Florida Senate - 2014                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS for SB 1216
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì407778]Î407778                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  04/11/2014           .                                
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       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
    6  212.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
    7         212.20 Funds collected, disposition; additional powers of
    8  department; operational expense; refund of taxes adjudicated
    9  unconstitutionally collected.—
   10         (6) Distribution of all proceeds under this chapter and s.
   11  202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) shall be as follows:
   12         (d) The proceeds of all other taxes and fees imposed
   13  pursuant to this chapter or remitted pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b)
   14  and (2)(b) shall be distributed as follows:
   15         1. In any fiscal year, the greater of $500 million, minus
   16  an amount equal to 4.6 percent of the proceeds of the taxes
   17  collected pursuant to chapter 201, or 5.2 percent of all other
   18  taxes and fees imposed pursuant to this chapter or remitted
   19  pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) shall be deposited in
   20  monthly installments into the General Revenue Fund.
   21         2. After the distribution under subparagraph 1., 8.814
   22  percent of the amount remitted by a sales tax dealer located
   23  within a participating county pursuant to s. 218.61 shall be
   24  transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax
   25  Clearing Trust Fund. Beginning July 1, 2003, the amount to be
   26  transferred shall be reduced by 0.1 percent, and the department
   27  shall distribute this amount to the Public Employees Relations
   28  Commission Trust Fund less $5,000 each month, which shall be
   29  added to the amount calculated in subparagraph 3. and
   30  distributed accordingly.
   31         3. After the distribution under subparagraphs 1. and 2.,
   32  0.095 percent shall be transferred to the Local Government Half
   33  cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund and distributed pursuant to
   34  s. 218.65.
   35         4. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
   36  3., 2.0440 percent of the available proceeds shall be
   37  transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
   38  Counties pursuant to s. 218.215.
   39         5. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
   40  3., 1.3409 percent of the available proceeds shall be
   41  transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
   42  Municipalities pursuant to s. 218.215. If the total revenue to
   43  be distributed pursuant to this subparagraph is at least as
   44  great as the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
   45  Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
   46  Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, no municipality shall
   47  receive less than the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust
   48  Fund for Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial
   49  Assistance Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000. If the
   50  total proceeds to be distributed are less than the amount
   51  received in combination from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
   52  Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
   53  Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, each municipality
   54  shall receive an amount proportionate to the amount it was due
   55  in state fiscal year 1999-2000.
   56         6. Of the remaining proceeds:
   57         a. In each fiscal year, the sum of $29,915,500 shall be
   58  divided into as many equal parts as there are counties in the
   59  state, and one part shall be distributed to each county. The
   60  distribution among the several counties must begin each fiscal
   61  year on or before January 5th and continue monthly for a total
   62  of 4 months. If a local or special law required that any moneys
   63  accruing to a county in fiscal year 1999-2000 under the then
   64  existing provisions of s. 550.135 be paid directly to the
   65  district school board, special district, or a municipal
   66  government, such payment must continue until the local or
   67  special law is amended or repealed. The state covenants with
   68  holders of bonds or other instruments of indebtedness issued by
   69  local governments, special districts, or district school boards
   70  before July 1, 2000, that it is not the intent of this
   71  subparagraph to adversely affect the rights of those holders or
   72  relieve local governments, special districts, or district school
   73  boards of the duty to meet their obligations as a result of
   74  previous pledges or assignments or trusts entered into which
   75  obligated funds received from the distribution to county
   76  governments under then-existing s. 550.135. This distribution
   77  specifically is in lieu of funds distributed under s. 550.135
   78  before July 1, 2000.
   79         b. The department shall distribute $166,667 monthly
   80  pursuant to s. 288.1162 to each applicant certified as a
   81  facility for a new or retained professional sports franchise
   82  pursuant to s. 288.1162. Up to $41,667 shall be distributed
   83  monthly by the department to each certified applicant as defined
   84  in s. 288.11621 for a facility for a spring training franchise.
   85  However, not more than $416,670 may be distributed monthly in
   86  the aggregate to all certified applicants for facilities for
   87  spring training franchises. Distributions begin 60 days after
   88  such certification and continue for not more than 30 years,
   89  except as otherwise provided in s. 288.11621. A certified
   90  applicant identified in this sub-subparagraph may not receive
   91  more in distributions than expended by the applicant for the
   92  public purposes provided for in s. 288.1162(5) or s.
   93  288.11621(3).
   94         c. Beginning 30 days after notice by the Department of
   95  Economic Opportunity to the Department of Revenue that an
   96  applicant has been certified as the professional golf hall of
   97  fame pursuant to s. 288.1168 and is open to the public, $166,667
   98  shall be distributed monthly, for up to 300 months, to the
   99  applicant.
  100         d. Beginning 30 days after notice by the Department of
  101  Economic Opportunity to the Department of Revenue that the
  102  applicant has been certified as the International Game Fish
  103  Association World Center facility pursuant to s. 288.1169, and
  104  the facility is open to the public, $83,333 shall be distributed
  105  monthly, for up to 168 months, to the applicant. This
  106  distribution is subject to reduction pursuant to s. 288.1169. A
  107  lump sum payment of $999,996 shall be made, after certification
  108  and before July 1, 2000.
  109         e. The department shall distribute up to $83,333 $55,555
  110  monthly to each certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11631
  111  for a facility used by a single spring training franchise, or up
  112  to $166,667 $111,110 monthly to each certified applicant as
  113  defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by more than one
  114  spring training franchise. Monthly distributions begin 60 days
  115  after such certification or July 1, 2016, whichever is later,
  116  and continue for not more than 20 30 years to each certified
  117  applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by a
  118  single spring training franchise or not more than 25 years to
  119  each certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a
  120  facility used by more than one spring training franchise, except
  121  as otherwise provided in s. 288.11631. A certified applicant
  122  identified in this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in
  123  distributions than expended by the applicant for the public
  124  purposes provided in s. 288.11631(3).
  125         f. Beginning 45 days after notice by the Department of
  126  Economic Opportunity to the Department of Revenue that an
  127  applicant has been approved by the Legislature and certified by
  128  the Department of Economic Opportunity under s. 288.11625, the
  129  department shall distribute each month an amount equal to one
  130  twelfth of the annual distribution amount certified by the
  131  Department of Economic Opportunity for the applicant. The
  132  department may not distribute more than $13 million annually
  133  under this sub-subparagraph.
  134         7. All other proceeds must remain in the General Revenue
  135  Fund.
  136         Section 2. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 218.64,
  137  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  138         218.64 Local government half-cent sales tax; uses;
  139  limitations.—
  140         (2) Municipalities shall expend their portions of the local
  141  government half-cent sales tax only for municipality-wide
  142  programs, for reimbursing the state as required by a contract
  143  pursuant to s. 288.11625(7), or for municipality-wide property
  144  tax or municipal utility tax relief. All utility tax rate
  145  reductions afforded by participation in the local government
  146  half-cent sales tax shall be applied uniformly across all types
  147  of taxed utility services.
  148         (3) Subject to ordinances enacted by the majority of the
  149  members of the county governing authority and by the majority of
  150  the members of the governing authorities of municipalities
  151  representing at least 50 percent of the municipal population of
  152  such county, counties may use up to $3 $2 million annually of
  153  the local government half-cent sales tax allocated to that
  154  county for funding for any of the following purposes applicants:
  155         (a) Funding a certified applicant as a facility for a new
  156  or retained professional sports franchise under s. 288.1162 or a
  157  certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11621 for a facility
  158  for a spring training franchise. It is the Legislature’s intent
  159  that the provisions of s. 288.1162, including, but not limited
  160  to, the evaluation process by the Department of Economic
  161  Opportunity except for the limitation on the number of certified
  162  applicants or facilities as provided in that section and the
  163  restrictions set forth in s. 288.1162(8), shall apply to an
  164  applicant’s facility to be funded by local government as
  165  provided in this subsection.
  166         (b) Funding a certified applicant as a “motorsport
  167  entertainment complex,” as provided for in s. 288.1171. Funding
  168  for each franchise or motorsport complex shall begin 60 days
  169  after certification and shall continue for not more than 30
  170  years.
  171         (c) Reimbursing the state as required by a contract entered
  172  into under s. 288.11625(7).
  173         Section 3. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
  174  section 288.0001, Florida Statutes, to read:
  175         288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
  176  Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
  177  Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
  178  shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
  179  Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
  180  chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
  181  Development Programs Evaluation.
  182         (2) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  183  OPPAGA shall provide a detailed analysis of economic development
  184  programs as provided in the following schedule:
  185         (d) Beginning January 1, 2018, and every 3 years
  186  thereafter, an analysis of the Sports Development Program
  187  established under s. 288.11625.
  188         Section 4. Section 288.11625, Florida Statutes, is created
  189  to read:
  190         288.11625 Sports development.—
  191         (1) ADMINISTRATION.—The department shall serve as the state
  192  agency responsible for screening applicants for state funding
  193  under s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f.
  194         (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
  195         (a) “Agreement” means a signed agreement between a unit of
  196  local government and a beneficiary.
  197         (b) “Applicant” means a unit of local government, as
  198  defined in s. 218.369, which is responsible for the
  199  construction, management, or operation of a facility; or an
  200  entity that is responsible for the construction, management, or
  201  operation of a facility if a unit of local government holds
  202  title to the underlying property on which the facility is
  203  located.
  204         (c) “Beneficiary” means a professional sports franchise of
  205  the National Football League, the National Hockey League, the
  206  National Basketball Association, the National League or American
  207  League of Major League Baseball, the National Association of
  208  Professional Baseball Leagues, Major League Soccer, the North
  209  American Soccer League, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys
  210  Association, or the promoter of a signature event sanctioned by
  211  the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. A
  212  beneficiary may also be an applicant under this section.
  213         (d) “Facility” means a structure primarily used to host
  214  games or events held by a beneficiary and does not include any
  215  portion used to provide transient lodging.
  216         (e) “Project” means a proposed construction,
  217  reconstruction, renovation, or improvement of a facility or the
  218  proposed acquisition of land to construct a new facility and
  219  construction of improvements to state-owned land necessary for
  220  the efficient use of the facility.
  221         (f) “Signature event” means a professional sports event
  222  with significant export factor potential. For purposes of this
  223  paragraph, the term “export factor” means the attraction of
  224  economic activity or growth into the state which otherwise would
  225  not have occurred. Examples of signature events may include, but
  226  are not limited to:
  227         1. National Football League Super Bowls.
  228         2. Professional sports All-Star games.
  229         3. International sporting events and tournaments.
  230         4. Professional motorsports events.
  231         5. The establishment of a new professional sports franchise
  232  in this state.
  233         (g) “State sales taxes generated by sales at the facility”
  234  means state sales taxes imposed under chapter 212 and generated
  235  by admissions to the facility; parking on property owned or
  236  controlled by the beneficiary or the applicant; team operations
  237  and necessary leases; sales by the beneficiary; sales by other
  238  vendors at the facility; and ancillary uses, including, but not
  239  limited to, team stores, museums, restaurants, retail, lodging,
  240  and commercial uses from economic development generated by the
  241  beneficiary or facility as determined by the Department of
  242  Economic Opportunity.
  243         (3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to provide
  244  applicants state funding under s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f. for the
  245  public purpose of constructing, reconstructing, renovating, or
  246  improving a facility.
  247         (4) APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS.—
  248         (a) The department shall establish the procedures and
  249  application forms deemed necessary pursuant to the requirements
  250  of this section. The department may notify an applicant of any
  251  additional required or incomplete information necessary to
  252  evaluate an application.
  253         (b) The annual application period is from June 1 through
  254  November 1.
  255         (c) Within 60 days after receipt of a completed
  256  application, the department shall complete its evaluation of the
  257  application as provided under subsection (5) and notify the
  258  applicant in writing of the department’s decision to recommend
  259  approval of the applicant by the Legislature or to deny the
  260  application.
  261         (d) By each February 1, the department shall rank the
  262  applicants and provide to the Legislature the list of the
  263  recommended applicants in ranked order of projects most likely
  264  to positively impact the state based on criteria established
  265  under this section. The list must include the department’s
  266  evaluation of the applicant.
  267         (e) A recommended applicant’s request for funding must be
  268  approved by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act or
  269  a conforming bill for the General Appropriations Act.
  270         1. An application by a unit of local government which is
  271  approved by the Legislature and subsequently certified by the
  272  department remains certified for the duration of the
  273  beneficiary’s agreement with the applicant or for 30 years,
  274  whichever is less, provided the certified applicant has an
  275  agreement with a beneficiary at the time of initial
  276  certification by the department.
  277         2. An application by a beneficiary or other applicant which
  278  is approved by the Legislature and subsequently certified by the
  279  department remains certified for the duration of the
  280  beneficiary’s agreement with the unit of local government that
  281  owns the underlying property or for 30 years, whichever is less,
  282  provided the certified applicant has an agreement with the unit
  283  of local government at the time of initial certification by the
  284  department.
  285         3. An applicant that is previously certified pursuant to
  286  this section does not need legislative approval each year to
  287  receive state funding.
  288         (f) An applicant that is recommended by the department but
  289  not approved by the Legislature may reapply and shall update any
  290  information in the original application as required by the
  291  department.
  292         (g) The department may recommend no more than one
  293  distribution under this section for any applicant, facility, or
  294  beneficiary at a time.
  295         (h) An application submitted either by a first-time
  296  applicant whose project exceeds $300 million and commenced on
  297  the facility’s existing site before January 1, 2014, or by a
  298  beneficiary that has completed the terms of a previous agreement
  299  for distributions under chapter 212 for an existing facility
  300  shall be considered an application for a new facility for
  301  purposes that include, but are not limited to, incremental and
  302  baseline tax calculations.
  303         (5) EVALUATION PROCESS.—
  304         (a) Before recommending an applicant to receive a state
  305  distribution under s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f., the department must
  306  verify that:
  307         1. The applicant or beneficiary is responsible for the
  308  construction, reconstruction, renovation, or improvement of a
  309  facility and obtained at least three bids for the project.
  310         2. If the applicant is not a unit of local government, a
  311  unit of local government holds title to the property on which
  312  the facility and project are located.
  313         3. If the applicant is a unit of local government in whose
  314  jurisdiction the facility will be located, the unit of local
  315  government has an exclusive intent agreement to negotiate in
  316  this state with the beneficiary.
  317         4. A unit of local government in whose jurisdiction the
  318  facility will be located supports the application for state
  319  funds. Such support must be verified by the adoption of a
  320  resolution, after a public hearing, that the project serves a
  321  public purpose.
  322         5. The applicant or beneficiary has not previously
  323  defaulted or failed to meet any statutory requirements of a
  324  previous state-administered sports-related program under s.
  325  288.1162, s. 288.11621, or s. 288.1168. Additionally, the
  326  applicant or beneficiary is not currently receiving state
  327  distributions under s. 212.20 for the facility that is the
  328  subject of the application, unless the applicant demonstrates
  329  that the franchise that applied for a distribution under s.
  330  212.20 no longer plays at the facility that is the subject of
  331  the application.
  332         6. The applicant or beneficiary has sufficiently
  333  demonstrated a commitment to employ residents of this state,
  334  contract with Florida-based firms, and purchase locally
  335  available building materials to the greatest extent possible.
  336         7. If the applicant is a unit of local government, the
  337  applicant has a certified copy of a signed agreement with a
  338  beneficiary for the use of the facility. If the applicant is a
  339  beneficiary, the beneficiary must enter into an agreement with
  340  the department. The applicant’s or beneficiary’s agreement must
  341  also require the following:
  342         a. The beneficiary must reimburse the state for state funds
  343  that have been distributed and will be distributed if the
  344  beneficiary relocates before the agreement expires.
  345         b. The beneficiary must pay for signage or advertising
  346  within the facility. The signage or advertising must be placed
  347  in a prominent location as close to the field of play or
  348  competition as is practicable, must be displayed consistent with
  349  signage or advertising in the same location and of like value,
  350  and must feature Florida advertising approved by the Florida
  351  Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation.
  352         8. The project will commence within 12 months after
  353  receiving state funds or did not commence more than 16 months
  354  before July 1, 2014.
  355         (b) The department shall competitively evaluate and rank
  356  applicants that timely submit applications for state funding
  357  based on their ability to positively impact the state using the
  358  following criteria:
  359         1. The proposed use of state funds.
  360         2. The length of time that a beneficiary has agreed to use
  361  the facility.
  362         3. The percentage of total project funds provided by the
  363  applicant and the percentage of total project funds provided by
  364  the beneficiary, with priority in the evaluation and ranking
  365  given to applications with 50 percent or more of total project
  366  funds provided by the applicant and beneficiary.
  367         4. The number and type of signature events the facility is
  368  likely to attract during the duration of the agreement with the
  369  beneficiary.
  370         5. The anticipated increase in average annual ticket sales
  371  and attendance at the facility due to the project.
  372         6. The potential to attract out-of-state visitors to the
  373  facility.
  374         7. The length of time a beneficiary has been in this state
  375  or partnered with the unit of local government. In order to
  376  encourage new franchises to locate in this state, an application
  377  for a new franchise shall be considered to have a significant
  378  positive impact on the state and shall be given priority in the
  379  evaluation and ranking by the department.
  380         8. The multiuse capabilities of the facility.
  381         9. The facility’s projected employment of residents of this
  382  state, contracts with Florida-based firms, and purchases of
  383  locally available building materials.
  384         10. The amount of private and local financial or in-kind
  385  contributions to the project.
  386         11. The amount of positive advertising or media coverage
  387  the facility generates.
  388         (6) DISTRIBUTION.—
  389         (a) The department shall determine the annual distribution
  390  amount an applicant may receive based on 80 percent of the
  391  average annual new incremental state sales taxes generated by
  392  sales at the facility, as provided under subparagraph (b)2., and
  393  such annual distribution shall be limited by the following:
  394         1. If the total project cost is $200 million or greater,
  395  the annual distribution amount may be up to $3 million.
  396         2. If the total project cost is at least $100 million but
  397  less than $200 million, the annual distribution amount may be up
  398  to $2 million.
  399         3. If the total project cost is less than $100 million, the
  400  annual distribution amount may be up to $1 million.
  401         (b) At the time of initial evaluation and review by the
  402  department pursuant to subsection (5), the applicant must
  403  provide an analysis by an independent certified public
  404  accountant which demonstrates:
  405         1. The amount of state sales taxes generated by sales at
  406  the facility during the 12-month period immediately before the
  407  beginning of the application period. This amount is the
  408  baseline. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
  409  for projects with a total cost of more than $300 million which
  410  are at least 90 percent funded by private sources, the baseline
  411  shall be zero for purposes of this section.
  412         2. The expected amount of average annual new incremental
  413  state sales taxes generated by sales at the facility above the
  414  baseline which will be generated as a result of the project.
  415         3. The expected amount of average annual new incremental
  416  state sales taxes generated by sales at the facility must be at
  417  least $500,000 above the baseline for the applicant to be
  418  eligible to receive a distribution under this section.
  419         (c) The independent analysis provided in paragraph (b)
  420  shall be verified by the department.
  421         (d) The Department of Revenue shall begin distributions
  422  within 45 days after notification of initial certification from
  423  the department.
  424         (e) The department shall consult with the Department of
  425  Revenue and the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to
  426  develop a standard calculation for estimating the average annual
  427  new incremental state sales taxes generated by sales at the
  428  facility.
  429         (f) In any 12-month period when total distributions for all
  430  certified applicants reach $13 million, the department may not
  431  certify new distributions for additional applicants.
  432         (7) CONTRACT.—An applicant approved by the Legislature and
  433  certified by the department must enter into a contract with the
  434  department which:
  435         (a) Specifies the terms of the state’s investment.
  436         (b) States the criteria that the certified applicant must
  437  meet in order to remain certified.
  438         (c) Requires the applicant to submit the independent
  439  analysis required under subsection (6) and an annual independent
  440  analysis.
  441         1. The applicant must agree to submit to the department,
  442  beginning 12 months after completion of a project or 12 months
  443  after the first four annual distributions, whichever is earlier,
  444  an annual analysis by an independent certified public accountant
  445  demonstrating the actual amount of new incremental state sales
  446  taxes generated by sales at the facility during the previous 12
  447  month period. The applicant shall certify to the department a
  448  comparison of the actual amount of state sales taxes generated
  449  by sales at the facility during the previous 12-month period to
  450  the baseline under subparagraph (6)(b)1.
  451         2. The applicant must submit the certification within 60
  452  days after the end of the previous 12-month period. The
  453  department shall verify the analysis.
  454         (d) Specifies information that the certified applicant must
  455  report to the department.
  456         (e) Requires the applicant to reimburse the state, after
  457  all distributions have been made, an amount equal to the
  458  difference between the actual new incremental state sales taxes
  459  generated by sales at the facility during the contract and the
  460  total amount of distributions made under s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f. If
  461  any reimbursement is due to the state, such reimbursement must
  462  be made within 90 days after the last distribution under the
  463  contract has been made. If the applicant is unable or unwilling
  464  to reimburse the state for such amount, the department may place
  465  a lien on the applicant’s facility.
  466         1. If the applicant is a municipality or county, it may
  467  reimburse the state from its half-cent sales tax allocation, as
  468  provided in s. 218.64(3).
  469         2. Reimbursements must be sent to the Department of Revenue
  470  for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
  471         (f) Includes any provisions deemed prudent by the
  472  department.
  473         (8) USE OF FUNDS.—An applicant certified under this section
  474  may use state funds only for the following purposes:
  475         (a) Constructing, reconstructing, renovating, or improving
  476  a facility or reimbursing such costs.
  477         (b) Paying or pledging for the payment of debt service on
  478  bonds issued for the construction or renovation of such
  479  facility.
  480         (c) Funding debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate
  481  obligations, or other amounts payable with respect thereto on
  482  bonds issued for the construction or renovation of such
  483  facility.
  484         (d) Reimbursing the costs under paragraphs (b) and (c) or
  485  the refinancing of bonds issued for the construction or
  486  renovation of such facility.
  487         (9) REPORTS.—
  488         (a) On or before November 1 of each year, an applicant
  489  certified under this section and approved to receive state funds
  490  must submit to the department any information required by the
  491  department. The department shall summarize this information for
  492  inclusion in its annual report to the Legislature under
  493  paragraph (4)(d).
  494         (b) Every 5 years after an applicant receives its first
  495  monthly distribution, the department must verify that the
  496  applicant is meeting the program requirements. If the applicant
  497  fails to meet these requirements, the department shall notify
  498  the Governor and the Legislature in its next annual report under
  499  paragraph (4)(d) that the requirements are not being met and
  500  recommend future action. The department shall take into
  501  consideration extenuating circumstances that may have prevented
  502  the applicant from meeting the program requirements, such as
  503  force majeure events or a significant economic downturn.
  504         (10) AUDITS.—The Auditor General may conduct audits
  505  pursuant to s. 11.45 to verify the independent analysis required
  506  under paragraphs (6)(b) and (7)(c) and to verify that the
  507  distributions are expended as required. The Auditor General
  508  shall report the findings to the department. If the Auditor
  509  General determines that the distribution payments are not
  510  expended as required, the Auditor General must notify the
  511  Department of Revenue, which may pursue recovery of
  512  distributions under the laws and rules that govern the
  513  assessment of taxes.
  514         (11) APPLICATION RELATED TO NEW FACILITIES OR PROJECTS
  515  COMMENCED BEFORE JULY 1, 2014.—After May 1, 2014, an applicant
  516  may apply for state funds for a new facility or a project
  517  commenced between March 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014. The
  518  department must review the application and recommend approval to
  519  the Legislature. The Legislative Budget Commission may approve
  520  such applications on or after January 1, 2015. The department
  521  must certify the applicant within 45 days of approval by the
  522  Legislative Budget Commission. State funds may not be
  523  distributed until the department notifies the Department of
  524  Revenue that the applicant was approved by the Legislative
  525  Budget Commission and certified by the department. An applicant
  526  certified under this subsection is subject to the provisions and
  527  requirements of this section. An applicant that fails to meet
  528  the conditions of this subsection may reapply during future
  529  application periods.
  530         (12) REPAYMENT OF DISTRIBUTIONS.—An applicant that is
  531  certified under this section may be subject to repayment of
  532  distributions upon the occurrence of any of the following:
  533         (a) An applicant’s beneficiary has broken the terms of its
  534  agreement with the applicant and relocated from the facility.
  535  The beneficiary must reimburse the state for state funds that
  536  will be distributed if the beneficiary relocates before the
  537  agreement expires.
  538         (b) A determination by the department that an applicant has
  539  submitted information or made a representation that is
  540  determined to be false, misleading, deceptive, or otherwise
  541  untrue. The applicant must reimburse the state for state funds
  542  that will be distributed if such determination is made.
  543         (c)Repayment of distributions must be sent to the
  544  Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
  545         (13) HALTING OF PAYMENTS.—The applicant may request in
  546  writing at least 20 days before the next monthly distribution
  547  that the department halt future payments. The department shall
  548  immediately notify the Department of Revenue to halt future
  549  payments.
  550         (14) RULEMAKING.—The department may adopt rules to
  551  implement this section.
  552         Section 5. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (2) of
  553  section 288.11631, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph
  554  (d) is added to that subsection, to read:
  555         288.11631 Retention of Major League Baseball spring
  556  training baseball franchises.—
  557         (2) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—
  558         (a) Before certifying an applicant to receive state funding
  559  for a facility for a spring training franchise, the department
  560  must verify that:
  561         1. The applicant is responsible for the construction or
  562  renovation of the facility for a spring training franchise or
  563  holds title to the property on which the facility for a spring
  564  training franchise is located.
  565         2. The applicant has a certified copy of a signed agreement
  566  with a spring training franchise. The signed agreement with a
  567  spring training franchise for the use of a facility must, at a
  568  minimum, be equal to the length of the term of the bonds issued
  569  for the public purpose of constructing or renovating a facility
  570  for a spring training franchise. If no such bonds are issued for
  571  the public purpose of constructing or renovating a facility for
  572  a spring training franchise, the signed agreement with a spring
  573  training franchise for the use of a facility must be for at
  574  least 20 years. Any such agreement with a spring training
  575  franchise for the use of a facility cannot be signed more than 4
  576  years before the expiration of any existing agreement with a
  577  spring training franchise for the use of a facility. However,
  578  any such agreement may be signed at any time before the
  579  expiration of any existing agreement with a spring training
  580  franchise for use of a facility if the applicant has never
  581  received state funding for the facility as a spring training
  582  facility under this section or s. 288.11621 and the facility was
  583  constructed before January 1, 2000. The agreement must also
  584  require the franchise to reimburse the state for state funds
  585  expended by an applicant under this section if the franchise
  586  relocates before the agreement expires; however, if bonds were
  587  issued to construct or renovate a facility for a spring training
  588  franchise, the required reimbursement must be equal to the total
  589  amount of state distributions expected to be paid from the date
  590  the franchise breaks its agreement with the applicant through
  591  the final maturity of the bonds. The agreement may be contingent
  592  on an award of funds under this section and other conditions
  593  precedent.
  594         3. The applicant has made a financial commitment to provide
  595  50 percent or more of the funds required by an agreement for the
  596  construction or renovation of the facility for a spring training
  597  franchise. The commitment may be contingent upon an award of
  598  funds under this section and other conditions precedent.
  599         4. The applicant demonstrates that the facility for a
  600  spring training franchise will attract a paid attendance of at
  601  least 50,000 persons annually to the spring training games.
  602         5. The facility for a spring training franchise is located
  603  in a county that levies a tourist development tax under s.
  604  125.0104.
  605         (c) Each applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013,
  606  shall enter into an agreement with the department which:
  607         1. Specifies the amount of the state incentive funding to
  608  be distributed. The amount of state incentive funding per
  609  certified applicant may not exceed $20 million. However, if a
  610  certified applicant’s facility is used by more than one spring
  611  training franchise, the maximum amount may not exceed $50
  612  million, and the Department of Revenue shall make distributions
  613  to the applicant pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)6.e. for not more
  614  than 37 years and 6 months.
  615         2. States the criteria that the certified applicant must
  616  meet in order to remain certified. These criteria must include a
  617  provision stating that the spring training franchise must
  618  reimburse the state for any funds received if the franchise does
  619  not comply with the terms of the contract. If bonds were issued
  620  to construct or renovate a facility for a spring training
  621  franchise, the required reimbursement must be equal to the total
  622  amount of state distributions expected to be paid from the date
  623  the franchise violates the agreement with the applicant through
  624  the final maturity of the bonds.
  625         3. States that the certified applicant is subject to
  626  decertification if the certified applicant fails to comply with
  627  this section or the agreement.
  628         4. States that the department may recover state incentive
  629  funds if the certified applicant is decertified.
  630         5. Specifies the information that the certified applicant
  631  must report to the department.
  632         6. Includes any provision deemed prudent by the department.
  633         (d) If a certified applicant has been certified under this
  634  program for use of its facility by one spring training
  635  franchise, the certified applicant may apply to amend its
  636  certification for use of its facility by more than one spring
  637  training franchise. The certified applicant must submit an
  638  application to amend its original certification that meets the
  639  requirements of this section. The maximum amount of state
  640  incentive funding to be distributed may not exceed $50 million
  641  as provided in subparagraph (c)1. for a certified applicant with
  642  a facility used by more than one spring training franchise,
  643  including any distributions previously received by the certified
  644  applicant under its original certification under this section.
  645  Upon approval of an amended certification, the department shall
  646  notify the Department of Revenue as provided in this section.
  647         Section 6. Section 288.1166, Florida Statutes, is amended
  648  to read:
  649         288.1166 Professional sports facility; designation as
  650  shelter site for the homeless; establishment of local programs.—
  651         (1) A Any professional sports facility constructed with
  652  financial assistance from the state of Florida shall be
  653  designated as a shelter site for the homeless during the period
  654  of a declared federal, state, or local emergency in accordance
  655  with the criteria of locally existing homeless shelter programs
  656  unless:, except when
  657         (a) The facility is otherwise contractually obligated for a
  658  specific event or activity;
  659         (b) The facility is designated or used by the county owning
  660  the facility as a staging area; or
  661         (c) The county owning the facility also owns or operates
  662  homeless assistance centers and the county determines there
  663  exists sufficient capacity to meet the sheltering needs of
  664  homeless persons within the county.
  665         (2) If Should a local program does not exist be in
  666  existence in the facility’s area, such program shall be
  667  established in accordance with normally accepted criteria as
  668  defined by the county or its designee.
  669         Section 7. (1) The executive director of the Department of
  670  Economic Opportunity is authorized, and all conditions are
  671  deemed met, to adopt emergency rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1)
  672  and 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of implementing
  673  this act.
  674         (2) Notwithstanding any provision of law, such emergency
  675  rules shall remain in effect for 6 months after the date adopted
  676  and may be renewed during the pendency of procedures to adopt
  677  permanent rules addressing the subject of the emergency rules.
  678         (3) This section expires July 1, 2015.
  679         Section 8. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
  680  
  681  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  682  And the title is amended as follows:
  683         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  684  and insert:
  685                        A bill to be entitled                      
  686         An act relating to professional sports facilities;
  687         amending s. 212.20, F.S.; revising the distribution of
  688         moneys to certified applicants for a facility used by
  689         a spring training franchise under s. 288.11631, F.S.;
  690         authorizing a distribution for an applicant that has
  691         been approved by the Legislature and certified by the
  692         Department of Economic Opportunity under s. 288.11625,
  693         F.S.; providing a limitation; amending s. 218.64,
  694         F.S.; providing for municipalities and counties to
  695         expend an increased portion of local government half
  696         cent sales tax revenues to reimburse the state as
  697         required by a contract; amending s. 288.0001, F.S.;
  698         providing for an evaluation; creating s. 288.11625,
  699         F.S.; requiring the Department of Economic Opportunity
  700         to screen applicants for state funding for sports
  701         development; defining terms; providing a purpose to
  702         provide funding for applicants for constructing,
  703         reconstructing, renovating, or improving a facility;
  704         providing an application and approval process;
  705         providing for an annual application period; providing
  706         for the department to submit recommendations to the
  707         Legislature by a certain date; requiring legislative
  708         approval for state funding; providing evaluation
  709         criteria for an applicant to receive state funding;
  710         providing for evaluation and ranking of applicants
  711         under certain criteria; requiring the department to
  712         determine the annual distribution amount an applicant
  713         may receive; requiring the applicant to provide an
  714         analysis by a certified public accountant to the
  715         department; requiring the Department of Revenue to
  716         distribute funds within a certain timeframe after
  717         notification by the department; requiring the
  718         department to develop a calculation to estimate
  719         certain taxes; limiting annual distributions to a
  720         specified amount; providing for a contract between the
  721         department and the applicant; limiting use of funds;
  722         requiring an applicant to submit information to the
  723         department annually; requiring a 5-year review;
  724         authorizing the Auditor General to conduct audits;
  725         authorizing the Legislative Budget Commission to
  726         approve an application; providing for reimbursement of
  727         the state funding under certain circumstances;
  728         providing for discontinuation of distributions upon an
  729         applicant’s request; authorizing the department to
  730         adopt rules; amending s. 288.11631, F.S.; revising the
  731         requirements for an applicant to be certified to
  732         receive state funding for a facility for a spring
  733         training franchise; authorizing a certified applicant
  734         to submit an amendment to its original certification
  735         for use of the facility by more than one spring
  736         training franchise; amending s. 288.1166, F.S.;
  737         providing that certain professional sports facilities
  738         are designated as shelter sites for the homeless
  739         during declared federal, state, or local emergencies;
  740         providing exceptions; authorizing the department to
  741         adopt emergency rules; providing an effective date.