CS for SB 426                                    First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       2020426e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to economic development; amending s.
    3         20.60, F.S.; revising the responsibilities of
    4         divisions within the Department of Economic
    5         Opportunity; requiring the executive director of the
    6         department to serve as a member of the board of
    7         directors of the Florida Development Finance
    8         Corporation; authorizing the executive director to
    9         designate a department employee to serve in this
   10         capacity; requiring that the annual report of the
   11         corporation be incorporated into the department’s
   12         annual report on the condition of the business climate
   13         and economic development in the state; requiring the
   14         department to develop performance standards for the
   15         corporation and to include certain information
   16         relating to the standards in the department’s annual
   17         report; amending s. 288.018, F.S.; defining the term
   18         “regional economic development organization”;
   19         specifying that the concept of building the
   20         professional capacity of a regional economic
   21         development organization includes the hiring of
   22         professional staff to perform specified services;
   23         providing that matching grants may be used to provide
   24         technical assistance to local governments and economic
   25         development organizations and to existing and
   26         prospective businesses; increasing the maximum amount
   27         of annual grant funding that specified economic
   28         development organizations may receive; revising the
   29         required amount of nonstate matching funds; requiring
   30         that certain information be included in contracts or
   31         agreements involving grant funds; requiring that
   32         contracts or agreements involving the expenditure of
   33         grant funds, and a plain-language version of certain
   34         contracts or agreements, be placed on the contracting
   35         regional economic development organization’s website
   36         for a specified period before execution; deleting an
   37         obsolete provision; amending s. 288.0655, F.S.;
   38         revising the maximum percentage of total
   39         infrastructure project costs for which the department
   40         may award grants; specifying that improving access to
   41         and availability of broadband Internet services is an
   42         eligible project for certain grant funds; providing
   43         that grants for improvements to broadband Internet
   44         service and access must be conducted through certain
   45         partnerships; requiring the department to reevaluate
   46         certain guidelines by a specified date; requiring that
   47         certain information be included in contracts or
   48         agreements involving grant funds; requiring a regional
   49         economic development organization to post contracts or
   50         agreements involving the expenditure of grant funds,
   51         and a plain-language version of certain contracts or
   52         agreements, on the organization’s website for a
   53         specified period before execution; amending s.
   54         288.9604, F.S.; revising the membership of the board
   55         of directors of the corporation; requiring that the
   56         director of the Division of Bond Finance of the State
   57         Board of Administration, or his or her designee, serve
   58         on the board of directors of the corporation; making
   59         conforming changes; authorizing meetings of the
   60         directors to be conducted by teleconference; providing
   61         for future repeals; requiring the chair and vice chair
   62         of the board of directors of the corporation to serve
   63         as regular members of the board after a specified
   64         date; providing construction; amending s. 288.9605,
   65         F.S.; providing for the electronic execution and
   66         delivery of certain documents executed by the
   67         corporation; amending s. 288.9606, F.S.; prohibiting
   68         certain bonds, notes, and other forms of indebtedness
   69         from exceeding a specified amount of time; specifying
   70         that certain bonds are payable solely from certain
   71         revenues; providing requirements for such bonds;
   72         amending s. 288.9610, F.S.; revising the entities to
   73         which the corporation is required to submit an annual
   74         report containing specified information; creating s.
   75         288.9619, F.S.; requiring that certain conflicts of
   76         interest be publicly disclosed to the corporation and
   77         set forth in the corporation’s minutes; prohibiting a
   78         director with a conflict of interest from taking
   79         certain actions; amending s. 445.002, F.S.; defining
   80         the terms “for cause” and “state board”; amending s.
   81         445.003, F.S.; replacing CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
   82         with the state board or the department in provisions
   83         relating to the implementation of the federal
   84         Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; authorizing,
   85         rather than requiring, certain funds to be reserved
   86         for the Incumbent Worker Training Program; conforming
   87         provisions to changes made by the act; authorizing the
   88         state board to hire an executive director and staff;
   89         requiring the state board to authorize the executive
   90         director and staff to work with the department for
   91         specified reasons; amending s. 445.004, F.S.; revising
   92         provisions relating to the operation of CareerSource
   93         Florida, Inc.; revising the purpose of CareerSource
   94         Florida, Inc.; providing purpose for the state board;
   95         revising the organizational structure of CareerSource
   96         Florida, Inc.; providing requirements for the
   97         organizational structure of the state board; providing
   98         the state board with powers and authority previously
   99         held by CareerSource Florida, Inc.; revising the
  100         requirements related to such powers and authority;
  101         requiring the state board, rather than CareerSource
  102         Florida, Inc., to submit an annual report to the
  103         Governor and the Legislature; authorizing the Auditor
  104         General to conduct an audit of the state board and
  105         programs or entities created by the state board;
  106         requiring the state board, rather than CareerSource
  107         Florida, Inc., to establish certain uniform
  108         performance accountability measures; requiring the
  109         state board, in consultation with the department, to
  110         design the workforce development strategy for the
  111         state; requiring that the strategy be approved by the
  112         Governor; revising requirements relating to the
  113         workforce development system; authorizing the
  114         department to consult with the state board to issue
  115         certain technical assistance letters; amending s.
  116         445.006, F.S.; requiring that the state board, rather
  117         than CareerSource Florida, Inc., take certain actions
  118         relating to the state plan for workforce development;
  119         amending s. 445.007, F.S.; replacing CareerSource
  120         Florida, Inc., with the state board or the department
  121         in provisions relating to local workforce development
  122         boards; deleting the definition of the term “cause”;
  123         authorizing a chief elected official for a local
  124         workforce development board to remove certain persons
  125         from the board for cause; requiring the department to
  126         provide certain guidance to specified entities;
  127         deleting an obsolete provision; making technical
  128         changes; amending s. 445.0071, F.S.; replacing
  129         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board or
  130         the department in provisions relating to the Florida
  131         Youth Summer Jobs Pilot Program; amending s. 445.008,
  132         F.S.; revising authority relating to the Workforce
  133         Training Institute; requiring that certain donations
  134         and grants be reported to the state board and the
  135         department; amending s. 445.009, F.S.; replacing
  136         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board or
  137         the department in provisions relating to one-stop
  138         delivery systems; deleting an obsolete provision;
  139         amending s. 445.011, F.S.; replacing CareerSource
  140         Florida, Inc., with the department in provisions
  141         relating to workforce information systems; requiring
  142         the department to consult with the state board in
  143         implementing certain automated information systems;
  144         deleting a provision requiring CareerSource Florida,
  145         Inc., to take certain actions when procuring workforce
  146         information systems; amending s. 445.014, F.S.;
  147         replacing CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state
  148         board in provisions relating to the establishment of
  149         one-stop delivery systems; amending s. 445.021, F.S.;
  150         replacing CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state
  151         board in provisions relating to the relocation
  152         assistance program; amending s. 445.022, F.S.;
  153         replacing CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state
  154         board in provisions relating to Retention Incentive
  155         Training Accounts; amending s. 445.024, F.S.;
  156         replacing CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state
  157         board in provisions relating to certain contract
  158         exceptions; amending s. 445.026, F.S.; replacing
  159         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board in
  160         provisions relating to cash assistance severance
  161         benefits; amending s. 445.028, F.S.; replacing
  162         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the department in
  163         provisions relating to transitional benefits and
  164         services; amending s. 445.030, F.S.; replacing
  165         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board in
  166         provisions relating to transitional education and
  167         training; amending s. 445.033, F.S.; replacing
  168         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board in
  169         provisions relating to evaluations of TANF-funded
  170         programs; amending s. 445.035, F.S.; replacing
  171         CareerSource Florida, Inc., with the state board in
  172         provisions relating to data collection and reporting;
  173         amending s. 445.048, F.S.; replacing CareerSource
  174         Florida, Inc., with the state board in provisions
  175         relating to the Passport to Economic Progress program;
  176         amending s. 445.051, F.S.; replacing CareerSource
  177         Florida, Inc., with the state board in provisions
  178         relating to individual development accounts; amending
  179         s. 445.055, F.S.; replacing CareerSource Florida,
  180         Inc., with the state board in provisions relating to
  181         the establishment of an employment advocacy and
  182         assistance program targeting a certain group; amending
  183         ss. 11.45, 288.901, 331.369, 413.405, 414.045,
  184         420.622, 443.171, 443.181, 446.71, 1011.80, and
  185         1011.801, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made
  186         by the act; providing an effective date.
  187          
  188  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  189  
  190         Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5), subsection (6),
  191  paragraph (b) of subsection (10), and subsection (11) of section
  192  20.60, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph (c) is added
  193  to subsection (9) of that section, to read:
  194         20.60 Department of Economic Opportunity; creation; powers
  195  and duties.—
  196         (5) The divisions within the department have specific
  197  responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and
  198  goals of the department. Specifically:
  199         (c) The Division of Workforce Services shall:
  200         1. Prepare and submit a unified budget request for
  201  workforce development in accordance with chapter 216 for, and in
  202  conjunction with, the state CareerSource Florida, Inc., and its
  203  board as defined in s. 445.002.
  204         2. Ensure that the state appropriately administers federal
  205  and state workforce funding by administering plans and policies
  206  of the state board as defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource
  207  Florida, Inc., under contract with CareerSource Florida, Inc.
  208  The operating budget and midyear amendments thereto must be part
  209  of such contract.
  210         a. All program and fiscal instructions to local workforce
  211  development boards shall emanate from the Department of Economic
  212  Opportunity pursuant to plans and policies of the state board as
  213  defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc., which shall be
  214  responsible for all policy directions to the local workforce
  215  development boards.
  216         b. Unless otherwise provided by agreement with the state
  217  board as defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
  218  administrative and personnel policies of the Department of
  219  Economic Opportunity apply.
  220         3. Implement the state’s reemployment assistance program.
  221  The Department of Economic Opportunity shall ensure that the
  222  state appropriately administers the reemployment assistance
  223  program pursuant to state and federal law.
  224         4. Assist in developing the 5-year statewide strategic plan
  225  required by this section.
  226         (6)(a) The Department of Economic Opportunity is the
  227  administrative agency designated for receipt of federal
  228  workforce development grants and other federal funds. The
  229  department shall administer the duties and responsibilities
  230  assigned by the Governor under each federal grant assigned to
  231  the department. The department shall expend each revenue source
  232  as provided by federal and state law and as provided in plans
  233  developed by and agreements with the state board as defined in
  234  s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc. The department may serve
  235  as the contract administrator for contracts entered into by the
  236  state board under CareerSource Florida, Inc., pursuant to s.
  237  445.004(5), as directed by CareerSource Florida, Inc.
  238         (b) The Department of Economic Opportunity shall serve as
  239  the designated agency for purposes of each federal workforce
  240  development grant assigned to it for administration. The
  241  department shall carry out the duties assigned to it by the
  242  Governor, under the terms and conditions of each grant. The
  243  department shall have the level of authority and autonomy
  244  necessary to be the designated recipient of each federal grant
  245  assigned to it and shall disburse such grants pursuant to the
  246  plans and policies of the state board as defined in s. 445.002
  247  CareerSource Florida, Inc. The executive director may, upon
  248  delegation from the Governor and pursuant to agreement with the
  249  state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., sign contracts, grants,
  250  and other instruments as necessary to execute functions assigned
  251  to the department. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the
  252  department shall administer other programs funded by federal or
  253  state appropriations, as determined by the Legislature in the
  254  General Appropriations Act or other law.
  255         (9) The executive director shall:
  256         (c) Serve as a member of the board of directors of the
  257  Florida Development Finance Corporation. The executive director
  258  may designate an employee of the department to serve in this
  259  capacity.
  260         (10) The department, with assistance from Enterprise
  261  Florida, Inc., shall, by November 1 of each year, submit an
  262  annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
  263  the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the condition of
  264  the business climate and economic development in the state.
  265         (b) The report must incorporate annual reports of other
  266  programs, including:
  267         1. Information provided by the Department of Revenue under
  268  s. 290.014.
  269         2. Information provided by enterprise zone development
  270  agencies under s. 290.0056 and an analysis of the activities and
  271  accomplishments of each enterprise zone.
  272         3. The Economic Gardening Business Loan Pilot Program
  273  established under s. 288.1081 and the Economic Gardening
  274  Technical Assistance Pilot Program established under s.
  275  288.1082.
  276         4. A detailed report of the performance of the Black
  277  Business Loan Program and a cumulative summary of quarterly
  278  report data required under s. 288.714.
  279         5. The Rural Economic Development Initiative established
  280  under s. 288.0656.
  281         6. The Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program.
  282         7.A detailed report of the performance of the Florida
  283  Development Finance Corporation and a summary of the
  284  corporation’s report required under s. 288.9610.
  285         (11) The department shall establish annual performance
  286  standards for Enterprise Florida, Inc., CareerSource Florida,
  287  Inc., the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, and
  288  Space Florida, and the Florida Development Finance Corporation
  289  and report annually on how these performance measures are being
  290  met in the annual report required under subsection (10).
  291         Section 2. Subsections (1), (3), and (4) of section
  292  288.018, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  293         288.018 Regional Rural Development Grants Program.—
  294         (1)(a)For the purposes of this section, the term “regional
  295  economic development organization” means an economic development
  296  organization located in or contracted to serve a rural area of
  297  opportunity, as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(d).
  298         (b) The department shall establish a matching grant program
  299  to provide funding to regional regionally based economic
  300  development organizations representing rural counties and
  301  communities for the purpose of building the professional
  302  capacity of those their organizations. Building the professional
  303  capacity of a regional economic development organization
  304  includes hiring professional staff to develop, deliver, and
  305  provide needed economic development professional services,
  306  including technical assistance, education and leadership
  307  development, marketing, and project recruitment. Such Matching
  308  grants may also be used by a regional an economic development
  309  organization to provide technical assistance to local
  310  governments, local economic development organizations, and
  311  existing and prospective businesses within the rural counties
  312  and communities that it serves.
  313         (c)A regional economic development organization may apply
  314  annually to the department for a matching grant. The department
  315  is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants to such
  316  regional regionally based economic development organizations.
  317  The maximum amount an organization may receive in any year will
  318  be $50,000, or $250,000 for any three regional economic
  319  development organizations that serve an entire region of a rural
  320  area of opportunity designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7) if
  321  they are recognized by the department as serving such a region.
  322         (d)Grant funds received by a regional economic development
  323  organization $150,000 in a rural area of opportunity recommended
  324  by the Rural Economic Development Initiative and designated by
  325  the Governor, and must be matched each year by an equivalent
  326  amount of nonstate resources in an amount equal to 25 percent of
  327  the state contribution.
  328         (3)(a)A contract or agreement that involves the
  329  expenditure of grant funds provided under this section,
  330  including a contract or agreement entered into between another
  331  entity and a regional economic development organization, a unit
  332  of local government, or an economic development organization
  333  substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, must
  334  include:
  335         1.The purpose of the contract or agreement.
  336         2.Specific performance standards and responsibilities for
  337  each entity under the contract or agreement.
  338         3.A detailed project or contract budget, if applicable.
  339         4.The value of any services provided.
  340         5.The projected travel expenses for employees and board
  341  members, if applicable.
  342         (b)At least 14 days before executing a contract or
  343  agreement, the contracting regional economic development
  344  organization shall post on its website:
  345         1.Any contract or agreement that involves the expenditure
  346  of grant funds provided under this section.
  347         2.A plain-language version of any contract or agreement
  348  that is estimated to exceed $35,000 with a private entity, a
  349  municipality, or a vendor of services, supplies, or programs,
  350  including marketing, or for the purchase or lease or use of
  351  lands, facilities, or properties which involves the expenditure
  352  of grant funds provided under this section The department may
  353  also contract for the development of an enterprise zone web
  354  portal or websites for each enterprise zone which will be used
  355  to market the program for job creation in disadvantaged urban
  356  and rural enterprise zones. Each enterprise zone web page should
  357  include downloadable links to state forms and information, as
  358  well as local message boards that help businesses and residents
  359  receive information concerning zone boundaries, job openings,
  360  zone programs, and neighborhood improvement activities.
  361         (4) The department may expend up to $750,000 each fiscal
  362  year from funds appropriated to the Rural Community Development
  363  Revolving Loan Fund for the purposes outlined in this section.
  364  The department may contract with Enterprise Florida, Inc., for
  365  the administration of the purposes specified in this section.
  366  Funds released to Enterprise Florida, Inc., for this purpose
  367  shall be released quarterly and shall be calculated based on the
  368  applications in process.
  369         Section 3. Present subsection (5) of section 288.0655,
  370  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (6), a new
  371  subsection (5) is added to that section, and paragraph (b) of
  372  subsection (2), subsection (4), and present subsection (6) of
  373  that section are amended, to read:
  374         288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
  375         (2)
  376         (b) To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
  377  areas of opportunity as defined by the Rural Economic
  378  Development Initiative to infrastructure funding programs of the
  379  Federal Government, such as those offered by the United States
  380  Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of
  381  Commerce, and state programs, including those offered by Rural
  382  Economic Development Initiative agencies, and to facilitate
  383  local government or private infrastructure funding efforts, the
  384  department may award grants for up to 50 30 percent of the total
  385  infrastructure project cost. If an application for funding is
  386  for a catalyst site, as defined in s. 288.0656, the department
  387  may award grants for up to 40 percent of the total
  388  infrastructure project cost. Eligible projects must be related
  389  to specific job-creation or job-retention opportunities.
  390  Eligible projects may also include improving any inadequate
  391  infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action that
  392  prohibits economic or community growth, or reducing the costs to
  393  community users of proposed infrastructure improvements that
  394  exceed such costs in comparable communities, and improving
  395  access to and the availability of broadband Internet service.
  396  Eligible uses of funds shall include improvements to public
  397  infrastructure for industrial or commercial sites, and upgrades
  398  to or development of public tourism infrastructure, and
  399  improvements to broadband Internet service and access in
  400  unserved or underserved rural communities. Improvements to
  401  broadband Internet service and access must be conducted through
  402  a partnership or partnerships with one or more dealers, as
  403  defined in s. 202.11(2), and the partnership or partnerships
  404  must be established through a competitive selection process that
  405  is publicly noticed. Authorized infrastructure may include the
  406  following public or public-private partnership facilities: storm
  407  water systems; telecommunications facilities; broadband
  408  facilities; roads or other remedies to transportation
  409  impediments; nature-based tourism facilities; or other physical
  410  requirements necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and
  411  economic development activities in the community. Authorized
  412  infrastructure may also include publicly or privately owned
  413  self-powered nature-based tourism facilities, publicly owned
  414  telecommunications facilities, and broadband facilities, and
  415  additions to the distribution facilities of the existing natural
  416  gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the existing electric
  417  utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the existing water or
  418  wastewater utility as defined in s. 367.021(12), or any other
  419  existing water or wastewater facility, which owns a gas or
  420  electric distribution system or a water or wastewater system in
  421  this state where:
  422         1. A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
  423  serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
  424  tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
  425  utility as defined herein; and
  426         2. Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to
  427  provide such service.
  428         (4) By September 1, 2021 2012, the department shall, in
  429  consultation with the organizations listed in subsection (3),
  430  and other organizations, reevaluate existing guidelines and
  431  criteria governing submission of applications for funding,
  432  review and evaluation of such applications, and approval of
  433  funding under this section. The department shall consider
  434  factors including, but not limited to, the project’s potential
  435  for enhanced job creation or increased capital investment, the
  436  demonstration and level of local public and private commitment,
  437  whether the project is located in an enterprise zone, in a
  438  community development corporation service area, or in an urban
  439  high-crime area as designated under s. 212.097, the unemployment
  440  rate of the county in which the project would be located, and
  441  the poverty rate of the community.
  442         (5)(a)A contract or agreement that involves the
  443  expenditure of grant funds provided under this section,
  444  including a contract or agreement entered into between another
  445  entity and a regional economic development organization, a unit
  446  of local government, or an economic development organization
  447  substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, must
  448  include:
  449         1.The purpose of the contract or agreement.
  450         2.Specific performance standards and responsibilities for
  451  each entity.
  452         3.A detailed project or contract budget, if applicable.
  453         4.The value of any services provided.
  454         5.The projected travel expenses for employees and board
  455  members, if applicable.
  456         (b)At least 14 days before execution, the contracting
  457  regional economic development organization shall post on its
  458  website:
  459         1.Any contract or agreement that involves the expenditure
  460  of grant funds provided under this section.
  461         2.A plain-language version of a contract or agreement that
  462  is estimated to exceed $35,000 with a private entity, a
  463  municipality, or a vendor of services, supplies, or programs,
  464  including marketing, or for the purchase or lease or use of
  465  lands, facilities, or properties which involves the expenditure
  466  of grant funds provided under this section.
  467         (6)For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the funds appropriated
  468  for the grant program for Florida Panhandle counties shall be
  469  distributed pursuant to and for the purposes described in the
  470  proviso language associated with Specific Appropriation 2314 of
  471  the 2019-2020 General Appropriations Act. This subsection
  472  expires July 1, 2020.
  473         Section 4. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section
  474  288.9604, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) is
  475  added to that section, to read:
  476         288.9604 Creation of the authority.—
  477         (2) The board of directors of the corporation shall consist
  478  of seven directors. The executive director of the department, or
  479  his or her designee, shall serve as chair of the board of
  480  directors of the corporation. The director of the Division of
  481  Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration, or his or her
  482  designee, shall serve as a director on the board of directors of
  483  the corporation. The Governor, subject to confirmation by the
  484  Senate, shall appoint the remaining five directors of the board
  485  of directors of the corporation, who shall be five in number.
  486  The terms of office for the appointed directors are shall be for
  487  4 years after from the date of their appointment. A vacancy
  488  occurring during a term of an appointed director shall be filled
  489  for the unexpired term. An appointed A director is shall be
  490  eligible for reappointment. At least three of the appointed
  491  directors of the corporation must have experience in finance
  492  shall be bankers who have been selected by the Governor from a
  493  list of bankers who were nominated by Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
  494  and one of the directors must have experience in shall be an
  495  economic development specialist.
  496         (3)(a)1. A director may not receive compensation for his or
  497  her services, but is entitled to necessary expenses, including
  498  travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties.
  499  Each appointed director shall hold office until his or her
  500  successor has been appointed.
  501         2. Directors are subject to ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12),
  502  and (15); 112.3135; and 112.3143(2). For purposes of applying
  503  ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135; and
  504  112.3143(2) to activities of directors, directors are shall be
  505  considered public officers and the corporation is shall be
  506  considered their agency.
  507         (b) The powers of the corporation shall be exercised by the
  508  directors thereof. A majority of the directors constitutes a
  509  quorum for the purposes of conducting business and exercising
  510  the powers of the corporation and for all other purposes.
  511  Meetings of the directors may be conducted by teleconference.
  512  Action may be taken by the corporation upon a vote of a majority
  513  of the directors present, unless in any case the bylaws require
  514  a larger number. Any person may be appointed as director if he
  515  or she resides, or is engaged in business, which means owning a
  516  business, practicing a profession, or performing a service for
  517  compensation or serving as an officer or director of a
  518  corporation or other business entity so engaged, within the
  519  state.
  520         (c) The directors of the corporation shall annually elect,
  521  by a majority vote, one of their members as chair and one as
  522  vice chair. The corporation may employ a president, technical
  523  experts, and such other agents and employees, permanent and
  524  temporary, as it requires and determine their qualifications,
  525  duties, and compensation. For such legal services as it
  526  requires, the corporation may employ or retain its own counsel
  527  and legal staff.
  528         (4) The board may remove an appointed a director for
  529  inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office. Such
  530  director may be removed only after a hearing and only if he or
  531  she has been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days before
  532  such hearing and has had an opportunity to be heard in person or
  533  by counsel. The removal of an appointed a director creates shall
  534  create a vacancy on the board which must shall be filled
  535  pursuant to subsection (2).
  536         (5)This section is repealed July 1, 2023, and July 1 of
  537  every fourth year thereafter, unless reviewed and saved from
  538  repeal by the Legislature.
  539         Section 5. In order to implement the changes made by this
  540  act to s. 288.9604, Florida Statutes, the chair and vice chair
  541  of the board of directors of the Florida Development Finance
  542  Corporation as of June 30, 2020, shall serve as regular members
  543  beginning July 1, 2020. Nothing in this act may be construed to
  544  affect the terms of the directors serving on the board on July
  545  1, 2020.
  546         Section 6. Subsection (3) is added to section 288.9605,
  547  Florida Statutes, to read:
  548         288.9605 Corporation powers.—
  549         (3) Documents, agreements, and instruments executed by the
  550  corporation may be executed and delivered in accordance with the
  551  Electronic Signature Act of 1996.
  552         Section 7. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 288.9606,
  553  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  554         288.9606 Issue of revenue bonds.—
  555         (1) When authorized by a public agency pursuant to s.
  556  163.01(7), the corporation has power in its corporate capacity,
  557  in its discretion, to issue revenue bonds or other evidences of
  558  indebtedness which a public agency has the power to issue, from
  559  time to time to finance the undertaking of any purpose of this
  560  act, including, without limiting the generality thereof, the
  561  payment of principal and interest upon any advances for surveys
  562  and plans or preliminary loans, and has the power to issue
  563  refunding bonds for the payment or retirement of bonds
  564  previously issued. Bonds issued under pursuant to this section
  565  shall bear the name “Florida Development Finance Corporation
  566  Revenue Bonds.” The security for such bonds may be based upon
  567  such revenues as are legally available. In anticipation of the
  568  sale of such revenue bonds, the corporation may issue bond
  569  anticipation notes and may renew such notes from time to time,
  570  but the maximum maturity of any such note, including renewals
  571  thereof, may not exceed 5 years after from the date of issuance
  572  of the original note. Such notes shall be paid from any revenues
  573  of the corporation available therefor and not otherwise pledged
  574  or from the proceeds of sale of the revenue bonds in
  575  anticipation of which they were issued. Any bond, note, or other
  576  form of indebtedness issued under pursuant to this act may not
  577  exceed 35 years from their respective dates of issuance shall
  578  mature no later than the end of the 30th fiscal year after the
  579  fiscal year in which the bond, note, or other form of
  580  indebtedness was issued.
  581         (2) Bonds issued under this section do not constitute an
  582  indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or
  583  statutory debt limitation or restriction, and are not subject to
  584  the provisions of any other law or charter relating to the
  585  authorization, issuance, or sale of bonds. Bonds issued under
  586  the provisions of this act are declared to be for an essential
  587  public and governmental purpose. Bonds issued under this act,
  588  the interest on which is exempt from income taxes of the United
  589  States, together with interest thereon and income therefrom, are
  590  exempted from all taxes, except those taxes imposed by chapter
  591  220, on interest, income, or profits on debt obligations owned
  592  by corporations. Bonds issued under this act are not a debt,
  593  liability, or obligation of the state or any subdivision
  594  thereof, or a pledge of faith and credit of the corporation or
  595  of the state or of any such political subdivision thereof, but
  596  are payable solely from the revenues provided therefor. Each
  597  bond issued under this part shall contain on the face thereof a
  598  statement to the effect that the corporation is not obligated to
  599  pay the same or interest thereon from the revenues and proceeds
  600  pledged therefor, and that the faith and credit or the taxing
  601  power of the corporation or of the state or of any political
  602  subdivision thereof is not pledged to the payment of the
  603  principal of or the interest on such bonds.
  604         Section 8. Section 288.9610, Florida Statutes, is amended
  605  to read:
  606         288.9610 Annual reports of Florida Development Finance
  607  Corporation.—On or before 90 days after the close of the Florida
  608  Development Finance Corporation’s fiscal year, the corporation
  609  shall submit to the Governor, the Legislature, the Auditor
  610  General, the Department of Economic Opportunity, and the
  611  governing body of each public entity for which the corporation
  612  issues revenue bonds pursuant to s. 288.9606 or with which it
  613  has entered into an interlocal agreement a complete and detailed
  614  report setting forth:
  615         (1) The results of any audit conducted under pursuant to s.
  616  11.45.
  617         (2) The activities, operations, and accomplishments of the
  618  Florida Development Finance Corporation, including the number of
  619  businesses assisted by the corporation.
  620         (3) Its assets, liabilities, income, and operating expenses
  621  at the end of its most recent fiscal year, including a
  622  description of all of its outstanding revenue bonds.
  623         Section 9. Section 288.9619, Florida Statutes, is created
  624  to read:
  625         288.9619Conflicts of interest.—If any director has a
  626  direct or indirect interest associated with any party to an
  627  application on which the corporation has taken or will take
  628  action in exercising its power for the issuance of revenue bonds
  629  or other evidences of indebtedness, such interest must be
  630  publicly disclosed to the corporation and set forth in the
  631  minutes of the corporation. The director that has such interest
  632  may not participate in any action by the corporation with
  633  respect to such party and application.
  634         Section 10. Present subsections (2) and (3) of section
  635  445.002, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (3)
  636  and (5), respectively, and a new subsection (2) and subsection
  637  (4) are added to that section, to read:
  638         445.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
  639         (2)“For cause” includes, but is not limited to, engaging
  640  in fraud or other criminal acts, incapacity, unfitness, neglect
  641  of duty, official incompetence and irresponsibility,
  642  misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or lack of performance.
  643         (4)“State board” means the state workforce development
  644  board established pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and
  645  Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s. 101. The state
  646  board is the board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
  647  which works at the direction of the state board in consultation
  648  with the department as required by this chapter.
  649         Section 11. Subsections (2) through (5) of section 445.003,
  650  Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is added to
  651  that section, to read:
  652         445.003 Implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation
  653  and Opportunity Act.—
  654         (2) FOUR-YEAR PLAN.—The state board CareerSource Florida,
  655  Inc., shall prepare and submit a 4-year plan, consistent with
  656  the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
  657  Act. Mandatory and optional federal partners shall be fully
  658  involved in designing the plan’s one-stop delivery system
  659  strategy. The plan must clearly define each program’s statewide
  660  duties and role relating to the system. The plan must detail a
  661  process that would fully integrate all federally mandated and
  662  optional partners.
  663         (3) FUNDING.—
  664         (a) Title I, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
  665  funds; Wagner-Peyser funds; and NAFTA/Trade Act funds will be
  666  expended based on the 4-year plan of the state board
  667  CareerSource Florida, Inc. The plan must outline and direct the
  668  method used to administer and coordinate various funds and
  669  programs that are operated by various agencies. The following
  670  provisions apply to these funds:
  671         1. At least 50 percent of the Title I funds for Adults and
  672  Dislocated Workers which are passed through to local workforce
  673  development boards shall be allocated to and expended on
  674  Individual Training Accounts unless a local workforce
  675  development board obtains a waiver from the state board
  676  CareerSource Florida, Inc. Tuition, books, and fees of training
  677  providers and other training services prescribed and authorized
  678  by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act qualify as
  679  Individual Training Account expenditures.
  680         2. Fifteen percent of Title I funding shall be retained at
  681  the state level and dedicated to state administration and shall
  682  be used to design, develop, induce, and fund innovative
  683  Individual Training Account pilots, demonstrations, and
  684  programs. Of such funds retained at the state level, $2 million
  685  may shall be reserved for the Incumbent Worker Training Program
  686  created under subparagraph 3. Eligible state administration
  687  costs include the costs of funding for the state board and state
  688  board staff of CareerSource Florida, Inc.; operating fiscal,
  689  compliance, and management accountability systems through the
  690  department CareerSource Florida, Inc.; conducting evaluation and
  691  research on workforce development activities; and providing
  692  technical and capacity building assistance to local workforce
  693  development areas at the direction of the state board
  694  CareerSource Florida, Inc. Notwithstanding s. 445.004, such
  695  administrative costs may not exceed 25 percent of these funds.
  696  An amount not to exceed 75 percent of these funds shall be
  697  allocated to Individual Training Accounts and other workforce
  698  development strategies for other training designed and tailored
  699  by the state board in consultation with the department
  700  CareerSource Florida, Inc., including, but not limited to,
  701  programs for incumbent workers, nontraditional employment, and
  702  enterprise zones. The state board, in consultation with the
  703  department CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall design, adopt, and
  704  fund Individual Training Accounts for distressed urban and rural
  705  communities.
  706         3. The Incumbent Worker Training Program is created for the
  707  purpose of providing grant funding for continuing education and
  708  training of incumbent employees at existing Florida businesses.
  709  The program will provide reimbursement grants to businesses that
  710  pay for preapproved, direct, training-related costs.
  711         a. The Incumbent Worker Training Program will be
  712  administered by CareerSource Florida, Inc., which may, at its
  713  discretion, contract with a private business organization to
  714  serve as grant administrator.
  715         b. The program shall be administered pursuant to s.
  716  134(d)(4) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
  717  Priority for funding shall be given to businesses with 25
  718  employees or fewer, businesses in rural areas, businesses in
  719  distressed inner-city areas, businesses in a qualified targeted
  720  industry, businesses whose grant proposals represent a
  721  significant upgrade in employee skills, or businesses whose
  722  grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance
  723  strategy.
  724         c. All costs reimbursed by the program must be preapproved
  725  by CareerSource Florida, Inc., or the grant administrator. The
  726  program may not reimburse businesses for trainee wages, the
  727  purchase of capital equipment, or the purchase of any item or
  728  service that may possibly be used outside the training project.
  729  A business approved for a grant may be reimbursed for
  730  preapproved, direct, training-related costs including tuition,
  731  fees, books and training materials, and overhead or indirect
  732  costs not to exceed 5 percent of the grant amount.
  733         d. A business that is selected to receive grant funding
  734  must provide a matching contribution to the training project,
  735  including, but not limited to, wages paid to trainees or the
  736  purchase of capital equipment used in the training project; must
  737  sign an agreement with CareerSource Florida, Inc., or the grant
  738  administrator to complete the training project as proposed in
  739  the application; must keep accurate records of the project’s
  740  implementation process; and must submit monthly or quarterly
  741  reimbursement requests with required documentation.
  742         e. All Incumbent Worker Training Program grant projects
  743  shall be performance-based with specific measurable performance
  744  outcomes, including completion of the training project and job
  745  retention. CareerSource Florida, Inc., or the grant
  746  administrator shall withhold the final payment to the grantee
  747  until a final grant report is submitted and all performance
  748  criteria specified in the grant contract have been achieved.
  749         f. The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., may
  750  establish guidelines necessary to implement the Incumbent Worker
  751  Training Program.
  752         g. No more than 10 percent of the Incumbent Worker Training
  753  Program’s total appropriation may be used for overhead or
  754  indirect purposes.
  755         4. At least 50 percent of Rapid Response funding shall be
  756  dedicated to Intensive Services Accounts and Individual Training
  757  Accounts for dislocated workers and incumbent workers who are at
  758  risk of dislocation. The department CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
  759  shall also maintain an Emergency Preparedness Fund from Rapid
  760  Response funds, which will immediately issue Intensive Service
  761  Accounts, Individual Training Accounts, and other federally
  762  authorized assistance to eligible victims of natural or other
  763  disasters. At the direction of the Governor, these Rapid
  764  Response funds shall be released to local workforce development
  765  boards for immediate use after events that qualify under federal
  766  law. Funding shall also be dedicated to maintain a unit at the
  767  state level to respond to Rapid Response emergencies and to work
  768  with state emergency management officials and local workforce
  769  development boards. All Rapid Response funds must be expended
  770  based on a plan developed by the state board in consultation
  771  with the department CareerSource Florida, Inc., and approved by
  772  the Governor.
  773         (b) The administrative entity for Title I, Workforce
  774  Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and Rapid Response
  775  activities is the department of Economic Opportunity, which
  776  shall provide direction to local workforce development boards
  777  regarding Title I programs and Rapid Response activities
  778  pursuant to the direction of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
  779         (4) FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPTIONS AND REQUIRED
  780  MODIFICATIONS.—
  781         (a) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., may provide
  782  indemnification from audit liabilities to local workforce
  783  development boards that act in full compliance with state law
  784  and board policy.
  785         (b) The state board, in consultation with the department
  786  CareerSource Florida, Inc., may make modifications to the
  787  state’s plan, policies, and procedures to comply with federally
  788  mandated requirements that in its judgment must be complied with
  789  to maintain funding provided pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128.
  790  The state board shall provide written notice to the Governor,
  791  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  792  Representatives within 30 days after any such changes or
  793  modifications.
  794         (c) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall enter
  795  into a memorandum of understanding with the Florida Department
  796  of Education to ensure that federally mandated requirements of
  797  Pub. L. No. 113-128 are met and are in compliance with the state
  798  plan for workforce development.
  799         (5) LONG-TERM CONSOLIDATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.—The
  800  state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., may recommend workforce
  801  related divisions, bureaus, units, programs, duties,
  802  commissions, boards, and councils for elimination,
  803  consolidation, or privatization.
  804         (6)AUTHORITY TO HIRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.—The
  805  state board may hire an executive director and staff to assist
  806  in carrying out the functions of the Workforce Innovation and
  807  Opportunity Act and in using funds made available through the
  808  act. The state board shall authorize the executive director and
  809  staff to work with the department in carrying out the functions
  810  of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
  811         Section 12. Section 445.004, Florida Statutes, is amended
  812  to read:
  813         445.004 CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the state board;
  814  creation; purpose; membership; duties and powers.—
  815         (1) CareerSource Florida, Inc., is created as a not-for
  816  profit corporation, which shall be registered, incorporated,
  817  organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617 and shall
  818  operate at the direction of the state board. CareerSource
  819  Florida, Inc., is not a unit or entity of state government and
  820  is exempt from chapters 120 and 287. CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
  821  shall apply the procurement and expenditure procedures required
  822  by federal law for the expenditure of federal funds.
  823  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall be administratively housed
  824  within the department and shall operate under agreement with of
  825  Economic Opportunity; however, CareerSource Florida, Inc., is
  826  not subject to control, supervision, or direction by the
  827  department in any manner. The Legislature finds that public
  828  policy dictates that CareerSource Florida, Inc., operate in the
  829  most open and accessible manner consistent with its public
  830  purpose. To this end, the Legislature specifically declares that
  831  CareerSource Florida, Inc., its board, councils, and any
  832  advisory committees or similar groups created by CareerSource
  833  Florida, Inc., are subject to the provisions of chapter 119
  834  relating to public records, and those provisions of chapter 286
  835  relating to public meetings.
  836         (2) CareerSource Florida, Inc., provides administrative
  837  support for the state board, is the principal workforce policy
  838  organization for the state. The purpose of the state board
  839  CareerSource Florida, Inc., is to design and implement
  840  strategies that help Floridians enter, remain in, and advance in
  841  the workplace, so that they may become more highly skilled and
  842  successful, which benefits these Floridians, Florida businesses,
  843  and the entire state, and fosters the development of the state’s
  844  business climate. CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall, consistent
  845  with its agreement with the department, implement the policy
  846  directives of the state board and administer state workforce
  847  development programs as authorized by law.
  848         (3)(a) CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall be governed by a
  849  board of directors, whose membership and appointment must be
  850  consistent with Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s. 101(b). Members
  851  of the state board described in Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s.
  852  101(b)(1)(C)(iii)(I)(aa) are shall be nonvoting members. The
  853  number of members is directors shall be determined by the
  854  Governor, who shall consider the importance of minority, gender,
  855  and geographic representation in making appointments to the
  856  state board. When the Governor is in attendance, he or she shall
  857  preside at all meetings of the state board of directors.
  858         (b) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
  859  Inc., shall be chaired by a board member designated by the
  860  Governor pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128. A member may not serve
  861  more than two terms.
  862         (c) Members appointed by the Governor may serve no more
  863  than two terms and must be appointed for 3-year terms. However,
  864  in order to establish staggered terms for state board members,
  865  the Governor shall appoint or reappoint one-third of the state
  866  board members for 1-year terms, one-third of the state board
  867  members for 2-year terms, and one-third of the state board
  868  members for 3-year terms beginning July 1, 2016. Subsequent
  869  appointments or reappointments shall be for 3-year terms, except
  870  that a member appointed to fill a vacancy on the state board
  871  shall be appointed to serve only the remainder of the term of
  872  the member whom he or she is replacing, and may be appointed for
  873  a subsequent 3-year term. Private sector representatives of
  874  businesses, appointed by the Governor pursuant to Pub. L. No.
  875  113-128, shall constitute a majority of the membership of the
  876  state board. Private sector representatives shall be appointed
  877  from nominations received by the Governor, including, but not
  878  limited to, those nominations made by the President of the
  879  Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Private
  880  sector appointments to the state board must be representative of
  881  the business community of this state; no fewer than one-half of
  882  the appointments must be representative of small businesses, and
  883  at least five members must have economic development experience.
  884  Members appointed by the Governor serve at the pleasure of the
  885  Governor and are eligible for reappointment.
  886         (d) The state board must include the vice chairperson of
  887  the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and one
  888  member representing each of the Workforce Innovation and
  889  Opportunity Act partners, including the Division of Career and
  890  Adult Education, and other entities representing programs
  891  identified in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, as
  892  determined necessary.
  893         (e) A member of the state board of directors of
  894  CareerSource Florida, Inc., may be removed by the Governor for
  895  cause. Absence from three consecutive meetings results in
  896  automatic removal. The chair of the state board CareerSource
  897  Florida, Inc., shall notify the Governor of such absences.
  898         (f) Representatives of businesses appointed to the state
  899  board of directors may not include providers of workforce
  900  services.
  901         (g)The state board shall hire an executive director for
  902  CareerSource Florida, Inc. The executive director serves as the
  903  president, the chief executive officer, and an employee of
  904  CareerSource Florida, Inc. The president of CareerSource
  905  Florida, Inc., serves at the pleasure of the Governor.
  906         (4)(a) The president of CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
  907  be hired by the board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
  908  Inc., and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor in the
  909  capacity of an executive director and secretary of CareerSource
  910  Florida, Inc.
  911         (b) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
  912  Inc., shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon the
  913  call of its chair. The state board and its committees,
  914  subcommittees, or other subdivisions may use any method of
  915  telecommunications to conduct meetings, including establishing a
  916  quorum through telecommunications, if the public is given proper
  917  notice of the telecommunications meeting and is given reasonable
  918  access to observe and, if appropriate, participate.
  919         (b)(c) A majority of the total current membership of the
  920  state board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
  921  constitutes a quorum and is required to organize and conduct the
  922  business of the state board, except that a majority of the
  923  executive committee is required to adopt or amend the bylaws.
  924         (d)A majority of those voting is required to organize and
  925  conduct the business of the board, except that a majority of the
  926  entire board of directors is required to adopt or amend the
  927  bylaws.
  928         (c)(e) Except as delegated or authorized by the state board
  929  of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., individual members
  930  have no authority to control or direct the operations of
  931  CareerSource Florida, Inc., or the actions of its officers and
  932  employees, including the president.
  933         (d)(f) Members of the state board of directors of
  934  CareerSource Florida, Inc., and its committees serve without
  935  compensation, but these members and, the president, and the
  936  employees of CareerSource Florida, Inc., may be reimbursed for
  937  all reasonable, necessary, and actual expenses as provided under
  938  pursuant to s. 112.061.
  939         (e)(g) The state board shall of directors of CareerSource
  940  Florida, Inc., may establish an executive committee consisting
  941  of the chair and at least six additional board members selected
  942  by the chair, one of whom must be a representative of organized
  943  labor. The executive committee and the president of CareerSource
  944  Florida, Inc., have such authority as the state board delegates
  945  to them, except that the state board of directors may not
  946  delegate to the executive committee authority to take action
  947  that requires approval by a majority of the entire state board
  948  of directors.
  949         (f)(h) The chair may appoint committees to fulfill the
  950  state board’s responsibilities, to comply with federal
  951  requirements, or to obtain technical assistance, and must
  952  incorporate members of local workforce development boards into
  953  its structure.
  954         (g)(i) Each member of the state board of directors who is
  955  not otherwise required to file a financial disclosure under
  956  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s.
  957  112.3144 must file disclosure of financial interests under
  958  pursuant to s. 112.3145.
  959         (5) The state board has CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
  960  have all the powers and authority not explicitly prohibited by
  961  statute which are necessary or convenient to carry out and
  962  effectuate its purposes as determined by statute, Pub. L. No.
  963  113-128, and the Governor, as well as its functions, duties, and
  964  responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the following:
  965         (a) Serving as the state’s workforce development board
  966  pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128. Unless otherwise required by
  967  federal law, at least 90 percent of workforce development
  968  funding must go toward direct customer service.
  969         (b) Providing oversight and policy direction to ensure that
  970  the following programs are administered by the department
  971  consistent in compliance with approved plans and under contract
  972  with CareerSource Florida, Inc.:
  973         1. Programs authorized under Title I of the Workforce
  974  Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128, with the
  975  exception of programs funded directly by the United States
  976  Department of Labor under Title I, s. 167.
  977         2. Programs authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933,
  978  as amended, 29 U.S.C. ss. 49 et seq.
  979         3. Activities authorized under Title II of the Trade Act of
  980  2002, as amended, 19 U.S.C. ss. 2272 et seq., and the Trade
  981  Adjustment Assistance Program.
  982         4. Activities authorized under 38 U.S.C. chapter 41,
  983  including job counseling, training, and placement for veterans.
  984         5. Employment and training activities carried out under
  985  funds awarded to this state by the United States Department of
  986  Housing and Urban Development.
  987         6. Welfare transition services funded by the Temporary
  988  Assistance for Needy Families Program, created under the
  989  Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
  990  of 1996, as amended, Pub. L. No. 104-193, and Title IV, s. 403,
  991  of the Social Security Act, as amended.
  992         7. The Florida Bonding Program, provided under Pub. L. No.
  993  97-300, s. 164(a)(1).
  994         8. The Food Assistance Employment and Training Program,
  995  provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. ss.
  996  2011-2032; the Food Security Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 99-198;
  997  and the Hunger Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 100-435; and the
  998  Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-334.
  999         9. The Quick-Response Training Program, provided under ss.
 1000  288.046-288.047. Matching funds and in-kind contributions that
 1001  are provided by clients of the Quick-Response Training Program
 1002  shall count toward the requirements of s. 288.904, pertaining to
 1003  the return on investment from activities of Enterprise Florida,
 1004  Inc.
 1005         10. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, provided under the Tax
 1006  and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-277, and
 1007  the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-34.
 1008         11. Offender placement services, provided under ss.
 1009  944.707-944.708.
 1010  
 1011  The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this
 1012  chapter which relate to implementing and administering the
 1013  programs listed in this paragraph as well as rules related to
 1014  eligible training providers and auditing and monitoring
 1015  subrecipients of the workforce system grant funds.
 1016         (c) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer
 1017  this chapter which relate to implementing and administering the
 1018  programs listed in paragraph (b) as well as rules related to
 1019  eligible training providers and auditing and monitoring
 1020  subrecipients of the workforce system grant funds.
 1021         (d) Contracting with public and private entities as
 1022  necessary to further the directives of this section. All
 1023  contracts executed by the state board or CareerSource Florida,
 1024  Inc., must include specific performance expectations and
 1025  deliverables. All CareerSource Florida, Inc., contracts,
 1026  including those solicited, managed, or paid by the department
 1027  under pursuant to s. 20.60(5)(c), are exempt from s. 112.061,
 1028  but shall be governed by subsection (1).
 1029         (d)(e)Notifying the Governor and the department of
 1030  statewide or local workforce development and training needs that
 1031  may require policy changes or an update to the state plan
 1032  required under s. 445.003, and notifying the Governor, the
 1033  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
 1034  Representatives of noncompliance by the department or other
 1035  agencies or obstruction of the state board’s efforts by such
 1036  agencies. Upon such notification, the Executive Office of the
 1037  Governor shall assist agencies to bring them into compliance
 1038  with state board objectives.
 1039         (e)(f) Ensuring that the state does not waste valuable
 1040  training resources. The state board’s policy is board shall
 1041  direct that all resources, including equipment purchased for
 1042  training Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act clients, be
 1043  available for use at all times by eligible populations as first
 1044  priority users. At times when eligible populations are not
 1045  available, such resources shall be used for any other state
 1046  authorized education and training purpose. The state board
 1047  CareerSource Florida, Inc., may authorize expenditures to award
 1048  suitable framed certificates, pins, or other tokens of
 1049  recognition for performance by a local workforce development
 1050  board, its committees and subdivisions, and other units of the
 1051  workforce system. The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1052  may also authorize expenditures for promotional items, such as
 1053  t-shirts, hats, or pens printed with messages promoting the
 1054  state’s workforce system to employers, job seekers, and program
 1055  participants. However, such expenditures are subject to federal
 1056  regulations applicable to the expenditure of federal funds.
 1057         (f)(g) Establishing a dispute resolution process for all
 1058  memoranda of understanding or other contracts or agreements
 1059  entered into between the department and local workforce
 1060  development boards.
 1061         (g)(h) Archiving records with the Bureau of Archives and
 1062  Records Management of the Division of Library and Information
 1063  Services of the Department of State.
 1064         (6) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., may take
 1065  action that it deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this
 1066  section, including, but not limited to:
 1067         (a) Creating a state employment, education, and training
 1068  policy that ensures that programs to prepare workers are
 1069  responsive to present and future business and industry needs and
 1070  complement the initiatives of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
 1071         (b) Establishing policy direction for a funding system that
 1072  provides incentives to improve the outcomes of career education,
 1073  registered apprenticeship, and work-based learning programs and
 1074  that focuses resources on occupations related to new or emerging
 1075  industries that add greatly to the value of the state’s economy.
 1076         (c) Establishing a comprehensive policy related to the
 1077  education and training of target populations such as those who
 1078  have disabilities, are economically disadvantaged, receive
 1079  public assistance, are not proficient in English, or are
 1080  dislocated workers. This approach should ensure the effective
 1081  use of federal, state, local, and private resources in reducing
 1082  the need for public assistance.
 1083         (d) Designating Institutes of Applied Technology composed
 1084  of public and private postsecondary institutions working
 1085  together with business and industry to ensure that career
 1086  education programs use the most advanced technology and
 1087  instructional methods available and respond to the changing
 1088  needs of business and industry.
 1089         (e) Providing policy direction for a system to project and
 1090  evaluate labor market supply and demand using the results of the
 1091  Workforce Estimating Conference created in s. 216.136 and the
 1092  career education performance standards identified under s.
 1093  1008.43.
 1094         (f) Reviewing the performance of public programs that are
 1095  responsible for economic development, education, employment, and
 1096  training. The review must include an analysis of the return on
 1097  investment of these programs.
 1098         (g) Expanding the occupations identified by the Workforce
 1099  Estimating Conference to meet needs created by local emergencies
 1100  or plant closings or to capture occupations within emerging
 1101  industries.
 1102         (7) By December 1 of each year, the state board
 1103  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall submit to the Governor, the
 1104  President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
 1105  Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader, and the House
 1106  Minority Leader a complete and detailed annual report setting
 1107  forth:
 1108         (a) All audits, including any audit conducted under
 1109  subsection (8).
 1110         (b) The operations and accomplishments of the state board,
 1111  including the programs or entities specified in subsection (6).
 1112         (8) Pursuant to his or her own authority or at the
 1113  direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, the Auditor
 1114  General may conduct an audit of the state board and CareerSource
 1115  Florida, Inc., or the programs or entities created by the state
 1116  board CareerSource Florida, Inc. The Office of Program Policy
 1117  Analysis and Government Accountability, pursuant to its
 1118  authority or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing
 1119  Committee, may review the systems and controls related to
 1120  performance outcomes and quality of services of the state board
 1121  and CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 1122         (9) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., in
 1123  collaboration with the local workforce development boards and
 1124  appropriate state agencies and local public and private service
 1125  providers, shall establish uniform performance accountability
 1126  measures that apply across the core programs to gauge the
 1127  performance of the state and local workforce development boards
 1128  in achieving the workforce development strategy.
 1129         (a) The performance accountability measures for the core
 1130  programs consist of the primary indicators of performance, any
 1131  additional indicators of performance, and a state-adjusted level
 1132  of performance for each indicator pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113
 1133  128, Title I, s. 116(b).
 1134         (b) The performance accountability measures for each local
 1135  area consist of the primary indicators of performance, any
 1136  additional indicators of performance, and a local level of
 1137  performance for each indicator pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128.
 1138  The local level of performance is determined by the local board,
 1139  the chief elected official, and the Governor pursuant to Pub. L.
 1140  No. 113-128, Title I, s. 116(c).
 1141         (c) Performance accountability measures shall be used to
 1142  generate performance reports pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128,
 1143  Title I, s. 116(d).
 1144         (d) The performance accountability measures of success that
 1145  are adopted by the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., or
 1146  the local workforce development boards must be developed in a
 1147  manner that provides for an equitable comparison of the relative
 1148  success or failure of any service provider in terms of positive
 1149  outcomes.
 1150         (10) The workforce development strategy for the state shall
 1151  be designed by the state board, in consultation with the
 1152  department, and approved by the Governor CareerSource Florida,
 1153  Inc. The strategy must include efforts that enlist business,
 1154  education, and community support for students to achieve long
 1155  term career goals, ensuring that young people have the academic
 1156  and occupational skills required to succeed in the workplace.
 1157  The strategy must also assist employers in upgrading or updating
 1158  the skills of their employees and assisting workers to acquire
 1159  the education or training needed to secure a better job with
 1160  better wages. The strategy must assist the state’s efforts to
 1161  attract and expand job-creating businesses offering high-paying,
 1162  high-demand occupations.
 1163         (11) The workforce development system must use a charter
 1164  process approach aimed at encouraging local design and control
 1165  of service delivery and targeted activities. The state board, in
 1166  consultation with the department CareerSource Florida, Inc., is
 1167  shall be responsible for ensuring that granting charters to
 1168  local workforce development boards that have a membership
 1169  consistent with the requirements of federal and state law and
 1170  have developed a plan consistent with the state’s workforce
 1171  development strategy. The plan must specify methods for
 1172  allocating the resources and programs in a manner that
 1173  eliminates unwarranted duplication, minimizes administrative
 1174  costs, meets the existing job market demands and the job market
 1175  demands resulting from successful economic development
 1176  activities, ensures access to quality workforce development
 1177  services for all Floridians, allows for pro rata or partial
 1178  distribution of benefits and services, prohibits the creation of
 1179  a waiting list or other indication of an unserved population,
 1180  serves as many individuals as possible within available
 1181  resources, and maximizes successful outcomes. The state board As
 1182  part of the charter process, CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1183  establish incentives for effective coordination of federal and
 1184  state programs, outline rewards for successful job placements,
 1185  and institute collaborative approaches among local service
 1186  providers. Local decisionmaking and control shall be important
 1187  components for inclusion in this charter application.
 1188         (12) CareerSource Florida, Inc., under the direction of the
 1189  state board, shall enter into agreement with Space Florida and
 1190  collaborate with vocational institutes, community colleges,
 1191  colleges, and universities in this state to develop a workforce
 1192  development strategy to implement the workforce provisions of s.
 1193  331.3051.
 1194         (13)The department may consult with the state board to
 1195  issue technical assistance letters on the operation of federal
 1196  programs and the expenditure of federal funds by the state board
 1197  or any local workforce development board. A technical assistance
 1198  letter must be in writing, must be posted on the department’s
 1199  website, and remains in effect until superseded or terminated. A
 1200  technical assistance letter is not a rule of general
 1201  applicability under s. 120.54 and is not a declaratory statement
 1202  issued under s. 120.565 or an order issued under s. 120.569.
 1203  Section 120.53 does not apply to technical assistance letters.
 1204         Section 13. Section 445.006, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1205  to read:
 1206         445.006 State plan for workforce development.—
 1207         (1) STATE PLAN.—The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1208  in conjunction with state and local partners in the workforce
 1209  system, shall develop a state plan that produces an educated and
 1210  skilled workforce. The state plan must consist of strategic and
 1211  operational planning elements. The state plan shall be submitted
 1212  by the Governor to the United States Department of Labor
 1213  pursuant to the requirements of Pub. L. No. 113-128.
 1214         (2) STRATEGIC PLANNING ELEMENTS.—The state board
 1215  CareerSource Florida, Inc., in conjunction with state and local
 1216  partners in the workforce system, shall develop strategic
 1217  planning elements, pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s.
 1218  102, for the state plan.
 1219         (a) The strategic planning elements of the state plan must
 1220  include, but need not be limited to, strategies for:
 1221         1. Fulfilling the workforce system goals and strategies
 1222  prescribed in s. 445.004;
 1223         2. Aggregating, integrating, and leveraging workforce
 1224  system resources;
 1225         3. Coordinating the activities of federal, state, and local
 1226  workforce system partners;
 1227         4. Addressing the workforce needs of small businesses; and
 1228         5. Fostering the participation of rural communities and
 1229  distressed urban cores in the workforce system.
 1230         (b) The strategic planning elements must include criteria
 1231  for allocating workforce resources to local workforce
 1232  development boards. With respect to allocating funds to serve
 1233  customers of the welfare transition program, such criteria may
 1234  include weighting factors that indicate the relative degree of
 1235  difficulty associated with securing and retaining employment
 1236  placements for specific subsets of the welfare transition
 1237  caseload.
 1238         (3) OPERATIONAL PLANNING ELEMENTS.—The state board
 1239  CareerSource Florida, Inc., in conjunction with state and local
 1240  partners in the workforce system, shall develop operational
 1241  planning elements, pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s.
 1242  102, for the state plan.
 1243         Section 14. Subsection (1), paragraph (b) of subsection
 1244  (2), and subsections (3) through (7) and (9) through (13) of
 1245  section 445.007, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph
 1246  (c) is added to subsection (2) of that section, to read:
 1247         445.007 Local workforce development boards.—
 1248         (1) One local workforce development board shall be
 1249  appointed in each designated service delivery area and shall
 1250  serve as the local workforce development board pursuant to Pub.
 1251  L. No. 113-128. The membership of the local board must be
 1252  consistent with Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s. 107(b). If a
 1253  public education or training provider is represented on the
 1254  local board, a representative of a private education provider
 1255  must also be appointed to the local board. The state board
 1256  CareerSource Florida, Inc., may waive this requirement if
 1257  requested by a local workforce development board if it is
 1258  demonstrated that such representatives do not exist in the
 1259  region. The importance of minority and gender representation
 1260  shall be considered when making appointments to the local board.
 1261  The local board, its committees, subcommittees, and
 1262  subdivisions, and other units of the workforce system, including
 1263  units that may consist in whole or in part of local governmental
 1264  units, may use any method of telecommunications to conduct
 1265  meetings, including establishing a quorum through
 1266  telecommunications, provided that the public is given proper
 1267  notice of the telecommunications meeting and reasonable access
 1268  to observe and, when appropriate, participate. Local workforce
 1269  development boards are subject to chapters 119 and 286 and s.
 1270  24, Art. I of the State Constitution. If the local workforce
 1271  development board enters into a contract with an organization or
 1272  individual represented on the local board of directors, the
 1273  contract must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the local
 1274  board, a quorum having been established, and the local board
 1275  member who could benefit financially from the transaction must
 1276  abstain from voting on the contract. A local board member must
 1277  disclose any such conflict in a manner that is consistent with
 1278  the procedures outlined in s. 112.3143. Each member of a local
 1279  workforce development board who is not otherwise required to
 1280  file a full and public disclosure of financial interests under
 1281  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s.
 1282  112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under
 1283  pursuant to s. 112.3145. The executive director or designated
 1284  person responsible for the operational and administrative
 1285  functions of the local workforce development board who is not
 1286  otherwise required to file a full and public disclosure of
 1287  financial interests under pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State
 1288  Constitution or s. 112.3144 shall file a statement of financial
 1289  interests under pursuant to s. 112.3145.
 1290         (2)
 1291         (b) The Governor may remove a member of the local board,
 1292  the executive director of the local board, or the designated
 1293  person responsible for the operational and administrative
 1294  functions of the local board for cause. As used in this
 1295  paragraph, the term “cause” includes, but is not limited to,
 1296  engaging in fraud or other criminal acts, incapacity, unfitness,
 1297  neglect of duty, official incompetence and irresponsibility,
 1298  misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or lack of performance.
 1299         (c)The chief elected official for the local workforce
 1300  development board may remove a member of the local board, the
 1301  executive director of the local board, or the designated person
 1302  responsible for the operational and administrative functions of
 1303  the local board for cause.
 1304         (3) The department of Economic Opportunity, under the
 1305  direction of CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall assign staff to
 1306  meet with each local workforce development board annually to
 1307  review the local board’s performance and to certify that the
 1308  local board is in compliance with applicable state and federal
 1309  law.
 1310         (4) In addition to the duties and functions specified by
 1311  the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., and by the
 1312  interlocal agreement approved by the local county or city
 1313  governing bodies, the local workforce development board shall
 1314  have the following responsibilities:
 1315         (a) Develop, submit, ratify, or amend the local plan
 1316  pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s. 108 and this act.
 1317         (b) Conclude agreements necessary to designate the fiscal
 1318  agent and administrative entity. A public or private entity,
 1319  including an entity established under pursuant to s. 163.01,
 1320  which makes a majority of the appointments to a local workforce
 1321  development board may serve as the local board’s administrative
 1322  entity if approved by the department CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1323  based upon a showing that a fair and competitive process was
 1324  used to select the administrative entity.
 1325         (c) Complete assurances required for the charter process of
 1326  CareerSource Florida, Inc., and Provide ongoing oversight
 1327  related to administrative costs, duplicated services, career
 1328  counseling, economic development, equal access, compliance and
 1329  accountability, and performance outcomes.
 1330         (d) Oversee the one-stop delivery system in its local area.
 1331         (5) The department and CareerSource Florida, Inc., in
 1332  consultation with the state board, shall implement a training
 1333  program for the local workforce development boards to
 1334  familiarize local board members with the state’s workforce
 1335  development goals and strategies.
 1336         (6) The local workforce development board shall designate
 1337  all local service providers and may not transfer this authority
 1338  to a third party. Consistent with the intent of the Workforce
 1339  Innovation and Opportunity Act, local workforce development
 1340  boards should provide the greatest possible choice of training
 1341  providers to those who qualify for training services. A local
 1342  workforce development board may not restrict the choice of
 1343  training providers based upon cost, location, or historical
 1344  training arrangements. However, a local board may restrict the
 1345  amount of training resources available to any one client. Such
 1346  restrictions may vary based upon the cost of training in the
 1347  client’s chosen occupational area. The local workforce
 1348  development board may be designated as a one-stop operator and
 1349  direct provider of intake, assessment, eligibility
 1350  determinations, or other direct provider services except
 1351  training services. Such designation may occur only with the
 1352  agreement of the chief elected official and the Governor as
 1353  specified in 29 U.S.C. s. 2832(f)(2). The state board
 1354  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall establish procedures by which
 1355  a local workforce development board may request permission to
 1356  operate under this section and the criteria under which such
 1357  permission may be granted. The criteria shall include, but need
 1358  not be limited to, a reduction in the cost of providing the
 1359  permitted services. Such permission shall be granted for a
 1360  period not to exceed 3 years for any single request submitted by
 1361  the local workforce development board.
 1362         (7) Local workforce development boards shall adopt a
 1363  committee structure consistent with applicable federal law and
 1364  state policies established by the state board CareerSource
 1365  Florida, Inc.
 1366         (9) For purposes of procurement, local workforce
 1367  development boards and their administrative entities are not
 1368  state agencies and are exempt from chapters 120 and 287. The
 1369  local workforce development boards shall apply the procurement
 1370  and expenditure procedures required by federal law and policies
 1371  of the department of Economic Opportunity and the state board
 1372  CareerSource Florida, Inc., for the expenditure of federal,
 1373  state, and nonpass-through funds. The making or approval of
 1374  smaller, multiple payments for a single purchase with the intent
 1375  to avoid or evade the monetary thresholds and procedures
 1376  established by federal law and policies of the department of
 1377  Economic Opportunity and the state board CareerSource Florida,
 1378  Inc., is grounds for removal for cause. Local workforce
 1379  development boards, their administrative entities, committees,
 1380  and subcommittees, and other workforce units may authorize
 1381  expenditures to award suitable framed certificates, pins, or
 1382  other tokens of recognition for performance by units of the
 1383  workforce system. Local workforce development boards; their
 1384  administrative entities, committees, and subcommittees; and
 1385  other workforce units may authorize expenditures for promotional
 1386  items, such as t-shirts, hats, or pens printed with messages
 1387  promoting Florida’s workforce system to employers, job seekers,
 1388  and program participants. However, such expenditures are subject
 1389  to federal regulations applicable to the expenditure of federal
 1390  funds. All contracts executed by local workforce development
 1391  boards must include specific performance expectations and
 1392  deliverables.
 1393         (10) State and federal funds provided to the local
 1394  workforce development boards may not be used directly or
 1395  indirectly to pay for meals, food, or beverages for board
 1396  members, staff, or employees of local workforce development
 1397  boards, the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., or the
 1398  department of Economic Opportunity except as expressly
 1399  authorized by state law. Preapproved, reasonable, and necessary
 1400  per diem allowances and travel expenses may be reimbursed. Such
 1401  reimbursement shall be at the standard travel reimbursement
 1402  rates established in s. 112.061 and shall be in compliance with
 1403  all applicable federal and state requirements. The department
 1404  shall provide fiscal and programmatic guidance CareerSource
 1405  Florida, Inc., shall develop a statewide fiscal policy
 1406  applicable to the state board, CareerSource Florida, Inc., and
 1407  all local workforce development boards, to hold both the state
 1408  and local workforce development boards strictly accountable for
 1409  adherence to the policy and subject to regular and periodic
 1410  monitoring by the department of Economic Opportunity, the
 1411  administrative entity for CareerSource Florida, Inc. Local
 1412  boards are prohibited from expending state or federal funds for
 1413  entertainment costs and recreational activities for local board
 1414  members and employees as these terms are defined by 2 C.F.R.
 1415  part 200 230.
 1416         (11) To increase transparency and accountability, a local
 1417  workforce development board must comply with the requirements of
 1418  this section before contracting with a member of the local board
 1419  or a relative, as defined in s. 112.3143(1)(c), of a local board
 1420  member or of an employee of the local board. Such contracts may
 1421  not be executed before or without the prior approval of the
 1422  department CareerSource Florida, Inc. Such contracts, as well as
 1423  documentation demonstrating adherence to this section as
 1424  specified by the department CareerSource Florida, Inc., must be
 1425  submitted to the department of Economic Opportunity for review
 1426  and approval recommendation according to criteria to be
 1427  determined by CareerSource Florida, Inc. Such a contract must be
 1428  approved by a two-thirds vote of the local board, a quorum
 1429  having been established; all conflicts of interest must be
 1430  disclosed before the vote; and any member who may benefit from
 1431  the contract, or whose relative may benefit from the contract,
 1432  must abstain from the vote. A contract under $25,000 between a
 1433  local workforce development board and a member of that board or
 1434  between a relative, as defined in s. 112.3143(1)(c), of a local
 1435  board member or of an employee of the local board is not
 1436  required to have the prior approval of the department
 1437  CareerSource Florida, Inc., but must be approved by a two-thirds
 1438  vote of the local board, a quorum having been established, and
 1439  must be reported to the department of Economic Opportunity and
 1440  the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., within 30 days after
 1441  approval. If a contract cannot be approved by the department
 1442  CareerSource Florida, Inc., a review of the decision to
 1443  disapprove the contract may be requested by the local workforce
 1444  development board or other parties to the disapproved contract.
 1445         (12) Each local workforce development board shall develop a
 1446  budget for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the local
 1447  board under this section, subject to the approval of the chief
 1448  elected official. Each local workforce development board shall
 1449  submit its annual budget for review to the department
 1450  CareerSource Florida, Inc., no later than 2 weeks after the
 1451  chair approves the budget.
 1452         (13)By March 1, 2018, CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1453  establish regional planning areas in accordance with Pub. L. No.
 1454  113-128, Title I, s. 106(a)(2). Local workforce development
 1455  boards and chief elected officials within identified regional
 1456  planning areas shall prepare a regional workforce development
 1457  plan as required under Pub. L. No. 113-128, Title I, s.
 1458  106(c)(2).
 1459         Section 15. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 445.0071,
 1460  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1461         445.0071 Florida Youth Summer Jobs Pilot Program.—
 1462         (1) CREATION.—Contingent upon appropriations, there is
 1463  created the Florida Youth Summer Jobs Pilot Program within
 1464  workforce development district 22 served by the Broward
 1465  Workforce Development Board. The board shall, in consultation
 1466  with the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., provide a
 1467  program offering at-risk and disadvantaged children summer jobs
 1468  in partnership with local communities and public employers.
 1469         (4) GOVERNANCE.—
 1470         (a) The pilot program shall be administered by the local
 1471  workforce development board in consultation with the state board
 1472  CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 1473         (b) The local workforce development board shall report to
 1474  the state board and the department CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1475  the number of at-risk and disadvantaged children who enter the
 1476  program, the types of work activities they participate in, and
 1477  the number of children who return to school, go on to
 1478  postsecondary school, or enter the workforce full time at the
 1479  end of the program. The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1480  shall report to the Legislature by November 1 of each year on
 1481  the performance of the program.
 1482         Section 16. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 445.008,
 1483  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1484         445.008 Workforce Training Institute.—
 1485         (1) The state board, through CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1486  may create the Workforce Training Institute, which shall be a
 1487  comprehensive program of workforce training courses designed to
 1488  meet the unique needs of, and shall include Internet-based
 1489  training modules suitable for and made available to,
 1490  professionals integral to the workforce system, including
 1491  advisors and counselors in educational institutions.
 1492         (2) The state board, through CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1493  may enter into a contract for the provision of administrative
 1494  support services for the institute and shall adopt policies for
 1495  the administration and operation of the institute and establish
 1496  admission fees in an amount which, in the aggregate, does not
 1497  exceed the cost of the program. CareerSource Florida, Inc., may
 1498  accept donations or grants of any type for any function or
 1499  purpose of the institute. All donations and grants received by
 1500  CareerSource Florida, Inc., must be reported to the state board
 1501  and the department.
 1502         Section 17. Subsections (2), (3), and (4), paragraph (b) of
 1503  subsection (6), subsection (7), paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of
 1504  subsection (8), and subsection (9) of section 445.009, Florida
 1505  Statutes, are amended to read:
 1506         445.009 One-stop delivery system.—
 1507         (2)(a) Subject to a process designed by the state board
 1508  CareerSource Florida, Inc., and in compliance with Pub. L. No.
 1509  113-128, local workforce development boards shall designate one
 1510  stop delivery system operators.
 1511         (b) A local workforce development board may designate as
 1512  its one-stop delivery system operator any public or private
 1513  entity that is eligible to provide services under any state or
 1514  federal workforce program that is a mandatory or discretionary
 1515  partner in the local workforce development area’s one-stop
 1516  delivery system if approved by the department CareerSource
 1517  Florida, Inc., upon a showing by the local workforce development
 1518  board that a fair and competitive process was used in the
 1519  selection. As a condition of authorizing a local workforce
 1520  development board to designate such an entity as its one-stop
 1521  delivery system operator, the department CareerSource Florida,
 1522  Inc., must require the local workforce development board to
 1523  demonstrate that safeguards are in place to ensure that the one
 1524  stop delivery system operator will not exercise an unfair
 1525  competitive advantage or unfairly refer or direct customers of
 1526  the one-stop delivery system to services provided by that one
 1527  stop delivery system operator. A local workforce development
 1528  board may retain its current one-stop career center operator
 1529  without further procurement action if the local board has an
 1530  established one-stop career center that has complied with
 1531  federal and state law.
 1532         (c) The local workforce development board must enter into a
 1533  memorandum of understanding with each mandatory or optional
 1534  partner participating in the one-stop delivery system which
 1535  details the partner’s required contribution to infrastructure
 1536  costs, as required by Pub. L. No. 113-128, s. 121(h). If the
 1537  local workforce development board and the one-stop partner are
 1538  unable to come to an agreement regarding infrastructure costs by
 1539  July 1, 2017, the costs shall be allocated pursuant to a policy
 1540  established by the Governor.
 1541         (3) Local workforce development boards shall enter into a
 1542  memorandum of understanding with the department of Economic
 1543  Opportunity for the delivery of employment services authorized
 1544  by the federal Wagner-Peyser Act. This memorandum of
 1545  understanding must be performance based.
 1546         (a) Unless otherwise required by federal law, at least 90
 1547  percent of the Wagner-Peyser funding must go into direct
 1548  customer service costs.
 1549         (b) Employment services must be provided through the one
 1550  stop delivery system, under the guidance of one-stop delivery
 1551  system operators. One-stop delivery system operators shall have
 1552  overall authority for directing the staff of the workforce
 1553  system. Personnel matters shall remain under the ultimate
 1554  authority of the department. However, the one-stop delivery
 1555  system operator shall submit to the department information
 1556  concerning the job performance of employees of the department
 1557  who deliver employment services. The department shall consider
 1558  any such information submitted by the one-stop delivery system
 1559  operator in conducting performance appraisals of the employees.
 1560         (c) The department shall retain fiscal responsibility and
 1561  accountability for the administration of funds allocated to the
 1562  state under the Wagner-Peyser Act. An employee of the department
 1563  who is providing services authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act
 1564  shall be paid using Wagner-Peyser Act funds.
 1565         (4) One-stop delivery system partners shall enter into a
 1566  memorandum of understanding pursuant to Pub. L. No. 113-128,
 1567  Title I, s. 121, with the local workforce development board.
 1568  Failure of a local partner to participate cannot unilaterally
 1569  block the majority of partners from moving forward with their
 1570  one-stop delivery system, and the state board, in conjunction
 1571  with the department, may notify the Governor CareerSource
 1572  Florida, Inc., pursuant to s. 445.004(5)(e), may make
 1573  notification of a local partner that fails to participate.
 1574         (6)
 1575         (b) To expand electronic capabilities, the state board and
 1576  the department CareerSource Florida, Inc., working with local
 1577  workforce development boards, shall develop a centralized help
 1578  center to assist local workforce development boards in
 1579  fulfilling core services, minimizing the need for fixed-site
 1580  one-stop delivery system centers.
 1581         (7) Intensive services and training provided pursuant to
 1582  Pub. L. No. 113-128 shall be provided to individuals through
 1583  Intensive Service Accounts and Individual Training Accounts. The
 1584  state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall develop an
 1585  implementation plan, including identification of initially
 1586  eligible training providers, transition guidelines, and criteria
 1587  for use of these accounts. Individual Training Accounts must be
 1588  compatible with Individual Development Accounts for education
 1589  allowed in federal and state welfare reform statutes.
 1590         (8)(a) Individual Training Accounts must be expended on
 1591  programs that prepare people to enter high-wage occupations
 1592  identified by the Workforce Estimating Conference created by s.
 1593  216.136, and on other programs recommended and approved by the
 1594  state board following a review by the department to determine
 1595  the program’s compliance with federal law as approved by
 1596  CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 1597         (c) The department CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1598  periodically review Individual Training Account pricing
 1599  schedules developed by local workforce development boards and
 1600  present findings and recommendations for process improvement to
 1601  the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
 1602  Representatives.
 1603         (d) To the maximum extent possible, training providers
 1604  shall use funding sources other than the funding provided under
 1605  Pub. L. No. 113-128. The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1606  shall develop a system to encourage the leveraging of
 1607  appropriated resources for the workforce system and shall report
 1608  on such efforts as part of the required annual report.
 1609         (9)(a) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., working
 1610  with the department, shall coordinate among the agencies a plan
 1611  for a One-Stop Electronic Network made up of one-stop delivery
 1612  system centers and other partner agencies that are operated by
 1613  authorized public or private for-profit or not-for-profit
 1614  agents. The plan shall identify resources within existing
 1615  revenues to establish and support this electronic network for
 1616  service delivery that includes Government Services Direct. If
 1617  necessary, the plan shall identify additional funding needed to
 1618  achieve the provisions of this subsection.
 1619         (b) The network shall assure that a uniform method is used
 1620  to determine eligibility for and management of services provided
 1621  by agencies that conduct workforce development activities. The
 1622  Department of Management Services shall develop strategies to
 1623  allow access to the databases and information management systems
 1624  of the following systems in order to link information in those
 1625  databases with the one-stop delivery system:
 1626         1. The Reemployment Assistance Program under chapter 443.
 1627         2. The public employment service described in s. 443.181.
 1628         3. The public assistance information system used by the
 1629  Department of Children and Families and the components related
 1630  to temporary cash assistance, food assistance, and Medicaid
 1631  eligibility.
 1632         4. The Student Financial Assistance System of the
 1633  Department of Education.
 1634         5. Enrollment in the public postsecondary education system.
 1635         6. Other information systems determined appropriate by the
 1636  state board, in consultation with the department CareerSource
 1637  Florida, Inc.
 1638         Section 18. Section 445.011, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1639  to read:
 1640         445.011 Workforce information systems.—
 1641         (1) The department, in consultation with the state board
 1642  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall implement, subject to
 1643  legislative appropriation, automated information systems that
 1644  are necessary for the efficient and effective operation and
 1645  management of the workforce development system. These
 1646  information systems shall include, but need not be limited to,
 1647  the following:
 1648         (a) An integrated management system for the one-stop
 1649  service delivery system, which includes, at a minimum, common
 1650  registration and intake, screening for needs and benefits, case
 1651  planning and tracking, training benefits management, service and
 1652  training provider management, performance reporting, executive
 1653  information and reporting, and customer-satisfaction tracking
 1654  and reporting.
 1655         1. The system should report current budgeting, expenditure,
 1656  and performance information for assessing performance related to
 1657  outcomes, service delivery, and financial administration for
 1658  workforce programs pursuant to s. 445.004(5) and (9).
 1659         2. The information system should include auditable systems
 1660  and controls to ensure financial integrity and valid and
 1661  reliable performance information.
 1662         3. The system should support service integration and case
 1663  management by providing for case tracking for participants in
 1664  welfare transition programs.
 1665         (b) An automated job-matching information system that is
 1666  accessible to employers, job seekers, and other users via the
 1667  Internet, and that includes, at a minimum:
 1668         1. Skill match information, including skill gap analysis;
 1669  resume creation; job order creation; skill tests; job search by
 1670  area, employer type, and employer name; and training provider
 1671  linkage;
 1672         2. Job market information based on surveys, including
 1673  local, state, regional, national, and international occupational
 1674  and job availability information; and
 1675         3. Service provider information, including education and
 1676  training providers, child care facilities and related
 1677  information, health and social service agencies, and other
 1678  providers of services that would be useful to job seekers.
 1679         (2) The department In procuring workforce information
 1680  systems, CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall employ competitive
 1681  processes, including requests for proposals, competitive
 1682  negotiation, and other competitive processes to ensure that the
 1683  procurement results in the most cost-effective investment of
 1684  state funds.
 1685         (3)CareerSource Florida, Inc., may procure independent
 1686  verification and validation services associated with developing
 1687  and implementing any workforce information system.
 1688         (3)(4)The department CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1689  coordinate development and implementation of workforce
 1690  information systems with the state chief information officer to
 1691  ensure compatibility with the state’s information system
 1692  strategy and enterprise architecture.
 1693         Section 19. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 445.014,
 1694  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1695         445.014 Small business workforce service initiative.—
 1696         (1) Subject to legislative appropriation, the state board
 1697  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall establish a program to
 1698  encourage local workforce development boards to establish one
 1699  stop delivery systems that maximize the provision of workforce
 1700  and human-resource support services to small businesses. Under
 1701  the program, a local workforce development board may apply, on a
 1702  competitive basis, for funds to support the provision of such
 1703  services to small businesses through the local workforce
 1704  development area’s one-stop delivery system.
 1705         (3) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1706  establish guidelines governing the administration of this
 1707  program and shall establish criteria to be used in evaluating
 1708  applications for funding. Such criteria must include, but need
 1709  not be limited to, a showing that the local workforce
 1710  development board has in place a detailed plan for establishing
 1711  a one-stop delivery system designed to meet the workforce needs
 1712  of small businesses and for leveraging other funding sources in
 1713  support of such activities.
 1714         Section 20. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (2)
 1715  and subsection (4) of section 445.021, Florida Statutes, are
 1716  amended to read:
 1717         445.021 Relocation assistance program.—
 1718         (2) The relocation assistance program shall involve five
 1719  steps by the local workforce development board, in cooperation
 1720  with the Department of Children and Families:
 1721         (b) A determination that there is a basis for believing
 1722  that relocation will contribute to the ability of the applicant
 1723  to achieve self-sufficiency. For example, the applicant:
 1724         1. Is unlikely to achieve economic self-sufficiency at the
 1725  current community of residence;
 1726         2. Has secured a job that provides an increased salary or
 1727  improved benefits and that requires relocation to another
 1728  community;
 1729         3. Has a family support network that will contribute to job
 1730  retention in another community;
 1731         4. Is determined, pursuant to criteria or procedures
 1732  established by the state board of directors of CareerSource
 1733  Florida, Inc., to be a victim of domestic violence who would
 1734  experience reduced probability of further incidents through
 1735  relocation; or
 1736         5. Must relocate in order to receive education or training
 1737  that is directly related to the applicant’s employment or career
 1738  advancement.
 1739         (c) Establishment of a relocation plan that includes such
 1740  requirements as are necessary to prevent abuse of the benefit
 1741  and provisions to protect the safety of victims of domestic
 1742  violence and avoid provisions that place them in anticipated
 1743  danger. The payment to defray relocation expenses shall be
 1744  determined based on criteria approved by the state board of
 1745  directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc. Participants in the
 1746  relocation program shall be eligible for diversion or
 1747  transitional benefits.
 1748         (d) A determination, pursuant to criteria adopted by the
 1749  state board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., that a
 1750  community receiving a relocated family has the capacity to
 1751  provide needed services and employment opportunities.
 1752         (4) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1753  Inc., may establish criteria for developing and implementing
 1754  relocation plans and for drafting agreements to restrict a
 1755  family from applying for temporary cash assistance for a
 1756  specified period after receiving a relocation assistance
 1757  payment.
 1758         Section 21. Section 445.022, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1759  to read:
 1760         445.022 Retention Incentive Training Accounts.—To promote
 1761  job retention and to enable upward job advancement into higher
 1762  skilled, higher paying employment, the state board of directors
 1763  of CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the local workforce
 1764  development boards may assemble a list of programs and courses
 1765  offered by postsecondary educational institutions which may be
 1766  available to participants who have become employed to promote
 1767  job retention and advancement.
 1768         (1) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1769  Inc., may establish Retention Incentive Training Accounts
 1770  (RITAs) to use Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
 1771  block grant funds specifically appropriated for this purpose.
 1772  RITAs must complement the Individual Training Account required
 1773  by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L.
 1774  No. 113-128.
 1775         (2) RITAs may pay for tuition, fees, educational materials,
 1776  coaching and mentoring, performance incentives, transportation
 1777  to and from courses, child care costs during education courses,
 1778  and other such costs as the local workforce development boards
 1779  determine are necessary to effect successful job retention and
 1780  advancement.
 1781         (3) Local workforce development boards shall retain only
 1782  those courses that continue to meet their performance standards
 1783  as established in their local plan.
 1784         (4) Local workforce development boards shall report
 1785  annually to the Legislature on the measurable retention and
 1786  advancement success of each program provider and the
 1787  effectiveness of RITAs, making recommendations for any needed
 1788  changes or modifications.
 1789         Section 22. Paragraph (e) of subsection (5) of section
 1790  445.024, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1791         445.024 Work requirements.—
 1792         (5) USE OF CONTRACTS.—Local workforce development boards
 1793  shall provide work activities, training, and other services, as
 1794  appropriate, through contracts. In contracting for work
 1795  activities, training, or services, the following applies:
 1796         (e) The administrative costs associated with a contract for
 1797  services provided under this section may not exceed the
 1798  applicable administrative cost ceiling established in federal
 1799  law. An agency or entity that is awarded a contract under this
 1800  section may not charge more than 7 percent of the value of the
 1801  contract for administration unless an exception is approved by
 1802  the local workforce development board. A list of any exceptions
 1803  approved must be submitted to the state board of directors of
 1804  CareerSource Florida, Inc., for review, and the state board may
 1805  rescind approval of the exception.
 1806         Section 23. Subsection (6) of section 445.026, Florida
 1807  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1808         445.026 Cash assistance severance benefit.—An individual
 1809  who meets the criteria listed in this section may choose to
 1810  receive a lump-sum payment in lieu of ongoing cash assistance
 1811  payments, provided the individual:
 1812         (6) Signs an agreement not to apply for or accept cash
 1813  assistance for 6 months after receipt of the one-time payment.
 1814  In the event of an emergency, such agreement shall provide for
 1815  an exception to this restriction, provided that the one-time
 1816  payment shall be deducted from any cash assistance for which the
 1817  family subsequently is approved. This deduction may be prorated
 1818  over an 8-month period. The state board of directors of
 1819  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall adopt criteria defining the
 1820  conditions under which a family may receive cash assistance due
 1821  to such emergency.
 1822  
 1823  Such individual may choose to accept a one-time, lump-sum
 1824  payment of $1,000 in lieu of receiving ongoing cash assistance.
 1825  Such payment shall only count toward the time limitation for the
 1826  month in which the payment is made in lieu of cash assistance. A
 1827  participant choosing to accept such payment shall be terminated
 1828  from cash assistance. However, eligibility for Medicaid, food
 1829  assistance, or child care shall continue, subject to the
 1830  eligibility requirements of those programs.
 1831         Section 24. Section 445.028, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1832  to read:
 1833         445.028 Transitional benefits and services.—In cooperation
 1834  with the department CareerSource Florida, Inc., the Department
 1835  of Children and Families shall develop procedures to ensure that
 1836  families leaving the temporary cash assistance program receive
 1837  transitional benefits and services that will assist the family
 1838  in moving toward self-sufficiency. At a minimum, such procedures
 1839  must include, but are not limited to, the following:
 1840         (1) Each recipient of cash assistance who is determined
 1841  ineligible for cash assistance for a reason other than a work
 1842  activity sanction shall be contacted by the workforce system
 1843  case manager and provided information about the availability of
 1844  transitional benefits and services. Such contact shall be
 1845  attempted prior to closure of the case management file.
 1846         (2) Each recipient of temporary cash assistance who is
 1847  determined ineligible for cash assistance due to noncompliance
 1848  with the work activity requirements shall be contacted and
 1849  provided information in accordance with s. 414.065(1).
 1850         (3) The department, in consultation with the state board of
 1851  directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall develop
 1852  informational material, including posters and brochures, to
 1853  better inform families about the availability of transitional
 1854  benefits and services.
 1855         (4) The department CareerSource Florida, Inc., in
 1856  cooperation with the Department of Children and Families, shall,
 1857  to the extent permitted by federal law, develop procedures to
 1858  maximize the utilization of transitional Medicaid by families
 1859  who leave the temporary cash assistance program.
 1860         Section 25. Section 445.030, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1861  to read:
 1862         445.030 Transitional education and training.—In order to
 1863  assist former recipients of temporary cash assistance who are
 1864  working or actively seeking employment in continuing their
 1865  training and upgrading their skills, education, or training,
 1866  support services may be provided for up to 2 years after the
 1867  family is no longer receiving temporary cash assistance. This
 1868  section does not constitute an entitlement to transitional
 1869  education and training. If funds are not sufficient to provide
 1870  services under this section, the state board of directors of
 1871  CareerSource Florida, Inc., may limit or otherwise prioritize
 1872  transitional education and training.
 1873         (1) Education or training resources available in the
 1874  community at no additional cost shall be used whenever possible.
 1875         (2) Local workforce development boards may authorize child
 1876  care or other support services in addition to services provided
 1877  in conjunction with employment. For example, a participant who
 1878  is employed full time may receive child care services related to
 1879  that employment and may also receive additional child care
 1880  services in conjunction with training to upgrade the
 1881  participant’s skills.
 1882         (3) Transitional education or training must be job-related,
 1883  but may include training to improve job skills in a
 1884  participant’s existing area of employment or may include
 1885  training to prepare a participant for employment in another
 1886  occupation.
 1887         (4) A local workforce development board may enter into an
 1888  agreement with an employer to share the costs relating to
 1889  upgrading the skills of participants hired by the employer. For
 1890  example, a local workforce development board may agree to
 1891  provide support services such as transportation or a wage
 1892  subsidy in conjunction with training opportunities provided by
 1893  the employer.
 1894         Section 26. Section 445.033, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1895  to read:
 1896         445.033 Evaluation.—The state board of directors of
 1897  CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the Department of Children and
 1898  Families shall arrange for evaluation of TANF-funded programs
 1899  operated under this chapter, as follows:
 1900         (1) If required by federal waivers or other federal
 1901  requirements, the state board of directors of CareerSource
 1902  Florida, Inc., and the department may provide for evaluation
 1903  according to these requirements.
 1904         (2) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1905  Inc., and the department shall participate in the evaluation of
 1906  this program in conjunction with evaluation of the state’s
 1907  workforce development programs or similar activities aimed at
 1908  evaluating program outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or return on
 1909  investment, and the impact of time limits, sanctions, and other
 1910  welfare reform measures set out in this chapter. Evaluation
 1911  shall also contain information on the number of participants in
 1912  work experience assignments who obtain unsubsidized employment,
 1913  including, but not limited to, the length of time the
 1914  unsubsidized job is retained, wages, and the public benefits, if
 1915  any, received by such families while in unsubsidized employment.
 1916  The evaluation must solicit the input of consumers, community
 1917  based organizations, service providers, employers, and the
 1918  general public, and must publicize, especially in low-income
 1919  communities, the process for submitting comments.
 1920         (3) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1921  Inc., and the department may share information with and develop
 1922  protocols for information exchange with the Florida Education
 1923  and Training Placement Information Program.
 1924         (4) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1925  Inc., and the department may initiate or participate in
 1926  additional evaluation or assessment activities that will further
 1927  the systematic study of issues related to program goals and
 1928  outcomes.
 1929         (5) In providing for evaluation activities, the state board
 1930  of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the department
 1931  shall safeguard the use or disclosure of information obtained
 1932  from program participants consistent with federal or state
 1933  requirements. Evaluation methodologies may be used which are
 1934  appropriate for evaluation of program activities, including
 1935  random assignment of recipients or participants into program
 1936  groups or control groups. To the extent necessary or
 1937  appropriate, evaluation data shall provide information with
 1938  respect to the state, district, or county, or other substate
 1939  area.
 1940         (6) The state board of directors of CareerSource Florida,
 1941  Inc., and the department may contract with a qualified
 1942  organization for evaluations conducted under this section.
 1943         Section 27. Section 445.035, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1944  to read:
 1945         445.035 Data collection and reporting.—The Department of
 1946  Children and Families and the state board of directors of
 1947  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall collect data necessary to
 1948  administer this chapter and make the reports required under
 1949  federal law to the United States Department of Health and Human
 1950  Services and the United States Department of Agriculture.
 1951         Section 28. Subsections (1), (2), and (3), paragraph (b) of
 1952  subsection (4), and subsection (5) of section 445.048, Florida
 1953  Statutes, are amended to read:
 1954         445.048 Passport to Economic Progress program.—
 1955         (1) AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
 1956  the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., in conjunction with
 1957  the department and the Department of Children and Families and
 1958  the Department of Economic Opportunity, shall implement a
 1959  Passport to Economic Progress program consistent with this
 1960  section. The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., may
 1961  designate local workforce development boards to participate in
 1962  the program. Expenses for the program may come from appropriated
 1963  revenues or from funds otherwise available to a local workforce
 1964  development board which may be legally used for such purposes.
 1965  The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., must consult with
 1966  the applicable local workforce development boards and the
 1967  applicable local offices of the Department of Children and
 1968  Families which serve the program areas and must encourage
 1969  community input into the implementation process.
 1970         (2) WAIVERS.—If the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc.,
 1971  in consultation with the Department of Children and Families,
 1972  finds that federal waivers would facilitate implementation of
 1973  the program, the department shall immediately request such
 1974  waivers, and the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 1975  report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
 1976  Speaker of the House of Representatives if any refusal of the
 1977  federal government to grant such waivers prevents the
 1978  implementation of the program. If the state board CareerSource
 1979  Florida, Inc., finds that federal waivers to provisions of the
 1980  Food Assistance Program would facilitate implementation of the
 1981  program, the Department of Children and Families shall
 1982  immediately request such waivers in accordance with s. 414.175.
 1983         (3) TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES.—In order to assist
 1984  them in making the transition to economic self-sufficiency,
 1985  former recipients of temporary cash assistance participating in
 1986  the passport program shall be eligible for the following
 1987  benefits and services:
 1988         (a) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
 1989  445.030, transitional education and training support services as
 1990  specified in s. 445.030 for up to 4 years after the family is no
 1991  longer receiving temporary cash assistance;
 1992         (b) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
 1993  445.031, transitional transportation support services as
 1994  specified in s. 445.031 for up to 4 years after the family is no
 1995  longer receiving temporary cash assistance; and
 1996         (c) Notwithstanding the time period specified in s.
 1997  445.032, transitional child care as specified in s. 445.032 for
 1998  up to 4 years after the family is no longer receiving temporary
 1999  cash assistance.
 2000  
 2001  All other provisions of ss. 445.030, 445.031, and 445.032 apply
 2002  to such individuals, as appropriate. This subsection does not
 2003  constitute an entitlement to transitional benefits and services.
 2004  If funds are insufficient to provide benefits and services under
 2005  this subsection, the state board of directors of CareerSource
 2006  Florida, Inc., or its agent, may limit such benefits and
 2007  services or otherwise establish priorities for the provisions of
 2008  such benefits and services.
 2009         (4) INCENTIVES TO ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY.—
 2010         (b) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., in
 2011  cooperation with the department and the Department of Children
 2012  and Families and the Department of Economic Opportunity, shall
 2013  offer performance-based incentive bonuses as a component of the
 2014  Passport to Economic Progress program. The bonuses do not
 2015  represent a program entitlement and are contingent on achieving
 2016  specific benchmarks prescribed in the self-sufficiency plan. If
 2017  the funds appropriated for this purpose are insufficient to
 2018  provide this financial incentive, the state board of directors
 2019  of CareerSource Florida, Inc., may reduce or suspend the bonuses
 2020  in order not to exceed the appropriation or may direct the local
 2021  workforce development boards to use resources otherwise given to
 2022  the local workforce development board to pay such bonuses if
 2023  such payments comply with applicable state and federal laws.
 2024         (5) EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The state board
 2025  CareerSource Florida, Inc., in conjunction with the department,
 2026  the Department of Children and Families, the Department of
 2027  Economic Opportunity, and the local workforce development
 2028  boards, shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the
 2029  effectiveness of the program operated under this section.
 2030  Evaluations and recommendations for the program shall be
 2031  submitted by the state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., as part
 2032  of its annual report to the Legislature.
 2033         Section 29. Subsections (6), (8), and (13) of section
 2034  445.051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2035         445.051 Individual development accounts.—
 2036         (6) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 2037  establish procedures for local workforce development boards to
 2038  include in their annual program and financial plan an
 2039  application to offer an individual development account program
 2040  as part of their TANF allocation. These procedures must include,
 2041  but need not be limited to, administrative costs permitted for
 2042  the fiduciary organization and policies relative to identifying
 2043  the match ratio and limits on the deposits for which the match
 2044  will be provided in the application process. The state board
 2045  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall establish policies and
 2046  procedures necessary to ensure that funds held in an individual
 2047  development account are not withdrawn except for one or more of
 2048  the qualified purposes described in this section.
 2049         (8) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 2050  establish procedures for controlling the withdrawal of funds for
 2051  uses other than qualified purposes, including specifying
 2052  conditions under which an account must be closed.
 2053         (13) Pursuant to policy direction by the state board
 2054  CareerSource Florida, Inc., the department of Economic
 2055  Opportunity shall adopt such rules as are necessary to implement
 2056  this act.
 2057         Section 30. Subsection (2) of section 445.055, Florida
 2058  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2059         445.055 Employment advocacy and assistance program
 2060  targeting military spouses and dependents.—
 2061         (2) The state board CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall
 2062  establish an employment advocacy and assistance program
 2063  targeting military spouses and dependents. This program shall
 2064  deliver employment assistance services through military family
 2065  employment advocates colocated within selected one-stop career
 2066  centers. Persons eligible for assistance through this program
 2067  include spouses and dependents of active duty military
 2068  personnel, Florida National Guard members, and military
 2069  reservists.
 2070         Section 31. Paragraph (p) of subsection (3) of section
 2071  11.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2072         11.45 Definitions; duties; authorities; reports; rules.—
 2073         (3) AUTHORITY FOR AUDITS AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS.—The Auditor
 2074  General may, pursuant to his or her own authority, or at the
 2075  direction of the Legislative Auditing Committee, conduct audits
 2076  or other engagements as determined appropriate by the Auditor
 2077  General of:
 2078         (p) CareerSource Florida, Inc., the state board as defined
 2079  in s. 445.002, or the programs or entities created by the state
 2080  board under CareerSource Florida, Inc., created pursuant to s.
 2081  445.004.
 2082         Section 32. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
 2083  288.901, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2084         288.901 Enterprise Florida, Inc.—
 2085         (5) APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—
 2086         (a) In addition to the Governor or his or her designee, the
 2087  board of directors shall consist of the following appointed
 2088  members:
 2089         1. The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
 2090         2. The Chief Financial Officer or his or her designee.
 2091         3. The Attorney General or his or her designee.
 2092         4. The Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee.
 2093         5. The chairperson of the state board as defined in s.
 2094  445.002 board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 2095         6. The Secretary of State or his or her designee.
 2096         7. Twelve members from the private sector, six of whom
 2097  shall be appointed by the Governor, three of whom shall be
 2098  appointed by the President of the Senate, and three of whom
 2099  shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
 2100  Representatives. Members appointed by the Governor are subject
 2101  to Senate confirmation.
 2102  
 2103  All board members shall serve without compensation, but are
 2104  entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel
 2105  expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. Such expenses must be paid out
 2106  of funds of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
 2107         Section 33. Subsection (5) of section 331.369, Florida
 2108  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2109         331.369 Space Industry Workforce Initiative.—
 2110         (5) The state board as defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource
 2111  Florida, Inc., as part of its statutorily prescribed annual
 2112  report to the Legislature, shall provide recommendations for
 2113  policies, programs, and funding to enhance the workforce needs
 2114  of the aerospace industry.
 2115         Section 34. Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) and subsection
 2116  (9) of section 413.405, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2117         413.405 Florida Rehabilitation Council.—There is created
 2118  the Florida Rehabilitation Council to assist the division in the
 2119  planning and development of statewide rehabilitation programs
 2120  and services, to recommend improvements to such programs and
 2121  services, and to perform the functions listed in this section.
 2122         (1) The council shall be composed of:
 2123         (k) At least one representative of the state board as
 2124  defined in s. 445.002 board of directors of CareerSource
 2125  Florida, Inc.
 2126         (9) In addition to the other functions specified in this
 2127  section, the council shall, after consulting with the state
 2128  board as defined in s. 445.002 board of directors of
 2129  CareerSource Florida, Inc.:
 2130         (a) Review, analyze, and advise the division regarding the
 2131  performance of the responsibilities of the division under Title
 2132  I of the act, particularly responsibilities relating to:
 2133         1. Eligibility, including order of selection.
 2134         2. The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services
 2135  provided.
 2136         3. Functions performed by state agencies which affect or
 2137  potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities
 2138  to achieve employment outcomes under Title I.
 2139         (b) In partnership with the division:
 2140         1. Develop, agree to, and review state goals and priorities
 2141  in accordance with 34 C.F.R. s. 361.29(c); and
 2142         2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational
 2143  rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the
 2144  Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
 2145  of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education
 2146  in accordance with 34 C.F.R. s. 361.29(e).
 2147         (c) Advise the department and the division and assist in
 2148  the preparation of the state plan and amendments to the plan,
 2149  applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations
 2150  required by Title I.
 2151         (d) To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis
 2152  of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with:
 2153         1. The functions performed by state agencies and other
 2154  public and private entities responsible for performing functions
 2155  for individuals who have disabilities.
 2156         2. Vocational rehabilitation services:
 2157         a. Provided or paid for from funds made available under the
 2158  act or through other public or private sources.
 2159         b. Provided by state agencies and other public and private
 2160  entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation
 2161  services to individuals who have disabilities.
 2162         3. The employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals
 2163  receiving services under this part, including the availability
 2164  of health or other employment benefits in connection with those
 2165  employment outcomes.
 2166         (e) Prepare and submit an annual report on the status of
 2167  vocational rehabilitation programs in the state to the Governor,
 2168  the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
 2169  Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education
 2170  and make the report available to the public.
 2171         (f) Coordinate with other councils within Florida,
 2172  including the Florida Independent Living Council, the advisory
 2173  panel established under s. 612(a)(21) of the Individuals with
 2174  Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1412(a)(21), the State
 2175  Planning Council described in s. 124 of the Developmental
 2176  Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. s.
 2177  15024, the state mental health planning council established
 2178  under s. 1914 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. s.
 2179  300x-3, and the state board as defined in s. 445.002 board of
 2180  directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 2181         (g) Advise the department and division and provide for
 2182  coordination and the establishment of working relationships
 2183  among the department, the division, the Florida Independent
 2184  Living Council, and centers for independent living in the state.
 2185         (h) Perform other functions that are consistent with the
 2186  duties and responsibilities of the council under this section.
 2187         Section 35. Section 414.045, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2188  to read:
 2189         414.045 Cash assistance program.—Cash assistance families
 2190  include any families receiving cash assistance payments from the
 2191  state program for temporary assistance for needy families as
 2192  defined in federal law, whether such funds are from federal
 2193  funds, state funds, or commingled federal and state funds. Cash
 2194  assistance families may also include families receiving cash
 2195  assistance through a program defined as a separate state
 2196  program.
 2197         (1) For reporting purposes, families receiving cash
 2198  assistance shall be grouped into the following categories. The
 2199  department may develop additional groupings in order to comply
 2200  with federal reporting requirements, to comply with the data
 2201  reporting needs of the state board as defined in s. 445.002
 2202  board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., or to better
 2203  inform the public of program progress.
 2204         (a) Work-eligible cases.—Work-eligible cases shall include:
 2205         1. Families containing an adult or a teen head of
 2206  household, as defined by federal law. These cases are generally
 2207  subject to the work activity requirements provided in s. 445.024
 2208  and the time limitations on benefits provided in s. 414.105.
 2209         2. Families with a parent where the parent’s needs have
 2210  been removed from the case due to sanction or disqualification
 2211  shall be considered work-eligible cases to the extent that such
 2212  cases are considered in the calculation of federal participation
 2213  rates or would be counted in such calculation in future months.
 2214         3. Families participating in transition assistance
 2215  programs.
 2216         4. Families otherwise eligible for temporary cash
 2217  assistance which receive diversion services, a severance
 2218  payment, or participate in the relocation program.
 2219         (b) Child-only cases.—Child-only cases include cases that
 2220  do not have an adult or teen head of household as defined in
 2221  federal law. Such cases include:
 2222         1. Children in the care of caretaker relatives, if the
 2223  caretaker relatives choose to have their needs excluded in the
 2224  calculation of the amount of cash assistance.
 2225         2. Families in the Relative Caregiver Program as provided
 2226  in s. 39.5085.
 2227         3. Families in which the only parent in a single-parent
 2228  family or both parents in a two-parent family receive
 2229  supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under Title XVI of
 2230  the Social Security Act, as amended. To the extent permitted by
 2231  federal law, individuals receiving SSI shall be excluded as
 2232  household members in determining the amount of cash assistance,
 2233  and such cases shall not be considered families containing an
 2234  adult. Parents or caretaker relatives who are excluded from the
 2235  cash assistance group due to receipt of SSI may choose to
 2236  participate in work activities. An individual whose ability to
 2237  participate in work activities is limited who volunteers to
 2238  participate in work activities shall be assigned to work
 2239  activities consistent with such limitations. An individual who
 2240  volunteers to participate in a work activity may receive child
 2241  care or support services consistent with such participation.
 2242         4. Families in which the only parent in a single-parent
 2243  family or both parents in a two-parent family are not eligible
 2244  for cash assistance due to immigration status or other
 2245  limitation of federal law. To the extent required by federal
 2246  law, such cases shall not be considered families containing an
 2247  adult.
 2248         5. To the extent permitted by federal law and subject to
 2249  appropriations, special needs children who have been adopted
 2250  pursuant to s. 409.166 and whose adopting family qualifies as a
 2251  needy family under the state program for temporary assistance
 2252  for needy families. Notwithstanding any provision to the
 2253  contrary in s. 414.075, s. 414.085, or s. 414.095, a family
 2254  shall be considered a needy family if:
 2255         a. The family is determined by the department to have an
 2256  income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
 2257         b. The family meets the requirements of s. 414.095(2) and
 2258  (3) related to residence, citizenship, or eligible noncitizen
 2259  status; and
 2260         c. The family provides any information that may be
 2261  necessary to meet federal reporting requirements specified under
 2262  Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act.
 2263         6. Families in the Guardianship Assistance Program as
 2264  provided in s. 39.6225.
 2265  
 2266  Families described in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or
 2267  subparagraph 3. may receive child care assistance or other
 2268  supports or services so that the children may continue to be
 2269  cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. Such
 2270  assistance or services may be funded from the temporary
 2271  assistance for needy families block grant to the extent
 2272  permitted under federal law and to the extent funds have been
 2273  provided in the General Appropriations Act.
 2274         (2) Oversight by the state board as defined in s. 445.002
 2275  board of directors of CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the
 2276  service delivery and financial planning responsibilities of the
 2277  local workforce development boards apply to the families defined
 2278  as work-eligible cases in paragraph (1)(a). The department shall
 2279  be responsible for program administration related to families in
 2280  groups defined in paragraph (1)(b), and the department shall
 2281  coordinate such administration with the state board of directors
 2282  of CareerSource Florida, Inc., to the extent needed for
 2283  operation of the program.
 2284         Section 36. Subsection (2) of section 420.622, Florida
 2285  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2286         420.622 State Office on Homelessness; Council on
 2287  Homelessness.—
 2288         (2) The Council on Homelessness is created to consist of 17
 2289  representatives of public and private agencies who shall develop
 2290  policy and advise the State Office on Homelessness. The council
 2291  members shall be: the Secretary of Children and Families, or his
 2292  or her designee; the executive director of the Department of
 2293  Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee, who shall advise
 2294  the council on issues related to rural development; the State
 2295  Surgeon General, or his or her designee; the Executive Director
 2296  of Veterans’ Affairs, or his or her designee; the Secretary of
 2297  Corrections, or his or her designee; the Secretary of Health
 2298  Care Administration, or his or her designee; the Commissioner of
 2299  Education, or his or her designee; the Executive Director of
 2300  CareerSource Florida, Inc., or his or her designee; one
 2301  representative of the Florida Association of Counties; one
 2302  representative of the Florida League of Cities; one
 2303  representative of the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition; the
 2304  Executive Director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation,
 2305  or his or her designee; one representative of the Florida
 2306  Coalition for the Homeless; and four members appointed by the
 2307  Governor. The council members shall be nonpaid volunteers and
 2308  shall be reimbursed only for travel expenses. The appointed
 2309  members of the council shall be appointed to staggered 2-year
 2310  terms, and the council shall meet at least four times per year.
 2311  The importance of minority, gender, and geographic
 2312  representation shall be considered in appointing members to the
 2313  council.
 2314         Section 37. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 443.171,
 2315  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2316         443.171 Department of Economic Opportunity and commission;
 2317  powers and duties; records and reports; proceedings; state
 2318  federal cooperation.—
 2319         (1) POWERS AND DUTIES.—The Department of Economic
 2320  Opportunity shall administer this chapter. The department may
 2321  employ persons, make expenditures, require reports, conduct
 2322  investigations, and take other action necessary or suitable to
 2323  administer this chapter. The department shall annually submit
 2324  information to the state board as defined in s. 445.002
 2325  CareerSource Florida, Inc., covering the administration and
 2326  operation of this chapter during the preceding calendar year for
 2327  inclusion in the strategic plan under s. 445.006 and may make
 2328  recommendations for amendment to this chapter.
 2329         (4) EMPLOYMENT STABILIZATION.—The Department of Economic
 2330  Opportunity, under the direction of the state board as defined
 2331  in s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall take all
 2332  appropriate steps to reduce and prevent unemployment; to
 2333  encourage and assist in the adoption of practical methods of
 2334  career training, retraining, and career guidance; to
 2335  investigate, recommend, advise, and assist municipalities,
 2336  counties, school districts, and the state in the establishment
 2337  and operation of reserves for public works to be used in times
 2338  of business depression and unemployment; to promote the
 2339  reemployment of unemployed workers throughout the state in every
 2340  other way that may be feasible; to refer a claimant entitled to
 2341  extended benefits to suitable work that meets the criteria of
 2342  this chapter; and, to these ends, to carry on and publish the
 2343  results of investigations and research studies.
 2344         Section 38. Subsection (1) of section 443.181, Florida
 2345  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2346         443.181 Public employment service.—
 2347         (1) The one-stop delivery system established under s.
 2348  445.009 is this state’s public employment service as part of the
 2349  national system of public employment offices established under
 2350  29 U.S.C. s. 49. The Department of Economic Opportunity, under
 2351  policy direction from the state board as defined in s. 445.002
 2352  CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall cooperate with any official or
 2353  agency of the United States having power or duties under 29
 2354  U.S.C. ss. 49-49l-1 and shall perform those duties necessary to
 2355  secure to this state the funds provided under federal law for
 2356  the promotion and maintenance of the state’s public employment
 2357  service. In accordance with 29 U.S.C. s. 49c, this state accepts
 2358  29 U.S.C. ss. 49-49l-1. The department is designated the state
 2359  agency responsible for cooperating with the United States
 2360  Secretary of Labor under 29 U.S.C. s. 49c. The department shall
 2361  appoint sufficient employees to administer this section. The
 2362  department may cooperate with or enter into agreements with the
 2363  Railroad Retirement Board for the establishment, maintenance,
 2364  and use of one-stop career centers.
 2365         Section 39. Subsection (1) of section 446.71, Florida
 2366  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2367         446.71 Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community
 2368  Employment Training Program.—
 2369         (1) The Department of Economic Opportunity, in cooperation
 2370  with the state board as defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource
 2371  Florida, Inc., shall establish the Everglades Restoration
 2372  Agricultural Community Employment Training Program within the
 2373  Department of Economic Opportunity. The Department of Economic
 2374  Opportunity shall use funds appropriated to the program by the
 2375  Legislature to provide grants to stimulate and support training
 2376  and employment programs that seek to match persons who complete
 2377  such training programs to nonagricultural employment
 2378  opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment, and to
 2379  provide other training, educational, and information services
 2380  necessary to stimulate the creation of jobs in the areas of high
 2381  agricultural unemployment. In determining whether to provide
 2382  funds to a particular program, the Department of Economic
 2383  Opportunity shall consider the location of the program in
 2384  proximity to the program’s intended participants.
 2385         Section 40. Subsection (9) of section 1011.80, Florida
 2386  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2387         1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education
 2388  programs.—
 2389         (9) The State Board of Education and the state board as
 2390  defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall provide
 2391  the Legislature with recommended formulas, criteria, timeframes,
 2392  and mechanisms for distributing performance funds. The
 2393  commissioner shall consolidate the recommendations and develop a
 2394  consensus proposal for funding. The Legislature shall adopt a
 2395  formula and distribute the performance funds to the State Board
 2396  of Education for Florida College System institutions and school
 2397  districts through the General Appropriations Act. These
 2398  recommendations shall be based on formulas that would discourage
 2399  low-performing or low-demand programs and encourage through
 2400  performance-funding awards:
 2401         (a) Programs that prepare people to enter high-wage
 2402  occupations identified by the Workforce Estimating Conference
 2403  created by s. 216.136 and other programs as approved by the
 2404  state board as defined in s. 445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 2405  At a minimum, performance incentives shall be calculated for
 2406  adults who reach completion points or complete programs that
 2407  lead to specified high-wage employment and to their placement in
 2408  that employment.
 2409         (b) Programs that successfully prepare adults who are
 2410  eligible for public assistance, economically disadvantaged,
 2411  disabled, not proficient in English, or dislocated workers for
 2412  high-wage occupations. At a minimum, performance incentives
 2413  shall be calculated at an enhanced value for the completion of
 2414  adults identified in this paragraph and job placement of such
 2415  adults upon completion. In addition, adjustments may be made in
 2416  payments for job placements for areas of high unemployment.
 2417         (c) Programs that are specifically designed to be
 2418  consistent with the workforce needs of private enterprise and
 2419  regional economic development strategies, as defined in
 2420  guidelines set by the state board as defined in s. 445.002
 2421  CareerSource Florida, Inc. The state board as defined in s.
 2422  445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall develop guidelines to
 2423  identify such needs and strategies based on localized research
 2424  of private employers and economic development practitioners.
 2425         (d) Programs identified by the state board as defined in s.
 2426  445.002 CareerSource Florida, Inc., as increasing the
 2427  effectiveness and cost efficiency of education.
 2428         Section 41. Subsection (3) of section 1011.801, Florida
 2429  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2430         1011.801 Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive
 2431  Grant Program.—The Legislature recognizes that the need for
 2432  school districts and Florida College System institutions to be
 2433  able to respond to emerging local or statewide economic
 2434  development needs is critical to the workforce development
 2435  system. The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant
 2436  Program is created to provide grants to school districts and
 2437  Florida College System institutions on a competitive basis to
 2438  fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or
 2439  expansion of workforce development programs that serve specific
 2440  employment workforce needs.
 2441         (3) The State Board of Education shall give highest
 2442  priority to programs that train people to enter high-skill,
 2443  high-wage occupations identified by the Workforce Estimating
 2444  Conference and other programs approved by the state board as
 2445  defined in s. 445.002, CareerSource Florida, Inc.; programs that
 2446  train people to enter occupations under the welfare transition
 2447  program,; or programs that train for the workforce adults who
 2448  are eligible for public assistance, economically disadvantaged,
 2449  disabled, not proficient in English, or dislocated workers. The
 2450  State Board of Education shall consider the statewide geographic
 2451  dispersion of grant funds in ranking the applications and shall
 2452  give priority to applications from education agencies that are
 2453  making maximum use of their workforce development funding by
 2454  offering high-performing, high-demand programs.
 2455         Section 42. This act shall take effect July 1, 2020.