Rural Communities

Healthcare Taxes Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Simon
Last action: 2026-03-13
Official status: House - Died in Messages
Effective date: 2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass the House, so its provisions did not become law.

Supporting Rural Communities

This bill supports rural communities by giving preference in technical assistance funding, creating the Office of Rural Prosperity for economic development, and establishing programs like Renaissance Grants and Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grants.

What This Bill Does

Gives preference to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity when awarding technical assistance funds.
Creates the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to help with economic development.
Establishes the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block grants to eligible communities for economic growth.
Sets up the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program to fund smart technology projects in rural areas.

Who It Names or Affects

Local governments located in a rural area of opportunity
Fiscally constrained counties

Terms To Know

Rural Area of Opportunity: A designated area where the state prioritizes economic development efforts.
Fiscally Constrained County: A county that meets certain financial criteria and is eligible for additional funding or support from the state.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill died in the House, so it did not become law.
Some details about how funds will be distributed are still unclear.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

655052

Floor amendment S 250 Filed • Simon

Senate: Adopted 1/14/2026

Plain English: The amendment removes specific sections from the bill text and modifies the title of the bill.

Removes lines 2388 to 2644 from the bill's content.
Removes lines 3241 to 3266 from the bill's content.
Modifies the bill's title by deleting certain sections and inserting new text.

The exact nature of the removed sections is not specified, so it's unclear what specific changes this will make to the bill's content.

211610

Floor amendment S 250 Filed • Simon

Senate: Adopted 1/14/2026

Plain English: The amendment removes certain lines from the bill and adds funding for a new reimbursement system for critical access hospitals.

Removes lines 3268 to 3285 of the original bill text.
Allocates $193,075 in recurring funds from General Revenue Fund and $244,538 from Medical Care Trust Fund for a new reimbursement system for critical access hospitals.
Establishes a Diagnosis-Related Grouping (DRG) reimbursement methodology to provide comparable inpatient reimbursement to critical access hospitals as they would receive under Medicare.

The exact details of the removed lines are not provided, so their content and impact cannot be described.
Further specifics about how health plans will pass through fee increases to providers are not detailed in this amendment text.

Bill History

2026-03-13 House
• Died in Messages
2026-01-14 Senate
• Read 2nd time -SJ 153 • Amendment(s) adopted (211610, 655052) -SJ 153 • Read 3rd time -SJ 153 • Passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 153 • Immediately certified -SJ 155
2026-01-14 House
• In Messages
2026-01-13 Senate
• Introduced
2026-01-12 Senate
• Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/14/26
2025-12-10 Senate
• Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 16 NAYS 0 • Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2025-12-01 Senate
• On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 12/10/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
2025-11-21 Senate
• Referred to Appropriations
2025-11-20 Senate
• Filed

Official Summary Text

Rural Communities; Requiring the state land planning agency to give preference for technical assistance funding to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity; revising the conditions required for a county to be considered a fiscally constrained county; creating the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce; requiring the Office of Rural Prosperity to administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block grants to eligible communities; creating the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program within the Office of Rural Prosperity; creating the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program within the Department of Transportation, etc.

APPROPRIATION:
$144,813,977

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB 250

First Engrossed

2026250e1

1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to rural communities; reenacting and
3 amending s. 20.60, F.S.; revising the list of
4 divisions and offices within the Department of
5 Commerce to conform to changes made by the act;
6 revising the annual program reports that must be
7 included in the annual report of the Department of
8 Commerce; amending s. 163.3168, F.S.; requiring the
9 state land planning agency to give preference for
10 technical assistance funding to local governments
11 located in a rural area of opportunity; requiring the
12 agency to consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity
13 when awarding certain funding; amending s. 201.15,
14 F.S.; requiring that a certain sum be paid to the
15 credit of the State Transportation Trust Fund for the
16 exclusive use of the Florida Arterial Road
17 Modernization Program; amending s. 202.18, F.S.;
18 redirecting the transfer of certain communication
19 services tax proceeds; amending s. 212.20, F.S.;
20 revising the distribution of sales and use tax revenue
21 to include a transfer to fiscally constrained
22 counties; amending s. 215.971, F.S.; providing
23 construction regarding agreements funded with federal
24 or state assistance; requiring a state agency to
25 expedite payment requests from a county, municipality,
26 or rural area of opportunity for a specified purpose;
27 requiring each state agency to report to the Office of
28 Rural Prosperity by a certain date with a summary of
29 certain information; requiring the office to summarize
30 the information it receives for its annual report;
31 amending s. 218.67, F.S.; revising the conditions
32 required for a county to be considered a fiscally
33 constrained county; authorizing eligible counties to
34 receive a distribution of sales and use tax revenue;
35 revising the sources that the Department of Revenue
36 must use to determine the amount distributed to
37 fiscally constrained counties; revising the factors
38 for allocation of the distribution of revenue to
39 fiscally constrained counties; requiring that the
40 computation and amount distributed be calculated using
41 certain methods; authorizing specified uses for the
42 revenue; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
43 288.001, F.S.; requiring the Florida Small Business
44 Development Center Network to use certain funds
45 appropriated for a specified purpose; authorizing the
46 network to dedicate funds to facilitate certain
47 events; amending s. 288.007, F.S.; revising which
48 local governments and economic development
49 organizations seeking to recruit businesses are
50 required to submit a specified report; creating s.
51 288.013, F.S.; providing legislative findings;
52 creating the Office of Rural Prosperity within the
53 Department of Commerce; requiring the Governor to
54 appoint a director, subject to confirmation by the
55 Senate; providing that the director reports to and
56 serves at the pleasure of the secretary of the
57 department; providing the duties of the office;
58 requiring the office to establish by a specified date
59 a certain number of regional rural community liaison
60 centers across this state for a specified purpose;
61 providing the powers, duties, and functions of the
62 liaison centers; requiring each regional rural
63 community liaison center, to the extent possible, to
64 coordinate with certain entities; requiring the
65 liaison centers to engage with the Rural Economic
66 Development Initiative (REDI); requiring at least one
67 staff member of a liaison center to attend the monthly
68 REDI meetings in person or by means of electronic
69 communication; requiring the director of the office to
70 submit an annual report to the Administration
71 Commission within the Executive Office of the
72 Governor; specifying requirements for the annual
73 report; requiring that the annual report also be
74 submitted to the Legislature by a specified date and
75 published on the office’s website; requiring the
76 director of the office to attend the next
77 Administration Commission meeting to present detailed
78 information from the annual report; requiring the
79 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
80 Accountability (OPPAGA) to evaluate the effectiveness
81 of the office and submit a report of its findings to
82 the Legislature by a certain date annually until a
83 specified date; requiring OPPAGA to submit its report
84 to the office at specified intervals; requiring OPPAGA
85 to review certain strategies from other states;
86 requiring OPPAGA to submit a report of its findings to
87 the Legislature at certain intervals; creating s.
88 288.014, F.S.; providing legislative findings;
89 requiring the Office of Rural Prosperity to administer
90 the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block grants
91 to eligible communities; requiring the Office of
92 Economic and Demographic Research to certify to the
93 Office of Rural Prosperity certain information by a
94 specified date; defining the term “growth-impeded”;
95 requiring the Office of Economic and Demographic
96 Research to certify annually that a county remains
97 growth-impeded until such county has positive
98 population growth for a specified amount of time;
99 providing that such county, after 3 consecutive years
100 of population growth, is eligible to participate in
101 the program for 1 additional year; requiring a county
102 eligible for the program to enter into an agreement
103 with the Office of Rural Prosperity in order to
104 receive the block grant; giving such counties broad
105 authority to design their specific plans; prohibiting
106 the Office of Rural Prosperity from determining how
107 such counties implement the block grant; requiring
108 regional rural community liaison center staff to
109 provide assistance, upon the county’s request;
110 requiring participating counties to report annually to
111 the Office of Rural Prosperity with certain
112 information; providing that a participating county
113 receives a specified amount from funds appropriated to
114 the program, or an equal share of the funds
115 appropriated if the total of such appropriated funds
116 is insufficient to provide that amount; requiring
117 participating counties to make all attempts to limit
118 the amount spent on administrative costs; authorizing
119 participating counties to contribute other funds for
120 block grant purposes; requiring participating counties
121 to hire and retain a renaissance coordinator;
122 providing that funds from the block grant may be used
123 to hire the renaissance coordinator; providing the
124 responsibilities of the renaissance coordinator;
125 requiring the regional rural community liaison center
126 staff to provide assistance and training to the
127 renaissance coordinator, upon request; requiring
128 participating counties to design a plan to make
129 targeted investments to achieve population growth and
130 increase economic vitality; specifying requirements
131 for such plans; requiring participating counties to
132 develop intergovernmental agreements with certain
133 entities in order to implement the plan; requiring the
134 Auditor General to conduct an operational audit every
135 2 years for a specified purpose; requiring the Office
136 of Economic and Demographic Research to provide an
137 annual report on a specified date of renaissance block
138 grant recipients by county; specifying requirements
139 for the annual report; requiring that the report be
140 submitted to the Legislature; providing that funds
141 appropriated from the program are not subject to
142 reversion; providing for expiration; creating s.
143 288.0175, F.S.; creating the Public Infrastructure
144 Smart Technology Grant Program within the Office of
145 Rural Prosperity; defining terms; requiring the office
146 to contract with one or more smart technology lead
147 organizations to administer the grant program for a
148 specified purpose; providing the criteria for such
149 contracts; requiring that projects funded by the grant
150 program be included in the office’s annual report;
151 amending s. 288.018, F.S.; requiring the office,
152 rather than the Department of Commerce, to establish a
153 grant program to provide funding for regional economic
154 development organizations; revising who may apply for
155 such grants; providing that a grant award may not
156 exceed a certain amount in a year; providing
157 exceptions to a provision that the department may
158 expend a certain amount for a certain purpose;
159 amending s. 288.019, F.S.; revising the program
160 criteria and procedures that agencies and
161 organizations of REDI are required to review; revising
162 the list of impacts each REDI agency and organization
163 must consider in its review; requiring REDI agencies
164 and organizations to develop a proposal for
165 modifications which minimizes the financial and
166 resource impacts to a rural community; requiring that
167 ranking of evaluation criteria and scoring procedures
168 be used only when ranking is a component of the
169 program; requiring that match requirements be waived
170 or reduced for rural communities; providing that
171 donations of land may be treated as in-kind matches;
172 requiring each agency and organization that applies
173 for or receives federal funding to request federal
174 approval to waive or reduce the financial match
175 requirements, if any, for projects in rural
176 communities; requiring that proposals be submitted to
177 the office, rather than the department; requiring each
178 REDI agency and organization to modify rules or
179 policies as necessary to reflect the finalized
180 proposal; requiring that information about authorized
181 waivers be included on the office’s online rural
182 resource directory; requiring the rural liaison from
183 the related regional rural community liaison center
184 districts to assist the rural community to make waiver
185 or reduction requests; conforming a cross-reference;
186 amending s. 288.021, F.S.; requiring, when
187 practicable, the economic development liaison to serve
188 as the agency representative for REDI; amending s.
189 288.065, F.S.; defining the term “unit of local
190 government”; requiring the office to include in its
191 annual report certain information about the Rural
192 Community Development Revolving Loan Fund; conforming
193 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
194 288.0655, F.S.; revising the list of grants that may
195 be awarded by the office under the Rural
196 Infrastructure Fund; deleting the authorization for
197 local match requirements to be waived for a catalyst
198 site; revising the list of departments the office must
199 consult with to certify applicants; requiring the
200 office to include certain information about the Rural
201 Infrastructure Fund in its annual report; conforming
202 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
203 288.0656, F.S.; revising legislative intent; providing
204 legislative findings; providing that REDI is created
205 within the Office of Rural Prosperity, rather than the
206 department; deleting the definitions of the terms
207 “catalyst project” and “catalyst site”; requiring that
208 an alternate for each designated deputy secretary be a
209 deputy secretary or higher-level staff person;
210 requiring that the names of such alternates be
211 reported to the director of the office; requiring at
212 least one rural liaison to participate in REDI
213 meetings; requiring REDI to meet at least each month;
214 deleting a provision that a rural area of opportunity
215 may designate catalyst projects; requiring REDI to
216 submit a certain report to the office, rather than to
217 the department; specifying requirements for such
218 report; conforming provisions to changes made by the
219 act; making technical changes; repealing s. 288.06561,
220 F.S., relating to reduction or waiver of financial
221 match requirements; amending s. 288.0657, F.S.;
222 requiring the office, rather than the department, to
223 provide grants to assist rural communities; providing
224 that such grants may be used for specified purposes;
225 requiring the rural liaison to assist those applying
226 for such grants; providing that marketing grants may
227 include certain funding; amending s. 288.1226, F.S.;
228 revising required components of the 4-year marketing
229 plan of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
230 Corporation; repealing s. 288.12266, F.S., relating to
231 the Targeted Marketing Assistance Program; amending s.
232 288.9961, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
233 “underserved”; requiring the office to consult with
234 regional rural community liaison centers on
235 development and update of a certain strategic plan;
236 requiring rural liaisons to assist rural communities
237 with providing assistance in coordination with the
238 regional rural community liaison centers; requiring
239 the office to submit reports with specified
240 information to the Governor and the Legislature within
241 certain timeframes; repealing s. 290.06561, F.S.,
242 relating to designation of rural enterprise zones as
243 catalyst sites; amending s. 319.32, F.S.; revising the
244 disposition of fees collected for certain title
245 certificates; amending s. 334.044, F.S.; revising the
246 powers and duties of the Department of Transportation;
247 amending s. 339.0801, F.S.; revising the allocation of
248 funds received in the State Transportation Trust Fund;
249 amending s. 339.2816, F.S.; requiring, rather than
250 authorizing, that certain funds received from the
251 State Transportation Trust Fund be used for the Small
252 County Road Assistance Program; requiring the
253 department to use other additional revenues for the
254 Small County Road Assistance Program; providing an
255 exception to the prohibition against funding capacity
256 improvements on county roads; amending s. 339.2817,
257 F.S.; revising the criteria that the Department of
258 Transportation must consider for evaluating projects
259 for County Incentive Grant Program assistance;
260 requiring the department to give priority to counties
261 located either wholly or partially within the
262 Everglades Agricultural Area and which request a
263 specified percentage of project costs for eligible
264 projects; specifying a limitation on such requests;
265 providing for future expiration; amending s. 339.2818,
266 F.S.; deleting a provision that the funds allocated
267 under the Small County Outreach Program are in
268 addition to the Small County Road Assistance Program;
269 deleting a provision that a local government within
270 the Everglades Agricultural Area, the Peace River
271 Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may compete for
272 additional funding; conforming provisions to changes
273 made by the act; making a technical change; amending
274 s. 339.68, F.S.; providing legislative findings;
275 creating the Florida Arterial Road Modernization
276 Program within the Department of Transportation;
277 defining the term “rural community”; requiring the
278 department to allocate from the State Transportation
279 Trust Fund a minimum sum in each fiscal year to fund
280 the program; providing that such funding is in
281 addition to any other funding provided to the program;
282 providing criteria the department must use to
283 prioritize projects for funding under the program;
284 requiring the department to submit a report to the
285 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
286 requiring that such report be submitted every 2 years
287 thereafter; providing the criteria for such report;
288 requiring the Department of Transportation to allocate
289 additional funds to implement the Small County Road
290 Assistance Program and amend the tentative work
291 program for a specified number of fiscal years;
292 requiring the department to submit a budget amendment
293 before the adoption of the work program; requiring the
294 department to allocate sufficient funds to implement
295 the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program;
296 requiring the department to amend the current
297 tentative work program for a specified number of
298 fiscal years to include the program’s projects;
299 requiring the department to submit a budget amendment
300 before the implementation of the program; requiring
301 that the revenue increases in the State Transportation
302 Trust Fund which are derived from the act be used to
303 fund the work program; creating s. 341.0525, F.S.;
304 creating a rural transit operating block grant program
305 to be administered by the Department of
306 Transportation; limiting rural transit block grant
307 funds to certain public transit providers; requiring
308 the annual allocation of certain funds from the State
309 Transportation Trust Fund for the program; providing
310 for the distribution of funds to each eligible public
311 transit provider in at least a certain amount;
312 providing authorized uses of grant funds; prohibiting
313 state participation in certain costs above a specified
314 percentage or amount; prohibiting an eligible provider
315 from using block grant funds in a certain manner;
316 providing an exception; prohibiting the state from
317 giving a county more than a specified percentage of
318 available funds or a certain amount; providing
319 eligibility requirements; requiring an eligible
320 provider to return funds under certain circumstances;
321 authorizing the department to consult with an eligible
322 provider before distributing funds to make a certain
323 determination; requiring an eligible provider to repay
324 to the department funds expended on unauthorized uses
325 if revealed in an audit; requiring the department to
326 redistribute returned and repaid funds to other
327 eligible providers; amending s. 381.402, F.S.;
328 revising eligibility requirements for the Florida
329 Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education
330 Program; revising the proof required to make payments
331 for participation in the program; amending s.
332 420.9073, F.S.; revising the calculation of guaranteed
333 amounts distributed from the Local Government Housing
334 Trust Fund; reenacting and amending s. 420.9075, F.S.;
335 authorizing a certain percentage of the funds made
336 available in each county and eligible municipality
337 from the local housing distribution to be used to
338 preserve multifamily affordable rental housing;
339 specifying what such funds may be used for; providing
340 an expiration; amending s. 1001.451, F.S.; revising
341 the services required to be provided by regional
342 consortium service organizations when such services
343 are found to be necessary and appropriate by such
344 organizations’ boards of directors; revising the
345 allocation that certain regional consortium service
346 organizations are eligible to receive from the General
347 Appropriations Act; requiring each regional consortium
348 service organization to submit an annual report to the
349 Department of Education; requiring that unexpended
350 amounts in certain funds be carried forward; requiring
351 each regional consortium service organization to
352 provide quarterly financial reports to member
353 districts; requiring member districts to designate a
354 district to serve as a fiscal agent for certain
355 purposes; providing for compensation of the fiscal
356 agent district; requiring regional consortium service
357 organizations to retain all funds received from grants
358 or contracted services to cover indirect or
359 administrative costs associated with the provision of
360 such services; requiring the regional consortium
361 service organization board of directors to determine
362 products and services provided by the organization;
363 requiring a regional consortium service organization
364 board of directors to recommend the establishment of
365 positions and appointments to a fiscal agent district;
366 requiring that personnel be employed under specified
367 personnel policies; authorizing the regional
368 consortium service organization board of directors to
369 recommend a salary schedule for personnel; authorizing
370 regional consortium service organizations to purchase
371 or lease property and facilities essential to their
372 operations; providing for the distribution of revenue
373 if a regional consortium service organization is
374 dissolved; deleting a provision requiring applications
375 for incentive grants; authorizing regional consortium
376 service organization boards of directors to contract
377 to provide services to nonmember districts; requiring
378 that a fund balance be established for specified
379 purposes; deleting a requirement for the use of
380 certain funds; authorizing a regional consortium
381 service organization to administer a specified
382 program; creating s. 1001.4511, F.S.; creating the
383 Regional Consortia Service Organization Supplemental
384 Services Program; providing the purpose of the
385 program; authorizing funds to be used for specified
386 purposes; requiring each regional consortium service
387 organization to report the distribution of funds
388 annually to the Legislature; providing for the
389 carryforward of funds; creating s. 1009.635, F.S.;
390 establishing the Rural Incentive for Professional
391 Educators Program within the Department of Education;
392 requiring the program to provide financial assistance
393 for the repayment of student loans to eligible
394 participants who establish permanent residency and
395 employment in rural areas of opportunity; providing
396 eligibility requirements; providing that eligible
397 participants may receive up to a certain amount in
398 total student loan repayment assistance over a certain
399 timeframe; requiring the department to verify certain
400 information of participants in the program before it
401 disburses awards; providing that the program is
402 administered through the Office of Student Financial
403 Assistance within the department; requiring the
404 program to develop procedures and monitor compliance;
405 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules
406 by a certain date; amending s. 1013.62, F.S.; revising
407 the calculation methodology used to determine the
408 amount of revenue that a school district must
409 distribute to each eligible charter school; amending
410 s. 1013.64, F.S.; revising conditions under which a
411 school district may receive funding on an approved
412 construction project; providing appropriations for
413 specified purposes; amending ss. 163.3187, 212.205,
414 257.191, 257.193, 265.283, 288.11621, 288.11631,
415 443.191, 571.26, and 571.265, F.S.; conforming cross
416 references and provisions to changes made by the act;
417 reenacting s. 288.9935(8), F.S., relating to the
418 Microfinance Guarantee Program, to incorporate the
419 amendment made to s. 20.60, F.S., in a reference
420 thereto; reenacting ss. 125.0104(5)(c), 193.624(3),
421 196.182(2), 218.12(1), 218.125(1), 218.135(1),
422 218.136(1), 252.35(2)(cc), 288.102(4), 403.064(16)(h),
423 589.08(2) and (3), and 1011.62(1)(f), F.S., relating
424 to authorized uses of tourist development tax revenue;
425 applicability of assessments of renewable energy
426 source devices; application of exemptions of renewable
427 energy source devices; appropriations to offset
428 reductions in ad valorem tax revenue in fiscally
429 constrained counties; offset for tax loss associated
430 with certain constitutional amendments affecting
431 fiscally constrained counties; offset for tax loss
432 associated with reductions in value of certain citrus
433 fruit packing and processing equipment; offset for ad
434 valorem revenue loss affecting fiscally constrained
435 counties; Division of Emergency Management powers;
436 one-to-one match requirement under the Supply Chain
437 Innovation Grant Program; applicability of provisions
438 related to reuse of reclaimed water; land acquisition
439 restrictions; and funds for operation of schools,
440 respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s.
441 218.67, F.S., in references thereto; reenacting s.
442 403.0741(6)(c), F.S., relating to grease waste removal
443 and disposal, to incorporate the amendments made to
444 ss. 218.67 and 339.2818, F.S., in references thereto;
445 reenacting s. 163.3177(7)(e), F.S., relating to
446 required and optional elements of comprehensive plans
447 and studies and surveys, to incorporate the amendment
448 made to s. 288.0656, F.S., in a reference thereto;
449 reenacting s. 288.9962(7)(a), F.S., relating to the
450 Broadband Opportunity Program, to incorporate the
451 amendment made to s. 288.9961, F.S., in a reference
452 thereto; reenacting s. 215.211(1), F.S., relating to
453 service charges and elimination or reduction for
454 specified proceeds, to incorporate the amendment made
455 to s. 319.32, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting
456 s. 339.66(5) and (6), F.S., relating to upgrades of
457 arterial highways with controlled access facilities,
458 to incorporate the amendment made to s. 339.68, F.S.,
459 in references thereto; reenacting ss. 420.9072(4) and
460 (6), 420.9076(7)(b), and 420.9079(2), F.S., relating
461 to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program,
462 adoption of affordable housing incentive strategies
463 and committees, and the Local Government Housing Trust
464 Fund, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made
465 to s. 420.9073, F.S., in references thereto; providing
466 an effective date.
467
468 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
469
470 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and paragraph
471 (c) of subsection (10) of section 20.60, Florida Statutes, are
472 amended, and paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of that section is
473 reenacted, to read:
474 20.60 Department of Commerce; creation; powers and duties.—
475 (3)(a) The following divisions and offices of the
476 Department of Commerce are established:
477 1. The Division of Economic Development.
478 2. The Division of Community Development.
479 3. The Division of Workforce Services.
480 4. The Division of Finance and Administration.
481 5. The Division of Information Technology.
482 6. The Office of the Secretary.
483 7.
The Office of Rural Prosperity.

484
8.
The Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency,
485 which shall:
486 a. Oversee the department’s critical objectives as
487 determined by the secretary and make sure that the department’s
488 key objectives are clearly communicated to the public.
489 b. Organize department resources, expertise, data, and
490 research to focus on and solve the complex economic challenges
491 facing the state.
492 c. Provide leadership for the department’s priority issues
493 that require integration of policy, management, and critical
494 objectives from multiple programs and organizations internal and
495 external to the department; and organize and manage external
496 communication on such priority issues.
497 d. Promote and facilitate key department initiatives to
498 address priority economic issues and explore data and identify
499 opportunities for innovative approaches to address such economic
500 issues.
501 e. Promote strategic planning for the department.
502 (5) The divisions within the department have specific
503 responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and
504 goals of the department. Specifically:
505 (a) The Division of Economic Development shall:
506 1. Analyze and evaluate business prospects identified by
507 the Governor and the secretary.
508 2. Administer certain tax refund, tax credit, and grant
509 programs created in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of
510 law, the department may expend interest earned from the
511 investment of program funds deposited in the Grants and
512 Donations Trust Fund to contract for the administration of those
513 programs, or portions of the programs, assigned to the
514 department by law, by the appropriations process, or by the
515 Governor. Such expenditures shall be subject to review under
516 chapter 216.
517 3. Develop measurement protocols for the state incentive
518 programs and for the contracted entities which will be used to
519 determine their performance and competitive value to the state.
520 Performance measures, benchmarks, and sanctions must be
521 developed in consultation with the legislative appropriations
522 committees and the appropriate substantive committees, and are
523 subject to the review and approval process provided in s.
524 216.177. The approved performance measures, standards, and
525 sanctions shall be included and made a part of the strategic
526 plan for contracts entered into for delivery of programs
527 authorized by this section.
528 4. Develop a 5-year statewide strategic plan. The strategic
529 plan must include, but need not be limited to:
530 a. Strategies for the promotion of business formation,
531 expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive
532 marketing, attraction of venture capital and finance
533 development, domestic trade, international development, and
534 export assistance, which lead to more and better jobs and higher
535 wages for all geographic regions, disadvantaged communities, and
536 populations of the state, including rural areas, minority
537 businesses, and urban core areas.
538 b. The development of realistic policies and programs to
539 further the economic diversity of the state, its regions, and
540 their associated industrial clusters.
541 c. Specific provisions for the stimulation of economic
542 development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities
543 and counties of the state, including strategies for rural
544 marketing and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.
545 d. Provisions for the promotion of the successful long-term
546 economic development of the state with increased emphasis in
547 market research and information.
548 e. Plans for the generation of foreign investment in the
549 state which create jobs paying above-average wages and which
550 result in reverse investment in the state, including programs
551 that establish viable overseas markets, assist in meeting the
552 financing requirements of export-ready firms, broaden
553 opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use
554 the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate
555 trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate
556 availability of and access to education and training programs
557 that assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to
558 compete successfully in the global marketplace.
559 f. The identification of business sectors that are of
560 current or future importance to the state’s economy and to the
561 state’s global business image, and development of specific
562 strategies to promote the development of such sectors.
563 g. Strategies for talent development necessary in the state
564 to encourage economic development growth, taking into account
565 factors such as the state’s talent supply chain, education and
566 training opportunities, and available workforce.
567 h. Strategies and plans to support this state’s defense,
568 space, and aerospace industries and the emerging complementary
569 business activities and industries that support the development
570 and growth of defense, space, and aerospace in this state.
571 5. Update the strategic plan every 5 years.
572 6. Involve CareerSource Florida, Inc.; direct-support
573 organizations of the department; local governments; the general
574 public; local and regional economic development organizations;
575 other local, state, and federal economic, international, and
576 workforce development entities; the business community; and
577 educational institutions to assist with the strategic plan.
578 7. Coordinate with the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
579 Corporation in the development of the 4-year marketing plan
580 pursuant to s. 288.1226(13).
581 8. Administer and manage relationships, as appropriate,
582 with the entities and programs created pursuant to the Florida
583 Capital Formation Act, ss. 288.9621-288.96255.
584 (10) The department shall, by November 1 of each year,
585 submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the
586 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the
587 condition of the business climate and economic development in
588 the state.
589 (c) The report must incorporate annual reports of other
590 programs, including:
591 1. A detailed report of the performance of the Black
592 Business Loan Program and a cumulative summary of quarterly
593 report data required under s. 288.714.
594 2.
The Rural Economic Development Initiative established

595
under s. 288.0656.

596
3.
A detailed report of the performance of the Florida
597 Development Finance Corporation and a summary of the
598 corporation’s report required under s. 288.9610.
599
3.
4.
Information provided by Space Florida under s.
600 331.3051 and an analysis of the activities and accomplishments
601 of Space Florida.
602 Section 2. Subsection (5) is added to section 163.3168,
603 Florida Statutes, to read:
604 163.3168 Planning innovations and technical assistance.—
605
(5) When selecting applications for funding for technical

606
assistance, the state land planning agency shall give preference

607
to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity as

608
defined in s. 288.0656. The state land planning agency shall

609
consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity

when awarding

610
funding pursuant to this section.

611 Section 3. Paragraph (i) is added to subsection (4) of
612 section 201.15, Florida Statutes, to read:
613 201.15 Distribution of taxes collected.—All taxes collected
614 under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be first made
615 available to make payments when due on bonds issued pursuant to
616 s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds authorized to be
617 issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such pledge and
618 availability for the payment of these bonds shall have priority
619 over any requirement for the payment of service charges or costs
620 of collection and enforcement under this section. All taxes
621 collected under this chapter, except taxes distributed to the
622 Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2),
623 are subject to the service charge imposed in s. 215.20(1).
624 Before distribution pursuant to this section, the Department of
625 Revenue shall deduct amounts necessary to pay the costs of the
626 collection and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter.
627 The costs and service charge may not be levied against any
628 portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to the extent
629 that the costs and service charge are required to pay any
630 amounts relating to the bonds. All of the costs of the
631 collection and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter and
632 service charge shall be available and transferred to the extent
633 necessary to pay debt service and any other amounts payable with
634 respect to bonds authorized before January 1, 2017, secured by
635 revenues distributed pursuant to this section. All taxes
636 remaining after deduction of costs shall be distributed as
637 follows:
638 (4) After the required distributions to the Land
639 Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and
640 deduction of the service charge imposed pursuant to s.
641 215.20(1), the remainder shall be distributed as follows:
642
(i) A total of $30 million shall be paid to the credit of

643
the State Transportation Trust Fund, which funds are exclusively

644
for the use of the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program

645
as provided in s. 339.68.

646 Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
647 202.18, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (b) of
648 subsection (2) of that section is republished, to read:
649 202.18 Allocation and disposition of tax proceeds.—The
650 proceeds of the communications services taxes remitted under
651 this chapter shall be treated as follows:
652 (2) The proceeds of the taxes remitted under s.
653 202.12(1)(b) shall be allocated as follows:
654 (b) Fifty-five and nine-tenths percent of the remainder
655 shall be allocated to the state and distributed pursuant to s.
656 212.20(6), except that the proceeds allocated pursuant to s.
657 212.20(6)(d)2.b. shall be prorated to the participating counties
658 in the same proportion as that month’s collection of the taxes
659 and fees imposed pursuant to chapter 212 and paragraph (1)(b).
660 (c)1.
After the distribution required under paragraph (b),

661
the remainder

During each calendar year, the remaining portion

662
of the proceeds
shall be transferred to the Local Government
663 Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund
and
. Seventy percent of

664
such proceeds shall be
allocated in the same proportion as the
665 allocation of total receipts of the half-cent sales tax under s.
666 218.61 and the emergency distribution under s. 218.65 in the
667 prior state fiscal year.
Thirty percent of such proceeds shall

668
be distributed pursuant to s. 218.67.

669 2. The proportion of the proceeds allocated based on the
670 emergency distribution under s. 218.65 shall be distributed
671 pursuant to s. 218.65.
672 3. In each calendar year, the proportion of the proceeds
673 allocated based on the half-cent sales tax under s. 218.61 shall
674 be allocated to each county in the same proportion as the
675 county’s percentage of total sales tax allocation for the prior
676 state fiscal year and distributed pursuant to s. 218.62.
677 4. The department shall distribute the appropriate amount
678 to each municipality and county each month at the same time that
679 local communications services taxes are distributed pursuant to
680 subsection (3).
681 Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
682 212.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
683 212.20 Funds collected, disposition; additional powers of
684 department; operational expense; refund of taxes adjudicated
685 unconstitutionally collected.—
686 (6) Distribution of all proceeds under this chapter and ss.
687 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) and 203.01(1)(a)3. is as follows:
688 (d) The proceeds of all other taxes and fees imposed
689 pursuant to this chapter or remitted pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b)
690 and (2)(b) shall be distributed as follows:
691 1. In any fiscal year, the greater of $500 million, minus
692 an amount equal to 4.6 percent of the proceeds of the taxes
693 collected pursuant to chapter 201, or 5.2 percent of all other
694 taxes and fees imposed pursuant to this chapter or remitted
695 pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) shall be deposited in
696 monthly installments into the General Revenue Fund.
697 2. After the distribution under subparagraph 1., 8.9744
698 percent of the amount remitted by a sales tax dealer located
699 within a participating county pursuant to s. 218.61 shall be
700 transferred in two parts:
701 a. The total amount of $50 million of the communications
702 services taxes remitted pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b),
703 in any fiscal year, shall be distributed by the department by a
704 nonoperating transfer to the Department of Commerce in monthly
705 installments to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the
706 Department of Commerce for the Utility Relocation Reimbursement
707 Grant Program created in s. 337.4031; and
708 b. The remainder shall be transferred into the Local
709 Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund. Beginning
710 October 1, 2025, the amount to be transferred shall be reduced
711 by 0.1018 percent, and the department shall distribute this
712 amount to the Public Employees Relations Commission Trust Fund
713 less $5,000 each month, which shall be added to the amount
714 calculated in subparagraph 3. and distributed accordingly.
715 3. After the distribution under subparagraphs 1. and 2.,
716 0.0966 percent shall be transferred to the Local Government
717 Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund and distributed pursuant
718 to s. 218.65.
719 4. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
720 3., 2.0810 percent of the available proceeds shall be
721 transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
722 Counties pursuant to s. 218.215.
723 5. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
724 3., 1.3653 percent of the available proceeds shall be
725 transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
726 Municipalities pursuant to s. 218.215. If the total revenue to
727 be distributed pursuant to this subparagraph is at least as
728 great as the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
729 Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
730 Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, no municipality shall
731 receive less than the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust
732 Fund for Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial
733 Assistance Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000. If the
734 total proceeds to be distributed are less than the amount
735 received in combination from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
736 Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
737 Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, each municipality
738 shall receive an amount proportionate to the amount it was due
739 in state fiscal year 1999-2000.
740 6.
After the distributions required under subparagraphs 1.

741
5., the greater of $50 million or 0.14
12
percent of the

742
available proceeds shall be transferred in each fiscal year to

743
fiscally constrained counties pursuant to s. 218.67.

744
7.
Of the remaining proceeds:
745 a. In each fiscal year, the sum of $29,915,500 shall be
746 divided into as many equal parts as there are counties in the
747 state, and one part shall be distributed to each county. The
748 distribution among the several counties must begin each fiscal
749 year on or before January 5th and continue monthly for a total
750 of 4 months. If a local or special law required that any moneys
751 accruing to a county in fiscal year 1999-2000 under the then
752 existing provisions of s. 550.135 be paid directly to the
753 district school board, special district, or a municipal
754 government, such payment must continue until the local or
755 special law is amended or repealed. The state covenants with
756 holders of bonds or other instruments of indebtedness issued by
757 local governments, special districts, or district school boards
758 before July 1, 2000, that it is not the intent of this
759 subparagraph to adversely affect the rights of those holders or
760 relieve local governments, special districts, or district school
761 boards of the duty to meet their obligations as a result of
762 previous pledges or assignments or trusts entered into which
763 obligated funds received from the distribution to county
764 governments under then-existing s. 550.135. This distribution
765 specifically is in lieu of funds distributed under s. 550.135
766 before July 1, 2000.
767 b. The department shall distribute $166,667 monthly to each
768 applicant certified as a facility for a new or retained
769 professional sports franchise pursuant to s. 288.1162. Up to
770 $41,667 shall be distributed monthly by the department to each
771 certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11621 for a facility
772 for a spring training franchise. However, not more than $416,670
773 may be distributed monthly in the aggregate to all certified
774 applicants for facilities for spring training franchises.
775 Distributions begin 60 days after such certification and
776 continue for not more than 30 years, except as otherwise
777 provided in s. 288.11621. A certified applicant identified in
778 this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in distributions than
779 expended by the applicant for the public purposes provided in s.
780 288.1162(5) or s. 288.11621(3).
781 c. The department shall distribute up to $83,333 monthly to
782 each certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a
783 facility used by a single spring training franchise, or up to
784 $166,667 monthly to each certified applicant as defined in s.
785 288.11631 for a facility used by more than one spring training
786 franchise. Monthly distributions begin 60 days after such
787 certification or July 1, 2016, whichever is later, and continue
788 for not more than 20 years to each certified applicant as
789 defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by a single spring
790 training franchise or not more than 25 years to each certified
791 applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by more
792 than one spring training franchise. A certified applicant
793 identified in this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in
794 distributions than expended by the applicant for the public
795 purposes provided in s. 288.11631(3).
796 d. The department shall distribute $15,333 monthly to the
797 State Transportation Trust Fund.
798 e. Beginning July 1, 2023, in each fiscal year, the
799 department shall distribute $27.5 million to the Florida
800 Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust Fund under s. 571.26,
801 for further distribution in accordance with s. 571.265.
802
8.
7.
All other proceeds must remain in the General Revenue
803 Fund.
804 Section 6. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section
805 215.971, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
806 215.971 Agreements funded with federal or state
807 assistance.—
808 (1) An agency agreement that provides state financial
809 assistance to a recipient or subrecipient, as those terms are
810 defined in s. 215.97, or that provides federal financial
811 assistance to a subrecipient, as defined by applicable United
812 States Office of Management and Budget circulars, must include
813 all of the following:
814 (h)
1.
If the agency agreement provides federal or state
815 financial assistance to a county or municipality that is a rural
816 community or rural area of opportunity as those terms are
817 defined in s. 288.0656(2), a provision allowing the agency to
818 provide for the payment of invoices to the county, municipality,
819 or rural area of opportunity as that term is defined in s.
820 288.0656(2), for verified and eligible performance that has been
821 completed in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
822 in the agreement.
This provision is not intended to require

823
reimbursement to the county, municipality, or rural area of

824
opportunity for invoices paid, but to allow the agency to

825
provide for the payment of invoices due. The agency shall

826
expedite such payment requests in order to facilitate the timely

827
payment of invoices received by the county, municipality, or

828
rural area of opportunity.
This provision is included to
829 alleviate the financial hardships that certain rural counties
830 and municipalities encounter when administering agreements, and
831 must be exercised by the agency when a county or municipality
832 demonstrates financial hardship, to the extent that federal or
833 state law, rule, or other regulation allows such payments. This
834 paragraph may not be construed to alter or limit any other
835 provisions of federal or state law, rule, or other regulation.
836
2. By August 1, 202
7
, and each year thereafter, each state

837
agency shall report to the Office of Rural Prosperity
on
the

838
implementation of this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year.

839
The Office of Rural Prosperity shall summarize the information

840
received pursuant to this paragraph in its annual report as

841
required in s. 288.013.

842 Section 7. Section 218.67, Florida Statutes, is amended to
843 read:
844 218.67 Distribution for fiscally constrained counties.—
845 (1) Each county
that is entirely within a rural area of

846
opportunity as designated by the Governor pursuant to s.

847
288.0656 or each county
for which the value of a mill will raise
848 no more than
$10

$5
million in revenue, based on the taxable
849 value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., from the
850 previous July 1,
is

shall be
considered a fiscally constrained
851 county.
852 (2) Each fiscally constrained county government that
853 participates in the local government half-cent sales tax shall
854 be eligible to receive an additional distribution
from the Local

855
Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund,
as provided
856 in
s. 212.20(6)(d)6.

s. 202.18(2)(c)1.
, in addition to its
857 regular monthly distribution provided under this part and any
858 emergency or supplemental distribution under s. 218.65.
859 (3) The amount to be distributed to each fiscally
860 constrained county shall be determined by the Department of
861 Revenue at the beginning of the fiscal year, using the prior
862 fiscal year’s
sales and use tax collections from the most recent

863
fiscal year that reports 12 months of collections

July 1 taxable

864
value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., tax data
,
the

865 population as defined in s. 218.21, and
the most current

866
calendar year per capita personal income
, as initially

reported

867
by the
Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States

868
Department of Commerce

millage rate levied for the prior fiscal

869
year
. The amount distributed shall be allocated based upon the
870 following factors:
871 (a) The
contribution-to-revenue

relative revenue-raising

872
capacity
factor
for each participating county
must
equal 100

873
multiplied by a quotient, the numerator of which is the county’s

874
population and the denominator of which is the state sales and

875
use tax collections attributable to the county

shall
be the

876
ability of the eligible county to generate ad valorem revenues

877
from 1 mill of taxation on a per capita basis. A county that

878
raises no more than $25 per capita from 1 mill shall be assigned

879
a value of 1; a county that raises more than $25 but no more

880
than $30 per capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of

881
0.75; and a county that raises more than $30 but no more than

882
$50 per capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 0.5. No

883
value shall be assigned to counties that raise more than $50 per

884
capita from 1 mill of ad valorem taxation
.
885 (b) The
personal-income

local-effort
factor
must
equal a

886
quotient, the numerator of which is the median per capita

887
personal income of participating counties and the denominator of

888
which is the county’s per capita personal income

shall
be a

889
measure of the relative level of local effort of the eligible

890
county as indicated by the millage rate levied for the prior

891
fiscal year. The local-effort factor shall be the most recently

892
adopted countywide operating millage rate for each eligible

893
county multiplied by 0.1
.
894 (c) Each eligible county’s proportional allocation of the
895 total amount available to be distributed to all of the eligible
896 counties
must

shall
be in the same proportion as the sum of the
897 county’s two factors is to the sum of the two factors for all
898 eligible counties.
The proportional rate computation must be

899
carried to the fifth decimal place, and the amount to distribute

900
to each county must be rounded to the
nearest
whole dollar

901
amount.
The counties that are eligible to receive an allocation
902 under this subsection and the amount available to be distributed
903 to such counties
do

shall
not include counties participating in
904 the phaseout period under subsection (4) or the amounts they
905 remain eligible to receive during the phaseout.
906 (4) For those counties that no longer qualify under the
907 requirements of subsection (1) after the effective date of this
908 act, there shall be a 2-year phaseout period. Beginning on July
909 1 of the year following the year in which the value of a mill
910 for that county exceeds
$10

$5
million in revenue, the county
911 shall receive two-thirds of the amount received in the prior
912 year, and beginning on July 1 of the second year following the
913 year in which the value of a mill for that county exceeds
$10

$5

914 million in revenue, the county shall receive one-third of the
915 amount received in the last year that the county qualified as a
916 fiscally constrained county. Following the 2-year phaseout
917 period, the county
is

shall
no longer
be
eligible to receive any
918 distributions under this section unless the county can be
919 considered a fiscally constrained county as provided in
920 subsection (1).
921 (5)
(a)
The revenues received under this section
must be

922
allocated

may be used
by a county
to be used
for
the following

923
purposes:

924
1.

Fifty percent for public safety, including salary

925
expenditures for law enforcement officers or correctional

926
officers, as those terms are defined in s. 943.10(1) and (2),

927
respectively, firefighters as defined in s. 633.102,
and

928
emergency medical technicians or paramedics as those terms are

929
defined in s. 401.23.

930
2.

Thirty percent for infrastructure needs.

931
3.

Twenty percent for any public purpose.

932
(b) The revenues received under this section

any public

933
purpose, except that such revenues
may not be used to pay debt
934 service on bonds, notes, certificates of participation, or any
935 other forms of indebtedness.
936 Section 8. Present paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (7)
937 of section 288.001, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
938 paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, and a new paragraph (d) is
939 added to that subsection, to read:
940 288.001 The Florida Small Business Development Center
941 Network.—
942 (7) ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS; USES; PAY-PER-PERFORMANCE
943 INCENTIVES; STATEWIDE SERVICE; SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS; BEST
944 PRACTICES; ELIGIBILITY.—
945
(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the

946
network shall use funds directly appropriated for the specific

947
purpose of expanding service in rural communities as defined in

948
s. 288.0656, in addition to any funds allocated by the network

949
from other sources. The network shall use the funds to develop

950
an activity plan focused on network consultants and resources in

951
rural communities. In collaboration with regional economic

952
development organizations as defined in s. 288.018, the plan

953
must provide for either full- or part-time consultants to be

954
available for at least 20 hours per week in rural areas or
to
be

955
permanently stationed in rural areas. This may include

956
establishing a circuit in specific rural locations to ensure the

957
consultants’ availability on a regular basis. By using the funds

958
to create a regular presence in rural areas, the network
will

959
strengthen community collaboration, raise awareness of available

960
resources to provide opportunities for new business development

961
or existing business growth, and make professional experience,

962
education, and business information available in these essential

963
communities. The network may dedicate funds to facilitate local

964
or regional events that focus on small business topics, provide

965
consulting services, and leverage partner organizations, such as

966
the regional economic development organizations, local workforce

967
development boards as described in s. 445.
0
07, and Florida

968
College System institutions.

969 Section 9. Section 288.007, Florida Statutes, is amended to
970 read:
971 288.007 Inventory of communities seeking to recruit
972 businesses.—By September 30 of each year, a county or
973 municipality that has a population of at least 25,000 or its
974 local economic development organization
, and each local

975
government within a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.

976
288.0656 or its
regional economic development organization as

977
defined in s. 288.018 or other
local economic development

978
organization, shall

must
submit to the department a brief
979 overview of the strengths, services, and economic development
980 incentives that its community offers. The local government or
981 its
local
economic development organization also
shall

must

982 identify any industries that it is encouraging to locate or
983 relocate to its area.
Unless otherwise required pursuant to this

984
section,
a county or municipality having a population of 25,000
985 or
less

fewer
or its
local
economic development organization
986 seeking to recruit businesses may submit information as required
987 in this section and may participate in any activity or
988 initiative resulting from the collection, analysis, and
989 reporting of the information to the department pursuant to this
990 section.
991 Section 10. Section 288.013, Florida Statutes, is created
992 to read:
993
288.013 Office of Rural Prosperity.—

994
(1)

The Legislature finds that the unique characteristics

995
of the rural communities in this state are integral to making

996
Florida
an attractive place to visit, work, and live.
T
he

997
Legislature
further
finds that
fostering
a prosperous rural

998
economy and vibrant rural communities
serves
the best interest
s

999
of this state. Rural prosperity support
s
this state’s

1000
infrastructure, housing, agricultural
,
and food-processing needs

1001
and advances
the
overall
health of
Florida’s
economy. It is

1002
essential that
rural areas
be
able to grow
and thrive
, whether

1003
independently
or
through
regional partnerships. To better serve

1004
rural communities, and in recognition of
the
unique challenges

1005
and opportunities
they face
, the Office of Rural Prosperity is

1006
established to ensure
that state
efforts
to support rural

1007
Florida
are coordinated, focused, and effective.

1008
(2)

The Office of Rural Prosperity is created within the

1009
Department of Commerce
to
support rural communities by helping

1010
rural stakeholders navigate available programs and resources and

1011
by
representing rural interests across state government.

1012
(3)

The Governor shall appoint a director to lead the

1013
office, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director

1014
shall report to the secretary of the department and shall serve

1015
at the pleasure of the secretary.

1016
(4)

The office shall do all of the following:

1017
(a)

Serve as the state’s point of contact for rural local

1018
governments.

1019
(b)

Administer the Rural Economic Development Initiative

1020
(REDI) pursuant to s. 288.0656.

1021
(c)

Provide training and technical assistance to rural

1022
local governments on a broad range of community and economic

1023
development activities. The training and technical assistance

1024
may be offered using communications technology or in person
. In

1025
addition, the office shall post a recorded training and

1026
technical assistance video to the office’s website

which covers

1027
all of the required topics
. The training and technical

1028
assistance must include, at a minimum, the following topics:

1029
1. How to access state and federal resources, including

1030
training on the online rural resource directory required under

1031
paragraph (d).

1032
2.

Best practices
for
comprehensive planning, economic

1033
development, and land development in rural communities.

1034
3.

Strategies to
address staffing shortages and strengthen

1035
management functions in
rural local governments.

1036
4.

Requirements of, and updates on recent changes to, the

1037
Community Planning Act under s. 163.3161.

1038
5.

Updates on other recent state and federal laws affecting

1039
rural local governments.

1040
(d)

Create and maintain an online rural resource directory

1041
to serve as an interactive tool
for users
to navigate state and

1042
federal resources, tools, and services available to rural local

1043
governments. The office shall
ensure
the directory
is regularly

1044
updated
and, to the greatest extent possible, include
s

current

1045
information on programs, resources, and services that address

1046
the needs of rural communities in all areas of governance. Each

1047
state agency shall routinely provide information and updates to

1048
the office
to support
maintenance of the directory. The

1049
directory must allow users to search by indicators, such as

1050
agency name, resource type, or topic, and include a notification

1051
feature

that
alerts
users
when new or
updated
resources are

1052
available. To the greatest extent possible, the directory must

1053
identify any
financial match requirements
associated with listed

1054
programs
.

1055
(5)(a)

By October 1, 202
6
, the office shall establish and

1056
provide
staff
for
seven regional rural community liaison centers

1057
across
this
state
to provide
specialized in-person state support

1058
to
rural
local governments
located
in rural areas of opportunity

1059
as defined in s. 288.0656. The department shall
,
by rule
,
divide

1060
th
e
state into seven regions and assign a liaison center to each

1061
region. Each liaison center shall
serve
the local governments

1062
within its geographic
area
and
shall
be staffed with at least

1063
two full-time department
employees
. At a minimum,
each
liaison

1064
center
has
the following powers
and
duties:

1065
1.

Assist
local governments
in
plan
ning
and achiev
ing
goals

1066
related to
local or regional growth, economic development, and

1067
rural prosperity.

1068
2.

Facilitate access to state and federal resources,

1069
including
grants, loans, and other
available assistance
.

1070
3.

Advise local governments on available program
waivers
,

1071
including financial match waivers or reductions for projects

1072
using state or federal funds through
REDI
under s. 288.0656.

1073
4.

Coordinate technical assistance needs with the

1074
department and other state or federal agencies.

1075
5.

Promote model ordinances, policies, and strategies

1076
related to economic development.

1077
6.

Assist local governments with regulatory and reporting

1078
compliance
requirements
.

1079
(b)

To the greatest extent possible,
each
regional rural

1080
community liaison center shall coordinate with local and

1081
regional governmental entities, regional economic development

1082
organizations as defined in s. 288.018, and other appropriate

1083
entities to establish a network
that
foster
s
community-driven

1084
solutions promot
ing
viable and sustainable rural communities.

1085
(c)

Each
regional rural community liaison center shall

1086
regularly engage with
REDI
established in s. 288.0656, and at

1087
least one staff member from each liaison center shall attend
the

1088
monthly REDI meeting
, either in person or by means of electronic

1089
communication
.

1090
(6)

By December 1, 202
6
, and each year thereafter, the

1091
director of the office shall submit to the Administration

1092
Commission
with
in the Executive Office of the Governor a written

1093
report describing the office’s operations and accomplishments

1094
for the preceding year
. The report must include the

REDI
report

1095
required by s. 288.0656(8). In consultation with the Department

1096
of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the office shall also

1097
include in the annual report recommendations for policies,

1098
programs, and funding
initiatives
to further support the needs

1099
of rural communities in this state. The office shall
also
submit

1100
the annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker

1101
of the House of Representatives by December 1 of each year and

1102
publish
it
on the office’s website.
At the next scheduled

1103
meeting of the
Administration Commission
following submission of

1104
the report
,
the director shall, in person,

present
detailed

1105
information from the report required
under
this subsection.

1106
(7)(a)

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government

1107
Accountability (OPPAGA) shall
evaluate
the effectiveness of the

1108
office
and submit a report of its findings, including any

1109
recommended policy or statutory changes, to the President of the

1110
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
by

1111
December 15, 202
7
, and each year thereafter
through
202
9
.

1112
Beginning in 20
32
,
the report must be submitted
every 3 years
.

1113
(b)

OPPAGA shall review strategies implemented by other

1114
states
for
rural community preservation, enhancement, and

1115
revitalization and
evaluate
their effectiveness and potential

1116
applicability
in this state. OPPAGA shall
submit a report of its

1117
findings
to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the

1118
House of Representatives by December 15, 202
8
, and every
5
years

1119
thereafter.

1120 Section 11. Section 288.014, Florida Statutes, is created
1121 to read:
1122
288.014 Renaissance Grants Program.—

1123
(1) The Legislature finds that it has
historically
provided

1124
programs to assist rural communities with economic development

1125
and
to
enhance their ability to attract businesses and that, by

1126
providing that extra component of economic viability, rural

1127
communities are able to attract new businesses and grow existing

1128
ones. However, the Legislature
further
finds that a subset of

1129
rural communities has decreased in population over the past

1130
decade, contributing to a decline in local business activity and

1131
economic development. The Legislature
therefore determines
that

1132
state
assistance must evolve to support
these communities
in

1133
achiev
ing

the foundation
necessary
for
economic viability. The

1134
intent of the Renaissance Grants Program
is to
reverse
economic

1135
deterioration in
such
rural communities by retaining and

1136
attracting residents by giving them a reason to stay, which
will

1137
stimulate
natural economic growth, business opportunities, and

1138
improved
quality of life.

1139
(2) The Office of Rural Prosperity within the department

1140
shall administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block

1141
grants to eligible counties. By October 1,
2026
, the Office of

1142
Economic and Demographic Research shall certify to the Office of

1143
Rural Prosperity which counties are growth-impeded. For the

1144
purposes of this section,
the term
“growth-impeded” means a

1145
county that, as of the most recent population estimate, has

1146
experienced
a declining population over the
previous
10 years.

1147
After
the
initial certification, the Office of Economic and

1148
Demographic Research shall annually certify whether the county

1149
remains growth-impeded, until the
office certifies the
county

1150
has
had
3 consecutive years of population growth. Upon such

1151
certification of population growth, the county
remains
eligible

1152
for
the program for 1 additional year to prepare for the end of

1153
block grant funding.

1154
(3)(a) Each participating county shall enter into an

1155
agreement with the Office of Rural Prosperity to receive block

1156
grant
funds
.
C
ount
ies
ha
ve
broad authority to design
their

1157
specific plan to achieve population growth
consistent with
this

1158
section. The Office of Rural Prosperity may not determine
the

1159
manner in which a
county implements
its plan
. However, regional

1160
rural community liaison center staff shall provide assistance in

1161
developing the county’s plan, upon
the county’s
request.

1162
(b) Each participating county shall
submit an annual
report

1163
to the Office of Rural Prosperity
detailing program
activities
,

1164
intergovernmental agreements, and other information as required

1165
by the office.

1166
(c) Each participating county shall receive $1 million from

1167
the funds appropriated to the program
, or an equal share of the

1168
funds appropriated if insufficient to provide that amount
.

1169
Counties shall make all attempts to limit expenses for

1170
administrative costs, consistent with the need for prudent

1171
management and accountability in the use of public funds.

1172
Counties
may
supplement the block grant with other funding

1173
sources,
including local, state, or federal grant
s
,
and may
seek

1174
public or private contributions or
in-kind
support to advance

1175
program
activities.

1176
(4)(a)
Each
participating county shall hire and retain a

1177
renaissance coordinator
, who may be funded from block grant

1178
proceeds
. The renaissance coordinator is responsible for:

1179
1. Ensuring that block grant funds are used as provided in

1180
this section;

1181
2. Coordinating with other local governments, school

1182
boards, Florida College System institutions,
and
other
partners
;

1183
and

1184
3. Reporting as necessary to the state, including

1185
information necessary pursuant to subsection (7).

1186
(b) The Office of Rural Prosperity regional rural community

1187
liaison center staff shall
, upon request,
provide assistance and

1188
training to the renaissance coordinator to
support
successful

1189
implementation of the block grant.

1190
(5)
Each
participating county shall design a plan
for

1191
targeted
community
investments
designed
to achieve population

1192
growth and increase the economic vitality. The plan must include

1193
the following key features for use of the state support:

1194
(a) Technology centers located within schools or on school

1195
premises, administered by the local school board, provid
ing

1196
extended hours and access
for
students.

1197
(b) Facilities that colocate adult day care with child care

1198
facilities. The site-sharing facilities must be managed to also

1199
encourage
interaction between generations and increase the

1200
health and well-being of younger and older participants, reduce

1201
social isolation, and create cost and time efficiencies for

1202
working famil
ies
. The regional rural community liaison center

1203
staff of the Office of Rural Prosperity shall, upon request,

1204
assist the county with bringing
recommendations
to the Rural

1205
Economic Development Initiative or the appropriate state agency

1206
to streamline
all
required state permits, licenses, regulations,

1207
or other requirements.

1208
(c) Technology labs
operated
in
partnership
with the

1209
nearest Florida College System institution or a career center

1210
under s. 1001.44. Repurpos
ed
vacant industrial sites or existing

1211
office space must be given priority in the selection of lab

1212
locations. Each local technology lab must be staffed and open

1213
for extended hours with the capacity to provide:

1214
1. Access to trainers and equipment necessary for earn
ing

1215
certificates or online degrees in technology;

1216
2. Hands-on assistance
in securing
remote work

1217
opportunities; and

1218
3.
Studio space equipped for remote technology-based work

1219
available for graduates and other qualifying residents.

1220
Participating counties may determine which residents receive

1221
priority access. Collaboration with community partners,

1222
including the local workforce development board as described in

1223
s. 445.007, to provide training opportunities, in-kind support

1224
such as transportation to and from the lab, financing of

1225
equipment for in-home use, or basic maintenance of such

1226
equipment is required.

1227
(6) In addition to hiring a renaissance coordinator,
each

1228
participating county shall develop intergovernmental agreements

1229
for shared responsibilities with its municipalities, school

1230
board, and Florida College System institution or career center

1231
and enter into necessary contracts with providers and community

1232
partners in order to implement the plan.

1233
(7)(a) Every 2 years,
beginning in 2027,
the Auditor

1234
General shall conduct an operational audit as defined in s.

1235
11.45 of each county’s grant activities.

1236
(b) On December
15
, 202
7
, and every year thereafter, the

1237
Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall submit a

1238
report
to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the

1239
House of Representatives summarizing
renaissance block grant

1240
recipients by county
.
The report must provide key economic

1241
indicators that measure progress in
reversing
long-term trends

1242
in the county. The Office of Rural Prosperity shall
, upon

1243
request,
provide
any data necessary
to complete the report.

1244
(8) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the

1245
purposes of this section are not subject to reversion.

1246
(9) This section expires June 30, 204
1
.

1247 Section 12. Section 288.0175, Florida Statutes, is created
1248 to read:
1249
288.0175 Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant

1250
Program.—

1251
(1)

The Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant

1252
Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity

1253
within the department to fund and support public infrastructure

1254
smart technology projects in communities located in rural areas

1255
of opportunity, subject to legislative appropriation.

1256
(2)

As used in this section, the term:

1257
(a)

“Public infrastructure smart technology” means systems

1258
or
applications that use connectivity, data analytics,
or

1259
automation to improve public infrastructure by increasing

1260
efficiency, enhancing public services, and promoting sustainable

1261
development.

1262
(b)

“Rural area of opportunity
”
has the same meaning as in

1263
s. 288.0656.

1264
(c) “Smart region
”
mean
s
a
geographic area that uses

1265
technology and innovative ideas to improve the quality of life

1266
for its citizens by addressing regional challenges through

1267
collaboration
among
government, businesses, and communities
.

1268
(
d
)

“Smart technology lead organization” means a not-for

1269
profit corporation organized under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal

1270
Revenue Code which has been in existence for at least 3 years

1271
and specializes in smart region planning.

1272
(3)(a)

The Office of Rural Prosperity shall contract with

1273
one or more smart technology lead organizations to administer

1274
the grant program for the purpose of deploying public

1275
infrastructure smart technology in rural communities.
Under such

1276
contracts
, the smart technology lead organization shall
award

1277
grants to counties and municipalities located within a rural

1278
area of opportunity for
eligible
public infrastructure smart

1279
technology projects.

1280
(b)

Each contract
must specify deliverables,
reporting

1281
requirements, timeframes,
and any other
term
the office
deems

1282
necessary.
At a minimum, t
he contract must require the smart

1283
technology lead organization to:

1284
1.

Collaborate with counties and municipalities in rural

1285
areas of opportunity to identify cost-effective smart technology

1286
solutions for improving public services and infrastructure.

1287
2.

Provide technical assistance to counties and

1288
municipalities located in rural areas of opportunity in

1289
developing public infrastructure smart technology project
plans
.

1290
3.

Facilitate connections between
rural
communities and

1291
other entities, including
companies
and regional partners to

1292
maximize the impact of funded projects.

1293
(4)

The
O
ffice
of Rural Prosperity
shall include a
summary

1294
of projects funded under this section in its annual report

1295
required by s. 288.013(6).

1296 Section 13. Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section
1297 288.018, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1298 288.018 Regional Rural Development Grants Program.—
1299 (1)(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “regional
1300 economic development organization” means an economic development
1301 organization located in or contracted to serve a rural area of
1302 opportunity, as defined in
s. 288.0656

s. 288.0656(2)(d)
.
1303 (b)
Subject to appropriation,
the
Office of Rural

1304
Prosperity

department
shall establish a grant program to provide
1305 funding to regional economic development organizations for the
1306 purpose of building the professional capacity of those
1307 organizations. Building the professional capacity of a regional
1308 economic development organization includes hiring professional
1309 staff to develop, deliver, and provide needed economic
1310 development professional services, including technical
1311 assistance, education and leadership development, marketing, and
1312 project recruitment. Grants may also be used by a regional
1313 economic development organization to provide technical
1314 assistance to local governments, local economic development
1315 organizations, and existing and prospective businesses.
1316 (c) A regional economic development organization may apply
1317 annually to the
office

department
for a grant. The
office

1318
department
is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants
1319 to such regional economic development organizations. The
office

1320
may award a
maximum amount
of $50,000 in a year to
an
1321 organization
may receive in any year will be $50,000
, or
1322 $250,000
each to

for
any three regional economic development
1323 organizations that serve an entire region of a rural area of
1324 opportunity designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7) if they are
1325 recognized by the
office

department
as serving such a region.
1326 (2) In approving the participants, the
office

department

1327 shall require the following:
1328 (a) Documentation of official commitments of support from
1329 each of the units of local government represented by the
1330 regional organization.
1331 (b) Demonstration that the organization is in existence and
1332 actively involved in economic development activities serving the
1333 region.
1334 (c) Demonstration of the manner in which the organization
1335 is or will coordinate its efforts with those of other local and
1336 state organizations.
1337 (4)
Except as otherwise provided in the General

1338
Appropriations Act,
the
office

department
may expend up to
1339 $750,000 each fiscal year from funds appropriated
to the Rural

1340
Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
for the purposes
1341 outlined in this section.
1342 Section 14. Section 288.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
1343 to read:
1344 288.019 Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation
1345 processes
; financial match waiver or reduction
.—
1346
(1)
Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest
1347 extent possible,
each agency and organization

the member

1348
agencies and organizations
of the Rural Economic Development
1349 Initiative (REDI) as defined in
s. 288.0656

s. 288.0656(6)(a)

1350 shall review
:

1351
(a)
All grant and loan application evaluation criteria
and

1352
scoring procedures
to ensure the fullest access for rural
1353
communities

counties
as defined in
s. 288.0656

s. 288.0656(2)
to
1354 resources available throughout
this

the
state
; and

1355
(b) The financial match requirements for projects in rural

1356
communities
.
1357
(2)
(1)
Each REDI agency and organization shall
consider the

1358
impact on and ability of rural communities to meet and be

1359
competitive under such criteria, scoring, and requirements. Upon

1360
review, each REDI agency and organization shall

review all

1361
evaluation and scoring procedures and
develop
a proposal for

1362 modifications to those procedures which minimize the
financial

1363
and resource impact to a rural community, including waiver or

1364
reduction of any required financial match requirements

impact of

1365
a project within a rural area
.
1366
(a)
(2)
Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
1367 provide for an appropriate ranking
, when ranking is a component

1368
of the program,
based on the proportionate impact that projects
1369 have on a rural area when compared with similar project impacts
1370 on an urban area.
Additionally,

1371
(3)
evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
1372 recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an
1373 equal level of financial support from an urban county
or

1374
municipality
and a rural county
or municipality
.
1375
(a)
The evaluation criteria
must

should
weight contribution
1376 in proportion to the amount of funding available at the local
1377 level.
1378 (b)
Match requirements must be waived or reduced for rural

1379
communities. When appropriate, an
in-kind match
must

should
be
1380 allowed and applied as
a
financial match when a
rural community

1381
county
is experiencing
economic

financial
distress
as defined in

1382
s. 288.0656

through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of

1383
the state’s average by 5 percentage points or because of the

1384
loss of its ad valorem base
.
Donations of land, though usually

1385
not recognized as an in-kind match, may be treated as such. As

1386
appropriate, each agency and organization that applies for or

1387
receives federal funding must request federal approval to waive

1388
or reduce the financial match requirements, if any, for projects

1389
in rural communities.

1390
(3)
(4)

For existing programs,
The
proposal developed under

1391
subsection (2)

modified evaluation criteria and scoring

1392
procedure
must be
submitted

delivered
to the
Office of Rural

1393
Prosperity

department
for distribution to the REDI agencies and
1394 organizations. The REDI agencies and organizations shall review
1395 and make comments
and recommendations that
. Future rules,

1396
programs, evaluation criteria, and scoring processes must be

1397
brought before a REDI meeting for review, discussion, and

1398
recommendation to
allow rural
communities

counties
fuller access
1399 to the state’s resources.
1400
(4) Each REDI agency and organization shall ensure that

1401
related administrative rules or policies are modified, as

1402
necessary, to reflect the finalized proposal and that

1403
information about the authorized wa
iv
er or reduction is included

1404
in the online rural resource directory of the Office of Rural

1405
Prosperity required in s. 288.013(4)(d).

1406
(5) The rural liaison from the related regional
rural

1407
community liaison center
district shall assist the rural

1408
community to make waiver or reduction
requests
.

1409 Section 15. Subsection (3) is added to section 288.021,
1410 Florida Statutes, to read:
1411 288.021 Economic development liaison.—
1412
(3) When practicable, the staff member appointed as the

1413
economic development liaison shall also serve as the agency

1414
representative for the Rural Economic Development Initiative

1415
pursuant to s. 288.0656.

1416 Section 16. Section 288.065, Florida Statutes, is amended
1417 to read:
1418 288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
1419 (1) The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
1420 Program is established within the
Office of Rural Prosperity

1421
department
to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and
1422 local financial resources by providing local governments with
1423 financial assistance to further promote the economic viability
1424 of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance
1425 initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the
1426 economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives
1427 addressing employment opportunities for residents of these
1428 communities.
1429 (2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan
1430 guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local
1431 governments, or economic development organizations substantially
1432 underwritten by a unit of local government
.
,

1433
(b) For purposes of this section, the term “unit of local

1434
government” means
any of the following
:

1435
1. A county

within counties
with
a population

populations

1436 of 75,000 or
less.

fewer, or within any

1437
2. A
county with a population of 125,000 or
less

fewer

1438 which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
1439
less.

fewer

1440
3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph

1441
1. or subparagraph 2.

1442
4. A county or municipality within a rural area of

1443
opportunity
designated under s. 288.0656
.

1444
1445
For purposes of this paragraph, population is determined in

1446
accordance with the most recent official estimates pursuant to

1447
s. 186.901 and must include those residing in incorporated and

1448
unincorporated areas of a county
, based on the most recent

1449
official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901,

1450
including those residing in incorporated areas and those

1451
residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of

1452
local government, or economic development organizations

1453
substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within

1454
a rural area of opportunity
.
1455
(c)
(b)
Requests for loans
must

shall
be made by application
1456 to the
office

department
. Loans
must

shall
be made pursuant to
1457 agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between
1458 the applicant and the
office

department
. The loans
are

shall be

1459 the legal obligations of the applicant.
1460
(d)
(c)
All repayments of principal and interest
must

shall

1461 be returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to
1462 other applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity
1463 designated
under s. 288.0656

by the Governor
, and upon approval
1464 by the
office

department
, repayments of principal and interest
1465 may be retained by the applicant if such repayments are
1466 dedicated and matched to fund regionally based economic
1467 development organizations representing the rural area of
1468 opportunity.
1469 (3) The
office

department
shall manage the fund,
1470 establishing loan practices that must include, but are not
1471 limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates,
1472 uses of funding, application procedures, and application review
1473 procedures. The
office has

department shall have
final approval
1474 authority for any loan under this section.
1475 (4) Notwithstanding
the provisions of
s. 216.301, funds
1476 appropriated for this
loan fund may

purpose shall
not be subject
1477 to reversion.
1478
(5) The office shall include in its annual report required

1479
under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including

1480
loans made during the previous fiscal year, loans active, loans

1481
terminated or repaid, and the amount of funds not obligated as

1482
of 14 days before the date the report is due.

1483 Section 17. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
1484 288.0655, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
1485 added to that section, to read:
1486 288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
1487 (1) There is created within the
Office of Rural Prosperity

1488
department
the Rural Infrastructure Fund to facilitate the
1489 planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in
1490 rural communities which will encourage job creation, capital
1491 investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural
1492 economies by promoting tourism, trade, and economic development.
1493
Grants under this program may be awarded to a unit of local

1494
government within a rural area of opportunity
or a rural

1495
community
as
those terms are
defined in s. 288.0656 or to a

1496
regional economic development organization, a unit of local

1497
government, or an economic development organization

1498
substantially underwritten by a unit of local government for an

1499
infrastructure project located within an unincorporated area

1500
that has a population of 15,000 or less, has been in existence

1501
for 100
years
or more, is contiguous to a rural community, and

1502
has been adversely affected by a natural disaster or presents a

1503
unique economic development opportunity of regional impact.

1504 (2)(a) Funds appropriated by the Legislature
must

shall
be
1505 distributed by the
office

department
through grant programs that
1506 maximize the use of federal, local, and private resources,
1507 including, but not limited to, those available under the Small
1508 Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
1509 (b) To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
1510 areas of opportunity as defined by the Rural Economic
1511 Development Initiative to infrastructure funding programs of the
1512 Federal Government, such as those offered by the United States
1513 Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of
1514 Commerce, and state programs, including those offered by Rural
1515 Economic Development Initiative agencies, and to facilitate
1516 local government or private infrastructure funding efforts, the
1517
office

department
may award grants for up to 75 percent of the
1518 total infrastructure project cost, or up to 100 percent of the
1519 total infrastructure project cost for a project located in a
1520 rural community as defined in s. 288.0656(2) which is also
1521 located in a fiscally constrained county as defined in s.
1522 218.67(1) or a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
1523 288.0656(2). Eligible uses of funds may include improving any
1524 inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action
1525 that prohibits economic or community growth and reducing the
1526 costs to community users of proposed infrastructure improvements
1527 that exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses
1528 of funds include improvements to public infrastructure for
1529 industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of
1530 public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may
1531 include the following public or public-private partnership
1532 facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities;
1533 roads or other remedies to transportation impediments; nature
1534 based tourism facilities; or other physical requirements
1535 necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development
1536 activities in the community. Authorized infrastructure may also
1537 include publicly or privately owned self-powered nature-based
1538 tourism facilities, publicly owned telecommunications
1539 facilities, and additions to the distribution facilities of the
1540 existing natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the
1541 existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the
1542 existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s.
1543 367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater facility,
1544 which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a water or
1545 wastewater system in this state when:
1546 1. A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
1547 serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
1548 tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
1549 utility as defined herein; and
1550 2. Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to
1551 provide such service.
1552 (c) The
office

department
may award grants of up to
1553 $300,000 for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and
1554 engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and
1555 preparation
or site readiness
activities.
Site readiness

1556
expenses may include clearing title, surveys, permitting,

1557
environmental studies, and regulatory compliance costs.
Grants
1558 awarded under this paragraph may be used in conjunction with
1559 grants awarded under paragraph (b). In evaluating applications
1560 under this paragraph, the
office

department
shall consider the
1561 extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative
1562 and consultant expenses.
1563 (d) The
office

department
shall participate in a memorandum
1564 of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture
1565 under which state funds available through the Rural
1566 Infrastructure Fund may be advanced, in excess of the prescribed
1567 state share, for a project that has received from the United
1568 States Department of Agriculture a preliminary determination of
1569 eligibility for federal financial support. State funds in excess
1570 of the prescribed state share which are advanced pursuant to
1571 this paragraph and the memorandum of agreement
must

shall
be
1572 reimbursed when funds are awarded under an application for
1573 federal funding.
1574 (e) To enable local governments to access the resources
1575 available pursuant to s. 403.973(17), the
office

department
may
1576 award grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other
1577 activities related to the identification and preclearance review
1578 of land which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized
1579 grants under this paragraph may not exceed $75,000 each, except
1580 in the case of a project in a rural area of opportunity, in
1581 which case the grant may not exceed $300,000. Any funds awarded
1582 under this paragraph must be matched at a level of 50 percent
1583 with local funds, except that any funds awarded for a project in
1584 a rural area of opportunity do not require a match of local
1585 funds.
If an application for funding is for a catalyst site, as

1586
defined in s. 288.0656, the requirement for local match may be

1587
waived pursuant to the process in s. 288.06561.
In evaluating
1588 applications under this paragraph, the
office

department
shall
1589 consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize
1590 administrative and consultant expenses.
1591 (3) The
office

department
, in consultation with the
1592
Department of Transportation

Florida Tourism Industry Marketing

1593
Corporation
, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the
1594 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as
1595 appropriate, shall review and certify applications pursuant to
1596 s. 288.061. The review must include an evaluation of the
1597 economic benefit and long-term viability. The
office has

1598
department shall have
final approval for any grant under this
1599 section.
1600
(6) The office shall include in its annual report required

1601
under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including

1602
grants made for the year, grants active, grants terminated or

1603
complete, and the amount of funds not obligated as of 14 days

1604
before the date the report is due.

1605 Section 18. Subsection (1), paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of
1606 subsection (2), subsections (3) and (6), paragraphs (b) and (c)
1607 of subsection (7), and subsection (8) of section 288.0656,
1608 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1609 288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
1610 (1)(a) Recognizing that rural communities and regions
1611 continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to
1612 significantly improve their economies, specifically in terms of
1613 personal income, job creation, average wages, and strong tax
1614 bases, it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage and
1615 facilitate
the location and expansion of major
economic
1616 development projects
of significant scale
in such rural
1617 communities.
The Legislature finds that rural communities are

1618
the essential conduits for the economy’s distribution
supply
,

1619
manufacturing
supply
, and food supply.

1620 (b) The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as
1621 “REDI,” is created within the
Office of Rural Prosperity

1622
department
, and
all

the participation of
state and regional
1623 agencies
listed in paragraph (6)(a) shall participate
in this
1624 initiative
is authorized
.
1625 (2) As used in this section, the term:
1626
(a) “Catalyst project” means a business locating or

1627
expanding in a rural area of opportunity to serve as an economic

1628
generator of regional significance for the growth of a regional

1629
target industry cluster. The project must provide capital

1630
investment on a scale significant enough to affect the entire

1631
region and result in the development of high-wage and high-skill

1632
jobs.

1633
(b) “Catalyst site” means a parcel or parcels of land

1634
within a rural area of opportunity that has been prioritized as

1635
a geographic site for economic development through partnerships

1636
with state, regional, and local organizations. The site must be

1637
reviewed by REDI and approved by the department for the purposes

1638
of locating a catalyst project.

1639
(c)
(e)
“Rural community” means:
1640 1. A county with a population of 75,000 or
less

fewer
.
1641 2. A county with a population of 125,000 or
less

fewer

1642 which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
1643
less

fewer
.
1644 3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
1645 1. or subparagraph 2.
1646 4. An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an
1647 incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or
less

1648
fewer
and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural
1649 or resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as
1650 rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress
1651 factors identified in paragraph
(a)

(c)
and verified by the
1652
Office of Rural Prosperity

department
.
1653
1654 For purposes of this paragraph, population
must

shall
be
1655 determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate
1656 pursuant to s. 186.901.
1657 (3) REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and focusing
1658 the efforts and resources of state and regional agencies on the
1659 problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and community
1660 viability of Florida’s
economically distressed
rural
1661 communities, working with local governments, community-based
1662 organizations, and private organizations that have an interest
1663 in the growth and development of these communities to find ways
1664 to balance environmental and growth management issues with local
1665 needs.
1666 (6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
1667 following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy
1668 secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or
1669 organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency
1670 or organization:
1671 1. The Department of Transportation.
1672 2. The Department of Environmental Protection.
1673 3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
1674 4. The Department of State.
1675 5. The Department of Health.
1676 6. The Department of Children and Families.
1677 7. The Department of Corrections.
1678 8. The Department of Education.
1679 9. The Department of Juvenile Justice.
1680 10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
1681 11. Each water management district.
1682 12. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
1683 13. VISIT Florida.
1684 14. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
1685 15. The Agency for Health Care Administration.
1686 16. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
1687
(b)
An alternate for each designee
must

shall
also be
1688 chosen,
who must also be a deputy secretary or higher-level

1689
staff person,
and the names of the designees and alternates
must

1690
shall
be
reported

sent
to the
director of the Office of Rural

1691
Prosperity. At least one rural liaison from each regional rural

1692
community liaison center must participate in the REDI meetings

1693
Secretary of Commerce
.
1694
(c) REDI shall meet at least each month but may meet more

1695
frequently if
necessary. Each REDI representative, or his or her

1696
designee, shall be physically present or available by means of

1697
electronic communication for each meeting.

1698
(d)
(b)
Each REDI representative
shall

must
have
1699 comprehensive knowledge of his or her agency’s functions, both
1700 regulatory and service in nature, and of the state’s economic
1701 goals, policies, and programs. This person shall be the primary
1702 point of contact for his or her agency with REDI on issues and
1703 projects relating to
economically distressed
rural communities
1704 and with regard to expediting project review, shall ensure a
1705 prompt effective response to problems arising with regard to
1706 rural issues, and shall work closely with the other REDI
1707 representatives in the identification of opportunities for
1708 preferential awards of program funds
, contractual or other

1709
agreement provisions which meet the requirements of s. 215.971,

1710 and allowances and waiver of program requirements when necessary
1711 to encourage and facilitate
rural growth, including, but not

1712
limited to,

long-term private
capital investment and job
1713 creation.
1714
(e)
(c)
The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the
1715 review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact
1716 on rural communities and the development of alternative
1717 proposals to mitigate that impact.
1718
(f)
(d)
Each REDI representative shall be responsible for
1719 ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her
1720 agency is informed
quarterly
about the Rural Economic
1721 Development Initiative and for providing assistance throughout
1722 the agency in the implementation of REDI activities.
1723 (7)
1724 (b) Designation as a rural area of opportunity under this
1725 subsection
is

shall be
contingent upon the execution of a
1726 memorandum of agreement among the
O
ffice
of Rural Prosperity

1727
department
; the governing body of the county; and the governing
1728 bodies of any municipalities to be included within a rural area
1729 of opportunity. Such agreement
must

shall
specify the terms and
1730 conditions of the designation, including, but not limited to,
1731 the duties and responsibilities of the county and any
1732 participating municipalities to take actions designed to
1733 facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in
1734 the area, as well as the recruitment of new businesses to the
1735 area.
1736
(c) Each rural area of opportunity may designate catalyst

1737
projects, provided that each catalyst project is specifically

1738
recommended by REDI and confirmed as a catalyst project by the

1739
department. All state agencies and departments shall use all

1740
available tools and resources to the extent permissible by law

1741
to promote the creation and development of each catalyst project

1742
and the development of catalyst sites.

1743 (8) REDI shall submit a report to the
Office of Rural

1744
Prosperity

department
on all REDI activities for the previous
1745 fiscal year as a supplement to the
office’s

department’s
annual
1746 report required under
s. 288.013

s. 20.60
. This supplementary
1747 report must include:
1748 (a) A status report on
every project

all projects
currently
1749 being coordinated through REDI
;
,
the number of preferential
1750 awards and allowances made pursuant to this section
in detail by

1751
award, allowance, or match type
;
,
the dollar amount of such
1752 awards
;
,
and the names of the recipients.
1753 (b) A description of all waivers of program requirements
1754 granted
, including a list by program of each waiver that was

1755
granted. If waivers were requested but were not granted, a list

1756
of ungranted waivers, including reasons why the waivers were not

1757
granted, must be included
.
1758 (c)
Detailed
information as to the economic impact of the
1759 projects coordinated by REDI.
1760 (d) Recommendations based on the review and evaluation of
1761 statutes and rules having an adverse impact on rural communities
1762 and proposals to mitigate such adverse impacts.
1763
(e) Legislative recommendations for statutory waivers or

1764
reductions of specified economic development
or other
program

1765
requirements, including financial match waivers or reductions,

1766
for applicants within rural areas of opportunity.

1767
(f) Outcomes of proposals submitted pursuant to s. 288.019.

1768 Section 19.
Section 288.06561, Florida Statutes, is

1769
repealed.

1770 Section 20. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section
1771 288.0657, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1772 288.0657 Florida rural economic development strategy
1773 grants.—
1774 (2) The
Office of Rural Prosperity shall provide

department

1775
may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the department

1776
for providing
grants to assist rural communities to develop and
1777 implement strategic economic development plans.
Grants may be

1778
provided to assist with costs associated with marketing a site

1779
to business and site selectors for an economic development

1780
project that is part of an economic development plan, either as

1781
part of funding to develop and implement a plan or related to an

1782
already adopted plan.

1783 (3) A rural community, an economic development organization
1784 in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at
1785 least one rural community or such economic development
1786 organizations may apply for such grants.
The rural liaison for

1787
the rural community shall assist those applying for such grants.

1788 (4) The
office

department
shall establish criteria for
1789 reviewing grant applications. These criteria
must

shall
include,
1790 but are not limited to, the degree of participation and
1791 commitment by the local community and the application’s
1792 consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application’s
1793 proposal to ensure such consistency.
Grants for marketing may

1794
include funding for advertising campaign materials and costs

1795
associated with meetings, trade missions, and professional

1796
development
related to
site preparation and marketing.
The
1797
office

department
shall review each application for a grant.
The

1798
department may approve grants only to the extent that funds are

1799
appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.

1800 Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of section
1801 288.1226, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1802 288.1226 Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation;
1803 use of property; board of directors; duties; audit.—
1804 (13) FOUR-YEAR MARKETING PLAN.—
1805 (a) The corporation shall, in collaboration with the
1806 department, develop a 4-year marketing plan. At a minimum, the
1807 marketing plan must discuss the following:
1808 1. Continuation of overall tourism growth in this state.
1809 2. Expansion to new or under-represented tourist markets.
1810 3. Maintenance of traditional and loyal tourist markets.
1811 4. Coordination of efforts with county destination
1812 marketing organizations, other local government marketing
1813 groups, privately owned attractions and destinations, and other
1814 private sector partners to create a seamless, four-season
1815 advertising campaign for the state and its regions.
1816 5. Development of innovative techniques or promotions to
1817 build repeat visitation by targeted segments of the tourist
1818 population.
1819 6. Consideration of innovative sources of state funding for
1820 tourism marketing.
1821 7. Promotion of nature-based tourism, including, but not
1822 limited to, promotion of the Florida Greenways and Trails System
1823 as described under s. 260.014 and the Florida Shared-Use
1824 Nonmotorized Trail Network as described under s. 339.81.
1825 8. Coordination of efforts with the Office of Greenways and
1826 Trails of the Department of Environmental Protection and the
1827 department to promote and assist local communities, including,
1828 but not limited to, communities designated as trail towns by the
1829 Office of Greenways and Trails, to maximize use of nearby trails
1830 as economic assets, including specific promotion of trail-based
1831 tourism.
1832 9. Promotion of heritage tourism.
1833 10. Development of a component to address emergency
1834 response to natural and manmade disasters from a marketing
1835 standpoint.
1836
11. Provision of appropriate marketing assistance resources

1837
to small, rural, and agritourism businesses located in this

1838
state. Such resources may include, but are not limited to,

1839
marketing plans, marketing assistance, promotional support,

1840
media development, technical expertise, marketing advice,

1841
technology training, and social marketing support.

1842 Section 22.
Section 288.12266, Florida Statutes, is

1843
repealed.

1844 Section 23. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
1845 (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (4) of section 288.9961, Florida
1846 Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is added to that
1847 section, to read:
1848 288.9961 Promotion of broadband adoption; Florida Office of
1849 Broadband.—
1850 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
1851 (f) “Underserved” means a geographic area of this state in
1852 which there is no provider of broadband Internet service that
1853 offers a connection to the Internet with a capacity for
1854 transmission at a consistent speed of at least 100 megabits per
1855 second downstream and at least
20

10
megabits per second
1856 upstream.
1857 (4) FLORIDA OFFICE OF BROADBAND.—The Florida Office of
1858 Broadband is created within the Division of Community
1859 Development in the department for the purpose of developing,
1860 marketing, and promoting broadband Internet services in this
1861 state. The office, in the performance of its duties, shall do
1862 all of the following:
1863 (a) Create a strategic plan that has goals and strategies
1864 for increasing and improving the availability of, access to, and
1865 use of broadband Internet service in this state. In development
1866 of the plan, the department shall incorporate applicable federal
1867 broadband activities, including any efforts or initiatives of
1868 the Federal Communications Commission, to improve broadband
1869 Internet service in this state. The plan must identify available
1870 federal funding sources for the expansion or improvement of
1871 broadband. The strategic plan must be submitted to the Governor,
1872 the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
1873 Representatives by June 30, 2022. The strategic plan must be
1874 updated biennially thereafter. The plan must include a process
1875 to review and verify public input regarding transmission speeds
1876 and availability of broadband Internet service throughout this
1877 state.
The office shall consult with each regional rural

1878
community liaison center within the Office of Rural Prosperity

1879
on the development and update of the plan.

1880 (b) Build and facilitate local technology planning teams or
1881 partnerships with members representing cross-sections of the
1882 community, which may include, but are not limited to,
1883 representatives from the following organizations and industries:
1884 libraries, K-12 education, colleges and universities, local
1885 health care providers, private businesses, community
1886 organizations, economic development organizations, local
1887 governments, tourism, parks and recreation, and agriculture. The
1888 local technology planning teams or partnerships shall work with
1889 rural communities to help the communities understand their
1890 current broadband availability, locate unserved and underserved
1891 businesses and residents, identify assets relevant to broadband
1892 deployment, build partnerships with broadband service providers,
1893 and identify opportunities to leverage assets and reduce
1894 barriers to the deployment of broadband Internet services in the
1895 community. The teams or partnerships must be proactive in
rural

1896
communities as defined in s. 288.0656

fiscally constrained

1897
counties
in identifying and providing assistance
, in

1898
coordination with the regional rural community liaison centers

1899
within the Office of Rural Prosperity,
with applying for federal
1900 grants for broadband Internet service.
1901 (c) Provide technical and planning assistance to rural
1902 communities
in coordination with the regional rural community

1903
liaison centers within the Office of Rural Prosperity.

1904
(6)
BROADBAND REPORTING.—

1905
(a)
The office shall submit to the Governor, the President

1906
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a

1907
quarterly report detailing the implementation of broadband

1908
activities in rural, unserved, and underserved communities. Such

1909
information must be listed by county and include the amount of

1910
state and federal funds allocated
to
and expended in the county

1911
by program; the progress toward deploying broadband in the

1912
county; any technical assistance provided; the activities of the

1913
local technology planning teams and partnerships; and the

1914
fulfillment of
all
other duties of the office required by this

1915
part.

1916
(
b
) By December 31
of
each year, the office shall submit to

1917
the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of

1918
the House of Representatives an annual report on the office’s

1919
operations and accomplishments for that calendar year and the

1920
status of broadband Internet service access and use in this

1921
state. The report must also incorporate the quarterly reports on

1922
rural, unserved, and underserved communities required by

1923
paragraph (a)
.
1924 Section 24.
Section 290.06561, Florida Statutes, is

1925
repealed.

1926 Section 25. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
1927 319.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1928 319.32 Fees; service charges; disposition.—
1929 (5)(a) Forty-seven dollars of each fee collected, except
1930 for fees charged on a certificate of title for a motor vehicle
1931 for hire registered under s. 320.08(6), for each applicable
1932 original certificate of title and each applicable duplicate copy
1933 of a certificate of title shall be deposited
as follows:

into

1934
the State Transportation Trust Fund. Deposits to the State

1935
Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph may not

1936
exceed $200 million in any fiscal year, and from any collections

1937
in excess of that amount during the fiscal year,

1938
1.
The first $30 million collected shall be deposited into
1939 the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund
;
,
and
1940
2.
Any remaining collections shall be paid into the
State

1941
Transportation Trust

General Revenue
Fund.
1942 Section 26. Subsection (40) is added to section 334.044,
1943 Florida Statutes, to read:
1944 334.044 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
1945 shall have the following general powers and duties:
1946
(
40
) To provide technical assistance and support from the

1947
appropriate district of the department to counties that are not

1948
located in a metropolitan planning organization created pursuant

1949
to s. 339.175.

1950 Section 27. Section 339.0801, Florida Statutes, is amended
1951 to read:
1952 339.0801 Allocation of increased revenues derived from
1953 amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a)
by ch. 2012-128
.—
1954
(1) The first $200 million of
funds that result from
1955 increased revenues to the State Transportation Trust Fund
1956 derived from the amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) made by
s. 11,

1957
chapter 2012-128, Laws of Florida,

this act
must be used
1958 annually, first as set forth in
paragraph (a)

subsection (1)
and
1959 then as set forth in
paragraphs (b), (c), and (d)

subsections

1960
(2)-(4)
, notwithstanding any other provision of law:
1961
(a)1.
(1)(a)
Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and
1962 annually for 30 years thereafter, $10 million shall be for the
1963 purpose of funding any seaport project identified in the adopted
1964 work program of the Department of Transportation, to be known as
1965 the Seaport Investment Program.
1966
2.
(b)
The revenues may be assigned, pledged, or set aside
1967 as a trust for the payment of principal or interest on revenue
1968 bonds, or other forms of indebtedness issued by an individual
1969 port or appropriate local government having jurisdiction
1970 thereof, or collectively by interlocal agreement among any of
1971 the ports, or used to purchase credit support to permit such
1972 borrowings. Alternatively, revenue bonds shall be issued by the
1973 Division of Bond Finance at the request of the Department of
1974 Transportation under the State Bond Act and shall be secured by
1975 such revenues as are provided in this subsection.
1976
3.
(c)
Revenue bonds or other indebtedness issued hereunder
1977 are not a general obligation of the state and are secured solely
1978 by a first lien on the revenues distributed under this
1979 subsection.
1980
4.
(d)
The state covenants with holders of the revenue bonds
1981 or other instruments of indebtedness issued pursuant to this
1982 subsection that it will not repeal this subsection; nor take any
1983 other action, including but not limited to amending this
1984 subsection, that will materially and adversely affect the rights
1985 of such holders so long as revenue bonds or other indebtedness
1986 authorized by this subsection are outstanding.
1987
5.
(e)
The proceeds of any revenue bonds or other
1988 indebtedness, after payment of costs of issuance and
1989 establishment of any required reserves, shall be invested in
1990 projects approved by the Department of Transportation and
1991 included in the department’s adopted work program, by amendment
1992 if necessary. As required under s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State
1993 Constitution, the Legislature approves projects included in the
1994 department’s adopted work program, including any projects added
1995 to the work program by amendment under s. 339.135(7).
1996
6.
(f)
Any revenues that are not used for the payment of
1997 bonds as authorized by this subsection may be used for purposes
1998 authorized under the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
1999 Development Program. This revenue source is in addition to any
2000 amounts provided for and appropriated in accordance with ss.
2001 311.07 and 320.20(3) and (4).
2002
(b)
(2)
Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
2003 thereafter, $10 million shall be transferred to the
2004 Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund, to be used as specified
2005 in s. 427.0159.
2006
(c)
(3)
Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
2007 thereafter, $10 million shall be allocated to the Small County
2008 Outreach Program to be used as specified in s. 339.2818. These
2009 funds are in addition to the funds provided for the program
2010 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)1.
2011
(d)
(4)
After the distributions required pursuant to
2012
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)

subsections (1)-(3)
, the remaining
2013 funds shall be used annually for transportation projects within
2014 this state for existing or planned strategic transportation
2015 projects which connect major markets within this state or
2016 between this state and other states, which focus on job
2017 creation, and which increase this state’s viability in the
2018 national and global markets.
2019
(2) The remaining funds that result from increased revenue

2020
to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived pursuant to s.

2021
319.32(5)(a) must be used annually, notwithstanding any other

2022
law, beginning in the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year and annually

2023
thereafter, for the Small County Road Assistance Program as

2024
prescribed in s. 339.2816.

2025
(3)
(5)
Pursuant to s. 339.135(7), the department shall
2026 amend the work program to add the projects provided for in this
2027 section.
2028 Section 28. Subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection
2029 (4) of section 339.2816, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
2030 paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of that section is reenacted, to
2031 read:
2032 339.2816 Small County Road Assistance Program.—
2033 (3) Beginning with fiscal year
1999-2000 until fiscal year

2034
2009-2010, and beginning again with fiscal year
2012-2013,
up to

2035 $25 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund
2036
must

may
be used for the purposes of funding the Small County
2037 Road Assistance Program as described in this section.
In

2038
addition, beginning with
the
fiscal year 202
6
-202
7
, the

2039
department must use the additional revenues allocated by s.

2040
339.0801 for the
program
.

2041 (4)(a) Small counties shall be eligible to compete for
2042 funds that have been designated for the Small County Road
2043 Assistance Program for resurfacing or reconstruction projects on
2044 county roads that were part of the county road system on June
2045 10, 1995. Capacity improvements on county roads
are

shall
not
be

2046 eligible for funding under the program
unless a safety issue

2047
exists or the department finds it necessary to widen existing

2048
lanes as part of a resurfacing or reconstruction project
.
2049 (c) The following criteria must be used to prioritize road
2050 projects for funding under the program:
2051 1. The primary criterion is the physical condition of the
2052 road as measured by the department.
2053 2. As secondary criteria the department may consider:
2054 a. Whether a road is used as an evacuation route.
2055 b. Whether a road has high levels of agricultural travel.
2056 c. Whether a road is considered a major arterial route.
2057 d. Whether a road is considered a feeder road.
2058 e. Whether a road is located in a fiscally constrained
2059 county, as defined in s. 218.67(1).
2060 f. Other criteria related to the impact of a project on the
2061 public road system or on the state or local economy as
2062 determined by the department.
2063 Section 29. Subsection (3) of section 339.2817, Florida
2064 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (6) is added to that
2065 section, to read:
2066 339.2817 County Incentive Grant Program.—
2067 (3) The department
shall

must
consider, but is not limited
2068 to, the following criteria for evaluation of projects for County
2069 Incentive Grant Program assistance:
2070 (a) The extent to which the project will encourage,
2071 enhance, or create economic benefits;
2072 (b) The likelihood that assistance would enable the project
2073 to proceed at an earlier date than the project could otherwise
2074 proceed;
2075 (c) The extent to which assistance would foster innovative
2076 public-private partnerships and attract private debt or equity
2077 investment;
2078 (d) The extent to which the project uses new technologies,
2079 including intelligent transportation systems, which enhance the
2080 efficiency of the project;
2081 (e)
The extent to which the project enhances connectivity

2082
between rural agricultural areas and market distribution

2083
centers;

2084
(f)
The extent to which the project helps to maintain or
2085 protect the environment; and
2086
(g)
(f)
The extent to which the project includes
2087 transportation benefits for improving intermodalism and safety.
2088
(6) Beginning in the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the department

2089
shall give priority to a county located
,
either wholly or

2090
partially
,
within the Everglades Agricultural Area as defined in

2091
s. 373.4592(15) which, notwithstanding subsection (4), requests

2092
100 percent of the project costs for an eligible project that

2093
meets the criteria established in
subsection
(3). Requests under

2094
this subsection are limited to $15 million annually. This

2095
subsection expires July 1, 203
2
.

2096 Section 30. Subsections (1), (2), (3), (6), (7), and (8) of
2097 section 339.2818, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
2098 339.2818 Small County Outreach Program.—
2099 (1) There is created within the department
of

2100
Transportation
the Small County Outreach Program. The purpose of
2101 this program is to assist small county governments in repairing
2102 or rehabilitating county bridges, paving unpaved roads,
2103 addressing road-related drainage improvements, resurfacing or
2104 reconstructing county roads, or constructing capacity or safety
2105 improvements to county roads.
2106 (2) For the purposes of this section, the term “small
2107 county” means any county that has a population of 200,000 or
2108 less as determined by the most recent official
population census

2109
determination

estimate
pursuant to s. 186.901.
2110
(3) Funds allocated under this program, pursuant to s. 4,

2111
ch. 2000-257, Laws of Florida, are in addition to any funds

2112
provided pursuant to s. 339.2816, for the Small County Road

2113
Assistance Program.

2114
(5)
(6)
Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund
2115 pursuant to
ss. 201.15, 320.072, and 339.0801

s. 201.15
for the
2116 purposes of the Small County Outreach Program are hereby
2117 annually appropriated for expenditure to support the Small
2118 County Outreach Program.
2119
(6)
(7)
Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to
2120 funds annually appropriated for projects under this section, a
2121 municipality within a rural area of opportunity or a rural area
2122 of opportunity community designated under s. 288.0656(7)(a) may
2123 compete for the additional project funding using the criteria
2124 listed in subsection
(3)

(4)
at up to 100 percent of project
2125 costs, excluding capacity improvement projects.
2126
(8) Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to

2127
funds appropriated for projects under this section, a local

2128
government either wholly or partially within the Everglades

2129
Agricultural Area as defined in s. 373.4592(15), the Peace River

2130
Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may compete for additional

2131
funding using the criteria listed in paragraph (4)(c) at up to

2132
100 percent of project costs on state or county roads used

2133
primarily as farm-to-market connections between rural

2134
agricultural areas and market distribution centers, excluding

2135
capacity improvement projects.

2136 Section 31. Section 339.68, Florida Statutes, is amended to
2137 read:
2138
(Substantial rewording of section.

2139
See s. 339.68, F.S., for present text.)

2140
339.68 Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program.—

2141
(1)

The Legislature finds that increasing demands continue

2142
to be placed on rural arterial roads in this state by a fast

2143
growing economy, continued population growth, and increased

2144
tourism. Investment in the rural arterial roads of this state is

2145
needed to maintain the safety, mobility, reliability, and

2146
resiliency of the transportation system in order to support the

2147
movement of people, goods, and commodities; to enhance economic

2148
prosperity and competitiveness; and to enrich the quality of

2149
life of the rural communities and the environment of this state.

2150
(2)

The Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program is

2151
created within the department to make capacity and safety

2152
improvements to two-lane arterial roads or connect existing

2153
arterial roads located in rural communities. For purposes of

2154
this section, the term “rural community” has the same meaning as

2155
in s. 288.0656.

2156
(3)

Beginning in the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the department

2157
shall allocate from the State Transportation Trust Fund a

2158
minimum of $50 million in each fiscal year for purposes of

2159
funding the program. This funding is in addition to any other

2160
funding provided to the program by any other law.

2161
(4)

The department shall use the following criteria to

2162
prioritize projects for funding under the program:

2163
(a) Whether the road has documented safety concerns or

2164
requires additional safety and design improvements. This may be

2165
evidenced by the number of fatalities or crashes per vehicle

2166
mile traveled.

2167
(b)

Whether the road has or is projected to have a

2168
significant amount of truck tractor traffic as determined by the

2169
department. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “truck

2170
tractor” has the same meaning as in s. 320.01(11).

2171
(c)

Whether the road is used to transport agricultural

2172
products and commodities from
a
farm to the market or other sale

2173
or distribution point.

2174
(d)

Whether the road is used to transport goods to or from

2175
warehouses, distribution centers, or intermodal logistics

2176
centers as defined in s. 311.101(2).

2177
(e)

Whether the road is used as an evacuation route.

2178
(f)

Whether the physical condition of the road meets

2179
department standards.

2180
(g)

Whether the road currently has, or is projected to have

2181
within the next 5 years, a level of service of D, E, or F.

2182
(h) Any other criteria related to the impact of a project

2183
on the public road system or on the state or local economy as

2184
determined by the department.

2185
(5)

By January
3
, 202
8
, and every 2 years thereafter, the

2186
department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the

2187
Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report

2188
regarding the use and condition of arterial roads located in

2189
rural communities, which report must include
all of
the

2190
following:

2191
(a)

A map of roads located in rural communities which are

2192
designated as arterial roads.

2193
(b)

A needs assessment that must include, but is not

2194
limited to, consideration of infrastructure improvements to

2195
improve capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.

2196
(c)

A synopsis of the department’s project prioritization

2197
process.

2198
(d)

An estimate of the local and state economic impact of

2199
improving capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.

2200
(e)

A listing of the arterial roads and the associated

2201
improvements to be included in the program and a schedule or

2202
timeline for the inclusion of such projects in the work program.

2203 Section 32.
(1)

The Department of Transportation shall

2204
allocate the additional funds provided by this act to implement

2205
the Small County Road Assistance Program as created by s.

2206
339.2816, Florida Statutes, and amend the current tentative work

2207
program for the 202
6
-202
7
through 203
2
-203
3
fiscal years to

2208
include additional projects. In addition, before adoption of the

2209
work program, the department shall submit a budget amendment

2210
pursuant to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes, requesting budget

2211
authority necessary to implement the additional projects.

2212
(2) The department shall allocate sufficient funds to

2213
implement the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program
as

2214
created by s. 339.68
,
Florida Statutes,
develop a plan to expend

2215
the revenues as specified in s. 339.68, Florida Statutes, and,

2216
before its adoption, amend the current tentative work program

2217
for the 202
6
-202
7
through 203
2
-203
3
fiscal years to include the

2218
program’s projects. In addition, before adoption of the work

2219
program, the department shall submit a budget amendment pursuant

2220
to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes, requesting budget authority

2221
necessary to implement the program as specified in s. 339.68,

2222
Florida Statutes.

2223
(3)

Notwithstanding any other law, the increase in revenue

2224
to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived from the

2225
amendments to ss. 201.15 and 319.32, Florida Statutes, made by

2226
this act and deposited into the trust fund pursuant to ss.

2227
201.15 and 339.0801, Florida Statutes,
must
be used by the

2228
department to fund the programs as specified in this section.

2229 Section 33. Section 341.0525, Florida Statutes, is created
2230 to read:
2231
341.0525

Rural transit operating block grant program;

2232
administration; eligible projects
.—

2233
(1) There is created a rural transit operating block grant

2234
program
to be
administered by the department. Rural transit

2235
block grant funds are available
only
to public transit providers

2236
not eligible to receive public transit block grants pursuant to

2237
s. 341.052.

2238
(2)

At least $3 million must be allocated annually from the

2239
State Transportation Trust Fund for th
e
program. At least

2240
$20,000 must be distributed to each eligible provider if

2241
application of the following formula provides less than that

2242
amount
for
any such provider:

2243
(a) One-third must be distributed according to the

2244
percentage that an eligible provider’s nonurbanized county

2245
population in the most recent year official population estimate

2246
pursuant to s. 186.901
is of
the total population of all

2247
counties served by eligible providers.

2248
(b) One-third must be distributed according to the

2249
percentage that the total nonurbanized revenue miles provided by

2250
an eligible provider, as verified by the most recent National

2251
Transit Database report or a similar audited report submitted to

2252
the department,
is of
the total rural revenue miles provided by

2253
eligible providers in the state in that year.

2254
(c) One-third must be distributed according to the

2255
percentage that the total nonurbanized passengers carried by an

2256
eligible provider, as verified by the most recent National

2257
Transit Database report or a similar audited report submitted to

2258
the department,
is of
the total number of passengers carried by

2259
eligible providers in the state in that year.

2260
(3) Grant funds must be used
to
pay public transit

2261
operating costs. State participation in such costs may not

2262
exceed 50 percent of such costs or an amount equal to the total

2263
revenue, excluding farebox, charter, and advertising revenue and

2264
federal funds, received by the provider for operating costs,

2265
whichever amount is less.

2266
(4)(a) An eligible provider may not use block grant funds

2267
to supplant local tax revenues made available to such provider

2268
for operations in the previous year; however, the Secretary of

2269
Transportation may waive this provision for public transit

2270
providers located in a county recovering from a state of

2271
emergency declared pursuant to part I of chapter 252.

2272
(b) The state may not give any county more than 39 percent

2273
of the funds available for distribution under this section or

2274
more than the amount local revenue sources provide to that

2275
county for its
transit system.

2276
(
5
) To remain eligible to receive funding under
the

2277
program,
eligible providers must comply with s. 341.071(1) and

2278
(2).

2279
(
6
)
(a)
Any funds distributed to an eligible provider

2280
pursuant to subsection (2) which cannot be expended within the

2281
limitations of
the
program must be returned to the department

2282
for redistribution to other eligible providers.

2283
(b) The department may consult with an eligible provider,

2284
before distributing funds to that provider, to determine whether

2285
the provider can expend its total block grant within the

2286
limitations of the program. If the department and the provider

2287
agree that the total block grant amount cannot be expended, the

2288
provider may agree to accept a block grant amount of less than

2289
the total amount, in which case the funds that exceed such

2290
lesser agreed-upon amount
must
be redistributed to other

2291
eligible providers.

2292
(c) If an audit reveals that an eligible provider expended

2293
block grant funds on unauthorized uses, the provider must repay

2294
to the department an amount equal to the funds expended for

2295
unauthorized uses. The department shall redistribute such

2296
repayments to other eligible providers.

2297 Section 34. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
2298 381.402, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (h) is
2299 added to subsection (2) of that section, to read:
2300 381.402 Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical
2301 Education Program.—
2302 (2) The following licensed or certified health care
2303 practitioners are eligible to participate in the program:
2304
(h) Medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine who

2305
are board certified or board eligible in emergency medicine and

2306
employed by or under contract with a rural hospital as defined

2307
in s. 395.602(2)(b) or a rural emergency hospital as defined in

2308
s. 395.607(1)(a) to provide medical care in the rural hospital’s

2309
or rural emergency hospital’s emergency department.

2310
2311 Primary care medical specialties for physicians include
2312 obstetrics, gynecology, general and family practice, geriatrics,
2313 internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and other specialties
2314 which may be identified by the Department of Health.
2315 (3) From the funds available, the Department of Health
2316 shall make payments as follows:
2317 (b) All payments are contingent on continued proof of:
2318 1.a. Primary care practice in a rural hospital as defined
2319 in s. 395.602(2)(b) or an underserved area designated by the
2320 Department of Health, provided the practitioner accepts Medicaid
2321 reimbursement if eligible for such reimbursement;
or

2322 b.
Emergency medicine practice in a rural hospital as

2323
defined in s. 395.602(2)(b) or rural emergency hospital as

2324
defined in s. 395.607(1)(a), provided the practitioner accepts

2325
Medicaid reimbursement if eligible for such reimbursement; or

2326
c.
For practitioners other than physicians, practice in
2327 other settings, including, but not limited to, a nursing home
2328 facility as defined in s. 400.021, a home health agency as
2329 defined in s. 400.462, or an intermediate care facility for the
2330 developmentally disabled as defined in s. 400.960. Any such
2331 setting must be located in, or serve residents or patients in,
2332 an underserved area designated by the Department of Health and
2333 must provide services to Medicaid patients.
2334 2. Providing 25 hours annually of volunteer
primary care

2335 services
within the practitioner’s scope of practice
in a free
2336 clinic as specified in s. 766.1115(3)(d)14. or through another
2337 volunteer program operated
by the state
pursuant to part IV of
2338 chapter 110
and approved by the department
. In order to meet the
2339 requirements of this subparagraph, the volunteer hours must be
2340 verifiable in a manner determined by the department.
2341 Section 35. Subsection (3) of section 420.9073, Florida
2342 Statutes, is amended to read:
2343 420.9073 Local housing distributions.—
2344 (3) Calculation of guaranteed amounts:
2345 (a) The guaranteed amount under subsection (1) shall be
2346 calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying
$1 million

2347
$350,000
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
2348 funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2349 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and the denominator of which is the
2350 total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
2351 Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
2352 (b) The guaranteed amount under subsection (2) shall be
2353 calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying
$1 million

2354
$350,000
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
2355 funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2356 pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) and the denominator of which is the
2357 total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
2358 Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
2359 Section 36. Paragraph (n) of subsection (5) of section
2360 420.9075, Florida Statutes, is amended, paragraph (o) is added
2361 to that subsection, and paragraph (b) of subsection (13) of that
2362 section is reenacted, to read:
2363 420.9075 Local housing assistance plans; partnerships.—
2364 (5) The following criteria apply to awards made to eligible
2365 sponsors or eligible persons for the purpose of providing
2366 eligible housing:
2367 (n) Funds from the local housing distribution not used to
2368 meet the criteria established in paragraph (a)
,

or
paragraph
2369 (c)
, or paragraph (o)
or not used for the administration of a
2370 local housing assistance plan must be used for housing
2371 production and finance activities, including, but not limited
2372 to, financing preconstruction activities or the purchase of
2373 existing units, providing rental housing, and providing home
2374 ownership training to prospective home buyers and owners of
2375 homes assisted through the local housing assistance plan.
2376 1. Notwithstanding
the provisions of
paragraphs (a) and
2377 (c), program income as defined in s. 420.9071(26) may also be
2378 used to fund activities described in this paragraph.
2379 2. When preconstruction due-diligence activities conducted
2380 as part of a preservation strategy show that preservation of the
2381 units is not feasible and will not result in the production of
2382 an eligible unit, such costs
must

shall
be deemed a program
2383 expense rather than an administrative expense if such program
2384 expenses do not exceed 3 percent of the annual local housing
2385 distribution.
2386 3. If both an award under the local housing assistance plan
2387 and federal low-income housing tax credits are used to assist a
2388 project and there is a conflict between the criteria prescribed
2389 in this subsection and the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal
2390 Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the county or eligible
2391 municipality may resolve the conflict by giving precedence to
2392 the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
2393 as amended, in lieu of following the criteria prescribed in this
2394 subsection with the exception of paragraphs (a) and (g) of this
2395 subsection.
2396 4. Each county and each eligible municipality may award
2397 funds as a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or repair as
2398 part of disaster recovery or emergency repairs or to remedy
2399 accessibility or health and safety deficiencies. Any other
2400 grants must be approved as part of the local housing assistance
2401 plan.
2402
(o) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c), up to 25

2403
percent of the funds made available in each county and eligible

2404
municipality from the local housing distribution may be used to

2405
preserve multifamily affordable rental housing funded through

2406
United States Department of Agriculture loans. These funds may

2407
be used to rehabilitate housing, extend affordability periods,

2408
or acquire or transfer properties in partnership with private

2409
organizations. This paragraph expires on June 30, 203
2
.

2410 (13)
2411 (b) If, as a result of its review of the annual report, the
2412 corporation determines that a county or eligible municipality
2413 has failed to implement a local housing incentive strategy, or,
2414 if applicable, a local housing incentive plan, it shall send a
2415 notice of termination of the local government’s share of the
2416 local housing distribution by certified mail to the affected
2417 county or eligible municipality.
2418 1. The notice must specify a date of termination of the
2419 funding if the affected county or eligible municipality does not
2420 implement the plan or strategy and provide for a local response.
2421 A county or eligible municipality shall respond to the
2422 corporation within 30 days after receipt of the notice of
2423 termination.
2424 2. The corporation shall consider the local response that
2425 extenuating circumstances precluded implementation and grant an
2426 extension to the timeframe for implementation. Such an extension
2427 shall be made in the form of an extension agreement that
2428 provides a timeframe for implementation. The chief elected
2429 official of a county or eligible municipality or his or her
2430 designee shall have the authority to enter into the agreement on
2431 behalf of the local government.
2432 3. If the county or the eligible municipality has not
2433 implemented the incentive strategy or entered into an extension
2434 agreement by the termination date specified in the notice, the
2435 local housing distribution share terminates, and any uncommitted
2436 local housing distribution funds held by the affected county or
2437 eligible municipality in its local housing assistance trust fund
2438 shall be transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
2439 to the credit of the corporation to administer.
2440 4.a. If the affected local government fails to meet the
2441 timeframes specified in the agreement, the corporation shall
2442 terminate funds. The corporation shall send a notice of
2443 termination of the local government’s share of the local housing
2444 distribution by certified mail to the affected local government.
2445 The notice shall specify the termination date, and any
2446 uncommitted funds held by the affected local government shall be
2447 transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to the
2448 credit of the corporation to administer.
2449 b. If the corporation terminates funds to a county, but an
2450 eligible municipality receiving a local housing distribution
2451 pursuant to an interlocal agreement maintains compliance with
2452 program requirements, the corporation shall thereafter
2453 distribute directly to the participating eligible municipality
2454 its share calculated in the manner provided in ss. 420.9072 and
2455 420.9073.
2456 c. Any county or eligible municipality whose local
2457 distribution share has been terminated may subsequently elect to
2458 receive directly its local distribution share by adopting the
2459 ordinance, resolution, and local housing assistance plan in the
2460 manner and according to the procedures provided in ss. 420.907
2461 420.9079.
2462 Section 37. Subsections (1), (2), and (5) of section
2463 1001.451, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
2464 added to that section, to read:
2465 1001.451 Regional consortium service organizations.—In
2466 order to provide a full range of programs to larger numbers of
2467 students, minimize duplication of services, and encourage the
2468 development of new programs and services:
2469 (1) School districts with 20,000 or fewer unweighted full
2470 time equivalent students, developmental research (laboratory)
2471 schools established pursuant to s. 1002.32, and the Florida
2472 School for the Deaf and the Blind may enter into cooperative
2473 agreements to form a regional consortium service organization.
2474 Each regional consortium service organization shall provide
any
,

2475
at a minimum, three
of the following services
determined

2476
necessary and appropriate by the board of directors
:
2477
(a)
Exceptional student education;
2478
(b) Safe schools support

teacher education centers;

2479
environmental education
;
2480
(c)

State and
federal grant procurement and coordination;
2481
(d)
Data
services

processing
;
health

2482
(e)
Insurance
services
;
2483
(f)
Risk management
insurance
;
2484
(g) Professional learning;

2485
(h) College, career, and workforce development;

2486
(i) Business and operational services

staff development
;
2487
(j)
Purchasing; or
2488
(k)
Planning and accountability.
2489 (2)(a) Each regional consortium service organization
2490
composed

that consists
of four or more school districts is
2491 eligible to receive, through the Department of Education,
2492 subject to the funds provided in the General Appropriations Act,
2493 an
allocation

incentive grant
of
$150,000

$50,000
per school
2494 district and eligible member to be used for the delivery of
2495 services within
the
participating school districts. The
2496 determination of services and use of such funds
must

shall
be
2497 established by the board of directors of the regional consortium
2498 service organization. The funds
must

shall
be distributed to
2499 each regional consortium service organization no later than 30
2500 days following the release of the funds to the department.
Each

2501
regional consortium service organization shall submit an annual

2502
report to the department regarding the use of funds for

2503
consortia services. Unexpended amounts in any fund in a

2504
consortium’s current year operating budget must be carried

2505
forward and included as the balance forward for that fund in the

2506
approved operating budget for the following year. Each regional

2507
consortium service organization shall provide quarterly

2508
financial reports to member districts.

2509 (b)
Member districts shall designate a district
to
serve as

2510
a fiscal agent for contractual and reporting purposes. Such

2511
fiscal agent district is entitled to reasonable compensation for

2512
accounting and other services performed. The regional consortium

2513
service organization shall retain all funds received from grants

2514
or contracted services to cover indirect or administrative costs

2515
associated with the provision of such services. The regional

2516
consortium service organization board of directors shall

2517
determine the products and services to be provided by the

2518
consortium; however, in all contractual matters, the school

2519
board of the fiscal agent district shall act on proposed actions

2520
of the regional consortium service organization.

2521
(c) The regional consortium service organization board of

2522
directors shall recommend establishment of positions and

2523
individuals for appointment to the fiscal agent district.

2524
Personnel must be employed under the personnel policies of the

2525
fiscal agent district and are deemed to be public employees of

2526
the fiscal agent district. The regional consortium service

2527
organization board of directors may recommend a salary schedule

2528
and job descriptions specific to its personnel.

2529
(d) The regional consortium service organization may

2530
purchase or lease property and facilities essential for its

2531
operations and is responsible for their maintenance and

2532
associated overhead costs.

2533
(e)

If a regional consortium service organization is

2534
dissolved, any revenue from the sale of assets must be

2535
distributed among the member districts as determined by the

2536
board of directors

Application for incentive grants shall be

2537
made to the Commissioner of Education by July 30 of each year

2538
for distribution to qualifying regional consortium service

2539
organizations by January 1 of the fiscal year
.
2540 (5) The board of directors of a regional consortium service
2541 organization may use various means to generate revenue in
2542 support of its activities
, including, but not limited to,

2543
contracting for services to nonmember districts
. The board of
2544 directors may acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents,
2545 copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses and
associated

other

2546 rights or interests
thereunder or therein
. Ownership of all such
2547 patents, copyrights, trademarks, licenses, and
associated
rights
2548 or interests
thereunder or therein shall
vest in the state, with
2549 the board of directors having full right of use and full right
2550 to retain
associated

the
revenues
derived therefrom
. Any funds
2551 realized from
contracted services,
patents, copyrights,
2552 trademarks, or licenses
are

shall be
considered internal funds
2553 as provided in s. 1011.07.
A fund balance must be established

2554
for maintaining or expanding services, facilities maintenance,

2555
terminal pay, and other liabilities

Such funds shall be used to

2556
support the organization’s marketing and research and

2557
development activities in order to improve and increase services

2558
to its member districts
.
2559
(6) A regional consortium service organization is

2560
authorized to administer the Regional Consortia Service

2561
Organization Supplemental Services Program under s. 1001.4511.

2562 Section 38. Section 1001.4511, Florida Statutes, is created
2563 to read:
2564
1001.4511 Regional Consortia Service Organization

2565
Supplemental Services Program.—

2566
(1) There is created the Regional Consortia Service

2567
Organization Supplemental Services Program to increase the

2568
ability of regional consortium service organizations under s.

2569
1001.451 to provide programs and services to consortia members

2570
through cooperative agreements. Program funds may be used to

2571
supplement member needs related to transportation; district

2572
finance personnel services; property insurance, including

2573
property insurance obtained from any source; cybersecurity

2574
support; school safety; college, career, and workforce

2575
development; academic support; and behavior support within

2576
exceptional student education services.

2577
(2) Each regional consortium service organization shall

2578
annually report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker

2579
of the House of Representatives the distribution of funds,

2580
including members awarded and services provided.

2581
(3) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351,

2582
funds allocated for this purpose which are not disbursed by June

2583
30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are allocated may be

2584
carried forward for up to 5 years after the effective date of

2585
the original appropriation.

2586 Section 39. Section 1009.635, Florida Statutes, is created
2587 to read:
2588
1009.635 Rural Incentive for Professional Educators

2589
Program
.—

2590
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Rural Incentive for Professional

2591
Educators (RIPE) Program is established within the Department of

2592
Education to support the recruitment and retention of qualified

2593
instructional personnel in rural communities. The program shall

2594
provide financial assistance for the repayment of student loans

2595
for eligible participants who establish permanent residency and

2596
employment in rural areas of opportunity.

2597
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible to participate

2598
in the RIPE Program if he or she does all of the following:

2599
(a)

Establishes permanent residency on or after July 1,

2600
202
6
, in a rural area of opportunity as designated pursuant to

2601
s. 288.0656. The address on an individual’s state-issued

2602
identification card or driver license is evidence of residence.

2603
(b)

Secures full-time employment as a teacher or

2604
administrator in a private school as defined in s. 1002.01, or

2605
as instructional or administrative personnel as those terms are

2606
defined in s. 1012.01(2) and (3), respectively, in the public

2607
school district located within the same rural area of

2608
opportunity as he or she resides.

2609
(c)

Holds an associate degree, bachelor’s degree,

2610
postgraduate degree, or certificate from an accredited

2611
institution earned before establishing residency.

2612
(d)

Has an active student loan balance incurred for the

2613
completion of the qualifying degree or certificate.

2614
(3) LOAN REPAYMENT.—Eligible participants may receive up to

2615
$15,000 in total student loan repayment assistance over 5 years,

2616
disbursed in annual payments not to exceed $3,000 per year.

2617
Payments
must
be made directly to the lender servicing the

2618
participant’s student loan.

2619
(4) AWARD DISTRIBUTION.—Before disbursement of an award,

2620
the department shall verify that the participant:

2621
(a) Has maintained continuous employment with the school

2622
district in an instructional or administrative position;

2623
(b) Has received a rating of effective or highly effective

2624
pursuant to s. 1012.34; and

2625
(c) Has not been placed on probation, had his or her

2626
certificate suspended or revoked, or been placed on the

2627
disqualification list, pursuant to s. 1012.796.

2628
(5)

ADMINISTRATION.—The program shall be administered by

2629
the Office of Student Financial Assistance within the Department

2630
of Education, which shall:

2631
(a)

Develop application procedures requiring documentation,

2632
including proof of residency, verification of employment,

2633
official academic transcripts, and details of outstanding

2634
student loans; and

2635
(b)

Monitor compliance with program requirements.

2636
(6) RULEMAKING.—The State Board of Education shall adopt

2637
rules no later than January 31, 202
7
, to administer this

2638
section.

2639 Section 40. Subsection (3) of section 1013.62, Florida
2640 Statutes, is amended to read:
2641 1013.62 Charter schools capital outlay funding.—
2642 (3) If the school board levies the discretionary millage
2643 authorized in s. 1011.71(2), the department
must

shall
use the
2644 following calculation methodology to determine the amount of
2645 revenue that a school district must distribute to each eligible
2646 charter school:
2647 (a) Reduce the total discretionary millage revenue by the
2648 school district’s annual debt service obligation incurred as of
2649 March 1, 2017, which has not been subsequently retired, and
:

2650
1. Beginning in the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, for any district

2651
with an active project or an outstanding participation

2652
requirement balance,
any amount of participation requirement
2653 pursuant to s. 1013.64(2)(a)8. that is being satisfied by
2654 revenues raised by the discretionary millage
; or

2655
2. For construction projects for which Special Facilities

2656
Construction Account funding is sought beginning in the 202
6

2657
202
7
fiscal year, the value of 1 mill from the revenue generated

2658
pursuant to s. 1013.64(2)(a)8.b
.
2659 (b) Divide the school district’s adjusted discretionary
2660 millage revenue by the district’s total capital outlay full-time
2661 equivalent membership and the total number of full-time
2662 equivalent students of each eligible charter school to determine
2663 a capital outlay allocation per full-time equivalent student.
2664 (c) Multiply the capital outlay allocation per full-time
2665 equivalent student by the total number of full-time equivalent
2666 students of each eligible charter school to determine the
2667 capital outlay allocation for each charter school.
2668 (d) If applicable, reduce the capital outlay allocation
2669 identified in paragraph (c) by the total amount of state funds
2670 allocated to each eligible charter school in subsection (2) to
2671 determine the maximum calculated capital outlay allocation. The
2672 amount of funds a school district must distribute to charter
2673 schools shall be as follows:
2674 1. For fiscal year 2023-2024, the amount is 20 percent of
2675 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2676 2. For fiscal year 2024-2025, the amount is 40 percent of
2677 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2678 3. For fiscal year 2025-2026, the amount is 60 percent of
2679 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2680 4. For fiscal year 2026-2027, the amount is 80 percent of
2681 the amount calculated under this paragraph.
2682 5. For fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year
2683 thereafter, the amount is 100 percent of the amount calculated
2684 under this paragraph.
2685 (e) School districts shall distribute capital outlay funds
2686 to eligible charter schools no later than February 1 of each
2687 year, as required by this subsection, based on the amount of
2688 funds received by the district school board. School districts
2689 shall distribute any remaining capital outlay funds, as required
2690 by this subsection, upon the receipt of such funds until the
2691 total amount calculated pursuant to this subsection is
2692 distributed.
2693
2694 By October 1 of each year, each school district shall certify to
2695 the department the amount of debt service
that

and participation

2696
requirement that complies with the requirement of paragraph (a)

2697
and
can be reduced from the total discretionary millage revenue.
2698
Each school district shall also certify the amount of the

2699
participation requirement that complies with paragraph (a) or

2700
certify the value of 1 mill from revenue generated pursuant to

2701
s. 1013.64(2)(a)8.b. that can be reduced from the total

2702
discretionary millage revenue, as applicable.
The Auditor
2703 General shall verify compliance with the requirements of
2704 paragraph (a) and s. 1011.71(2)(e) during scheduled operational
2705 audits of school districts.
2706 Section 41. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
2707 1013.64, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2708 1013.64 Funds for comprehensive educational plant needs;
2709 construction cost maximums for school district capital
2710 projects.—Allocations from the Public Education Capital Outlay
2711 and Debt Service Trust Fund to the various boards for capital
2712 outlay projects shall be determined as follows:
2713 (2)(a) The department shall establish, as a part of the
2714 Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund, a
2715 separate account, in an amount determined by the Legislature, to
2716 be known as the “Special Facility Construction Account.” The
2717 Special Facility Construction Account shall be used to provide
2718 necessary construction funds to school districts which have
2719 urgent construction needs but which lack sufficient resources at
2720 present, and cannot reasonably anticipate sufficient resources
2721 within the period of the next 3 years, for these purposes from
2722 currently authorized sources of capital outlay revenue. A school
2723 district requesting funding from the Special Facility
2724 Construction Account shall submit one specific construction
2725 project, not to exceed one complete educational plant, to the
2726 Special Facility Construction Committee. A district may not
2727 receive funding for more than one approved project in any 3-year
2728 period
or while any portion of the district’s participation

2729
requirement is outstanding
. The first year of the 3-year period
2730 shall be the first year a district receives an appropriation.
2731 The department shall encourage a construction program that
2732 reduces the average size of schools in the district. The request
2733 must meet the following criteria to be considered by the
2734 committee:
2735 1. The project must be deemed a critical need and must be
2736 recommended for funding by the Special Facility Construction
2737 Committee. Before developing construction plans for the proposed
2738 facility, the district school board must request a
2739 preapplication review by the Special Facility Construction
2740 Committee or a project review subcommittee convened by the chair
2741 of the committee to include two representatives of the
2742 department and two staff members from school districts not
2743 eligible to participate in the program. A school district may
2744 request a preapplication review at any time; however, if the
2745 district school board seeks inclusion in the department’s next
2746 annual capital outlay legislative budget request, the
2747 preapplication review request must be made before February 1.
2748 Within 90 days after receiving the preapplication review
2749 request, the committee or subcommittee must meet in the school
2750 district to review the project proposal and existing facilities.
2751 To determine whether the proposed project is a critical need,
2752 the committee or subcommittee shall consider, at a minimum, the
2753 capacity of all existing facilities within the district as
2754 determined by the Florida Inventory of School Houses; the
2755 district’s pattern of student growth; the district’s existing
2756 and projected capital outlay full-time equivalent student
2757 enrollment as determined by the demographic, revenue, and
2758 education estimating conferences established in s. 216.136; the
2759 district’s existing satisfactory student stations; the use of
2760 all existing district property and facilities; grade level
2761 configurations; and any other information that may affect the
2762 need for the proposed project.
2763 2. The construction project must be recommended in the most
2764 recent survey or survey amendment cooperatively prepared by the
2765 district and the department, and approved by the department
2766 under the rules of the State Board of Education. If a district
2767 employs a consultant in the preparation of a survey or survey
2768 amendment, the consultant may not be employed by or receive
2769 compensation from a third party that designs or constructs a
2770 project recommended by the survey.
2771 3. The construction project must appear on the district’s
2772 approved project priority list under the rules of the State
2773 Board of Education.
2774 4. The district must have selected and had approved a site
2775 for the construction project in compliance with s. 1013.36 and
2776 the rules of the State Board of Education.
2777 5. The district shall have developed a district school
2778 board adopted list of facilities that do not exceed the norm for
2779 net square feet occupancy requirements under the State
2780 Requirements for Educational Facilities, using all possible
2781 programmatic combinations for multiple use of space to obtain
2782 maximum daily use of all spaces within the facility under
2783 consideration.
2784 6. Upon construction, the total cost per student station,
2785 including change orders, must not exceed the cost per student
2786 station as provided in subsection (6) unless approved by the
2787 Special Facility Construction Committee. At the discretion of
2788 the committee, costs that exceed the cost per student station
2789 for special facilities may include legal and administrative
2790 fees, the cost of site improvements or related offsite
2791 improvements, the cost of complying with public shelter and
2792 hurricane hardening requirements, cost overruns created by a
2793 disaster as defined in s. 252.34(2), costs of security
2794 enhancements approved by the school safety specialist, and
2795 unforeseeable circumstances beyond the district’s control.
2796 7. There shall be an agreement signed by the district
2797 school board stating that it will advertise for bids within 30
2798 days of receipt of its encumbrance authorization from the
2799 department.
2800 8.
a.(I)
For construction projects for which Special
2801 Facilities Construction Account funding is sought before the
2802 2019-2020 fiscal year, the district shall, at the time of the
2803 request and for a continuing period necessary to meet the
2804 district’s participation requirement, levy the maximum millage
2805 against its nonexempt assessed property value as allowed in s.
2806 1011.71(2) or shall raise an equivalent amount of revenue from
2807 the school capital outlay surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).
2808
(II)
Beginning with construction projects for which Special
2809 Facilities Construction Account funding is sought in the 2019
2810 2020 fiscal year, the district shall, for a minimum of 3 years
2811 before submitting the request and for a continuing period
2812 necessary to meet its participation requirement, levy the
2813 maximum millage against the district’s nonexempt assessed
2814 property value as authorized under s. 1011.71(2) or shall raise
2815 an equivalent amount of revenue from the school capital outlay
2816 surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).
2817
(III) Beginning with the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year,
any
2818 district with
an

a new or
active project
or an outstanding

2819
participation requirement balance
, funded under
the provisions

2820
of
this subsection, shall be required to budget no more than the
2821 value of 1 mill per year to the project until the district’s
2822 participation requirement relating to the local discretionary
2823 capital improvement millage or the equivalent amount of revenue
2824 from the school capital outlay surtax is satisfied.
2825
b. For construction projects for which Special Facilities

2826
Construction Account funding is sought beginning in the 202
6

2827
202
7
fiscal year, the district shall, for a minimum of 3 years

2828
before submitting the request and for the initial year of the

2829
appropriation and the 2 years following the initial

2830
appropriation, levy the maximum millage against the district’s

2831
nonexempt assessed property value as authorized under s.

2832
1011.71(2) or shall raise an equivalent amount of revenue from

2833
the school capital outlay surtax authorized under s. 212.055(6).

2834
The district is not required to budget the funds toward the

2835
project, but must use the funds as authorized pursuant to s.

2836
1011.71 or s. 212.055(6), as applicable.

2837 9. If a contract has not been signed 90 days after the
2838 advertising of bids, the funding for the specific project
must

2839
shall
revert to the Special Facility New Construction Account to
2840 be reallocated to other projects on the list. However, an
2841 additional 90 days may be granted by the commissioner.
2842 10. The department shall certify the inability of the
2843 district to fund the survey-recommended project over a
2844 continuous 3-year period using projected capital outlay revenue
2845 derived from s. 9(d), Art. XII of the State Constitution, as
2846 amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this section, and s. 1011.71(2).
2847 11.
a.

For projects funded before the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year,

2848 the district shall have on file with the department an adopted
2849 resolution acknowledging its commitment to satisfy its
2850 participation requirement, which is equivalent to all
2851 unencumbered and future revenue acquired from s. 9(d), Art. XII
2852 of the State Constitution, as amended, paragraph (3)(a) of this
2853 section, and s. 1011.71(2), in the year of the initial
2854 appropriation and for the 2 years immediately following the
2855 initial appropriation.
2856
b. For projects funded during the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year,

2857
and thereafter, the district shall have on file with the

2858
department an adopted resolution acknowledging its commitment to

2859
comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

2860 12. Phase I plans must be approved by the district school
2861 board as being in compliance with the building and life safety
2862 codes before June 1 of the year the application is made.
2863 Section 42.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sum of $1

2864
million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is

2865
appropriated to the Florida Small Business Development Center

2866
Network under s. 288.001, Florida Statutes, to expand services

2867
in rural communities. The funds shall be allocated to the Office

2868
of Rural Prosperity budget entity within the Department of

2869
Commerce in the Special Categories–SBDCN Rural Services specific

2870
appropriation category.

2871 Section 43.
(1) For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sums of

2872
$1,827,591 in recurring funds and $652,327 in nonrecurring funds

2873
are appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department

2874
of Commerce.

2875
(2) The recurring general revenue funds shall be allocated

2876
to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the following

2877
specific appropriations categories: $1,585,823 in Salaries and

2878
Benefits, $175,961 in Expenses, $50,000 in Contracted Services,

2879
$10,000 in Operating Capital Outlay, and $5,807 in Transfer to

2880
the Department of Management Services/Statewide Human Resources

2881
Contract.

2882
(3) The nonrecurring general revenue funds shall be

2883
allocated to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the

2884
following specific appropriations categories: $92,327 in

2885
Expenses and $560,000 in Acquisition of Motor Vehicles.

2886
(4) The Department of Commerce is authorized to establish

2887
17.00 full-time equivalent positions with associated salary rate

2888
of 1,060,000 in the Office of Rural Prosperity for the purpose

2889
of implementing this act. The following specific positions,

2890
classifications, and pay plans are authorized: 1.00 Director of

2891
General Operation
s
, Class Code 9327, Pay Grade 940; 15.00

2892
Government Analyst II, Class Code 2225, Pay Grade 026; and 1.00

2893
Administrative Assistant II, Class Code 0712, Pay Grade 018.

2894 Section 44.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the recurring

2895
sum of $
7
million from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated

2896
to the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of

2897
Commerce to implement the Renaissance Grants Program created by

2898
s. 288.014, Florida Statutes.
F
unds may
not
be used by the state

2899
for administrative costs.

2900 Section 45.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the recurring

2901
sum of $500,000 from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within

2902
the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the Office of

2903
Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement

2904
the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program created

2905
by s. 288.0175, Florida Statutes.

2906 Section 46.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sums of $4

2907
million in nonrecurring funds and $1 million in recurring funds

2908
from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of

2909
Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement

2910
the Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund under s.

2911
288.065, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.

2912 Section 47.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sums of $40

2913
million in nonrecurring funds and $5 million in recurring funds

2914
from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of

2915
Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement

2916
the Rural Infrastructure Fund under s. 288.0655, Florida

2917
Statutes, as amended by this act.

2918 Section 48.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sum of

2919
$250,000 in recurring funds from the Grants and Donations Trust

2920
Fund within the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the

2921
Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to

2922
implement s. 288.0657, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.

2923 Section 49.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sum of $30

2924
million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is

2925
appropriated to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to be

2926
used to preserve affordable multifamily rental housing in rural

2927
communities funded through United States Department of

2928
Agriculture loans. The funds provided in this appropriation
must

2929
be used to issue competitive requests for application
s
for the

2930
rehabilitation or acquisition of such properties to ensure

2931
continued affordability. By October 1, 202
7
, the Florida Housing

2932
Finance Corporation shall submit a report to the President of

2933
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on

2934
projects funded pursuant to this section, which report must

2935
include the number of units preserved and the financing

2936
portfolio for each project.

2937 Section 50.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sums of

2938
$
193,075
in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund and

2939
$
244,538
in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust Fund are

2940
appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration to

2941
establish a Diagnosis-Related Grouping (DRG) reimbursement

2942
methodology for critical access hospitals, as defined in s.

2943
408.07, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of providing inpatient

2944
reimbursement to such a hospital in amounts comparable to the

2945
reimbursement the hospital would receive for inpatient services

2946
from the federal Medicare program. The 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year

2947
General Appropriations Act shall establish the DRG reimbursement

2948
methodology for critical access hospital inpatient services as

2949
directed in s. 409.905(5)(c), Florida Statutes. Health plans

2950
that participate in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program

2951
shall pass through the fee increase to providers in this

2952
appropriation.

2953 Section 51.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sums of

2954
$
7,741,492
in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund and

2955
$
9,804,954
in recurring funds from the Medical Care Trust Fund

2956
are appropriated to the Agency for Health Care Administration to

2957
establish an Enhanced Ambulatory Patient Grouping (EAPG)

2958
reimbursement methodology for critical access hospitals, as

2959
defined in s. 408.07, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of

2960
providing outpatient reimbursement to such a hospital in amounts

2961
comparable to the reimbursement the hospital would receive for

2962
outpatient services from the federal Medicare program. The 202
6

2963
202
7
fiscal year General Appropriations Act shall establish the

2964
EAPG reimbursement methodology for critical access hospital

2965
outpatient services as directed in s. 409.905(6)(b), Florida

2966
Statutes. Health plans that participate in the Statewide

2967
Medicaid Managed Care program shall pass through the fee

2968
increase to providers in this appropriation.

2969 Section 52.
For the
2026-2027
fiscal year, the sum of $3.6

2970
million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is

2971
appropriated to the Department of Education to implement s.

2972
1001.451, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.

2973 Section 53.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sum of $25

2974
million in recurring funds is appropriated from the General

2975
Revenue Fund to the Department of Education to be distributed to

2976
regional consortium service organizations under s. 1001.451,

2977
Florida Statutes, in order to provide funds pursuant to s.

2978
1001.4511, Florida Statutes. These funds shall be allocated as

2979
follows: $5,555,149 to the Heartland Educational Consortium;

2980
$11,912,923 to the North East Florida Educational Consortium;

2981
and $7,531,928 to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium. The

2982
funds must be distributed to each regional consortium service

2983
organization no later than 30 days following the release of the

2984
funds to the department.

2985 Section 54.
For the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year, the sum of $7

2986
million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is

2987
appropriated to the Department of Education to implement the

2988
Rural Incentive for Professional Educators (RIPE) Program, s.

2989
1009.635, Florida Statutes, as created by this act.

2990 Section 55. Subsection (3) of section 163.3187, Florida
2991 Statutes, is amended to read:
2992 163.3187 Process for adoption of small scale comprehensive
2993 plan amendment.—
2994 (3) If the small scale development amendment involves a
2995 site within a rural area of opportunity as defined under
s.

2996
288.0656

s. 288.0656(2)(d)
for the duration of such designation,
2997 the acreage limit listed in subsection (1)
must

shall
be
2998 increased by 100 percent. The local government approving the
2999 small scale plan amendment shall certify to the state land
3000 planning agency that the plan amendment furthers the economic
3001 objectives set forth in the executive order issued under s.
3002 288.0656(7), and the property subject to the plan amendment
3003 shall undergo public review to ensure that all concurrency
3004 requirements and federal, state, and local environmental permit
3005 requirements are met.
3006 Section 56. Section 212.205, Florida Statutes, is amended
3007 to read:
3008 212.205 Sales tax distribution reporting.—By March 15 of
3009 each year, each person who received a distribution pursuant to
3010
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. and c.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. and c.
in the
3011 preceding calendar year shall report to the Office of Economic
3012 and Demographic Research the following information:
3013 (1) An itemized accounting of all expenditures of the funds
3014 distributed in the preceding calendar year, including amounts
3015 spent on debt service.
3016 (2) A statement indicating what portion of the distributed
3017 funds have been pledged for debt service.
3018 (3) The original principal amount and current debt service
3019 schedule of any bonds or other borrowing for which the
3020 distributed funds have been pledged for debt service.
3021 Section 57. Section 257.191, Florida Statutes, is amended
3022 to read:
3023 257.191 Construction grants.—The Division of Library and
3024 Information Services may accept and administer library
3025 construction moneys appropriated to it and shall allocate such
3026 appropriation to municipal, county, and regional libraries in
3027 the form of library construction grants on a matching basis. The
3028 local matching portion shall be no less than the grant amount,
3029 on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to the maximum grant amount,
3030 unless the matching requirement is waived
pursuant to s. 288.019

3031
by s. 288.06561
. Initiation of a library construction project 12
3032 months or less prior to the grant award under this section
does

3033
shall
not affect the eligibility of an applicant to receive a
3034 library construction grant. The division shall adopt rules for
3035 the administration of library construction grants. For the
3036 purposes of this section, s. 257.21 does not apply.
3037 Section 58. Subsection (2) of section 257.193, Florida
3038 Statutes, is amended to read:
3039 257.193 Community Libraries in Caring Program.—
3040 (2) The purpose of the Community Libraries in Caring
3041 Program is to assist libraries in rural communities, as defined
3042 in s. 288.0656(2) and subject to the provisions of
s. 288.019

s.

3043
288.06561
, to strengthen their collections and services, improve
3044 literacy in their communities, and improve the economic
3045 viability of their communities.
3046 Section 59. Subsection (17) of section 265.283, Florida
3047 Statutes, is amended to read:
3048 265.283 Definitions.—The following definitions shall apply
3049 to ss. 265.281-265.703:
3050 (17) “Underserved arts community assistance program grants”
3051 means grants used by qualified organizations under the Rural
3052 Economic Development Initiative, pursuant to
s. 288.0656 and

3053
subject to s. 288.019

ss. 288.0656 and 288.06561
, for the
3054 purpose of economic and organizational development for
3055 underserved cultural organizations.
3056 Section 60. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (3) of
3057 section 288.11621, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
3058 288.11621 Spring training baseball franchises.—
3059 (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
3060 (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under
s.

3061
212.20(6)(d)7.b.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b.
only to:
3062 1. Serve the public purpose of acquiring, constructing,
3063 reconstructing, or renovating a facility for a spring training
3064 franchise.
3065 2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
3066 fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
3067 or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
3068 the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of
3069 such facility, or for the reimbursement of such costs or the
3070 refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.
3071 3. Assist in the relocation of a spring training franchise
3072 from one unit of local government to another only if the
3073 governing board of the current host local government by a
3074 majority vote agrees to relocation.
3075 (d)1. All certified applicants must place unexpended state
3076 funds received pursuant to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b.

s.

3077
212.20(6)(d)6.b.
in a trust fund or separate account for use
3078 only as authorized in this section.
3079 2. A certified applicant may request that the Department of
3080 Revenue suspend further distributions of state funds made
3081 available under
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b.
for 12
3082 months after expiration of an existing agreement with a spring
3083 training franchise to provide the certified applicant with an
3084 opportunity to enter into a new agreement with a spring training
3085 franchise, at which time the distributions shall resume.
3086 3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
3087 applicant certified before July 1, 2010, must begin within 48
3088 months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
3089 addition, the construction of, or capital improvements to, a
3090 spring training facility must be completed within 24 months
3091 after the project’s commencement.
3092 Section 61. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
3093 (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (3) of section 288.11631,
3094 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
3095 288.11631 Retention of Major League Baseball spring
3096 training baseball franchises.—
3097 (2) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—
3098 (c) Each applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013,
3099 shall enter into an agreement with the department which:
3100 1. Specifies the amount of the state incentive funding to
3101 be distributed. The amount of state incentive funding per
3102 certified applicant may not exceed $20 million. However, if a
3103 certified applicant’s facility is used by more than one spring
3104 training franchise, the maximum amount may not exceed $50
3105 million, and the Department of Revenue shall make distributions
3106 to the applicant pursuant to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c.

s.

3107
212.20(6)(d)6.c.

3108 2. States the criteria that the certified applicant must
3109 meet in order to remain certified. These criteria must include a
3110 provision stating that the spring training franchise must
3111 reimburse the state for any funds received if the franchise does
3112 not comply with the terms of the contract. If bonds were issued
3113 to construct or renovate a facility for a spring training
3114 franchise, the required reimbursement must be equal to the total
3115 amount of state distributions expected to be paid from the date
3116 the franchise violates the agreement with the applicant through
3117 the final maturity of the bonds.
3118 3. States that the certified applicant is subject to
3119 decertification if the certified applicant fails to comply with
3120 this section or the agreement.
3121 4. States that the department may recover state incentive
3122 funds if the certified applicant is decertified.
3123 5. Specifies the information that the certified applicant
3124 must report to the department.
3125 6. Includes any provision deemed prudent by the department.
3126 (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
3127 (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under
s.

3128
212.20(6)(d)7.c.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c.
only to:
3129 1. Serve the public purpose of constructing or renovating a
3130 facility for a spring training franchise.
3131 2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
3132 fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
3133 or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
3134 the construction or renovation of such facility, or for the
3135 reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued
3136 for such purposes.
3137 (c) The Department of Revenue may not distribute funds
3138 under
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c.
until July 1,
3139 2016. Further, the Department of Revenue may not distribute
3140 funds to an applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013, until
3141 it receives notice from the department that:
3142 1. The certified applicant has encumbered funds under
3143 either subparagraph (a)1. or subparagraph (a)2.; and
3144 2. If applicable, any existing agreement with a spring
3145 training franchise for the use of a facility has expired.
3146 (d)1. All certified applicants shall place unexpended state
3147 funds received pursuant to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c.

s.

3148
212.20(6)(d)6.c.
in a trust fund or separate account for use
3149 only as authorized in this section.
3150 2. A certified applicant may request that the department
3151 notify the Department of Revenue to suspend further
3152 distributions of state funds made available under
s.

3153
212.20(6)(d)7.c.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c.
for 12 months after
3154 expiration of an existing agreement with a spring training
3155 franchise to provide the certified applicant with an opportunity
3156 to enter into a new agreement with a spring training franchise,
3157 at which time the distributions shall resume.
3158 3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
3159 applicant certified after July 1, 2013, must begin within 48
3160 months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
3161 addition, the construction or renovation of a spring training
3162 facility must be completed within 24 months after the project’s
3163 commencement.
3164 Section 62. Subsection (1) of section 443.191, Florida
3165 Statutes, is amended to read:
3166 443.191 Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund; establishment
3167 and control.—
3168 (1) There is established, as a separate trust fund apart
3169 from all other public funds of this state, an Unemployment
3170 Compensation Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the
3171 Department of Commerce exclusively for the purposes of this
3172 chapter. The fund must consist of:
3173 (a) All contributions and reimbursements collected under
3174 this chapter;
3175 (b) Interest earned on any moneys in the fund;
3176 (c) Any property or securities acquired through the use of
3177 moneys belonging to the fund;
3178 (d) All earnings of these properties or securities;
3179 (e) All money credited to this state’s account in the
3180 federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund under 42 U.S.C. s.
3181 1103;
3182 (f) All money collected for penalties imposed pursuant to
3183 s. 443.151(6)(a);
3184 (g) Advances on the amount in the federal Unemployment
3185 Compensation Trust Fund credited to the state under 42 U.S.C. s.
3186 1321, as requested by the Governor or the Governor’s designee;
3187 and
3188 (h) All money deposited in this account as a distribution
3189 pursuant to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.e.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.e.

3190
3191 Except as otherwise provided in s. 443.1313(4), all moneys in
3192 the fund must be mingled and undivided.
3193 Section 63. Section 571.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to
3194 read:
3195 571.26 Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust
3196 Fund.—There is hereby created the Florida Agricultural
3197 Promotional Campaign Trust Fund within the Department of
3198 Agriculture and Consumer Services to receive all moneys related
3199 to the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign. Moneys
3200 deposited in the trust fund shall be appropriated for the sole
3201 purpose of implementing the Florida Agricultural Promotional
3202 Campaign, except for money deposited in the trust fund pursuant
3203 to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.
e
.

s. 212.20(6)(d)6.
e
.
, which shall be held
3204 separately and used solely for the purposes identified in s.
3205 571.265.
3206 Section 64. Subsection (2) of section 571.265, Florida
3207 Statutes, is amended to read:
3208 571.265 Promotion of Florida thoroughbred breeding and of
3209 thoroughbred racing at Florida thoroughbred tracks; distribution
3210 of funds.—
3211 (2) Funds deposited into the Florida Agricultural
3212 Promotional Campaign Trust Fund pursuant to
s. 212.20(6)(d)7.
e
.

3213
s. 212.20(6)(d)6.
e
.
shall be used by the department to encourage
3214 the agricultural activity of breeding thoroughbred racehorses in
3215 this state and to enhance thoroughbred racing conducted at
3216 thoroughbred tracks in this state as provided in this section.
3217 If the funds made available under this section are not fully
3218 used in any one fiscal year, any unused amounts shall be carried
3219 forward in the trust fund into future fiscal years and made
3220 available for distribution as provided in this section.
3221 Section 65. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3222 made by this act to section 20.60, Florida Statutes, in a
3223 reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 288.9935, Florida
3224 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3225 288.9935 Microfinance Guarantee Program.—
3226 (8) The department must, in the department’s report
3227 required under s. 20.60(10), include an annual report on the
3228 program. The report must, at a minimum, provide:
3229 (a) A comprehensive description of the program, including
3230 an evaluation of its application and guarantee activities,
3231 recommendations for change, and identification of any other
3232 state programs that overlap with the program;
3233 (b) An assessment of the current availability of and access
3234 to credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses in this state;
3235 (c) A summary of the financial and employment results of
3236 the entrepreneurs and small businesses receiving loan
3237 guarantees, including the number of full-time equivalent jobs
3238 created as a result of the guaranteed loans and the amount of
3239 wages paid to employees in the newly created jobs;
3240 (d) Industry data about the borrowers, including the six
3241 digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
3242 code;
3243 (e) The name and location of lenders that receive loan
3244 guarantees;
3245 (f) The number of loan guarantee applications received;
3246 (g) The number, duration, location, and amount of
3247 guarantees made;
3248 (h) The number and amount of guaranteed loans outstanding,
3249 if any;
3250 (i) The number and amount of guaranteed loans with payments
3251 overdue, if any;
3252 (j) The number and amount of guaranteed loans in default,
3253 if any;
3254 (k) The repayment history of the guaranteed loans made; and
3255 (l) An evaluation of the program’s ability to meet the
3256 financial performance measures and objectives specified in
3257 subsection (3).
3258 Section 66. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3259 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3260 reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
3261 125.0104, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3262 125.0104 Tourist development tax; procedure for levying;
3263 authorized uses; referendum; enforcement.—
3264 (5) AUTHORIZED USES OF REVENUE.—
3265 (c) A county located adjacent to the Gulf of America or the
3266 Atlantic Ocean, except a county that receives revenue from taxes
3267 levied pursuant to s. 125.0108, which meets the following
3268 criteria may use up to 10 percent of the tax revenue received
3269 pursuant to this section to reimburse expenses incurred in
3270 providing public safety services, including emergency medical
3271 services as defined in s. 401.107(3), and law enforcement
3272 services, which are needed to address impacts related to
3273 increased tourism and visitors to an area. However, if taxes
3274 collected pursuant to this section are used to reimburse
3275 emergency medical services or public safety services for tourism
3276 or special events, the governing board of a county or
3277 municipality may not use such taxes to supplant the normal
3278 operating expenses of an emergency medical services department,
3279 a fire department, a sheriff’s office, or a police department.
3280 To receive reimbursement, the county must:
3281 1.a. Generate a minimum of $10 million in annual proceeds
3282 from any tax, or any combination of taxes, authorized to be
3283 levied pursuant to this section;
3284 b. Have at least three municipalities; and
3285 c. Have an estimated population of less than 275,000,
3286 according to the most recent population estimate prepared
3287 pursuant to s. 186.901, excluding the inmate population; or
3288 2. Be a fiscally constrained county as described in s.
3289 218.67(1).
3290
3291 The board of county commissioners must by majority vote approve
3292 reimbursement made pursuant to this paragraph upon receipt of a
3293 recommendation from the tourist development council.
3294 Section 67. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3295 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3296 reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 193.624, Florida
3297 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3298 193.624 Assessment of renewable energy source devices.—
3299 (3) This section applies to the installation of a renewable
3300 energy source device installed on or after January 1, 2013, to
3301 new and existing residential real property. This section applies
3302 to a renewable energy source device installed on or after
3303 January 1, 2018, to all other real property, except when
3304 installed as part of a project planned for a location in a
3305 fiscally constrained county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for
3306 which an application for a comprehensive plan amendment or
3307 planned unit development zoning has been filed with the county
3308 on or before December 31, 2017.
3309 Section 68. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3310 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3311 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 196.182, Florida
3312 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3313 196.182 Exemption of renewable energy source devices.—
3314 (2) The exemption provided in this section does not apply
3315 to a renewable energy source device that is installed as part of
3316 a project planned for a location in a fiscally constrained
3317 county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for which an application
3318 for a comprehensive plan amendment or planned unit development
3319 zoning has been filed with the county on or before December 31,
3320 2017.
3321 Section 69. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3322 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3323 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.12, Florida
3324 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3325 218.12 Appropriations to offset reductions in ad valorem
3326 tax revenue in fiscally constrained counties.—
3327 (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009, the Legislature
3328 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3329 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3330 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3331 implementation of revisions of Art. VII of the State
3332 Constitution approved in the special election held on January
3333 29, 2008. The moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be
3334 distributed in January of each fiscal year among the fiscally
3335 constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
3336 total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3337 implementation of the revision.
3338 Section 70. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3339 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3340 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.125, Florida
3341 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3342 218.125 Offset for tax loss associated with certain
3343 constitutional amendments affecting fiscally constrained
3344 counties.—
3345 (1) Beginning in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Legislature
3346 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3347 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3348 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3349 implementation of revisions of ss. 3(f) and 4(b), Art. VII of
3350 the State Constitution which were approved in the general
3351 election held in November 2008. The moneys appropriated for this
3352 purpose shall be distributed in January of each fiscal year
3353 among the fiscally constrained counties based on each county’s
3354 proportion of the total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue
3355 resulting from the implementation of the revisions.
3356 Section 71. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3357 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3358 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.135, Florida
3359 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3360 218.135 Offset for tax loss associated with reductions in
3361 value of certain citrus fruit packing and processing equipment.—
3362 (1) For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Legislature shall
3363 appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax
3364 revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as defined
3365 in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3366 implementation of s. 193.4516. The moneys appropriated for this
3367 purpose shall be distributed in January 2019 among the fiscally
3368 constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
3369 total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3370 implementation of s. 193.4516.
3371 Section 72. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3372 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3373 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.136, Florida
3374 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3375 218.136 Offset for ad valorem revenue loss affecting
3376 fiscally constrained counties.—
3377 (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, the Legislature
3378 shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
3379 tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
3380 defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
3381 implementation of revisions of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
3382 Constitution approved in the November 2024 general election. The
3383 moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be distributed in
3384 January of each fiscal year among the fiscally constrained
3385 counties based on each county’s proportion of the total
3386 reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
3387 implementation of the revision of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
3388 Constitution.
3389 Section 73. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3390 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3391 reference thereto, paragraph (cc) of subsection (2) of section
3392 252.35, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3393 252.35 Emergency management powers; Division of Emergency
3394 Management.—
3395 (2) The division is responsible for carrying out the
3396 provisions of ss. 252.31-252.90. In performing its duties, the
3397 division shall:
3398 (cc) Administer a revolving loan program for local
3399 government hazard mitigation projects.
3400 Section 74. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3401 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3402 reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 288.102, Florida
3403 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3404 288.102 Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program.—
3405 (4) A minimum of a one-to-one match of nonstate resources,
3406 including local, federal, or private funds, to the state
3407 contribution is required. An award may not be made for a project
3408 that is receiving or using state funding from another state
3409 source or statutory program, including tax credits. The one-to
3410 one match requirement is waived for a public entity located in a
3411 fiscally constrained county as defined in s. 218.67(1).
3412 Section 75. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3413 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3414 reference thereto, paragraph (h) of subsection (16) of section
3415 403.064, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3416 403.064 Reuse of reclaimed water.—
3417 (16) By November 1, 2021, domestic wastewater utilities
3418 that dispose of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water by
3419 surface water discharge shall submit to the department for
3420 review and approval a plan for eliminating nonbeneficial surface
3421 water discharge by January 1, 2032, subject to the requirements
3422 of this section. The plan must include the average gallons per
3423 day of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water that will no
3424 longer be discharged into surface waters and the date of such
3425 elimination, the average gallons per day of surface water
3426 discharge which will continue in accordance with the
3427 alternatives provided for in subparagraphs (a)2. and 3., and the
3428 level of treatment that the effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse
3429 water will receive before being discharged into a surface water
3430 by each alternative.
3431 (h) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:
3432 1. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3433 in a fiscally constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1).
3434 2. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3435 in a municipality that is entirely within a rural area of
3436 opportunity as designated pursuant to s. 288.0656.
3437 3. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
3438 in a municipality that has less than $10 million in total
3439 revenue, as determined by the municipality’s most recent annual
3440 financial report submitted to the Department of Financial
3441 Services in accordance with s. 218.32.
3442 4. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is
3443 operated by an operator of a mobile home park as defined in s.
3444 723.003 and has a permitted capacity of less than 300,000
3445 gallons per day.
3446 Section 76. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3447 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in
3448 references thereto, subsections (2) and (3) of section 589.08,
3449 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3450 589.08 Land acquisition restrictions.—
3451 (2) The Florida Forest Service may receive, hold the
3452 custody of, and exercise the control of any lands, and set aside
3453 into a separate, distinct and inviolable fund, any proceeds
3454 derived from the sales of the products of such lands, the use
3455 thereof in any manner, or the sale of such lands save the 25
3456 percent of the proceeds to be paid into the State School Fund as
3457 provided by law. The Florida Forest Service may use and apply
3458 such funds for the acquisition, use, custody, management,
3459 development, or improvement of any lands vested in or subject to
3460 the control of the Florida Forest Service. After full payment
3461 has been made for the purchase of a state forest to the Federal
3462 Government or other grantor, 15 percent of the gross receipts
3463 from a state forest shall be paid to the fiscally constrained
3464 county or counties, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which it is
3465 located in proportion to the acreage located in each county for
3466 use by the county or counties for school purposes.
3467 (3) The Florida Forest Service shall pay 15 percent of the
3468 gross receipts from the Goethe State Forest to each fiscally
3469 constrained county, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which a
3470 portion of the respective forest is located in proportion to the
3471 forest acreage located in such county. The funds must be equally
3472 divided between the board of county commissioners and the school
3473 board of each fiscally constrained county.
3474 Section 77. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3475 made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
3476 reference thereto, paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
3477 1011.62, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3478 1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
3479 allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
3480 district for operation of schools is not determined in the
3481 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
3482 the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
3483 follows:
3484 (1) COMPUTATION OF THE BASE FLORIDA EDUCATION FINANCE
3485 PROGRAM.—The following procedure shall be followed in
3486 determining the base Florida Education Finance Program funds for
3487 each district:
3488 (f)
Small district factor.
—An additional value per full
3489 time equivalent student membership is provided to each school
3490 district with a full-time equivalent student membership of fewer
3491 than 20,000 full-time equivalent students which is in a fiscally
3492 constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1). The amount of
3493 the additional value shall be specified in the General
3494 Appropriations Act.
3495 Section 78. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
3496 made by this act to sections 218.67 and 339.2818, Florida
3497 Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (6)
3498 of section 403.0741, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3499 403.0741 Grease waste removal and disposal.—
3500 (6) REGULATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—
3501 (c) Fiscally constrained counties as described in s.
3502 218.67(1) and small counties as defined in s. 339.2818(2) may
3503 opt out of the requirements of this section.
3504 Section 79. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3505 made by this act to section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, in a
3506 reference thereto, paragraph (e) of subsection (7) of section
3507 163.3177, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3508 163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive
3509 plan; studies and surveys.—
3510 (7)
3511 (e) This subsection does not confer the status of rural
3512 area of opportunity, or any of the rights or benefits derived
3513 from such status, on any land area not otherwise designated as
3514 such pursuant to s. 288.0656(7).
3515 Section 80. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3516 made by this act to section 288.9961, Florida Statutes, in a
3517 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
3518 288.9962, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3519 288.9962 Broadband Opportunity Program.—
3520 (7)(a) In evaluating grant applications and awarding
3521 grants, the office must give priority to applications that:
3522 1. Offer broadband Internet service to important community
3523 institutions, including, but not limited to, libraries,
3524 educational institutions, public safety facilities, and health
3525 care facilities;
3526 2. Facilitate the use of telemedicine and electronic health
3527 records;
3528 3. Serve economically distressed areas of this state, as
3529 measured by indices of unemployment, poverty, or population loss
3530 that are significantly greater than the statewide average;
3531 4. Provide for scalability to transmission speeds of at
3532 least 100 megabits per second download and 10 megabits per
3533 second upload;
3534 5. Include a component to actively promote the adoption of
3535 the newly available broadband Internet service in the community;
3536 6. Provide evidence of strong support for the project from
3537 citizens, government, businesses, and institutions in the
3538 community;
3539 7. Provide access to broadband Internet service to the
3540 greatest number of unserved households and businesses;
3541 8. Leverage greater amounts of funding for a project from
3542 private sources; or
3543 9. Demonstrate consistency with the strategic plan adopted
3544 under s. 288.9961.
3545 Section 81. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3546 made by this act to section 319.32, Florida Statutes, in a
3547 reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 215.211, Florida
3548 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3549 215.211 Service charge; elimination or reduction for
3550 specified proceeds.—
3551 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 215.20(1) and
3552 former s. 215.20(3), the service charge provided in s. 215.20(1)
3553 and former s. 215.20(3), which is deducted from the proceeds of
3554 the taxes distributed under ss. 206.606(1), 207.026,
3555 212.0501(6), and 319.32(5), shall be eliminated beginning July
3556 1, 2000.
3557 Section 82. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3558 made by this act to section 339.68, Florida Statutes, in
3559 references thereto, subsections (5) and (6) of section 339.66,
3560 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3561 339.66 Upgrade of arterial highways with controlled access
3562 facilities.—
3563 (5) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
3564 department projects shall apply to projects undertaken by the
3565 department pursuant to this section. The department shall take
3566 into consideration the guidance and recommendations of any
3567 previous studies or reports relevant to the projects authorized
3568 by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including, but not
3569 limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to chapter
3570 2019-43, Laws of Florida.
3571 (6) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
3572 turnpike projects apply to projects undertaken by the Turnpike
3573 Enterprise pursuant to this section. The Turnpike Enterprise
3574 shall take into consideration the guidance and recommendations
3575 of any previous studies or reports relevant to the projects
3576 authorized by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including,
3577 but not limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to
3578 chapter 2019-43, Laws of Florida, and with respect to any
3579 extension of the Florida Turnpike from its northerly terminus in
3580 Wildwood.
3581 Section 83. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3582 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in
3583 references thereto, subsections (4) and (6) of section 420.9072,
3584 Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
3585 420.9072 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program.—The
3586 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program is created for the
3587 purpose of providing funds to counties and eligible
3588 municipalities as an incentive for the creation of local housing
3589 partnerships, to expand production of and preserve affordable
3590 housing, to further the housing element of the local government
3591 comprehensive plan specific to affordable housing, and to
3592 increase housing-related employment.
3593 (4) Moneys in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund shall
3594 be distributed by the corporation to each approved county and
3595 eligible municipality within the county as provided in s.
3596 420.9073. Distributions shall be allocated to the participating
3597 county and to each eligible municipality within the county
3598 according to an interlocal agreement between the county
3599 governing authority and the governing body of the eligible
3600 municipality or, if there is no interlocal agreement, according
3601 to population. The portion for each eligible municipality is
3602 computed by multiplying the total moneys earmarked for a county
3603 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the population of the
3604 eligible municipality and the denominator of which is the total
3605 population of the county. The remaining revenues shall be
3606 distributed to the governing body of the county.
3607 (6) The moneys that otherwise would be distributed pursuant
3608 to s. 420.9073 to a local government that does not meet the
3609 program’s requirements for receipts of such distributions shall
3610 remain in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to be
3611 administered by the corporation.
3612 Section 84. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3613 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
3614 reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
3615 420.9076, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3616 420.9076 Adoption of affordable housing incentive
3617 strategies; committees.—
3618 (7) The governing board of the county or the eligible
3619 municipality shall notify the corporation by certified mail of
3620 its adoption of an amendment of its local housing assistance
3621 plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies. The
3622 notice must include a copy of the approved amended plan.
3623 (b) If a county fails to timely adopt an amended local
3624 housing assistance plan to incorporate local housing incentive
3625 strategies but an eligible municipality receiving a local
3626 housing distribution pursuant to an interlocal agreement within
3627 the county does timely adopt an amended local housing assistance
3628 plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies, the
3629 corporation, after issuance of a notice of termination, shall
3630 thereafter distribute directly to the participating eligible
3631 municipality its share calculated in the manner provided in s.
3632 420.9073.
3633 Section 85. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
3634 made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
3635 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 420.9079, Florida
3636 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3637 420.9079 Local Government Housing Trust Fund.—
3638 (2) The corporation shall administer the fund exclusively
3639 for the purpose of implementing the programs described in ss.
3640 420.907-420.9076 and this section. With the exception of
3641 monitoring the activities of counties and eligible
3642 municipalities to determine local compliance with program
3643 requirements, the corporation shall not receive appropriations
3644 from the fund for administrative or personnel costs. For the
3645 purpose of implementing the compliance monitoring provisions of
3646 s. 420.9075(9), the corporation may request a maximum of one
3647 quarter of 1 percent of the annual appropriation per state
3648 fiscal year. When such funding is appropriated, the corporation
3649 shall deduct the amount appropriated prior to calculating the
3650 local housing distribution pursuant to ss. 420.9072 and
3651 420.9073.
3652 Section 86. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.