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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to urban revitalization; creating s.

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288.715, F.S.; creating the Urban Revitalization Congress

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within the Executive Office of the Governor; providing

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legislative intent; providing for membership, staff

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support, and reimbursement for travel and per diem

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expenses for members; providing tasks; providing an

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appropriation; providing an effective date.

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

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     Section 1.  Section 288.715, Florida Statutes, is created to

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read:

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     288.715 Urban Revitalization Congress.--

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     (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The Legislature finds and

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declares:

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     (a) Fiscally strong urban centers are beneficial to

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regional and state economies and a resource for minimizing future

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urban distress and should, therefore, be promoted by state and

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local governments.

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     (b) The health and vibrancy of an urban center benefits its

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region and state; conversely, the deterioration of an urban core

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negatively affects the surrounding area and the entire state.

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     (c) In recognition of the interwoven destiny between urban

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centers, the surrounding suburbs, the region, and the state, the

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respective governments are encouraged to establish a framework

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for working in partnership with communities and the private

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sector to revitalize urban centers.

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     (d) State urban policies should guide the state, regional

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agencies, local governments, and the private sector in preserving

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and revitalizing existing urban centers and promoting the

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adequate provision of infrastructure, human services, safe

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neighborhoods, educational facilities, and economic development

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needed to sustain these centers into the future.

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     (e) Successfully revitalizing and sustaining urban centers

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is dependent on addressing, through an integrated and coordinated

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statewide and community effort, the varied cultural, educational,

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recreational, economic, transportation, and social service

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components essential to maintaining a healthy urban environment.

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     (f) Leadership, strategic guidance, resource coordination

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and leveraging, and promoting the use of innovative approaches

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are recognized as essential factors for promoting and sustaining

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urban centers. State and regional agencies and local governments

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must provide incentives to promote urban revitalization, which

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along with existing programs, need to be integrated to the

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maximum extent possible to promote urban revitalization and to

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achieve the goals of the state's urban policy.

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     (2) ESTABLISHMENT.--There is established, as part of an

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overall state urban strategy, the Urban Revitalization Congress

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within the Executive Office of the Governor to foster leadership

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and provide resources and support to economically energize the

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state's urban centers.

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     (3) MEMBERSHIP.--

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     (a) The congress shall consist of _____ members appointed

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by the Governor, one of whom the Governor shall appoint as chair.

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The members shall include both elected and appointed local

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government officials, directors of urban centers, representatives

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of economic and community development organizations,

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private-sector leaders, as well as other parties having an

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interest in and knowledge about the vitality of this state's

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urban centers.

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     (b) Members shall serve without compensation but are

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entitled to receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance

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with s. 112.061 while performing their duties.

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     (c) The congress shall meet at least twice per year.

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     (4) TASKS.--At a minimum, the congress shall:

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     (a) Award competitive grants to fund demonstration projects

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that encourage business investment in urban centers.

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     (b) Provide matching funds for community redevelopment

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projects and partnerships with urban colleges and universities

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which support urban revitalization programs.

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     (c) Work with state agencies and communities to prepare a

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statewide strategy and plan for revitalizing and sustaining the

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state's urban centers.

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     (5) STAFFING.--The Executive Office of the Governor shall

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provide staff support for the congress.

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     (6) REPORTS.--The congress shall prepare an annual report,

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which shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the

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Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives beginning

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September 1, 2009, and annually thereafter.

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     (7) TERMINATION.--The congress shall expire July 1, 2012.

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     Section 2. The sum of $ _______________ is appropriated

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from the General Revenue Fund to the Executive Office of the

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Governor for the purpose of funding the activities of the Urban

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Revitalization Congress during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

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     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.