Amendment
Bill No. HB 7135
Amendment No. 600547
CHAMBER ACTION
Senate House
.
.
.






1Representative Mayfield offered the following:
2
3     Amendment (with title amendment)
4     Remove lines 5618-5696 and insert:
5     (1)  There is created the Florida Energy Systems Consortium
6to promote collaboration among experts in the State University
7System for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and
8assisting in the development and implementation of a
9comprehensive, long-term, environmentally compatible,
10sustainable, and efficient energy strategic plan for the state.
11     (2)  The consortium shall focus on the research and
12development of innovative energy systems that will lead to
13alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and
14expanded economic development for the state.
15     (3)  The consortium shall consist of the University of
16Florida, Florida State University, the University of South
17Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic
18University, Florida International University, Florida
19Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Florida Gulf Coast
20University.
21     (4)  The consortium shall be administered at the University
22of Florida by a director who shall be appointed by the oversight
23board.
24     (5)  The director, whose office shall be located at the
25University of Florida, shall report to the Florida Energy and
26Climate Commission created pursuant to s. 377.6015.
27     (6)  The oversight board shall consist of the Vice
28President for Research at each university that is a member of
29the consortium.
30     (7)  In addition to selecting the director, the oversight
31board shall be responsible for the technical performance and
32financial management of the consortium.
33     (8)  In performing its responsibilities, the consortium
34shall collaborate with the oversight board and may also
35collaborate with industry and other affected parties.
36     (9)  Through collaborative research and development across
37the State University System and industry, the goal of the
38consortium is to become a world leader in energy research,
39education, technology, and energy systems analysis. In so doing,
40the consortium shall:
41     (a)  Coordinate and initiate increased collaborative
42interdisciplinary energy research among the universities and the
43energy industry.
44     (b)  Assist in the creation and development of a Florida-
45based energy technology industry through efforts that would
46expedite commercialization of innovative energy technologies by
47taking advantage of the energy expertise within the State
48University System, high-technology incubators, industrial parks,
49and industry-driven research centers.
50     (c)  Provide a state resource for objective energy systems
51analysis.
52     (d)  Develop education and outreach programs to prepare a
53qualified energy workforce and informed public. Specifically,
54the faculty associated with the consortium shall coordinate a
55statewide workforce development initiative focusing on college-
56level degrees, technician training, and public and commercial
57sectors awareness. The consortium shall develop specific
58programs targeted at preparing graduates who have a background
59in energy, continuing education courses for technical and
60nontechnical professionals, and modules, laboratories, and
61courses to be shared among the universities. Additionally, the
62consortium shall work with the Florida Community College System
63using the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center for
64the coordination and design of industry-specific training
65programs for technicians.
66     (10)  The consortium shall solicit and leverage state,
67federal, and private funds for the purpose of conducting
68education, research, and development in the area of sustainable
69energy.
70     (11)  The oversight board, in consultation with the Florida
71Energy and Climate Commission, shall ensure that the consortium:
72     (a)  Maintains accurate records of any funds received by
73the consortium.
74     (b)  Meets financial and technical performance
75expectations, which may include external technical reviews as
76required.
77     (12)  The oversight board and the Florida Energy and
78Climate Commission shall constitute the steering committee which
79shall be responsible for establishing and assuring the success
80of the consortium's mission under subsection (9).
81     (13)  By November 1 of each year, the consortium shall
82submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the
83Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
84Florida Energy and Climate Commission regarding its activities
85including, but not limited to, education, research, development,
86and deployment of alternative energy technologies.
87
88
89
90
91
-----------------------------------------------------
92
T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T
93     Remove lines 341-342 and insert:
94Florida Energy Systems Consortium consisting of specified state
95universities; providing for membership and duties of the
96consortium; providing for a director, an oversight board, and a
97steering committee; requiring the consortium to submit an annual
98report; requiring


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.