Florida Senate - 2025 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 110
Ì406258<Î406258
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
03/13/2025 .
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The Committee on Fiscal Policy (Simon) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and paragraph
6 (c) of subsection (10) of section 20.60, Florida Statutes, are
7 amended, and paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of that section is
8 reenacted, to read:
9 20.60 Department of Commerce; creation; powers and duties.—
10 (3)(a) The following divisions and offices of the
11 Department of Commerce are established:
12 1. The Division of Economic Development.
13 2. The Division of Community Development.
14 3. The Division of Workforce Services.
15 4. The Division of Finance and Administration.
16 5. The Division of Information Technology.
17 6. The Office of the Secretary.
18 7. The Office of Rural Prosperity.
19 8.7. The Office of Economic Accountability and
20 Transparency, which shall:
21 a. Oversee the department’s critical objectives as
22 determined by the secretary and make sure that the department’s
23 key objectives are clearly communicated to the public.
24 b. Organize department resources, expertise, data, and
25 research to focus on and solve the complex economic challenges
26 facing the state.
27 c. Provide leadership for the department’s priority issues
28 that require integration of policy, management, and critical
29 objectives from multiple programs and organizations internal and
30 external to the department; and organize and manage external
31 communication on such priority issues.
32 d. Promote and facilitate key department initiatives to
33 address priority economic issues and explore data and identify
34 opportunities for innovative approaches to address such economic
35 issues.
36 e. Promote strategic planning for the department.
37 (5) The divisions within the department have specific
38 responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and
39 goals of the department. Specifically:
40 (a) The Division of Economic Development shall:
41 1. Analyze and evaluate business prospects identified by
42 the Governor and the secretary.
43 2. Administer certain tax refund, tax credit, and grant
44 programs created in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of
45 law, the department may expend interest earned from the
46 investment of program funds deposited in the Grants and
47 Donations Trust Fund to contract for the administration of those
48 programs, or portions of the programs, assigned to the
49 department by law, by the appropriations process, or by the
50 Governor. Such expenditures shall be subject to review under
51 chapter 216.
52 3. Develop measurement protocols for the state incentive
53 programs and for the contracted entities which will be used to
54 determine their performance and competitive value to the state.
55 Performance measures, benchmarks, and sanctions must be
56 developed in consultation with the legislative appropriations
57 committees and the appropriate substantive committees, and are
58 subject to the review and approval process provided in s.
59 216.177. The approved performance measures, standards, and
60 sanctions shall be included and made a part of the strategic
61 plan for contracts entered into for delivery of programs
62 authorized by this section.
63 4. Develop a 5-year statewide strategic plan. The strategic
64 plan must include, but need not be limited to:
65 a. Strategies for the promotion of business formation,
66 expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive
67 marketing, attraction of venture capital and finance
68 development, domestic trade, international development, and
69 export assistance, which lead to more and better jobs and higher
70 wages for all geographic regions, disadvantaged communities, and
71 populations of the state, including rural areas, minority
72 businesses, and urban core areas.
73 b. The development of realistic policies and programs to
74 further the economic diversity of the state, its regions, and
75 their associated industrial clusters.
76 c. Specific provisions for the stimulation of economic
77 development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities
78 and counties of the state, including strategies for rural
79 marketing and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.
80 d. Provisions for the promotion of the successful long-term
81 economic development of the state with increased emphasis in
82 market research and information.
83 e. Plans for the generation of foreign investment in the
84 state which create jobs paying above-average wages and which
85 result in reverse investment in the state, including programs
86 that establish viable overseas markets, assist in meeting the
87 financing requirements of export-ready firms, broaden
88 opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use
89 the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate
90 trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate
91 availability of and access to education and training programs
92 that assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to
93 compete successfully in the global marketplace.
94 f. The identification of business sectors that are of
95 current or future importance to the state’s economy and to the
96 state’s global business image, and development of specific
97 strategies to promote the development of such sectors.
98 g. Strategies for talent development necessary in the state
99 to encourage economic development growth, taking into account
100 factors such as the state’s talent supply chain, education and
101 training opportunities, and available workforce.
102 h. Strategies and plans to support this state’s defense,
103 space, and aerospace industries and the emerging complementary
104 business activities and industries that support the development
105 and growth of defense, space, and aerospace in this state.
106 5. Update the strategic plan every 5 years.
107 6. Involve CareerSource Florida, Inc.; direct-support
108 organizations of the department; local governments; the general
109 public; local and regional economic development organizations;
110 other local, state, and federal economic, international, and
111 workforce development entities; the business community; and
112 educational institutions to assist with the strategic plan.
113 7. Coordinate with the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
114 Corporation in the development of the 4-year marketing plan
115 pursuant to s. 288.1226(13).
116 8. Administer and manage relationships, as appropriate,
117 with the entities and programs created pursuant to the Florida
118 Capital Formation Act, ss. 288.9621-288.96255.
119 (10) The department shall, by November 1 of each year,
120 submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the
121 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the
122 condition of the business climate and economic development in
123 the state.
124 (c) The report must incorporate annual reports of other
125 programs, including:
126 1. A detailed report of the performance of the Black
127 Business Loan Program and a cumulative summary of quarterly
128 report data required under s. 288.714.
129 2. The Rural Economic Development Initiative established
130 under s. 288.0656.
131 3. A detailed report of the performance of the Florida
132 Development Finance Corporation and a summary of the
133 corporation’s report required under s. 288.9610.
134 3.4. Information provided by Space Florida under s.
135 331.3051 and an analysis of the activities and accomplishments
136 of Space Florida.
137 Section 2. Subsection (5) is added to section 163.3168,
138 Florida Statutes, to read:
139 163.3168 Planning innovations and technical assistance.—
140 (5) When selecting applications for funding for technical
141 assistance, the state land planning agency shall give preference
142 to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity as
143 defined in s. 288.0656. The state land planning agency shall
144 consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity when awarding
145 funding pursuant to this section.
146 Section 3. Paragraph (i) is added to subsection (4) of
147 section 201.15, Florida Statutes, to read:
148 201.15 Distribution of taxes collected.—All taxes collected
149 under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be first made
150 available to make payments when due on bonds issued pursuant to
151 s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds authorized to be
152 issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such pledge and
153 availability for the payment of these bonds shall have priority
154 over any requirement for the costs of collection and enforcement
155 under this section. Before distribution pursuant to this
156 section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts
157 necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of
158 the tax levied by this chapter. The costs may not be levied
159 against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to
160 the extent that the costs are required to pay any amounts
161 relating to the bonds. All of the costs of the collection and
162 enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter shall be available
163 and transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and
164 any other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized
165 before January 1, 2017, secured by revenues distributed pursuant
166 to this section. All taxes remaining after deduction of costs
167 shall be distributed as follows:
168 (4) After the required distributions to the Land
169 Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), the
170 lesser of 8 percent of the remainder or $150 million in each
171 fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit
172 of the State Housing Trust Fund and shall be expended pursuant
173 to s. 420.50871. If 8 percent of the remainder is greater than
174 $150 million in any fiscal year, the difference between 8
175 percent of the remainder and $150 million shall be paid into the
176 State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund. The
177 remainder shall be distributed as follows:
178 (i) A total of $30 million shall be paid to the credit of
179 the State Transportation Trust Fund, which funds are exclusively
180 for the use of the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program
181 as provided in s. 339.68.
182 Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
183 202.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
184 202.18 Allocation and disposition of tax proceeds.—The
185 proceeds of the communications services taxes remitted under
186 this chapter shall be treated as follows:
187 (2) The proceeds of the taxes remitted under s.
188 202.12(1)(b) shall be allocated as follows:
189 (c)1. After the distribution required under paragraph (b),
190 the remainder During each calendar year, the remaining portion
191 of the proceeds shall be transferred to the Local Government
192 Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund. Seventy percent of such
193 proceeds shall be and allocated in the same proportion as the
194 allocation of total receipts of the half-cent sales tax under s.
195 218.61 and the emergency distribution under s. 218.65 in the
196 prior state fiscal year. Thirty percent of such proceeds shall
197 be distributed pursuant to s. 218.67.
198 2. The proportion of the proceeds allocated based on the
199 emergency distribution under s. 218.65 shall be distributed
200 pursuant to s. 218.65.
201 3. In each calendar year, the proportion of the proceeds
202 allocated based on the half-cent sales tax under s. 218.61 shall
203 be allocated to each county in the same proportion as the
204 county’s percentage of total sales tax allocation for the prior
205 state fiscal year and distributed pursuant to s. 218.62.
206 4. The department shall distribute the appropriate amount
207 to each municipality and county each month at the same time that
208 local communications services taxes are distributed pursuant to
209 subsection (3).
210 Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
211 212.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
212 212.20 Funds collected, disposition; additional powers of
213 department; operational expense; refund of taxes adjudicated
214 unconstitutionally collected.—
215 (6) Distribution of all proceeds under this chapter and ss.
216 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) and 203.01(1)(a)3. is as follows:
217 (d) The proceeds of all other taxes and fees imposed
218 pursuant to this chapter or remitted pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b)
219 and (2)(b) shall be distributed as follows:
220 1. In any fiscal year, the greater of $500 million, minus
221 an amount equal to 4.6 percent of the proceeds of the taxes
222 collected pursuant to chapter 201, or 5.2 percent of all other
223 taxes and fees imposed pursuant to this chapter or remitted
224 pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) shall be deposited in
225 monthly installments into the General Revenue Fund.
226 2. After the distribution under subparagraph 1., 8.9744
227 percent of the amount remitted by a sales tax dealer located
228 within a participating county pursuant to s. 218.61 shall be
229 transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax
230 Clearing Trust Fund. Beginning July 1, 2003, the amount to be
231 transferred shall be reduced by 0.1 percent, and the department
232 shall distribute this amount to the Public Employees Relations
233 Commission Trust Fund less $5,000 each month, which shall be
234 added to the amount calculated in subparagraph 3. and
235 distributed accordingly.
236 3. After the distribution under subparagraphs 1. and 2.,
237 0.0966 percent shall be transferred to the Local Government
238 Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund and distributed pursuant
239 to s. 218.65.
240 4. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
241 3., 2.0810 percent of the available proceeds shall be
242 transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
243 Counties pursuant to s. 218.215.
244 5. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
245 3., 1.3653 percent of the available proceeds shall be
246 transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
247 Municipalities pursuant to s. 218.215. If the total revenue to
248 be distributed pursuant to this subparagraph is at least as
249 great as the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
250 Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
251 Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, no municipality shall
252 receive less than the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust
253 Fund for Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial
254 Assistance Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000. If the
255 total proceeds to be distributed are less than the amount
256 received in combination from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
257 Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
258 Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, each municipality
259 shall receive an amount proportionate to the amount it was due
260 in state fiscal year 1999-2000.
261 6. After the distributions required under subparagraphs 1.
262 5., the greater of $50 million or 0.1438 percent of the
263 available proceeds shall be transferred in each fiscal year to
264 fiscally constrained counties pursuant to s. 218.67.
265 7. Of the remaining proceeds:
266 a. In each fiscal year, the sum of $29,915,500 shall be
267 divided into as many equal parts as there are counties in the
268 state, and one part shall be distributed to each county. The
269 distribution among the several counties must begin each fiscal
270 year on or before January 5th and continue monthly for a total
271 of 4 months. If a local or special law required that any moneys
272 accruing to a county in fiscal year 1999-2000 under the then
273 existing provisions of s. 550.135 be paid directly to the
274 district school board, special district, or a municipal
275 government, such payment must continue until the local or
276 special law is amended or repealed. The state covenants with
277 holders of bonds or other instruments of indebtedness issued by
278 local governments, special districts, or district school boards
279 before July 1, 2000, that it is not the intent of this
280 subparagraph to adversely affect the rights of those holders or
281 relieve local governments, special districts, or district school
282 boards of the duty to meet their obligations as a result of
283 previous pledges or assignments or trusts entered into which
284 obligated funds received from the distribution to county
285 governments under then-existing s. 550.135. This distribution
286 specifically is in lieu of funds distributed under s. 550.135
287 before July 1, 2000.
288 b. The department shall distribute $166,667 monthly to each
289 applicant certified as a facility for a new or retained
290 professional sports franchise pursuant to s. 288.1162. Up to
291 $41,667 shall be distributed monthly by the department to each
292 certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11621 for a facility
293 for a spring training franchise. However, not more than $416,670
294 may be distributed monthly in the aggregate to all certified
295 applicants for facilities for spring training franchises.
296 Distributions begin 60 days after such certification and
297 continue for not more than 30 years, except as otherwise
298 provided in s. 288.11621. A certified applicant identified in
299 this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in distributions than
300 expended by the applicant for the public purposes provided in s.
301 288.1162(5) or s. 288.11621(3).
302 c. The department shall distribute up to $83,333 monthly to
303 each certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a
304 facility used by a single spring training franchise, or up to
305 $166,667 monthly to each certified applicant as defined in s.
306 288.11631 for a facility used by more than one spring training
307 franchise. Monthly distributions begin 60 days after such
308 certification or July 1, 2016, whichever is later, and continue
309 for not more than 20 years to each certified applicant as
310 defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by a single spring
311 training franchise or not more than 25 years to each certified
312 applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by more
313 than one spring training franchise. A certified applicant
314 identified in this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in
315 distributions than expended by the applicant for the public
316 purposes provided in s. 288.11631(3).
317 d. The department shall distribute $15,333 monthly to the
318 State Transportation Trust Fund.
319 e.(I) On or before July 25, 2021, August 25, 2021, and
320 September 25, 2021, the department shall distribute $324,533,334
321 in each of those months to the Unemployment Compensation Trust
322 Fund, less an adjustment for refunds issued from the General
323 Revenue Fund pursuant to s. 443.131(3)(e)3. before making the
324 distribution. The adjustments made by the department to the
325 total distributions shall be equal to the total refunds made
326 pursuant to s. 443.131(3)(e)3. If the amount of refunds to be
327 subtracted from any single distribution exceeds the
328 distribution, the department may not make that distribution and
329 must subtract the remaining balance from the next distribution.
330 (II) Beginning July 2022, and on or before the 25th day of
331 each month, the department shall distribute $90 million monthly
332 to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
333 (III) If the ending balance of the Unemployment
334 Compensation Trust Fund exceeds $4,071,519,600 on the last day
335 of any month, as determined from United States Department of the
336 Treasury data, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research
337 shall certify to the department that the ending balance of the
338 trust fund exceeds such amount.
339 (IV) This sub-subparagraph is repealed, and the department
340 shall end monthly distributions under sub-sub-subparagraph (II),
341 on the date the department receives certification under sub-sub
342 subparagraph (III).
343 f. Beginning July 1, 2023, in each fiscal year, the
344 department shall distribute $27.5 million to the Florida
345 Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust Fund under s. 571.26,
346 for further distribution in accordance with s. 571.265.
347 8.7. All other proceeds must remain in the General Revenue
348 Fund.
349 Section 6. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section
350 215.971, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
351 215.971 Agreements funded with federal or state
352 assistance.—
353 (1) An agency agreement that provides state financial
354 assistance to a recipient or subrecipient, as those terms are
355 defined in s. 215.97, or that provides federal financial
356 assistance to a subrecipient, as defined by applicable United
357 States Office of Management and Budget circulars, must include
358 all of the following:
359 (h)1. If the agency agreement provides federal or state
360 financial assistance to a county or municipality that is a rural
361 community or rural area of opportunity as those terms are
362 defined in s. 288.0656(2), a provision allowing the agency to
363 provide for the payment of invoices to the county, municipality,
364 or rural area of opportunity as that term is defined in s.
365 288.0656(2), for verified and eligible performance that has been
366 completed in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
367 in the agreement. This provision is not intended to require
368 reimbursement to the county, municipality, or rural area of
369 opportunity for invoices paid, but to allow the agency to
370 provide for the payment of invoices due. The agency shall
371 expedite such payment requests in order to facilitate the timely
372 payment of invoices received by the county, municipality, or
373 rural area of opportunity. This provision is included to
374 alleviate the financial hardships that certain rural counties
375 and municipalities encounter when administering agreements, and
376 must be exercised by the agency when a county or municipality
377 demonstrates financial hardship, to the extent that federal or
378 state law, rule, or other regulation allows such payments. This
379 paragraph may not be construed to alter or limit any other
380 provisions of federal or state law, rule, or other regulation.
381 2. By August 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, each state
382 agency shall report to the Office of Rural Prosperity
383 summarizing the implementation of this paragraph for the
384 preceding fiscal year. The Office of Rural Prosperity shall
385 summarize the information received pursuant to this paragraph in
386 its annual report as required in s. 288.013.
387 Section 7. Section 218.67, Florida Statutes, is amended to
388 read:
389 218.67 Distribution for fiscally constrained counties.—
390 (1) Each county that is entirely within a rural area of
391 opportunity as designated by the Governor pursuant to s.
392 288.0656 or each county for which the value of a mill will raise
393 no more than $10 $5 million in revenue, based on the taxable
394 value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., from the
395 previous July 1, shall be considered a fiscally constrained
396 county.
397 (2) Each fiscally constrained county government that
398 participates in the local government half-cent sales tax shall
399 be eligible to receive an additional distribution from the Local
400 Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund, as provided
401 in s. 212.20(6)(d)6. s. 202.18(2)(c)1., in addition to its
402 regular monthly distribution provided under this part and any
403 emergency or supplemental distribution under s. 218.65.
404 (3) The amount to be distributed to each fiscally
405 constrained county shall be determined by the Department of
406 Revenue at the beginning of the fiscal year, using the prior
407 fiscal year’s sales and use tax collections from the most recent
408 fiscal year that reports 12 months of collections July 1 taxable
409 value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., tax data,
410 population as defined in s. 218.21, and the most current
411 calendar year per capita personal income published by the Bureau
412 of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce
413 millage rate levied for the prior fiscal year. The amount
414 distributed shall be allocated based upon the following factors:
415 (a) The contribution-to-revenue relative revenue-raising
416 capacity factor for each participating county shall equal 100
417 multiplied by a quotient, the numerator of which is the county’s
418 population and the denominator of which is the state sales and
419 use tax collections attributable to the county be the ability of
420 the eligible county to generate ad valorem revenues from 1 mill
421 of taxation on a per capita basis. A county that raises no more
422 than $25 per capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 1;
423 a county that raises more than $25 but no more than $30 per
424 capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 0.75; and a
425 county that raises more than $30 but no more than $50 per capita
426 from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 0.5. No value shall be
427 assigned to counties that raise more than $50 per capita from 1
428 mill of ad valorem taxation.
429 (b) The personal-income local-effort factor shall equal a
430 quotient, the numerator of which is the median per capita
431 personal income of participating counties and the denominator of
432 which is the county’s per capita personal income be a measure of
433 the relative level of local effort of the eligible county as
434 indicated by the millage rate levied for the prior fiscal year.
435 The local-effort factor shall be the most recently adopted
436 countywide operating millage rate for each eligible county
437 multiplied by 0.1.
438 (c) Each eligible county’s proportional allocation of the
439 total amount available to be distributed to all of the eligible
440 counties shall be in the same proportion as the sum of the
441 county’s two factors is to the sum of the two factors for all
442 eligible counties. The proportional rate computation must be
443 carried to the fifth decimal place, and the amount to distribute
444 to each county must be rounded to the next whole dollar amount.
445 The counties that are eligible to receive an allocation under
446 this subsection and the amount available to be distributed to
447 such counties do shall not include counties participating in the
448 phaseout period under subsection (4) or the amounts they remain
449 eligible to receive during the phaseout.
450 (4) For those counties that no longer qualify under the
451 requirements of subsection (1) after the effective date of this
452 act, there shall be a 2-year phaseout period. Beginning on July
453 1 of the year following the year in which the value of a mill
454 for that county exceeds $10 $5 million in revenue, the county
455 shall receive two-thirds of the amount received in the prior
456 year, and beginning on July 1 of the second year following the
457 year in which the value of a mill for that county exceeds $10 $5
458 million in revenue, the county shall receive one-third of the
459 amount received in the last year that the county qualified as a
460 fiscally constrained county. Following the 2-year phaseout
461 period, the county is shall no longer be eligible to receive any
462 distributions under this section unless the county can be
463 considered a fiscally constrained county as provided in
464 subsection (1).
465 (5)(a) The revenues received under this section must be
466 allocated may be used by a county to be used for the following
467 purposes:
468 1. Fifty percent for public safety, including salary
469 expenditures for law enforcement officers or correctional
470 officers, as those terms are defined in s. 943.10(1) and (2),
471 respectively, firefighters as defined in s. 633.102, or
472 emergency medical technicians or paramedics as those terms are
473 defined in s. 401.23.
474 2. Thirty percent for infrastructure needs.
475 3. Twenty percent for any public purpose.
476 (b) The revenues received under this section any public
477 purpose, except that such revenues may not be used to pay debt
478 service on bonds, notes, certificates of participation, or any
479 other forms of indebtedness.
480 Section 8. Subsection (6) is added to section 288.0001,
481 Florida Statutes, to read:
482 288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
483 Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
484 Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
485 shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
486 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
487 chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
488 Development Programs Evaluation.
489 (6)(a) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
490 OPPAGA shall prepare a report on the impact of the Florida
491 Statutes on rural communities. Specifically, the report must
492 include the following:
493 1. A review of definitions in the Florida Statutes of terms
494 such as “rural community,” “rural area of opportunity,” and
495 other similar terms used to define rural areas of this state,
496 including population-based references, to assess the adequacy of
497 the current statutory framework in defining these areas. The
498 analysis must include, but need not be limited to:
499 a. Evaluation of whether current provisions properly
500 distinguish these communities or areas from more urban and
501 suburban parts of this state;
502 b. Consideration of updates to the definitions and
503 references to classify additional rural areas, such as growing
504 communities, unincorporated areas, or rural communities by
505 design; and
506 c. Study of appropriate metrics to be used to describe
507 rural communities or areas, such as population, geographic,
508 demographic, or other metrics, or combinations thereof.
509 2. A survey of local governments meeting the statutory
510 definition of “rural community” or “rural area of opportunity”
511 to assess the benefits to the local government of being
512 identified as such and any perceived unmet needs in the
513 implementation of current statutory provisions designed to
514 support rural communities or areas.
515 3. An analysis of state grant programs and recurring
516 appropriations that explicitly benefit rural communities or
517 areas, including, but not limited to, program purpose, funding
518 amounts, participation rates, and consistency with peer-reviewed
519 studies on effective economic programs for these areas.
520 (b) Upon request, the Office of Economic and Demographic
521 Research and OPPAGA must be provided with all data necessary to
522 complete the report, including any confidential data, by any
523 entity with information related to this review. The offices may
524 collaborate on all data collection and analysis.
525 (c) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
526 OPPAGA shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and
527 the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31,
528 2025. The report must provide recommendations to address any
529 findings, including any changes in statutory definitions or
530 references to rural communities or areas, opportunities to
531 enhance state support to rural communities or areas, outcome
532 measures or other criteria that may be used to examine the
533 effectiveness of state grant programs for rural communities or
534 areas, and adjustments to program design, including changes to
535 increase participation in state grant programs for rural
536 communities or areas.
537 (d) This subsection expires July 1, 2026.
538 Section 9. Present paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (7)
539 of section 288.001, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
540 paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, and a new paragraph (d) is
541 added to that subsection, to read:
542 288.001 The Florida Small Business Development Center
543 Network.—
544 (7) ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS; USES; PAY-PER-PERFORMANCE
545 INCENTIVES; STATEWIDE SERVICE; SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS; BEST
546 PRACTICES; ELIGIBILITY.—
547 (d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the
548 network shall use funds directly appropriated for the specific
549 purpose of expanding service in rural communities, as defined in
550 s. 288.0656, in addition to any funds allocated by the network
551 from other sources. The network shall use the funds to develop
552 an activity plan focused on network consultants and resources in
553 rural communities. In collaboration with regional economic
554 development organizations as defined in s. 288.018, the plan
555 must provide for either full- or part-time consultants to be
556 available for at least 20 hours per week in rural areas or be
557 permanently stationed in rural areas. This may include
558 establishing a circuit in specific rural locations to ensure the
559 consultants’ availability on a regular basis. By using the funds
560 to create a regular presence in rural areas, the network can
561 strengthen community collaboration, raise awareness of available
562 resources to provide opportunities for new business development
563 or existing business growth, and make professional experience,
564 education, and business information available in these essential
565 communities. The network may dedicate funds to facilitate local
566 or regional events that focus on small business topics, provide
567 consulting services, and leverage partner organizations, such as
568 the regional economic development organizations, local workforce
569 development boards as described in s. 445.07, and Florida
570 College System institutions.
571 Section 10. Section 288.007, Florida Statutes, is amended
572 to read:
573 288.007 Inventory of communities seeking to recruit
574 businesses.—By September 30 of each year, a county or
575 municipality that has a population of at least 25,000 or its
576 local economic development organization, and each local
577 government within a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
578 288.0656 or its local economic development organization, shall
579 must submit to the department a brief overview of the strengths,
580 services, and economic development incentives that its community
581 offers. The local government or its local economic development
582 organization also shall must identify any industries that it is
583 encouraging to locate or relocate to its area. Unless otherwise
584 required pursuant to this section, a county or municipality
585 having a population of 25,000 or less fewer or its local
586 economic development organization seeking to recruit businesses
587 may submit information as required in this section and may
588 participate in any activity or initiative resulting from the
589 collection, analysis, and reporting of the information to the
590 department pursuant to this section.
591 Section 11. Section 288.013, Florida Statutes, is created
592 to read:
593 288.013 Office of Rural Prosperity.—
594 (1) The Legislature finds that the unique characteristics
595 and nature of the rural communities in this state are integral
596 to making this state an attractive place to visit, work, and
597 live. Further, the Legislature finds that building a prosperous
598 rural economy and vibrant rural communities is in the best
599 interest of this state. Rural prosperity is integral to
600 supporting this state’s infrastructure, housing, and
601 agricultural and food-processing needs, as well as promoting the
602 health and advancement of the overall economy of this state. It
603 is of importance to the state that its rural areas are able to
604 grow, whether locally or in regional partnerships. To better
605 serve rural communities, and in recognition of rural Florida’s
606 unique challenges and opportunities, the Office of Rural
607 Prosperity is established to ensure these efforts are
608 coordinated, focused, and effective.
609 (2) The Office of Rural Prosperity is created within the
610 Department of Commerce for the purpose of supporting rural
611 communities by helping rural stakeholders navigate available
612 programs and resources and representing rural interests across
613 state government.
614 (3) The Governor shall appoint a director to lead the
615 office, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director
616 shall report to the secretary of the department and shall serve
617 at the pleasure of the secretary.
618 (4) The office shall do all of the following:
619 (a) Serve as the state’s point of contact for rural local
620 governments.
621 (b) Administer the Rural Economic Development Initiative
622 (REDI) pursuant to s. 288.0656.
623 (c) Provide training and technical assistance to rural
624 local governments on a broad range of community and economic
625 development activities. The training and technical assistance
626 may be offered using communications technology or in person and
627 must be recorded and posted to the office’s website. The
628 training and technical assistance must include, at a minimum,
629 the following topics:
630 1. How to access state and federal resources, including
631 training on the online rural resource directory required under
632 paragraph (d).
633 2. Best practices relating to comprehensive planning,
634 economic development, and land development in rural communities.
635 3. Strategies to address management and administrative
636 capacity challenges unique to rural local governments.
637 4. Requirements of, and updates on recent changes to, the
638 Community Planning Act under s. 163.3161.
639 5. Updates on other recent state and federal laws affecting
640 rural local governments.
641 (d) Create and maintain an online rural resource directory
642 to serve as an interactive tool to navigate the various state
643 and federal resources, tools, and services available to rural
644 local governments. The office shall regularly maintain the
645 resource directory and, to the greatest extent possible, include
646 up-to-date information on state and federal programs, resources,
647 tools, and services that address the needs of rural communities
648 in all areas of governance. Each state agency shall routinely
649 provide information and updates to the office for maintenance of
650 the resource directory. The resource directory must allow users
651 to search by indicators, such as agency name, resource type, or
652 topic, and include a notification function to allow users to
653 receive alerts when new or modified resources are available. To
654 the greatest extent possible, the resource directory must
655 include information on financial match requirements for the
656 state and federal programs listed in the directory.
657 (5)(a) By October 1, 2025, the office shall establish and
658 staff seven regional rural community liaison centers across this
659 state for the purpose of providing specialized in-person state
660 support to local governments in rural areas of opportunity as
661 defined in s. 288.0656. The department shall by rule divide this
662 state into seven regions and assign a regional rural community
663 liaison center to each region. Each liaison center shall support
664 the local governments within its geographic territory and shall
665 be staffed with at least two full-time department personnel. At
666 a minimum, liaison centers shall have the following powers,
667 duties, and functions:
668 1. Work with local governments to plan and achieve goals
669 for local or regional growth, economic development, and rural
670 prosperity.
671 2. Facilitate local government access to state and federal
672 resources, such as grants, loans, and other aid or resources.
673 3. Advise local governments on available waivers of program
674 requirements, including financial match waivers or reductions,
675 for projects using state or federal funds through the Rural
676 Economic Development Initiative under s. 288.0656.
677 4. Coordinate local government technical assistance needs
678 with the department and other state or federal agencies.
679 5. Promote model ordinances, policies, and strategies
680 related to economic development.
681 6. Assist local governments with regulatory and reporting
682 compliance.
683 (b) To the greatest extent possible, the regional rural
684 community liaison centers shall coordinate with local and
685 regional governmental entities, regional economic development
686 organizations as defined in s. 288.018, and other appropriate
687 entities to establish a network to foster community-driven
688 solutions that promote viable and sustainable rural communities.
689 (c) The regional rural community liaison centers shall
690 regularly engage with the Rural Economic Development Initiative
691 established in s. 288.0656, and at least one staff member from
692 each liaison center shall attend, either in person or by means
693 of electronic communication, the monthly meetings required by s.
694 288.0656(6)(c).
695 (6) By December 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the
696 director of the office shall submit to the Administration
697 Commission in the Executive Office of the Governor a written
698 report describing the office’s operations and accomplishments
699 for the preceding year, inclusive of the Rural Economic
700 Development Initiative report required by s. 288.0656(8). In
701 consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
702 Services, the office shall also include in the annual report
703 recommendations for policies, programs, and funding to further
704 support the needs of rural communities in this state. The office
705 shall submit the annual report to the President of the Senate
706 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of
707 each year and publish the annual report on the office’s website.
708 The director shall present, in person at the next scheduled
709 Administration Commission meeting, detailed information from the
710 annual report required by this subsection.
711 (7)(a) The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
712 Accountability (OPPAGA) shall review the effectiveness of the
713 office by December 15, 2026, and each year thereafter until
714 2028. Beginning in 2029, OPPAGA shall review and evaluate the
715 office every 3 years and shall submit a report based on its
716 findings. Each report must recommend policy and statutory
717 modifications for consideration by the Legislature. OPPAGA shall
718 submit each report to the President of the Senate and the
719 Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to the
720 schedule.
721 (b) OPPAGA shall review strategies implemented by other
722 states on rural community preservation, enhancement, and
723 revitalization and report on their effectiveness and potential
724 for implementation in this state. OPPAGA shall include its
725 findings in its report to the President of the Senate and the
726 Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 15, 2027,
727 and every 3 years thereafter.
728 (c)1. OPPAGA shall review each state-funded or state
729 administered grant and loan program available to local
730 governments to:
731 a. Identify any specified local government financial match
732 requirements and whether any portion of a match may be waived or
733 is required to be waived, pursuant to law, and programs where a
734 financial match waiver may be appropriate for rural local
735 government applicants, if not contemplated by law.
736 b. Identify grant and loan application evaluation criteria,
737 including scoring procedures, for programs that may be perceived
738 to be overly burdensome for rural local government applicants,
739 and whether special accommodations or preferences for rural
740 local governments may be appropriate.
741 2. OPPAGA shall produce a report based on its review and
742 submit the report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker
743 of the House of Representatives by December 15, 2026.
744 3. This paragraph expires June 30, 2027.
745 Section 12. Section 288.014, Florida Statutes, is created
746 to read:
747 288.014 Renaissance Grants Program.—
748 (1) The Legislature finds that it has traditionally
749 provided programs to assist rural communities with economic
750 development and enhance their ability to attract businesses and
751 that, by providing that extra component of economic viability,
752 rural communities are able to attract new businesses and grow
753 existing ones. However, the Legislature finds that a subset of
754 rural communities has decreased in population over the past
755 decade, contributing to a decline in local business activity and
756 economic development. The Legislature further finds that the
757 state must transform its assistance to these specific rural
758 communities to help them achieve a necessary precursor of
759 economic viability. The Legislature further finds that the
760 approach intended by the creation of renaissance grants is to
761 focus on reversing the economic deterioration in rural
762 communities by retaining and attracting residents by giving them
763 a reason to stay, which is the impetus of natural economic
764 growth, business opportunities, and increased quality of life.
765 (2) The Office of Rural Prosperity within the department
766 shall administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block
767 grants to eligible counties. By October 1, 2025, the Office of
768 Economic and Demographic Research shall certify to the Office of
769 Rural Prosperity which counties are growth-impeded. For the
770 purposes of this section, “growth-impeded” means a county that,
771 as of the most recent population estimate, has had a declining
772 population over the last 10 years. After an initial
773 certification, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research
774 shall annually certify whether the county remains growth
775 impeded, until the county has 3 consecutive years of population
776 growth. Upon such certification of population growth, the county
777 is eligible to participate in the program for 1 additional year
778 in order for the county to prepare for the end of block grant
779 funding.
780 (3)(a) Each participating county shall enter into an
781 agreement with the Office of Rural Prosperity to receive the
782 block grant. Each county has broad authority to design its
783 specific plan to achieve population growth within the broad
784 parameters identified in this section. The Office of Rural
785 Prosperity may not determine the manner in which the county
786 implements the block grant. However, regional rural community
787 liaison center staff shall provide assistance in developing the
788 county’s plan, upon request.
789 (b) Each participating county shall report annually to the
790 Office of Rural Prosperity on activities undertaken,
791 intergovernmental agreements entered into, and other information
792 as required by the office.
793 (c) Each participating county shall receive $1 million from
794 the funds appropriated to the program. Counties participating in
795 the program shall make all attempts to limit expenses for
796 administrative costs, consistent with the need for prudent
797 management and accountability in the use of public funds. Each
798 county may contribute other funds for block grant purposes,
799 including local, state, or federal grant funds, or seek out in
800 kind or financial contributions from private or public sources
801 to assist in fulfilling the activities undertaken.
802 (4)(a) A participating county shall hire and retain a
803 renaissance coordinator and may use block grant funds for this
804 purpose. The renaissance coordinator is responsible for:
805 1. Ensuring that block grant funds are used as provided in
806 this section;
807 2. Coordinating with other local governments, school
808 boards, Florida College System institutions, or other entities;
809 and
810 3. Reporting as necessary to the state, including
811 information necessary pursuant to subsection (7).
812 (b) The Office of Rural Prosperity regional rural community
813 liaison center staff shall provide assistance, upon request, and
814 training to the renaissance coordinator to ensure successful
815 implementation of the block grant.
816 (5) A participating county shall design a plan to make
817 targeted investments in the community to achieve population
818 growth and increase the economic vitality of the community. The
819 plan must include the following key features for use of the
820 state support:
821 (a) Technology centers with extended hours located within
822 schools or on school premises, administered by the local school
823 board, for such schools which provide extended hours and support
824 for access by students.
825 (b) Facilities that colocate adult day care with child care
826 facilities. The site-sharing facilities must be managed to also
827 provide opportunities for direct interaction between generations
828 and increase the health and well-being of both younger and older
829 participants, reduce social isolation, and create cost and time
830 efficiencies for working family members. The regional rural
831 community liaison center staff of the Office of Rural Prosperity
832 shall assist the county, upon request, with bringing to the
833 Rural Economic Development Initiative or directly to the
834 appropriate state agency recommendations necessary to streamline
835 any required state permits, licenses, regulations, or other
836 requirements.
837 (c) Technology labs managed in agreement with the nearest
838 Florida College System institution or a career center as
839 established under s. 1001.44. Repurposing vacant industrial
840 sites or existing office space must be given priority in the
841 selection of lab locations. Each local technology lab must be
842 staffed and open for extended hours with the capacity to
843 provide:
844 1. Access to trainers and equipment necessary for users to
845 earn various certificates or online degrees in technology;
846 2. Hands-on assistance with applying for appropriate remote
847 work opportunities; and
848 3. Studio space with equipment for graduates and other
849 qualifying residents to perform remote work that is based on the
850 use of technology. Collaboration with community partners,
851 including the local workforce development board as described in
852 s. 445.007, to provide training opportunities, in-kind support
853 such as transportation to and from the lab, financing of
854 equipment for in-home use, or basic maintenance of such
855 equipment is required.
856 (6) In addition to the hiring of a renaissance coordinator,
857 a participating county shall develop intergovernmental
858 agreements for shared responsibilities with its municipalities,
859 school board, and Florida College System institution or career
860 center and enter into necessary contracts with providers and
861 community partners in order to implement the plan.
862 (7)(a) Every 2 years, the Auditor General shall conduct an
863 operational audit as defined in s. 11.45 of each county’s grant
864 activities, beginning in 2026.
865 (b) On December 31, 2026, and every year thereafter, the
866 Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall submit an
867 annual report of renaissance block grant recipients by county to
868 the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
869 Representatives. The report must provide key economic indicators
870 that measure progress in altering longer-term trends in the
871 county. The Office of Rural Prosperity shall provide the Office
872 of Economic and Demographic Research with information as
873 requested to complete the report.
874 (8) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the
875 purposes of this section are not subject to reversion.
876 (9) This section expires June 30, 2040.
877 Section 13. Section 288.0175, Florida Statutes, is created
878 to read:
879 288.0175 Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant
880 Program.—
881 (1) The Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant
882 Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity
883 within the department to fund and support the development of
884 public infrastructure smart technology projects in communities
885 located in rural areas of opportunity, subject to legislative
886 appropriation.
887 (2) As used in this section, the term:
888 (a) “Public infrastructure smart technology” means systems
889 and applications that use connectivity, data analytics, and
890 automation to improve public infrastructure by increasing
891 efficiency, enhancing public services, and promoting sustainable
892 development.
893 (b) “Rural area of opportunity” has the same meaning as in
894 s. 288.0656.
895 (c) “Smart technology lead organization” means a not-for
896 profit corporation organized under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal
897 Revenue Code which has been in existence for at least 3 years
898 and specializes in smart region planning.
899 (3)(a) The Office of Rural Prosperity shall contract with
900 one or more smart technology lead organizations to administer
901 the grant program for the purpose of deploying public
902 infrastructure smart technology in rural communities. In
903 accordance with the terms required by the office, the smart
904 technology lead organization shall provide grants to counties
905 and municipalities located within a rural area of opportunity
906 for public infrastructure smart technology projects.
907 (b) The office’s contract with a smart technology lead
908 organization must specify the contract deliverables, including
909 financial reports and other reports due the office, timeframes
910 for achieving contractual obligations, and any other
911 requirements the office determines are necessary. The contract
912 must require the smart technology lead organization to do the
913 following:
914 1. Collaborate with counties and municipalities located in
915 rural areas of opportunity to identify opportunities for local
916 governments to institute cost-effective smart technology
917 solutions for improving public services and infrastructure.
918 2. Provide technical assistance to counties and
919 municipalities located in rural areas of opportunity in
920 developing plans for public infrastructure smart technology
921 projects.
922 3. Assist counties and municipalities located in rural
923 areas of opportunity in connecting with other communities,
924 companies, and other entities to leverage the impact of each
925 public infrastructure smart technology project.
926 (4) The office shall include in its annual report required
927 by s. 288.013(6) a description of the projects funded under this
928 section.
929 Section 14. Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section
930 288.018, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
931 288.018 Regional Rural Development Grants Program.—
932 (1)(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “regional
933 economic development organization” means an economic development
934 organization located in or contracted to serve a rural area of
935 opportunity, as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(2)(d).
936 (b) Subject to appropriation, the Office of Rural
937 Prosperity department shall establish a grant program to provide
938 funding to regional economic development organizations for the
939 purpose of building the professional capacity of those
940 organizations. Building the professional capacity of a regional
941 economic development organization includes hiring professional
942 staff to develop, deliver, and provide needed economic
943 development professional services, including technical
944 assistance, education and leadership development, marketing, and
945 project recruitment. Grants may also be used by a regional
946 economic development organization to provide technical
947 assistance to local governments, local economic development
948 organizations, and existing and prospective businesses.
949 (c) A regional economic development organization may apply
950 annually to the office department for a grant. The office
951 department is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants
952 to such regional economic development organizations. The office
953 may award a maximum amount of $50,000 in a year to maximum
954 amount an organization may receive in any year will be $50,000,
955 or $250,000 each to for any three regional economic development
956 organizations that serve an entire region of a rural area of
957 opportunity designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7) if they are
958 recognized by the office department as serving such a region.
959 (2) In approving the participants, the office department
960 shall require the following:
961 (a) Documentation of official commitments of support from
962 each of the units of local government represented by the
963 regional organization.
964 (b) Demonstration that the organization is in existence and
965 actively involved in economic development activities serving the
966 region.
967 (c) Demonstration of the manner in which the organization
968 is or will coordinate its efforts with those of other local and
969 state organizations.
970 (4) Except as otherwise provided in the General
971 Appropriations Act, the department may expend up to $750,000
972 each fiscal year from funds appropriated to the Rural Community
973 Development Revolving Loan Fund for the purposes outlined in
974 this section.
975 Section 15. Section 288.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
976 to read:
977 288.019 Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation
978 processes; financial match waiver or reduction.—
979 (1) Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest
980 extent possible, each agency and organization the member
981 agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development
982 Initiative (REDI) as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(6)(a)
983 shall review:
984 (a) All grant and loan application evaluation criteria and
985 scoring procedures to ensure the fullest access for rural
986 communities counties as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(2) to
987 resources available throughout the state; and
988 (b) The financial match requirements for projects in rural
989 communities.
990 (2)(1) Each REDI agency and organization shall consider the
991 impact on and ability of rural communities to meet and be
992 competitive under such criteria, scoring, and requirements. Upon
993 review, each REDI agency and organization shall review all
994 evaluation and scoring procedures and develop a proposal for
995 modifications to those procedures which minimize the financial
996 and resource impact to a rural community, including waiver or
997 reduction of any required financial match requirements impact of
998 a project within a rural area.
999 (a)(2) Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
1000 provide for an appropriate ranking, when ranking is a component
1001 of the program, based on the proportionate impact that projects
1002 have on a rural area when compared with similar project impacts
1003 on an urban area. Additionally,
1004 (3) evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
1005 recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an
1006 equal level of financial support from an urban county or
1007 municipality and a rural county or municipality.
1008 (a) The evaluation criteria should weight contribution in
1009 proportion to the amount of funding available at the local
1010 level.
1011 (b) Match requirements must be waived or reduced for rural
1012 communities. When appropriate, an in-kind match must should be
1013 allowed and applied as a financial match when a rural community
1014 county is experiencing economic financial distress as defined in
1015 s. 288.0656 through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of
1016 the state’s average by 5 percentage points or because of the
1017 loss of its ad valorem base. Donations of land, though usually
1018 not recognized as an in-kind match, may be treated as such. As
1019 appropriate, each agency and organization that applies for or
1020 receives federal funding must request federal approval to waive
1021 or reduce the financial match requirements, if any, for projects
1022 in rural communities.
1023 (3)(4) For existing programs, The proposal modified
1024 evaluation criteria and scoring procedure must be submitted
1025 delivered to the Office of Rural Prosperity department for
1026 distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. The REDI
1027 agencies and organizations shall review and make comments and
1028 recommendations that. Future rules, programs, evaluation
1029 criteria, and scoring processes must be brought before a REDI
1030 meeting for review, discussion, and recommendation to allow
1031 rural communities counties fuller access to the state’s
1032 resources.
1033 (4) Each REDI agency and organization shall ensure that
1034 related administrative rules or policies are modified, as
1035 necessary, to reflect the finalized proposal and that
1036 information about the authorized wavier or reduction is included
1037 in the online rural resource directory of the Office of Rural
1038 Prosperity required in s. 288.013(4)(d).
1039 (5) The rural liaison from the related regional district
1040 shall assist the rural community to make requests of waiver or
1041 reduction of match.
1042 Section 16. Subsection (3) is added to section 288.021,
1043 Florida Statutes, to read:
1044 288.021 Economic development liaison.—
1045 (3) When practicable, the staff member appointed as the
1046 economic development liaison shall also serve as the agency
1047 representative for the Rural Economic Development Initiative
1048 pursuant to s. 288.0656.
1049 Section 17. Section 288.065, Florida Statutes, is amended
1050 to read:
1051 288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
1052 (1) The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
1053 Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity
1054 department to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and
1055 local financial resources by providing local governments with
1056 financial assistance to further promote the economic viability
1057 of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance
1058 initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the
1059 economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives
1060 addressing employment opportunities for residents of these
1061 communities.
1062 (2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan
1063 guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local
1064 governments, or economic development organizations substantially
1065 underwritten by a unit of local government.,
1066 (b) For purposes of this section, the term “unit of local
1067 government” means:
1068 1. A county within counties with a population populations
1069 of 75,000 or less. fewer, or within any
1070 2. A county with a population of 125,000 or less fewer
1071 which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
1072 less. fewer
1073 3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
1074 1. or subparagraph 2.
1075 4. A county or municipality within a rural area of
1076 opportunity.
1077
1078 For purposes of this paragraph, population is determined in
1079 accordance with the most recent official estimates pursuant to
1080 s. 186.901 and must include those residing in incorporated and
1081 unincorporated areas of a county, based on the most recent
1082 official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901,
1083 including those residing in incorporated areas and those
1084 residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of
1085 local government, or economic development organizations
1086 substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within
1087 a rural area of opportunity.
1088 (c)(b) Requests for loans must shall be made by application
1089 to the office department. Loans must shall be made pursuant to
1090 agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between
1091 the applicant and the department. The loans are shall be the
1092 legal obligations of the applicant.
1093 (d)(c) All repayments of principal and interest shall be
1094 returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to other
1095 applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity designated
1096 under s. 288.0656 by the Governor, and upon approval by the
1097 office department, repayments of principal and interest may be
1098 retained by the applicant if such repayments are dedicated and
1099 matched to fund regionally based economic development
1100 organizations representing the rural area of opportunity.
1101 (3) The office department shall manage the fund,
1102 establishing loan practices that must include, but are not
1103 limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates,
1104 uses of funding, application procedures, and application review
1105 procedures. The office has department shall have final approval
1106 authority for any loan under this section.
1107 (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds
1108 appropriated for this loan fund may purpose shall not be subject
1109 to reversion.
1110 (5) The office shall include in its annual report required
1111 under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including
1112 loans made during the previous fiscal year, loans active, loans
1113 terminated or repaid, and the amount of funds not obligated as
1114 of 14 days before the date the report is due.
1115 Section 18. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
1116 288.0655, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
1117 added to that section, to read:
1118 288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
1119 (1) There is created within the Office of Rural Prosperity
1120 department the Rural Infrastructure Fund to facilitate the
1121 planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in
1122 rural communities which will encourage job creation, capital
1123 investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural
1124 economies by promoting tourism, trade, and economic development.
1125 Grants under this program may be awarded to a unit of local
1126 government within a rural community or rural area of opportunity
1127 as defined in s. 288.0656; or to a regional economic development
1128 organization, a unit of local government, or an economic
1129 development organization substantially underwritten by a unit of
1130 local government for an infrastructure project located within an
1131 unincorporated area that has a population of 15,000 or less, has
1132 been in existence for 100 year or more, is contiguous to a rural
1133 community, and has been adversely affected by a natural disaster
1134 or presents a unique economic development opportunity of
1135 regional impact.
1136 (2)(a) Funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be
1137 distributed by the office department through grant programs that
1138 maximize the use of federal, local, and private resources,
1139 including, but not limited to, those available under the Small
1140 Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
1141 (b) To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
1142 areas of opportunity as defined by the Rural Economic
1143 Development Initiative to infrastructure funding programs of the
1144 Federal Government, such as those offered by the United States
1145 Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of
1146 Commerce, and state programs, including those offered by Rural
1147 Economic Development Initiative agencies, and to facilitate
1148 local government or private infrastructure funding efforts, the
1149 office department may award grants for up to 75 percent of the
1150 total infrastructure project cost, or up to 100 percent of the
1151 total infrastructure project cost for a project located in a
1152 rural community as defined in s. 288.0656(2) which is also
1153 located in a fiscally constrained county as defined in s.
1154 218.67(1) or a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
1155 288.0656(2). Eligible uses of funds may include improving any
1156 inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action
1157 that prohibits economic or community growth and reducing the
1158 costs to community users of proposed infrastructure improvements
1159 that exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses
1160 of funds include improvements to public infrastructure for
1161 industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of
1162 public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may
1163 include the following public or public-private partnership
1164 facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities;
1165 roads or other remedies to transportation impediments; nature
1166 based tourism facilities; or other physical requirements
1167 necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development
1168 activities in the community. Authorized infrastructure may also
1169 include publicly or privately owned self-powered nature-based
1170 tourism facilities, publicly owned telecommunications
1171 facilities, and additions to the distribution facilities of the
1172 existing natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the
1173 existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the
1174 existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s.
1175 367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater facility,
1176 which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a water or
1177 wastewater system in this state when:
1178 1. A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
1179 serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
1180 tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
1181 utility as defined herein; and
1182 2. Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to
1183 provide such service.
1184 (c) The office department may award grants of up to
1185 $300,000 for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and
1186 engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and
1187 preparation or site readiness activities. Site readiness
1188 expenses may include clearing title, surveys, permitting,
1189 environmental studies, and regulatory compliance costs. Grants
1190 awarded under this paragraph may be used in conjunction with
1191 grants awarded under paragraph (b). In evaluating applications
1192 under this paragraph, the office department shall consider the
1193 extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative
1194 and consultant expenses.
1195 (d) The office department shall participate in a memorandum
1196 of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture
1197 under which state funds available through the Rural
1198 Infrastructure Fund may be advanced, in excess of the prescribed
1199 state share, for a project that has received from the United
1200 States Department of Agriculture a preliminary determination of
1201 eligibility for federal financial support. State funds in excess
1202 of the prescribed state share which are advanced pursuant to
1203 this paragraph and the memorandum of agreement shall be
1204 reimbursed when funds are awarded under an application for
1205 federal funding.
1206 (e) To enable local governments to access the resources
1207 available pursuant to s. 403.973(17), the office department may
1208 award grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other
1209 activities related to the identification and preclearance review
1210 of land which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized
1211 grants under this paragraph may not exceed $75,000 each, except
1212 in the case of a project in a rural area of opportunity, in
1213 which case the grant may not exceed $300,000. Any funds awarded
1214 under this paragraph must be matched at a level of 50 percent
1215 with local funds, except that any funds awarded for a project in
1216 a rural area of opportunity do not require a match of local
1217 funds. If an application for funding is for a catalyst site, as
1218 defined in s. 288.0656, the requirement for local match may be
1219 waived pursuant to the process in s. 288.06561. In evaluating
1220 applications under this paragraph, the office department shall
1221 consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize
1222 administrative and consultant expenses.
1223 (3) The office department, in consultation with the
1224 Department of Transportation Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
1225 Corporation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the
1226 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as
1227 appropriate, shall review and certify applications pursuant to
1228 s. 288.061. The review must include an evaluation of the
1229 economic benefit and long-term viability. The office has
1230 department shall have final approval for any grant under this
1231 section.
1232 (6) The office shall include in its annual report required
1233 under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including
1234 grants made for the year, grants active, grants terminated or
1235 complete, and the amount of funds not obligated as of 14 days
1236 before the date the report is due.
1237 Section 19. Subsection (1), paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of
1238 subsection (2), subsections (3) and (6), paragraph (c) of
1239 subsection (7), and subsection (8) of section 288.0656, Florida
1240 Statutes, are amended to read:
1241 288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
1242 (1)(a) Recognizing that rural communities and regions
1243 continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to
1244 significantly improve their economies, specifically in terms of
1245 personal income, job creation, average wages, and strong tax
1246 bases, it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage and
1247 facilitate the location and expansion of major economic
1248 development projects of significant scale in such rural
1249 communities. The Legislature finds that rural communities are
1250 the essential conduits for the economy’s distribution,
1251 manufacturing, and food supply.
1252 (b) The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as
1253 “REDI,” is created within the Office of Rural Prosperity
1254 department, and all the participation of state and regional
1255 agencies listed in paragraph (6)(a) shall participate in this
1256 initiative is authorized.
1257 (2) As used in this section, the term:
1258 (a) “Catalyst project” means a business locating or
1259 expanding in a rural area of opportunity to serve as an economic
1260 generator of regional significance for the growth of a regional
1261 target industry cluster. The project must provide capital
1262 investment on a scale significant enough to affect the entire
1263 region and result in the development of high-wage and high-skill
1264 jobs.
1265 (b) “Catalyst site” means a parcel or parcels of land
1266 within a rural area of opportunity that has been prioritized as
1267 a geographic site for economic development through partnerships
1268 with state, regional, and local organizations. The site must be
1269 reviewed by REDI and approved by the department for the purposes
1270 of locating a catalyst project.
1271 (c)(e) “Rural community” means:
1272 1. A county with a population of 75,000 or less fewer.
1273 2. A county with a population of 125,000 or less fewer
1274 which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
1275 less fewer.
1276 3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
1277 1. or subparagraph 2.
1278 4. An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an
1279 incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or less
1280 fewer and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural
1281 or resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as
1282 rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress
1283 factors identified in paragraph (a) paragraph (c) and verified
1284 by the department.
1285
1286 For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined
1287 in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to
1288 s. 186.901.
1289 (3) REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and focusing
1290 the efforts and resources of state and regional agencies on the
1291 problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and community
1292 viability of Florida’s economically distressed rural
1293 communities, working with local governments, community-based
1294 organizations, and private organizations that have an interest
1295 in the growth and development of these communities to find ways
1296 to balance environmental and growth management issues with local
1297 needs.
1298 (6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
1299 following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy
1300 secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or
1301 organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency
1302 or organization:
1303 1. The Department of Transportation.
1304 2. The Department of Environmental Protection.
1305 3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
1306 4. The Department of State.
1307 5. The Department of Health.
1308 6. The Department of Children and Families.
1309 7. The Department of Corrections.
1310 8. The Department of Education.
1311 9. The Department of Juvenile Justice.
1312 10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
1313 11. Each water management district.
1314 12. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1315 13. VISIT Florida.
1316 14. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
1317 15. The Agency for Health Care Administration.
1318 16. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
1319 (b) An alternate for each designee must shall also be
1320 chosen, who must also be a deputy secretary or higher-level
1321 staff person, and the names of the designees and alternates must
1322 shall be reported sent to the director of the Office of Rural
1323 Prosperity. At least one rural liaison from each regional rural
1324 community liaison center must participate in the REDI meetings
1325 Secretary of Commerce.
1326 (c) REDI shall meet at least each month, but may meet more
1327 often as necessary. Each REDI representative, or his or her
1328 designee, shall be physically present or available by means of
1329 electronic communication for each meeting.
1330 (d)(b) Each REDI representative must have comprehensive
1331 knowledge of his or her agency’s functions, both regulatory and
1332 service in nature, and of the state’s economic goals, policies,
1333 and programs. This person shall be the primary point of contact
1334 for his or her agency with REDI on issues and projects relating
1335 to economically distressed rural communities and with regard to
1336 expediting project review, shall ensure a prompt effective
1337 response to problems arising with regard to rural issues, and
1338 shall work closely with the other REDI representatives in the
1339 identification of opportunities for preferential awards of
1340 program funds, contractual or other agreement provisions which
1341 meet the requirements of s. 215.971, and allowances and waiver
1342 of program requirements when necessary to encourage and
1343 facilitate long-term private capital investment and job
1344 creation.
1345 (e)(c) The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the
1346 review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact
1347 on rural communities and the development of alternative
1348 proposals to mitigate that impact.
1349 (f)(d) Each REDI representative shall be responsible for
1350 ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her
1351 agency is informed quarterly about the Rural Economic
1352 Development Initiative and for providing assistance throughout
1353 the agency in the implementation of REDI activities.
1354 (7)
1355 (c) Each rural area of opportunity may designate catalyst
1356 projects, provided that each catalyst project is specifically
1357 recommended by REDI and confirmed as a catalyst project by the
1358 department. All state agencies and departments shall use all
1359 available tools and resources to the extent permissible by law
1360 to promote the creation and development of each catalyst project
1361 and the development of catalyst sites.
1362 (8) REDI shall submit a report to the Office of Rural
1363 Prosperity department on all REDI activities for the previous
1364 fiscal year as a supplement to the office’s department’s annual
1365 report required under s. 288.013 s. 20.60. This supplementary
1366 report must include:
1367 (a) A status report on every project all projects currently
1368 being coordinated through REDI, the number of preferential
1369 awards and allowances made pursuant to this section in detail by
1370 award, allowance, or match type, the dollar amount of such
1371 awards, and the names of the recipients.
1372 (b) A description of all waivers of program requirements
1373 granted, including a list by program of each waiver that was
1374 granted. If waivers were requested but were not granted, a list
1375 of ungranted waivers, including reasons why the waivers were not
1376 granted, must be included.
1377 (c) Detailed information as to the economic impact of the
1378 projects coordinated by REDI.
1379 (d) Recommendations based on the review and evaluation of
1380 statutes and rules having an adverse impact on rural communities
1381 and proposals to mitigate such adverse impacts.
1382 (e) Legislative recommendations for statutory waivers or
1383 reductions of specified economic development program
1384 requirements, including financial match waivers or reductions,
1385 for applicants within rural areas of opportunity.
1386 (f) Outcomes of proposals submitted pursuant to s. 288.019.
1387 Section 20. Section 288.06561, Florida Statutes, is
1388 repealed.
1389 Section 21. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section
1390 288.0657, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1391 288.0657 Florida rural economic development strategy
1392 grants.—
1393 (2) The Office of Rural Prosperity shall provide department
1394 may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the department
1395 for providing grants to assist rural communities to develop and
1396 implement strategic economic development plans. Grants may be
1397 provided to assist with costs associated with marketing a site
1398 to business and site selectors for an economic development
1399 project that is part of an economic development plan, either as
1400 part of funding to develop and implement a plan or related to an
1401 already adopted plan.
1402 (3) A rural community, an economic development organization
1403 in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at
1404 least one rural community or such economic development
1405 organizations may apply for such grants. The rural liaison for
1406 the rural community shall assist those applying for such grants.
1407 (4) The office department shall establish criteria for
1408 reviewing grant applications. These criteria must shall include,
1409 but are not limited to, the degree of participation and
1410 commitment by the local community and the application’s
1411 consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application’s
1412 proposal to ensure such consistency. Grants for marketing may
1413 include funding for advertising campaign materials and costs
1414 associated with meetings, trade missions, and professional
1415 development affiliated with site preparation and marketing. The
1416 office department shall review each application for a grant. The
1417 department may approve grants only to the extent that funds are
1418 appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.
1419 Section 22. Paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of section
1420 288.1226, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1421 288.1226 Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation;
1422 use of property; board of directors; duties; audit.—
1423 (13) FOUR-YEAR MARKETING PLAN.—
1424 (a) The corporation shall, in collaboration with the
1425 department, develop a 4-year marketing plan. At a minimum, the
1426 marketing plan must discuss the following:
1427 1. Continuation of overall tourism growth in this state.
1428 2. Expansion to new or under-represented tourist markets.
1429 3. Maintenance of traditional and loyal tourist markets.
1430 4. Coordination of efforts with county destination
1431 marketing organizations, other local government marketing
1432 groups, privately owned attractions and destinations, and other
1433 private sector partners to create a seamless, four-season
1434 advertising campaign for the state and its regions.
1435 5. Development of innovative techniques or promotions to
1436 build repeat visitation by targeted segments of the tourist
1437 population.
1438 6. Consideration of innovative sources of state funding for
1439 tourism marketing.
1440 7. Promotion of nature-based tourism, including, but not
1441 limited to, promotion of the Florida Greenways and Trails System
1442 as described under s. 260.014 and the Florida Shared-Use
1443 Nonmotorized Trail Network as described under s. 339.81.
1444 8. Coordination of efforts with the Office of Greenways and
1445 Trails of the Department of Environmental Protection and the
1446 department to promote and assist local communities, including,
1447 but not limited to, communities designated as trail towns by the
1448 Office of Greenways and Trails, to maximize use of nearby trails
1449 as economic assets, including specific promotion of trail-based
1450 tourism.
1451 9. Promotion of heritage tourism.
1452 10. Development of a component to address emergency
1453 response to natural and manmade disasters from a marketing
1454 standpoint.
1455 11. Provision of appropriate marketing assistance resources
1456 to small, rural, and agritourism businesses located in this
1457 state. Such resources may include, but are not limited to,
1458 marketing plans, marketing assistance, promotional support,
1459 media development, technical expertise, marketing advice,
1460 technology training, and social marketing support.
1461 Section 23. Section 288.12266, Florida Statutes, is
1462 repealed.
1463 Section 24. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
1464 (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (4) of section 288.9961, Florida
1465 Statutes, are amended, and subsections (6) and (7) are added to
1466 that section, to read:
1467 288.9961 Promotion of broadband adoption; Florida Office of
1468 Broadband.—
1469 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
1470 (f) “Underserved” means a geographic area of this state in
1471 which there is no provider of broadband Internet service that
1472 offers a connection to the Internet with a capacity for
1473 transmission at a consistent speed of at least 100 megabits per
1474 second downstream and at least 20 10 megabits per second
1475 upstream.
1476 (4) FLORIDA OFFICE OF BROADBAND.—The Florida Office of
1477 Broadband is created within the Division of Community
1478 Development in the department for the purpose of developing,
1479 marketing, and promoting broadband Internet services in this
1480 state. The office, in the performance of its duties, shall do
1481 all of the following:
1482 (a) Create a strategic plan that has goals and strategies
1483 for increasing and improving the availability of, access to, and
1484 use of broadband Internet service in this state. In development
1485 of the plan, the department shall incorporate applicable federal
1486 broadband activities, including any efforts or initiatives of
1487 the Federal Communications Commission, to improve broadband
1488 Internet service in this state. The plan must identify available
1489 federal funding sources for the expansion or improvement of
1490 broadband. The strategic plan must be submitted to the Governor,
1491 the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
1492 Representatives by June 30, 2022. The strategic plan must be
1493 updated biennially thereafter. The plan must include a process
1494 to review and verify public input regarding transmission speeds
1495 and availability of broadband Internet service throughout this
1496 state. The office shall consult with each regional rural
1497 community liaison center within the Office of Rural Prosperity
1498 on the development and update of the plan.
1499 (b) Build and facilitate local technology planning teams or
1500 partnerships with members representing cross-sections of the
1501 community, which may include, but are not limited to,
1502 representatives from the following organizations and industries:
1503 libraries, K-12 education, colleges and universities, local
1504 health care providers, private businesses, community
1505 organizations, economic development organizations, local
1506 governments, tourism, parks and recreation, and agriculture. The
1507 local technology planning teams or partnerships shall work with
1508 rural communities to help the communities understand their
1509 current broadband availability, locate unserved and underserved
1510 businesses and residents, identify assets relevant to broadband
1511 deployment, build partnerships with broadband service providers,
1512 and identify opportunities to leverage assets and reduce
1513 barriers to the deployment of broadband Internet services in the
1514 community. The teams or partnerships must be proactive in rural
1515 communities as defined in s. 288.0656 fiscally constrained
1516 counties in identifying and providing assistance, in
1517 coordination with the regional rural community liaison centers
1518 within the Office of Rural Prosperity, with applying for federal
1519 grants for broadband Internet service.
1520 (c) Provide technical and planning assistance to rural
1521 communities in coordination with the regional rural community
1522 liaison centers within the Office of Rural Prosperity.
1523 (6) The office shall submit to the Governor, the President
1524 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
1525 quarterly report detailing the implementation of broadband
1526 activities in rural, unserved, and underserved communities. Such
1527 information must be listed by county and include the amount of
1528 state and federal funds allocated and expended in the county by
1529 program; the progress toward deploying broadband in the county;
1530 any technical assistance provided; the activities of the local
1531 technology planning teams and partnerships; and the fulfillment
1532 of any other duties of the office required by this part.
1533 (7) By December 31 each year, the office shall submit to
1534 the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
1535 the House of Representatives an annual report on the office’s
1536 operations and accomplishments for that calendar year and the
1537 status of broadband Internet service access and use in this
1538 state. The report must also incorporate the quarterly reports on
1539 rural, unserved, and underserved communities required by
1540 subsection (6).
1541 Section 25. Section 290.06561, Florida Statutes, is
1542 repealed.
1543 Section 26. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
1544 319.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1545 319.32 Fees; service charges; disposition.—
1546 (5)(a) Forty-seven dollars of each fee collected, except
1547 for fees charged on a certificate of title for a motor vehicle
1548 for hire registered under s. 320.08(6), for each applicable
1549 original certificate of title and each applicable duplicate copy
1550 of a certificate of title shall be deposited as follows: into
1551 the State Transportation Trust Fund. Deposits to the State
1552 Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph may not
1553 exceed $200 million in any fiscal year, and from any collections
1554 in excess of that amount during the fiscal year,
1555 1. The first $30 million collected shall be deposited into
1556 the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund;, and
1557 2. Any remaining collections shall be paid into the State
1558 Transportation Trust General Revenue Fund.
1559 Section 27. Subsection (37) is added to section 334.044,
1560 Florida Statutes, to read:
1561 334.044 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
1562 shall have the following general powers and duties:
1563 (37) To provide technical assistance and support from the
1564 appropriate district of the department to counties that are not
1565 located in a metropolitan planning organization created pursuant
1566 to s. 339.175.
1567 Section 28. Section 339.0801, Florida Statutes, is amended
1568 to read:
1569 339.0801 Allocation of increased revenues derived from
1570 amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) by ch. 2012-128.—
1571 (1) The first $200 million of funds that result from
1572 increased revenues to the State Transportation Trust Fund
1573 derived from the amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) made by s. 11,
1574 chapter 2012-128, Laws of Florida, this act must be used
1575 annually, first as set forth in paragraph (a) subsection (1) and
1576 then as set forth in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) subsections
1577 (2)-(4), notwithstanding any other provision of law:
1578 (a)1.(1)(a) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and
1579 annually for 30 years thereafter, $10 million shall be for the
1580 purpose of funding any seaport project identified in the adopted
1581 work program of the Department of Transportation, to be known as
1582 the Seaport Investment Program.
1583 2.(b) The revenues may be assigned, pledged, or set aside
1584 as a trust for the payment of principal or interest on revenue
1585 bonds, or other forms of indebtedness issued by an individual
1586 port or appropriate local government having jurisdiction
1587 thereof, or collectively by interlocal agreement among any of
1588 the ports, or used to purchase credit support to permit such
1589 borrowings. Alternatively, revenue bonds shall be issued by the
1590 Division of Bond Finance at the request of the Department of
1591 Transportation under the State Bond Act and shall be secured by
1592 such revenues as are provided in this subsection.
1593 3.(c) Revenue bonds or other indebtedness issued hereunder
1594 are not a general obligation of the state and are secured solely
1595 by a first lien on the revenues distributed under this
1596 subsection.
1597 4.(d) The state covenants with holders of the revenue bonds
1598 or other instruments of indebtedness issued pursuant to this
1599 subsection that it will not repeal this subsection; nor take any
1600 other action, including but not limited to amending this
1601 subsection, that will materially and adversely affect the rights
1602 of such holders so long as revenue bonds or other indebtedness
1603 authorized by this subsection are outstanding.
1604 5.(e) The proceeds of any revenue bonds or other
1605 indebtedness, after payment of costs of issuance and
1606 establishment of any required reserves, shall be invested in
1607 projects approved by the Department of Transportation and
1608 included in the department’s adopted work program, by amendment
1609 if necessary. As required under s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State
1610 Constitution, the Legislature approves projects included in the
1611 department’s adopted work program, including any projects added
1612 to the work program by amendment under s. 339.135(7).
1613 6.(f) Any revenues that are not used for the payment of
1614 bonds as authorized by this subsection may be used for purposes
1615 authorized under the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
1616 Development Program. This revenue source is in addition to any
1617 amounts provided for and appropriated in accordance with ss.
1618 311.07 and 320.20(3) and (4).
1619 (b)(2) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
1620 thereafter, $10 million shall be transferred to the
1621 Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund, to be used as specified
1622 in s. 427.0159.
1623 (c)(3) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
1624 thereafter, $10 million shall be allocated to the Small County
1625 Outreach Program to be used as specified in s. 339.2818. These
1626 funds are in addition to the funds provided for the program
1627 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)2.
1628 (d)(4) After the distributions required pursuant to
1629 paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) subsections (1)-(3), the remaining
1630 funds shall be used annually for transportation projects within
1631 this state for existing or planned strategic transportation
1632 projects which connect major markets within this state or
1633 between this state and other states, which focus on job
1634 creation, and which increase this state’s viability in the
1635 national and global markets.
1636 (2) The remaining funds that result from increased revenue
1637 to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived pursuant to s.
1638 319.32(5)(a) must be used annually, notwithstanding any other
1639 law, beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and annually
1640 thereafter, for the Small County Road Assistance Program as
1641 prescribed in s. 339.2816.
1642 (3)(5) Pursuant to s. 339.135(7), the department shall
1643 amend the work program to add the projects provided for in this
1644 section.
1645 Section 29. Subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection
1646 (4) of section 339.2816, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
1647 paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of that section is reenacted, to
1648 read:
1649 339.2816 Small County Road Assistance Program.—
1650 (3) Beginning with fiscal year 1999-2000 until fiscal year
1651 2009-2010, and beginning again with fiscal year 2012-2013, up to
1652 $25 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund
1653 must may be used for the purposes of funding the Small County
1654 Road Assistance Program as described in this section. In
1655 addition, beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026, the department
1656 must use the additional revenues allocated by s. 339.0801 for
1657 the Small County Road Assistance Program.
1658 (4)(a) Small counties shall be eligible to compete for
1659 funds that have been designated for the Small County Road
1660 Assistance Program for resurfacing or reconstruction projects on
1661 county roads that were part of the county road system on June
1662 10, 1995. Capacity improvements on county roads are shall not be
1663 eligible for funding under the program unless a safety issue
1664 exists or the department finds it necessary to widen existing
1665 lanes as part of a resurfacing or reconstruction project.
1666 (c) The following criteria must be used to prioritize road
1667 projects for funding under the program:
1668 1. The primary criterion is the physical condition of the
1669 road as measured by the department.
1670 2. As secondary criteria the department may consider:
1671 a. Whether a road is used as an evacuation route.
1672 b. Whether a road has high levels of agricultural travel.
1673 c. Whether a road is considered a major arterial route.
1674 d. Whether a road is considered a feeder road.
1675 e. Whether a road is located in a fiscally constrained
1676 county, as defined in s. 218.67(1).
1677 f. Other criteria related to the impact of a project on the
1678 public road system or on the state or local economy as
1679 determined by the department.
1680 Section 30. Subsection (3) of section 339.2817, Florida
1681 Statutes, is amended, and a new subsection (6) is added to that
1682 section, to read:
1683 339.2817 County Incentive Grant Program.—
1684 (3) The department must consider, but is not limited to,
1685 the following criteria for evaluation of projects for County
1686 Incentive Grant Program assistance:
1687 (a) The extent to which the project will encourage,
1688 enhance, or create economic benefits;
1689 (b) The likelihood that assistance would enable the project
1690 to proceed at an earlier date than the project could otherwise
1691 proceed;
1692 (c) The extent to which assistance would foster innovative
1693 public-private partnerships and attract private debt or equity
1694 investment;
1695 (d) The extent to which the project uses new technologies,
1696 including intelligent transportation systems, which enhance the
1697 efficiency of the project;
1698 (e) The extent to which the project enhances connectivity
1699 between rural agricultural areas and market distribution
1700 centers;
1701 (f)(e) The extent to which the project helps to maintain or
1702 protect the environment; and
1703 (g)(f) The extent to which the project includes
1704 transportation benefits for improving intermodalism and safety.
1705 (6) A county located either wholly or partially within the
1706 Everglades Agricultural Area as defined in s. 373.4592(15) may,
1707 notwithstanding subsection (4), request 100 percent of project
1708 costs for eligible projects that meet the criteria established
1709 in paragraph (3)(e).
1710 Section 31. Subsections (1), (2), (3), (6), (7), and (8) of
1711 section 339.2818, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1712 339.2818 Small County Outreach Program.—
1713 (1) There is created within the department of
1714 Transportation the Small County Outreach Program. The purpose of
1715 this program is to assist small county governments in repairing
1716 or rehabilitating county bridges, paving unpaved roads,
1717 addressing road-related drainage improvements, resurfacing or
1718 reconstructing county roads, or constructing capacity or safety
1719 improvements to county roads.
1720 (2) For the purposes of this section, the term “small
1721 county” means any county that has a population of 200,000 or
1722 less as determined by the most recent official population census
1723 determination estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.
1724 (3) Funds allocated under this program, pursuant to s. 4,
1725 ch. 2000-257, Laws of Florida, are in addition to any funds
1726 provided pursuant to s. 339.2816, for the Small County Road
1727 Assistance Program.
1728 (5)(6) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund
1729 pursuant to ss. 201.15, 320.072, and 339.0801 s. 201.15 for the
1730 purposes of the Small County Outreach Program are hereby
1731 annually appropriated for expenditure to support the Small
1732 County Outreach Program.
1733 (6)(7) Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to
1734 funds annually appropriated for projects under this section, a
1735 municipality within a rural area of opportunity or a rural area
1736 of opportunity community designated under s. 288.0656(7)(a) may
1737 compete for the additional project funding using the criteria
1738 listed in subsection (3) (4) at up to 100 percent of project
1739 costs, excluding capacity improvement projects.
1740 (8) Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to
1741 funds appropriated for projects under this section, a local
1742 government either wholly or partially within the Everglades
1743 Agricultural Area as defined in s. 373.4592(15), the Peace River
1744 Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may compete for additional
1745 funding using the criteria listed in paragraph (4)(c) at up to
1746 100 percent of project costs on state or county roads used
1747 primarily as farm-to-market connections between rural
1748 agricultural areas and market distribution centers, excluding
1749 capacity improvement projects.
1750 Section 32. Section 339.68, Florida Statutes, is amended to
1751 read:
1752 (Substantial rewording of section.
1753 See s. 339.68, F.S., for present text.)
1754 339.68 Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program.—
1755 (1) The Legislature finds that increasing demands continue
1756 to be placed on rural arterial roads in this state by a fast
1757 growing economy, continued population growth, and increased
1758 tourism. Investment in the rural arterial roads of this state is
1759 needed to maintain the safety, mobility, reliability, and
1760 resiliency of the transportation system in order to support the
1761 movement of people, goods, and commodities; to enhance economic
1762 prosperity and competitiveness; and to enrich the quality of
1763 life of the rural communities and the environment of this state.
1764 (2) The Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program is
1765 created within the department to make capacity and safety
1766 improvements to two-lane arterial roads located in rural
1767 communities. For purposes of this section, the term “rural
1768 community” has the same meaning as provided in s. 288.0656.
1769 (3) Beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the department
1770 shall allocate from the State Transportation Trust Fund a
1771 minimum of $50 million in each fiscal year for purposes of
1772 funding the program. This funding is in addition to any other
1773 funding provided to the program by any other law.
1774 (4) The department shall use the following criteria to
1775 prioritize projects for funding under the program:
1776 (a) Whether the road has documented safety concerns or
1777 requires additional safety and design improvements. This may be
1778 evidenced by the number of fatalities or crashes per vehicle
1779 mile traveled.
1780 (b) Whether the road has or is projected to have a
1781 significant amount of truck tractor traffic as determined by the
1782 department. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “truck
1783 tractor” has the same meaning as in s. 320.01(11).
1784 (c) Whether the road is used to transport agricultural
1785 products and commodities from the farm to the market or other
1786 sale or distribution point.
1787 (d) Whether the road is used to transport goods to or from
1788 warehouses, distribution centers, or intermodal logistics
1789 centers as defined in s. 311.101(2).
1790 (e) Whether the road is used as an evacuation route.
1791 (f) Whether the physical condition of the road meets
1792 department standards.
1793 (g) Whether the road currently has, or is projected to have
1794 within the next 5 years, a level of service of D, E, or F.
1795 (h) Any other criteria related to the impact of a project
1796 on the public road system or on the state or local economy as
1797 determined by the department.
1798 (5) By January 1, 2027, and every 2 years thereafter, the
1799 department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the
1800 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report
1801 regarding the use and condition of arterial roads located in
1802 rural communities, which report must include the following:
1803 (a) A map of roads located in rural communities which are
1804 designated as arterial roads.
1805 (b) A needs assessment that must include, but is not
1806 limited to, consideration of infrastructure improvements to
1807 improve capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.
1808 (c) A synopsis of the department’s project prioritization
1809 process.
1810 (d) An estimate of the local and state economic impact of
1811 improving capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.
1812 (e) A listing of the arterial roads and the associated
1813 improvements to be included in the program and a schedule or
1814 timeline for the inclusion of such projects in the work program.
1815 Section 33. (1) The Department of Transportation shall
1816 allocate the additional funds provided by this act to implement
1817 the Small County Road Assistance Program as created by s.
1818 339.2816, Florida Statutes, and amend the current tentative work
1819 program for the 2025-2026 through 2031-2032 fiscal years to
1820 include additional projects. In addition, before adoption of the
1821 work program, the department shall submit a budget amendment
1822 pursuant to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes, requesting budget
1823 authority necessary to implement the additional projects.
1824 (2) The department shall allocate sufficient funds to
1825 implement the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program,
1826 develop a plan to expend the revenues as specified in s. 339.68,
1827 Florida Statutes, and, before its adoption, amend the current
1828 tentative work program for the 2025-2026 through 2031-2032
1829 fiscal years to include the program’s projects. In addition,
1830 before adoption of the work program, the department shall submit
1831 a budget amendment pursuant to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes,
1832 requesting budget authority necessary to implement the program
1833 as specified in s. 339.68, Florida Statutes.
1834 (3) Notwithstanding any other law, the increase in revenue
1835 to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived from the
1836 amendments to ss. 201.15 and 319.32, Florida Statutes, made by
1837 this act and deposited into the trust fund pursuant to ss.
1838 201.15 and 339.0801, Florida Statutes, shall be used by the
1839 department to fund the programs as specified in this section.
1840 Section 34. Paragraph (h) is added to subsection (2) of
1841 section 381.402, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (b) of
1842 subsection (3) of that section is amended, to read:
1843 381.402 Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical
1844 Education Program.—
1845 (2) The following licensed or certified health care
1846 practitioners are eligible to participate in the program:
1847 (h) Medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine who
1848 are board certified in emergency medicine and employed by or
1849 under contract with a rural hospital as defined in s.
1850 395.602(2)(b) or a rural emergency hospital as defined in s.
1851 395.607(1)(a) to provide medical care in the rural hospital’s or
1852 rural emergency hospital’s emergency department.
1853
1854 Primary care medical specialties for physicians include
1855 obstetrics, gynecology, general and family practice, geriatrics,
1856 internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and other specialties
1857 which may be identified by the Department of Health.
1858 (3) From the funds available, the Department of Health
1859 shall make payments as follows:
1860 (b) All payments are contingent on continued proof of:
1861 1.a. Primary care practice in a rural hospital as defined
1862 in s. 395.602(2)(b) or an underserved area designated by the
1863 Department of Health, provided the practitioner accepts Medicaid
1864 reimbursement if eligible for such reimbursement; or
1865 b. Emergency medicine practice in a rural hospital as
1866 defined in s. 395.602(2)(b) or rural emergency hospital as
1867 defined in s. 395.607(1)(a), provided the practitioner accepts
1868 Medicaid reimbursement if eligible for such reimbursement; or
1869 c.b. For practitioners other than physicians, practice in
1870 other settings, including, but not limited to, a nursing home
1871 facility as defined in s. 400.021, a home health agency as
1872 defined in s. 400.462, or an intermediate care facility for the
1873 developmentally disabled as defined in s. 400.960. Any such
1874 setting must be located in, or serve residents or patients in,
1875 an underserved area designated by the Department of Health and
1876 must provide services to Medicaid patients.
1877 2. Providing 25 hours annually of volunteer primary care
1878 services within the practitioner’s scope of practice in a free
1879 clinic as specified in s. 766.1115(3)(d)14. or through another
1880 volunteer program operated by the state pursuant to part IV of
1881 chapter 110 and approved by the department. In order to meet the
1882 requirements of this subparagraph, the volunteer hours must be
1883 verifiable in a manner determined by the department.
1884 Section 35. Section 381.403, Florida Statutes, is created
1885 to read:
1886 381.403 Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Care Grant
1887 Program.—The Legislature recognizes that access to primary and
1888 preventive health care is critical for the well-being of the
1889 residents of this state. The Legislature also recognizes that
1890 many rural areas of this state have significantly fewer
1891 available physicians, physician assistants, and autonomous
1892 advanced practice registered nurses who serve those areas. To
1893 increase the availability of health care in such underserved
1894 rural areas, there is created the Rural Access to Primary and
1895 Preventive Care Grant Program within the Department of Health to
1896 use grants to incentivize the creation or expansion of health
1897 care practices in those areas.
1898 (1) As used in this section, the term:
1899 (a) “Autonomous advanced practice registered nurse” means
1900 an advanced practice registered nurse who is registered under s.
1901 464.0123 to engage in autonomous practice.
1902 (b) “Majority ownership” means ownership of more than 50
1903 percent of the interests in a private practice.
1904 (c) “Physician” means a physician licensed under chapter
1905 458 or chapter 459.
1906 (d) “Physician assistant” means a physician assistant
1907 licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 to perform medical
1908 services delegated by a supervising physician.
1909 (e) “Preventive care” means routine health care services
1910 designed to prevent illness. The term includes, but is not
1911 limited to, general physical examinations provided on an annual
1912 basis, screenings for acute or chronic illnesses, and patient
1913 counseling to promote overall wellness and avoid the need for
1914 emergency services.
1915 (f) “Primary care” means health care services focused
1916 primarily on preventive care, wellness care, and treatment for
1917 common illnesses. The term may include the health care provider
1918 serving as a patient’s entry point into the overall health care
1919 system and coordinating a patient’s care among specialists or
1920 acute care settings. The term does not include elective services
1921 provided solely for cosmetic purposes.
1922 (g) “Program” means the Rural Access to Primary and
1923 Preventive Care Grant Program.
1924 (h) “Qualifying rural area” means a rural community as
1925 defined in s. 288.0657 in this state which is also designated as
1926 a health professional shortage area by the Health Resources and
1927 Services Administration of the United States Department of
1928 Health and Human Services.
1929 (2) The department shall award grants under the program to
1930 physicians, physician assistants, and autonomous advanced
1931 practice registered nurses who intend to open a new private
1932 practice in a qualifying rural area or who intend to open a new
1933 location within a qualifying rural area if the current private
1934 practice is located in a different county. To qualify for a
1935 grant, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
1936 (a) The practice must:
1937 1. Have majority ownership by physicians, physician
1938 assistants, or autonomous advanced practice registered nurses,
1939 or a combination thereof.
1940 2. Be physically located in a qualifying rural area and
1941 serve at that location patients who live in that qualifying
1942 rural area or in other nearby qualifying rural areas. The
1943 practice may also serve patients who reside outside of a
1944 qualifying rural area. While the practice may use telehealth to
1945 supplement the services provided at the location, the majority
1946 of services provided by the practice must be provided in-person
1947 at the physical location.
1948 3. Accept Medicaid patients.
1949 4. Provide services solely in primary care or preventative
1950 care, except that a physician, and any nurse licensed under
1951 chapter 464 or any physician assistant supervised by the
1952 physician, may provide services at the practice in primary care
1953 or preventative care, or services that are within the
1954 practitioner’s scope of practice based on the physician’s board
1955 certified specialty in obstetrics, gynecology, general and
1956 family practice, geriatrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, or
1957 psychiatry.
1958 (b) The owners of the practice must commit to providing the
1959 following information to the department on an annual basis, and
1960 upon request by the department, for the duration of the contract
1961 entered into pursuant to subsection (6):
1962 1. Deidentified patient encounter data.
1963 2. A detailed report on the use of grant funds until such
1964 funds are expended.
1965 (3) By March 1, 2026, the department shall create an
1966 application process for eligible physicians, physician
1967 assistants, and autonomous advanced practice registered nurses
1968 to apply for grants under the program. The application must
1969 require a detailed budget of anticipated use of grant funds and
1970 how the new or existing practice will meet the requirements of
1971 subsection (2). The department shall establish a ranking system
1972 to determine which applicants will be awarded grants if there
1973 are more applicants for the program than can be awarded grants
1974 with available appropriated funds.
1975 (4) Subject to specific appropriation, the department may
1976 award grants of up to $250,000 to eligible applicants. Only one
1977 grant may be awarded per practice. Grant funds awarded for
1978 establishing a new private practice or a new practice location
1979 may be used for any of the following expenses:
1980 (a) Facility construction, acquisition, renovation, or
1981 lease.
1982 (b) Purchasing medical equipment.
1983 (c) Purchasing or implementing information technology
1984 equipment or services.
1985 (d) Purchasing or implementing telehealth technology.
1986 (e) Training on the use of medical equipment, information
1987 technology, or telehealth technology implemented under paragraph
1988 (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (d), respectively.
1989 (5) Grant funds may not be used for any of the following:
1990 (a) Salaries.
1991 (b) Utilities.
1992 (c) Internet or telecommunications services other than
1993 those necessary for implementing telehealth technology under
1994 paragraph (4)(d).
1995 (d) Insurance.
1996 (e) Incidental maintenance and repairs.
1997 (f) Disposable medical supplies.
1998 (g) Medicines or vaccines.
1999 (h) Licensing or certification fees, including costs for
2000 continuing education other than training under paragraph (4)(e).
2001 (6) The department shall enter into a contract with each
2002 grant recipient which details the requirements for the
2003 expenditure of grant funds for that recipient. The contract must
2004 include, at a minimum, all of the following:
2005 (a) The purpose of the contract.
2006 (b) Specific performance standards and responsibilities for
2007 the recipient under the contract, including penalties for not
2008 meeting such performance standards and responsibilities.
2009 (c) A detailed project or contract budget, if applicable.
2010 (d) Reporting requirements for grant recipients to provide
2011 information to the department under paragraph (2)(b) as well as
2012 any additional information the department deems necessary for
2013 the administration of the program.
2014 (7) The department may adopt rules to implement the
2015 program.
2016 (8) Beginning July 1, 2026, and each year thereafter in
2017 which there are outstanding contracts with grant recipients
2018 under subsection (6), the department shall provide a report to
2019 the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
2020 the House of Representatives which includes, but need not be
2021 limited to, all of the following:
2022 (a) Each grant awarded, including the proposed uses for
2023 each grant.
2024 (b) The progress on each outstanding contract.
2025 (c) The number of patients residing in rural areas who were
2026 served by grant awardees.
2027 (d) The number of Medicaid recipients who were served by
2028 grant awardees.
2029 (e) The number and types of services provided during
2030 patient encounters in locations opened under the program.
2031 (f) The number of health care practitioners, delineated by
2032 licensure type, providing services in locations opened under the
2033 program.
2034 (9) This section is repealed July 1, 2035, unless reviewed
2035 and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
2036 Section 36. Section 381.9856, Florida Statutes, is created
2037 to read:
2038 381.9856 Stroke, Cardiac, and Obstetric Response and
2039 Education Grant Program.—
2040 (1) PROGRAM CREATION.—The Stroke, Cardiac, and Obstetric
2041 Response and Education (SCORE) Grant Program is created within
2042 the Department of Health.
2043 (2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program is to improve
2044 patient outcomes and the coordination of emergency medical care
2045 in rural communities by increasing access to high-quality
2046 stroke, cardiac, and obstetric care through the application of
2047 technology and innovative training, such as blended learning
2048 training programs. Blended learning training programs ensure
2049 that participants gain both the theoretical foundations of
2050 diagnosis and management as well as real-world clinical
2051 experience through scenario-based learning, ultimately enhancing
2052 decisionmaking and patient outcomes.
2053 (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
2054 (a) “Blended learning training program” means a structured
2055 educational model that uses blended learning methodologies,
2056 including simulation-based training, virtual reality, and
2057 distance learning technologies, in conjunction with hands-on
2058 instruction, such as simulation-based practice, and in-person
2059 skills sessions to provide comprehensive education.
2060 (b) “High-risk care provider” means a licensed health care
2061 facility or licensed ambulance service that regularly provides
2062 emergency or ongoing care to patients experiencing a stroke,
2063 heart attack, or pregnancy-related emergency.
2064 (c) “Rural community” has the same meaning as provided in
2065 s. 288.0657.
2066 (4) GRANT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—
2067 (a) The department shall award grants to high-risk care
2068 providers serving rural communities to accomplish at least one
2069 of the following initiatives:
2070 1. Implement a blended learning training program for health
2071 care providers in stroke care protocols and best practices.
2072 2. Purchase simulation equipment and technology for
2073 training.
2074 3. Establish telehealth capabilities between prehospital
2075 providers, such as paramedics or emergency medical technicians,
2076 and in-hospital providers, such as neurologists, to expedite
2077 emergency stroke care, emergency cardiac care, or emergency
2078 obstetric care.
2079 4. Develop quality improvement programs in one or more of
2080 the following specialty areas: emergency stroke care, emergency
2081 cardiac care, or emergency obstetric care.
2082 (b) Priority must be given to proposals that:
2083 1. Demonstrate collaboration between prehospital and in
2084 hospital providers; or
2085 2. Show potential for significant improvement in patient
2086 outcomes in rural communities.
2087 (5) FUNDING LIMITS; REPORTING.—
2088 (a) Individual grants may not exceed $100,000 per year.
2089 (b) Grant recipients must submit quarterly reports to the
2090 department documenting program activities, expenditures, and
2091 outcomes.
2092 (6) ADMINISTRATION.—The department shall monitor program
2093 implementation and outcomes. The department shall submit an
2094 annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
2095 the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of
2096 each year, detailing program implementation and outcomes.
2097 (7) RULEMAKING.—The department may adopt rules to implement
2098 this section.
2099 (8) IMPLEMENTATION.—This section may be implemented only to
2100 the extent specifically funded by legislative appropriation.
2101 (9) REPEAL.—This section is repealed July 1, 2030, unless
2102 reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the
2103 Legislature.
2104 Section 37. Subsection (2) of section 395.6061, Florida
2105 Statutes, is amended to read:
2106 395.6061 Rural hospital capital improvement.—There is
2107 established a rural hospital capital improvement grant program.
2108 (2)(a) Each rural hospital as defined in s. 395.602 shall
2109 receive a minimum of $100,000 annually, subject to legislative
2110 appropriation, upon application to the Department of Health, for
2111 projects to acquire, repair, improve, or upgrade systems,
2112 facilities, or equipment. Such projects may include, but are not
2113 limited to, the following:
2114 1. Establishing mobile care units to provide primary care
2115 services, behavioral health services, or obstetric and
2116 gynecological services in rural health professional shortage
2117 areas.
2118 2. Establishing telehealth kiosks to provide urgent care
2119 and primary care services remotely in rural health professional
2120 shortage areas.
2121 (b) As used in this subsection, the term:
2122 1. “Preventive care” means routine health care services
2123 designed to prevent illness. The term includes, but is not
2124 limited to, general physical examinations provided on an annual
2125 basis, screenings for acute or chronic illnesses, and patient
2126 counseling to promote overall wellness and avoid the need for
2127 emergency services.
2128 2. “Primary care” means health care services focused
2129 primarily on preventive care, wellness care, and treatment for
2130 common illnesses. The term may include the health care provider
2131 serving as a patient’s entry point into the overall health care
2132 system and coordinating a patient’s care among specialists or
2133 acute care settings. The term does not include elective services
2134 provided solely for cosmetic purposes.
2135 3. “Rural health professional shortage area” means a rural
2136 community as defined in s. 288.0657 which is also designated as
2137 a health professional shortage area by the Health Resources and
2138 Services Administration of the United States Department of
2139 Health and Human Services.
2140 Section 38. Subsection (3) of section 420.9073, Florida
2141 Statutes, is amended to read:
2142 420.9073 Local housing distributions.—
2143 (3) Calculation of guaranteed amounts:
2144 (a) The guaranteed amount under subsection (1) shall be
2145 calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $1 million
2146 $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
2147 funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2148 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and the denominator of which is the
2149 total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
2150 Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
2151 (b) The guaranteed amount under subsection (2) shall be
2152 calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $1 million
2153 $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
2154 funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2155 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) and the denominator of which is the
2156 total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
2157 Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
2158 Section 39. Paragraph (n) of subsection (5) of section
2159 420.9075, Florida Statutes, is amended, paragraph (o) is added
2160 to that subsection, and paragraph (b) of subsection (13) of that
2161 section is reenacted, to read:
2162 420.9075 Local housing assistance plans; partnerships.—
2163 (5) The following criteria apply to awards made to eligible
2164 sponsors or eligible persons for the purpose of providing
2165 eligible housing:
2166 (n) Funds from the local housing distribution not used to
2167 meet the criteria established in paragraph (a), or paragraph
2168 (c), or paragraph (o), or not used for the administration of a
2169 local housing assistance plan must be used for housing
2170 production and finance activities, including, but not limited
2171 to, financing preconstruction activities or the purchase of
2172 existing units, providing rental housing, and providing home
2173 ownership training to prospective home buyers and owners of
2174 homes assisted through the local housing assistance plan.
2175 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and
2176 (c), program income as defined in s. 420.9071(26) may also be
2177 used to fund activities described in this paragraph.
2178 2. When preconstruction due-diligence activities conducted
2179 as part of a preservation strategy show that preservation of the
2180 units is not feasible and will not result in the production of
2181 an eligible unit, such costs shall be deemed a program expense
2182 rather than an administrative expense if such program expenses
2183 do not exceed 3 percent of the annual local housing
2184 distribution.
2185 3. If both an award under the local housing assistance plan
2186 and federal low-income housing tax credits are used to assist a
2187 project and there is a conflict between the criteria prescribed
2188 in this subsection and the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal
2189 Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the county or eligible
2190 municipality may resolve the conflict by giving precedence to
2191 the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
2192 as amended, in lieu of following the criteria prescribed in this
2193 subsection with the exception of paragraphs (a) and (g) of this
2194 subsection.
2195 4. Each county and each eligible municipality may award
2196 funds as a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or repair as
2197 part of disaster recovery or emergency repairs or to remedy
2198 accessibility or health and safety deficiencies. Any other
2199 grants must be approved as part of the local housing assistance
2200 plan.
2201 (o) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c), up to 25
2202 percent of the funds made available in each county and eligible
2203 municipality from the local housing distribution may be used to
2204 preserve multifamily affordable rental housing funded through
2205 United States Department of Agriculture loans. These funds may
2206 be used to rehabilitate housing, extend affordability periods,
2207 or acquire or transfer properties in partnership with private
2208 organizations. This paragraph expires on June 30, 2031.
2209 (13)
2210 (b) If, as a result of its review of the annual report, the
2211 corporation determines that a county or eligible municipality
2212 has failed to implement a local housing incentive strategy, or,
2213 if applicable, a local housing incentive plan, it shall send a
2214 notice of termination of the local government’s share of the
2215 local housing distribution by certified mail to the affected
2216 county or eligible municipality.
2217 1. The notice must specify a date of termination of the
2218 funding if the affected county or eligible municipality does not
2219 implement the plan or strategy and provide for a local response.
2220 A county or eligible municipality shall respond to the
2221 corporation within 30 days after receipt of the notice of
2222 termination.
2223 2. The corporation shall consider the local response that
2224 extenuating circumstances precluded implementation and grant an
2225 extension to the timeframe for implementation. Such an extension
2226 shall be made in the form of an extension agreement that
2227 provides a timeframe for implementation. The chief elected
2228 official of a county or eligible municipality or his or her
2229 designee shall have the authority to enter into the agreement on
2230 behalf of the local government.
2231 3. If the county or the eligible municipality has not
2232 implemented the incentive strategy or entered into an extension
2233 agreement by the termination date specified in the notice, the
2234 local housing distribution share terminates, and any uncommitted
2235 local housing distribution funds held by the affected county or
2236 eligible municipality in its local housing assistance trust fund
2237 shall be transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2238 to the credit of the corporation to administer.
2239 4.a. If the affected local government fails to meet the
2240 timeframes specified in the agreement, the corporation shall
2241 terminate funds. The corporation shall send a notice of
2242 termination of the local government’s share of the local housing
2243 distribution by certified mail to the affected local government.
2244 The notice shall specify the termination date, and any
2245 uncommitted funds held by the affected local government shall be
2246 transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to the
2247 credit of the corporation to administer.
2248 b. If the corporation terminates funds to a county, but an
2249 eligible municipality receiving a local housing distribution
2250 pursuant to an interlocal agreement maintains compliance with
2251 program requirements, the corporation shall thereafter
2252 distribute directly to the participating eligible municipality
2253 its share calculated in the manner provided in ss. 420.9072 and
2254 420.9073.
2255 c. Any county or eligible municipality whose local
2256 distribution share has been terminated may subsequently elect to
2257 receive directly its local distribution share by adopting the
2258 ordinance, resolution, and local housing assistance plan in the
2259 manner and according to the procedures provided in ss. 420.907
2260 420.9079.
2261 Section 40. Subsections (1), (2), and (5) of section
2262 1001.451, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
2263 added to that section, to read:
2264 1001.451 Regional consortium service organizations.—In
2265 order to provide a full range of programs to larger numbers of
2266 students, minimize duplication of services, and encourage the
2267 development of new programs and services:
2268 (1) School districts with 20,000 or fewer unweighted full
2269 time equivalent students, developmental research (laboratory)
2270 schools established pursuant to s. 1002.32, and the Florida
2271 School for the Deaf and the Blind may enter into cooperative
2272 agreements to form a regional consortium service organization.
2273 Each regional consortium service organization shall provide any
2274 of, at a minimum, three of the following services determined
2275 necessary and appropriate by the board of directors:
2276 (a) Exceptional student education;
2277 (b) Safe schools support teacher education centers;
2278 environmental education;
2279 (c) State and federal grant procurement and coordination;
2280 (d) Data services processing; health
2281 (e) Insurance services;
2282 (f) Risk management insurance;
2283 (g) Professional learning;
2284 (h) College, career, and workforce development;
2285 (i) Business and operational services staff development;
2286 (j) Purchasing; or
2287 (k) Planning and accountability.
2288 (2)(a) Each regional consortium service organization that
2289 consists of four or more school districts is eligible to
2290 receive, through the Department of Education, subject to the
2291 funds provided in the General Appropriations Act, an allocation
2292 incentive grant of $150,000 $50,000 per school district and
2293 eligible member to be used for the delivery of services within
2294 the participating school districts. The determination of
2295 services and use of such funds must shall be established by the
2296 board of directors of the regional consortium service
2297 organization. The funds must shall be distributed to each
2298 regional consortium service organization no later than 30 days
2299 following the release of the funds to the department. Each
2300 regional consortium service organization shall submit an annual
2301 report to the department regarding the use of funds for
2302 consortia services. Unexpended amounts in any fund in a
2303 consortium’s current year operating budget must be carried
2304 forward and included as the balance forward for that fund in the
2305 approved operating budget for the following year. Each regional
2306 consortium service organization shall provide quarterly
2307 financial reports to member districts.
2308 (b) Member districts shall designate a district that will
2309 serve as a fiscal agent for contractual and reporting purposes.
2310 Such fiscal agent district is entitled to reasonable
2311 compensation for accounting and other services performed. The
2312 regional consortium service organization shall retain all funds
2313 received from grants or contracted services to cover indirect or
2314 administrative costs associated with the provision of such
2315 services. The regional consortium service organization board of
2316 directors shall determine the products and services to be
2317 provided by the consortium; however, in all contractual matters,
2318 the school board of the fiscal agent district shall act on
2319 proposed actions of the regional consortium service
2320 organization.
2321 (c) The regional consortium service organization board of
2322 directors shall recommend establishment of positions and
2323 individuals for appointment to the fiscal agent district.
2324 Personnel must be employed under the personnel policies of the
2325 fiscal agent district and are deemed to be public employees of
2326 the fiscal agent district. The regional consortium service
2327 organization board of directors may recommend a salary schedule
2328 and job descriptions specific to its personnel.
2329 (d) The regional consortium service organization may
2330 purchase or lease property and facilities essential for its
2331 operations and is responsible for their maintenance and
2332 associated overhead costs.
2333 (e) If a regional consortium service organization is
2334 dissolved, any revenue from the sale of assets must be
2335 distributed among the member districts as determined by the
2336 board of directors Application for incentive grants shall be
2337 made to the Commissioner of Education by July 30 of each year
2338 for distribution to qualifying regional consortium service
2339 organizations by January 1 of the fiscal year.
2340 (5) The board of directors of a regional consortium service
2341 organization may use various means to generate revenue in
2342 support of its activities, including, but not limited to,
2343 contracting for services to nonmember districts. The board of
2344 directors may acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents,
2345 copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses and associated other
2346 rights or interests thereunder or therein. Ownership of all such
2347 patents, copyrights, trademarks, licenses, and associated rights
2348 or interests thereunder or therein shall vest in the state, with
2349 the board of directors having full right of use and full right
2350 to retain associated the revenues derived therefrom. Any funds
2351 realized from contracted services, patents, copyrights,
2352 trademarks, or licenses are shall be considered internal funds
2353 as provided in s. 1011.07. A fund balance must be established
2354 for maintaining or expanding services, facilities maintenance,
2355 terminal pay, and other liabilities Such funds shall be used to
2356 support the organization’s marketing and research and
2357 development activities in order to improve and increase services
2358 to its member districts.
2359 (6) A regional consortium service organization is
2360 authorized to administer the Regional Consortia Service
2361 Organization Supplemental Services Program under s. 1001.4511.
2362 Section 41. Section 1001.4511, Florida Statutes, is created
2363 to read:
2364 1001.4511 Regional Consortia Service Organization
2365 Supplemental Services Program.—
2366 (1) There is created the Regional Consortia Service
2367 Organization Supplemental Services Program to increase the
2368 ability of regional consortium service organizations under s.
2369 1001.451 to provide programs and services to consortia members
2370 through cooperative agreements. Program funds may be used to
2371 supplement member needs related to transportation; district
2372 finance personnel services; property insurance, including
2373 property insurance obtained from any source; cybersecurity
2374 support; school safety; college, career, and workforce
2375 development; academic support; and behavior support within
2376 exceptional student education services.
2377 (2) Each regional consortium service organization shall
2378 annually report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker
2379 of the House of Representatives the distribution of funds,
2380 including members awarded and services provided.
2381 (3) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351,
2382 funds allocated for this purpose which are not disbursed by June
2383 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are allocated may be
2384 carried forward for up to 5 years after the effective date of
2385 the original appropriation.
2386 Section 42. Section 1009.635, Florida Statutes, is created
2387 to read:
2388 1009.635 Rural Incentive for Professional Educators.—
2389 (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Rural Incentive for Professional
2390 Educators (RIPE) Program is established within the Department of
2391 Education to support the recruitment and retention of qualified
2392 instructional personnel in rural communities. The program shall
2393 provide financial assistance for the repayment of student loans
2394 for eligible participants who establish permanent residency and
2395 employment in rural areas of opportunity.
2396 (2) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible to participate
2397 in the RIPE Program if he or she does all of the following:
2398 (a) Establishes permanent residency on or after July 1,
2399 2025, in a rural area of opportunity as designated pursuant to
2400 s. 288.0656. The address on an individual’s state-issued
2401 identification card or driver license is evidence of residence.
2402 (b) Secures full-time employment as a teacher or
2403 administrator in a private school as defined in s. 1002.01, or
2404 as instructional or administrative personnel as those terms are
2405 defined in s. 1012.01(2) and (3), respectively, in the public
2406 school district located within the same rural area of
2407 opportunity as he or she resides.
2408 (c) Holds an associate degree, bachelor’s degree,
2409 postgraduate degree, or certificate from an accredited
2410 institution earned before establishing residency.
2411 (d) Has an active student loan balance incurred for the
2412 completion of the qualifying degree or certificate.
2413 (3) LOAN REPAYMENT.—Eligible participants may receive up to
2414 $15,000 in total student loan repayment assistance over 5 years,
2415 disbursed in annual payments not to exceed $3,000 per year.
2416 Payments shall be made directly to the lender servicing the
2417 participant’s student loan.
2418 (4) AWARD DISTRIBUTION.—Before disbursement of an award,
2419 the department shall verify that the participant:
2420 (a) Has maintained continuous employment with the school
2421 district in an instructional or administrative position;
2422 (b) Has received a rating of effective or highly effective
2423 pursuant to s. 1012.34; and
2424 (c) Has not been placed on probation, had his or her
2425 certificate suspended or revoked, or been placed on the
2426 disqualification list, pursuant to s. 1012.796.
2427 (5) ADMINISTRATION.—The program shall be administered by
2428 the Office of Student Financial Assistance within the Department
2429 of Education, which shall:
2430 (a) Develop application procedures requiring documentation,
2431 including proof of residency, verification of employment,
2432 official academic transcripts, and details of outstanding
2433 student loans.
2434 (b) Monitor compliance with program requirements.
2435 (6) RULEMAKING.—The State Board of Education shall adopt
2436 rules no later than January 31, 2026, to administer this
2437 section.
2438 Section 43. Subsection (3) of section 1013.62, Florida
2439 Statutes, is amended to read:
2440 1013.62 Charter schools capital outlay funding.—
2441 (3) If the school board levies the discretionary millage
2442 authorized in s. 1011.71(2), the department must shall use the
2443 following calculation methodology to determine the amount of
2444 revenue that a school district must distribute to each eligible
2445 charter school:
2446 (a) Reduce the total discretionary millage revenue by the
2447 school district’s annual debt service obligation incurred as of
2448 March 1, 2017, which has not been subsequently retired, and:
2449 1. Beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, for any district
2450 with an active project or an outstanding participation
2451 requirement balance, any amount of participation requirement
2452 pursuant to s. 1013.64(2)(a)8. that is being satisfied by
2453 revenues raised by the discretionary millage; or
2454 2. For construction projects for which Special Facilities
2455 Construction Account funding is sought beginning in the 2025
2456 2026 fiscal year, the value of 1 mill from the revenue generated
2457 pursuant to s. 1013.64(2)(a)8.b.
2458 (b) Divide the school district’s adjusted discretionary
2459 millage revenue by the district’s total capital outlay full-time
2460 equivalent membership and the total number of full-time
2461 equivalent students of each eligible charter school to determine
2462 a capital outlay allocation per full-time equivalent student.
2463 (c) Multiply the capital outlay allocation per full-time
2464 equivalent student by the total number of full-time equivalent
2465 students of each eligible charter school to determine the
2466 capital outlay allocation for each charter school.
2467 (d) If applicable, reduce the capital outlay allocation
2468 identified in paragraph (c) by the total amount of state funds
2469 allocated to each eligible charter school in subsection (2) to
2470 determine the maximum calculated capital outlay allocation. The
2471 amount of funds a school district must distribute to charter
2472 schools shall be as follows:
2473 1. For fiscal year 2023-2024, the amount is 20 percent of
2474 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2475 2. For fiscal year 2024-2025, the amount is 40 percent of
2476 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2477 3. For fiscal year 2025-2026, the amount is 60 percent of
2478 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2479 4. For fiscal year 2026-2027, the amount is 80 percent of
2480 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2481 5. For fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year
2482 thereafter, the amount is 100 percent of the amount calculated
2483 under this paragraph.
2484 (e) School districts shall distribute capital outlay funds
2485 to eligible charter schools no later than February 1 of each
2486 year, as required by this subsection, based on the amount of
2487 funds received by the district school board. School districts
2488 shall distribute any remaining capital outlay funds, as required
2489 by this subsection, upon the receipt of such funds until the
2490 total amount calculated pursuant to this subsection is
2491 distributed.
2492
2493 By October 1 of each year, each school district shall certify to
2494 the department the amount of debt service that and participation
2495 requirement that complies with the requirement of paragraph (a)
2496 and can be reduced from the total discretionary millage revenue.
2497 Each school district shall also certify the amount of the
2498 participation requirement that complies with paragraph (a), or
2499 certify the value of 1 mill from revenue generated pursuant to
2500 s. 1013.64(2)(a)8.b. that can be reduced from the total
2501 discretionary millage revenue, as applicable. The Auditor
2502 General shall verify compliance with the requirements of
2503 paragraph (a) and s. 1011.71(2)(e) during scheduled operational
2504 audits of school districts.
2505 Section 44. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
2506 1013.64, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2507 1013.64 Funds for comprehensive educational plant needs;
2508 construction cost maximums for school district capital
2509 projects.—Allocations from the Public Education Capital Outlay
2510 and Debt Service Trust Fund to the various boards for capital
2511 outlay projects shall be determined as follows:
2512 (2)(a) The department shall establish, as a part of the
2513 Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund, a
2514 separate account, in an amount determined by the Legislature, to
2515 be known as the “Special Facility Construction Account.” The
2516 Special Facility Construction Account shall be used to provide
2517 necessary construction funds to school districts which have
2518 urgent construction needs but which lack sufficient resources at
2519 present, and cannot reasonably anticipate sufficient resources
2520 within the period of the next 3 years, for these purposes from
2521 currently authorized sources of capital outlay revenue. A school
2522 district requesting funding from the Special Facility
2523 Construction Account shall submit one specific construction
2524 project, not to exceed one complete educational plant, to the
2525 Special Facility Construction Committee. A district may not
2526 receive funding for more than one approved project in any 3-year
2527 period or while any portion of the district’s participation
2528 requirement is outstanding. The first year of the 3-year period
2529 shall be the first year a district receives an appropriation.
2530 The department shall encourage a construction program that
2531 reduces the average size of schools in the district. The request
2532 must meet the following criteria to be considered by the
2533 committee:
2534 1. The project must be deemed a critical need and must be
2535 recommended for funding by the Special Facility Construction
2536 Committee. Before developing construction plans for the proposed
2537 facility, the district school board must request a
2538 preapplication review by the Special Facility Construction
2539 Committee or a project review subcommittee convened by the chair
2540 of the committee to include two representatives of the
2541 department and two staff members from school districts not
2542 eligible to participate in the program. A school district may
2543 request a preapplication review at any time; however, if the
2544 district school board seeks inclusion in the department’s next
2545 annual capital outlay legislative budget request, the
2546 preapplication review request must be made before February 1.
2547 Within 90 days after receiving the preapplication review
2548 request, the committee or subcommittee must meet in the school
2549 district to review the project proposal and existing facilities.
2550 To determine whether the proposed project is a critical need,
2551 the committee or subcommittee shall consider, at a minimum, the
2552 capacity of all existing facilities within the district as
2553 determined by the Florida Inventory of School Houses; the
2554 district’s pattern of student growth; the district’s existing
2555 and projected capital outlay full-time equivalent student
2556 enrollment as determined by the demographic, revenue, and
2557 education estimating conferences established in s. 216.136; the
2558 district’s existing satisfactory student stations; the use of
2559 all existing district property and facilities; grade level
2560 configurations; and any other information that may affect the
2561 need for the proposed project.
2562 2. The construction project must be recommended in the most
2563 recent survey or survey amendment cooperatively prepared by the
2564 district and the department, and approved by the department
2565 under the rules of the State Board of Education. If a district
2566 employs a consultant in the preparation of a survey or survey
2567 amendment, the consultant may not be employed by or receive
2568 compensation from a third party that designs or constructs a
2569 project recommended by the survey.
2570 3. The construction project must appear on the district’s
2571 approved project priority list under the rules of the State
2572 Board of Education.
2573 4. The district must have selected and had approved a site
2574 for the construction project in compliance with s. 1013.36 and
2575 the rules of the State Board of Education.
2576 5. The district shall have developed a district school
2577 board adopted list of facilities that do not exceed the norm for
2578 net square feet occupancy requirements under the State
2579 Requirements for Educational Facilities, using all possible
2580 programmatic combinations for multiple use of space to obtain
2581 maximum daily use of all spaces within the facility under
2582 consideration.
2583 6. Upon construction, the total cost per student station,
2584 including change orders, must not exceed the cost per student
2585 station as provided in subsection (6) unless approved by the
2586 Special Facility Construction Committee. At the discretion of
2587 the committee, costs that exceed the cost per student station
2588 for special facilities may include legal and administrative
2589 fees, the cost of site improvements or related offsite
2590 improvements, the cost of complying with public shelter and
2591 hurricane hardening requirements, cost overruns created by a
2592 disaster as defined in s. 252.34(2), costs of security
2593 enhancements approved by the school safety specialist, and
2594 unforeseeable circumstances beyond the district’s control.
2595 7. There shall be an agreement signed by the district
2596 school board stating that it will advertise for bids within 30
2597 days of receipt of its encumbrance authorization from the
2598 department.
2599 8.a.(I) For construction projects for which Special
2600 Facilities Construction Account funding is sought before the
2601 2019-2020 fiscal year, the district shall, at the time of the
2602 request and for a continuing period necessary to meet the
2603 district’s participation requirement, levy the maximum millage
2604 against its nonexempt assessed property value as allowed in s.
2605 1011.71(2) or shall raise an equivalent amount of revenue from
2606 the school capital outlay surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).
2607 (II) Beginning with construction projects for which Special
2608 Facilities Construction Account funding is sought in the 2019
2609 2020 fiscal year, the district shall, for a minimum of 3 years
2610 before submitting the request and for a continuing period
2611 necessary to meet its participation requirement, levy the
2612 maximum millage against the district’s nonexempt assessed
2613 property value as authorized under s. 1011.71(2) or shall raise
2614 an equivalent amount of revenue from the school capital outlay
2615 surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).
2616 (III) Beginning with the 2025-2026 fiscal year, any
2617 district with an a new or active project or an outstanding
2618 participation requirement balance, funded under the provisions
2619 of this subsection, shall be required to budget no more than the
2620 value of 1 mill per year to the project until the district’s
2621 participation requirement relating to the local discretionary
2622 capital improvement millage or the equivalent amount of revenue
2623 from the school capital outlay surtax is satisfied.
2624 b. For construction projects for which Special Facilities
2625 Construction Account funding is sought beginning in the 2025
2626 2026 fiscal year, the district shall, for a minimum of 3 years
2627 before submitting the request and for the initial year of the
2628 appropriation and the 2 years following the initial
2629 appropriation, levy the maximum millage against the district’s
2630 nonexempt assessed property value as authorized under s.
2631 1011.71(2) or shall raise an equivalent amount of revenue from
2632 the school capital outlay surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).
2633 The district is not required to budget the funds toward the
2634 project, but must use the funds as authorized pursuant to s.
2635 1011.71 or s. 212.055(6), as applicable.
2636 9. If a contract has not been signed 90 days after the
2637 advertising of bids, the funding for the specific project must
2638 shall revert to the Special Facility New Construction Account to
2639 be reallocated to other projects on the list. However, an
2640 additional 90 days may be granted by the commissioner.
2641 10. The department shall certify the inability of the
2642 district to fund the survey-recommended project over a
2643 continuous 3-year period using projected capital outlay revenue
2644 derived from s. 9(d), Art. XII of the State Constitution, as
2645 amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this section, and s. 1011.71(2).
2646 11.a. For projects funded before the 2025-2026 fiscal year,
2647 the district shall have on file with the department an adopted
2648 resolution acknowledging its commitment to satisfy its
2649 participation requirement, which is equivalent to all
2650 unencumbered and future revenue acquired from s. 9(d), Art. XII
2651 of the State Constitution, as amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this
2652 section, and s. 1011.71(2), in the year of the initial
2653 appropriation and for the 2 years immediately following the
2654 initial appropriation.
2655 b. For projects funded during the 2025-2026 fiscal year,
2656 and thereafter, the district shall have on file with the
2657 department an adopted resolution acknowledging its commitment to
2658 comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
2659 12. Phase I plans must be approved by the district school
2660 board as being in compliance with the building and life safety
2661 codes before June 1 of the year the application is made.
2662 Section 45. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $1
2663 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2664 appropriated to the Florida Small Business Development Center
2665 Network under s. 288.001, Florida Statutes, to expand services
2666 in rural communities. The funds shall be allocated to the Office
2667 of Rural Prosperity budget entity within the Department of
2668 Commerce in the Special Categories–SBDCN Rural Services specific
2669 appropriation category.
2670 Section 46. (1) For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of
2671 $1,827,591 in recurring funds and $652,327 in nonrecurring funds
2672 are appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department
2673 of Commerce.
2674 (2) The recurring general revenue funds shall be allocated
2675 to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the following
2676 specific appropriations categories: $1,585,823 in Salaries and
2677 Benefits, $175,961 in Expenses, $50,000 in Contracted Services,
2678 $10,000 in Operating Capital Outlay, and $5,807 in Transfer to
2679 the Department of Management Services/Statewide Human Resources
2680 Contract.
2681 (3) The nonrecurring general revenue funds shall be
2682 allocated to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the
2683 following specific appropriations categories: $92,327 in
2684 Expenses and $560,000 in Acquisition of Motor Vehicles.
2685 (4) The Department of Commerce is authorized to establish
2686 17.00 full-time equivalent positions with associated salary rate
2687 of 1,060,000 in the Office of Rural Prosperity for the purpose
2688 of implementing this act. The following specific positions,
2689 classifications, and pay plans are authorized: 1.00 Director of
2690 General Operation, Class Code 9327, Pay Grade 940; 15.00
2691 Government Analyst II, Class Code 2225, Pay Grade 026; and 1.00
2692 Administrative Assistant II, Class Code 0712, Pay Grade 018.
2693 Section 47. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the recurring
2694 sum of $8 million from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated
2695 to the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of
2696 Commerce to implement the Renaissance Grants Program created by
2697 s. 288.014, Florida Statutes. No funds may be used by the state
2698 for administrative costs.
2699 Section 48. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the recurring
2700 sum of $500,000 from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within
2701 the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the Office of
2702 Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
2703 the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program created
2704 by s. 288.0175, Florida Statutes.
2705 Section 49. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of $4
2706 million in nonrecurring funds and $1 million in recurring funds
2707 from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of
2708 Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
2709 the Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund under s.
2710 288.065, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.
2711 Section 50. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of $40
2712 million in nonrecurring funds and $5 million in recurring funds
2713 from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of
2714 Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
2715 the Rural Infrastructure Fund under s. 288.0655, Florida
2716 Statutes, as amended by this act.
2717 Section 51. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of
2718 $250,000 in recurring funds from the Grants and Donations Trust
2719 Fund within the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the
2720 Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to
2721 implement s. 288.0657, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.
2722 Section 52. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $30
2723 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2724 appropriated to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to be
2725 used to preserve affordable multifamily rental housing in rural
2726 communities funded through United States Department of
2727 Agriculture loans. The funds provided in this appropriation
2728 shall be used to issue competitive requests for application for
2729 the rehabilitation or acquisition of such properties to ensure
2730 continued affordability. By October 1, 2026, the Florida Housing
2731 Finance Corporation shall submit a report to the President of
2732 the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on
2733 projects funded pursuant to this section, which report must
2734 include the number of units preserved and the financing
2735 portfolio for each project.
2736 Section 53. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $25
2737 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2738 appropriated to the Department of Health for the purpose of
2739 implementing the Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Care
2740 Grant Program created under s. 381.403, Florida Statutes. Grant
2741 funds shall be awarded over a 5-year period. Notwithstanding s.
2742 216.301, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to s. 216.351, Florida
2743 Statutes, the unexpended balance of funds appropriated pursuant
2744 to this section which is not disbursed by June 30 of the fiscal
2745 year in which funds are appropriated may be carried forward
2746 through the 2033-2034 fiscal year.
2747 Section 54. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $5
2748 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2749 appropriated to the Department of Health for the purpose of
2750 implementing the Stroke, Cardiac, and Obstetric Response and
2751 Education Grant Program under s. 381.9856, Florida Statutes.
2752 Notwithstanding s. 216.301, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to s.
2753 216.351, Florida Statutes, the unexpended balance of funds
2754 appropriated pursuant to this section which is not disbursed by
2755 June 30 of the fiscal year in which funds are appropriated may
2756 be carried forward through the 2029-2030 fiscal year.
2757 Section 55. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $25
2758 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2759 appropriated in fixed capital outlay to the Department of Health
2760 for the purpose of implementing the rural hospital capital
2761 improvement grant program under s. 395.6061, Florida Statutes.
2762 Section 56. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of
2763 $187,255 in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund and
2764 $250,358 in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust Fund are
2765 appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration to
2766 establish a Diagnosis-Related Grouping (DRG) reimbursement
2767 methodology for critical access hospitals, as defined in s.
2768 408.07, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of providing inpatient
2769 reimbursement to such a hospital in amounts comparable to the
2770 reimbursement the hospital would receive for inpatient services
2771 from the federal Medicare program. The 2025-2026 fiscal year
2772 General Appropriations Act shall establish the DRG reimbursement
2773 methodology for critical access hospital inpatient services as
2774 directed in s. 409.905(5)(c), Florida Statutes. Health plans
2775 that participate in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program
2776 shall pass through the fee increase to providers in this
2777 appropriation.
2778 Section 57. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of
2779 $7,508,124 in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund and
2780 $10,038,322 in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust Fund
2781 are appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration to
2782 establish an Enhanced Ambulatory Patient Grouping (EAPG)
2783 reimbursement methodology for critical access hospitals, as
2784 defined in s. 408.07, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of
2785 providing outpatient reimbursement to such a hospital in amounts
2786 comparable to the reimbursement the hospital would receive for
2787 outpatient services from the federal Medicare program. The 2025
2788 2026 fiscal year General Appropriations Act shall establish the
2789 EAPG reimbursement methodology for critical access hospital
2790 outpatient services as directed in s. 409.905(6)(b), Florida
2791 Statutes. Health plans that participate in the Statewide
2792 Medicaid Managed Care program shall pass through the fee
2793 increase to providers in this appropriation.
2794 Section 58. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $3.6
2795 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2796 appropriated to the Department of Education to implement s.
2797 1001.451, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.
2798 Section 59. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $25
2799 million in recurring funds is appropriated from the General
2800 Revenue Fund to the Department of Education to be distributed to
2801 regional consortium service organizations under s. 1001.451,
2802 Florida Statutes, in order to provide funds pursuant to s.
2803 1001.4511, Florida Statutes. These funds shall be allocated as
2804 follows: $5,555,149 to the Heartland Educational Consortium;
2805 $11,912,923 to the North East Florida Educational Consortium;
2806 and $7,531,928 to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium. The
2807 funds must be distributed to each regional consortium service
2808 organization no later than 30 days following the release of the
2809 funds to the department.
2810 Section 60. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $7
2811 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
2812 appropriated to the Department of Education to implement the
2813 Rural Incentive for Professional Educators (RIPE) Program, s.
2814 1009.635, Florida Statutes, as created by this act.
2815 Section 61. Subsection (3) of section 163.3187, Florida
2816 Statutes, is amended to read:
2817 163.3187 Process for adoption of small scale comprehensive
2818 plan amendment.—
2819 (3) If the small scale development amendment involves a
2820 site within a rural area of opportunity as defined under s.
2821 288.0656 s. 288.0656(2)(d) for the duration of such designation,
2822 the acreage limit listed in subsection (1) shall be increased by
2823 100 percent. The local government approving the small scale plan
2824 amendment shall certify to the state land planning agency that
2825 the plan amendment furthers the economic objectives set forth in
2826 the executive order issued under s. 288.0656(7), and the
2827 property subject to the plan amendment shall undergo public
2828 review to ensure that all concurrency requirements and federal,
2829 state, and local environmental permit requirements are met.
2830 Section 62. Section 212.205, Florida Statutes, is amended
2831 to read:
2832 212.205 Sales tax distribution reporting.—By March 15 of
2833 each year, each person who received a distribution pursuant to
2834 s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. and c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. and c. in the
2835 preceding calendar year shall report to the Office of Economic
2836 and Demographic Research the following information:
2837 (1) An itemized accounting of all expenditures of the funds
2838 distributed in the preceding calendar year, including amounts
2839 spent on debt service.
2840 (2) A statement indicating what portion of the distributed
2841 funds have been pledged for debt service.
2842 (3) The original principal amount and current debt service
2843 schedule of any bonds or other borrowing for which the
2844 distributed funds have been pledged for debt service.
2845 Section 63. Section 257.191, Florida Statutes, is amended
2846 to read:
2847 257.191 Construction grants.—The Division of Library and
2848 Information Services may accept and administer library
2849 construction moneys appropriated to it and shall allocate such
2850 appropriation to municipal, county, and regional libraries in
2851 the form of library construction grants on a matching basis. The
2852 local matching portion shall be no less than the grant amount,
2853 on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to the maximum grant amount,
2854 unless the matching requirement is waived pursuant to s. 288.019
2855 by s. 288.06561. Initiation of a library construction project 12
2856 months or less prior to the grant award under this section does
2857 shall not affect the eligibility of an applicant to receive a
2858 library construction grant. The division shall adopt rules for
2859 the administration of library construction grants. For the
2860 purposes of this section, s. 257.21 does not apply.
2861 Section 64. Subsection (2) of section 257.193, Florida
2862 Statutes, is amended to read:
2863 257.193 Community Libraries in Caring Program.—
2864 (2) The purpose of the Community Libraries in Caring
2865 Program is to assist libraries in rural communities, as defined
2866 in s. 288.0656(2) and subject to the provisions of s. 288.019 s.
2867 288.06561, to strengthen their collections and services, improve
2868 literacy in their communities, and improve the economic
2869 viability of their communities.
2870 Section 65. Subsection (17) of section 265.283, Florida
2871 Statutes, is amended to read:
2872 265.283 Definitions.—The following definitions shall apply
2873 to ss. 265.281-265.703:
2874 (17) “Underserved arts community assistance program grants”
2875 means grants used by qualified organizations under the Rural
2876 Economic Development Initiative, pursuant to s. 288.0656 and
2877 subject to the provisions of s. 288.019 ss. 288.0656 and
2878 288.06561, for the purpose of economic and organizational
2879 development for underserved cultural organizations.
2880 Section 66. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (3) of
2881 section 288.11621, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2882 288.11621 Spring training baseball franchises.—
2883 (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
2884 (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under s.
2885 212.20(6)(d)7.b. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. only to:
2886 1. Serve the public purpose of acquiring, constructing,
2887 reconstructing, or renovating a facility for a spring training
2888 franchise.
2889 2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
2890 fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
2891 or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
2892 the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of
2893 such facility, or for the reimbursement of such costs or the
2894 refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.
2895 3. Assist in the relocation of a spring training franchise
2896 from one unit of local government to another only if the
2897 governing board of the current host local government by a
2898 majority vote agrees to relocation.
2899 (d)1. All certified applicants must place unexpended state
2900 funds received pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. s.
2901 212.20(6)(d)6.b. in a trust fund or separate account for use
2902 only as authorized in this section.
2903 2. A certified applicant may request that the Department of
2904 Revenue suspend further distributions of state funds made
2905 available under s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. for 12
2906 months after expiration of an existing agreement with a spring
2907 training franchise to provide the certified applicant with an
2908 opportunity to enter into a new agreement with a spring training
2909 franchise, at which time the distributions shall resume.
2910 3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
2911 applicant certified before July 1, 2010, must begin within 48
2912 months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
2913 addition, the construction of, or capital improvements to, a
2914 spring training facility must be completed within 24 months
2915 after the project’s commencement.
2916 Section 67. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
2917 (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (3) of section 288.11631,
2918 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2919 288.11631 Retention of Major League Baseball spring
2920 training baseball franchises.—
2921 (2) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—
2922 (c) Each applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013,
2923 shall enter into an agreement with the department which:
2924 1. Specifies the amount of the state incentive funding to
2925 be distributed. The amount of state incentive funding per
2926 certified applicant may not exceed $20 million. However, if a
2927 certified applicant’s facility is used by more than one spring
2928 training franchise, the maximum amount may not exceed $50
2929 million, and the Department of Revenue shall make distributions
2930 to the applicant pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s.
2931 212.20(6)(d)6.c.
2932 2. States the criteria that the certified applicant must
2933 meet in order to remain certified. These criteria must include a
2934 provision stating that the spring training franchise must
2935 reimburse the state for any funds received if the franchise does
2936 not comply with the terms of the contract. If bonds were issued
2937 to construct or renovate a facility for a spring training
2938 franchise, the required reimbursement must be equal to the total
2939 amount of state distributions expected to be paid from the date
2940 the franchise violates the agreement with the applicant through
2941 the final maturity of the bonds.
2942 3. States that the certified applicant is subject to
2943 decertification if the certified applicant fails to comply with
2944 this section or the agreement.
2945 4. States that the department may recover state incentive
2946 funds if the certified applicant is decertified.
2947 5. Specifies the information that the certified applicant
2948 must report to the department.
2949 6. Includes any provision deemed prudent by the department.
2950 (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
2951 (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under s.
2952 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. only to:
2953 1. Serve the public purpose of constructing or renovating a
2954 facility for a spring training franchise.
2955 2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
2956 fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
2957 or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
2958 the construction or renovation of such facility, or for the
2959 reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued
2960 for such purposes.
2961 (c) The Department of Revenue may not distribute funds
2962 under s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. until July 1,
2963 2016. Further, the Department of Revenue may not distribute
2964 funds to an applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013, until
2965 it receives notice from the department that:
2966 1. The certified applicant has encumbered funds under
2967 either subparagraph (a)1. or subparagraph (a)2.; and
2968 2. If applicable, any existing agreement with a spring
2969 training franchise for the use of a facility has expired.
2970 (d)1. All certified applicants shall place unexpended state
2971 funds received pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s.
2972 212.20(6)(d)6.c. in a trust fund or separate account for use
2973 only as authorized in this section.
2974 2. A certified applicant may request that the department
2975 notify the Department of Revenue to suspend further
2976 distributions of state funds made available under s.
2977 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. for 12 months after
2978 expiration of an existing agreement with a spring training
2979 franchise to provide the certified applicant with an opportunity
2980 to enter into a new agreement with a spring training franchise,
2981 at which time the distributions shall resume.
2982 3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
2983 applicant certified after July 1, 2013, must begin within 48
2984 months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
2985 addition, the construction or renovation of a spring training
2986 facility must be completed within 24 months after the project’s
2987 commencement.
2988 Section 68. Subsection (1) of section 443.191, Florida
2989 Statutes, is amended to read:
2990 443.191 Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund; establishment
2991 and control.—
2992 (1) There is established, as a separate trust fund apart
2993 from all other public funds of this state, an Unemployment
2994 Compensation Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the
2995 Department of Commerce exclusively for the purposes of this
2996 chapter. The fund must consist of:
2997 (a) All contributions and reimbursements collected under
2998 this chapter;
2999 (b) Interest earned on any moneys in the fund;
3000 (c) Any property or securities acquired through the use of
3001 moneys belonging to the fund;
3002 (d) All earnings of these properties or securities;
3003 (e) All money credited to this state’s account in the
3004 federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund under 42 U.S.C. s.
3005 1103;
3006 (f) All money collected for penalties imposed pursuant to
3007 s. 443.151(6)(a);
3008 (g) Advances on the amount in the federal Unemployment
3009 Compensation Trust Fund credited to the state under 42 U.S.C. s.
3010 1321, as requested by the Governor or the Governor’s designee;
3011 and
3012 (h) All money deposited in this account as a distribution
3013 pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.e. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.e.
3014
3015 Except as otherwise provided in s. 443.1313(4), all moneys in
3016 the fund must be mingled and undivided.
3017 Section 69. Section 571.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to
3018 read:
3019 571.26 Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust
3020 Fund.—There is hereby created the Florida Agricultural
3021 Promotional Campaign Trust Fund within the Department of
3022 Agriculture and Consumer Services to receive all moneys related
3023 to the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign. Moneys
3024 deposited in the trust fund shall be appropriated for the sole
3025 purpose of implementing the Florida Agricultural Promotional
3026 Campaign, except for money deposited in the trust fund pursuant
3027 to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.h. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.h., which shall be held
3028 separately and used solely for the purposes identified in s.
3029 571.265.
3030 Section 70. Subsection (2) of section 571.265, Florida
3031 Statutes, is amended to read:
3032 571.265 Promotion of Florida thoroughbred breeding and of
3033 thoroughbred racing at Florida thoroughbred tracks; distribution
3034 of funds.—
3035 (2) Funds deposited into the Florida Agricultural
3036 Promotional Campaign Trust Fund pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.f.
3037 s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f. shall be used by the department to encourage
3038 the agricultural activity of breeding thoroughbred racehorses in
3039 this state and to enhance thoroughbred racing conducted at
3040 thoroughbred tracks in this state as provided in this section.
3041 If the funds made available under this section are not fully
3042 used in any one fiscal year, any unused amounts shall be carried
3043 forward in the trust fund into future fiscal years and made
3044 available for distribution as provided in this section.
3045 Section 71. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3046 made by this act to section 20.60, Florida Statutes, in a
3047 reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 288.9935, Florida
3048 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3049 288.9935 Microfinance Guarantee Program.—
3050 (8) The department must, in the department’s report
3051 required under s. 20.60(10), include an annual report on the
3052 program. The report must, at a minimum, provide:
3053 (a) A comprehensive description of the program, including
3054 an evaluation of its application and guarantee activities,
3055 recommendations for change, and identification of any other
3056 state programs that overlap with the program;
3057 (b) An assessment of the current availability of and access
3058 to credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses in this state;
3059 (c) A summary of the financial and employment results of
3060 the entrepreneurs and small businesses receiving loan
3061 guarantees, including the number of full-time equivalent jobs
3062 created as a result of the guaranteed loans and the amount of
3063 wages paid to employees in the newly created jobs;
3064 (d) Industry data about the borrowers, including the six
3065 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
3066 code;
3067 (e) The name and location of lenders that receive loan
3068 guarantees;
3069 (f) The number of loan guarantee applications received;
3070 (g) The number, duration, location, and amount of
3071 guarantees made;
3072 (h) The number and amount of guaranteed loans outstanding,
3073 if any;
3074 (i) The number and amount of guaranteed loans with payments
3075 overdue, if any;
3076 (j) The number and amount of guaranteed loans in default,
3077 if any;
3078 (k) The repayment history of the guaranteed loans made; and
3079 (l) An evaluation of the program’s ability to meet the
3080 financial performance measures and objectives specified in
3081 subsection (3).
3082 Section 72. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3083 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3084 reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
3085 125.0104, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3086 125.0104 Tourist development tax; procedure for levying;
3087 authorized uses; referendum; enforcement.—
3088 (5) AUTHORIZED USES OF REVENUE.—
3089 (c) A county located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico or the
3090 Atlantic Ocean, except a county that receives revenue from taxes
3091 levied pursuant to s. 125.0108, which meets the following
3092 criteria may use up to 10 percent of the tax revenue received
3093 pursuant to this section to reimburse expenses incurred in
3094 providing public safety services, including emergency medical
3095 services as defined in s. 401.107(3), and law enforcement
3096 services, which are needed to address impacts related to
3097 increased tourism and visitors to an area. However, if taxes
3098 collected pursuant to this section are used to reimburse
3099 emergency medical services or public safety services for tourism
3100 or special events, the governing board of a county or
3101 municipality may not use such taxes to supplant the normal
3102 operating expenses of an emergency medical services department,
3103 a fire department, a sheriff’s office, or a police department.
3104 To receive reimbursement, the county must:
3105 1.a. Generate a minimum of $10 million in annual proceeds
3106 from any tax, or any combination of taxes, authorized to be
3107 levied pursuant to this section;
3108 b. Have at least three municipalities; and
3109 c. Have an estimated population of less than 275,000,
3110 according to the most recent population estimate prepared
3111 pursuant to s. 186.901, excluding the inmate population; or
3112 2. Be a fiscally constrained county as described in s.
3113 218.67(1).
3114
3115 The board of county commissioners must by majority vote approve
3116 reimbursement made pursuant to this paragraph upon receipt of a
3117 recommendation from the tourist development council.
3118 Section 73. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3119 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3120 reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 193.624, Florida
3121 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3122 193.624 Assessment of renewable energy source devices.—
3123 (3) This section applies to the installation of a renewable
3124 energy source device installed on or after January 1, 2013, to
3125 new and existing residential real property. This section applies
3126 to a renewable energy source device installed on or after
3127 January 1, 2018, to all other real property, except when
3128 installed as part of a project planned for a location in a
3129 fiscally constrained county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for
3130 which an application for a comprehensive plan amendment or
3131 planned unit development zoning has been filed with the county
3132 on or before December 31, 2017.
3133 Section 74. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3134 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3135 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 196.182, Florida
3136 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3137 196.182 Exemption of renewable energy source devices.—
3138 (2) The exemption provided in this section does not apply
3139 to a renewable energy source device that is installed as part of
3140 a project planned for a location in a fiscally constrained
3141 county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for which an application
3142 for a comprehensive plan amendment or planned unit development
3143 zoning has been filed with the county on or before December 31,
3144 2017.
3145 Section 75. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3146 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3147 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.12, Florida
3148 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3149 218.12 Appropriations to offset reductions in ad valorem
3150 tax revenue in fiscally constrained counties.—
3151 (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009, the Legislature
3152 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3153 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3154 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3155 implementation of revisions of Art. VII of the State
3156 Constitution approved in the special election held on January
3157 29, 2008. The moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be
3158 distributed in January of each fiscal year among the fiscally
3159 constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
3160 total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3161 implementation of the revision.
3162 Section 76. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3163 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3164 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.125, Florida
3165 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3166 218.125 Offset for tax loss associated with certain
3167 constitutional amendments affecting fiscally constrained
3168 counties.—
3169 (1) Beginning in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Legislature
3170 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3171 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3172 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3173 implementation of revisions of ss. 3(f) and 4(b), Art. VII of
3174 the State Constitution which were approved in the general
3175 election held in November 2008. The moneys appropriated for this
3176 purpose shall be distributed in January of each fiscal year
3177 among the fiscally constrained counties based on each county’s
3178 proportion of the total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue
3179 resulting from the implementation of the revisions.
3180 Section 77. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3181 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3182 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.135, Florida
3183 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3184 218.135 Offset for tax loss associated with reductions in
3185 value of certain citrus fruit packing and processing equipment.—
3186 (1) For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Legislature shall
3187 appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax
3188 revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as defined
3189 in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3190 implementation of s. 193.4516. The moneys appropriated for this
3191 purpose shall be distributed in January 2019 among the fiscally
3192 constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
3193 total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3194 implementation of s. 193.4516.
3195 Section 78. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3196 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3197 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.136, Florida
3198 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3199 218.136 Offset for ad valorem revenue loss affecting
3200 fiscally constrained counties.—
3201 (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, the Legislature
3202 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3203 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3204 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3205 implementation of revisions of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
3206 Constitution approved in the November 2024 general election. The
3207 moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be distributed in
3208 January of each fiscal year among the fiscally constrained
3209 counties based on each county’s proportion of the total
3210 reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3211 implementation of the revision of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
3212 Constitution.
3213 Section 79. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3214 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3215 reference thereto, paragraph (cc) of subsection (2) of section
3216 252.35, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3217 252.35 Emergency management powers; Division of Emergency
3218 Management.—
3219 (2) The division is responsible for carrying out the
3220 provisions of ss. 252.31-252.90. In performing its duties, the
3221 division shall:
3222 (cc) Prioritize technical assistance and training to
3223 fiscally constrained counties as defined in s. 218.67(1) on
3224 aspects of safety measures, preparedness, prevention, response,
3225 recovery, and mitigation relating to natural disasters and
3226 emergencies.
3227 Section 80. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3228 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3229 reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 288.102, Florida
3230 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3231 288.102 Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program.—
3232 (4) A minimum of a one-to-one match of nonstate resources,
3233 including local, federal, or private funds, to the state
3234 contribution is required. An award may not be made for a project
3235 that is receiving or using state funding from another state
3236 source or statutory program, including tax credits. The one-to
3237 one match requirement is waived for a public entity located in a
3238 fiscally constrained county as defined in s. 218.67(1).
3239 Section 81. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3240 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3241 reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (16) of section
3242 403.064, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3243 403.064 Reuse of reclaimed water.—
3244 (16) By November 1, 2021, domestic wastewater utilities
3245 that dispose of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water by
3246 surface water discharge shall submit to the department for
3247 review and approval a plan for eliminating nonbeneficial surface
3248 water discharge by January 1, 2032, subject to the requirements
3249 of this section. The plan must include the average gallons per
3250 day of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water that will no
3251 longer be discharged into surface waters and the date of such
3252 elimination, the average gallons per day of surface water
3253 discharge which will continue in accordance with the
3254 alternatives provided for in subparagraphs (a)2. and 3., and the
3255 level of treatment that the effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse
3256 water will receive before being discharged into a surface water
3257 by each alternative.
3258 (g) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:
3259 1. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3260 in a fiscally constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1).
3261 2. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3262 in a municipality that is entirely within a rural area of
3263 opportunity as designated pursuant to s. 288.0656.
3264 3. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3265 in a municipality that has less than $10 million in total
3266 revenue, as determined by the municipality’s most recent annual
3267 financial report submitted to the Department of Financial
3268 Services in accordance with s. 218.32.
3269 4. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is
3270 operated by an operator of a mobile home park as defined in s.
3271 723.003 and has a permitted capacity of less than 300,000
3272 gallons per day.
3273 Section 82. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3274 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in
3275 references thereto, subsections (2) and (3) of section 589.08,
3276 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3277 589.08 Land acquisition restrictions.—
3278 (2) The Florida Forest Service may receive, hold the
3279 custody of, and exercise the control of any lands, and set aside
3280 into a separate, distinct and inviolable fund, any proceeds
3281 derived from the sales of the products of such lands, the use
3282 thereof in any manner, or the sale of such lands save the 25
3283 percent of the proceeds to be paid into the State School Fund as
3284 provided by law. The Florida Forest Service may use and apply
3285 such funds for the acquisition, use, custody, management,
3286 development, or improvement of any lands vested in or subject to
3287 the control of the Florida Forest Service. After full payment
3288 has been made for the purchase of a state forest to the Federal
3289 Government or other grantor, 15 percent of the gross receipts
3290 from a state forest shall be paid to the fiscally constrained
3291 county or counties, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which it is
3292 located in proportion to the acreage located in each county for
3293 use by the county or counties for school purposes.
3294 (3) The Florida Forest Service shall pay 15 percent of the
3295 gross receipts from the Goethe State Forest to each fiscally
3296 constrained county, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which a
3297 portion of the respective forest is located in proportion to the
3298 forest acreage located in such county. The funds must be equally
3299 divided between the board of county commissioners and the school
3300 board of each fiscally constrained county.
3301 Section 83. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3302 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3303 reference thereto, paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
3304 1011.62, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3305 1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
3306 allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
3307 district for operation of schools is not determined in the
3308 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
3309 the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
3310 follows:
3311 (1) COMPUTATION OF THE BASIC AMOUNT TO BE INCLUDED FOR
3312 OPERATION.—The following procedure shall be followed in
3313 determining the annual allocation to each district for
3314 operation:
3315 (f) Small district factor.—An additional value per full
3316 time equivalent student membership is provided to each school
3317 district with a full-time equivalent student membership of fewer
3318 than 20,000 full-time equivalent students which is in a fiscally
3319 constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1). The amount of
3320 the additional value shall be specified in the General
3321 Appropriations Act.
3322 Section 84. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3323 made by this act to sections 218.67 and 339.2818, Florida
3324 Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (6)
3325 of section 403.0741, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3326 403.0741 Grease waste removal and disposal.—
3327 (6) REGULATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—
3328 (c) Fiscally constrained counties as described in s.
3329 218.67(1) and small counties as defined in s. 339.2818(2) may
3330 opt out of the requirements of this section.
3331 Section 85. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3332 made by this act to section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, in a
3333 reference thereto, paragraph (e) of subsection (7) of section
3334 163.3177, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3335 163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive
3336 plan; studies and surveys.—
3337 (7)
3338 (e) This subsection does not confer the status of rural
3339 area of opportunity, or any of the rights or benefits derived
3340 from such status, on any land area not otherwise designated as
3341 such pursuant to s. 288.0656(7).
3342 Section 86. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3343 made by this act to section 288.9961, Florida Statutes, in a
3344 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
3345 288.9962, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3346 288.9962 Broadband Opportunity Program.—
3347 (7)(a) In evaluating grant applications and awarding
3348 grants, the office must give priority to applications that:
3349 1. Offer broadband Internet service to important community
3350 institutions, including, but not limited to, libraries,
3351 educational institutions, public safety facilities, and health
3352 care facilities;
3353 2. Facilitate the use of telemedicine and electronic health
3354 records;
3355 3. Serve economically distressed areas of this state, as
3356 measured by indices of unemployment, poverty, or population loss
3357 that are significantly greater than the statewide average;
3358 4. Provide for scalability to transmission speeds of at
3359 least 100 megabits per second download and 10 megabits per
3360 second upload;
3361 5. Include a component to actively promote the adoption of
3362 the newly available broadband Internet service in the community;
3363 6. Provide evidence of strong support for the project from
3364 citizens, government, businesses, and institutions in the
3365 community;
3366 7. Provide access to broadband Internet service to the
3367 greatest number of unserved households and businesses;
3368 8. Leverage greater amounts of funding for a project from
3369 private sources; or
3370 9. Demonstrate consistency with the strategic plan adopted
3371 under s. 288.9961.
3372 Section 87. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3373 made by this act to section 319.32, Florida Statutes, in a
3374 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 215.211, Florida
3375 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3376 215.211 Service charge; elimination or reduction for
3377 specified proceeds.—
3378 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 215.20(1) and
3379 former s. 215.20(3), the service charge provided in s. 215.20(1)
3380 and former s. 215.20(3), which is deducted from the proceeds of
3381 the taxes distributed under ss. 206.606(1), 207.026,
3382 212.0501(6), and 319.32(5), shall be eliminated beginning July
3383 1, 2000.
3384 Section 88. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3385 made by this act to section 339.68, Florida Statutes, in
3386 references thereto, subsections (5) and (6) of section 339.66,
3387 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3388 339.66 Upgrade of arterial highways with controlled access
3389 facilities.—
3390 (5) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
3391 department projects shall apply to projects undertaken by the
3392 department pursuant to this section. The department shall take
3393 into consideration the guidance and recommendations of any
3394 previous studies or reports relevant to the projects authorized
3395 by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including, but not
3396 limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to chapter
3397 2019-43, Laws of Florida.
3398 (6) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
3399 turnpike projects apply to projects undertaken by the Turnpike
3400 Enterprise pursuant to this section. The Turnpike Enterprise
3401 shall take into consideration the guidance and recommendations
3402 of any previous studies or reports relevant to the projects
3403 authorized by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including,
3404 but not limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to
3405 chapter 2019-43, Laws of Florida, and with respect to any
3406 extension of the Florida Turnpike from its northerly terminus in
3407 Wildwood.
3408 Section 89. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3409 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in
3410 references thereto, subsections (4) and (6) of section 420.9072,
3411 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3412 420.9072 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program.—The
3413 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program is created for the
3414 purpose of providing funds to counties and eligible
3415 municipalities as an incentive for the creation of local housing
3416 partnerships, to expand production of and preserve affordable
3417 housing, to further the housing element of the local government
3418 comprehensive plan specific to affordable housing, and to
3419 increase housing-related employment.
3420 (4) Moneys in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund shall
3421 be distributed by the corporation to each approved county and
3422 eligible municipality within the county as provided in s.
3423 420.9073. Distributions shall be allocated to the participating
3424 county and to each eligible municipality within the county
3425 according to an interlocal agreement between the county
3426 governing authority and the governing body of the eligible
3427 municipality or, if there is no interlocal agreement, according
3428 to population. The portion for each eligible municipality is
3429 computed by multiplying the total moneys earmarked for a county
3430 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the population of the
3431 eligible municipality and the denominator of which is the total
3432 population of the county. The remaining revenues shall be
3433 distributed to the governing body of the county.
3434 (6) The moneys that otherwise would be distributed pursuant
3435 to s. 420.9073 to a local government that does not meet the
3436 program’s requirements for receipts of such distributions shall
3437 remain in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to be
3438 administered by the corporation.
3439 Section 90. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3440 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
3441 reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
3442 420.9076, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3443 420.9076 Adoption of affordable housing incentive
3444 strategies; committees.—
3445 (7) The governing board of the county or the eligible
3446 municipality shall notify the corporation by certified mail of
3447 its adoption of an amendment of its local housing assistance
3448 plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies. The
3449 notice must include a copy of the approved amended plan.
3450 (b) If a county fails to timely adopt an amended local
3451 housing assistance plan to incorporate local housing incentive
3452 strategies but an eligible municipality receiving a local
3453 housing distribution pursuant to an interlocal agreement within
3454 the county does timely adopt an amended local housing assistance
3455 plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies, the
3456 corporation, after issuance of a notice of termination, shall
3457 thereafter distribute directly to the participating eligible
3458 municipality its share calculated in the manner provided in s.
3459 420.9073.
3460 Section 91. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3461 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
3462 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 420.9079, Florida
3463 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3464 420.9079 Local Government Housing Trust Fund.—
3465 (2) The corporation shall administer the fund exclusively
3466 for the purpose of implementing the programs described in ss.
3467 420.907-420.9076 and this section. With the exception of
3468 monitoring the activities of counties and eligible
3469 municipalities to determine local compliance with program
3470 requirements, the corporation shall not receive appropriations
3471 from the fund for administrative or personnel costs. For the
3472 purpose of implementing the compliance monitoring provisions of
3473 s. 420.9075(9), the corporation may request a maximum of one
3474 quarter of 1 percent of the annual appropriation per state
3475 fiscal year. When such funding is appropriated, the corporation
3476 shall deduct the amount appropriated prior to calculating the
3477 local housing distribution pursuant to ss. 420.9072 and
3478 420.9073.
3479 Section 92. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
3480
3481 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
3482 And the title is amended as follows:
3483 Delete everything before the enacting clause
3484 and insert:
3485 A bill to be entitled
3486 An act relating to rural communities; reenacting and
3487 amending s. 20.60, F.S.; revising the list of
3488 divisions and offices within the Department of
3489 Commerce to conform to changes made by the act;
3490 revising the annual program reports that must be
3491 included in the annual report of the Department of
3492 Commerce; amending s. 163.3168, F.S.; requiring the
3493 state land planning agency to give preference for
3494 technical assistance funding to local governments
3495 located in a rural area of opportunity; requiring the
3496 agency to consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity
3497 when awarding certain funding; amending s. 201.15,
3498 F.S.; requiring that a certain sum be paid to the
3499 credit of the State Transportation Trust Fund for the
3500 exclusive use of the Florida Arterial Road
3501 Modernization Program; amending s. 202.18, F.S.;
3502 redirecting the transfer of certain communication
3503 services tax revenue; amending s. 212.20, F.S.;
3504 revising the distribution of sales and use tax revenue
3505 to include a transfer to fiscally constrained
3506 counties; amending s. 215.971, F.S.; providing
3507 construction regarding agreements funded with federal
3508 or state assistance; requiring the agency to expedite
3509 payment requests from a county, municipality, or rural
3510 area of opportunity for a specified purpose; requiring
3511 each state agency to report to the Office of Rural
3512 Prosperity by a certain date with a summary of certain
3513 information; requiring the office to summarize the
3514 information it receives for its annual report;
3515 amending s. 218.67, F.S.; revising the conditions
3516 required for a county to be considered a fiscally
3517 constrained county; authorizing eligible counties to
3518 receive a distribution of sales and use tax revenue;
3519 revising the sources that the Department of Revenue
3520 must use to determine the amount distributed to
3521 fiscally constrained counties; revising the factors
3522 for allocation of the distribution of revenue to
3523 fiscally constrained counties; requiring that the
3524 computation and amount distributed be calculated based
3525 on a specified rounding algorithm; authorizing
3526 specified uses for the revenue; conforming a cross
3527 reference; amending s. 288.0001, F.S.; requiring the
3528 Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the
3529 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
3530 Accountability (OPPAGA) to prepare a report for a
3531 specified purpose; specifying requirements for the
3532 report; providing that the Office of Economic and
3533 Demographic Research and OPPAGA must be provided with
3534 all data necessary to complete the rural communities
3535 or areas report upon request; authorizing the Office
3536 of Economic and Demographic Research and OPPAGA to
3537 collaborate on all data collection and analysis;
3538 requiring the Office of Economic and Demographic
3539 Research and OPPAGA to submit the report to the
3540 Legislature by a specified date; providing additional
3541 requirements for the report; providing for expiration;
3542 amending s. 288.001, F.S.; requiring the Florida Small
3543 Business Development Center Network to use certain
3544 funds appropriated for a specified purpose;
3545 authorizing the network to dedicate funds to
3546 facilitate certain events; amending s. 288.007, F.S.;
3547 revising which local governments and economic
3548 development organizations seeking to recruit
3549 businesses are required to submit a specified report;
3550 creating s. 288.013, F.S.; providing legislative
3551 findings; creating the Office of Rural Prosperity
3552 within the Department of Commerce; requiring the
3553 Governor to appoint a director, subject to
3554 confirmation by the Senate; providing that the
3555 director reports to and serves at the pleasure of the
3556 secretary of the department; providing the duties of
3557 the office; requiring the office to establish by a
3558 specified date a certain number of regional rural
3559 community liaison centers across this state for a
3560 specified purpose; providing the powers, duties, and
3561 functions of the liaison centers; requiring the
3562 liaison centers, to the extent possible, to coordinate
3563 with certain entities; requiring the liaison centers
3564 to engage with the Rural Economic Development
3565 Initiative (REDI); requiring at least one staff member
3566 of a liaison center to attend the monthly meetings in
3567 person or by means of electronic communication;
3568 requiring the director of the office to submit an
3569 annual report to the Administration Commission in the
3570 Executive Office of the Governor; specifying
3571 requirements for the annual report; requiring that the
3572 annual report also be submitted to the Legislature by
3573 a specified date and published on the office’s
3574 website; requiring the director of the office to
3575 attend the next Administration Commission meeting to
3576 present detailed information from the annual report;
3577 requiring OPPAGA to review the effectiveness of the
3578 office by a certain date annually until a specified
3579 date; requiring OPPAGA to review the office at
3580 specified intervals; requiring such reviews to include
3581 certain information to be considered by the
3582 Legislature; requiring that such reports be submitted
3583 to the Legislature; requiring OPPAGA to review certain
3584 strategies from other states; requiring OPPAGA to
3585 submit to the Legislature its findings at certain
3586 intervals; creating s. 288.014, F.S.; providing
3587 legislative findings; requiring the Office of Rural
3588 Prosperity to administer the Renaissance Grants
3589 Program to provide block grants to eligible
3590 communities; requiring the Office of Economic and
3591 Demographic Research to certify to the Office of Rural
3592 Prosperity certain information by a specified date;
3593 defining the term “growth-impeded”; requiring the
3594 Office of Economic and Demographic Research to certify
3595 annually that a county remains growth-impeded until
3596 such county has positive population growth for a
3597 specified amount of time; providing that such county,
3598 after 3 consecutive years of population growth, is
3599 eligible to participate in the program for 1
3600 additional year; requiring a county eligible for the
3601 program to enter into an agreement with the Office of
3602 Rural Prosperity in order to receive the block grant;
3603 giving such counties broad authority to design their
3604 specific plans; prohibiting the Office of Rural
3605 Prosperity from determining how such counties
3606 implement the block grant; requiring regional rural
3607 community liaison center staff to provide assistance,
3608 upon request; requiring participating counties to
3609 report annually to the Office of Rural Prosperity with
3610 certain information; providing that a participating
3611 county receives a specified amount from funds
3612 appropriated to the program; requiring participating
3613 counties to make all attempts to limit the amount
3614 spent on administrative costs; authorizing
3615 participating counties to contribute other funds for
3616 block grant purposes; requiring participating counties
3617 to hire a renaissance coordinator; providing that
3618 funds from the block grant may be used to hire the
3619 renaissance coordinator; providing the
3620 responsibilities of the renaissance coordinator;
3621 requiring the regional rural community liaison center
3622 staff to provide assistance and training to the
3623 renaissance coordinator, upon request; requiring
3624 participating counties to design a plan to make
3625 targeted investments to achieve population growth and
3626 increase economic vitality; providing requirements for
3627 such plans; requiring participating counties to
3628 develop intergovernmental agreements with certain
3629 entities in order to implement the plan; requiring the
3630 Auditor General to conduct an operational audit every
3631 2 years for a specified purpose; requiring the Office
3632 of Economic and Demographic Research to provide an
3633 annual report on a specified date of renaissance block
3634 grant recipients by county; providing requirements for
3635 the annual report; requiring that the report be
3636 submitted to the Governor and the Legislature;
3637 prohibiting funds appropriated for the program from
3638 being subject to reversion; providing for an
3639 expiration of the section; creating s. 288.0175, F.S.;
3640 creating the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology
3641 Grant Program within the Office of Rural Prosperity;
3642 defining terms; requiring the office to contract with
3643 one or more smart technology lead organizations to
3644 administer a grant program for a specified purpose;
3645 providing the criteria for such contracts; requiring
3646 that projects funded by the grant program be included
3647 in the office’s annual report; amending s. 288.018,
3648 F.S.; requiring the office, rather than the Department
3649 of Commerce, to establish a grant program to provide
3650 funding for regional economic development
3651 organizations; revising who may apply for such grants;
3652 providing that a grant award may not exceed a certain
3653 amount in a year; providing exceptions to a provision
3654 that the department may expend a certain amount for a
3655 certain purpose; amending s. 288.019, F.S.; revising
3656 the program criteria and procedures that agencies and
3657 organizations of REDI are required to review; revising
3658 the list of impacts each REDI agency and organization
3659 must consider in its review; requiring REDI agencies
3660 and organizations to develop a proposal for
3661 modifications which minimizes the financial and
3662 resource impacts to a rural community; requiring that
3663 ranking of evaluation criteria and scoring procedures
3664 be used only when ranking is a component of the
3665 program; requiring that match requirements be waived
3666 or reduced for rural communities; providing that
3667 donations of land may be treated as in-kind matches;
3668 requiring each agency and organization that applies
3669 for or receives federal funding to request federal
3670 approval to waive or reduce the financial match
3671 requirements, if any, for projects in rural
3672 communities; requiring that proposals be submitted to
3673 the office, rather than the department; requiring each
3674 REDI agency and organization to modify rules or
3675 policies as necessary to reflect the finalized
3676 proposal; requiring that information about authorized
3677 waivers be included on the office’s online rural
3678 resource directory; conforming a cross-reference;
3679 amending s. 288.021, F.S.; requiring, when
3680 practicable, the economic development liaison to serve
3681 as the agency representative for REDI; amending s.
3682 288.065, F.S.; defining the term “unit of local
3683 government”; requiring the office to include in its
3684 annual report certain information about the Rural
3685 Community Development Revolving Loan Fund; conforming
3686 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
3687 288.0655, F.S.; revising the list of grants that may
3688 be awarded by the office; deleting the authorization
3689 for local match requirements to be waived for a
3690 catalyst site; revising the list of departments the
3691 office must consult with to certify applicants;
3692 requiring the office to include certain information
3693 about the Rural Infrastructure Trust Fund in its
3694 annual report; conforming provisions to changes made
3695 by the act; amending s. 288.0656, F.S.; providing
3696 legislative findings; providing that REDI is created
3697 within the Office of Rural Prosperity, rather than the
3698 department; deleting the definitions of the terms
3699 “catalyst project” and “catalyst site”; requiring that
3700 an alternate for each designated deputy secretary be a
3701 deputy secretary or higher-level staff person;
3702 requiring that the names of such alternates be
3703 reported to the director of the office; requiring at
3704 least one rural liaison to participate in REDI
3705 meetings; requiring REDI to meet at least each month;
3706 deleting a provision that a rural area of opportunity
3707 may designate catalyst projects; requiring REDI to
3708 submit a certain report to the office, rather than to
3709 the department; specifying requirements for such
3710 report; conforming provisions to changes made by the
3711 act; repealing s. 288.06561, F.S., relating to
3712 reduction or waiver of financial match requirements;
3713 amending s. 288.0657, F.S.; requiring the office,
3714 rather than the department, to provide grants to
3715 assist rural communities; providing that such grants
3716 may be used for specified purposes; requiring the
3717 rural liaison to assist those applying for such
3718 grants; providing that marketing grants may include
3719 certain funding; amending s. 288.1226, F.S.; revising
3720 required components of the 4-year marketing plan of
3721 the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation;
3722 repealing s. 288.12266, F.S., relating to the Targeted
3723 Marketing Assistance Program; amending s. 288.9961,
3724 F.S.; revising the definition of the term
3725 “underserved”; requiring the office to consult with
3726 regional rural community liaison centers on
3727 development of a certain strategic plan; requiring
3728 rural liaisons to assist rural communities with
3729 providing feedback in applying for federal grants for
3730 broadband Internet services; requiring the office to
3731 submit reports with specified information to the
3732 Governor and the Legislature within certain
3733 timeframes; repealing s. 290.06561, F.S., relating to
3734 designation of rural enterprise zones as catalyst
3735 sites; amending s. 319.32, F.S.; revising the
3736 disposition of fees collected for certain title
3737 certificates; amending s. 334.044, F.S.; revising the
3738 powers and duties of the Department of Transportation;
3739 amending s. 339.0801, F.S.; revising the allocation of
3740 funds received in the State Transportation Trust Fund;
3741 amending s. 339.2816, F.S.; requiring, rather than
3742 authorizing, that certain funds received from the
3743 State Transportation Trust Fund be used for the Small
3744 County Road Assistance Program; requiring the
3745 department to use other additional revenues for the
3746 Small County Road Assistance Program; providing an
3747 exception from the prohibition against funding
3748 capacity improvements on county roads; amending s.
3749 339.2817, F.S.; revising the criteria that the
3750 department must consider for evaluating projects for
3751 County Incentive Grant Program assistance; authorizing
3752 a county located either wholly or partially within the
3753 Everglades Agricultural Area to request a specified
3754 percent of project costs for eligible projects;
3755 amending s. 339.2818, F.S.; deleting a provision that
3756 the funds allocated under the Small County Outreach
3757 Program are in addition to the Small County Road
3758 Assistance Program; deleting a provision that a local
3759 government within the Everglades Agricultural Area,
3760 the Peace River Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may
3761 compete for additional funding; conforming provisions
3762 to changes made by the act; making a technical change;
3763 amending s. 339.68, F.S.; providing legislative
3764 findings; creating the Florida Arterial Road
3765 Modernization Program within the Department of
3766 Commerce; defining the term “rural community”;
3767 requiring the department to allocate from the State
3768 Transportation Trust Fund a minimum sum in each fiscal
3769 year to fund the program; providing that such funding
3770 is in addition to any other funding provided to the
3771 program; providing criteria the department must use to
3772 prioritize projects for funding under the program;
3773 requiring the department to submit a report to the
3774 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
3775 requiring that such report be submitted every 2 years
3776 thereafter; providing the criteria for such report;
3777 requiring the Department of Transportation to allocate
3778 additional funds to implement the Small County Road
3779 Assistance Program and amend the tentative work
3780 program for a specified number of fiscal years;
3781 requiring the department to submit a budget amendment
3782 before the adoption of the work program; requiring the
3783 department to allocate sufficient funds to implement
3784 the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program;
3785 requiring the department to amend the current
3786 tentative work program for a specified number of
3787 fiscal years to include the program’s projects;
3788 requiring the department to submit a budget amendment
3789 before the implementation of the program; requiring
3790 that the revenue increases in the State Transportation
3791 Trust Fund which are derived from the act be used to
3792 fund the work program; amending s. 381.402, F.S.;
3793 revising eligibility requirements for the Florida
3794 Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education
3795 Program; revising the proof required to make payments
3796 for participation in the program; creating s. 381.403,
3797 F.S.; providing legislative findings; creating the
3798 Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Care Grant
3799 Program within the Department of Health for a
3800 specified purpose; defining terms; requiring the
3801 department to award grants under the program to
3802 physicians, physician assistants, and autonomous
3803 advanced practice registered nurses intending to open
3804 new practices or practice locations in qualifying
3805 rural areas; specifying eligibility criteria for the
3806 grants; requiring the department, by a specified date,
3807 to create an application process for applying for
3808 grants under the program; specifying requirements for
3809 the application and application process; authorizing
3810 the department, subject to specific appropriation, to
3811 award grants under the program; specifying limitations
3812 on the awarding of grants; specifying expenses for
3813 which grant funds are authorized and prohibited;
3814 requiring the department to enter into a contract with
3815 each grant recipient; specifying requirements for the
3816 contracts; authorizing the department to adopt rules;
3817 requiring the department, beginning on a specified
3818 date and annually thereafter, to provide a report
3819 containing specified information to the Governor and
3820 the Legislature; providing for future legislative
3821 review and repeal of the program; creating s.
3822 381.9856, F.S.; creating the Stroke, Cardiac, and
3823 Obstetric Response and Education Grant Program within
3824 the Department of Health; specifying the purpose of
3825 the program; defining terms; requiring the department
3826 to award grants under the program to certain entities
3827 meeting specified criteria; requiring the department
3828 to give priority to certain applicants; limiting
3829 individual grants to a specified amount per year;
3830 requiring grant recipients to submit quarterly reports
3831 to the department; requiring the department to monitor
3832 program implementation and outcomes; requiring the
3833 department to submit an annual report to the Governor
3834 and the Legislature by a specified date; authorizing
3835 the department to adopt rules; providing construction;
3836 providing for future legislative review and repeal of
3837 the program; amending s. 395.6061, F.S.; providing
3838 that rural hospital capital grant improvement program
3839 funding may be awarded to rural hospitals to establish
3840 mobile care units and telehealth kiosks for specified
3841 purposes; defining terms; amending s. 420.9073, F.S.;
3842 revising the calculation of guaranteed amounts
3843 distributed from the Local Government Housing Trust
3844 Fund; reenacting and amending s. 420.9075, F.S.;
3845 authorizing a certain percentage of the funds made
3846 available in each county and eligible municipality
3847 from the local housing distribution to be used to
3848 preserve multifamily affordable rental housing;
3849 specifying what such funds may be used for; providing
3850 an expiration; amending s. 1001.451, F.S.; revising
3851 the services required to be provided by regional
3852 consortium service organizations when such services
3853 are found to be necessary and appropriate by such
3854 organizations’ boards of directors; revising the
3855 allocation that certain regional consortium service
3856 organizations are eligible to receive from the General
3857 Appropriations Act; requiring each regional consortium
3858 service organization to submit an annual report to the
3859 Department of Education; requiring that unexpended
3860 amounts in certain funds be carried forward; requiring
3861 each regional consortium service organization to
3862 provide quarterly financial reports to member
3863 districts; requiring member districts to designate a
3864 district to serve as a fiscal agent for certain
3865 purposes; providing for compensation of the fiscal
3866 agent district; requiring regional consortium service
3867 organizations to retain all funds received from grants
3868 or contracted services to cover indirect or
3869 administrative costs associated with the provision of
3870 such services; requiring the regional consortium
3871 service organization board of directors to determine
3872 products and services provided by the organization;
3873 requiring a regional consortium service organization
3874 board of directors to recommend the establishment of
3875 positions and appointments to a fiscal agent district;
3876 requiring that personnel be employed under specified
3877 personnel policies; authorizing the regional
3878 consortium service organization board of directors to
3879 recommend a salary schedule for personnel; authorizing
3880 regional consortium service organizations to purchase
3881 or lease property and facilities essential to their
3882 operations; providing for the distribution of revenue
3883 if a regional consortium service organization is
3884 dissolved; deleting a provision requiring applications
3885 for incentive grants; authorizing regional consortium
3886 service organization boards of directors to contract
3887 to provide services to nonmember districts; requiring
3888 that a fund balance be established for specified
3889 purposes; deleting a requirement for the use of
3890 certain funds; authorizing a regional consortium
3891 service organization to administer a specified
3892 program; creating s. 1001.4511, F.S.; creating the
3893 Regional Consortia Service Organization Supplemental
3894 Services Program; providing the purpose of the
3895 program; authorizing funds to be used for specified
3896 purposes; requiring each regional consortium service
3897 organization to report the distribution of funds
3898 annually to the Legislature; providing for the
3899 carryforward of funds; providing appropriations;
3900 creating s. 1009.635, F.S.; establishing the Rural
3901 Incentive for Professional Educators Program within
3902 the Department of Education; requiring the program to
3903 provide financial assistance for the repayment of
3904 student loans to eligible participants who establish
3905 permanent residency and employment in rural
3906 communities; providing that eligible participants may
3907 receive up to a certain amount in total student loan
3908 repayment assistance over a certain timeframe;
3909 requiring the department to verify certain information
3910 of participants in the program before it disburses
3911 awards; providing that the program is administered
3912 through the Office of Student Financial Assistance
3913 within the department; requiring the department to
3914 develop procedures and monitor compliance; requiring
3915 the State Board of Education to adopt rules by a
3916 certain date; amending s. 1013.62, F.S.; revising the
3917 calculation methodology to determine the amount of
3918 revenue that a school district must distribute to each
3919 eligible charter school; amending s. 1013.64, F.S.;
3920 revising conditions under which a school district may
3921 receive funding on an approved construction project;
3922 providing appropriations for specified purposes;
3923 amending ss. 163.3187, 212.205, 257.191, 257.193,
3924 265.283, 288.11621, 288.11631, 443.191, 571.26, and
3925 571.265, F.S.; conforming cross-references and
3926 provisions to changes made by the act; reenacting s.
3927 288.9935(8), F.S., relating to the Microfinance
3928 Guarantee Program, to incorporate the amendment made
3929 to s. 20.60, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting
3930 ss. 125.0104(5)(c), 193.624(3), 196.182(2), 218.12(1),
3931 218.125(1), 218.135(1), 218.136(1), 252.35(2)(cc),
3932 288.102(4), 403.064(16)(g), 589.08(2) and (3), and
3933 1011.62(1)(f), F.S., relating to authorized uses of
3934 tourist development tax; applicability of assessments
3935 of renewable energy source devices; application of
3936 exemptions of renewable energy source devices;
3937 appropriations to offset reductions in ad valorem tax
3938 revenue in fiscally constrained counties; offset for
3939 tax loss associated with certain constitutional
3940 amendments affecting fiscally constrained counties;
3941 offset for tax loss associated with reductions in
3942 value of certain citrus fruit packing and processing
3943 equipment; offset for ad valorem revenue loss
3944 affecting fiscally constrained counties; Division of
3945 Emergency Management powers; one-to-one match
3946 requirement under the Supply Chain Innovation Grant
3947 Program; applicability of provisions related to reuse
3948 of reclaimed water; land acquisition restrictions; and
3949 funds for operation of schools, respectively, to
3950 incorporate the amendment made to s. 218.67, F.S., in
3951 references thereto; reenacting s. 403.0741(6)(c),
3952 F.S., relating to grease waste removal and disposal,
3953 to incorporate the amendments made to ss. 218.67 and
3954 339.2818, F.S., in references thereto; reenacting s.
3955 163.3177(7)(e), F.S., relating to required and
3956 optional elements of comprehensive plans and studies
3957 and surveys, to incorporate the amendment made to s.
3958 288.0656, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s.
3959 288.9962(7)(a), F.S., relating to the Broadband
3960 Opportunity Program, to incorporate the amendment made
3961 to s. 288.9961, F.S., in a reference thereto;
3962 reenacting s. 215.211(1), F.S., relating to service
3963 charges and elimination or reduction for specified
3964 proceeds, to incorporate the amendment made to s.
3965 319.32, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s.
3966 339.66(5) and (6), F.S., relating to upgrades of
3967 arterial highways with controlled access facilities,
3968 to incorporate the amendment made to s. 339.68, F.S.,
3969 in references thereto; reenacting ss. 420.9072(4) and
3970 (6), 420.9076(7)(b), and 420.9079(2), F.S., relating
3971 to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program,
3972 adoption of affordable housing incentive strategies
3973 and committees, and the Local Government Housing Trust
3974 Fund, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made
3975 to s. 420.9073, F.S., in references thereto; providing
3976 an effective date.