SENATE AMENDMENT
    Bill No. CS for SB 2492
    Amendment No. ___   Barcode 120548
                            CHAMBER ACTION
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11  Senator Garcia moved the following amendment:
12  
13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 
14         On page 8, between lines 14 and 15,
15  
16  insert:  
17         Section 4.  Effective upon this act becoming a law,
18  paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 220.191, Florida
19  Statutes, is amended to read:
20         220.191  Capital investment tax credit.--
21         (1)  DEFINITIONS.--For purposes of this section:
22         (h)  "Qualifying project" means:
23         1.  A new or expanding facility in this state which
24  creates at least 100 new jobs in this state and is in one of
25  the high-impact sectors identified by Enterprise Florida,
26  Inc., and certified by the office pursuant to s. 288.108(6),
27  including, but not limited to, aviation, aerospace,
28  automotive, and silicon technology industries; or.
29         2.  A new financial services facility in this state
30  which creates at least 2,000 new jobs in this state, pays an
31  average annual wage of at least $50,000, and makes a capital
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SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 investment of at least $30 million. This subparagraph expires 2 June 30, 2004. 3 Section 5. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) and 4 paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 288.1045, Florida 5 Statutes, are amended to read: 6 288.1045 Qualified defense contractor tax refund 7 program.-- 8 (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section: 9 (e) "Department of Defense contract" means a 10 competitively bid Department of Defense contract or 11 subcontract or a competitively bid federal agency contract or 12 subcontract issued on behalf of the Department of Defense for 13 manufacturing, assembling, fabricating, research, development, 14 or design with a duration of 2 or more years, but excluding 15 any contract or subcontract to provide goods, improvements to 16 real or tangible property, or services directly to or for any 17 particular military base or installation in this state. The 18 term includes contracts or subcontracts for products or 19 services for military or homeland security use which contracts 20 or subcontracts are approved by the United States Department 21 of Defense, the United States Department of State, or the 22 United States Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard. 23 (4) QUALIFIED DEFENSE CONTRACTOR TAX REFUND 24 AGREEMENT.-- 25 (b) Compliance with the terms and conditions of the 26 agreement is a condition precedent for receipt of tax refunds 27 each year. The failure to comply with the terms and conditions 28 of the agreement shall result in the loss of eligibility for 29 receipt of all tax refunds previously authorized pursuant to 30 this section, and the revocation of the certification as a 31 qualified applicant by the director, unless the qualified 2 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 applicant is eligible to receive and elects to accept a 2 prorated refund under paragraph (5)(g) or the office grants 3 the qualified applicant an economic-stimulus exemption. 4 1. A qualified applicant may submit, in writing, a 5 request to the office for an economic-stimulus exemption. The 6 request must provide quantitative evidence demonstrating how 7 negative economic conditions in the qualified applicant's 8 industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting the 9 qualified applicant, have prevented the qualified applicant 10 from complying with the terms and conditions of its tax refund 11 agreement. 12 2. Upon receipt of a request under subparagraph 1., 13 the director shall have 45 days to notify the requesting 14 qualified applicant, in writing, if its exemption has been 15 granted or denied. In determining if an exemption should be 16 granted, the director shall consider the extent to which 17 negative economic conditions in the requesting qualified 18 applicant's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting 19 the qualified applicant, have prevented the qualified 20 applicant from complying with the terms and conditions of its 21 tax refund agreement. 22 3. As a condition for receiving a prorated refund 23 under paragraph (5)(g) or an economic-stimulus exemption under 24 this paragraph, a qualified applicant must agree to 25 renegotiate its tax refund agreement with the office to, at a 26 minimum, ensure that the terms of the agreement comply with 27 current law and office procedures governing application for 28 and award of tax refunds. Upon approving the award of a 29 prorated refund or granting an economic-stimulus exemption, 30 the office shall renegotiate the tax refund agreement with the 31 qualified applicant as required by this subparagraph. When 3 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 amending the agreement of a qualified applicant receiving an 2 economic-stimulus exemption, the office may extend the 3 duration of the agreement for a period not to exceed 1 year. 4 4. A qualified applicant may submit a request for an 5 economic-stimulus exemption to the office in lieu of any tax 6 refund claim scheduled to be submitted after January 1, 2001, 7 but before June 30, 2004 July 1, 2003. However, a qualified 8 applicant that has received at least one economic-stimulus 9 exemption may not apply for an additional exemption. 10 5. A qualified applicant that receives an 11 economic-stimulus exemption may not receive a tax refund for 12 the period covered by the exemption. 13 Section 6. Paragraph (o) of subsection (1) and 14 paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 288.106, Florida 15 Statutes, are amended to read: 16 288.106 Tax refund program for qualified target 17 industry businesses.-- 18 (1) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section: 19 (o) "Target industry business" means a corporate 20 headquarters business or any business that is engaged in one 21 of the target industries identified pursuant to the following 22 criteria developed by the office in consultation with 23 Enterprise Florida, Inc.: 24 1. Future growth.--Industry forecasts should indicate 25 strong expectation for future growth in both employment and 26 output, according to the most recent available data. Special 27 consideration should be given to Florida's growing access to 28 international markets or to replacing imports. 29 2. Stability.--The industry should not be subject to 30 periodic layoffs, whether due to seasonality or sensitivity to 31 volatile economic variables such as weather. The industry 4 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 should also be relatively resistant to recession, so that the 2 demand for products of this industry is not necessarily 3 subject to decline during an economic downturn. 4 3. High wage.--The industry should pay relatively high 5 wages compared to statewide or area averages. 6 4. Market and resource independent.--The location of 7 industry businesses should not be dependent on Florida markets 8 or resources as indicated by industry analysis. 9 5. Industrial base diversification and 10 strengthening.--The industry should contribute toward 11 expanding or diversifying the state's or area's economic base, 12 as indicated by analysis of employment and output shares 13 compared to national and regional trends. Special 14 consideration should be given to industries that strengthen 15 regional economies by adding value to basic products or 16 building regional industrial clusters as indicated by industry 17 analysis. Special consideration also should be given to 18 developing strong industrial clusters, including defense and 19 homeland security. 20 6. Economic benefits.--The industry should have strong 21 positive impacts on or benefits to the state and regional 22 economies. 23 24 The office, in consultation with Enterprise Florida, Inc., 25 shall develop a list of such target industries annually and 26 submit such list as part of the final agency legislative 27 budget request submitted pursuant to s. 216.023(1). A target 28 industry business may not include any industry engaged in 29 retail activities; any electrical utility company; any 30 phosphate or other solid minerals severance, mining, or 31 processing operation; any oil or gas exploration or production 5 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 operation; or any firm subject to regulation by the Division 2 of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and 3 Professional Regulation. 4 (4) TAX REFUND AGREEMENT.-- 5 (b) Compliance with the terms and conditions of the 6 agreement is a condition precedent for the receipt of a tax 7 refund each year. The failure to comply with the terms and 8 conditions of the tax refund agreement results in the loss of 9 eligibility for receipt of all tax refunds previously 10 authorized under this section and the revocation by the 11 director of the certification of the business entity as a 12 qualified target industry business, unless the business is 13 eligible to receive and elects to accept a prorated refund 14 under paragraph (5)(d) or the office grants the business an 15 economic-stimulus exemption. 16 1. A qualified target industry business may submit, in 17 writing, a request to the office for an economic-stimulus 18 exemption. The request must provide quantitative evidence 19 demonstrating how negative economic conditions in the 20 business's industry, or specific acts of terrorism affecting 21 the qualified target industry business, have prevented the 22 business from complying with the terms and conditions of its 23 tax refund agreement. 24 2. Upon receipt of a request under subparagraph 1., 25 the director shall have 45 days to notify the requesting 26 business, in writing, if its exemption has been granted or 27 denied. In determining if an exemption should be granted, the 28 director shall consider the extent to which negative economic 29 conditions in the requesting business's industry, or specific 30 acts of terrorism affecting the qualified target industry 31 business, have prevented the business from complying with the 6 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 terms and conditions of its tax refund agreement. 2 3. As a condition for receiving a prorated refund 3 under paragraph (5)(d) or an economic-stimulus exemption under 4 this paragraph, a qualified target industry business must 5 agree to renegotiate its tax refund agreement with the office 6 to, at a minimum, ensure that the terms of the agreement 7 comply with current law and office procedures governing 8 application for and award of tax refunds. Upon approving the 9 award of a prorated refund or granting an economic-stimulus 10 exemption, the office shall renegotiate the tax refund 11 agreement with the business as required by this subparagraph. 12 When amending the agreement of a business receiving an 13 economic-stimulus exemption, the office may extend the 14 duration of the agreement for a period not to exceed 1 year. 15 4. A qualified target industry business may submit a 16 request for an economic-stimulus exemption to the office in 17 lieu of any tax refund claim scheduled to be submitted after 18 January 1, 2001, but before June 30, 2004 July 1, 2003. 19 However, a qualified target industry business that has 20 received at least one economic-stimulus exemption may not 21 apply for an additional exemption. 22 5. A qualified target industry business that receives 23 an economic-stimulus exemption may not receive a tax refund 24 for the period covered by the exemption. 25 Section 7. Effective upon this act becoming a law, 26 subsection (4) is added to section 288.1088, Florida Statutes, 27 to read: 28 288.1088 Quick Action Closing Fund.-- 29 (4) The Governor may, in an emergency or special 30 circumstance and with the approval of the President of the 31 Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 7 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 reallocate unencumbered funds appropriated to the Quick Action 2 Closing Fund to supplement statutorily created economic 3 development programs and operations. The Executive Office of 4 the Governor shall recommend approval of the transfer and 5 release of funds pursuant to the legislative consultation and 6 review requirements set forth in s. 216.177. 7 Section 8. Section 1004.225, Florida Statutes, is 8 amended to read: 9 1004.225 Florida Technology Development Act.-- 10 (1) This section may be cited as the "Florida 11 Technology Development Act." 12 (2) "Center of excellence," as used in this section, 13 means an organization of personnel, facilities, and equipment 14 established at or in collaboration with one or more 15 universities in Florida to accomplish the purposes and 16 objectives of this section. The purposes and objectives of a 17 center of excellence include: 18 (a) Identifying and pursuing opportunities for 19 university scholars, research center scientists and engineers, 20 and private businesses to form collaborative partnerships to 21 foster and promote the research required to develop 22 commercially promising, advanced, and innovative technologies 23 and to transfer those technologies to commercial sectors. 24 (b) Acquiring and leveraging public and private sector 25 funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel, 26 facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support 27 the research required to develop commercially promising, 28 advanced, and innovative technologies and to transfer those 29 technologies to commercial sectors. 30 (c) Recruiting and retaining world class scholars, 31 high-performing students, and leading scientists and engineers 8 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 in technology disciplines to engage in research in this state 2 to develop commercially promising, advanced, and innovative 3 technologies. 4 (d) Enhancing and expanding technology curricula and 5 laboratory resources at universities and research centers in 6 this state. 7 (e) Increasing the number of high-performing students 8 in technology disciplines who graduate from universities in 9 this state and pursue careers in this state. 10 (f) Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth, 11 and diversification of technology-based businesses and 12 ventures in Florida and increasing employment opportunities 13 for the workforce needed to support such businesses. 14 (3) Subject to legislative appropriation, The Emerging 15 Technology Commission, or "commission," is created within the 16 Executive Office of the Governor to guide the establishment of 17 centers of excellence. 18 (a) The commission shall consist of five regular 19 members appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor 20 shall appoint as chair of the commission; two regular members 21 appointed by the President of the Senate; two regular members 22 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 23 before January 7, 2003, the Secretary of Education as an ex 24 officio nonvoting member; effective January 7, 2003, the 25 Commissioner of Education as an ex officio nonvoting member; 26 and, as ex officio nonvoting members, the member of the Senate 27 and the member of the House of Representatives who serve as 28 members of the Florida Research Consortium, Inc. The regular 29 members shall be business leaders, industrial researchers, 30 academic researchers, scientists, or engineers who have been 31 recognized as leaders in the state's emerging and advanced 9 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 technology sectors. Regular members must be appointed on or 2 before July 1, 2002. 3 (b) Members of the commission shall serve without 4 compensation but shall be entitled to receive per diem and 5 travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in 6 performance of their duties. 7 (c) The Executive Office of the Governor shall provide 8 staff support for the activities of the commission and per 9 diem and travel expenses for commission members. 10 (4) By August 1, 2002, Florida Research Consortium, 11 Inc., shall provide a report to the commission which describes 12 in detail and prioritizes factors that contribute to the 13 success of the creation of centers of excellence. At a 14 minimum, the report should describe and prioritize the 15 following factors: 16 (a) Maturity of existing university programs relating 17 to a proposed center of excellence. 18 (b) Existing amount of university resources dedicated 19 to activities relating to a proposed center of excellence. 20 (c) Comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site plans 21 relating to a proposed center of excellence. 22 (d) Regional economic structure and climate. 23 (e) The degree to which a university proposed to house 24 a center of excellence identifies and seizes opportunities to 25 collaborate with other public or private entities for research 26 purposes. 27 (f) The presence of a comprehensive performance and 28 accountability measurement system. 29 (g) The use of an integrated research and development 30 strategy utilizing multiple levels of the educational system. 31 (h) The ability of a university proposed to house a 10 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 center of excellence to raise research funds and leverage 2 public and private investment dollars to support advanced and 3 emerging technological research and development projects. 4 (i) The degree to which a university proposed to house 5 a center of excellence transfers advanced and emerging 6 technologies from its laboratories to the commercial sector. 7 (j) The degree to which a university proposed to house 8 a center of excellence stimulates and supports new venture 9 creation. 10 (k) The existence of a plan to enhance academic 11 curricula by improving communication between academia and 12 industry. 13 (l) The existence of a plan to increase the number, 14 quality, and retention rate of faculty, graduate students, and 15 eminent scholars in advanced and emerging technology-based 16 disciplines. 17 (m) The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood 18 of faculty, graduate students, and eminent scholars pursuing 19 private sector careers in the state. 20 (n) Ability to provide capital facilities necessary to 21 support research and development. 22 (5) By September 15, 2002, the commission shall 23 develop and approve criteria for evaluating proposals 24 submitted under this section subsection (6). When developing 25 such criteria, the commission shall consider the report 26 provided by Florida Research Consortium, Inc., under 27 subsection (4) and hold at least two public hearings, at times 28 and locations designated by the chair of the commission, for 29 the purpose of soliciting expert testimony. By October 1, 30 2002, the commission shall provide a list of such criteria to 31 each university in the State University System and to the 11 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 State Technology Office for publishing on the Internet within 2 24 hours after the office's receipt of the list. 3 (6) Concurrent with the provision of the list of 4 criteria to the universities, the commission shall notify each 5 university, in writing, of the opportunity to submit to the 6 commission written proposals for establishing one or more 7 centers of excellence. Proposals must specifically address the 8 evaluation criteria developed by the commission and delineate 9 how funding would be used to develop one or more centers of 10 excellence. Proposals must be submitted to the commission by 11 December 1, 2002. Notwithstanding this deadline, the 12 commission, upon an affirmative vote of a majority of its 13 members, may accept a proposal submitted after the deadline. 14 (7) By February 1, 2003, the commission shall submit 15 to the State Board of Education a minimum of two, but no more 16 than five, recommended plans for the establishment of one or 17 more centers of excellence in the state. Recommended plans 18 must specifically address the evaluation criteria developed by 19 the commission and delineate how funding would be used to 20 develop one or more centers of excellence. When developing 21 such recommended plans, the commission shall consider the 22 university proposals submitted under subsection (6) and hold 23 at least three public hearings, at times and locations 24 designated by the chair of the commission, for the purpose of 25 soliciting expert testimony including, but not limited to, 26 viewing presentations of university proposals. 27 (8) By March 15, 2003, the State Board of Education 28 shall develop and approve a final plan for the establishment 29 of one or more centers of excellence in the state and 30 authorize expenditures for implementation of the plan. The 31 final plan must allocate at least $10 million to each center 12 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 of excellence established by the plan. When developing this 2 final plan, the board shall consider the commission's 3 recommended plans submitted under subsection (7) and hold at 4 least one public hearing for the purpose of soliciting expert 5 testimony. The final plan must include performance and 6 accountability measures that can be used to assess the 7 progress of plan implementation and the success of the centers 8 of excellence established under the final plan. By March 22, 9 2003, the board shall provide a copy of the final plan to the 10 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 11 House of Representatives. 12 (9) Beginning June 30, 2003, the commission shall 13 report quarterly, in writing, to the Commissioner of Education 14 on the progress of the implementation of the final plan 15 approved under subsection (8) and the success of the centers 16 of excellence established under that plan. 17 (10)(a) Notwithstanding any provision in this section 18 to the contrary, and subject to appropriation by the 19 Legislature in the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 20 2003-2004, the commission shall, by August 1, 2003, reissue 21 the list of criteria developed and approved under subsection 22 (5) to each university in the state and to the State 23 Technology Office for publishing on the Internet within 24 24 hours after the office's receipt of the list. 25 (b) Concurrent with the provision of the list of 26 criteria under paragraph (a), the commission shall notify each 27 university, in writing, of the opportunity to submit to the 28 commission written proposals for establishing one center of 29 excellence under this subsection, which center shall be in 30 addition to any centers of excellence established under other 31 provisions of this section. Proposals must specifically 13 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 address the evaluation criteria developed by the commission 2 and delineate how funding would be used to develop the center 3 of excellence. Proposals must be submitted to the commission 4 before October 1, 2003. 5 (c) By December 1, 2003, the commission shall submit 6 to the State Board of Education a recommended plan for the 7 establishment of one center of excellence under this 8 subsection. The recommended plan must specifically address the 9 evaluation criteria developed by the commission and delineate 10 how funding would be used to develop the center of excellence. 11 When developing the recommended plan, the commission shall 12 consider the proposals submitted under this subsection and 13 hold at least two public hearings, at times and locations 14 designated by the chair of the commission, for the purpose of 15 soliciting expert testimony, including, but not limited to, 16 viewing presentations of university proposals. 17 (d) By February 1, 2004, the State Board of Education 18 shall develop and approve a final plan for the establishment 19 of one center of excellence in the state under this subsection 20 and authorize expenditures for implementation of the plan. The 21 board shall consider the commission's recommended plan under 22 paragraph (c) and hold at least one public hearing for the 23 purpose of soliciting expert testimony. The final plan must 24 include performance and accountability measures that can be 25 used to assess the progress of plan implementation and the 26 success of the center of excellence established under the 27 final plan. By February 15, 2004, the board shall provide a 28 copy of the final plan to the Governor, the President of the 29 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 30 (e) Beginning June 30, 2004, the commission shall 31 report quarterly, in writing, to the Commissioner of Education 14 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 on the progress of the implementation of the final plan 2 approved under paragraph (d) and the success of the center of 3 excellence established under that plan. 4 (11)(10) This section expires July 1, 2005 2004. 5 Section 9. The sum of $50,000 is appropriated from the 6 General Revenue Fund to the Executive Office of the Governor 7 for the purpose of providing staff and administrative support 8 to the Emerging Technology Commission and per diem and travel 9 expenses for commission members during the 2003-2004 fiscal 10 year. 11 Section 10. Effective upon this act becoming a law, 12 the proviso immediately following Specific Appropriation 173A 13 of Chapter 2002-394, Laws of Florida, is repealed. 14 15 (Redesignate subsequent sections.) 16 17 18 ================ T I T L E A M E N D M E N T =============== 19 And the title is amended as follows: 20 On page 1, line 26, after the semicolon 21 22 insert: 23 amending s. 220.191, F.S.; redefining the term 24 "qualifying project" for purposes of capital 25 investment tax credits; amending s. 288.1045, 26 F.S.; revising the definition of "Department of 27 Defense contract" under the tax refund program 28 for qualified defense contractors; extending 29 the period applicable to a program exemption 30 under certain conditions; amending s. 288.106, 31 F.S.; providing for special consideration to be 15 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 2492 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 120548 1 given to defense and homeland security under 2 the tax refund program for qualified target 3 industry businesses; extending the period 4 applicable to a program exemption under certain 5 conditions; amending s. 288.1088, F.S.; 6 revising requirements and providing powers of 7 the Governor with respect to using funds in the 8 Quick Action Closing Fund; amending s. 9 1004.225, F.S.; removing historical provisions; 10 conforming changes; providing for the 11 designation of an additional center of 12 excellence; providing application, evaluation, 13 and designation procedures; extending the 14 expiration of the Florida Technology 15 Development Act; providing an appropriation; 16 repealing proviso in chapter 2002-394, L.O.F., 17 relating to the requirement for approval of an 18 expenditure plan prior to release of 19 appropriations for funding University Centers 20 of Excellence; 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 16 12:12 PM 05/01/03 s2492.cm40.zz