Florida Senate - 2009                                    SB 1538
       
       
       
       By Senator Wise
       
       
       
       
       5-01685-09                                            20091538__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to administrative procedures; amending
    3         s. 11.60, F.S.; requiring the Administrative
    4         Procedures Committee to provide certain assistance
    5         with a review of rules and nonrule policy; amending
    6         ss. 11.908, 11.911, and 11.919, F.S.; conforming
    7         terminology; amending s. 120.52, F.S.; defining the
    8         term “nonrule policy”; amending s. 120.54, F.S.;
    9         conforming terminology; amending s. 120.545, F.S.;
   10         requiring the committee to establish a system for
   11         persons to submit proposals for the repeal of certain
   12         rules and nonrule policy; directing the committee to
   13         provide certain information to the Small Employer
   14         Regulatory Advisory Council and applicable agencies;
   15         requiring agencies to display a poster containing
   16         specified information; amending ss. 120.80 and 120.81,
   17         F.S.; conforming cross-references; amending s.
   18         288.7001, F.S.; defining the terms “nonrule policy”
   19         and “small employer” and conforming other definitions
   20         to changes made by the act; renaming the Small
   21         Business Regulatory Advisory Council as the Small
   22         Employer Regulatory Advisory Council; revising
   23         qualifications of council members; revising powers and
   24         duties of the council; revising authority of the
   25         council to review rules; providing for the council's
   26         review of nonrule policy; amending s. 288.7002, F.S.;
   27         requiring the Florida Small Business Advocate to
   28         provide certain assistance with the council's review
   29         of rules and nonrule policy; conforming terminology
   30         and other provisions to changes made by the act;
   31         amending ss. 420.9072 and 420.9075, F.S.; conforming
   32         cross-references; directing agencies to establish
   33         workgroups to identify rules and nonrule policy that
   34         impact small employers; requiring agencies to review
   35         and repeal certain rules and nonrule policy by a
   36         specified date; authorizing the director of the
   37         Florida Small Business Development Center Network to
   38         extend the deadline under certain circumstances;
   39         directing agencies to submit specified information to
   40         the council; directing the Florida Small Business
   41         Advocate and Administrative Procedures Committee to
   42         assist agencies in reviewing rules and nonrule policy;
   43         requiring the council and the Office of Program Policy
   44         Analysis and Government Accountability to submit
   45         reports to the Governor and Legislature; requiring an
   46         agency head to appear before the committee and submit
   47         an explanation of the agency's failure to comply with
   48         the act under certain circumstances; requiring the
   49         committee's review of the agency's explanation;
   50         providing for future repeal; providing an effective
   51         date.
   52         
   53  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   54         
   55         Section 1. Paragraph (n) is added to subsection (2) of
   56  section 11.60, Florida Statutes, to read:
   57         11.60 Administrative Procedures Committee; creation;
   58  membership; powers; duties.—
   59         (2) The committee shall:
   60         (n) Assist the Small Employer Regulatory Advisory Council
   61  with the council's periodic review of rules and nonrule policy
   62  under s. 288.7001.
   63         Section 2. Subsection (2) of section 11.908, Florida
   64  Statutes, is amended to read:
   65         11.908 Committee duties.—No later than March 1 of the year
   66  in which a state agency or its advisory committees are scheduled
   67  to be reviewed, the committee shall and the joint committee may:
   68         (2) Consult with the Legislative Budget Commission, the
   69  Small Employer Business Regulatory Advisory Council, relevant
   70  substantive and appropriations committees of the Senate and the
   71  House of Representatives, the Governor's Office of Policy and
   72  Budgeting, the Auditor General, and the Chief Financial Officer,
   73  or their successors, relating to the review of the agency and
   74  its advisory committees.
   75         Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
   76  11.911, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   77         11.911 Committee recommendations.—
   78         (2) In its report on a state agency, the joint committee
   79  shall:
   80         (a) Make recommendations on the abolition, continuation, or
   81  reorganization of each state agency and its advisory committees
   82  and on the need for the performance of the functions of the
   83  agency and its advisory committees. If the committee recommends
   84  continuation or reorganization, the committee shall include in
   85  its recommendations the report of the Small Employer Business
   86  Regulatory Advisory Council, as provided in s. 288.7001,
   87  regarding the rules of each agency.
   88         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 11.919, Florida
   89  Statutes, is amended to read:
   90         11.919 Assistance of and access to state agencies.—
   91         (1) The committee and the Small Employer Business
   92  Regulatory Advisory Council may access or request information
   93  and request the assistance of state agencies and officers. When
   94  assistance is requested, a state agency or officer shall assist
   95  the committee and the Small Employer Business Regulatory
   96  Advisory Council.
   97         Section 5. Subsections (12) through (22) of section 120.52,
   98  Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (13) through
   99  (23), respectively, and a new subsection (12) is added to that
  100  section to read:
  101         120.52 Definitions.—As used in this act:
  102         (12) “Nonrule policy” means each agency statement of
  103  general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes
  104  law or policy or describes the procedure or practice
  105  requirements of an agency, and includes any form that imposes
  106  any requirement or solicits any information not specifically
  107  required by statute or by an existing rule, but that is not a
  108  rule. The term includes an unadopted rule.
  109         Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
  110  120.54, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  111         120.54 Rulemaking.—
  112         (3) ADOPTION PROCEDURES.—
  113         (b) Special matters to be considered in rule adoption.—
  114         1. Statement of estimated regulatory costs.—Prior to the
  115  adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule other than an
  116  emergency rule, an agency is encouraged to prepare a statement
  117  of estimated regulatory costs of the proposed rule, as provided
  118  by s. 120.541. However, an agency shall prepare a statement of
  119  estimated regulatory costs of the proposed rule, as provided by
  120  s. 120.541, if the proposed rule will have an impact on small
  121  business.
  122         2. Small businesses, small counties, and small cities.—
  123         a. Each agency, before the adoption, amendment, or repeal
  124  of a rule, shall consider the impact of the rule on small
  125  businesses as defined by s. 288.703 and the impact of the rule
  126  on small counties or small cities as defined by s. 120.52.
  127  Whenever practicable, an agency shall tier its rules to reduce
  128  disproportionate impacts on small businesses, small counties, or
  129  small cities to avoid regulating small businesses, small
  130  counties, or small cities that do not contribute significantly
  131  to the problem the rule is designed to address. An agency may
  132  define “small business” to include businesses employing more
  133  than 100 persons, may define “small county” to include those
  134  with populations of more than 75,000, and may define “small
  135  city” to include those with populations of more than 10,000, if
  136  it finds that such a definition is necessary to adapt a rule to
  137  the needs and problems of small businesses, small counties, or
  138  small cities. The agency shall consider each of the following
  139  methods for reducing the impact of the proposed rule on small
  140  businesses, small counties, and small cities, or any combination
  141  of these entities:
  142         (I) Establishing less stringent compliance or reporting
  143  requirements in the rule.
  144         (II) Establishing less stringent schedules or deadlines in
  145  the rule for compliance or reporting requirements.
  146         (III) Consolidating or simplifying the rule's compliance or
  147  reporting requirements.
  148         (IV) Establishing performance standards or best-management
  149  practices to replace design or operational standards in the
  150  rule.
  151         (V) Exempting small businesses, small counties, or small
  152  cities from any or all requirements of the rule.
  153         b.(I) If the agency determines that the proposed action
  154  will affect small businesses as defined by the agency as
  155  provided in sub-subparagraph a., the agency shall send written
  156  notice of the rule to the Small Employer Business Regulatory
  157  Advisory Council and the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic
  158  Development not less than 28 days prior to the intended action.
  159         (II) Each agency shall adopt those regulatory alternatives
  160  offered by the Small Employer Business Regulatory Advisory
  161  Council and provided to the agency no later than 21 days after
  162  the council's receipt of the written notice of the rule which it
  163  finds are feasible and consistent with the stated objectives of
  164  the proposed rule and which would reduce the impact on small
  165  businesses. When regulatory alternatives are offered by the
  166  Small Employer Business Regulatory Advisory Council, the 90-day
  167  period for filing the rule in subparagraph (e)2. is extended for
  168  a period of 21 days.
  169         (III) If an agency does not adopt all alternatives offered
  170  pursuant to this sub-subparagraph, it shall, prior to rule
  171  adoption or amendment and pursuant to subparagraph (d)1., file a
  172  detailed written statement with the committee explaining the
  173  reasons for failure to adopt such alternatives. Within 3 working
  174  days of the filing of such notice, the agency shall send a copy
  175  of such notice to the Small Employer Business Regulatory
  176  Advisory Council. The Small Employer Business Regulatory
  177  Advisory Council may make a request of the President of the
  178  Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that the
  179  presiding officers direct the Office of Program Policy Analysis
  180  and Government Accountability to determine whether the rejected
  181  alternatives reduce the impact on small business while meeting
  182  the stated objectives of the proposed rule. Within 60 days after
  183  the date of the directive from the presiding officers, the
  184  Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
  185  shall report to the Administrative Procedures Committee its
  186  findings as to whether an alternative reduces the impact on
  187  small business while meeting the stated objectives of the
  188  proposed rule. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and
  189  Government Accountability shall consider the proposed rule, the
  190  economic impact statement, the written statement of the agency,
  191  the proposed alternatives, and any comment submitted during the
  192  comment period on the proposed rule. The Office of Program
  193  Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall submit a
  194  report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the
  195  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  196  Representatives. The Administrative Procedures Committee shall
  197  report such findings to the agency, and the agency shall respond
  198  in writing to the Administrative Procedures Committee if the
  199  Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
  200  found that the alternative reduced the impact on small business
  201  while meeting the stated objectives of the proposed rule. If the
  202  agency will not adopt the alternative, it must also provide a
  203  detailed written statement to the committee as to why it will
  204  not adopt the alternative.
  205         Section 7. Subsection (9) is added to section 120.545,
  206  Florida Statutes, to read:
  207         120.545 Committee review of agency rules.—
  208         (9)(a) The committee shall establish a system that permits
  209  a person to identify provisions of an agency's rule or nonrule
  210  policy that the person suggests have an impact on small
  211  employers as defined in s. 288.7001 and propose that the agency
  212  repeal the rule or discontinue all reliance upon the nonrule
  213  policy. The system must allow a person to submit his or her
  214  proposal through a statewide toll-free telephone number or
  215  Internet website and give the person the option to submit the
  216  proposal without disclosing the person's name or personal
  217  identifying information. The committee shall forward a copy of
  218  each proposal to the Small Employer Regulatory Advisory Council
  219  and to the applicable agency.
  220         (b) The committee shall create and make available to each
  221  agency a poster in English and in Spanish that notifies the
  222  public of this subsection. The poster must include the statewide
  223  toll-free telephone number and Internet website. Each agency
  224  shall prominently display the poster at each location at which
  225  it displays the Florida minimum wage poster required under s.
  226  448.109.
  227         Section 8. Subsection (11) of section 120.80, Florida
  228  Statutes, is amended to read:
  229         120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies.—
  230         (11) NATIONAL GUARD.—Notwithstanding s. 120.52(17)(16), the
  231  enlistment, organization, administration, equipment,
  232  maintenance, training, and discipline of the militia, National
  233  Guard, organized militia, and unorganized militia, as provided
  234  by s. 2, Art. X of the State Constitution, are not rules as
  235  defined by this chapter.
  236         Section 9. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) and paragraph
  237  (a) of subsection (3) of section 120.81, Florida Statutes, are
  238  amended to read:
  239         120.81 Exceptions and special requirements; general areas.—
  240         (1) EDUCATIONAL UNITS.—
  241         (c) Notwithstanding s. 120.52(17)(16), any tests, test
  242  scoring criteria, or testing procedures relating to student
  243  assessment which are developed or administered by the Department
  244  of Education pursuant to s. 1003.43, s. 1003.438, s. 1008.22, or
  245  s. 1008.25, or any other statewide educational tests required by
  246  law, are not rules.
  247         (3) PRISONERS AND PAROLEES.—
  248         (a) Notwithstanding s. 120.52(14)(13), prisoners, as
  249  defined by s. 944.02, shall not be considered parties in any
  250  proceedings other than those under s. 120.54(3)(c) or (7), and
  251  may not seek judicial review under s. 120.68 of any other agency
  252  action. Prisoners are not eligible to seek an administrative
  253  determination of an agency statement under s. 120.56(4).
  254  Parolees shall not be considered parties for purposes of agency
  255  action or judicial review when the proceedings relate to the
  256  rescission or revocation of parole.
  257         Section 10. Section 288.7001, Florida Statutes, is amended
  258  to read:
  259         288.7001 Small Employer Business Regulatory Advisory
  260  Council.—
  261         (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Small
  262  Employer Business Regulatory Relief Act.”
  263         (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  264         (a) “Agency” means an agency as defined in s. 120.52.
  265         (b) “Council” means the Small Employer Business Regulatory
  266  Advisory Council.
  267         (c) “Nonrule policy” means nonrule policy as defined in s.
  268  120.52.
  269         (d)(c) “Rule” means a rule as defined in s. 120.52.
  270         (e)(d) “Small employer business” means a person who employs
  271  250 or fewer employees in this state or a political subdivision
  272  as defined in s. 1.01 small business as defined in s. 288.703.
  273         (3) CREATION OF SMALL EMPLOYER BUSINESS REGULATORY ADVISORY
  274  COUNCIL; MEMBERSHIP; POWERS AND DUTIES.—
  275         (a) The Small Employer Business Regulatory Advisory Council
  276  is created. The council shall consist of nine members who are
  277  current or former small employers business owners, three
  278  appointed by the Governor, three appointed by the President of
  279  the Senate, and three appointed by the Speaker of the House of
  280  Representatives. The initial appointments to the council must be
  281  made within 60 days after the effective date of this act. The
  282  members shall be from different geographic regions of the state.
  283  Members shall serve 4-year terms; however, in order to establish
  284  staggered terms, for the initial appointments, each appointing
  285  official shall appoint one member to a 2-year term and two
  286  members to a 4-year term. A member shall not serve more than
  287  three consecutive terms. Members shall select the chairperson
  288  from among the members of the council. The council shall meet
  289  quarterly or upon the call of the chairperson. A majority of the
  290  members constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business.
  291  Members of the council shall serve without compensation. The
  292  appointing official may remove his or her appointee without
  293  cause at any time. A member whose term has expired shall
  294  continue to serve on the council until such time as a
  295  replacement is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled for the
  296  remainder of the term and by the original appointing official.
  297         (b) The council is established, assigned to, and
  298  administratively housed within the Florida Small Business
  299  Development Center Network, which shall provide staff support to
  300  the council.
  301         (c) The council may:
  302         1. Provide agencies with recommendations regarding proposed
  303  rules, nonrule policy, or programs that may adversely affect
  304  small employers business;
  305         2. Consider requests from small employers business owners
  306  to review rules, nonrule policy, or programs adopted by an
  307  agency;
  308         3. Consider requests from small employers business owners
  309  to review their small business owners' private property rights
  310  related to rules, nonrule policy, or programs adopted or
  311  implemented by an agency; and
  312         4. Review rules and nonrule policy adopted promulgated by
  313  an agency to determine whether a rule or nonrule policy places
  314  an unnecessary burden on small employers business and make
  315  recommendations to the agency to mitigate the adverse effects.
  316         (d) The council does not have authority to:
  317         1. Initiate or intervene in any administrative or judicial
  318  proceeding; or
  319         2. Issue subpoenas.
  320         (e) The council shall prepare and submit a written annual
  321  report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
  322  Speaker of the House of Representatives that describes the
  323  activities and recommendations of the council.
  324         (4) PERIODIC REVIEW OF RULES AND NONRULE POLICY.—
  325         (a) In coordination with the sunset review schedule
  326  provided in s. 11.905, the council may review rules and nonrule
  327  policy of agencies subject to sunset review to determine whether
  328  the rules or nonrule policy should be continued without change
  329  or should be amended or repealed to reduce the impact of the
  330  rules and nonrule policy on small employers businesses, subject
  331  to the requirement that the recommendations of the council must
  332  be feasible and consistent with the stated objectives of the
  333  rules or nonrule policy.
  334         (b) In reviewing agency rules and nonrule policy to reduce
  335  the impact on small employers businesses, the council, in
  336  coordination with the agency, shall consider the following
  337  factors:
  338         1. Continued need for the rule or nonrule policy;
  339         2. The nature of complaints or comments received from the
  340  public concerning the rule or nonrule policy;
  341         3. The complexity of the rule or nonrule policy;
  342         4. The extent to which the rule or nonrule policy overlaps,
  343  duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state, and local
  344  government rules; and
  345         5. The length of time since the rule or nonrule policy was
  346  has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic
  347  conditions, or other factors have changed in the topical area
  348  affected by the rule or nonrule policy.
  349         (c) Within 6 months after the agency report is submitted to
  350  the Joint Legislative Sunset Committee pursuant to s. 11.907,
  351  the council shall provide a report to the Governor, the
  352  President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
  353  Representatives, and the Joint Legislative Sunset Committee that
  354  includes recommendations and evaluations of agency rules,
  355  nonrule policy, and programs regarding regulatory fairness for
  356  small employers businesses. A component of the report shall be a
  357  rating system, developed by the council, entitled “Small
  358  Employer Business Friendliness and Development Scorecard.”
  359         Section 11. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
  360  288.7002, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  361         288.7002 Small business advocate.—
  362         (3) DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE;
  363  APPOINTMENT; DUTIES.—
  364         (b) The duties and functions of the advocate shall include
  365  the following:
  366         1. Act as staff for the Small Employer Business Regulatory
  367  Advisory Council.
  368         2. Serve as principal advocate in the state on behalf of
  369  small businesses, including, but not limited to, advisory
  370  participation in the consideration of all legislation and
  371  administrative rules that affect small businesses and advocacy
  372  on state policy and programs related to small businesses on
  373  disaster preparedness and recovery, including providing
  374  technical assistance.
  375         3. Represent the views and interests of small businesses
  376  before agencies whose policies and activities may affect small
  377  businesses. Among other activities, the advocate may encourage
  378  standardized applications and information packages that would
  379  include all the information needed by each agency that a
  380  business has to deal with to prevent an applicant from having to
  381  fill out duplicative information on forms from various agencies.
  382         4. Enlist the cooperation and assistance of public and
  383  private agencies, businesses, and other organizations in
  384  disseminating information about the programs and services
  385  provided by all levels of government that are of benefit to
  386  small businesses and information on how small businesses can
  387  participate in, or make use of, those programs and services.
  388         5. Issue a report every 2 years evaluating the efforts of
  389  agencies that significantly regulate small businesses, to assist
  390  minority and other small business enterprises and to make
  391  recommendations that may be appropriate to assist the
  392  development and strengthening of minority and other small
  393  business enterprises.
  394         6. Consult with experts and authorities in the fields of
  395  small business investment, venture capital investment, and
  396  commercial banking and other comparable financial institutions
  397  involved in the financing of business; with individuals with
  398  regulatory, legal, economic, or financial expertise, including
  399  members of the academic community; and with individuals who
  400  generally represent the public interest.
  401         7. Seek the assistance and cooperation of all agencies and
  402  departments providing services to, or affecting, small business,
  403  to ensure coordination of state efforts.
  404         8. Receive and respond to complaints from small businesses
  405  concerning the actions of agencies and the operative effects of
  406  state laws and regulations adversely affecting those businesses.
  407  The advocate shall establish an annual process for small
  408  businesses, and for small employers as defined in s. 288.7001,
  409  to nominate agency rules, nonrule policy, or programs for
  410  reform. The advocate shall publish those nominations online and
  411  update the status of agency action on the proposed reforms twice
  412  yearly.
  413         9. Counsel small businesses on how to resolve questions and
  414  problems concerning the relationship of small business to state
  415  government.
  416         10. Maintain, publicize, and distribute an annual list of
  417  persons serving as small business ombudsmen throughout state
  418  government.
  419         11. Coordinate a statewide conference on small business
  420  with public and private organizations and entities impacting
  421  small business in the state.
  422         12. Coordinate annual public meetings to share best
  423  practices for small business disaster preparedness. The meetings
  424  shall be held in consultation with regional and statewide small
  425  business organizations and shall take place in different
  426  locations throughout the state.
  427         13. Assist the Small Employer Regulatory Advisory Council
  428  with the council's periodic review of rules and nonrule policy
  429  under s. 288.7001.
  430         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  431  420.9072, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  432         420.9072 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program.—The
  433  State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program is created for the
  434  purpose of providing funds to counties and eligible
  435  municipalities as an incentive for the creation of local housing
  436  partnerships, to expand production of and preserve affordable
  437  housing, to further the housing element of the local government
  438  comprehensive plan specific to affordable housing, and to
  439  increase housing-related employment.
  440         (1)(a) In addition to the legislative findings set forth in
  441  s. 420.6015, the Legislature finds that affordable housing is
  442  most effectively provided by combining available public and
  443  private resources to conserve and improve existing housing and
  444  provide new housing for very-low-income households, low-income
  445  households, and moderate-income households. The Legislature
  446  intends to encourage partnerships in order to secure the
  447  benefits of cooperation by the public and private sectors and to
  448  reduce the cost of housing for the target group by effectively
  449  combining all available resources and cost-saving measures. The
  450  Legislature further intends that local governments achieve this
  451  combination of resources by encouraging active partnerships
  452  between government, lenders, builders and developers, real
  453  estate professionals, advocates for low-income persons, and
  454  community groups to produce affordable housing and provide
  455  related services. Extending the partnership concept to encompass
  456  cooperative efforts among small counties as defined in s.
  457  120.52(20)(19), and among counties and municipalities is
  458  specifically encouraged. Local governments are also intended to
  459  establish an affordable housing advisory committee to recommend
  460  monetary and nonmonetary incentives for affordable housing as
  461  provided in s. 420.9076.
  462         Section 13. Subsection (7) of section 420.9075, Florida
  463  Statutes, is amended to read:
  464         420.9075 Local housing assistance plans; partnerships.—
  465         (7) The moneys deposited in the local housing assistance
  466  trust fund shall be used to administer and implement the local
  467  housing assistance plan. The cost of administering the plan may
  468  not exceed 5 percent of the local housing distribution moneys
  469  and program income deposited into the trust fund. A county or an
  470  eligible municipality may not exceed the 5-percent limitation on
  471  administrative costs, unless its governing body finds, by
  472  resolution, that 5 percent of the local housing distribution
  473  plus 5 percent of program income is insufficient to adequately
  474  pay the necessary costs of administering the local housing
  475  assistance plan. The cost of administering the program may not
  476  exceed 10 percent of the local housing distribution plus 5
  477  percent of program income deposited into the trust fund, except
  478  that small counties, as defined in s. 120.52(20)(19), and
  479  eligible municipalities receiving a local housing distribution
  480  of up to $350,000 may use up to 10 percent of program income for
  481  administrative costs.
  482         Section 14. (1) Each agency as defined in s. 120.52,
  483  Florida Statutes, within existing appropriations, shall:
  484         (a) Establish one or more workgroups to review the impact
  485  of the agency's rules and nonrule policy on small employers as
  486  defined in s. 288.7001, Florida Statutes. A workgroup must
  487  include representatives of stakeholder groups and trade
  488  associations affected by the agency's rules or nonrule policy
  489  and individual citizens. Members of a workgroup shall serve at
  490  their own expense and may not receive compensation, per diem, or
  491  reimbursement for travel expenses related to their membership on
  492  the workgroup.
  493         (b) Compile a list of the provisions of the agency's rules
  494  and nonrule policy determined by the workgroups to have an
  495  impact on small employers. The workgroups may consider, but are
  496  not limited by, the factors described in s. 288.7001(4)(b),
  497  Florida Statutes.
  498         (c)Submit to the Small Employer Regulatory Advisory
  499  Council by September 15, 2009, the list of provisions of rule
  500  and nonrule policy identified by the workgroups. The list must
  501  specify the provisions of rule that the agency proposes to
  502  repeal and the provisions of nonrule policy upon which the
  503  agency proposes to discontinue all reliance. If the agency has
  504  initiated rulemaking proceedings to repeal an identified
  505  provision of rule, the list must be accompanied by a copy of the
  506  notice of the proposed repeal as published in the Florida
  507  Administrative Weekly.
  508         (d) Repeal or discontinue all reliance upon at least 25
  509  percent of the provisions of the agency's rules and nonrule
  510  policy that have an impact on small employers by December 1,
  511  2009. The director of the Florida Small Business Development
  512  Center Network may extend the deadline by up to 180 days for an
  513  agency that submits a written request to the director describing
  514  the reasons that an extension is needed and demonstrating that
  515  the agency, despite a diligent effort to comply with this
  516  section, is not able to complete its repeal of rules or
  517  discontinuation of reliance upon nonrule policy by the deadline.
  518         (e) Notify the Small Employer Regulatory Advisory Council
  519  of the agency's rulemaking proceedings to repeal the identified
  520  provisions of rule by January 15, 2010, or, if the deadline is
  521  extended, within 45 days after the extended deadline. The notice
  522  shall also specify the provisions of nonrule policy upon which
  523  the agency has discontinued all reliance.
  524         (2) The Florida Small Business Advocate and the
  525  Administrative Procedures Committee shall assist each agency
  526  with its identification and review of rules and nonrule policy
  527  that have an impact on small employers.
  528         (3) By March 1, 2010, the Small Employer Regulatory
  529  Advisory Council shall submit a written report to the Governor,
  530  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  531  Representatives. The report must describe each agency's
  532  compliance with this section. By August 1, 2010, the council
  533  shall submit an updated report that describes each agency's
  534  compliance as of June 30, 2010. The council shall also report an
  535  agency's compliance with this section as part of the agency's
  536  Small Employer Friendliness and Development Scorecard under s.
  537  288.7001(4)(c), Florida Statutes.
  538         (4)(a) By November 1, 2010, the Office of Program Policy
  539  Analysis and Government Accountability, in consultation with the
  540  Small Employer Regulatory Advisory Council and the
  541  Administrative Procedures Committee, shall submit a report to
  542  the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
  543  the House of Representatives. The report must identify each
  544  state agency that is subject to this section and evaluate the
  545  extent to which the agency has repealed or discontinued all
  546  reliance upon at least 25 percent of the provisions of rule and
  547  nonrule policy that have an impact on small employers.
  548         (b) If the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
  549  Accountability finds in its report than an agency has failed to
  550  repeal or discontinue all reliance upon at least 25 percent of
  551  the provisions of the agency's rules and nonrule policy that
  552  have an impact on small employers, the agency head must submit
  553  to the Administrative Procedures Committee a written explanation
  554  of the agency's failure to comply with this section. The
  555  committee, upon receiving an agency's explanation, shall review
  556  the explanation as soon as practicable but before adjournment
  557  sine die of the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature. The
  558  agency head or his or her designee shall appear before the
  559  committee at the meeting at which the committee reviews the
  560  agency's explanation.
  561         (5) This section is repealed July 1, 2011.
  562         Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.