for
14 matriculation and fees paid on behalf of a current or
15 prospective employee who fails to complete, or fails to
16 satisfactorily complete, an information technology program is
17 liable for repayment of the credit.
18 (5) EXPIRATION.--The provisions of this section,
19 except paragraph (1)(e), shall expire and be void on June 30,
20 2008.
21 Section 8. Section 240.710, Florida Statutes, is
22 amended to read:
23 240.710 Digital Media Education Coordination Group.--
24 (1) The Division of Universities of the Department of
25 Education Board of Regents shall create a Digital Media
26 Education Coordination Group composed of representatives of
27 the universities within the State University System that shall
28 work in conjunction with the Department of Education, the
29 Division State Board of Community Colleges, the Office of
30 Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, and the Articulation
31 Coordinating Committee on the development of a plan to enhance
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1 Florida's ability to meet the current and future workforce
2 needs of the digital media industry. The following purposes of
3 the group shall be included in its plan development process:
4 (a) Coordination of the use of existing academic
5 programs and research and faculty resources to promote the
6 development of a digital media industry in this state.
7 (b) Address strategies to improve opportunities for
8 interdisciplinary study and research within the emerging field
9 of digital media through the development of tracts in existing
10 degree programs, new interdisciplinary degree programs, and
11 interdisciplinary research centers.
12 (c) Address the sharing of resources among
13 universities in such a way as to allow a student to take
14 courses from multiple departments or multiple educational
15 institutions in pursuit of competency, certification, and
16 degrees in digital information and media technology.
17 (2) Where practical, private accredited institutions
18 of higher learning in this state should be encouraged to
19 participate.
20 (3) In addition to the elements of the plan governed
21 by the purposes described in subsection (1), the plan shall
22 include, to the maximum extent practical, the coordination of
23 educational resources to be provided by distance learning and
24 shall facilitate to the maximum extent possible articulation
25 and transfer of credits between community colleges and the
26 state universities. The plan shall address student enrollment
27 in affected programs with emphasis on enrollment beginning as
28 early as fall term, 2001.
29 (3)(4) The Digital Media Education Coordination Group
30 shall submit an annual report of its activities with any
31 recommendations for policy implementation or funding to the
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1 State Board of Education its plan to the President of the
2 Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no
3 later than February 1 of each year January 1, 2001.
4 Section 9. Section 240.1055, Florida Statutes, is
5 created to read:
6 240.1055 Economic development mission.--
7 (1) The Legislature finds that the state system of
8 postsecondary education contributes to the economic well-being
9 of the state and its people through the education and training
10 of individuals for employment, through research and
11 development of technologies that have commercial applications,
12 and through the provision of assistance to businesses based in
13 this state. The Legislature further finds that the quality and
14 activities of the state system of postsecondary education
15 directly affect the success of state, regional, and local
16 efforts to develop, recruit, retain, and expand businesses,
17 particularly high-technology businesses, that create jobs and
18 generate revenue. Therefore, as a fundamental component of the
19 purpose and mission articulated in s. 240.105, the mission of
20 the state system of postsecondary education is to complement,
21 facilitate, and support the economic development strategies
22 and goals of the state and its communities.
23 (2) In recognition and furtherance of the economic
24 development mission of the state system of postsecondary
25 education, it is the policy of the state to use the patent
26 system and the technology licensing operations of public
27 universities to promote the use of inventions arising from
28 funded research; to encourage to the maximum extent possible
29 the participation of businesses based in this state in
30 opportunities to commercialize technology; to promote
31 collaboration between businesses in this state and
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1 universities; and to secure for the residents of this state
2 enhanced returns on the intellectual property developed by
3 public universities through funded research.
4 Section 10. Section 240.2099, Florida Statutes, is
5 amended to read:
6 240.2099 Computer-assisted student advising system;
7 plans.--The Board of Regents and State Board of Community
8 Colleges shall develop plans for implementing a single,
9 statewide computer-assisted student advising system, which
10 must be an integral part of the process of advising,
11 registering, and certifying students for graduation. Plans
12 shall include timelines for the implementation of the system
13 and shall be submitted to the Legislature by October 1, 1996.
14 It is intended that an advising system be the primary advising
15 and tracking tool for students enrolled in community colleges
16 and universities and be accessible to students enrolled in
17 each of the state universities, community colleges, and public
18 secondary schools. The State University System and the
19 community college system shall establish a committee to
20 oversee the development and maintenance of the advising
21 system. The system shall consist of a degree audit and an
22 articulation component that includes the following
23 characteristics provided in subsections (1), (2), and (3):
24 (1) The system shall constitute an integral part of
25 the process of advising students and assisting them in course
26 selection. The system shall be accessible to students in the
27 following ways:
28 (a) A student must be able to access the system, at
29 any time, to identify course options that will meet the
30 requirements of a selected path toward a degree.
31
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1 (b) A status report from the system shall be generated
2 and sent with each grade report to each student with a
3 declared major.
4 (2) The system shall be an integral part of the
5 registration process. As part of the process, the system
6 shall:
7 (a) Provide reports that document each student's
8 status toward completion of a degree.
9 (b) Verify that a student has completed requirements
10 for graduation.
11 (3) The system must provide management information to
12 decisionmakers, including information relating student
13 enrollment patterns and course demands to plans for
14 corresponding course offerings and information useful in
15 planning the student registration process.
16 (4) In implementing the system required under this
17 section, the Board of Regents and the State Board of Community
18 Colleges may:
19 (a) Perform all things necessary to secure letters of
20 patent, copyrights, and trademarks on any work products and to
21 enforce its rights with respect thereto;
22 (b) Enter into binding agreements with organizations,
23 corporations, or government entities to license, lease,
24 assign, or otherwise give written consent to any person, firm,
25 corporation, or agency for the use of the system and collect
26 royalties or any other consideration that the boards find
27 proper; and
28 (c) Sell or license any such work products and execute
29 all instruments necessary to consummate any such sale or
30 license.
31
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1 All or a portion of the proceeds derived from activities
2 authorized under this subsection may be expended for the costs
3 incurred in developing and maintaining the system.
4 Section 11. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
5 288.095, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
6 288.095 Economic Development Trust Fund.--
7 (3)(a) The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
8 Development may approve applications for certification
9 pursuant to ss. 288.1045(3) and 288.106. However, the total
10 state share of tax refund payments scheduled in all active
11 certifications for fiscal year 2000-2001 shall not exceed $24
12 million. The state share of tax refund payments scheduled in
13 all active certifications for fiscal year 2001-2002 and each
14 subsequent year shall not exceed $30 million. The total state
15 share of tax refund payments scheduled in all active
16 certifications for each subsequent fiscal year shall not
17 exceed $35 million.
18 Section 12. Paragraph (i) of subsection (6) of section
19 288.108, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
20 288.108 High-impact business.--
21 (6) SELECTION AND DESIGNATION OF HIGH-IMPACT
22 SECTORS.--
23 (i) For the purposes of this subsection, the
24 semiconductor a high-impact sector consists of the silicon
25 technology sector and the information technology sector are
26 that Enterprise Florida, Inc., has found to be focused around
27 the type of high-impact businesses for which the incentive
28 created in this subsection is designed. These sectors required
29 and will create economic the kinds of sector and economy wide
30 benefits that justify the use of state resources as economic
31 development incentives. Further, the use of state resources to
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1 encourage investment in these sectors is necessary to
2 encourage these investments and require substantial
3 inducements to compete with the incentive packages offered by
4 other states and nations. For the purposes of this subsection
5 and s. 220.191, the term "information technology sector" shall
6 include, but not be limited to, the digital media sector as
7 defined by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and approved by the
8 Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.
9 Section 13. Section 288.911, Florida Statutes, is
10 amended to read:
11 (Substantial rewording of section. See
12 s. 288.911, F.S., for present text.)
13 288.911 Marketing campaign to promote high-technology
14 industries.--
15 (1) Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall develop and
16 implement a multifaceted marketing campaign to promote the
17 existence and growth of information technology and other
18 high-technology industries in the state.
19 (2) The purpose of the marketing campaign shall be to
20 inform businesses and individuals about the status of the
21 high-technology businesses, workforce, infrastructure, and
22 services in the state and to promote the state globally as an
23 ideal location for high-technology business activity, in order
24 to encourage the retention and growth of existing businesses,
25 workers, and students in high-technology fields and to
26 encourage the recruitment of new businesses, workers, and
27 students in high-technology fields.
28 (3) The themes to be emphasized and the messages to be
29 conveyed in the marketing campaign shall be developed by
30 Enterprise Florida, Inc., and shall be approved, in
31 consultation with local and regional economic development
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1 organizations and high-technology businesses, by a steering
2 committee comprised of:
3 (a) The Director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
4 Economic Development, who shall serve as the chair of the
5 committee.
6 (b) One member of the board of directors of Enterprise
7 Florida, Inc., appointed by the board of directors of
8 Enterprise Florida, Inc.
9 (c) The Chief Information Officer, or his or her
10 designee.
11 (d) One member of the board of directors of Workforce
12 Florida, Inc., appointed by the board of directors of
13 Workforce Florida, Inc.
14 (e) One member of the board of directors of
15 itflorida.com, Inc., appointed by the board of directors of
16 itflorida.com, Inc.
17 (f) Two members from business organizations
18 representing high-technology industries throughout the state,
19 appointed by the Governor.
20 (4) At a minimum, the marketing campaign must include
21 the creation of an acceptable brand identification for
22 promoting the state as a location for information technology
23 and other high-technology industries and must include use of
24 Internet websites to develop such brand identification and to
25 provide information on the state's high-technology industries
26 and the various programs and services available to assist such
27 industries. Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall use the
28 Internet-based system for information technology industry
29 promotion and workforce recruitment required under s. 445.045
30 as one of the forums for distribution of the marketing
31 campaign required under this section.
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1 (5) The marketing campaign must be coordinated with
2 and consistent with the existing economic development efforts
3 of the state, and such campaign must be funded in part with
4 resources from the private sector.
5 Section 14. Section 288.9522, Florida Statutes, is
6 created to read:
7 288.9522 Florida Research Consortium.--
8 (1) CREATION.--There is created the Florida Research
9 Consortium, which shall be organized and operated as a
10 not-for-profit corporation in compliance with chapter 617. The
11 consortium shall serve as the principal entity for uniting
12 businesses and research universities in the state in order to
13 enhance economic development through the development and
14 commercialization of science and technology and for targeting
15 the activities of such universities toward fulfillment of the
16 economic development goals of the state.
17 (2) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.--The Florida Research
18 Consortium shall be governed by a board of directors comprised
19 of the following members:
20 (a) Ten chief executive officers of businesses based
21 in this state who are appointed by the Governor. Of the
22 initial appointments of the ten chief executive officers, the
23 Governor shall appoint five members for terms of 4 years,
24 three members for terms of 3 years, and two members for terms
25 of 2 years. All subsequent appointments pursuant to this
26 paragraph shall be for terms of 4 years.
27 (b) Two chief executive officers of businesses based
28 in this state who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure
29 of the President of the Senate.
30
31
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1 (c) Two chief executive officers of businesses based
2 in this state who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure
3 of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
4 (d) The presidents of the following research
5 universities:
6 1. University of Florida.
7 2. Florida Gulf Coast University.
8 3. Florida State University.
9 4. University of Central Florida.
10 5. University of North Florida.
11 6. University of South Florida.
12 7. University of West Florida.
13 8. Florida Atlantic University.
14 9. Florida International University.
15 10. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
16 11. University of Miami.
17 (e) The chair of itflorida.com, Inc.
18 (f) The president of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
19 (g) The president of Workforce Florida, Inc.
20 (h) One representative each from two not-for-profit
21 research institutes located in the state which are not public
22 or private universities, who are appointed by the Governor for
23 terms of 4 years.
24 (i) The Governor or the Governor's designee, who shall
25 serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
26 (j) The Commissioner of Education or the
27 commissioner's designee, who shall serve as an ex officio,
28 nonvoting member.
29 (k) The Chief Information Officer of the State of
30 Florida or his or her designee, who shall serve as an ex
31 officio, nonvoting member.
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1 (l) The director of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
2 Economic Development of the State of Florida, or the
3 director's designee, who shall serve as an ex officio,
4 nonvoting member.
5
6 The voting members of the board of directors shall biennially
7 elect one of the voting members of the board to serve as
8 chair. All members appointed under paragraphs (a), (b), (c),
9 and (h) are subject to Senate confirmation.
10 (3) PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Florida Research
11 Consortium is to support economic development in the state by
12 linking the research capabilities of member universities with
13 the needs and activities of private businesses in the state
14 and by fostering the development and growth of scientific and
15 technology-based industry and commerce in this state.
16 (4) POWERS AND DUTIES.--The powers and duties of the
17 board of directors of the Florida Research Consortium shall
18 include, but not be limited to:
19 (a) Raising funds from nonstate sources to leverage
20 any appropriations from the Legislature;
21 (b) Identifying the specific disciplines in science or
22 technology which shall be the focus of the activities of the
23 consortium, with such disciplines being narrowly defined
24 viable areas of potential success for the state from the
25 perspectives of economic development, education and workforce
26 training, and development and academics;
27 (c) Developing and implementing strategies to recruit
28 and retain preeminent researchers in science and
29 technology-based disciplines to universities in the state,
30 with such strategies including, but not being limited to, the
31
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1 endowment of faculty or research chairs at universities in the
2 state in the disciplines identified under paragraph (b);
3 (d) Developing and implementing strategies to recruit
4 and retain graduate and undergraduate students in math,
5 science, and technology-based disciplines to universities in
6 the state;
7 (e) Assisting new and expanding science and
8 technology-based businesses with their research, technology
9 commercialization, capital, and workforce needs;
10 (f) Developing and implementing strategies to increase
11 the state's share of research funds;
12 (g) Identifying statutory, regulatory, policy, or
13 other barriers impeding the effective, efficient, and timely
14 transfer of technology and commercialization of research from
15 the university setting and proposing resolutions to such
16 barriers, including reforms to university policies on issues
17 such as conflicts of interest;
18 (h) Developing and implementing strategies to create a
19 culture at member universities which promotes the conduct of
20 applied research and the transfer of technology as fundamental
21 activities of such universities;
22 (i) Developing measures to assess the performance of
23 the technology transfer offices of the member universities in
24 facilitating the transfer of technology to businesses in the
25 state;
26 (j) Facilitating discussions, meetings, and other
27 forms of communication among university researchers, faculty,
28 administrators, and students; high-technology businesses in
29 the state; and economic development professionals;
30 (k) Establishing and maintaining an Internet-based
31 database for the marketing, publication, and exchange of
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1 information with the public and private sectors on basic,
2 applied, and other research being conducted at universities in
3 the state;
4 (l) Coordinating donations of equipment from
5 high-technology businesses to secondary schools;
6 (m) Hiring an executive director and other staff for
7 the Florida Research Consortium; and
8 (n) Meeting at least four times each calendar year.
9 (5) ANNUAL REPORT.--
10 (a) By January 1 of each year, the Florida Research
11 Consortium shall submit a report of its activities and
12 accomplishments for the year to the Governor, the President of
13 the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
14 The report shall also include specific recommendations
15 regarding actions the state could take to enhance the
16 commercialization of research and transfer of technologies
17 from the universities and to enhance the role of universities
18 in accomplishing the economic development goals of the state.
19 (b) By December 1 of each year, the technology
20 transfer office of each university that is a member of the
21 Florida Research Consortium shall report to the board of
22 directors on the activities of the office during the year
23 related to facilitating the transfer of technology to
24 businesses and on its other activities related to building
25 relationships between university researchers, faculty,
26 students, and administrators and businesses in the state. The
27 report must include information on the achievement by the
28 office of the performance measures identified under paragraph
29 (4)(i). The board of directors shall summarize the information
30 provided by the technology transfer offices as part of the
31 annual report by the board under paragraph (a).
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1 Section 15. Section 445.012, Florida Statutes, is
2 amended to read:
3 445.012 Careers for Florida's Future Incentive Grant
4 Program.--
5 (1) The Careers for Florida's Future Incentive Grant
6 Program is created to encourage students in this state to
7 obtain degrees or certificates in postsecondary programs that
8 produce graduates with job skills in advanced technology which
9 are critical to the economic future of this state. The program
10 shall provide for a forgivable loan that requires a student to
11 enroll in and complete an eligible program and then to
12 maintain employment in an eligible occupation in this state
13 for 1 year for each year of grant receipt. The recipient must
14 begin repayment of the grant 1 year after the recipient is no
15 longer enrolled in an eligible institution or completes the
16 program, unless the recipient obtains employment in an
17 eligible occupation.
18 (2) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall manage the Careers
19 for Florida's Future Incentive Grant Program in accordance
20 with rules and procedures established for this purpose.
21 Workforce Florida, Inc., shall contract with the Office of
22 Student Financial Assistance in the Department of Education to
23 administer the incentive grant program for students pursuing
24 baccalaureate, master's, or doctorate degrees or degree career
25 education programs that articulate into baccalaureate degree
26 programs. The office shall advertise the availability of the
27 grant program and collect all delinquent incentive grant
28 repayments.
29 (a) The Office of Student Financial Assistance of the
30 Department of Education shall issue awards from the incentive
31 grant program each semester. Before the registration period
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1 each semester, the department shall transmit payment for each
2 award to the president or director of the postsecondary
3 education institution, or his or her representative, except
4 that the department may withhold payment if the receiving
5 institution fails to report or make refunds to the department
6 as required in this section.
7 (b) Within 30 days after the end of regular
8 registration each semester, the educational institution shall
9 certify to the department the eligibility status of each
10 student who receives an award. After the end of the
11 drop-and-add period, an institution is not required to
12 reevaluate or revise a student's eligibility status, but must
13 make a refund to the department if a student who receives an
14 award disbursement terminates enrollment for any reason during
15 an academic term and a refund is permitted by the
16 institution's refund policy.
17 (c) An institution that receives funds from the
18 program shall certify to the department the amount of funds
19 disbursed to each student and shall remit to the department
20 any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end of
21 regular registration. The department may suspend or revoke an
22 institution's eligibility to receive future moneys for the
23 program if the department finds that an institution has not
24 complied with this section.
25 (3) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall allocate to each
26 regional workforce board its share of funds available for
27 incentive grants in eligible diploma, certificate, and degree
28 career education programs that do not articulate into
29 baccalaureate programs. Each regional workforce board shall
30 administer the program, including determining award recipients
31 within funds available to it for that purpose. Workforce
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1 Florida, Inc., shall contract with the Office of Student
2 Financial Assistance in the Department of Education for
3 collecting delinquent incentive grant repayments.
4 (a) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall reallocate any
5 funds not encumbered by the regional workforce boards by
6 January 31 of each year to other regional workforce boards for
7 additional awards, in accordance with rules and procedures
8 established for this purpose.
9 (b) Within 30 days after the student begins classes,
10 the educational institution shall certify to the regional
11 workforce board the eligibility status of each student who
12 receives an award. After this report, an institution is not
13 required to reevaluate or revise a student's eligibility
14 status, but must make a refund to the regional workforce board
15 if a student who receives an award disbursement terminates
16 enrollment for any reason during the period that would permit
17 a refund by the institution's refund policy.
18 (c) Regional workforce boards shall ensure that each
19 recipient receives maximum funding possible by coordinating
20 career education awards with Individual Training Accounts
21 funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act, Retention
22 Incentive Training Accounts funded by the federal Temporary
23 Assistance for Needy Families Act, the federal Welfare-to-Work
24 program, and other programs intended to assist incumbent
25 workers in upgrading their skills.
26 (4) If funds appropriated are not adequate to provide
27 the maximum allowable award to each eligible applicant, full
28 awards must be provided in the order of priority established
29 by Workforce Florida, Inc. Awards must not be reduced to
30 increase the number of recipients.
31
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1 (5) A recipient who is pursuing a baccalaureate degree
2 shall receive $100 for each lower-division credit hour in
3 which the student is enrolled at an eligible college or
4 university, up to a maximum of $1,500 per semester, and $200
5 for each upper-division credit hour in which the student is
6 enrolled at an eligible college or university, up to a maximum
7 of $3,000 per semester, and $300 for each graduate level
8 credit hour in which the student is enrolled at an eligible
9 university, up to a maximum of $4,000 per semester. For
10 purposes of this section, a student is pursuing a
11 baccalaureate degree if he or she is in a program that
12 articulates into a baccalaureate degree program by agreement
13 of the Articulation Coordinating Committee. A student in an
14 applied technology diploma program, a certificate career
15 education program, or a degree career education program that
16 does not articulate into a baccalaureate degree program shall
17 receive $2 for each vocational contact hour, or the
18 equivalent, for certificate programs, or $60 for each credit
19 hour, or the equivalent, for degree career education programs
20 and applied technology programs for which the student is
21 enrolled at an eligible college, technical center, or
22 nonpublic career education school.
23 (6) If a recipient who is enrolled in a diploma,
24 certificate, or degree career education program that does not
25 articulate into a baccalaureate degree program transfers from
26 one eligible institution to another within the same workforce
27 region and continues to meet eligibility requirements, the
28 award shall be transferred with the student.
29 (7) If a recipient who is enrolled in a baccalaureate,
30 master's, or doctorate degree program or a degree career
31 education program that articulates into a baccalaureate degree
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1 program transfers from one eligible institution to another and
2 continues to meet eligibility requirements, the award shall be
3 transferred with the student.
4 (8) An award recipient may use an award for enrollment
5 in a summer term if funds are available.
6 (9) Funds may not be used to pay for remedial,
7 college-preparatory, or vocational-preparatory coursework.
8 Section 16. Section 445.0121, Florida Statutes, is
9 amended to read:
10 445.0121 Student eligibility requirements for initial
11 awards.--
12 (1) To be eligible for an initial award for
13 lower-division college credit courses that lead to a
14 baccalaureate degree, as defined in s. 445.0122(5), a student
15 must:
16 (a)1. Have been a resident of this state for no less
17 than 3 years for purposes other than to obtain an education;
18 or
19 2. Have received a standard Florida high school
20 diploma, as provided in s. 232.246, or its equivalent, as
21 described in s. 229.814, unless:
22 a. The student is enrolled full-time in the
23 early-admission program of an eligible postsecondary education
24 institution or completes a home education program in
25 accordance with s. 232.0201; or
26 b. The student earns a high school diploma from a
27 non-Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who
28 is on military or public service assignment outside this
29 state.
30
31
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1 (b) In addition to the residency requirements in
2 paragraph (a), an eligible lower-division, baccalaureate
3 degree-seeking student must:
4 1. Have earned a cumulative grade point average of at
5 least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in postsecondary coursework.
6 2. Have earned at least 18 credit hours at the
7 postsecondary level.
8 3. Be enrolled in an eligible public or independent
9 postsecondary educational institution in this state for at
10 least 6 semester credit hours or the equivalent.
11 (2) To be eligible for an initial award for
12 upper-division courses, a student must:
13 (a) Have been a resident of this state for the
14 previous 3 years for purposes other than to obtain an
15 education.
16 (b) Be enrolled in an eligible baccalaureate degree
17 program, as specified in s. 445.0124, for at least 6 semester
18 credit hours or the equivalent.
19 (c) Have earned a cumulative grade point average of at
20 least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in all postsecondary coursework.
21 (3) To be eligible for an initial award for master's
22 or doctorate level courses, a student must:
23 (a) Have been a resident of this state for the
24 previous year for purposes other than to obtain an education.
25 (b) Be enrolled in an eligible master's or doctorate
26 program.
27 (c) Have earned a cumulative grade point average of at
28 least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework.
29 (4)(3) To be eligible for an initial award for an
30 applied technology diploma program or a certificate or degree
31
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1 career education program that does not articulate into a
2 baccalaureate degree program, a student must:
3 (a) Have been a resident of this state for not less
4 than 3 years for noneducational purposes.
5 (b) Be enrolled in an eligible diploma, certificate,
6 or degree career education program, as specified in s.
7 445.0124.
8 Section 17. Section 445.0122, Florida Statutes, is
9 amended to read:
10 445.0122 Student eligibility requirements for renewal
11 awards.--
12 (1) To be eligible to renew an incentive grant for a
13 degree program, a student must:
14 (a) Complete at least 12 semester credit hours or the
15 equivalent of program requirements in the previous academic
16 year, including summer school.
17 (b) Maintain the equivalent of a grade point average
18 of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all postsecondary
19 education work or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate
20 education work.
21 (2) A student who is enrolled in a program that
22 terminates in a baccalaureate degree or who is enrolled in an
23 associate degree program that articulates into a baccalaureate
24 degree may receive an award for a maximum of 110 percent of
25 the number of credit hours required to complete the program.
26 (3) To be eligible to renew an incentive grant for an
27 applied technology diploma program or a certificate or degree
28 career education program that does not articulate into a
29 baccalaureate degree program, a student must have successfully
30 attained the last occupational completion point attempted. If
31 an occupational completion point requires more than one term
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1 to complete, a student may receive grants for the additional
2 terms if the institution reports that the student is making
3 adequate progress toward completion.
4 (4) A student who is enrolled in a program that
5 terminates in an applied technology diploma or a certificate
6 or degree career education program that does not articulate
7 into a baccalaureate degree program may receive an award for a
8 maximum of 110 percent of the credit hours or clock hours
9 required to complete the program, up to 90 semester credit
10 hours or the equivalent in quarter or clock hours.
11 (5) A student maintains eligibility for an award for 4
12 years following receipt of the initial award for courses in
13 the lower division, and 4 years following receipt of the
14 initial award for courses in the upper division, 3 years
15 following receipt of the initial award for courses at the
16 master's level, and 5 years following receipt of the initial
17 award at the doctorate level. For purposes of this subsection,
18 lower-division courses include courses in an eligible applied
19 technology diploma program or a certificate or degree career
20 education program that does not articulate into a
21 baccalaureate degree program by agreement of the Articulation
22 Coordinating Committee, as well as courses in associate in
23 arts and associate in science degree programs that articulate
24 into a baccalaureate degree program.
25 Section 18. Section 445.0124, Florida Statutes, is
26 amended to read:
27 445.0124 Eligible programs.--
28 (1) A student must enroll in a program determined
29 eligible by Workforce Florida, Inc.
30 (2) Eligible lower-division programs are those
31 programs that prepare a student for admission to a degree
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1 program that prepares students for employment in targeted
2 career occupations listed in subsection (3). These programs
3 include any associate in science degree program that
4 articulates into a baccalaureate degree program by agreement
5 of the Articulation Coordinating Committee.
6 (3) Eligible undergraduate upper-division programs and
7 eligible graduate programs are those programs that prepare
8 students for employment in targeted career occupations in one
9 of the following business sectors: information
10 technology/telecommunications, biomedical technology,
11 manufacturing-electronics, and aviation/transportation.
12 Workforce Florida, Inc., must determine eligible programs
13 within these sectors annually in cooperation with the Board of
14 Regents.
15 (4) Eligible career education programs are those
16 programs in the following business sectors: information
17 technology/telecommunications, biomedical technology,
18 manufacturing-electronics, aviation/transportation, and
19 skilled building trades. Workforce Florida, Inc., must
20 determine eligible programs within these sectors annually in
21 cooperation with the State Board of Community Colleges and the
22 Department of Education.
23 Section 19. Section 445.0125, Florida Statutes, is
24 amended to read:
25 445.0125 Repayment schedule.--
26 (1) A recipient must repay an incentive grant from the
27 Careers for Florida's Future Incentive Grant Program within 10
28 years after termination of the grant.
29 (a) Repayment must begin:
30
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1 1. One year after completion of the program of
2 studies, unless the recipient is employed in an eligible
3 occupation; or
4 2. One year after the student is no longer enrolled in
5 an eligible institution.
6 (b) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall determine whether a
7 grant recipient is employed in an eligible occupation. For
8 repayment purposes, an occupation determined to be eligible
9 remains eligible for the duration of the repayment period.
10 (c) The State Board of Education shall adopt repayment
11 schedules by rule.
12 (2) Credit for repayment of an incentive grant shall
13 be as follows:
14 (a) To repay an incentive grant for graduate level,
15 upper-division, or lower-division courses that lead to a
16 baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or doctorate degree, a
17 student must earn the baccalaureate degree and then maintain
18 employment in an eligible occupation in this state for 1 year
19 for each year in which the grant was received for full-time
20 enrollment. If the student's actual enrollment was part-time,
21 the grant repayment shall be calculated as the length of time
22 required to complete the program based on full-time
23 enrollment.
24 (b) For an incentive grant for a program that
25 generates credit toward an occupational completion point, a
26 certificate, or a career education degree that does not
27 articulate into a baccalaureate degree, a student must
28 complete the program and maintain employment in an eligible
29 occupation in this state for 6 months for every semester of
30 full-time enrollment in the program. If the student's actual
31 enrollment in the program was part-time, the grant repayment
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1 shall be calculated as the length of time required to complete
2 the program based on full-time enrollment, based on 6 months
3 for each semester.
4 (3) Any incentive grant recipient who does not remain
5 employed in an eligible occupation in this state must repay
6 the loan plus accrued annual interest at the rate of the
7 3-month United States Treasury Bill, plus 2.3 percent.
8 (4) An incentive grant recipient may receive repayment
9 credit for eligible employment rendered at any time during the
10 scheduled repayment period. However, this repayment credit is
11 applicable only to the current principal and accrued interest
12 balance that remains at the time the repayment credit is
13 earned. An incentive grant recipient may not be reimbursed for
14 previous cash payments of principal and interest.
15 Section 20. Section 445.045, Florida Statutes, is
16 amended to read:
17 445.045 Development of an Internet-based system for
18 information technology industry promotion and workforce
19 recruitment.--
20 (1) Workforce Florida, Inc., The Department of Labor
21 and Employment Security shall be responsible for facilitate
22 efforts to ensure the development and maintenance of a website
23 that promotes and markets the information technology industry
24 in this state. The website shall be designed to inform the
25 public concerning the scope of the information technology
26 industry in the state and shall also be designed to address
27 the workforce needs of the industry. The website shall
28 include, through links or actual content, information
29 concerning information technology businesses in this state,
30 including links to such businesses; information concerning
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1 employment available at these businesses; and the means by
2 which a jobseeker may post a resume on the website.
3 (2) Workforce Florida, Inc., The Department of Labor
4 and Employment Security shall coordinate with the State
5 Technology Office and the Agency for Workforce Innovation
6 Workforce Development Board of Enterprise Florida, Inc., to
7 ensure links, where feasible and appropriate, to existing job
8 information websites maintained by the state and state
9 agencies and to ensure that information technology positions
10 offered by the state and state agencies are posted on the
11 information technology website.
12 (3) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall ensure that the
13 website developed and maintained under this section is
14 consistent, compatible, and coordinated with the workforce
15 information systems required under s. 445.011, including, but
16 not limited to, the automated job-matching information system
17 for employers, jobseekers, and other users.
18 (4)(a) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall coordinate
19 development and maintenance of the website under this section
20 with the State Technology Office to ensure compatibility with
21 the state's information system strategy and enterprise
22 architecture.
23 (b) Workforce Florida, Inc., may enter into an
24 agreement with the State Technology Office for the design,
25 operation, or other technological services necessary to
26 develop and maintain the website.
27 (c) Workforce Florida, Inc., may procure services
28 necessary to implement the provisions of this section,
29 provided, however, that it employs competitive processes,
30 including requests for proposals, competitive negotiation, and
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1 other competitive processes to ensure that the procurement
2 results in the most cost-effective investment of state funds.
3 (5) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall coordinate its
4 efforts to implement this section with the high-technology
5 industry marketing efforts of Enterprise Florida, Inc., under
6 s. 288.911. Through links or actual content, the website
7 developed under this section shall serve as a forum for
8 distributing the marketing campaign developed by Enterprise
9 Florida, Inc., under s. 288.911. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
10 shall also solicit input from itflorida.com, Inc.
11 Section 21. For the purpose of incorporating the
12 amendment to section 159.27, Florida Statutes, in references
13 thereto, the sections or subdivisions of Florida Statutes set
14 forth below are reenacted to read:
15 159.416 Pool financings.--
16 (1) Any local agency may issue, at one or more times,
17 single issues of bonds to fund a pool financing program. For
18 purposes of this chapter, the term "pool financing program"
19 means a program under which bonds or other debt obligations
20 are issued by a local agency, some or all of the proceeds of
21 which are used to fund a loan fund to be used for the purpose
22 of making loans to persons, some or all of whom have not been
23 identified at the time the bonds are issued, to finance all or
24 part of the cost of one or more projects described in s.
25 159.27(5), some or all of which have not been identified at
26 the time the bonds are issued.
27 (2) Upon the issuance of such bonds the proceeds
28 thereof shall constitute a pool of funds which may be used for
29 the following purposes:
30 (a) To make loans to any person to pay the costs of
31 any project described in s. 159.27(5);
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1 373.1963 Assistance to West Coast Regional Water
2 Supply Authority.--
3 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to authorize
4 the implementation of changes in governance recommended by the
5 West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority in its reports to
6 the Legislature dated February 1, 1997, and January 5, 1998.
7 The authority and its member governments may reconstitute the
8 authority's governance and rename the authority under a
9 voluntary interlocal agreement with a term of not less than 20
10 years. The interlocal agreement must comply with this
11 subsection as follows:
12 (b) In accordance with s. 4, Art. VIII of the State
13 Constitution and notwithstanding s. 163.01, the interlocal
14 agreement may include the following terms, which are
15 considered approved by the parties without a vote of their
16 electors, upon execution of the interlocal agreement by all
17 member governments and upon satisfaction of all conditions
18 precedent in the interlocal agreement:
19 1. All member governments shall relinquish to the
20 authority their individual rights to develop potable water
21 supply sources, except as otherwise provided in the interlocal
22 agreement;
23 2. The authority shall be the sole and exclusive
24 wholesale potable water supplier for all member governments;
25 and
26 3. The authority shall have the absolute and
27 unequivocal obligation to meet the wholesale needs of the
28 member governments for potable water.
29 4. A member government may not restrict or prohibit
30 the use of land within a member's jurisdictional boundaries by
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1 the authority for water supply purposes through use of zoning,
2 land use, comprehensive planning, or other form of regulation.
3 5. A member government may not impose any tax, fee, or
4 charge upon the authority in conjunction with the production
5 or supply of water not otherwise provided for in the
6 interlocal agreement.
7 6. The authority may use the powers provided in part
8 II of chapter 159 for financing and refinancing water
9 treatment, production, or transmission facilities, including,
10 but not limited to, desalinization facilities. All such water
11 treatment, production, or transmission facilities are
12 considered a "manufacturing plant" for purposes of s.
13 159.27(5) and serve a paramount public purpose by providing
14 water to citizens of the state.
15 7. A member government and any governmental or
16 quasi-judicial board or commission established by local
17 ordinance or general or special law where the governing
18 membership of such board or commission is shared, in whole or
19 in part, or appointed by a member government agreeing to be
20 bound by the interlocal agreement shall be limited to the
21 procedures set forth therein regarding actions that directly
22 or indirectly restrict or prohibit the use of lands or other
23 activities related to the production or supply of water.
24 Section 22. For the purpose of incorporating the
25 amendment to section 288.095, Florida Statutes, in references
26 thereto, the sections or subdivisions of Florida Statutes set
27 forth below are reenacted to read:
28 288.1045 Qualified defense contractor tax refund
29 program.--
30 (2) GRANTING OF A TAX REFUND; ELIGIBLE AMOUNTS.--
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1 (d) Contingent upon an annual appropriation by the
2 Legislature, the director may approve not more in tax refunds
3 than the amount appropriated to the Economic Development Trust
4 Fund for tax refunds, for a fiscal year pursuant to subsection
5 (5) and s. 288.095.
6 (3) APPLICATION PROCESS; REQUIREMENTS; AGENCY
7 DETERMINATION.--
8 (i) The director may not enter any final order that
9 certifies any applicant as a qualified applicant when the
10 value of tax refunds to be included in that final order
11 exceeds the available amount of authority to enter final
12 orders as determined in s. 288.095(3). A final order that
13 approves an application must specify the maximum amount of a
14 tax refund that is to be available to the contractor in each
15 fiscal year and the total amount of tax refunds for all fiscal
16 years.
17 288.1234 Guarantee of state obligations; Olympic Games
18 Guaranty Account.--
19 (1) There is created, within the Economic Development
20 Trust Fund established pursuant to s. 288.095, the Olympic
21 Games Guaranty Account. The Olympic Games Guaranty Account
22 shall be used for the sole purpose of fulfilling the state's
23 obligations under a games-support contract to indemnify and
24 insure against any net financial deficit resulting from the
25 conduct of the games. The direct-support organization
26 authorized under s. 288.1229 shall be responsible for
27 administration of the Olympic Games Guaranty Account.
28 288.106 Tax refund program for qualified target
29 industry businesses.--
30 (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:
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1 (a) "Account" means the Economic Development
2 Incentives Account within the Economic Development Trust Fund
3 established under s. 288.095.
4 (3) APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS.--
5 (f) The director may not certify any target industry
6 business as a qualified target industry business if the value
7 of tax refunds to be included in that letter of certification
8 exceeds the available amount of authority to certify new
9 businesses as determined in s. 288.095(3). However, if the
10 commitments of local financial support represent less than 20
11 percent of the eligible tax refund payments, or to otherwise
12 preserve the viability and fiscal integrity of the program,
13 the director may certify a qualified target industry business
14 to receive tax refund payments of less than the allowable
15 amounts specified in paragraph (2)(b). A letter of
16 certification that approves an application must specify the
17 maximum amount of tax refund that will be available to the
18 qualified industry business in each fiscal year and the total
19 amount of tax refunds that will be available to the business
20 for all fiscal years.
21 (5) ANNUAL CLAIM FOR REFUND.--
22 (f) The total amount of tax refund claims approved by
23 the director under this section in any fiscal year must not
24 exceed the amount authorized under s. 288.095(3).
25 288.107 Brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds.--
26 (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:
27 (a) "Account" means the Economic Development
28 Incentives Account as authorized in s. 288.095.
29 Section 23. For the purpose of incorporating the
30 amendment to section 288.108, Florida Statutes, in a reference
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1 thereto, paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 220.191,
2 Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3 220.191 Capital investment tax credit.--
4 (1) DEFINITIONS.--For purposes of this section:
5 (h) "Qualifying project" means a new or expanding
6 facility in this state which creates at least 100 new jobs in
7 this state and is in one of the high-impact sectors identified
8 by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and certified by the office
9 pursuant to s. 288.108(6), including, but not limited to,
10 aviation, aerospace, automotive, and silicon technology
11 industries.
12 Section 24. Pilot matching grant program for youth
13 internships.--
14 (1) Subject to legislative appropriation, Workforce
15 Florida, Inc., shall establish a pilot matching grant program
16 that is designed to encourage high-technology businesses to
17 employ, train, and mentor financially disadvantaged youth
18 through internships completed under the direct supervision of
19 the eligible business. Under this program, Workforce Florida,
20 Inc., may award grants to an eligible business for the benefit
21 of a named eligible youth. Part of the purpose of the program
22 shall be to help financially needy youth acquire and develop
23 information technology skills in order to help close the
24 "digital divide."
25 (2) Grant funds awarded under this program shall be
26 used to supplement the stipend of the eligible youth and must
27 be matched by contributions from the eligible business. The
28 maximum grant amount that may be awarded on behalf of a single
29 eligible youth at one time is $2,000. Workforce Florida, Inc.,
30 may establish limitations on the total number of internship
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1 grants that may be awarded to a single eligible business or
2 that may be awarded on behalf of a single eligible youth.
3 (3) An eligible business under this program includes
4 any sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, or corporation in
5 this state that is in the information technology sector,
6 health technology sector, or other high-technology sector that
7 the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc., in
8 consultation with itflorida.com, Inc., the State Technology
9 Office, and Enterprise Florida, Inc., determines is
10 strategically important to the economic development goals of
11 the state.
12 (4) An eligible youth under this program includes a
13 student between the ages of 15 and 18 who is currently
14 enrolled at a high school in Florida and who has not been
15 previously employed within the preceding 12 months by the
16 eligible business, or a successor business, applying for
17 matching funds under this program. The youth must be a member
18 of a family that includes a parent with one or more minor
19 children or a caretaker with one or more minor children and
20 that is at risk of welfare dependency because the family's
21 income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty
22 level.
23 (5)(a) As part of an application for funding under
24 this program, an eligible business must submit an internship
25 work plan that describes:
26 1. The work to be performed by the eligible youth;
27 2. The anticipated number of hours per week the
28 eligible youth will work;
29 3. The total hourly stipend to be paid to the eligible
30 youth, with a description of the portion of the stipend
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1 proposed to be paid by the eligible business and the portion
2 of the stipend proposed to be paid by the state;
3 4. The anticipated term of the internship;
4 5. The training and supervision to be provided by the
5 eligible business, particularly in terms of skill development
6 of the youth related to computers and other information
7 technologies;
8 6. The impact of the grant funds on the ability of the
9 eligible business to employ the eligible youth through the
10 internship; and
11 7. The prospects for unsubsidized employment of the
12 youth after the internship period concludes.
13 (b) An application for funding must also identify the
14 eligible youth to be hired under the internship and include
15 information to demonstrate that the eligible youth satisfies
16 the requirements of subsection (4).
17 (6) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall establish
18 guidelines governing the administration of this program which
19 facilitate access to the program by businesses and shall
20 establish criteria to be used in evaluating an application for
21 funding and the internship plan accompanying the application
22 as required under subsection (5). Such criteria must include,
23 but need not be limited to:
24 (a) The nature of the work to be performed by the
25 eligible youth;
26 (b) The potential experience and skills to be acquired
27 by the eligible youth, particularly related to computers and
28 other information technologies, as identified by Workforce
29 Florida, Inc., which may help address the digital divide;
30 (c) Whether the eligible business is classified in one
31 of the business sectors identified by Enterprise Florida,
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1 Inc., as being strategically important to the economic
2 development efforts of the state or is classified in a
3 business sector identified as being strategically important to
4 the particular regional or local area in which the business is
5 located;
6 (d) The supervision, training, and counseling to be
7 provided to the eligible youth as part of the internship;
8 (e) The demonstrated need of the eligible business and
9 the amount of matching funds to be provided by the eligible
10 business; and
11 (f) The extent to which the internship has potential
12 to result in permanent employment with the eligible business
13 at the completion of the internship or anytime thereafter.
14 (7) Before allocating funds for any grant application
15 under this program, Workforce Florida, Inc., shall execute a
16 simplified grant agreement with the eligible business. Such
17 agreement must include provisions for Workforce Florida, Inc.,
18 to have access to information about the performance of
19 eligible youth upon completion of the internship.
20 (8) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall ensure that any
21 forms or reports associated with this program which a business
22 or individual is required to complete are as concise and
23 simple to complete as practicable.
24 (9) Workforce Florida, Inc., shall prepare a report
25 describing the outcomes of the pilot program authorized under
26 this section. The report must include a recommendation as to
27 whether the Legislature should continue to fund the program
28 and any changes necessary to enhance the program. The report
29 must be submitted to the Governor, the President of the
30 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
31 January 31, 2003.
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1 Section 25. Joint-use advanced digital media research
2 and production facilities.--
3 (1) The Legislature finds that developments in digital
4 media are having, and will continue to have, a profound effect
5 on the state, its people, and its businesses in areas,
6 including, but not limited to, the broader information
7 technology sector of which digital media is a part, simulation
8 technology, and film and entertainment production and
9 distribution. The digital media industry represents a
10 strategic economic development opportunity for the state to
11 become a global leader in this emerging and dynamic field. The
12 ability of the state to succeed in developing the digital
13 media sector, however, depends upon having a workforce with
14 skills necessary to meet the demands of the industry. The
15 Legislature further finds that the convergence of media and
16 the collaboration of businesses and multidisciplinary academic
17 research programs will enable this state to compete more
18 successfully with other digital media innovation centers
19 around the country and around the world. Therefore, it is the
20 intent of the Legislature to support the establishment and
21 maintenance of joint-use advanced digital media research and
22 production facilities in the state to provide regional focal
23 points for collaboration between research and education
24 programs and digital media industries.
25 (2) Subject to legislative appropriation, the Office
26 of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development is authorized to
27 create and administer a program to facilitate the
28 establishment and maintenance of joint-use advanced digital
29 media research and production facilities at strategic
30 locations around the state. The office shall administer all
31 facets of this program in cooperation and consultation with
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1 the Office of the Film Commissioner; itflorida.com, Inc.; the
2 State Technology Office; Enterprise Florida, Inc.; Workforce
3 Florida, Inc.; and the Digital Media Education Coordination
4 Group of the State University System.
5 (3) The purposes of a joint-use advanced digital media
6 research and production facility shall include:
7 (a) Creating opportunities for industry, academia, and
8 government to benefit from student and researcher involvement
9 in applied research and development projects and other
10 projects related to digital media.
11 (b) Promoting paths to future employment for students
12 participating in the activities of the facility.
13 (c) Contributing to the development of a skilled
14 workforce to support the needs of the digital media industry.
15 (d) Facilitating the transfer of research results to
16 commercial and government applications.
17 (e) Integrating the efforts and activities of the
18 diverse, high-technology industries in the state that are
19 critical to the economic future of the state.
20 (f) Assisting producers, suppliers, and distributors
21 to make the transition from well-established passive media
22 infrastructure to a highly interactive and immersive media
23 infrastructure.
24 (g) Performing other functions or activities designed
25 to contribute to the success of the state in becoming a leader
26 in the digital media industry, as approved by the Office of
27 Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.
28 (4) In carrying out its responsibilities under this
29 section, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
30 Development:
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1 (a) Shall develop a strategic plan for the manner in
2 which joint-use advanced digital media research and production
3 facilities will be governed and for the long-term funding of
4 such facilities. The office may contract for the preparation
5 of the strategic plan required by this paragraph.
6 (b) May contract for the establishment of joint-use
7 advanced digital media research and production facilities. In
8 identifying, approving, and executing such contracts, the
9 office shall attempt to maximize the use and integration of
10 existing facilities and programs in the state that are
11 suitable for application as joint-use advanced digital media
12 facilities. Funds awarded under such contracts may be used to
13 lease or refurbish existing facilities to create
14 state-of-the-art digital media design, production, and
15 research laboratories that shall be shared by public and
16 private educational institutions and industry partners.
17 (c) Shall ensure that funds appropriated for the
18 program authorized under this section are expended in a manner
19 consistent with the priority needs for developing the digital
20 media industry in this state, as identified by the
21 organizations listed in subsection (2).
22 (d) Shall require any entity or organization receiving
23 state funding under this section to match such funding with
24 nonstate sources.
25 (e) Shall require any joint-use advanced digital media
26 research and production facility receiving state funds to
27 submit for approval by the office a detailed plan for the
28 operation of such facility. Such operating plan must, at a
29 minimum, include provisions for the establishment of a tenant
30 association, with representation by each tenant using the
31
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1 facility, and for the collection of annual dues from tenants
2 to support the operation and maintenance of the facility.
3 (f) Shall require any joint-use advanced digital media
4 research and production facility receiving state funding to
5 submit an annual report to the office by a date established by
6 the office. Upon receipt of such annual reports, the office
7 shall provide copies to the Governor, the President of the
8 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
9 (g) Shall establish guidelines and criteria governing
10 the application for and receipt of funds under this section.
11 (h) May, as part of the annual report on the business
12 climate of the state required under s. 14.2015, Florida
13 Statutes, recommend to the Legislature policies designed to
14 enhance the effectiveness of the program for joint-use
15 advanced digital media research and production facilities and
16 policies designed to otherwise promote the development of the
17 digital media industry in the state.
18 (5) For the purposes of this section, the term
19 "digital media" is defined as a discipline based on the
20 creative convergence of art, science, and technology for human
21 expression, communication, and social interaction. The Office
22 of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, in cooperation
23 and consultation with the organizations identified in
24 subsection (2), shall identify specific types of businesses or
25 types of business activity to be included within the term
26 "digital media."
27 Section 26. There is appropriated from the General
28 Revenue Fund to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
29 Development the sum of $3 million in fiscal year 2001-2002 for
30 a program to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of
31 joint-use advanced digital media research and production
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1 facilities at strategic locations in the state as provided in
2 this act.
3 Section 27. There is appropriated from the General
4 Revenue Fund to the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
5 Development the sum of $1.5 million in fiscal year 2001-2002
6 for use by Enterprise Florida, Inc., in creating and
7 implementing the marketing campaign for high-technology
8 industry promotion as required under s. 288.911, Florida
9 Statutes.
10 Section 28. The unexpended balance of funds from
11 section 38 of chapter 2000-164, Laws of Florida, authorized to
12 reimburse eligible companies for sales tax payments made on
13 equipment specifically associated with the creation of a
14 network access point, is hereby reappropriated for fiscal year
15 2001-2002 to the Department of Revenue for reimbursement of
16 such sales tax payments as provided in s. 212.08(5), Florida
17 Statutes.
18 Section 29. (1) There is created at Seminole
19 Community College a Workforce Development Technology
20 Center. The purpose of the center shall be:
21 (a) To increase the capacity of the state to recruit
22 and retain technology-based companies.
23 (b) To bridge the gap between the demand for and the
24 supply of trained, highly qualified employees in the
25 information technology workforce.
26 (c) To train highly qualified employees in the
27 information technology workforce.
28 (d) To address regional and state needs related to
29 business and community growth.
30
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1 (e) To provide 21st century technology skills to all
2 citizens in order to reduce the digital divide between those
3 who do and do not have access to today's technology.
4 (f) To support and expand the outreach of current
5 education and workforce development initiatives.
6 (2) The efforts of the center shall include, but not
7 be limited to:
8 (a) The use of technology to position the state and
9 region as an international center for technology-based
10 businesses;
11 (b) Promoting access to technology to provide citizens
12 with the necessary technology literacy to become productive
13 and contributing members of the digital economy;
14 (c) Making effective use of the center by Seminole
15 Community College through strategic partnerships with
16 organizations, including, but not limited to, the University
17 of Central Florida, the Florida High-Tech Corridor Council,
18 the University of South Florida, Daytona Beach Community
19 College, Florida Community College - Jacksonville, the City of
20 Lake Mary, Lake Sumter Community College, the City of Sanford,
21 the Seminole County Board of Commissioners, the Seminole/Lake
22 Mary Regional Chamber of Commerce, Valencia Community College,
23 and Workforce Florida, Inc.;
24 (d) Promoting student academic achievement and
25 workforce readiness through career counseling, job shadowing,
26 and academic instruction integrated with technology;
27 (e) Offering distributed learning through multiple
28 channels, including classroom instruction, technology-based
29 programs, and web-based instruction;
30 (f) Equipping the center with advanced technologies
31 for classroom applications; and
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1 (g) Acquiring access to advanced technologies and
2 communications.
3 Section 30. This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.
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1 *****************************************
2 HOUSE SUMMARY
3
Creates the "Florida Emerging and Strategic Technologies
4 Act." Provides legislative findings and intent with
respect to economic development strategies of the state.
5 Provides legislative intent with respect to investment
and reinvestment of available funds of the System Trust
6 Fund in support of economic development goals and
strategies of the state. Provides legislative intent
7 with respect to the establishment by the State Board of
Administration of partnerships with specified venture
8 capital firms. Requires staff of the State Board of
Administration to solicit specified information.
9 Provides an additional duty of the State Board of
Administration.
10
11 Includes information technology and the promotion and
advancement thereof within the scope of legislative
12 findings and purposes of the Florida Industrial
Development Financing Act.
13
14 Provides a targeted workforce development tax credit for
specified corporations. Provides requirements for
15 obtaining the credit, limits on the amount of the credit,
and an annual limit on the total amount of credits
16 approved under the act. Requires approval of applications
for credit by the Office of Student Financial Assistance
17 of the Department of Education. Provides for carryover
of the credit. Provides eligibility and application
18 requirements. Provides rulemaking authority of the
Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Department
19 of Revenue. Provides liability for repayment of credit.
Provides for expiration of the credit on June 30, 2008.
20 Revises the order of credits against the corporate income
tax and expands additions with respect to the calculation
21 of adjusted federal income, to conform.
22
Revises duties of the Digital Media Education
23 Coordination Group. Places the group within the Division
of Universities. Revises the agencies with which the
24 group works and requires the group to submit an annual
report.
25
26 Provides an economic development mission statement for
the state system of postsecondary education. Provides
27 additional authority of the Board of Regents and the
State Board of Community Colleges with respect to the
28 implementation of the statewide computer-assisted student
advising system and provides for the expenditure of
29 specified proceeds.
30
With respect to the Economic Development Trust Fund
31 within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
Development, increases the total state share of annual
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1 tax refund payments under the qualified defense
contractor tax refund program and the qualified target
2 industry tax refund program.
3
Revises provisions relating to the selection and
4 designation of high-impact sectors for purposes of
high-impact business sector performance grants. Revises
5 and clarifies provisions relating to the marketing
campaign conducted by Enterprise Florida, Inc., to
6 promote information technology and other high-technology
industries in the state. Provides purposes and
7 requirements of the campaign. Provides for the creation
of a steering committee and the composition and duties
8 thereof.
9
Creates the Florida Research Consortium. Provides for
10 organization, membership, purpose, powers, duties, and
administration of the consortium. Requires specified
11 annual reports.
12
Expands the Careers for Florida's Future Incentive Grant
13 Program to include grants for master's and doctorate
coursework. Provides eligibility requirements for
14 initial and renewal awards.
15
Reassigns responsibility for the development and
16 maintenance of a website that promotes and markets the
information technology industry in the state from the
17 Department of Labor and Employment Security to Workforce
Florida, Inc. Reassigns specified coordinated duties.
18 Provides additional duties and authority of Workforce
Florida, Inc. Directs Workforce Florida, Inc., to
19 establish a pilot matching grant program for youth
internships in high-technology fields, subject to
20 legislative appropriation. Provides for use of grants and
maximum grant amounts. Provides eligibility
21 requirements. Requires eligible businesses to submit
internship work plans. Requires Workforce Florida, Inc.,
22 to establish guidelines for the administration of the
program and specified criteria. Requires a report.
23
24 Provides legislative findings and intent with respect to
the establishment of joint-use advanced digital media
25 research and production facilities. Authorizes the
Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to
26 create and administer a program to facilitate the
establishment and maintenance of such facilities and
27 specifies purposes of such facilities. Provides powers
and duties of the office. Defines "digital media."
28
29 Provides appropriations. Provides for the reappropriation
of specified funds.
30
31 Creates a Workforce Development Technology Center at
Seminole Community College and provides purpose of the
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