CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.





                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. Cs for SB 2074

    Amendment No.    

                            CHAMBER ACTION
              Senate                               House
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11  Senators Thomas and Laurent moved the following amendment:

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13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 

14         On page 15, between lines 11 and 12,

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16  insert:

17         Section 5.  The Department of Agriculture and Consumer

18  Services is authorized to negotiate agreements with landowners

19  for water supply in rural areas, provided that:

20         (1)  The water to be supplied is currently available to

21  property owned or controlled by the department; and

22         (2)  The intended use and quantity are not inconsistent

23  with any permit required under part II of chapter 373, Florida

24  Statutes, for the source of supply in effect at the time of

25  the agreement.

26         Section 6.  Section 570.249, Florida Statutes, is

27  created to read:

28         570.249  Agricultural Economic Development Program

29  Disaster Loans.--

30         (1)  USE OF LOAN FUNDS.--Loan funds to agricultural

31  producers who have experienced crop losses from a natural

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. Cs for SB 2074

    Amendment No.    





 1  disaster or a socio-economic condition or event may be used to

 2  restore or replace essential physical property, such as

 3  animals, fences, equipment, structural production facilities,

 4  or orchard trees; pay all or part of production costs

 5  associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living

 6  expenses; and restructure farm debts. Funds may be issued as

 7  direct loans, or as loan guarantees for up to 90 percent of

 8  the total loan, in amounts not less than $30,000 nor more than

 9  $250,000. Applicants must provide at least 10 percent equity.

10         (2)  ELIGIBLE CROPS.--Crops eligible for the emergency

11  loan program include:

12         (a)  Crops grown for human consumption;

13         (b)  Crops planted and grown for livestock consumption,

14  including, but not limited to, grain, seed, and forage crops;

15         (c)  Crops grown for fiber, except for trees; and

16         (d)  Speciality crops, such as aquacultural,

17  floricultural, or ornamental nursery crops; Christmas trees;

18  turf for sod; industrial crops; and seed crops used to produce

19  eligible crops.

20         (3)  FARMING INFORMATION.--A borrower must keep

21  complete and acceptable farm records and present them as proof

22  of production levels. A borrower must operate in accordance

23  with a farm plan that he or she develops and that is approved

24  by the commissioner. A borrower may be required to participate

25  in a financial management training program and obtain crop

26  insurance.

27         (4)  LOAN APPLICATION.--In order to qualify for a loan

28  under this section an applicant must submit an application to

29  the committee within 30 days after the natural disaster or

30  socio-economic condition or event occurs or the date the crop

31  damage becomes apparent. An applicant must be a citizen of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. Cs for SB 2074

    Amendment No.    





 1  United States, a bona fide resident of the state, and,

 2  together with the applicant's spouse and their dependents,

 3  have a total net worth of less than the $100,000. The value of

 4  any residental homestead owned by the applicant must not be

 5  included in determining the applicant's net worth. An

 6  applicant must also demonstrate the need for economic

 7  assistance, be worthy of credit according to standards

 8  established by the commissioner, prove that he or she cannot

 9  obtain commercial credit, and demonstrate that he or she has

10  the ability to repay the loan.

11         (5)  LOAN SECURITY REQUIREMENTS.--All loans must be

12  fully collateralized. A first lien is required on all property

13  or product acquired, produced, or refinanced with loan funds.

14  The specific type of collateral required may vary depending

15  upon the loan purpose, repayment ability, and the particular

16  circumstances of the applicant.

17         (6)  LOAN REPAYMENT.--Repayment of loans for crops,

18  livestock, and non-real-estate losses shall normally be repaid

19  within 7 years, or, in special circumstances within 20 years.

20  Loans for physical losses to real estate and buildings shall

21  not exceed 30 years. Borrowers are expected to return to

22  conventional credit sources when they are financially able.

23  Loans are a temporary source of credit and borrowers must be

24  reviewed periodically to determine whether they can return to

25  conventional credit.

26         Section 7.  Section 570.911, Florida Statutes, is

27  created to read:

28         570.911  Equestrian educational sports program.--The

29  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall

30  establish an equestrian educational sports program with one or

31  more accredited 4-year state universities designed to give

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. Cs for SB 2074

    Amendment No.    





 1  student riders the opportunity to learn, compete, and succeed

 2  at the collegiate level, while at the same time promoting the

 3  state's multi-billion dollar equine industry.

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 5  (Redesignate subsequent sections.)

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 8  ================ T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T ===============

 9  And the title is amended as follows:

10         On page 2, line 11, after the semcolon,

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12  insert:

13         providing authority to the Department of

14         Agriculture and Consumer Services to negotiate

15         agreements with certain land owners for water

16         use in rural areas; creating s. 570.249, F.S.;

17         creating the Agricultural Economic Development

18         Program Disaster Loans; creating s. 570.911,

19         F.S.; providing for an equestrian educational

20         sports program at 4-year state universities;

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