HB 933

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to public housing; amending s. 421.02,
3	F.S.; revising a declaration of necessity; providing
4	that access to essential commercial goods and services
5	for persons of low income served by housing
6	authorities is a public use; amending s. 421.03, F.S.;
7	reordering and revising definitions applicable to the
8	Housing Authorities Law; revising the definition of
9	the term "housing project"; defining the term
10	"essential commercial goods and services"; amending s.
11	421.08, F.S.; prohibiting the use of eminent domain
12	for certain purposes; expanding certain powers of
13	housing authorities to include certain commercial
14	projects providing essential goods and services;
15	providing for the use of revenues received from such
16	projects; amending s. 421.09, F.S.; conforming a
17	cross-reference; reenacting and amending s. 421.21,
18	F.S., relating to tax exemptions applicable to housing
19	authorities created pursuant to certain federal
20	programs; amending s. 421.32, F.S.; conforming a
21	cross-reference; amending s. 422.02, F.S.; revising a
22	declaration of necessity; providing that there exists
23	a shortage of access to essential commercial goods and
24	services necessary for daily living for persons of low
25	income; amending s. 422.04, F.S.; expanding certain
26	powers of state public bodies to include certain
27	commercial projects providing essential goods and
28	services; amending s. 423.01, F.S.; revising and
29	providing findings and declarations of property of tax
30	exemption for housing authorities relating to access
31	to essential commercial goods and services necessary
32	for daily living for persons of low income; amending
33	s. 423.02, F.S.; exempting certain commercial projects
34	that allow access to essential goods and services for
35	persons of low income residing in such housing
36	projects from certain taxes and special assessments;
37	providing organizational and editorial changes for
38	purposes of clarifying various provisions; providing
39	an effective date.
40
41	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
42
43	Section 1.  Section 421.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to
44	read:
45	421.02  Finding and declaration of necessity.-It is hereby
46	declared that:
47	(1)  There exist in the state insanitary or unsafe dwelling
48	accommodations and that persons of low income are forced to
49	reside in such insanitary or unsafe accommodations; that within
50	the state there is a shortage of safe or sanitary dwelling
51	accommodations available at rents which persons of low income
52	can afford and that such persons are forced to occupy
53	overcrowded and congested dwelling accommodations; that such the
54	aforesaid conditions cause an increase in and spread of disease
55	and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals,
56	and welfare of the residents of the state and impair economic
57	values; and that these conditions necessitate excessive and
58	disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime
59	prevention and punishment, public health, welfare and safety,
60	fire and accident protection, and other public services and
61	facilities.
62	(2)  Blighted areas in the state cannot be revitalized, nor
63	can the shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons of
64	low income be relieved, solely through the operation of private
65	enterprise.
66	(3)  The clearance, replanning, and reconstruction of the
67	areas in which insanitary or unsafe housing conditions exist,
68	and the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations,
69	and the access to essential commercial goods and services
70	necessary for daily living for persons of low income, including
71	the acquisition by a housing authority of property to be used
72	for or in connection with housing projects or appurtenant
73	thereto, are exclusively public uses and purposes for which
74	public money may be spent and private property acquired and are
75	governmental functions of public concern.
76	(4)  An important public purpose is served by providing
77	access to essential commercial goods and services necessary for
78	daily living for persons served by public housing authorities as
79	those persons often have limited transportation capacity and
80	significant family demands. Issues such as limited
81	transportation capacity and significant family demands
82	complicate daily living and make access to essential commercial
83	goods and services difficult.
84	(5)(4)  The necessity in the public interest for the
85	provisions hereinafter enacted, is hereby declared as a matter
86	of legislative determination.
87	Section 2.  Section 421.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to
88	read:
89	421.03  Definitions.-As used The following terms, wherever
90	used or referred to in this part, except where the context
91	clearly indicates otherwise, the term shall have the following
92	respective meanings for the purposes of this part, unless a
93	different meaning clearly appears from the context:
94	(1)(6)  "Area of operation":
95	(a)  In the case of a housing authority of a city having a
96	population of less than 25,000, includes shall include such city
97	and the area within 5 miles of its the territorial boundaries
98	thereof.; and
99	(b)  In the case of a housing authority of a city having a
100	population of 25,000 or more includes shall include such city
101	and the area within 10 miles from its the territorial
102	boundaries. thereof; provided However, that the area of
103	operation of a housing authority of a any city may shall not
104	include any area that which lies within the territorial
105	boundaries of another some other city as herein defined; and may
106	further provided that the area of operation shall not extend
107	outside of the boundaries of the county in which the city is
108	located, and a no housing authority has no shall have any power
109	or jurisdiction outside of the county in which the city is
110	located.
111	(2)(1)  "Authority" or "housing authority" means a shall
112	mean any of the public corporation corporations created pursuant
113	to by s. 421.04.
114	(3)(2)  "City" means shall mean any city or town of the
115	state having a population of more than 2,500, according to the
116	last preceding federal or state census. The term means "The
117	city" shall mean the particular city for which a particular
118	housing authority is created.
119	(4)(5)  "Clerk" means shall mean the clerk of the city or
120	the officer of the city charged with the duties customarily
121	imposed on the clerk thereof.
122	(5)(11)  "Debentures" means shall mean any notes, interim
123	certificates, debentures, revenue certificates, or other
124	obligations issued by an authority pursuant to this chapter.
125	(6)  "Essential commercial goods and services" means goods,
126	such as groceries and clothing, and services, such as child
127	care, K-12 education, financial services, job training and
128	placement, and laundry facilities, that are necessary for daily
129	living and that may be difficult for persons of low income to
130	access unless collocated with the housing project where they
131	live and substantially serving persons of low income.
132	(7)  "Federal Government" means shall include the United
133	States Government, the Federal Emergency Administration of
134	Public Works or any department, commission, other agency, or
135	other instrumentality thereof, corporate or otherwise, of the
136	United States.
137	(8)(3)  "Governing body" means shall mean the city council,
138	the commission, or other legislative body charged with governing
139	the city, as the case may be.
140	(9)  "Housing project" means shall mean any work or
141	undertaking:
142	(a)  To demolish, clear, or remove buildings from any slum
143	area, which; such work or undertaking may embrace the adaption
144	of such area to public purposes, including parks or other
145	recreational or community purposes; or
146	(b)  To provide decent, safe, and sanitary urban or rural
147	dwellings, apartments, or other living accommodations for
148	persons of low income, which; such work or undertaking may
149	include buildings, land, equipment, facilities, and other real
150	or personal property for necessary, convenient, or desirable
151	appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site
152	preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health,
153	recreational, educational, welfare, or other purposes; or
154	(c)  To provide access to essential commercial goods and
155	services; or
156	(d)(c)  To accomplish a combination of the foregoing.
157
158	The term "housing project" also applies may be applied to the
159	planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of
160	property, the demolition of existing structures, the
161	construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of the
162	improvements, and all other work in connection therewith.
163	(10)(4)  "Mayor" means shall mean the mayor of the city or
164	the officer thereof charged with the duties customarily imposed
165	on the mayor or executive head of the city.
166	(11)(13)  "Obligee of the authority" or "obligee" includes
167	shall include any holder of debentures, trustee or trustees for
168	any such holders, or lessor demising to the authority property
169	used in connection with a housing project, or any assignee or
170	assignees of such lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the
171	Federal Government when it is a party to any contract with the
172	authority.
173	(12)(10)  "Persons of low income" means shall mean persons
174	or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary, as
175	determined by the authority undertaking the housing project, to
176	enable them, without financial assistance, to live in decent,
177	safe and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding.
178	(13)(12)  "Real property" includes shall include all lands,
179	including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any
180	nature appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and
181	every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein,
182	including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage
183	or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens.
184	(14)(8)  "Slum" means shall mean any area where dwellings
185	predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding,
186	faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or
187	sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are
188	detrimental to safety, health and morals.
189	Section 3.  Section 421.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to
190	read:
191	421.08  Powers of authority.-
192	(1)  An authority shall constitute a public body corporate
193	and politic, exercising the public and essential governmental
194	functions set forth in this chapter, and having all the powers
195	necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purpose
196	and provisions of this chapter, including the following powers
197	in addition to others herein granted in this chapter:
198	(a)(1)  To sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter it
199	the same at pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and
200	execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient
201	to the exercise of the powers of the authority; to appear in
202	court through any of its officers, agents, or employees, for the
203	exclusive purpose of filing eviction papers; and to make and
204	from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and
205	regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, to carry into
206	effect the powers and purposes of the authority.
207	(b)(2)  Within its area of operation, to prepare, carry
208	out, acquire, lease, and operate housing projects and; to
209	provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement,
210	alteration, or repair of any housing project or any part
211	thereof.
212	(c)(3)  To arrange or contract for the furnishing by any
213	person or agency, public or private, of services, privileges,
214	works, or facilities for, or in connection with, a housing
215	project or the occupants thereof.; provided, however, that
216	1.  Notwithstanding any other power or provision in this
217	chapter, the authority may shall not construct, lease, control,
218	purchase, or otherwise establish, in connection with or as a
219	part of any housing project or any other real or any other
220	property under its control, any system, work, facilities,
221	plants, or other equipment for the purpose of furnishing utility
222	service of any kind to such projects or to any tenant or
223	occupant thereof if in the event that a system, work, facility,
224	plant, or other equipment for the furnishing of the same utility
225	service is being actually operated by a municipality or private
226	concern in the area of operation or the city or the territory
227	immediately adjacent thereto; provided, further, but this does
228	not that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the
229	construction or acquisition by the authority of any system,
230	work, facilities, or other equipment for the sole and only
231	purpose of receiving utility services from any such municipality
232	or such private concern and then distributing such utility
233	services to the project and to the tenants and occupants
234	thereof.; and,
235	2.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
236	this chapter or in any other provision of law, the authority may
237	to include, in any contract let in connection with a project,
238	stipulations requiring that the contractor and any
239	subcontractors comply with requirements as to minimum wages and
240	maximum hours of labor, and comply with any conditions which the
241	Federal Government may have attached to its financial aid of the
242	project.
243	(d)(4)  To lease or rent any dwellings, houses,
244	accommodations, lands, buildings, structures, or facilities
245	embraced in any housing project and, subject to the limitations
246	contained in this chapter, to establish and revise the rents or
247	charges therefor; to own, hold, and improve real or personal
248	property; to purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by
249	gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise any real or personal
250	property or any interest therein; to acquire by the exercise of
251	the power of eminent domain any real property, except real
252	property to be used to provide access to essential commercial
253	goods and services; to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign,
254	pledge, or dispose of any real or personal property or any
255	interest therein; to insure or provide for the insurance of any
256	real or personal property or operations of the authority against
257	any risks or hazards; and to procure or agree to the procurement
258	of insurance or guarantees from the Federal Government of the
259	payment of any such debts or parts thereof, whether or not
260	incurred by the said authority, including the power to pay
261	premiums on any such insurance.
262	(e)(5)  To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking
263	funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in
264	property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest
265	funds subject to their control and; to purchase its debentures
266	at a price not exceeding more than the principal amount thereof
267	and accrued interest, with all debentures so purchased to be
268	canceled.
269	(f)(6)  Within its area of operation: to investigate into
270	living, dwelling, and housing conditions and into the means and
271	methods of improving such conditions; to determine where slum
272	areas exist or where there is a shortage of decent, safe, and
273	sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income; to
274	make studies and recommendations relating to the problem of
275	clearing, replanning, and reconstruction of slum areas and the
276	problem of providing dwelling accommodations for persons of low
277	income; to administer fair housing ordinances and other
278	ordinances as adopted by cities, counties, or other authorities
279	who wish to contract for administrative services and to
280	cooperate with the city, the county, or the state or any
281	political subdivision thereof in action taken in connection with
282	such problems; and to engage in research, studies, and
283	experimentation on the subject of housing.
284	(g)(7)  Acting through one or more commissioners or other
285	person or persons designated by the authority:; to conduct
286	examinations and investigations and to hear testimony and take
287	proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter
288	material for its information; to administer oaths, issue
289	subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the
290	production of books and papers, and to issue commissions for the
291	examination of witnesses who are outside of the state, or unable
292	to attend before the authority, or excused from attendance; and
293	to make available to appropriate agencies, including those
294	charged with the duty of abating or requiring the correction of
295	nuisances or like conditions, or of demolishing unsafe or
296	insanitary structures within its area of operation, its findings
297	and recommendations with regard to any building or property
298	where conditions exist which are dangerous to the public health,
299	morals, safety, or welfare.
300	(h)(8)(a)  To organize for the purpose of creating a for-
301	profit or not-for-profit corporation, limited liability company,
302	or other similar business entity pursuant to all applicable laws
303	of this state in which the housing authority may hold an
304	ownership interest or participate in its governance in order to
305	develop, acquire, lease, construct, rehabilitate, manage, or
306	operate multifamily or single-family residential projects and
307	commercial projects that allow access to essential goods and
308	services for persons of low income residing in such residential
309	projects.
310	1.  These projects may include nonresidential uses and may
311	use public and private funds to serve individuals or families
312	who meet the applicable income requirements of the state or
313	federal program involved; whose income does not exceed 150
314	percent of the applicable median income for the area, as
315	established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
316	Development; and who, in the determination of the housing
317	authority, lack sufficient income or assets to enable them to
318	purchase or rent a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling. These
319	corporations, limited liability companies, or other business
320	entities may join partnerships, joint ventures, or limited
321	liability companies pursuant to applicable laws or may otherwise
322	engage with business entities in developing, acquiring, leasing,
323	constructing, rehabilitating, managing, or operating such
324	projects.
325	2.(b)  The creation by a housing authority of such a
326	corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity
327	that is properly registered pursuant to all applicable laws
328	before the effective date of this act is ratified and validated
329	if the creation of such corporation, limited liability company,
330	or other business entity would have been valid had this act been
331	in effect at the time such corporation, limited liability
332	company, or other business entity was created and registered.
333	3.(c)  Proceedings or acts performed by a housing authority
334	or a corporation, limited liability company, or other business
335	entity authorized pursuant to subparagraph 2. paragraph (b) are
336	ratified and validated if such proceedings or acts were in
337	furtherance of the purposes set forth in this chapter and would
338	have been valid had this act been in effect at the time such
339	proceedings or acts were performed.
340	(i)(9)  Notwithstanding s. 112.061, to the governing board
341	of an authority may approve and implement policies for per diem,
342	travel, and other expenses of its officials, officers, board
343	members, employees, and authorized persons in a manner
344	consistent with federal guidelines.
345	(j)(10)  To exercise all or any part or combination of
346	powers herein granted in this section. No Provisions of law
347	relating with respect to acquisition, operation, or disposition
348	of property by other public bodies do not apply shall be
349	applicable to an authority unless the Legislature shall
350	specifically states so state.
351	(2)  Any revenue received by a housing authority from
352	commercial projects that provide access to essential goods and
353	services necessary for daily living of persons residing in
354	housing projects must be used exclusively to upgrade and improve
355	living conditions in the housing project or to preserve and
356	rehabilitate public or affordable housing managed by the housing
357	authority.
358	Section 4.  Subsection (2) of section 421.09, Florida
359	Statutes, is amended to read:
360	421.09  Operation not for profit.-
361	(2)  This section does not prohibit or restrict the
362	activities or operations of a business entity created under s.
363	421.08(1)(h) 421.08(8).
364	Section 5.  Section 421.21, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
365	and amended to read:
366	421.21  Aid from Federal Government; tax exemptions.-
367	(1)  In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority
368	by other provisions of this chapter, an authority is empowered
369	to borrow money or accept grants or other financial assistance
370	from the Federal Government for or in aid of any housing project
371	within its area of operation, to take over or lease or manage
372	any housing project or undertaking constructed or owned by the
373	Federal Government, and to these ends, to comply with such
374	conditions and enter into such trust indentures, leases or
375	agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable. It is
376	the purpose and intent of this chapter to authorize every
377	authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to
378	secure the financial aid or cooperation of the Federal
379	Government in the undertaking, construction, maintenance, or
380	operation of any housing project by such authority.
381	(2)  In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority
382	by subsection (1) and other provisions of this chapter, an
383	authority is empowered to borrow money or accept grants or other
384	financial assistance from the Federal Government under s. 202 of
385	the Housing Act of 1959 (Pub. L. No. 86-372) or any law or
386	program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban
387	Development, which provides for direct federal loans in the
388	maximum amount, as defined therein, for the purpose of assisting
389	certain nonprofit corporations to provide housing and related
390	facilities for elderly families and elderly persons.
391	(a)  Housing authorities created under this section are
392	authorized to execute mortgages, notes, bills, or other forms of
393	indebtedness together with any agreements, contracts, or other
394	instruments required by the United States Department of Housing
395	and Urban Development in connection with loans made for the
396	purposes set forth in this subsection.
397	(b)  This provision relating to housing facilities for the
398	elderly is cumulative and in addition to the powers given to
399	housing authorities under this chapter. All powers granted
400	generally by law to housing authorities in Florida relating to
401	issuance of trust indentures, debentures, and other methods of
402	raising capital shall apply also to housing authorities in
403	connection with their participation in programs of the United
404	States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
405	(3)  It is the legislative intent that the tax exemption of
406	housing authorities provided by chapter 423, shall specifically
407	applies apply to any housing authority created under this
408	section.
409	Section 6.  Section 421.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to
410	read:
411	421.32  Rural housing projects.-County housing authorities
412	and regional housing authorities are specifically empowered and
413	authorized to borrow money, accept grants, and exercise their
414	other powers to provide housing for farmers of low income and
415	domestic farm labor as defined in s. 514 of the Federal Housing
416	Act of 1949. In connection with such projects, any such housing
417	authority may enter into such leases or purchase agreements,
418	accept such conveyances and rent or sell dwellings forming part
419	of such projects to or for farmers of low income, as such
420	housing authority deems necessary in order to ensure assure the
421	achievement of the objectives of this law. Such leases,
422	agreements, or conveyances may include such covenants as the
423	housing authority deems appropriate regarding such dwellings and
424	the tracts of land described in any such instrument, which
425	covenants shall be deemed to run with the land where the housing
426	authority deems it necessary and the parties to such instrument
427	so stipulate. In providing housing for farmers of low income,
428	county housing authorities and regional housing authorities are
429	shall not be subject to the limitations provided in ss.
430	421.08(1)(c) 421.08(3) and 421.10(3). Nothing contained in This
431	section may not shall be construed as limiting any other powers
432	of any housing authority.
433	Section 7.  Section 422.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to
434	read:
435	422.02  Finding and declaration of necessity.-It has been
436	found and declared in the Housing Authorities Law that there
437	exist in the state unsafe and insanitary housing conditions and
438	a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations and
439	access to essential commercial goods and services necessary for
440	daily living for persons of low income; that these conditions
441	necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of
442	public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health,
443	welfare and safety, fire and accident protection, and other
444	public services and facilities; and that the public interest
445	requires the remedying of these conditions. It is found and
446	declared that the assistance herein provided for the remedying
447	of the conditions set forth in the Housing Authorities Law
448	constitutes a public use and purpose and an essential
449	governmental function for which public moneys may be spent and
450	other aid given; that it is a proper public purpose for any
451	state public body to aid any housing authority operating within
452	its boundaries or jurisdiction or any housing project located
453	therein, as the state public body derives immediate benefits and
454	advantages from such an authority or project; and that the
455	provisions hereinafter enacted are necessary in the public
456	interest.
457	Section 8.  Section 422.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to
458	read:
459	422.04  Cooperation in undertaking housing projects.-
460	(1)  For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the
461	planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of housing
462	projects located within the area in which it is authorized to
463	act, any state public body may, upon such terms, with or without
464	consideration, as it may determine:
465	(a)  Dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its property
466	to a housing authority or the Federal Government.;
467	(b)  Cause parks;, playgrounds;, recreational, community,
468	educational, water, sewer, or drainage facilities; commercial
469	projects that allow access to essential goods and services for
470	persons of low income residing in housing projects; or any other
471	works, which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be
472	furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects.;
473	(c)  Furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade,
474	regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys,
475	sidewalks, or other places which it is otherwise empowered to
476	undertake.;
477	(d)  Plan or replan, zone or rezone any part of such state
478	public body; make exceptions from building regulations and
479	ordinances; and, with respect to any city or town, also may
480	change its map.;
481	(e)  Enter into agreements, which may extend over any
482	period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the
483	contrary, with a housing authority or the Federal Government
484	respecting action to be taken by such state public body pursuant
485	to any of the powers granted by this chapter.;
486	(f)  Do any and all things, necessary, or convenient to aid
487	and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction, or
488	operation of such housing projects.;
489	(g)  Purchase or legally invest in any of the debentures of
490	a housing authority and exercise all of the rights of any holder
491	of such debentures.;
492	(h)  Not require any changes to be made in a housing
493	project or the manner of its construction or take any other
494	action relating to such construction with respect to any housing
495	project which a housing authority has acquired or taken over
496	from the Federal Government and which the housing authority by
497	resolution has found and declared to have been constructed in a
498	manner that will promote the public interest and afford
499	necessary safety, sanitation, and other protection., no state
500	public body shall require any changes to be made in the housing
501	project or the manner of its construction or take any other
502	action relating to such construction;
503	(i)  Incur the entire expense of In connection with any
504	public improvements made by the a state public body in
505	exercising the powers herein granted, such state public body may
506	incur the entire expense thereof.
507	(2)  Any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding,
508	any sale, conveyance, lease, or agreement provided for in this
509	section may be made by a state public body without appraisal,
510	public notice, advertisement, or public bidding.
511	Section 9.  Section 423.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to
512	read:
513	423.01  Finding and declaration of property of tax
514	exemption for housing authorities.-It has been found and
515	declared in the Housing Authorities Law and the Housing
516	Cooperation Law that:
517	(1)  There exist in the state housing conditions that which
518	constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, and welfare
519	of the residents of the state;
520	(2)  These conditions necessitate excessive and
521	disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime
522	prevention and punishment, public health, welfare and safety,
523	fire and accident prevention, and other public services and
524	facilities;
525	(3)  The public interest requires the remedying of these
526	conditions by the creation of housing authorities to undertake
527	projects for slum clearance and for providing safe and sanitary
528	dwelling accommodations and access to essential commercial goods
529	and services necessary for daily living for persons who lack
530	sufficient income to enable them to live in decent, safe, and
531	sanitary dwellings without overcrowding; and
532	(4)  Facilities made available by housing authorities to
533	provide access to essential goods and services necessary for
534	daily living for persons residing in housing projects are a
535	critical component of those housing projects and constitute a
536	public use and a governmental function; and
537	(5)(4)  Such housing projects, including all property of a
538	housing authority used for or in connection therewith or
539	appurtenant thereto and all property used to provide access to
540	essential goods and services necessary for daily living for
541	persons residing in such housing projects, are exclusively for
542	public uses and municipal purposes and not for profit, and are
543	governmental functions of state concern. As a matter of
544	legislative determination, it is found and declared that the
545	property and debentures of a housing authority are of such
546	character as may be exempt from taxation.
547	Section 10.  Section 423.02, Florida Statutes, is amended
548	to read:
549	423.02  Housing projects exempted from taxes and
550	assessments; payments in lieu thereof.-The housing projects,
551	including all property of housing authorities used for or in
552	connection therewith or appurtenant thereto and all commercial
553	projects that allow access to essential goods and services for
554	persons of low income residing in such housing projects, of
555	housing authorities shall be exempt from all taxes and special
556	assessments of the state or any city, town, county, or political
557	subdivision of the state., provided, However, that in lieu of
558	such taxes or special assessments, a housing authority may agree
559	to make payments to any city, town, county, or political
560	subdivision of the state for services, improvements, or
561	facilities furnished by such city, town, county, or political
562	subdivision for the benefit of a housing project owned by the
563	housing authority, but in no event shall such payments may not
564	exceed the estimated cost to such city, town, county, or
565	political subdivision of the services, improvements, or
566	facilities to be so furnished.
567	Section 11.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.

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