Florida Senate - 2013                                     SB 670
       
       
       
       By Senator Brandes
       
       
       
       
       22-00396-13                                            2013670__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Department of Economic
    3         Opportunity; requiring the department to create a web
    4         page accessible through its Internet website that
    5         provides comprehensive data and information that are
    6         relevant to the creation of new businesses, or the
    7         expansion of existing businesses, within the state;
    8         providing purposes of the web page; requiring the
    9         department to contact local governmental entities and
   10         collect specified data and information; requiring
   11         cities and counties to provide notice of changes in
   12         data collected by the department; providing an
   13         effective date.
   14  
   15  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   16  
   17         Section 1. (1) The Department of Economic Opportunity shall
   18  create a web page, accessible through its Internet website,
   19  dedicated solely to the collection and publication of data and
   20  information that are relevant and of significance to the
   21  creation of new businesses within the state or the expansion of
   22  existing businesses within the state. The purpose of the web
   23  page is to:
   24         (a) Provide a comprehensive overview of conditions that
   25  exist within the various cities and counties of the state that
   26  are conducive or advantageous to the creation of new businesses
   27  or the expansion of existing businesses.
   28         (b) Enable prospective employers both within and outside
   29  the state to effectively and accurately evaluate the business
   30  climate of cities and counties within the state.
   31         (c) Provide prospective business owners and operators and
   32  cities and counties within the state with immediate access to
   33  specific charges and costs related to the establishment,
   34  operation, and maintenance of a business in any city or county
   35  within the state.
   36         (2)(a) The department shall contact all relevant heads of
   37  local government entities to request specific information with
   38  respect to conditions that exist within the city or county that
   39  impact the creation of new businesses or the expansion of
   40  existing businesses within the boundaries of the city or county.
   41  Local government entities must submit such information to the
   42  department by October 1, 2013. Information submitted to the
   43  department should not include quality of life considerations.
   44  Information submitted to the department must include, as
   45  applicable, but is not limited to, the following:
   46         1. Current millage rates for all relevant taxing
   47  authorities.
   48         2. The rate of any local discretionary sales surtaxes.
   49         3. The rate of any local business taxes.
   50         4. The rate of any local option food and beverage taxes.
   51         5. The rate of any local option fuel taxes.
   52         6. A complete fee schedule that includes impact fees, water
   53  and sewer connection fees, occupational license fees, stormwater
   54  fees, and any other fees that would impact the establishment or
   55  expansion of a business.
   56         7. Existing sign ordinances.
   57         8. Existing tree and landscaping ordinances.
   58         9. Stormwater permitting requirements that exceed
   59  requirements of the water management districts.
   60         10. Current utility surcharges.
   61         (b) Local government entities must provide notice to the
   62  department of any factor, such as the elimination of, addition
   63  of, or change in any items specified in paragraph (a), in as
   64  timely a manner as practicable.
   65         (c) Local government entities may provide to the department
   66  a summary of 1,500 words or less to be included on the web page,
   67  stating the advantages to business that exist within the area of
   68  the local government. The summary may include quality of life
   69  considerations or other factors that in the determination of the
   70  local government create conditions that are favorable to
   71  business creation or expansion.
   72         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.