Florida Senate - 2025                          SENATOR AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 994, 1st Eng.
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì689718WÎ689718                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
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                Floor: 1/AD/RM         .           Floor: RC            
             04/30/2025 07:53 PM       .      05/01/2025 02:21 PM       
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       Senators Simon and Collins moved the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment to House Amendment (746171) (with title
    2  amendment)
    3  
    4         Delete lines 5 - 24
    5  and insert:
    6         Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and paragraph
    7  (c) of subsection (10) of section 20.60, Florida Statutes, are
    8  amended, and paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of that section is
    9  reenacted, to read:
   10         20.60 Department of Commerce; creation; powers and duties.—
   11         (3)(a) The following divisions and offices of the
   12  Department of Commerce are established:
   13         1. The Division of Economic Development.
   14         2. The Division of Community Development.
   15         3. The Division of Workforce Services.
   16         4. The Division of Finance and Administration.
   17         5. The Division of Information Technology.
   18         6. The Office of the Secretary.
   19         7. The Office of Rural Prosperity.
   20         8. The Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency,
   21  which shall:
   22         a. Oversee the department’s critical objectives as
   23  determined by the secretary and make sure that the department’s
   24  key objectives are clearly communicated to the public.
   25         b. Organize department resources, expertise, data, and
   26  research to focus on and solve the complex economic challenges
   27  facing the state.
   28         c. Provide leadership for the department’s priority issues
   29  that require integration of policy, management, and critical
   30  objectives from multiple programs and organizations internal and
   31  external to the department; and organize and manage external
   32  communication on such priority issues.
   33         d. Promote and facilitate key department initiatives to
   34  address priority economic issues and explore data and identify
   35  opportunities for innovative approaches to address such economic
   36  issues.
   37         e. Promote strategic planning for the department.
   38         (5) The divisions within the department have specific
   39  responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and
   40  goals of the department. Specifically:
   41         (a) The Division of Economic Development shall:
   42         1. Analyze and evaluate business prospects identified by
   43  the Governor and the secretary.
   44         2. Administer certain tax refund, tax credit, and grant
   45  programs created in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of
   46  law, the department may expend interest earned from the
   47  investment of program funds deposited in the Grants and
   48  Donations Trust Fund to contract for the administration of those
   49  programs, or portions of the programs, assigned to the
   50  department by law, by the appropriations process, or by the
   51  Governor. Such expenditures shall be subject to review under
   52  chapter 216.
   53         3. Develop measurement protocols for the state incentive
   54  programs and for the contracted entities which will be used to
   55  determine their performance and competitive value to the state.
   56  Performance measures, benchmarks, and sanctions must be
   57  developed in consultation with the legislative appropriations
   58  committees and the appropriate substantive committees, and are
   59  subject to the review and approval process provided in s.
   60  216.177. The approved performance measures, standards, and
   61  sanctions shall be included and made a part of the strategic
   62  plan for contracts entered into for delivery of programs
   63  authorized by this section.
   64         4. Develop a 5-year statewide strategic plan. The strategic
   65  plan must include, but need not be limited to:
   66         a. Strategies for the promotion of business formation,
   67  expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive
   68  marketing, attraction of venture capital and finance
   69  development, domestic trade, international development, and
   70  export assistance, which lead to more and better jobs and higher
   71  wages for all geographic regions, disadvantaged communities, and
   72  populations of the state, including rural areas, minority
   73  businesses, and urban core areas.
   74         b. The development of realistic policies and programs to
   75  further the economic diversity of the state, its regions, and
   76  their associated industrial clusters.
   77         c. Specific provisions for the stimulation of economic
   78  development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities
   79  and counties of the state, including strategies for rural
   80  marketing and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.
   81         d. Provisions for the promotion of the successful long-term
   82  economic development of the state with increased emphasis in
   83  market research and information.
   84         e. Plans for the generation of foreign investment in the
   85  state which create jobs paying above-average wages and which
   86  result in reverse investment in the state, including programs
   87  that establish viable overseas markets, assist in meeting the
   88  financing requirements of export-ready firms, broaden
   89  opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use
   90  the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate
   91  trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate
   92  availability of and access to education and training programs
   93  that assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to
   94  compete successfully in the global marketplace.
   95         f. The identification of business sectors that are of
   96  current or future importance to the state’s economy and to the
   97  state’s global business image, and development of specific
   98  strategies to promote the development of such sectors.
   99         g. Strategies for talent development necessary in the state
  100  to encourage economic development growth, taking into account
  101  factors such as the state’s talent supply chain, education and
  102  training opportunities, and available workforce.
  103         h. Strategies and plans to support this state’s defense,
  104  space, and aerospace industries and the emerging complementary
  105  business activities and industries that support the development
  106  and growth of defense, space, and aerospace in this state.
  107         5. Update the strategic plan every 5 years.
  108         6. Involve CareerSource Florida, Inc.; direct-support
  109  organizations of the department; local governments; the general
  110  public; local and regional economic development organizations;
  111  other local, state, and federal economic, international, and
  112  workforce development entities; the business community; and
  113  educational institutions to assist with the strategic plan.
  114         7. Coordinate with the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
  115  Corporation in the development of the 4-year marketing plan
  116  pursuant to s. 288.1226(13).
  117         8. Administer and manage relationships, as appropriate,
  118  with the entities and programs created pursuant to the Florida
  119  Capital Formation Act, ss. 288.9621-288.96255.
  120         (10) The department shall, by November 1 of each year,
  121  submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the
  122  Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the
  123  condition of the business climate and economic development in
  124  the state.
  125         (c) The report must incorporate annual reports of other
  126  programs, including:
  127         1. A detailed report of the performance of the Black
  128  Business Loan Program and a cumulative summary of quarterly
  129  report data required under s. 288.714.
  130         2. The Rural Economic Development Initiative established
  131  under s. 288.0656.
  132         3. A detailed report of the performance of the Florida
  133  Development Finance Corporation and a summary of the
  134  corporation’s report required under s. 288.9610.
  135         3.4. Information provided by Space Florida under s.
  136  331.3051 and an analysis of the activities and accomplishments
  137  of Space Florida.
  138         Section 2. Subsection (5) is added to section 163.3168,
  139  Florida Statutes, to read:
  140         163.3168 Planning innovations and technical assistance.—
  141         (5) When selecting applications for funding for technical
  142  assistance, the state land planning agency shall give preference
  143  to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity as
  144  defined in s. 288.0656. The state land planning agency shall
  145  consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity when awarding
  146  funding pursuant to this section.
  147         Section 3. Paragraph (i) is added to subsection (4) of
  148  section 201.15, Florida Statutes, to read:
  149         201.15 Distribution of taxes collected.—All taxes collected
  150  under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be first made
  151  available to make payments when due on bonds issued pursuant to
  152  s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds authorized to be
  153  issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such pledge and
  154  availability for the payment of these bonds shall have priority
  155  over any requirement for the costs of collection and enforcement
  156  under this section. Before distribution pursuant to this
  157  section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts
  158  necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of
  159  the tax levied by this chapter. The costs may not be levied
  160  against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to
  161  the extent that the costs are required to pay any amounts
  162  relating to the bonds. All of the costs of the collection and
  163  enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter shall be available
  164  and transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and
  165  any other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized
  166  before January 1, 2017, secured by revenues distributed pursuant
  167  to this section. All taxes remaining after deduction of costs
  168  shall be distributed as follows:
  169         (4) After the required distributions to the Land
  170  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), the
  171  lesser of 8 percent of the remainder or $150 million in each
  172  fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit
  173  of the State Housing Trust Fund and shall be expended pursuant
  174  to s. 420.50871. If 8 percent of the remainder is greater than
  175  $150 million in any fiscal year, the difference between 8
  176  percent of the remainder and $150 million shall be paid into the
  177  State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund. The
  178  remainder shall be distributed as follows:
  179         (i) A total of $30 million shall be paid to the credit of
  180  the State Transportation Trust Fund, which funds are exclusively
  181  for the use of the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program
  182  as provided in s. 339.68.
  183         Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  184  202.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  185         202.18 Allocation and disposition of tax proceeds.—The
  186  proceeds of the communications services taxes remitted under
  187  this chapter shall be treated as follows:
  188         (2) The proceeds of the taxes remitted under s.
  189  202.12(1)(b) shall be allocated as follows:
  190         (c)1. After the distribution required under paragraph (b),
  191  the remainder During each calendar year, the remaining portion
  192  of the proceeds shall be transferred to the Local Government
  193  Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund. Seventy percent of such
  194  proceeds shall be and allocated in the same proportion as the
  195  allocation of total receipts of the half-cent sales tax under s.
  196  218.61 and the emergency distribution under s. 218.65 in the
  197  prior state fiscal year. Thirty percent of such proceeds shall
  198  be distributed pursuant to s. 218.67.
  199         2. The proportion of the proceeds allocated based on the
  200  emergency distribution under s. 218.65 shall be distributed
  201  pursuant to s. 218.65.
  202         3. In each calendar year, the proportion of the proceeds
  203  allocated based on the half-cent sales tax under s. 218.61 shall
  204  be allocated to each county in the same proportion as the
  205  county’s percentage of total sales tax allocation for the prior
  206  state fiscal year and distributed pursuant to s. 218.62.
  207         4. The department shall distribute the appropriate amount
  208  to each municipality and county each month at the same time that
  209  local communications services taxes are distributed pursuant to
  210  subsection (3).
  211         Section 5. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
  212  212.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  213         212.20 Funds collected, disposition; additional powers of
  214  department; operational expense; refund of taxes adjudicated
  215  unconstitutionally collected.—
  216         (6) Distribution of all proceeds under this chapter and ss.
  217  202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) and 203.01(1)(a)3. is as follows:
  218         (d) The proceeds of all other taxes and fees imposed
  219  pursuant to this chapter or remitted pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b)
  220  and (2)(b) shall be distributed as follows:
  221         1. In any fiscal year, the greater of $500 million, minus
  222  an amount equal to 4.6 percent of the proceeds of the taxes
  223  collected pursuant to chapter 201, or 5.2 percent of all other
  224  taxes and fees imposed pursuant to this chapter or remitted
  225  pursuant to s. 202.18(1)(b) and (2)(b) shall be deposited in
  226  monthly installments into the General Revenue Fund.
  227         2. After the distribution under subparagraph 1., 8.9744
  228  percent of the amount remitted by a sales tax dealer located
  229  within a participating county pursuant to s. 218.61 shall be
  230  transferred into the Local Government Half-cent Sales Tax
  231  Clearing Trust Fund. Beginning July 1, 2003, the amount to be
  232  transferred shall be reduced by 0.1 percent, and the department
  233  shall distribute this amount to the Public Employees Relations
  234  Commission Trust Fund less $5,000 each month, which shall be
  235  added to the amount calculated in subparagraph 3. and
  236  distributed accordingly.
  237         3. After the distribution under subparagraphs 1. and 2.,
  238  0.0966 percent shall be transferred to the Local Government
  239  Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund and distributed pursuant
  240  to s. 218.65.
  241         4. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
  242  3., 2.0810 percent of the available proceeds shall be
  243  transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
  244  Counties pursuant to s. 218.215.
  245         5. After the distributions under subparagraphs 1., 2., and
  246  3., 1.3653 percent of the available proceeds shall be
  247  transferred monthly to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
  248  Municipalities pursuant to s. 218.215. If the total revenue to
  249  be distributed pursuant to this subparagraph is at least as
  250  great as the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
  251  Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
  252  Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, no municipality shall
  253  receive less than the amount due from the Revenue Sharing Trust
  254  Fund for Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial
  255  Assistance Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000. If the
  256  total proceeds to be distributed are less than the amount
  257  received in combination from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for
  258  Municipalities and the former Municipal Financial Assistance
  259  Trust Fund in state fiscal year 1999-2000, each municipality
  260  shall receive an amount proportionate to the amount it was due
  261  in state fiscal year 1999-2000.
  262         6. After the distributions required under subparagraphs 1.
  263  5., the greater of $50 million or 0.1438 percent of the
  264  available proceeds shall be transferred in each fiscal year to
  265  fiscally constrained counties pursuant to s. 218.67.
  266         7. Of the remaining proceeds:
  267         a. In each fiscal year, the sum of $29,915,500 shall be
  268  divided into as many equal parts as there are counties in the
  269  state, and one part shall be distributed to each county. The
  270  distribution among the several counties must begin each fiscal
  271  year on or before January 5th and continue monthly for a total
  272  of 4 months. If a local or special law required that any moneys
  273  accruing to a county in fiscal year 1999-2000 under the then
  274  existing provisions of s. 550.135 be paid directly to the
  275  district school board, special district, or a municipal
  276  government, such payment must continue until the local or
  277  special law is amended or repealed. The state covenants with
  278  holders of bonds or other instruments of indebtedness issued by
  279  local governments, special districts, or district school boards
  280  before July 1, 2000, that it is not the intent of this
  281  subparagraph to adversely affect the rights of those holders or
  282  relieve local governments, special districts, or district school
  283  boards of the duty to meet their obligations as a result of
  284  previous pledges or assignments or trusts entered into which
  285  obligated funds received from the distribution to county
  286  governments under then-existing s. 550.135. This distribution
  287  specifically is in lieu of funds distributed under s. 550.135
  288  before July 1, 2000.
  289         b. The department shall distribute $166,667 monthly to each
  290  applicant certified as a facility for a new or retained
  291  professional sports franchise pursuant to s. 288.1162. Up to
  292  $41,667 shall be distributed monthly by the department to each
  293  certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11621 for a facility
  294  for a spring training franchise. However, not more than $416,670
  295  may be distributed monthly in the aggregate to all certified
  296  applicants for facilities for spring training franchises.
  297  Distributions begin 60 days after such certification and
  298  continue for not more than 30 years, except as otherwise
  299  provided in s. 288.11621. A certified applicant identified in
  300  this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in distributions than
  301  expended by the applicant for the public purposes provided in s.
  302  288.1162(5) or s. 288.11621(3).
  303         c. The department shall distribute up to $83,333 monthly to
  304  each certified applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a
  305  facility used by a single spring training franchise, or up to
  306  $166,667 monthly to each certified applicant as defined in s.
  307  288.11631 for a facility used by more than one spring training
  308  franchise. Monthly distributions begin 60 days after such
  309  certification or July 1, 2016, whichever is later, and continue
  310  for not more than 20 years to each certified applicant as
  311  defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by a single spring
  312  training franchise or not more than 25 years to each certified
  313  applicant as defined in s. 288.11631 for a facility used by more
  314  than one spring training franchise. A certified applicant
  315  identified in this sub-subparagraph may not receive more in
  316  distributions than expended by the applicant for the public
  317  purposes provided in s. 288.11631(3).
  318         d. The department shall distribute $15,333 monthly to the
  319  State Transportation Trust Fund.
  320         e.(I) On or before July 25, 2021, August 25, 2021, and
  321  September 25, 2021, the department shall distribute $324,533,334
  322  in each of those months to the Unemployment Compensation Trust
  323  Fund, less an adjustment for refunds issued from the General
  324  Revenue Fund pursuant to s. 443.131(3)(e)3. before making the
  325  distribution. The adjustments made by the department to the
  326  total distributions shall be equal to the total refunds made
  327  pursuant to s. 443.131(3)(e)3. If the amount of refunds to be
  328  subtracted from any single distribution exceeds the
  329  distribution, the department may not make that distribution and
  330  must subtract the remaining balance from the next distribution.
  331         (II) Beginning July 2022, and on or before the 25th day of
  332  each month, the department shall distribute $90 million monthly
  333  to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
  334         (III) If the ending balance of the Unemployment
  335  Compensation Trust Fund exceeds $4,071,519,600 on the last day
  336  of any month, as determined from United States Department of the
  337  Treasury data, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research
  338  shall certify to the department that the ending balance of the
  339  trust fund exceeds such amount.
  340         (IV) This sub-subparagraph is repealed, and the department
  341  shall end monthly distributions under sub-sub-subparagraph (II),
  342  on the date the department receives certification under sub-sub
  343  subparagraph (III).
  344         f. Beginning July 1, 2023, in each fiscal year, the
  345  department shall distribute $27.5 million to the Florida
  346  Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust Fund under s. 571.26,
  347  for further distribution in accordance with s. 571.265.
  348         8.7. All other proceeds must remain in the General Revenue
  349  Fund.
  350         Section 6. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section
  351  215.971, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  352         215.971 Agreements funded with federal or state
  353  assistance.—
  354         (1) An agency agreement that provides state financial
  355  assistance to a recipient or subrecipient, as those terms are
  356  defined in s. 215.97, or that provides federal financial
  357  assistance to a subrecipient, as defined by applicable United
  358  States Office of Management and Budget circulars, must include
  359  all of the following:
  360         (h)1. If the agency agreement provides federal or state
  361  financial assistance to a county or municipality that is a rural
  362  community or rural area of opportunity as those terms are
  363  defined in s. 288.0656(2), a provision allowing the agency to
  364  provide for the payment of invoices to the county, municipality,
  365  or rural area of opportunity as that term is defined in s.
  366  288.0656(2), for verified and eligible performance that has been
  367  completed in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
  368  in the agreement. This provision is not intended to require
  369  reimbursement to the county, municipality, or rural area of
  370  opportunity for invoices paid, but to allow the agency to
  371  provide for the payment of invoices due. The agency shall
  372  expedite such payment requests in order to facilitate the timely
  373  payment of invoices received by the county, municipality, or
  374  rural area of opportunity. This provision is included to
  375  alleviate the financial hardships that certain rural counties
  376  and municipalities encounter when administering agreements, and
  377  must be exercised by the agency when a county or municipality
  378  demonstrates financial hardship, to the extent that federal or
  379  state law, rule, or other regulation allows such payments. This
  380  paragraph may not be construed to alter or limit any other
  381  provisions of federal or state law, rule, or other regulation.
  382         2. By August 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, each state
  383  agency shall report to the Office of Rural Prosperity
  384  summarizing the implementation of this paragraph for the
  385  preceding fiscal year. The Office of Rural Prosperity shall
  386  summarize the information received pursuant to this paragraph in
  387  its annual report as required in s. 288.013.
  388         Section 7. Section 218.67, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  389  read:
  390         218.67 Distribution for fiscally constrained counties.—
  391         (1) Each county that is entirely within a rural area of
  392  opportunity as designated by the Governor pursuant to s.
  393  288.0656 or each county for which the value of a mill will raise
  394  no more than $10 $5 million in revenue, based on the taxable
  395  value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., from the
  396  previous July 1, shall be considered a fiscally constrained
  397  county.
  398         (2) Each fiscally constrained county government that
  399  participates in the local government half-cent sales tax shall
  400  be eligible to receive an additional distribution from the Local
  401  Government Half-cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust Fund, as provided
  402  in s. 212.20(6)(d)6. s. 202.18(2)(c)1., in addition to its
  403  regular monthly distribution provided under this part and any
  404  emergency or supplemental distribution under s. 218.65.
  405         (3) The amount to be distributed to each fiscally
  406  constrained county shall be determined by the Department of
  407  Revenue at the beginning of the fiscal year, using the prior
  408  fiscal year’s sales and use tax collections from the most recent
  409  fiscal year that reports 12 months of collections July 1 taxable
  410  value certified pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1.a., tax data,
  411  population as defined in s. 218.21, and the most current
  412  calendar year per capita personal income published by the Bureau
  413  of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce
  414  millage rate levied for the prior fiscal year. The amount
  415  distributed shall be allocated based upon the following factors:
  416         (a) The contribution-to-revenue relative revenue-raising
  417  capacity factor for each participating county shall equal 100
  418  multiplied by a quotient, the numerator of which is the county’s
  419  population and the denominator of which is the state sales and
  420  use tax collections attributable to the county be the ability of
  421  the eligible county to generate ad valorem revenues from 1 mill
  422  of taxation on a per capita basis. A county that raises no more
  423  than $25 per capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 1;
  424  a county that raises more than $25 but no more than $30 per
  425  capita from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 0.75; and a
  426  county that raises more than $30 but no more than $50 per capita
  427  from 1 mill shall be assigned a value of 0.5. No value shall be
  428  assigned to counties that raise more than $50 per capita from 1
  429  mill of ad valorem taxation.
  430         (b) The personal-income local-effort factor shall equal a
  431  quotient, the numerator of which is the median per capita
  432  personal income of participating counties and the denominator of
  433  which is the county’s per capita personal income be a measure of
  434  the relative level of local effort of the eligible county as
  435  indicated by the millage rate levied for the prior fiscal year.
  436  The local-effort factor shall be the most recently adopted
  437  countywide operating millage rate for each eligible county
  438  multiplied by 0.1.
  439         (c) Each eligible county’s proportional allocation of the
  440  total amount available to be distributed to all of the eligible
  441  counties shall be in the same proportion as the sum of the
  442  county’s two factors is to the sum of the two factors for all
  443  eligible counties. The proportional rate computation must be
  444  carried to the fifth decimal place, and the amount to distribute
  445  to each county must be rounded to the next whole dollar amount.
  446  The counties that are eligible to receive an allocation under
  447  this subsection and the amount available to be distributed to
  448  such counties do shall not include counties participating in the
  449  phaseout period under subsection (4) or the amounts they remain
  450  eligible to receive during the phaseout.
  451         (4) For those counties that no longer qualify under the
  452  requirements of subsection (1) after the effective date of this
  453  act, there shall be a 2-year phaseout period. Beginning on July
  454  1 of the year following the year in which the value of a mill
  455  for that county exceeds $10 $5 million in revenue, the county
  456  shall receive two-thirds of the amount received in the prior
  457  year, and beginning on July 1 of the second year following the
  458  year in which the value of a mill for that county exceeds $10 $5
  459  million in revenue, the county shall receive one-third of the
  460  amount received in the last year that the county qualified as a
  461  fiscally constrained county. Following the 2-year phaseout
  462  period, the county is shall no longer be eligible to receive any
  463  distributions under this section unless the county can be
  464  considered a fiscally constrained county as provided in
  465  subsection (1).
  466         (5)(a) The revenues received under this section must be
  467  allocated may be used by a county to be used for the following
  468  purposes:
  469         1.Fifty percent for public safety, including salary
  470  expenditures for law enforcement officers or correctional
  471  officers, as those terms are defined in s. 943.10(1) and (2),
  472  respectively, firefighters as defined in s. 633.102, or
  473  emergency medical technicians or paramedics as those terms are
  474  defined in s. 401.23.
  475         2.Thirty percent for infrastructure needs.
  476         3.Twenty percent for any public purpose.
  477         (b) The revenues received under this section any public
  478  purpose, except that such revenues may not be used to pay debt
  479  service on bonds, notes, certificates of participation, or any
  480  other forms of indebtedness.
  481         Section 8. Subsection (6) is added to section 288.0001,
  482  Florida Statutes, to read:
  483         288.0001 Economic Development Programs Evaluation.—The
  484  Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of
  485  Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
  486  shall develop and present to the Governor, the President of the
  487  Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
  488  chairs of the legislative appropriations committees the Economic
  489  Development Programs Evaluation.
  490         (6)(a) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  491  OPPAGA shall prepare a report on the impact of the Florida
  492  Statutes on rural communities. Specifically, the report must
  493  include the following:
  494         1. A review of definitions in the Florida Statutes of terms
  495  such as “rural community,” “rural area of opportunity,” and
  496  other similar terms used to define rural areas of this state,
  497  including population-based references, to assess the adequacy of
  498  the current statutory framework in defining these areas. The
  499  analysis must include, but need not be limited to:
  500         a. Evaluation of whether current provisions properly
  501  distinguish these communities or areas from more urban and
  502  suburban parts of this state;
  503         b. Consideration of updates to the definitions and
  504  references to classify additional rural areas, such as growing
  505  communities, unincorporated areas, or rural communities by
  506  design; and
  507         c.Study of appropriate metrics to be used to describe
  508  rural communities or areas, such as population, geographic,
  509  demographic, or other metrics, or combinations thereof.
  510         2.A survey of local governments meeting the statutory
  511  definition of “rural community” or “rural area of opportunity”
  512  to assess the benefits to the local government of being
  513  identified as such and any perceived unmet needs in the
  514  implementation of current statutory provisions designed to
  515  support rural communities or areas.
  516         3.An analysis of state grant programs and recurring
  517  appropriations that explicitly benefit rural communities or
  518  areas, including, but not limited to, program purpose, funding
  519  amounts, participation rates, and consistency with peer-reviewed
  520  studies on effective economic programs for these areas.
  521         (b) Upon request, the Office of Economic and Demographic
  522  Research and OPPAGA must be provided with all data necessary to
  523  complete the report, including any confidential data, by any
  524  entity with information related to this review. The offices may
  525  collaborate on all data collection and analysis.
  526         (c) The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and
  527  OPPAGA shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and
  528  the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31,
  529  2025. The report must provide recommendations to address any
  530  findings, including any changes in statutory definitions or
  531  references to rural communities or areas, opportunities to
  532  enhance state support to rural communities or areas, outcome
  533  measures or other criteria that may be used to examine the
  534  effectiveness of state grant programs for rural communities or
  535  areas, and adjustments to program design, including changes to
  536  increase participation in state grant programs for rural
  537  communities or areas.
  538         (d) This subsection expires July 1, 2026.
  539         Section 9. Present paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (7)
  540  of section 288.001, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
  541  paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, and a new paragraph (d) is
  542  added to that subsection, to read:
  543         288.001 The Florida Small Business Development Center
  544  Network.—
  545         (7) ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS; USES; PAY-PER-PERFORMANCE
  546  INCENTIVES; STATEWIDE SERVICE; SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS; BEST
  547  PRACTICES; ELIGIBILITY.—
  548         (d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the
  549  network shall use funds directly appropriated for the specific
  550  purpose of expanding service in rural communities, as defined in
  551  s. 288.0656, in addition to any funds allocated by the network
  552  from other sources. The network shall use the funds to develop
  553  an activity plan focused on network consultants and resources in
  554  rural communities. In collaboration with regional economic
  555  development organizations as defined in s. 288.018, the plan
  556  must provide for either full- or part-time consultants to be
  557  available for at least 20 hours per week in rural areas or be
  558  permanently stationed in rural areas. This may include
  559  establishing a circuit in specific rural locations to ensure the
  560  consultants’ availability on a regular basis. By using the funds
  561  to create a regular presence in rural areas, the network can
  562  strengthen community collaboration, raise awareness of available
  563  resources to provide opportunities for new business development
  564  or existing business growth, and make professional experience,
  565  education, and business information available in these essential
  566  communities. The network may dedicate funds to facilitate local
  567  or regional events that focus on small business topics, provide
  568  consulting services, and leverage partner organizations, such as
  569  the regional economic development organizations, local workforce
  570  development boards as described in s. 445.07, and Florida
  571  College System institutions.
  572         Section 10. Section 288.007, Florida Statutes, is amended
  573  to read:
  574         288.007 Inventory of communities seeking to recruit
  575  businesses.—By September 30 of each year, a county or
  576  municipality that has a population of at least 25,000 or its
  577  local economic development organization, and each local
  578  government within a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
  579  288.0656 or its local economic development organization, shall
  580  must submit to the department a brief overview of the strengths,
  581  services, and economic development incentives that its community
  582  offers. The local government or its local economic development
  583  organization also shall must identify any industries that it is
  584  encouraging to locate or relocate to its area. Unless otherwise
  585  required pursuant to this section, a county or municipality
  586  having a population of 25,000 or less fewer or its local
  587  economic development organization seeking to recruit businesses
  588  may submit information as required in this section and may
  589  participate in any activity or initiative resulting from the
  590  collection, analysis, and reporting of the information to the
  591  department pursuant to this section.
  592         Section 11. Section 288.013, Florida Statutes, is created
  593  to read:
  594         288.013 Office of Rural Prosperity.—
  595         (1)The Legislature finds that the unique characteristics
  596  and nature of the rural communities in this state are integral
  597  to making this state an attractive place to visit, work, and
  598  live. Further, the Legislature finds that building a prosperous
  599  rural economy and vibrant rural communities is in the best
  600  interest of this state. Rural prosperity is integral to
  601  supporting this state’s infrastructure, housing, and
  602  agricultural and food-processing needs, as well as promoting the
  603  health and advancement of the overall economy of this state. It
  604  is of importance to the state that its rural areas are able to
  605  grow, whether locally or in regional partnerships. To better
  606  serve rural communities, and in recognition of rural Florida’s
  607  unique challenges and opportunities, the Office of Rural
  608  Prosperity is established to ensure these efforts are
  609  coordinated, focused, and effective.
  610         (2)The Office of Rural Prosperity is created within the
  611  Department of Commerce for the purpose of supporting rural
  612  communities by helping rural stakeholders navigate available
  613  programs and resources and representing rural interests across
  614  state government.
  615         (3)The Governor shall appoint a director to lead the
  616  office, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director
  617  shall report to the secretary of the department and shall serve
  618  at the pleasure of the secretary.
  619         (4)The office shall do all of the following:
  620         (a)Serve as the state’s point of contact for rural local
  621  governments.
  622         (b)Administer the Rural Economic Development Initiative
  623  (REDI) pursuant to s. 288.0656.
  624         (c)Provide training and technical assistance to rural
  625  local governments on a broad range of community and economic
  626  development activities. The training and technical assistance
  627  may be offered using communications technology or in person and
  628  must be recorded and posted to the office’s website. The
  629  training and technical assistance must include, at a minimum,
  630  the following topics:
  631         1. How to access state and federal resources, including
  632  training on the online rural resource directory required under
  633  paragraph (d).
  634         2.Best practices relating to comprehensive planning,
  635  economic development, and land development in rural communities.
  636         3.Strategies to address management and administrative
  637  capacity challenges unique to rural local governments.
  638         4.Requirements of, and updates on recent changes to, the
  639  Community Planning Act under s. 163.3161.
  640         5.Updates on other recent state and federal laws affecting
  641  rural local governments.
  642         (d)Create and maintain an online rural resource directory
  643  to serve as an interactive tool to navigate the various state
  644  and federal resources, tools, and services available to rural
  645  local governments. The office shall regularly maintain the
  646  resource directory and, to the greatest extent possible, include
  647  up-to-date information on state and federal programs, resources,
  648  tools, and services that address the needs of rural communities
  649  in all areas of governance. Each state agency shall routinely
  650  provide information and updates to the office for maintenance of
  651  the resource directory. The resource directory must allow users
  652  to search by indicators, such as agency name, resource type, or
  653  topic, and include a notification function to allow users to
  654  receive alerts when new or modified resources are available. To
  655  the greatest extent possible, the resource directory must
  656  include information on financial match requirements for the
  657  state and federal programs listed in the directory.
  658         (5)(a)By October 1, 2025, the office shall establish and
  659  staff seven regional rural community liaison centers across this
  660  state for the purpose of providing specialized in-person state
  661  support to local governments in rural areas of opportunity as
  662  defined in s. 288.0656. The department shall by rule divide this
  663  state into seven regions and assign a regional rural community
  664  liaison center to each region. Each liaison center shall support
  665  the local governments within its geographic territory and shall
  666  be staffed with at least two full-time department personnel. At
  667  a minimum, liaison centers shall have the following powers,
  668  duties, and functions:
  669         1.Work with local governments to plan and achieve goals
  670  for local or regional growth, economic development, and rural
  671  prosperity.
  672         2.Facilitate local government access to state and federal
  673  resources, such as grants, loans, and other aid or resources.
  674         3.Advise local governments on available waivers of program
  675  requirements, including financial match waivers or reductions,
  676  for projects using state or federal funds through the Rural
  677  Economic Development Initiative under s. 288.0656.
  678         4.Coordinate local government technical assistance needs
  679  with the department and other state or federal agencies.
  680         5.Promote model ordinances, policies, and strategies
  681  related to economic development.
  682         6.Assist local governments with regulatory and reporting
  683  compliance.
  684         (b)To the greatest extent possible, the regional rural
  685  community liaison centers shall coordinate with local and
  686  regional governmental entities, regional economic development
  687  organizations as defined in s. 288.018, and other appropriate
  688  entities to establish a network to foster community-driven
  689  solutions that promote viable and sustainable rural communities.
  690         (c)The regional rural community liaison centers shall
  691  regularly engage with the Rural Economic Development Initiative
  692  established in s. 288.0656, and at least one staff member from
  693  each liaison center shall attend, either in person or by means
  694  of electronic communication, the monthly meetings required by s.
  695  288.0656(6)(c).
  696         (6)By December 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the
  697  director of the office shall submit to the Administration
  698  Commission in the Executive Office of the Governor a written
  699  report describing the office’s operations and accomplishments
  700  for the preceding year, inclusive of the Rural Economic
  701  Development Initiative report required by s. 288.0656(8). In
  702  consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
  703  Services, the office shall also include in the annual report
  704  recommendations for policies, programs, and funding to further
  705  support the needs of rural communities in this state. The office
  706  shall submit the annual report to the President of the Senate
  707  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of
  708  each year and publish the annual report on the office’s website.
  709  The director shall present, in person at the next scheduled
  710  Administration Commission meeting, detailed information from the
  711  annual report required by this subsection.
  712         (7)(a)The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
  713  Accountability (OPPAGA) shall review the effectiveness of the
  714  office by December 15, 2026, and each year thereafter until
  715  2028. Beginning in 2029, OPPAGA shall review and evaluate the
  716  office every 3 years and shall submit a report based on its
  717  findings. Each report must recommend policy and statutory
  718  modifications for consideration by the Legislature. OPPAGA shall
  719  submit each report to the President of the Senate and the
  720  Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to the
  721  schedule.
  722         (b)OPPAGA shall review strategies implemented by other
  723  states on rural community preservation, enhancement, and
  724  revitalization and report on their effectiveness and potential
  725  for implementation in this state. OPPAGA shall include its
  726  findings in its report to the President of the Senate and the
  727  Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 15, 2027,
  728  and every 3 years thereafter.
  729         (c)1.OPPAGA shall review each state-funded or state
  730  administered grant and loan program available to local
  731  governments to:
  732         a.Identify any specified local government financial match
  733  requirements and whether any portion of a match may be waived or
  734  is required to be waived, pursuant to law, and programs where a
  735  financial match waiver may be appropriate for rural local
  736  government applicants, if not contemplated by law.
  737         b.Identify grant and loan application evaluation criteria,
  738  including scoring procedures, for programs that may be perceived
  739  to be overly burdensome for rural local government applicants,
  740  and whether special accommodations or preferences for rural
  741  local governments may be appropriate.
  742         2.OPPAGA shall produce a report based on its review and
  743  submit the report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker
  744  of the House of Representatives by December 15, 2026.
  745         3. This paragraph expires June 30, 2027.
  746         Section 12. Section 288.014, Florida Statutes, is created
  747  to read:
  748         288.014 Renaissance Grants Program.—
  749         (1) The Legislature finds that it has traditionally
  750  provided programs to assist rural communities with economic
  751  development and enhance their ability to attract businesses and
  752  that, by providing that extra component of economic viability,
  753  rural communities are able to attract new businesses and grow
  754  existing ones. However, the Legislature finds that a subset of
  755  rural communities has decreased in population over the past
  756  decade, contributing to a decline in local business activity and
  757  economic development. The Legislature further finds that the
  758  state must transform its assistance to these specific rural
  759  communities to help them achieve a necessary precursor of
  760  economic viability. The Legislature further finds that the
  761  approach intended by the creation of renaissance grants is to
  762  focus on reversing the economic deterioration in rural
  763  communities by retaining and attracting residents by giving them
  764  a reason to stay, which is the impetus of natural economic
  765  growth, business opportunities, and increased quality of life.
  766         (2) The Office of Rural Prosperity within the department
  767  shall administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block
  768  grants to eligible counties. By October 1, 2025, the Office of
  769  Economic and Demographic Research shall certify to the Office of
  770  Rural Prosperity which counties are growth-impeded. For the
  771  purposes of this section, “growth-impeded” means a county that,
  772  as of the most recent population estimate, has had a declining
  773  population over the last 10 years. After an initial
  774  certification, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research
  775  shall annually certify whether the county remains growth
  776  impeded, until the county has 3 consecutive years of population
  777  growth. Upon such certification of population growth, the county
  778  is eligible to participate in the program for 1 additional year
  779  in order for the county to prepare for the end of block grant
  780  funding.
  781         (3)(a) Each participating county shall enter into an
  782  agreement with the Office of Rural Prosperity to receive the
  783  block grant. Each county has broad authority to design its
  784  specific plan to achieve population growth within the broad
  785  parameters identified in this section. The Office of Rural
  786  Prosperity may not determine the manner in which the county
  787  implements the block grant. However, regional rural community
  788  liaison center staff shall provide assistance in developing the
  789  county’s plan, upon request.
  790         (b) Each participating county shall report annually to the
  791  Office of Rural Prosperity on activities undertaken,
  792  intergovernmental agreements entered into, and other information
  793  as required by the office.
  794         (c) Each participating county shall receive $1 million from
  795  the funds appropriated to the program. Counties participating in
  796  the program shall make all attempts to limit expenses for
  797  administrative costs, consistent with the need for prudent
  798  management and accountability in the use of public funds. Each
  799  county may contribute other funds for block grant purposes,
  800  including local, state, or federal grant funds, or seek out in
  801  kind or financial contributions from private or public sources
  802  to assist in fulfilling the activities undertaken.
  803         (4)(a) A participating county shall hire and retain a
  804  renaissance coordinator and may use block grant funds for this
  805  purpose. The renaissance coordinator is responsible for:
  806         1. Ensuring that block grant funds are used as provided in
  807  this section;
  808         2. Coordinating with other local governments, school
  809  boards, Florida College System institutions, or other entities;
  810  and
  811         3. Reporting as necessary to the state, including
  812  information necessary pursuant to subsection (7).
  813         (b) The Office of Rural Prosperity regional rural community
  814  liaison center staff shall provide assistance, upon request, and
  815  training to the renaissance coordinator to ensure successful
  816  implementation of the block grant.
  817         (5) A participating county shall design a plan to make
  818  targeted investments in the community to achieve population
  819  growth and increase the economic vitality of the community. The
  820  plan must include the following key features for use of the
  821  state support:
  822         (a) Technology centers with extended hours located within
  823  schools or on school premises, administered by the local school
  824  board, for such schools which provide extended hours and support
  825  for access by students.
  826         (b) Facilities that colocate adult day care with child care
  827  facilities. The site-sharing facilities must be managed to also
  828  provide opportunities for direct interaction between generations
  829  and increase the health and well-being of both younger and older
  830  participants, reduce social isolation, and create cost and time
  831  efficiencies for working family members. The regional rural
  832  community liaison center staff of the Office of Rural Prosperity
  833  shall assist the county, upon request, with bringing to the
  834  Rural Economic Development Initiative or directly to the
  835  appropriate state agency recommendations necessary to streamline
  836  any required state permits, licenses, regulations, or other
  837  requirements.
  838         (c) Technology labs managed in agreement with the nearest
  839  Florida College System institution or a career center as
  840  established under s. 1001.44. Repurposing vacant industrial
  841  sites or existing office space must be given priority in the
  842  selection of lab locations. Each local technology lab must be
  843  staffed and open for extended hours with the capacity to
  844  provide:
  845         1. Access to trainers and equipment necessary for users to
  846  earn various certificates or online degrees in technology;
  847         2. Hands-on assistance with applying for appropriate remote
  848  work opportunities; and
  849         3. Studio space with equipment for graduates and other
  850  qualifying residents to perform remote work that is based on the
  851  use of technology. Collaboration with community partners,
  852  including the local workforce development board as described in
  853  s. 445.007, to provide training opportunities, in-kind support
  854  such as transportation to and from the lab, financing of
  855  equipment for in-home use, or basic maintenance of such
  856  equipment is required.
  857         (6) In addition to the hiring of a renaissance coordinator,
  858  a participating county shall develop intergovernmental
  859  agreements for shared responsibilities with its municipalities,
  860  school board, and Florida College System institution or career
  861  center and enter into necessary contracts with providers and
  862  community partners in order to implement the plan.
  863         (7)(a) Every 2 years, the Auditor General shall conduct an
  864  operational audit as defined in s. 11.45 of each county’s grant
  865  activities, beginning in 2026.
  866         (b) On December 31, 2026, and every year thereafter, the
  867  Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall submit an
  868  annual report of renaissance block grant recipients by county to
  869  the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
  870  Representatives. The report must provide key economic indicators
  871  that measure progress in altering longer-term trends in the
  872  county. The Office of Rural Prosperity shall provide the Office
  873  of Economic and Demographic Research with information as
  874  requested to complete the report.
  875         (8) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the
  876  purposes of this section are not subject to reversion.
  877         (9) This section expires June 30, 2040.
  878         Section 13. Section 288.0175, Florida Statutes, is created
  879  to read:
  880         288.0175 Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant
  881  Program.—
  882         (1)The Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant
  883  Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity
  884  within the department to fund and support the development of
  885  public infrastructure smart technology projects in communities
  886  located in rural areas of opportunity, subject to legislative
  887  appropriation.
  888         (2)As used in this section, the term:
  889         (a)“Public infrastructure smart technology” means systems
  890  and applications that use connectivity, data analytics, and
  891  automation to improve public infrastructure by increasing
  892  efficiency, enhancing public services, and promoting sustainable
  893  development.
  894         (b)“Rural area of opportunity” has the same meaning as in
  895  s. 288.0656.
  896         (c)“Smart technology lead organization” means a not-for
  897  profit corporation organized under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal
  898  Revenue Code which has been in existence for at least 3 years
  899  and specializes in smart region planning.
  900         (3)(a)The Office of Rural Prosperity shall contract with
  901  one or more smart technology lead organizations to administer
  902  the grant program for the purpose of deploying public
  903  infrastructure smart technology in rural communities. In
  904  accordance with the terms required by the office, the smart
  905  technology lead organization shall provide grants to counties
  906  and municipalities located within a rural area of opportunity
  907  for public infrastructure smart technology projects.
  908         (b)The office’s contract with a smart technology lead
  909  organization must specify the contract deliverables, including
  910  financial reports and other reports due the office, timeframes
  911  for achieving contractual obligations, and any other
  912  requirements the office determines are necessary. The contract
  913  must require the smart technology lead organization to do the
  914  following:
  915         1.Collaborate with counties and municipalities located in
  916  rural areas of opportunity to identify opportunities for local
  917  governments to institute cost-effective smart technology
  918  solutions for improving public services and infrastructure.
  919         2.Provide technical assistance to counties and
  920  municipalities located in rural areas of opportunity in
  921  developing plans for public infrastructure smart technology
  922  projects.
  923         3.Assist counties and municipalities located in rural
  924  areas of opportunity in connecting with other communities,
  925  companies, and other entities to leverage the impact of each
  926  public infrastructure smart technology project.
  927         (4)The office shall include in its annual report required
  928  by s. 288.013(6) a description of the projects funded under this
  929  section.
  930         Section 14. Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section
  931  288.018, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  932         288.018 Regional Rural Development Grants Program.—
  933         (1)(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “regional
  934  economic development organization” means an economic development
  935  organization located in or contracted to serve a rural area of
  936  opportunity, as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(2)(d).
  937         (b) Subject to appropriation, the Office of Rural
  938  Prosperity department shall establish a grant program to provide
  939  funding to regional economic development organizations for the
  940  purpose of building the professional capacity of those
  941  organizations. Building the professional capacity of a regional
  942  economic development organization includes hiring professional
  943  staff to develop, deliver, and provide needed economic
  944  development professional services, including technical
  945  assistance, education and leadership development, marketing, and
  946  project recruitment. Grants may also be used by a regional
  947  economic development organization to provide technical
  948  assistance to local governments, local economic development
  949  organizations, and existing and prospective businesses.
  950         (c) A regional economic development organization may apply
  951  annually to the office department for a grant. The office
  952  department is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants
  953  to such regional economic development organizations. The office
  954  may award a maximum amount of $50,000 in a year to maximum
  955  amount an organization may receive in any year will be $50,000,
  956  or $250,000 each to for any three regional economic development
  957  organizations that serve an entire region of a rural area of
  958  opportunity designated pursuant to s. 288.0656(7) if they are
  959  recognized by the office department as serving such a region.
  960         (2) In approving the participants, the office department
  961  shall require the following:
  962         (a) Documentation of official commitments of support from
  963  each of the units of local government represented by the
  964  regional organization.
  965         (b) Demonstration that the organization is in existence and
  966  actively involved in economic development activities serving the
  967  region.
  968         (c) Demonstration of the manner in which the organization
  969  is or will coordinate its efforts with those of other local and
  970  state organizations.
  971         (4) Except as otherwise provided in the General
  972  Appropriations Act, the office department may expend up to
  973  $750,000 each fiscal year from funds appropriated to the Rural
  974  Community Development Revolving Loan Fund for the purposes
  975  outlined in this section.
  976         Section 15. Section 288.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
  977  to read:
  978         288.019 Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation
  979  processes; financial match waiver or reduction.—
  980         (1) Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest
  981  extent possible, each agency and organization the member
  982  agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development
  983  Initiative (REDI) as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(6)(a)
  984  shall review:
  985         (a) All grant and loan application evaluation criteria and
  986  scoring procedures to ensure the fullest access for rural
  987  communities counties as defined in s. 288.0656 s. 288.0656(2) to
  988  resources available throughout the state; and
  989         (b) The financial match requirements for projects in rural
  990  communities.
  991         (2)(1) Each REDI agency and organization shall consider the
  992  impact on and ability of rural communities to meet and be
  993  competitive under such criteria, scoring, and requirements. Upon
  994  review, each REDI agency and organization shall review all
  995  evaluation and scoring procedures and develop a proposal for
  996  modifications to those procedures which minimize the financial
  997  and resource impact to a rural community, including waiver or
  998  reduction of any required financial match requirements impact of
  999  a project within a rural area.
 1000         (a)(2) Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
 1001  provide for an appropriate ranking, when ranking is a component
 1002  of the program, based on the proportionate impact that projects
 1003  have on a rural area when compared with similar project impacts
 1004  on an urban area. Additionally,
 1005         (3) evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must
 1006  recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an
 1007  equal level of financial support from an urban county or
 1008  municipality and a rural county or municipality.
 1009         (a) The evaluation criteria should weight contribution in
 1010  proportion to the amount of funding available at the local
 1011  level.
 1012         (b) Match requirements must be waived or reduced for rural
 1013  communities. When appropriate, an in-kind match must should be
 1014  allowed and applied as a financial match when a rural community
 1015  county is experiencing economic financial distress as defined in
 1016  s. 288.0656 through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of
 1017  the state’s average by 5 percentage points or because of the
 1018  loss of its ad valorem base. Donations of land, though usually
 1019  not recognized as an in-kind match, may be treated as such. As
 1020  appropriate, each agency and organization that applies for or
 1021  receives federal funding must request federal approval to waive
 1022  or reduce the financial match requirements, if any, for projects
 1023  in rural communities.
 1024         (3)(4)For existing programs, The proposal modified
 1025  evaluation criteria and scoring procedure must be submitted
 1026  delivered to the Office of Rural Prosperity department for
 1027  distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. The REDI
 1028  agencies and organizations shall review and make comments and
 1029  recommendations that. Future rules, programs, evaluation
 1030  criteria, and scoring processes must be brought before a REDI
 1031  meeting for review, discussion, and recommendation to allow
 1032  rural communities counties fuller access to the state’s
 1033  resources.
 1034         (4) Each REDI agency and organization shall ensure that
 1035  related administrative rules or policies are modified, as
 1036  necessary, to reflect the finalized proposal and that
 1037  information about the authorized wavier or reduction is included
 1038  in the online rural resource directory of the Office of Rural
 1039  Prosperity required in s. 288.013(4)(d).
 1040         (5) The rural liaison from the related regional district
 1041  shall assist the rural community to make requests of waiver or
 1042  reduction of match.
 1043         Section 16. Subsection (3) is added to section 288.021,
 1044  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1045         288.021 Economic development liaison.—
 1046         (3) When practicable, the staff member appointed as the
 1047  economic development liaison shall also serve as the agency
 1048  representative for the Rural Economic Development Initiative
 1049  pursuant to s. 288.0656.
 1050         Section 17. Section 288.065, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1051  to read:
 1052         288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
 1053         (1) The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
 1054  Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity
 1055  department to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and
 1056  local financial resources by providing local governments with
 1057  financial assistance to further promote the economic viability
 1058  of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance
 1059  initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the
 1060  economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives
 1061  addressing employment opportunities for residents of these
 1062  communities.
 1063         (2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan
 1064  guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local
 1065  governments, or economic development organizations substantially
 1066  underwritten by a unit of local government.,
 1067         (b) For purposes of this section, the term “unit of local
 1068  government” means:
 1069         1. A county within counties with a population populations
 1070  of 75,000 or less. fewer, or within any
 1071         2. A county with a population of 125,000 or less fewer
 1072  which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
 1073  less. fewer
 1074         3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
 1075  1. or subparagraph 2.
 1076         4. A county or municipality within a rural area of
 1077  opportunity.
 1078  
 1079  For purposes of this paragraph, population is determined in
 1080  accordance with the most recent official estimates pursuant to
 1081  s. 186.901 and must include those residing in incorporated and
 1082  unincorporated areas of a county, based on the most recent
 1083  official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901,
 1084  including those residing in incorporated areas and those
 1085  residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of
 1086  local government, or economic development organizations
 1087  substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within
 1088  a rural area of opportunity.
 1089         (c)(b) Requests for loans must shall be made by application
 1090  to the office department. Loans must shall be made pursuant to
 1091  agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between
 1092  the applicant and the office department. The loans are shall be
 1093  the legal obligations of the applicant.
 1094         (d)(c) All repayments of principal and interest shall be
 1095  returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to other
 1096  applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity designated
 1097  under s. 288.0656 by the Governor, and upon approval by the
 1098  office department, repayments of principal and interest may be
 1099  retained by the applicant if such repayments are dedicated and
 1100  matched to fund regionally based economic development
 1101  organizations representing the rural area of opportunity.
 1102         (3) The office department shall manage the fund,
 1103  establishing loan practices that must include, but are not
 1104  limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates,
 1105  uses of funding, application procedures, and application review
 1106  procedures. The office has department shall have final approval
 1107  authority for any loan under this section.
 1108         (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds
 1109  appropriated for this loan fund may purpose shall not be subject
 1110  to reversion.
 1111         (5) The office shall include in its annual report required
 1112  under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including
 1113  loans made during the previous fiscal year, loans active, loans
 1114  terminated or repaid, and the amount of funds not obligated as
 1115  of 14 days before the date the report is due.
 1116         Section 18. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
 1117  288.0655, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is
 1118  added to that section, to read:
 1119         288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
 1120         (1) There is created within the Office of Rural Prosperity
 1121  department the Rural Infrastructure Fund to facilitate the
 1122  planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in
 1123  rural communities which will encourage job creation, capital
 1124  investment, and the strengthening and diversification of rural
 1125  economies by promoting tourism, trade, and economic development.
 1126  Grants under this program may be awarded to a unit of local
 1127  government within a rural community or rural area of opportunity
 1128  as defined in s. 288.0656; or to a regional economic development
 1129  organization, a unit of local government, or an economic
 1130  development organization substantially underwritten by a unit of
 1131  local government for an infrastructure project located within an
 1132  unincorporated area that has a population of 15,000 or less, has
 1133  been in existence for 100 years or more, is contiguous to a
 1134  rural community, and has been adversely affected by a natural
 1135  disaster or presents a unique economic development opportunity
 1136  of regional impact.
 1137         (2)(a) Funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be
 1138  distributed by the office department through grant programs that
 1139  maximize the use of federal, local, and private resources,
 1140  including, but not limited to, those available under the Small
 1141  Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
 1142         (b) To facilitate access of rural communities and rural
 1143  areas of opportunity as defined by the Rural Economic
 1144  Development Initiative to infrastructure funding programs of the
 1145  Federal Government, such as those offered by the United States
 1146  Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of
 1147  Commerce, and state programs, including those offered by Rural
 1148  Economic Development Initiative agencies, and to facilitate
 1149  local government or private infrastructure funding efforts, the
 1150  office department may award grants for up to 75 percent of the
 1151  total infrastructure project cost, or up to 100 percent of the
 1152  total infrastructure project cost for a project located in a
 1153  rural community as defined in s. 288.0656(2) which is also
 1154  located in a fiscally constrained county as defined in s.
 1155  218.67(1) or a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.
 1156  288.0656(2). Eligible uses of funds may include improving any
 1157  inadequate infrastructure that has resulted in regulatory action
 1158  that prohibits economic or community growth and reducing the
 1159  costs to community users of proposed infrastructure improvements
 1160  that exceed such costs in comparable communities. Eligible uses
 1161  of funds include improvements to public infrastructure for
 1162  industrial or commercial sites and upgrades to or development of
 1163  public tourism infrastructure. Authorized infrastructure may
 1164  include the following public or public-private partnership
 1165  facilities: storm water systems; telecommunications facilities;
 1166  roads or other remedies to transportation impediments; nature
 1167  based tourism facilities; or other physical requirements
 1168  necessary to facilitate tourism, trade, and economic development
 1169  activities in the community. Authorized infrastructure may also
 1170  include publicly or privately owned self-powered nature-based
 1171  tourism facilities, publicly owned telecommunications
 1172  facilities, and additions to the distribution facilities of the
 1173  existing natural gas utility as defined in s. 366.04(3)(c), the
 1174  existing electric utility as defined in s. 366.02, or the
 1175  existing water or wastewater utility as defined in s.
 1176  367.021(12), or any other existing water or wastewater facility,
 1177  which owns a gas or electric distribution system or a water or
 1178  wastewater system in this state when:
 1179         1. A contribution-in-aid of construction is required to
 1180  serve public or public-private partnership facilities under the
 1181  tariffs of any natural gas, electric, water, or wastewater
 1182  utility as defined herein; and
 1183         2. Such utilities as defined herein are willing and able to
 1184  provide such service.
 1185         (c) The office department may award grants of up to
 1186  $300,000 for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and
 1187  engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and
 1188  preparation or site readiness activities. Site readiness
 1189  expenses may include clearing title, surveys, permitting,
 1190  environmental studies, and regulatory compliance costs. Grants
 1191  awarded under this paragraph may be used in conjunction with
 1192  grants awarded under paragraph (b). In evaluating applications
 1193  under this paragraph, the office department shall consider the
 1194  extent to which the application seeks to minimize administrative
 1195  and consultant expenses.
 1196         (d) The office department shall participate in a memorandum
 1197  of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture
 1198  under which state funds available through the Rural
 1199  Infrastructure Fund may be advanced, in excess of the prescribed
 1200  state share, for a project that has received from the United
 1201  States Department of Agriculture a preliminary determination of
 1202  eligibility for federal financial support. State funds in excess
 1203  of the prescribed state share which are advanced pursuant to
 1204  this paragraph and the memorandum of agreement shall be
 1205  reimbursed when funds are awarded under an application for
 1206  federal funding.
 1207         (e) To enable local governments to access the resources
 1208  available pursuant to s. 403.973(17), the office department may
 1209  award grants for surveys, feasibility studies, and other
 1210  activities related to the identification and preclearance review
 1211  of land which is suitable for preclearance review. Authorized
 1212  grants under this paragraph may not exceed $75,000 each, except
 1213  in the case of a project in a rural area of opportunity, in
 1214  which case the grant may not exceed $300,000. Any funds awarded
 1215  under this paragraph must be matched at a level of 50 percent
 1216  with local funds, except that any funds awarded for a project in
 1217  a rural area of opportunity do not require a match of local
 1218  funds. If an application for funding is for a catalyst site, as
 1219  defined in s. 288.0656, the requirement for local match may be
 1220  waived pursuant to the process in s. 288.06561. In evaluating
 1221  applications under this paragraph, the office department shall
 1222  consider the extent to which the application seeks to minimize
 1223  administrative and consultant expenses.
 1224         (3) The office department, in consultation with the
 1225  Department of Transportation Florida Tourism Industry Marketing
 1226  Corporation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the
 1227  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as
 1228  appropriate, shall review and certify applications pursuant to
 1229  s. 288.061. The review must include an evaluation of the
 1230  economic benefit and long-term viability. The office has
 1231  department shall have final approval for any grant under this
 1232  section.
 1233         (6) The office shall include in its annual report required
 1234  under s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including
 1235  grants made for the year, grants active, grants terminated or
 1236  complete, and the amount of funds not obligated as of 14 days
 1237  before the date the report is due.
 1238         Section 19. Subsection (1), paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of
 1239  subsection (2), subsections (3) and (6), paragraphs (b) and (c)
 1240  of subsection (7), and subsection (8) of section 288.0656,
 1241  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1242         288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
 1243         (1)(a) Recognizing that rural communities and regions
 1244  continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to
 1245  significantly improve their economies, specifically in terms of
 1246  personal income, job creation, average wages, and strong tax
 1247  bases, it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage and
 1248  facilitate the location and expansion of major economic
 1249  development projects of significant scale in such rural
 1250  communities. The Legislature finds that rural communities are
 1251  the essential conduits for the economy’s distribution,
 1252  manufacturing, and food supply.
 1253         (b) The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as
 1254  “REDI,” is created within the Office of Rural Prosperity
 1255  department, and all the participation of state and regional
 1256  agencies listed in paragraph (6)(a) shall participate in this
 1257  initiative is authorized.
 1258         (2) As used in this section, the term:
 1259         (a) “Catalyst project” means a business locating or
 1260  expanding in a rural area of opportunity to serve as an economic
 1261  generator of regional significance for the growth of a regional
 1262  target industry cluster. The project must provide capital
 1263  investment on a scale significant enough to affect the entire
 1264  region and result in the development of high-wage and high-skill
 1265  jobs.
 1266         (b) “Catalyst site” means a parcel or parcels of land
 1267  within a rural area of opportunity that has been prioritized as
 1268  a geographic site for economic development through partnerships
 1269  with state, regional, and local organizations. The site must be
 1270  reviewed by REDI and approved by the department for the purposes
 1271  of locating a catalyst project.
 1272         (c)(e) “Rural community” means:
 1273         1. A county with a population of 75,000 or less fewer.
 1274         2. A county with a population of 125,000 or less fewer
 1275  which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
 1276  less fewer.
 1277         3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
 1278  1. or subparagraph 2.
 1279         4. An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an
 1280  incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or less
 1281  fewer and an employment base focused on traditional agricultural
 1282  or resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as
 1283  rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress
 1284  factors identified in paragraph (a) paragraph (c) and verified
 1285  by the office department.
 1286  
 1287  For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined
 1288  in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to
 1289  s. 186.901.
 1290         (3) REDI shall be responsible for coordinating and focusing
 1291  the efforts and resources of state and regional agencies on the
 1292  problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and community
 1293  viability of Florida’s economically distressed rural
 1294  communities, working with local governments, community-based
 1295  organizations, and private organizations that have an interest
 1296  in the growth and development of these communities to find ways
 1297  to balance environmental and growth management issues with local
 1298  needs.
 1299         (6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
 1300  following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy
 1301  secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or
 1302  organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency
 1303  or organization:
 1304         1. The Department of Transportation.
 1305         2. The Department of Environmental Protection.
 1306         3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
 1307         4. The Department of State.
 1308         5. The Department of Health.
 1309         6. The Department of Children and Families.
 1310         7. The Department of Corrections.
 1311         8. The Department of Education.
 1312         9. The Department of Juvenile Justice.
 1313         10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
 1314         11. Each water management district.
 1315         12. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
 1316         13. VISIT Florida.
 1317         14. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
 1318         15. The Agency for Health Care Administration.
 1319         16. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
 1320         (b) An alternate for each designee must shall also be
 1321  chosen, who must also be a deputy secretary or higher-level
 1322  staff person, and the names of the designees and alternates must
 1323  shall be reported sent to the director of the Office of Rural
 1324  Prosperity. At least one rural liaison from each regional rural
 1325  community liaison center must participate in the REDI meetings
 1326  Secretary of Commerce.
 1327         (c) REDI shall meet at least each month, but may meet more
 1328  often as necessary. Each REDI representative, or his or her
 1329  designee, shall be physically present or available by means of
 1330  electronic communication for each meeting.
 1331         (d)(b) Each REDI representative must have comprehensive
 1332  knowledge of his or her agency’s functions, both regulatory and
 1333  service in nature, and of the state’s economic goals, policies,
 1334  and programs. This person shall be the primary point of contact
 1335  for his or her agency with REDI on issues and projects relating
 1336  to economically distressed rural communities and with regard to
 1337  expediting project review, shall ensure a prompt effective
 1338  response to problems arising with regard to rural issues, and
 1339  shall work closely with the other REDI representatives in the
 1340  identification of opportunities for preferential awards of
 1341  program funds, contractual or other agreement provisions which
 1342  meet the requirements of s. 215.971, and allowances and waiver
 1343  of program requirements when necessary to encourage and
 1344  facilitate long-term private capital investment and job
 1345  creation.
 1346         (e)(c) The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the
 1347  review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact
 1348  on rural communities and the development of alternative
 1349  proposals to mitigate that impact.
 1350         (f)(d) Each REDI representative shall be responsible for
 1351  ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her
 1352  agency is informed quarterly about the Rural Economic
 1353  Development Initiative and for providing assistance throughout
 1354  the agency in the implementation of REDI activities.
 1355         (7)
 1356         (b) Designation as a rural area of opportunity under this
 1357  subsection shall be contingent upon the execution of a
 1358  memorandum of agreement among the office department; the
 1359  governing body of the county; and the governing bodies of any
 1360  municipalities to be included within a rural area of
 1361  opportunity. Such agreement shall specify the terms and
 1362  conditions of the designation, including, but not limited to,
 1363  the duties and responsibilities of the county and any
 1364  participating municipalities to take actions designed to
 1365  facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in
 1366  the area, as well as the recruitment of new businesses to the
 1367  area.
 1368         (c) Each rural area of opportunity may designate catalyst
 1369  projects, provided that each catalyst project is specifically
 1370  recommended by REDI and confirmed as a catalyst project by the
 1371  department. All state agencies and departments shall use all
 1372  available tools and resources to the extent permissible by law
 1373  to promote the creation and development of each catalyst project
 1374  and the development of catalyst sites.
 1375         (8) REDI shall submit a report to the Office of Rural
 1376  Prosperity department on all REDI activities for the previous
 1377  fiscal year as a supplement to the office’s department’s annual
 1378  report required under s. 288.013 s. 20.60. This supplementary
 1379  report must include:
 1380         (a) A status report on every project all projects currently
 1381  being coordinated through REDI, the number of preferential
 1382  awards and allowances made pursuant to this section in detail by
 1383  award, allowance, or match type, the dollar amount of such
 1384  awards, and the names of the recipients.
 1385         (b) A description of all waivers of program requirements
 1386  granted, including a list by program of each waiver that was
 1387  granted. If waivers were requested but were not granted, a list
 1388  of ungranted waivers, including reasons why the waivers were not
 1389  granted, must be included.
 1390         (c) Detailed information as to the economic impact of the
 1391  projects coordinated by REDI.
 1392         (d) Recommendations based on the review and evaluation of
 1393  statutes and rules having an adverse impact on rural communities
 1394  and proposals to mitigate such adverse impacts.
 1395         (e) Legislative recommendations for statutory waivers or
 1396  reductions of specified economic development program
 1397  requirements, including financial match waivers or reductions,
 1398  for applicants within rural areas of opportunity.
 1399         (f) Outcomes of proposals submitted pursuant to s. 288.019.
 1400         Section 20. Section 288.06561, Florida Statutes, is
 1401  repealed.
 1402         Section 21. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section
 1403  288.0657, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1404         288.0657 Florida rural economic development strategy
 1405  grants.—
 1406         (2) The Office of Rural Prosperity shall provide department
 1407  may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the department
 1408  for providing grants to assist rural communities to develop and
 1409  implement strategic economic development plans. Grants may be
 1410  provided to assist with costs associated with marketing a site
 1411  to business and site selectors for an economic development
 1412  project that is part of an economic development plan, either as
 1413  part of funding to develop and implement a plan or related to an
 1414  already adopted plan.
 1415         (3) A rural community, an economic development organization
 1416  in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at
 1417  least one rural community or such economic development
 1418  organizations may apply for such grants. The rural liaison for
 1419  the rural community shall assist those applying for such grants.
 1420         (4) The office department shall establish criteria for
 1421  reviewing grant applications. These criteria must shall include,
 1422  but are not limited to, the degree of participation and
 1423  commitment by the local community and the application’s
 1424  consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application’s
 1425  proposal to ensure such consistency. Grants for marketing may
 1426  include funding for advertising campaign materials and costs
 1427  associated with meetings, trade missions, and professional
 1428  development affiliated with site preparation and marketing. The
 1429  office department shall review each application for a grant. The
 1430  department may approve grants only to the extent that funds are
 1431  appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.
 1432         Section 22. Paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of section
 1433  288.1226, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1434         288.1226 Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation;
 1435  use of property; board of directors; duties; audit.—
 1436         (13) FOUR-YEAR MARKETING PLAN.—
 1437         (a) The corporation shall, in collaboration with the
 1438  department, develop a 4-year marketing plan. At a minimum, the
 1439  marketing plan must discuss the following:
 1440         1. Continuation of overall tourism growth in this state.
 1441         2. Expansion to new or under-represented tourist markets.
 1442         3. Maintenance of traditional and loyal tourist markets.
 1443         4. Coordination of efforts with county destination
 1444  marketing organizations, other local government marketing
 1445  groups, privately owned attractions and destinations, and other
 1446  private sector partners to create a seamless, four-season
 1447  advertising campaign for the state and its regions.
 1448         5. Development of innovative techniques or promotions to
 1449  build repeat visitation by targeted segments of the tourist
 1450  population.
 1451         6. Consideration of innovative sources of state funding for
 1452  tourism marketing.
 1453         7. Promotion of nature-based tourism, including, but not
 1454  limited to, promotion of the Florida Greenways and Trails System
 1455  as described under s. 260.014 and the Florida Shared-Use
 1456  Nonmotorized Trail Network as described under s. 339.81.
 1457         8. Coordination of efforts with the Office of Greenways and
 1458  Trails of the Department of Environmental Protection and the
 1459  department to promote and assist local communities, including,
 1460  but not limited to, communities designated as trail towns by the
 1461  Office of Greenways and Trails, to maximize use of nearby trails
 1462  as economic assets, including specific promotion of trail-based
 1463  tourism.
 1464         9. Promotion of heritage tourism.
 1465         10. Development of a component to address emergency
 1466  response to natural and manmade disasters from a marketing
 1467  standpoint.
 1468         11. Provision of appropriate marketing assistance resources
 1469  to small, rural, and agritourism businesses located in this
 1470  state. Such resources may include, but are not limited to,
 1471  marketing plans, marketing assistance, promotional support,
 1472  media development, technical expertise, marketing advice,
 1473  technology training, and social marketing support.
 1474         Section 23. Section 288.12266, Florida Statutes, is
 1475  repealed.
 1476         Section 24. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
 1477  (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (4) of section 288.9961, Florida
 1478  Statutes, are amended, and subsections (6) and (7) are added to
 1479  that section, to read:
 1480         288.9961 Promotion of broadband adoption; Florida Office of
 1481  Broadband.—
 1482         (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
 1483         (f) “Underserved” means a geographic area of this state in
 1484  which there is no provider of broadband Internet service that
 1485  offers a connection to the Internet with a capacity for
 1486  transmission at a consistent speed of at least 100 megabits per
 1487  second downstream and at least 20 10 megabits per second
 1488  upstream.
 1489         (4) FLORIDA OFFICE OF BROADBAND.—The Florida Office of
 1490  Broadband is created within the Division of Community
 1491  Development in the department for the purpose of developing,
 1492  marketing, and promoting broadband Internet services in this
 1493  state. The office, in the performance of its duties, shall do
 1494  all of the following:
 1495         (a) Create a strategic plan that has goals and strategies
 1496  for increasing and improving the availability of, access to, and
 1497  use of broadband Internet service in this state. In development
 1498  of the plan, the department shall incorporate applicable federal
 1499  broadband activities, including any efforts or initiatives of
 1500  the Federal Communications Commission, to improve broadband
 1501  Internet service in this state. The plan must identify available
 1502  federal funding sources for the expansion or improvement of
 1503  broadband. The strategic plan must be submitted to the Governor,
 1504  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
 1505  Representatives by June 30, 2022. The strategic plan must be
 1506  updated biennially thereafter. The plan must include a process
 1507  to review and verify public input regarding transmission speeds
 1508  and availability of broadband Internet service throughout this
 1509  state. The office shall consult with each regional rural
 1510  community liaison center within the Office of Rural Prosperity
 1511  on the development and update of the plan.
 1512         (b) Build and facilitate local technology planning teams or
 1513  partnerships with members representing cross-sections of the
 1514  community, which may include, but are not limited to,
 1515  representatives from the following organizations and industries:
 1516  libraries, K-12 education, colleges and universities, local
 1517  health care providers, private businesses, community
 1518  organizations, economic development organizations, local
 1519  governments, tourism, parks and recreation, and agriculture. The
 1520  local technology planning teams or partnerships shall work with
 1521  rural communities to help the communities understand their
 1522  current broadband availability, locate unserved and underserved
 1523  businesses and residents, identify assets relevant to broadband
 1524  deployment, build partnerships with broadband service providers,
 1525  and identify opportunities to leverage assets and reduce
 1526  barriers to the deployment of broadband Internet services in the
 1527  community. The teams or partnerships must be proactive in rural
 1528  communities as defined in s. 288.0656 fiscally constrained
 1529  counties in identifying and providing assistance, in
 1530  coordination with the regional rural community liaison centers
 1531  within the Office of Rural Prosperity, with applying for federal
 1532  grants for broadband Internet service.
 1533         (c) Provide technical and planning assistance to rural
 1534  communities in coordination with the regional rural community
 1535  liaison centers within the Office of Rural Prosperity.
 1536         (6) The office shall submit to the Governor, the President
 1537  of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
 1538  quarterly report detailing the implementation of broadband
 1539  activities in rural, unserved, and underserved communities. Such
 1540  information must be listed by county and include the amount of
 1541  state and federal funds allocated and expended in the county by
 1542  program; the progress toward deploying broadband in the county;
 1543  any technical assistance provided; the activities of the local
 1544  technology planning teams and partnerships; and the fulfillment
 1545  of any other duties of the office required by this part.
 1546         (7) By December 31 each year, the office shall submit to
 1547  the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
 1548  the House of Representatives an annual report on the office’s
 1549  operations and accomplishments for that calendar year and the
 1550  status of broadband Internet service access and use in this
 1551  state. The report must also incorporate the quarterly reports on
 1552  rural, unserved, and underserved communities required by
 1553  subsection (6).
 1554         Section 25. Section 290.06561, Florida Statutes, is
 1555  repealed.
 1556         Section 26. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
 1557  319.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1558         319.32 Fees; service charges; disposition.—
 1559         (5)(a) Forty-seven dollars of each fee collected, except
 1560  for fees charged on a certificate of title for a motor vehicle
 1561  for hire registered under s. 320.08(6), for each applicable
 1562  original certificate of title and each applicable duplicate copy
 1563  of a certificate of title shall be deposited as follows: into
 1564  the State Transportation Trust Fund. Deposits to the State
 1565  Transportation Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph may not
 1566  exceed $200 million in any fiscal year, and from any collections
 1567  in excess of that amount during the fiscal year,
 1568         1. The first $30 million collected shall be deposited into
 1569  the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund;, and
 1570         2. Any remaining collections shall be paid into the State
 1571  Transportation Trust General Revenue Fund.
 1572         Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 322.095, Florida
 1573  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1574         322.095 Traffic law and substance abuse education program
 1575  for driver license applicants.—
 1576         (1) Each applicant for a driver license who is 18 years of
 1577  age or older must complete a traffic law and substance abuse
 1578  education course, unless the applicant has been licensed in
 1579  another jurisdiction or has satisfactorily completed a
 1580  Department of Education driver education course offered pursuant
 1581  to s. 1003.48.
 1582         Section 28. Subsection (1) of section 322.1615, Florida
 1583  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1584         322.1615 Learner’s driver license.—
 1585         (1) The department may issue a learner’s driver license to
 1586  a person who is at least 15 years of age and who:
 1587         (a) Has passed the written examination for a learner’s
 1588  driver license;
 1589         (b) Has passed the vision and hearing examination
 1590  administered under s. 322.12;
 1591         (c) Has satisfactorily completed a driver education course
 1592  approved by the department which meets or exceeds the Department
 1593  of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300
 1594  course version description the traffic law and substance abuse
 1595  education course prescribed in s. 322.095; and
 1596         (d) Meets all other requirements set forth in law and by
 1597  rule of the department.
 1598         Section 29. Subsection (37) is added to section 334.044,
 1599  Florida Statutes, to read:
 1600         334.044 Powers and duties of the department.—The department
 1601  shall have the following general powers and duties:
 1602         (37) To provide technical assistance and support from the
 1603  appropriate district of the department to counties that are not
 1604  located in a metropolitan planning organization created pursuant
 1605  to s. 339.175.
 1606         Section 30. Section 339.0801, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1607  to read:
 1608         339.0801 Allocation of increased revenues derived from
 1609  amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) by ch. 2012-128.—
 1610         (1) The first $200 million of funds that result from
 1611  increased revenues to the State Transportation Trust Fund
 1612  derived from the amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) made by s. 11,
 1613  chapter 2012-128, Laws of Florida, this act must be used
 1614  annually, first as set forth in paragraph (a) subsection (1) and
 1615  then as set forth in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) subsections
 1616  (2)-(4), notwithstanding any other provision of law:
 1617         (a)1.(1)(a) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and
 1618  annually for 30 years thereafter, $10 million shall be for the
 1619  purpose of funding any seaport project identified in the adopted
 1620  work program of the Department of Transportation, to be known as
 1621  the Seaport Investment Program.
 1622         2.(b) The revenues may be assigned, pledged, or set aside
 1623  as a trust for the payment of principal or interest on revenue
 1624  bonds, or other forms of indebtedness issued by an individual
 1625  port or appropriate local government having jurisdiction
 1626  thereof, or collectively by interlocal agreement among any of
 1627  the ports, or used to purchase credit support to permit such
 1628  borrowings. Alternatively, revenue bonds shall be issued by the
 1629  Division of Bond Finance at the request of the Department of
 1630  Transportation under the State Bond Act and shall be secured by
 1631  such revenues as are provided in this subsection.
 1632         3.(c) Revenue bonds or other indebtedness issued hereunder
 1633  are not a general obligation of the state and are secured solely
 1634  by a first lien on the revenues distributed under this
 1635  subsection.
 1636         4.(d) The state covenants with holders of the revenue bonds
 1637  or other instruments of indebtedness issued pursuant to this
 1638  subsection that it will not repeal this subsection; nor take any
 1639  other action, including but not limited to amending this
 1640  subsection, that will materially and adversely affect the rights
 1641  of such holders so long as revenue bonds or other indebtedness
 1642  authorized by this subsection are outstanding.
 1643         5.(e) The proceeds of any revenue bonds or other
 1644  indebtedness, after payment of costs of issuance and
 1645  establishment of any required reserves, shall be invested in
 1646  projects approved by the Department of Transportation and
 1647  included in the department’s adopted work program, by amendment
 1648  if necessary. As required under s. 11(f), Art. VII of the State
 1649  Constitution, the Legislature approves projects included in the
 1650  department’s adopted work program, including any projects added
 1651  to the work program by amendment under s. 339.135(7).
 1652         6.(f) Any revenues that are not used for the payment of
 1653  bonds as authorized by this subsection may be used for purposes
 1654  authorized under the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic
 1655  Development Program. This revenue source is in addition to any
 1656  amounts provided for and appropriated in accordance with ss.
 1657  311.07 and 320.20(3) and (4).
 1658         (b)(2) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
 1659  thereafter, $10 million shall be transferred to the
 1660  Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund, to be used as specified
 1661  in s. 427.0159.
 1662         (c)(3) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
 1663  thereafter, $10 million shall be allocated to the Small County
 1664  Outreach Program to be used as specified in s. 339.2818. These
 1665  funds are in addition to the funds provided for the program
 1666  pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)2.
 1667         (d)(4) After the distributions required pursuant to
 1668  paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) subsections (1)-(3), the remaining
 1669  funds shall be used annually for transportation projects within
 1670  this state for existing or planned strategic transportation
 1671  projects which connect major markets within this state or
 1672  between this state and other states, which focus on job
 1673  creation, and which increase this state’s viability in the
 1674  national and global markets.
 1675         (2) The remaining funds that result from increased revenue
 1676  to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived pursuant to s.
 1677  319.32(5)(a) must be used annually, notwithstanding any other
 1678  law, beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and annually
 1679  thereafter, for the Small County Road Assistance Program as
 1680  prescribed in s. 339.2816.
 1681         (3)(5) Pursuant to s. 339.135(7), the department shall
 1682  amend the work program to add the projects provided for in this
 1683  section.
 1684         Section 31. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
 1685  339.135, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1686         339.135 Work program; legislative budget request;
 1687  definitions; preparation, adoption, execution, and amendment.—
 1688         (4) FUNDING AND DEVELOPING A TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAM.—
 1689         (a)1. To assure that no district or county is penalized for
 1690  local efforts to improve the State Highway System, the
 1691  department shall, for the purpose of developing a tentative work
 1692  program, allocate funds for new construction to the districts,
 1693  except for the turnpike enterprise, based on equal parts of
 1694  population and motor fuel tax collections. Funds for
 1695  resurfacing, bridge repair and rehabilitation, bridge fender
 1696  system construction or repair, public transit projects except
 1697  public transit block grants as provided in s. 341.052 and rural
 1698  transit operating block grants as provided in s. 341.0525, and
 1699  other programs with quantitative needs assessments shall be
 1700  allocated based on the results of these assessments. The
 1701  department may not transfer any funds allocated to a district
 1702  under this paragraph to any other district except as provided in
 1703  subsection (7). Funds for public transit block grants shall be
 1704  allocated to the districts pursuant to s. 341.052. Funds for
 1705  rural transit operating block grants shall be allocated to the
 1706  districts pursuant to s. 341.0525. Funds for the intercity bus
 1707  program provided for under s. 5311(f) of the federal
 1708  nonurbanized area formula program shall be administered and
 1709  allocated directly to eligible bus carriers as defined in s.
 1710  341.031(12) at the state level rather than the district. In
 1711  order to provide state funding to support the intercity bus
 1712  program provided for under provisions of the federal 5311(f)
 1713  program, the department shall allocate an amount equal to the
 1714  federal share of the 5311(f) program from amounts calculated
 1715  pursuant to s. 206.46(3).
 1716         2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph 1., the
 1717  department shall allocate at least 50 percent of any new
 1718  discretionary highway capacity funds to the Florida Strategic
 1719  Intermodal System created pursuant to s. 339.61. Any remaining
 1720  new discretionary highway capacity funds shall be allocated to
 1721  the districts for new construction as provided in subparagraph
 1722  1. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term “new
 1723  discretionary highway capacity funds” means any funds available
 1724  to the department above the prior year funding level for
 1725  capacity improvements, which the department has the discretion
 1726  to allocate to highway projects.
 1727         Section 32. Subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection
 1728  (4) of section 339.2816, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
 1729  paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of that section is reenacted, to
 1730  read:
 1731         339.2816 Small County Road Assistance Program.—
 1732         (3) Beginning with fiscal year 1999-2000 until fiscal year
 1733  2009-2010, and beginning again with fiscal year 2012-2013, up to
 1734  $25 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund
 1735  must may be used for the purposes of funding the Small County
 1736  Road Assistance Program as described in this section. In
 1737  addition, beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026, the department
 1738  must use the additional revenues allocated by s. 339.0801 for
 1739  the Small County Road Assistance Program.
 1740         (4)(a) Small counties shall be eligible to compete for
 1741  funds that have been designated for the Small County Road
 1742  Assistance Program for resurfacing or reconstruction projects on
 1743  county roads that were part of the county road system on June
 1744  10, 1995. Capacity improvements on county roads are shall not be
 1745  eligible for funding under the program unless a safety issue
 1746  exists or the department finds it necessary to widen existing
 1747  lanes as part of a resurfacing or reconstruction project.
 1748         (c) The following criteria must be used to prioritize road
 1749  projects for funding under the program:
 1750         1. The primary criterion is the physical condition of the
 1751  road as measured by the department.
 1752         2. As secondary criteria the department may consider:
 1753         a. Whether a road is used as an evacuation route.
 1754         b. Whether a road has high levels of agricultural travel.
 1755         c. Whether a road is considered a major arterial route.
 1756         d. Whether a road is considered a feeder road.
 1757         e. Whether a road is located in a fiscally constrained
 1758  county, as defined in s. 218.67(1).
 1759         f. Other criteria related to the impact of a project on the
 1760  public road system or on the state or local economy as
 1761  determined by the department.
 1762         Section 33. Subsection (3) of section 339.2817, Florida
 1763  Statutes, is amended, and a new subsection (6) is added to that
 1764  section, to read:
 1765         339.2817 County Incentive Grant Program.—
 1766         (3) The department must consider, but is not limited to,
 1767  the following criteria for evaluation of projects for County
 1768  Incentive Grant Program assistance:
 1769         (a) The extent to which the project will encourage,
 1770  enhance, or create economic benefits;
 1771         (b) The likelihood that assistance would enable the project
 1772  to proceed at an earlier date than the project could otherwise
 1773  proceed;
 1774         (c) The extent to which assistance would foster innovative
 1775  public-private partnerships and attract private debt or equity
 1776  investment;
 1777         (d) The extent to which the project uses new technologies,
 1778  including intelligent transportation systems, which enhance the
 1779  efficiency of the project;
 1780         (e) The extent to which the project enhances connectivity
 1781  between rural agricultural areas and market distribution
 1782  centers;
 1783         (f)(e) The extent to which the project helps to maintain or
 1784  protect the environment; and
 1785         (g)(f) The extent to which the project includes
 1786  transportation benefits for improving intermodalism and safety.
 1787         (6) Beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the department
 1788  shall give priority to a county located either wholly or
 1789  partially within the Everglades Agricultural Area as defined in
 1790  s. 373.4592(15) which, notwithstanding subsection (4), requests
 1791  100 percent of the project costs for an eligible project that
 1792  meets the criteria established in paragraph (3)(e). Requests
 1793  under this subsection are limited to $15 million annually. This
 1794  subsection expires July 1, 2031.
 1795         Section 34. Subsections (1), (2), (3), (6), (7), and (8) of
 1796  section 339.2818, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1797         339.2818 Small County Outreach Program.—
 1798         (1) There is created within the department of
 1799  Transportation the Small County Outreach Program. The purpose of
 1800  this program is to assist small county governments in repairing
 1801  or rehabilitating county bridges, paving unpaved roads,
 1802  addressing road-related drainage improvements, resurfacing or
 1803  reconstructing county roads, or constructing capacity or safety
 1804  improvements to county roads.
 1805         (2) For the purposes of this section, the term “small
 1806  county” means any county that has a population of 200,000 or
 1807  less as determined by the most recent official population census
 1808  determination estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.
 1809         (3) Funds allocated under this program, pursuant to s. 4,
 1810  ch. 2000-257, Laws of Florida, are in addition to any funds
 1811  provided pursuant to s. 339.2816, for the Small County Road
 1812  Assistance Program.
 1813         (5)(6) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund
 1814  pursuant to ss. 201.15, 320.072, and 339.0801 s. 201.15 for the
 1815  purposes of the Small County Outreach Program are hereby
 1816  annually appropriated for expenditure to support the Small
 1817  County Outreach Program.
 1818         (6)(7) Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to
 1819  funds annually appropriated for projects under this section, a
 1820  municipality within a rural area of opportunity or a rural area
 1821  of opportunity community designated under s. 288.0656(7)(a) may
 1822  compete for the additional project funding using the criteria
 1823  listed in subsection (3) (4) at up to 100 percent of project
 1824  costs, excluding capacity improvement projects.
 1825         (8) Subject to a specific appropriation in addition to
 1826  funds appropriated for projects under this section, a local
 1827  government either wholly or partially within the Everglades
 1828  Agricultural Area as defined in s. 373.4592(15), the Peace River
 1829  Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may compete for additional
 1830  funding using the criteria listed in paragraph (4)(c) at up to
 1831  100 percent of project costs on state or county roads used
 1832  primarily as farm-to-market connections between rural
 1833  agricultural areas and market distribution centers, excluding
 1834  capacity improvement projects.
 1835         Section 35. Section 339.68, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 1836  read:
 1837         (Substantial rewording of section.
 1838         See s. 339.68, F.S., for present text.)
 1839         339.68 Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program.—
 1840         (1)The Legislature finds that increasing demands continue
 1841  to be placed on rural arterial roads in this state by a fast
 1842  growing economy, continued population growth, and increased
 1843  tourism. Investment in the rural arterial roads of this state is
 1844  needed to maintain the safety, mobility, reliability, and
 1845  resiliency of the transportation system in order to support the
 1846  movement of people, goods, and commodities; to enhance economic
 1847  prosperity and competitiveness; and to enrich the quality of
 1848  life of the rural communities and the environment of this state.
 1849         (2)The Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program is
 1850  created within the department to make capacity and safety
 1851  improvements to two-lane arterial roads or connect existing
 1852  arterial roads located in rural communities. For purposes of
 1853  this section, the term “rural community” has the same meaning as
 1854  provided in s. 288.0656.
 1855         (3)Beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the department
 1856  shall allocate from the State Transportation Trust Fund a
 1857  minimum of $50 million in each fiscal year for purposes of
 1858  funding the program. This funding is in addition to any other
 1859  funding provided to the program by any other law.
 1860         (4)The department shall use the following criteria to
 1861  prioritize projects for funding under the program:
 1862         (a) Whether the road has documented safety concerns or
 1863  requires additional safety and design improvements. This may be
 1864  evidenced by the number of fatalities or crashes per vehicle
 1865  mile traveled.
 1866         (b)Whether the road has or is projected to have a
 1867  significant amount of truck tractor traffic as determined by the
 1868  department. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “truck
 1869  tractor” has the same meaning as in s. 320.01(11).
 1870         (c)Whether the road is used to transport agricultural
 1871  products and commodities from the farm to the market or other
 1872  sale or distribution point.
 1873         (d)Whether the road is used to transport goods to or from
 1874  warehouses, distribution centers, or intermodal logistics
 1875  centers as defined in s. 311.101(2).
 1876         (e)Whether the road is used as an evacuation route.
 1877         (f)Whether the physical condition of the road meets
 1878  department standards.
 1879         (g)Whether the road currently has, or is projected to have
 1880  within the next 5 years, a level of service of D, E, or F.
 1881         (h) Any other criteria related to the impact of a project
 1882  on the public road system or on the state or local economy as
 1883  determined by the department.
 1884         (5)By January 1, 2027, and every 2 years thereafter, the
 1885  department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the
 1886  Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report
 1887  regarding the use and condition of arterial roads located in
 1888  rural communities, which report must include the following:
 1889         (a)A map of roads located in rural communities which are
 1890  designated as arterial roads.
 1891         (b)A needs assessment that must include, but is not
 1892  limited to, consideration of infrastructure improvements to
 1893  improve capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.
 1894         (c)A synopsis of the department’s project prioritization
 1895  process.
 1896         (d)An estimate of the local and state economic impact of
 1897  improving capacity on arterial roads in rural communities.
 1898         (e)A listing of the arterial roads and the associated
 1899  improvements to be included in the program and a schedule or
 1900  timeline for the inclusion of such projects in the work program.
 1901         Section 36. (1)The Department of Transportation shall
 1902  allocate the additional funds provided by this act to implement
 1903  the Small County Road Assistance Program as created by s.
 1904  339.2816, Florida Statutes, and amend the current tentative work
 1905  program for the 2025-2026 through 2031-2032 fiscal years to
 1906  include additional projects. In addition, before adoption of the
 1907  work program, the department shall submit a budget amendment
 1908  pursuant to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes, requesting budget
 1909  authority necessary to implement the additional projects.
 1910         (2) The department shall allocate sufficient funds to
 1911  implement the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program,
 1912  develop a plan to expend the revenues as specified in s. 339.68,
 1913  Florida Statutes, and, before its adoption, amend the current
 1914  tentative work program for the 2025-2026 through 2031-2032
 1915  fiscal years to include the program’s projects. In addition,
 1916  before adoption of the work program, the department shall submit
 1917  a budget amendment pursuant to s. 339.135(7), Florida Statutes,
 1918  requesting budget authority necessary to implement the program
 1919  as specified in s. 339.68, Florida Statutes.
 1920         (3)Notwithstanding any other law, the increase in revenue
 1921  to the State Transportation Trust Fund derived from the
 1922  amendments to ss. 201.15 and 319.32, Florida Statutes, made by
 1923  this act and deposited into the trust fund pursuant to ss.
 1924  201.15 and 339.0801, Florida Statutes, shall be used by the
 1925  department to fund the programs as specified in this section.
 1926         Section 37. Subsections (1) and (6) of section 341.052,
 1927  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1928         341.052 Public transit block grant program; administration;
 1929  eligible projects; limitation.—
 1930         (1) There is created a public transit block grant program
 1931  which shall be administered by the department. Block grant funds
 1932  shall only be provided to “Section 9” providers and “Section 18”
 1933  providers designated by the United States Department of
 1934  Transportation pursuant to 49 U.S.C. s. 5307 and community
 1935  transportation coordinators as defined in chapter 427. Eligible
 1936  providers must establish public transportation development plans
 1937  consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with approved local
 1938  government comprehensive plans of the units of local government
 1939  in which the provider is located and the long-range
 1940  transportation plans of the metropolitan planning organization
 1941  in which the provider is located. In developing public
 1942  transportation development plans, eligible providers must
 1943  solicit comments from local workforce development boards
 1944  established under chapter 445. The development plans must
 1945  address how the public transit provider will work with the
 1946  appropriate local workforce development board to provide
 1947  services to participants in the welfare transition program.
 1948  Eligible providers must provide information to the local
 1949  workforce development board serving the county in which the
 1950  provider is located regarding the availability of transportation
 1951  services to assist program participants.
 1952         (6) The department shall distribute 85 percent of the
 1953  public transit block grant funds to “Section 9” and “Section 18”
 1954  providers designated by the United States Department of
 1955  Transportation pursuant to 49 U.S.C. s. 5307. The funds shall be
 1956  distributed to such “Section 9” providers, and to “Section 18”
 1957  providers that are not designated as community transportation
 1958  coordinators pursuant to chapter 427, according to the following
 1959  formula, except that at least $20,000 shall be distributed to
 1960  each eligible provider if application of the formula provides
 1961  less than that amount for any such provider:
 1962         (a) One-third shall be distributed according to the
 1963  percentage that an eligible provider’s county population in the
 1964  most recent year for which those population figures are
 1965  available from the state census repository is of the total
 1966  population of all counties served by eligible providers.
 1967         (b) One-third shall be distributed according to the
 1968  percentage that the total revenue miles provided by an eligible
 1969  provider, as verified by the most recent National Transit
 1970  Database “Section 15” report to the Federal Transit
 1971  Administration or a similar audited report submitted to the
 1972  department, is of the total revenue miles provided by eligible
 1973  providers in the state in that year.
 1974         (c) One-third shall be distributed according to the
 1975  percentage that the total passengers carried by an eligible
 1976  provider, as verified by the most recent National Transit
 1977  Database “Section 15” report submitted to the Federal Transit
 1978  Administration or a similar audited report submitted to the
 1979  department, is of the total number of passengers carried by
 1980  eligible providers in the state in that year.
 1981         Section 38. Section 341.0525, Florida Statutes, is created
 1982  to read:
 1983         341.0525Rural transit operating block grant program;
 1984  administration; eligible projects.—
 1985         (1) There is created a rural transit operating block grant
 1986  program that shall be administered by the department. Rural
 1987  transit block grant funds are available only to public transit
 1988  providers not eligible to receive public transit block grants
 1989  pursuant to s. 341.052.
 1990         (2)At least $3 million must be allocated annually from the
 1991  State Transportation Trust Fund for the program. At least
 1992  $20,000 must be distributed to each eligible provider if
 1993  application of the following formula provides less than that
 1994  amount for any such provider:
 1995         (a) One-third must be distributed according to the
 1996  percentage that an eligible provider’s non-urbanized county
 1997  population in the most recent year official population estimate
 1998  pursuant to s. 186.901 is of the total population of all
 1999  counties served by eligible providers.
 2000         (b) One-third must be distributed according to the
 2001  percentage that the total non-urbanized revenue miles provided
 2002  by an eligible provider, as verified by the most recent National
 2003  Transit Database report or a similar audited report submitted to
 2004  the department, is of the total rural revenue miles provided by
 2005  eligible providers in the state in that year.
 2006         (c) One-third must be distributed according to the
 2007  percentage that the total non-urbanized passengers carried by an
 2008  eligible provider, as verified by the most recent National
 2009  Transit Database report or a similar audited report submitted to
 2010  the department, is of the total number of passengers carried by
 2011  eligible providers in the state in that year.
 2012         (3) Grant funds must be used to pay public transit
 2013  operating costs. State participation in such costs may not
 2014  exceed 50 percent of such costs or an amount equal to the total
 2015  revenue, excluding farebox, charter, and advertising revenue and
 2016  federal funds, received by the provider for operating costs,
 2017  whichever amount is less.
 2018         (4)(a) An eligible public transit provider may not use
 2019  block grant funds to supplant local tax revenues made available
 2020  to such provider for operations in the previous year; however,
 2021  the Secretary of Transportation may waive this provision for
 2022  public transit providers located in a county recovering from a
 2023  state of emergency declared pursuant to part I of chapter 252.
 2024         (b) The state may not give any county more than 39 percent
 2025  of the funds available for distribution under this section or
 2026  more than the amount that local revenue sources provide to that
 2027  county for its transit system.
 2028         (5) To remain eligible to receive funding under the
 2029  program, eligible public transit providers must comply with s.
 2030  341.071(1) and (2).
 2031         (6)(a) Any funds distributed to an eligible provider
 2032  pursuant to subsection (2) which cannot be expended within the
 2033  limitations of the program must be returned to the department
 2034  for redistribution to other eligible providers.
 2035         (b) The department may consult with an eligible provider,
 2036  before distributing funds to that provider, to determine whether
 2037  the provider can expend its total block grant within the
 2038  limitations of the program. If the department and the provider
 2039  agree that the total block grant amount cannot be expended, the
 2040  provider may agree to accept a block grant amount of less than
 2041  the total amount, in which case the funds that exceed such
 2042  lesser agreed-upon amount must be redistributed to other
 2043  eligible providers.
 2044         (c) If an audit reveals that an eligible provider expended
 2045  block grant funds on unauthorized uses, the provider must repay
 2046  to the department an amount equal to the funds expended for
 2047  unauthorized uses. The department shall redistribute such
 2048  repayments to other eligible providers.
 2049         Section 39. Subsection (3) of section 420.9073, Florida
 2050  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2051         420.9073 Local housing distributions.—
 2052         (3) Calculation of guaranteed amounts:
 2053         (a) The guaranteed amount under subsection (1) shall be
 2054  calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $1 million
 2055  $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
 2056  funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
 2057  pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and the denominator of which is the
 2058  total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
 2059  Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
 2060         (b) The guaranteed amount under subsection (2) shall be
 2061  calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $1 million
 2062  $350,000 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of
 2063  funds distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
 2064  pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) and the denominator of which is the
 2065  total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
 2066  Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
 2067         Section 40. Paragraph (n) of subsection (5) of section
 2068  420.9075, Florida Statutes, is amended, paragraph (o) is added
 2069  to that subsection, and paragraph (b) of subsection (13) of that
 2070  section is reenacted, to read:
 2071         420.9075 Local housing assistance plans; partnerships.—
 2072         (5) The following criteria apply to awards made to eligible
 2073  sponsors or eligible persons for the purpose of providing
 2074  eligible housing:
 2075         (n) Funds from the local housing distribution not used to
 2076  meet the criteria established in paragraph (a), or paragraph
 2077  (c), or paragraph (o), or not used for the administration of a
 2078  local housing assistance plan must be used for housing
 2079  production and finance activities, including, but not limited
 2080  to, financing preconstruction activities or the purchase of
 2081  existing units, providing rental housing, and providing home
 2082  ownership training to prospective home buyers and owners of
 2083  homes assisted through the local housing assistance plan.
 2084         1. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and
 2085  (c), program income as defined in s. 420.9071(26) may also be
 2086  used to fund activities described in this paragraph.
 2087         2. When preconstruction due-diligence activities conducted
 2088  as part of a preservation strategy show that preservation of the
 2089  units is not feasible and will not result in the production of
 2090  an eligible unit, such costs shall be deemed a program expense
 2091  rather than an administrative expense if such program expenses
 2092  do not exceed 3 percent of the annual local housing
 2093  distribution.
 2094         3. If both an award under the local housing assistance plan
 2095  and federal low-income housing tax credits are used to assist a
 2096  project and there is a conflict between the criteria prescribed
 2097  in this subsection and the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal
 2098  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the county or eligible
 2099  municipality may resolve the conflict by giving precedence to
 2100  the requirements of s. 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
 2101  as amended, in lieu of following the criteria prescribed in this
 2102  subsection with the exception of paragraphs (a) and (g) of this
 2103  subsection.
 2104         4. Each county and each eligible municipality may award
 2105  funds as a grant for construction, rehabilitation, or repair as
 2106  part of disaster recovery or emergency repairs or to remedy
 2107  accessibility or health and safety deficiencies. Any other
 2108  grants must be approved as part of the local housing assistance
 2109  plan.
 2110         (o) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c), up to 25
 2111  percent of the funds made available in each county and eligible
 2112  municipality from the local housing distribution may be used to
 2113  preserve multifamily affordable rental housing funded through
 2114  United States Department of Agriculture loans. These funds may
 2115  be used to rehabilitate housing, extend affordability periods,
 2116  or acquire or transfer properties in partnership with private
 2117  organizations. This paragraph expires on June 30, 2031.
 2118         (13)
 2119         (b) If, as a result of its review of the annual report, the
 2120  corporation determines that a county or eligible municipality
 2121  has failed to implement a local housing incentive strategy, or,
 2122  if applicable, a local housing incentive plan, it shall send a
 2123  notice of termination of the local government’s share of the
 2124  local housing distribution by certified mail to the affected
 2125  county or eligible municipality.
 2126         1. The notice must specify a date of termination of the
 2127  funding if the affected county or eligible municipality does not
 2128  implement the plan or strategy and provide for a local response.
 2129  A county or eligible municipality shall respond to the
 2130  corporation within 30 days after receipt of the notice of
 2131  termination.
 2132         2. The corporation shall consider the local response that
 2133  extenuating circumstances precluded implementation and grant an
 2134  extension to the timeframe for implementation. Such an extension
 2135  shall be made in the form of an extension agreement that
 2136  provides a timeframe for implementation. The chief elected
 2137  official of a county or eligible municipality or his or her
 2138  designee shall have the authority to enter into the agreement on
 2139  behalf of the local government.
 2140         3. If the county or the eligible municipality has not
 2141  implemented the incentive strategy or entered into an extension
 2142  agreement by the termination date specified in the notice, the
 2143  local housing distribution share terminates, and any uncommitted
 2144  local housing distribution funds held by the affected county or
 2145  eligible municipality in its local housing assistance trust fund
 2146  shall be transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
 2147  to the credit of the corporation to administer.
 2148         4.a. If the affected local government fails to meet the
 2149  timeframes specified in the agreement, the corporation shall
 2150  terminate funds. The corporation shall send a notice of
 2151  termination of the local government’s share of the local housing
 2152  distribution by certified mail to the affected local government.
 2153  The notice shall specify the termination date, and any
 2154  uncommitted funds held by the affected local government shall be
 2155  transferred to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to the
 2156  credit of the corporation to administer.
 2157         b. If the corporation terminates funds to a county, but an
 2158  eligible municipality receiving a local housing distribution
 2159  pursuant to an interlocal agreement maintains compliance with
 2160  program requirements, the corporation shall thereafter
 2161  distribute directly to the participating eligible municipality
 2162  its share calculated in the manner provided in ss. 420.9072 and
 2163  420.9073.
 2164         c. Any county or eligible municipality whose local
 2165  distribution share has been terminated may subsequently elect to
 2166  receive directly its local distribution share by adopting the
 2167  ordinance, resolution, and local housing assistance plan in the
 2168  manner and according to the procedures provided in ss. 420.907
 2169  420.9079.
 2170         Section 41. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $1
 2171  million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
 2172  appropriated to the Florida Small Business Development Center
 2173  Network under s. 288.001, Florida Statutes, to expand services
 2174  in rural communities. The funds shall be allocated to the Office
 2175  of Rural Prosperity budget entity within the Department of
 2176  Commerce in the Special Categories–SBDCN Rural Services specific
 2177  appropriation category.
 2178         Section 42. (1) For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of
 2179  $1,827,591 in recurring funds and $652,327 in nonrecurring funds
 2180  are appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department
 2181  of Commerce.
 2182         (2) The recurring general revenue funds shall be allocated
 2183  to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the following
 2184  specific appropriations categories: $1,585,823 in Salaries and
 2185  Benefits, $175,961 in Expenses, $50,000 in Contracted Services,
 2186  $10,000 in Operating Capital Outlay, and $5,807 in Transfer to
 2187  the Department of Management Services/Statewide Human Resources
 2188  Contract.
 2189         (3) The nonrecurring general revenue funds shall be
 2190  allocated to the Office of Rural Prosperity budget entity in the
 2191  following specific appropriations categories: $92,327 in
 2192  Expenses and $560,000 in Acquisition of Motor Vehicles.
 2193         (4) The Department of Commerce is authorized to establish
 2194  17.00 full-time equivalent positions with associated salary rate
 2195  of 1,060,000 in the Office of Rural Prosperity for the purpose
 2196  of implementing this act. The following specific positions,
 2197  classifications, and pay plans are authorized: 1.00 Director of
 2198  General Operation, Class Code 9327, Pay Grade 940; 15.00
 2199  Government Analyst II, Class Code 2225, Pay Grade 026; and 1.00
 2200  Administrative Assistant II, Class Code 0712, Pay Grade 018.
 2201         Section 43. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the recurring
 2202  sum of $8 million from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated
 2203  to the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of
 2204  Commerce to implement the Renaissance Grants Program created by
 2205  s. 288.014, Florida Statutes. No funds may be used by the state
 2206  for administrative costs.
 2207         Section 44. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the recurring
 2208  sum of $500,000 from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within
 2209  the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the Office of
 2210  Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
 2211  the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program created
 2212  by s. 288.0175, Florida Statutes.
 2213         Section 45. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of $4
 2214  million in nonrecurring funds and $1 million in recurring funds
 2215  from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of
 2216  Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
 2217  the Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund under s.
 2218  288.065, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.
 2219         Section 46. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sums of $40
 2220  million in nonrecurring funds and $5 million in recurring funds
 2221  from the General Revenue Fund are appropriated to the Office of
 2222  Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to implement
 2223  the Rural Infrastructure Fund under s. 288.0655, Florida
 2224  Statutes, as amended by this act.
 2225         Section 47. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of
 2226  $250,000 in recurring funds from the Grants and Donations Trust
 2227  Fund within the Department of Commerce is appropriated to the
 2228  Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce to
 2229  implement s. 288.0657, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act.
 2230         Section 48. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sum of $30
 2231  million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
 2232  appropriated to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to be
 2233  used to preserve affordable multifamily rental housing in rural
 2234  communities funded through United States Department of
 2235  Agriculture loans. The funds provided in this appropriation
 2236  shall be used to issue competitive requests for application for
 2237  the rehabilitation or acquisition of such properties to ensure
 2238  continued affordability. By October 1, 2026, the Florida Housing
 2239  Finance Corporation shall submit a report to the President of
 2240  the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on
 2241  projects funded pursuant to this section, which report must
 2242  include the number of units preserved and the financing
 2243  portfolio for each project.
 2244         Section 49. Subsection (3) of section 163.3187, Florida
 2245  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2246         163.3187 Process for adoption of small scale comprehensive
 2247  plan amendment.—
 2248         (3) If the small scale development amendment involves a
 2249  site within a rural area of opportunity as defined under s.
 2250  288.0656 s. 288.0656(2)(d) for the duration of such designation,
 2251  the acreage limit listed in subsection (1) shall be increased by
 2252  100 percent. The local government approving the small scale plan
 2253  amendment shall certify to the state land planning agency that
 2254  the plan amendment furthers the economic objectives set forth in
 2255  the executive order issued under s. 288.0656(7), and the
 2256  property subject to the plan amendment shall undergo public
 2257  review to ensure that all concurrency requirements and federal,
 2258  state, and local environmental permit requirements are met.
 2259         Section 50. Section 212.205, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2260  to read:
 2261         212.205 Sales tax distribution reporting.—By March 15 of
 2262  each year, each person who received a distribution pursuant to
 2263  s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. and c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. and c. in the
 2264  preceding calendar year shall report to the Office of Economic
 2265  and Demographic Research the following information:
 2266         (1) An itemized accounting of all expenditures of the funds
 2267  distributed in the preceding calendar year, including amounts
 2268  spent on debt service.
 2269         (2) A statement indicating what portion of the distributed
 2270  funds have been pledged for debt service.
 2271         (3) The original principal amount and current debt service
 2272  schedule of any bonds or other borrowing for which the
 2273  distributed funds have been pledged for debt service.
 2274         Section 51. Section 257.191, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2275  to read:
 2276         257.191 Construction grants.—The Division of Library and
 2277  Information Services may accept and administer library
 2278  construction moneys appropriated to it and shall allocate such
 2279  appropriation to municipal, county, and regional libraries in
 2280  the form of library construction grants on a matching basis. The
 2281  local matching portion shall be no less than the grant amount,
 2282  on a dollar-for-dollar basis, up to the maximum grant amount,
 2283  unless the matching requirement is waived pursuant to s. 288.019
 2284  by s. 288.06561. Initiation of a library construction project 12
 2285  months or less prior to the grant award under this section does
 2286  shall not affect the eligibility of an applicant to receive a
 2287  library construction grant. The division shall adopt rules for
 2288  the administration of library construction grants. For the
 2289  purposes of this section, s. 257.21 does not apply.
 2290         Section 52. Subsection (2) of section 257.193, Florida
 2291  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2292         257.193 Community Libraries in Caring Program.—
 2293         (2) The purpose of the Community Libraries in Caring
 2294  Program is to assist libraries in rural communities, as defined
 2295  in s. 288.0656(2) and subject to the provisions of s. 288.019 s.
 2296  288.06561, to strengthen their collections and services, improve
 2297  literacy in their communities, and improve the economic
 2298  viability of their communities.
 2299         Section 53. Subsection (17) of section 265.283, Florida
 2300  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2301         265.283 Definitions.—The following definitions shall apply
 2302  to ss. 265.281-265.703:
 2303         (17) “Underserved arts community assistance program grants”
 2304  means grants used by qualified organizations under the Rural
 2305  Economic Development Initiative, pursuant to s. 288.0656 and
 2306  subject to the provisions of s. 288.019 ss. 288.0656 and
 2307  288.06561, for the purpose of economic and organizational
 2308  development for underserved cultural organizations.
 2309         Section 54. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (3) of
 2310  section 288.11621, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2311         288.11621 Spring training baseball franchises.—
 2312         (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
 2313         (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under s.
 2314  212.20(6)(d)7.b. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. only to:
 2315         1. Serve the public purpose of acquiring, constructing,
 2316  reconstructing, or renovating a facility for a spring training
 2317  franchise.
 2318         2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
 2319  fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
 2320  or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
 2321  the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or renovation of
 2322  such facility, or for the reimbursement of such costs or the
 2323  refinancing of bonds issued for such purposes.
 2324         3. Assist in the relocation of a spring training franchise
 2325  from one unit of local government to another only if the
 2326  governing board of the current host local government by a
 2327  majority vote agrees to relocation.
 2328         (d)1. All certified applicants must place unexpended state
 2329  funds received pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. s.
 2330  212.20(6)(d)6.b. in a trust fund or separate account for use
 2331  only as authorized in this section.
 2332         2. A certified applicant may request that the Department of
 2333  Revenue suspend further distributions of state funds made
 2334  available under s. 212.20(6)(d)7.b. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.b. for 12
 2335  months after expiration of an existing agreement with a spring
 2336  training franchise to provide the certified applicant with an
 2337  opportunity to enter into a new agreement with a spring training
 2338  franchise, at which time the distributions shall resume.
 2339         3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
 2340  applicant certified before July 1, 2010, must begin within 48
 2341  months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
 2342  addition, the construction of, or capital improvements to, a
 2343  spring training facility must be completed within 24 months
 2344  after the project’s commencement.
 2345         Section 55. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and paragraphs
 2346  (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (3) of section 288.11631,
 2347  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 2348         288.11631 Retention of Major League Baseball spring
 2349  training baseball franchises.—
 2350         (2) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—
 2351         (c) Each applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013,
 2352  shall enter into an agreement with the department which:
 2353         1. Specifies the amount of the state incentive funding to
 2354  be distributed. The amount of state incentive funding per
 2355  certified applicant may not exceed $20 million. However, if a
 2356  certified applicant’s facility is used by more than one spring
 2357  training franchise, the maximum amount may not exceed $50
 2358  million, and the Department of Revenue shall make distributions
 2359  to the applicant pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s.
 2360  212.20(6)(d)6.c.
 2361         2. States the criteria that the certified applicant must
 2362  meet in order to remain certified. These criteria must include a
 2363  provision stating that the spring training franchise must
 2364  reimburse the state for any funds received if the franchise does
 2365  not comply with the terms of the contract. If bonds were issued
 2366  to construct or renovate a facility for a spring training
 2367  franchise, the required reimbursement must be equal to the total
 2368  amount of state distributions expected to be paid from the date
 2369  the franchise violates the agreement with the applicant through
 2370  the final maturity of the bonds.
 2371         3. States that the certified applicant is subject to
 2372  decertification if the certified applicant fails to comply with
 2373  this section or the agreement.
 2374         4. States that the department may recover state incentive
 2375  funds if the certified applicant is decertified.
 2376         5. Specifies the information that the certified applicant
 2377  must report to the department.
 2378         6. Includes any provision deemed prudent by the department.
 2379         (3) USE OF FUNDS.—
 2380         (a) A certified applicant may use funds provided under s.
 2381  212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. only to:
 2382         1. Serve the public purpose of constructing or renovating a
 2383  facility for a spring training franchise.
 2384         2. Pay or pledge for the payment of debt service on, or to
 2385  fund debt service reserve funds, arbitrage rebate obligations,
 2386  or other amounts payable with respect thereto, bonds issued for
 2387  the construction or renovation of such facility, or for the
 2388  reimbursement of such costs or the refinancing of bonds issued
 2389  for such purposes.
 2390         (c) The Department of Revenue may not distribute funds
 2391  under s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. until July 1,
 2392  2016. Further, the Department of Revenue may not distribute
 2393  funds to an applicant certified on or after July 1, 2013, until
 2394  it receives notice from the department that:
 2395         1. The certified applicant has encumbered funds under
 2396  either subparagraph (a)1. or subparagraph (a)2.; and
 2397         2. If applicable, any existing agreement with a spring
 2398  training franchise for the use of a facility has expired.
 2399         (d)1. All certified applicants shall place unexpended state
 2400  funds received pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.c. s.
 2401  212.20(6)(d)6.c. in a trust fund or separate account for use
 2402  only as authorized in this section.
 2403         2. A certified applicant may request that the department
 2404  notify the Department of Revenue to suspend further
 2405  distributions of state funds made available under s.
 2406  212.20(6)(d)7.c. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.c. for 12 months after
 2407  expiration of an existing agreement with a spring training
 2408  franchise to provide the certified applicant with an opportunity
 2409  to enter into a new agreement with a spring training franchise,
 2410  at which time the distributions shall resume.
 2411         3. The expenditure of state funds distributed to an
 2412  applicant certified after July 1, 2013, must begin within 48
 2413  months after the initial receipt of the state funds. In
 2414  addition, the construction or renovation of a spring training
 2415  facility must be completed within 24 months after the project’s
 2416  commencement.
 2417         Section 56. Subsection (1) of section 443.191, Florida
 2418  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2419         443.191 Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund; establishment
 2420  and control.—
 2421         (1) There is established, as a separate trust fund apart
 2422  from all other public funds of this state, an Unemployment
 2423  Compensation Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the
 2424  Department of Commerce exclusively for the purposes of this
 2425  chapter. The fund must consist of:
 2426         (a) All contributions and reimbursements collected under
 2427  this chapter;
 2428         (b) Interest earned on any moneys in the fund;
 2429         (c) Any property or securities acquired through the use of
 2430  moneys belonging to the fund;
 2431         (d) All earnings of these properties or securities;
 2432         (e) All money credited to this state’s account in the
 2433  federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund under 42 U.S.C. s.
 2434  1103;
 2435         (f) All money collected for penalties imposed pursuant to
 2436  s. 443.151(6)(a);
 2437         (g) Advances on the amount in the federal Unemployment
 2438  Compensation Trust Fund credited to the state under 42 U.S.C. s.
 2439  1321, as requested by the Governor or the Governor’s designee;
 2440  and
 2441         (h) All money deposited in this account as a distribution
 2442  pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.e. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.e.
 2443  
 2444  Except as otherwise provided in s. 443.1313(4), all moneys in
 2445  the fund must be mingled and undivided.
 2446         Section 57. Section 571.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 2447  read:
 2448         571.26 Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust
 2449  Fund.—There is hereby created the Florida Agricultural
 2450  Promotional Campaign Trust Fund within the Department of
 2451  Agriculture and Consumer Services to receive all moneys related
 2452  to the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign. Moneys
 2453  deposited in the trust fund shall be appropriated for the sole
 2454  purpose of implementing the Florida Agricultural Promotional
 2455  Campaign, except for money deposited in the trust fund pursuant
 2456  to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.h. s. 212.20(6)(d)6.h., which shall be held
 2457  separately and used solely for the purposes identified in s.
 2458  571.265.
 2459         Section 58. Subsection (2) of section 571.265, Florida
 2460  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2461         571.265 Promotion of Florida thoroughbred breeding and of
 2462  thoroughbred racing at Florida thoroughbred tracks; distribution
 2463  of funds.—
 2464         (2) Funds deposited into the Florida Agricultural
 2465  Promotional Campaign Trust Fund pursuant to s. 212.20(6)(d)7.f.
 2466  s. 212.20(6)(d)6.f. shall be used by the department to encourage
 2467  the agricultural activity of breeding thoroughbred racehorses in
 2468  this state and to enhance thoroughbred racing conducted at
 2469  thoroughbred tracks in this state as provided in this section.
 2470  If the funds made available under this section are not fully
 2471  used in any one fiscal year, any unused amounts shall be carried
 2472  forward in the trust fund into future fiscal years and made
 2473  available for distribution as provided in this section.
 2474         Section 59. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2475  made by this act to section 20.60, Florida Statutes, in a
 2476  reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 288.9935, Florida
 2477  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2478         288.9935 Microfinance Guarantee Program.—
 2479         (8) The department must, in the department’s report
 2480  required under s. 20.60(10), include an annual report on the
 2481  program. The report must, at a minimum, provide:
 2482         (a) A comprehensive description of the program, including
 2483  an evaluation of its application and guarantee activities,
 2484  recommendations for change, and identification of any other
 2485  state programs that overlap with the program;
 2486         (b) An assessment of the current availability of and access
 2487  to credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses in this state;
 2488         (c) A summary of the financial and employment results of
 2489  the entrepreneurs and small businesses receiving loan
 2490  guarantees, including the number of full-time equivalent jobs
 2491  created as a result of the guaranteed loans and the amount of
 2492  wages paid to employees in the newly created jobs;
 2493         (d) Industry data about the borrowers, including the six
 2494  digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
 2495  code;
 2496         (e) The name and location of lenders that receive loan
 2497  guarantees;
 2498         (f) The number of loan guarantee applications received;
 2499         (g) The number, duration, location, and amount of
 2500  guarantees made;
 2501         (h) The number and amount of guaranteed loans outstanding,
 2502  if any;
 2503         (i) The number and amount of guaranteed loans with payments
 2504  overdue, if any;
 2505         (j) The number and amount of guaranteed loans in default,
 2506  if any;
 2507         (k) The repayment history of the guaranteed loans made; and
 2508         (l) An evaluation of the program’s ability to meet the
 2509  financial performance measures and objectives specified in
 2510  subsection (3).
 2511         Section 60. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2512  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2513  reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section
 2514  125.0104, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2515         125.0104 Tourist development tax; procedure for levying;
 2516  authorized uses; referendum; enforcement.—
 2517         (5) AUTHORIZED USES OF REVENUE.—
 2518         (c) A county located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico or the
 2519  Atlantic Ocean, except a county that receives revenue from taxes
 2520  levied pursuant to s. 125.0108, which meets the following
 2521  criteria may use up to 10 percent of the tax revenue received
 2522  pursuant to this section to reimburse expenses incurred in
 2523  providing public safety services, including emergency medical
 2524  services as defined in s. 401.107(3), and law enforcement
 2525  services, which are needed to address impacts related to
 2526  increased tourism and visitors to an area. However, if taxes
 2527  collected pursuant to this section are used to reimburse
 2528  emergency medical services or public safety services for tourism
 2529  or special events, the governing board of a county or
 2530  municipality may not use such taxes to supplant the normal
 2531  operating expenses of an emergency medical services department,
 2532  a fire department, a sheriff’s office, or a police department.
 2533  To receive reimbursement, the county must:
 2534         1.a. Generate a minimum of $10 million in annual proceeds
 2535  from any tax, or any combination of taxes, authorized to be
 2536  levied pursuant to this section;
 2537         b. Have at least three municipalities; and
 2538         c. Have an estimated population of less than 275,000,
 2539  according to the most recent population estimate prepared
 2540  pursuant to s. 186.901, excluding the inmate population; or
 2541         2. Be a fiscally constrained county as described in s.
 2542  218.67(1).
 2543  
 2544  The board of county commissioners must by majority vote approve
 2545  reimbursement made pursuant to this paragraph upon receipt of a
 2546  recommendation from the tourist development council.
 2547         Section 61. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2548  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2549  reference thereto, subsection (3) of section 193.624, Florida
 2550  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2551         193.624 Assessment of renewable energy source devices.—
 2552         (3) This section applies to the installation of a renewable
 2553  energy source device installed on or after January 1, 2013, to
 2554  new and existing residential real property. This section applies
 2555  to a renewable energy source device installed on or after
 2556  January 1, 2018, to all other real property, except when
 2557  installed as part of a project planned for a location in a
 2558  fiscally constrained county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for
 2559  which an application for a comprehensive plan amendment or
 2560  planned unit development zoning has been filed with the county
 2561  on or before December 31, 2017.
 2562         Section 62. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2563  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2564  reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 196.182, Florida
 2565  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2566         196.182 Exemption of renewable energy source devices.—
 2567         (2) The exemption provided in this section does not apply
 2568  to a renewable energy source device that is installed as part of
 2569  a project planned for a location in a fiscally constrained
 2570  county, as defined in s. 218.67(1), and for which an application
 2571  for a comprehensive plan amendment or planned unit development
 2572  zoning has been filed with the county on or before December 31,
 2573  2017.
 2574         Section 63. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2575  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2576  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.12, Florida
 2577  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2578         218.12 Appropriations to offset reductions in ad valorem
 2579  tax revenue in fiscally constrained counties.—
 2580         (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2008-2009, the Legislature
 2581  shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
 2582  tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
 2583  defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
 2584  implementation of revisions of Art. VII of the State
 2585  Constitution approved in the special election held on January
 2586  29, 2008. The moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be
 2587  distributed in January of each fiscal year among the fiscally
 2588  constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
 2589  total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
 2590  implementation of the revision.
 2591         Section 64. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2592  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2593  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.125, Florida
 2594  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2595         218.125 Offset for tax loss associated with certain
 2596  constitutional amendments affecting fiscally constrained
 2597  counties.—
 2598         (1) Beginning in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Legislature
 2599  shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
 2600  tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
 2601  defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
 2602  implementation of revisions of ss. 3(f) and 4(b), Art. VII of
 2603  the State Constitution which were approved in the general
 2604  election held in November 2008. The moneys appropriated for this
 2605  purpose shall be distributed in January of each fiscal year
 2606  among the fiscally constrained counties based on each county’s
 2607  proportion of the total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue
 2608  resulting from the implementation of the revisions.
 2609         Section 65. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2610  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2611  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.135, Florida
 2612  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2613         218.135 Offset for tax loss associated with reductions in
 2614  value of certain citrus fruit packing and processing equipment.—
 2615         (1) For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Legislature shall
 2616  appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax
 2617  revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as defined
 2618  in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
 2619  implementation of s. 193.4516. The moneys appropriated for this
 2620  purpose shall be distributed in January 2019 among the fiscally
 2621  constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the
 2622  total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
 2623  implementation of s. 193.4516.
 2624         Section 66. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2625  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2626  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 218.136, Florida
 2627  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2628         218.136 Offset for ad valorem revenue loss affecting
 2629  fiscally constrained counties.—
 2630         (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, the Legislature
 2631  shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem
 2632  tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as
 2633  defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the
 2634  implementation of revisions of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
 2635  Constitution approved in the November 2024 general election. The
 2636  moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be distributed in
 2637  January of each fiscal year among the fiscally constrained
 2638  counties based on each county’s proportion of the total
 2639  reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the
 2640  implementation of the revision of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State
 2641  Constitution.
 2642         Section 67. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2643  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2644  reference thereto, paragraph (cc) of subsection (2) of section
 2645  252.35, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2646         252.35 Emergency management powers; Division of Emergency
 2647  Management.—
 2648         (2) The division is responsible for carrying out the
 2649  provisions of ss. 252.31-252.90. In performing its duties, the
 2650  division shall:
 2651         (cc) Prioritize technical assistance and training to
 2652  fiscally constrained counties as defined in s. 218.67(1) on
 2653  aspects of safety measures, preparedness, prevention, response,
 2654  recovery, and mitigation relating to natural disasters and
 2655  emergencies.
 2656         Section 68. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2657  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2658  reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 288.102, Florida
 2659  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2660         288.102 Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program.—
 2661         (4) A minimum of a one-to-one match of nonstate resources,
 2662  including local, federal, or private funds, to the state
 2663  contribution is required. An award may not be made for a project
 2664  that is receiving or using state funding from another state
 2665  source or statutory program, including tax credits. The one-to
 2666  one match requirement is waived for a public entity located in a
 2667  fiscally constrained county as defined in s. 218.67(1).
 2668         Section 69. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2669  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2670  reference thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (16) of section
 2671  403.064, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2672         403.064 Reuse of reclaimed water.—
 2673         (16) By November 1, 2021, domestic wastewater utilities
 2674  that dispose of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water by
 2675  surface water discharge shall submit to the department for
 2676  review and approval a plan for eliminating nonbeneficial surface
 2677  water discharge by January 1, 2032, subject to the requirements
 2678  of this section. The plan must include the average gallons per
 2679  day of effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse water that will no
 2680  longer be discharged into surface waters and the date of such
 2681  elimination, the average gallons per day of surface water
 2682  discharge which will continue in accordance with the
 2683  alternatives provided for in subparagraphs (a)2. and 3., and the
 2684  level of treatment that the effluent, reclaimed water, or reuse
 2685  water will receive before being discharged into a surface water
 2686  by each alternative.
 2687         (g) This subsection does not apply to any of the following:
 2688         1. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
 2689  in a fiscally constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1).
 2690         2. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
 2691  in a municipality that is entirely within a rural area of
 2692  opportunity as designated pursuant to s. 288.0656.
 2693         3. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is located
 2694  in a municipality that has less than $10 million in total
 2695  revenue, as determined by the municipality’s most recent annual
 2696  financial report submitted to the Department of Financial
 2697  Services in accordance with s. 218.32.
 2698         4. A domestic wastewater treatment facility that is
 2699  operated by an operator of a mobile home park as defined in s.
 2700  723.003 and has a permitted capacity of less than 300,000
 2701  gallons per day.
 2702         Section 70. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2703  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in
 2704  references thereto, subsections (2) and (3) of section 589.08,
 2705  Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
 2706         589.08 Land acquisition restrictions.—
 2707         (2) The Florida Forest Service may receive, hold the
 2708  custody of, and exercise the control of any lands, and set aside
 2709  into a separate, distinct and inviolable fund, any proceeds
 2710  derived from the sales of the products of such lands, the use
 2711  thereof in any manner, or the sale of such lands save the 25
 2712  percent of the proceeds to be paid into the State School Fund as
 2713  provided by law. The Florida Forest Service may use and apply
 2714  such funds for the acquisition, use, custody, management,
 2715  development, or improvement of any lands vested in or subject to
 2716  the control of the Florida Forest Service. After full payment
 2717  has been made for the purchase of a state forest to the Federal
 2718  Government or other grantor, 15 percent of the gross receipts
 2719  from a state forest shall be paid to the fiscally constrained
 2720  county or counties, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which it is
 2721  located in proportion to the acreage located in each county for
 2722  use by the county or counties for school purposes.
 2723         (3) The Florida Forest Service shall pay 15 percent of the
 2724  gross receipts from the Goethe State Forest to each fiscally
 2725  constrained county, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which a
 2726  portion of the respective forest is located in proportion to the
 2727  forest acreage located in such county. The funds must be equally
 2728  divided between the board of county commissioners and the school
 2729  board of each fiscally constrained county.
 2730         Section 71. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2731  made by this act to section 218.67, Florida Statutes, in a
 2732  reference thereto, paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
 2733  1011.62, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2734         1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
 2735  allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
 2736  district for operation of schools is not determined in the
 2737  annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
 2738  the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
 2739  follows:
 2740         (1) COMPUTATION OF THE BASIC AMOUNT TO BE INCLUDED FOR
 2741  OPERATION.—The following procedure shall be followed in
 2742  determining the annual allocation to each district for
 2743  operation:
 2744         (f) Small district factor.—An additional value per full
 2745  time equivalent student membership is provided to each school
 2746  district with a full-time equivalent student membership of fewer
 2747  than 20,000 full-time equivalent students which is in a fiscally
 2748  constrained county as described in s. 218.67(1). The amount of
 2749  the additional value shall be specified in the General
 2750  Appropriations Act.
 2751         Section 72. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2752  made by this act to sections 218.67 and 339.2818, Florida
 2753  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (6)
 2754  of section 403.0741, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2755         403.0741 Grease waste removal and disposal.—
 2756         (6) REGULATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—
 2757         (c) Fiscally constrained counties as described in s.
 2758  218.67(1) and small counties as defined in s. 339.2818(2) may
 2759  opt out of the requirements of this section.
 2760         Section 73. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2761  made by this act to section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, in a
 2762  reference thereto, paragraph (e) of subsection (7) of section
 2763  163.3177, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2764         163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive
 2765  plan; studies and surveys.—
 2766         (7)
 2767         (e) This subsection does not confer the status of rural
 2768  area of opportunity, or any of the rights or benefits derived
 2769  from such status, on any land area not otherwise designated as
 2770  such pursuant to s. 288.0656(7).
 2771         Section 74. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2772  made by this act to section 288.9961, Florida Statutes, in a
 2773  reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
 2774  288.9962, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2775         288.9962 Broadband Opportunity Program.—
 2776         (7)(a) In evaluating grant applications and awarding
 2777  grants, the office must give priority to applications that:
 2778         1. Offer broadband Internet service to important community
 2779  institutions, including, but not limited to, libraries,
 2780  educational institutions, public safety facilities, and health
 2781  care facilities;
 2782         2. Facilitate the use of telemedicine and electronic health
 2783  records;
 2784         3. Serve economically distressed areas of this state, as
 2785  measured by indices of unemployment, poverty, or population loss
 2786  that are significantly greater than the statewide average;
 2787         4. Provide for scalability to transmission speeds of at
 2788  least 100 megabits per second download and 10 megabits per
 2789  second upload;
 2790         5. Include a component to actively promote the adoption of
 2791  the newly available broadband Internet service in the community;
 2792         6. Provide evidence of strong support for the project from
 2793  citizens, government, businesses, and institutions in the
 2794  community;
 2795         7. Provide access to broadband Internet service to the
 2796  greatest number of unserved households and businesses;
 2797         8. Leverage greater amounts of funding for a project from
 2798  private sources; or
 2799         9. Demonstrate consistency with the strategic plan adopted
 2800  under s. 288.9961.
 2801         Section 75. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2802  made by this act to section 319.32, Florida Statutes, in a
 2803  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 215.211, Florida
 2804  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2805         215.211 Service charge; elimination or reduction for
 2806  specified proceeds.—
 2807         (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 215.20(1) and
 2808  former s. 215.20(3), the service charge provided in s. 215.20(1)
 2809  and former s. 215.20(3), which is deducted from the proceeds of
 2810  the taxes distributed under ss. 206.606(1), 207.026,
 2811  212.0501(6), and 319.32(5), shall be eliminated beginning July
 2812  1, 2000.
 2813         Section 76. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2814  made by this act to section 339.68, Florida Statutes, in
 2815  references thereto, subsections (5) and (6) of section 339.66,
 2816  Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
 2817         339.66 Upgrade of arterial highways with controlled access
 2818  facilities.—
 2819         (5) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
 2820  department projects shall apply to projects undertaken by the
 2821  department pursuant to this section. The department shall take
 2822  into consideration the guidance and recommendations of any
 2823  previous studies or reports relevant to the projects authorized
 2824  by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including, but not
 2825  limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to chapter
 2826  2019-43, Laws of Florida.
 2827         (6) Any existing applicable requirements relating to
 2828  turnpike projects apply to projects undertaken by the Turnpike
 2829  Enterprise pursuant to this section. The Turnpike Enterprise
 2830  shall take into consideration the guidance and recommendations
 2831  of any previous studies or reports relevant to the projects
 2832  authorized by this section and ss. 339.67 and 339.68, including,
 2833  but not limited to, the task force reports prepared pursuant to
 2834  chapter 2019-43, Laws of Florida, and with respect to any
 2835  extension of the Florida Turnpike from its northerly terminus in
 2836  Wildwood.
 2837         Section 77. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2838  made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in
 2839  references thereto, subsections (4) and (6) of section 420.9072,
 2840  Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
 2841         420.9072 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program.—The
 2842  State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program is created for the
 2843  purpose of providing funds to counties and eligible
 2844  municipalities as an incentive for the creation of local housing
 2845  partnerships, to expand production of and preserve affordable
 2846  housing, to further the housing element of the local government
 2847  comprehensive plan specific to affordable housing, and to
 2848  increase housing-related employment.
 2849         (4) Moneys in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund shall
 2850  be distributed by the corporation to each approved county and
 2851  eligible municipality within the county as provided in s.
 2852  420.9073. Distributions shall be allocated to the participating
 2853  county and to each eligible municipality within the county
 2854  according to an interlocal agreement between the county
 2855  governing authority and the governing body of the eligible
 2856  municipality or, if there is no interlocal agreement, according
 2857  to population. The portion for each eligible municipality is
 2858  computed by multiplying the total moneys earmarked for a county
 2859  by a fraction, the numerator of which is the population of the
 2860  eligible municipality and the denominator of which is the total
 2861  population of the county. The remaining revenues shall be
 2862  distributed to the governing body of the county.
 2863         (6) The moneys that otherwise would be distributed pursuant
 2864  to s. 420.9073 to a local government that does not meet the
 2865  program’s requirements for receipts of such distributions shall
 2866  remain in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund to be
 2867  administered by the corporation.
 2868         Section 78. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2869  made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
 2870  reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
 2871  420.9076, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2872         420.9076 Adoption of affordable housing incentive
 2873  strategies; committees.—
 2874         (7) The governing board of the county or the eligible
 2875  municipality shall notify the corporation by certified mail of
 2876  its adoption of an amendment of its local housing assistance
 2877  plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies. The
 2878  notice must include a copy of the approved amended plan.
 2879         (b) If a county fails to timely adopt an amended local
 2880  housing assistance plan to incorporate local housing incentive
 2881  strategies but an eligible municipality receiving a local
 2882  housing distribution pursuant to an interlocal agreement within
 2883  the county does timely adopt an amended local housing assistance
 2884  plan to incorporate local housing incentive strategies, the
 2885  corporation, after issuance of a notice of termination, shall
 2886  thereafter distribute directly to the participating eligible
 2887  municipality its share calculated in the manner provided in s.
 2888  420.9073.
 2889         Section 79. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
 2890  made by this act to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, in a
 2891  reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 420.9079, Florida
 2892  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
 2893         420.9079 Local Government Housing Trust Fund.—
 2894         (2) The corporation shall administer the fund exclusively
 2895  for the purpose of implementing the programs described in ss.
 2896  420.907-420.9076 and this section. With the exception of
 2897  monitoring the activities of counties and eligible
 2898  municipalities to determine local compliance with program
 2899  requirements, the corporation shall not receive appropriations
 2900  from the fund for administrative or personnel costs. For the
 2901  purpose of implementing the compliance monitoring provisions of
 2902  s. 420.9075(9), the corporation may request a maximum of one
 2903  quarter of 1 percent of the annual appropriation per state
 2904  fiscal year. When such funding is appropriated, the corporation
 2905  shall deduct the amount appropriated prior to calculating the
 2906  local housing distribution pursuant to ss. 420.9072 and
 2907  420.9073.
 2908  
 2909  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
 2910  And the title is amended as follows:
 2911         Delete lines 31 - 39
 2912  and insert:
 2913         An act relating to economic development; reenacting
 2914         and amending s. 20.60, F.S.; revising the list of
 2915         divisions and offices within the Department of
 2916         Commerce to conform to changes made by the act;
 2917         revising the annual program reports that must be
 2918         included in the annual report of the Department of
 2919         Commerce; amending s. 163.3168, F.S.; requiring the
 2920         state land planning agency to give preference for
 2921         technical assistance funding to local governments
 2922         located in a rural area of opportunity; requiring the
 2923         agency to consult with the Office of Rural Prosperity
 2924         when awarding certain funding; amending s. 201.15,
 2925         F.S.; requiring that a certain sum be paid to the
 2926         credit of the State Transportation Trust Fund for the
 2927         exclusive use of the Florida Arterial Road
 2928         Modernization Program; amending s. 202.18, F.S.;
 2929         redirecting the transfer of certain communication
 2930         services tax revenue; amending s. 212.20, F.S.;
 2931         revising the distribution of sales and use tax revenue
 2932         to include a transfer to fiscally constrained
 2933         counties; amending s. 215.971, F.S.; providing
 2934         construction regarding agreements funded with federal
 2935         or state assistance; requiring the agency to expedite
 2936         payment requests from a county, municipality, or rural
 2937         area of opportunity for a specified purpose; requiring
 2938         each state agency to report to the Office of Rural
 2939         Prosperity by a certain date with a summary of certain
 2940         information; requiring the office to summarize the
 2941         information it receives for its annual report;
 2942         amending s. 218.67, F.S.; revising the conditions
 2943         required for a county to be considered a fiscally
 2944         constrained county; authorizing eligible counties to
 2945         receive a distribution of sales and use tax revenue;
 2946         revising the sources that the Department of Revenue
 2947         must use to determine the amount distributed to
 2948         fiscally constrained counties; revising the factors
 2949         for allocation of the distribution of revenue to
 2950         fiscally constrained counties; requiring that the
 2951         computation and amount distributed be calculated based
 2952         on a specified rounding algorithm; authorizing
 2953         specified uses for the revenue; conforming a cross
 2954         reference; amending s. 288.0001, F.S.; requiring the
 2955         Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the
 2956         Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
 2957         Accountability (OPPAGA) to prepare a report for a
 2958         specified purpose; specifying requirements for the
 2959         report; providing that the Office of Economic and
 2960         Demographic Research and OPPAGA must be provided with
 2961         all data necessary to complete the rural communities
 2962         or areas report upon request; authorizing the Office
 2963         of Economic and Demographic Research and OPPAGA to
 2964         collaborate on all data collection and analysis;
 2965         requiring the Office of Economic and Demographic
 2966         Research and OPPAGA to submit the report to the
 2967         Legislature by a specified date; providing additional
 2968         requirements for the report; providing for expiration;
 2969         amending s. 288.001, F.S.; requiring the Florida Small
 2970         Business Development Center Network to use certain
 2971         funds appropriated for a specified purpose;
 2972         authorizing the network to dedicate funds to
 2973         facilitate certain events; amending s. 288.007, F.S.;
 2974         revising which local governments and economic
 2975         development organizations seeking to recruit
 2976         businesses are required to submit a specified report;
 2977         creating s. 288.013, F.S.; providing legislative
 2978         findings; creating the Office of Rural Prosperity
 2979         within the Department of Commerce; requiring the
 2980         Governor to appoint a director, subject to
 2981         confirmation by the Senate; providing that the
 2982         director reports to and serves at the pleasure of the
 2983         secretary of the department; providing the duties of
 2984         the office; requiring the office to establish by a
 2985         specified date a certain number of regional rural
 2986         community liaison centers across this state for a
 2987         specified purpose; providing the powers, duties, and
 2988         functions of the liaison centers; requiring the
 2989         liaison centers, to the extent possible, to coordinate
 2990         with certain entities; requiring the liaison centers
 2991         to engage with the Rural Economic Development
 2992         Initiative (REDI); requiring at least one staff member
 2993         of a liaison center to attend the monthly meetings in
 2994         person or by means of electronic communication;
 2995         requiring the director of the office to submit an
 2996         annual report to the Administration Commission in the
 2997         Executive Office of the Governor; specifying
 2998         requirements for the annual report; requiring that the
 2999         annual report also be submitted to the Legislature by
 3000         a specified date and published on the office’s
 3001         website; requiring the director of the office to
 3002         attend the next Administration Commission meeting to
 3003         present detailed information from the annual report;
 3004         requiring OPPAGA to review the effectiveness of the
 3005         office by a certain date annually until a specified
 3006         date; requiring OPPAGA to review the office at
 3007         specified intervals; requiring such reviews to include
 3008         certain information to be considered by the
 3009         Legislature; requiring that such reports be submitted
 3010         to the Legislature; requiring OPPAGA to review certain
 3011         strategies from other states; requiring OPPAGA to
 3012         submit to the Legislature its findings at certain
 3013         intervals; creating s. 288.014, F.S.; providing
 3014         legislative findings; requiring the Office of Rural
 3015         Prosperity to administer the Renaissance Grants
 3016         Program to provide block grants to eligible
 3017         communities; requiring the Office of Economic and
 3018         Demographic Research to certify to the Office of Rural
 3019         Prosperity certain information by a specified date;
 3020         defining the term “growth-impeded”; requiring the
 3021         Office of Economic and Demographic Research to certify
 3022         annually that a county remains growth-impeded until
 3023         such county has positive population growth for a
 3024         specified amount of time; providing that such county,
 3025         after 3 consecutive years of population growth, is
 3026         eligible to participate in the program for 1
 3027         additional year; requiring a county eligible for the
 3028         program to enter into an agreement with the Office of
 3029         Rural Prosperity in order to receive the block grant;
 3030         giving such counties broad authority to design their
 3031         specific plans; prohibiting the Office of Rural
 3032         Prosperity from determining how such counties
 3033         implement the block grant; requiring regional rural
 3034         community liaison center staff to provide assistance,
 3035         upon request; requiring participating counties to
 3036         report annually to the Office of Rural Prosperity with
 3037         certain information; providing that a participating
 3038         county receives a specified amount from funds
 3039         appropriated to the program; requiring participating
 3040         counties to make all attempts to limit the amount
 3041         spent on administrative costs; authorizing
 3042         participating counties to contribute other funds for
 3043         block grant purposes; requiring participating counties
 3044         to hire a renaissance coordinator; providing that
 3045         funds from the block grant may be used to hire the
 3046         renaissance coordinator; providing the
 3047         responsibilities of the renaissance coordinator;
 3048         requiring the regional rural community liaison center
 3049         staff to provide assistance and training to the
 3050         renaissance coordinator, upon request; requiring
 3051         participating counties to design a plan to make
 3052         targeted investments to achieve population growth and
 3053         increase economic vitality; providing requirements for
 3054         such plans; requiring participating counties to
 3055         develop intergovernmental agreements with certain
 3056         entities in order to implement the plan; requiring the
 3057         Auditor General to conduct an operational audit every
 3058         2 years for a specified purpose; requiring the Office
 3059         of Economic and Demographic Research to provide an
 3060         annual report on a specified date of renaissance block
 3061         grant recipients by county; providing requirements for
 3062         the annual report; requiring that the report be
 3063         submitted to the Legislature; prohibiting funds
 3064         appropriated for the program from being subject to
 3065         reversion; providing for an expiration of the section;
 3066         creating s. 288.0175, F.S.; creating the Public
 3067         Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program within
 3068         the Office of Rural Prosperity; defining terms;
 3069         requiring the office to contract with one or more
 3070         smart technology lead organizations to administer a
 3071         grant program for a specified purpose; providing the
 3072         criteria for such contracts; requiring that projects
 3073         funded by the grant program be included in the
 3074         office’s annual report; amending s. 288.018, F.S.;
 3075         requiring the office, rather than the Department of
 3076         Commerce, to establish a grant program to provide
 3077         funding for regional economic development
 3078         organizations; revising who may apply for such grants;
 3079         providing that a grant award may not exceed a certain
 3080         amount in a year; providing exceptions to a provision
 3081         that the department may expend a certain amount for a
 3082         certain purpose; amending s. 288.019, F.S.; revising
 3083         the program criteria and procedures that agencies and
 3084         organizations of REDI are required to review; revising
 3085         the list of impacts each REDI agency and organization
 3086         must consider in its review; requiring REDI agencies
 3087         and organizations to develop a proposal for
 3088         modifications which minimizes the financial and
 3089         resource impacts to a rural community; requiring that
 3090         ranking of evaluation criteria and scoring procedures
 3091         be used only when ranking is a component of the
 3092         program; requiring that match requirements be waived
 3093         or reduced for rural communities; providing that
 3094         donations of land may be treated as in-kind matches;
 3095         requiring each agency and organization that applies
 3096         for or receives federal funding to request federal
 3097         approval to waive or reduce the financial match
 3098         requirements, if any, for projects in rural
 3099         communities; requiring that proposals be submitted to
 3100         the office, rather than the department; requiring each
 3101         REDI agency and organization to modify rules or
 3102         policies as necessary to reflect the finalized
 3103         proposal; requiring that information about authorized
 3104         waivers be included on the office’s online rural
 3105         resource directory; conforming a cross-reference;
 3106         amending s. 288.021, F.S.; requiring, when
 3107         practicable, the economic development liaison to serve
 3108         as the agency representative for REDI; amending s.
 3109         288.065, F.S.; defining the term “unit of local
 3110         government”; requiring the office to include in its
 3111         annual report certain information about the Rural
 3112         Community Development Revolving Loan Fund; conforming
 3113         provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
 3114         288.0655, F.S.; revising the list of grants that may
 3115         be awarded by the office; deleting the authorization
 3116         for local match requirements to be waived for a
 3117         catalyst site; revising the list of departments the
 3118         office must consult with to certify applicants;
 3119         requiring the office to include certain information
 3120         about the Rural Infrastructure Trust Fund in its
 3121         annual report; conforming provisions to changes made
 3122         by the act; amending s. 288.0656, F.S.; providing
 3123         legislative findings; providing that REDI is created
 3124         within the Office of Rural Prosperity, rather than the
 3125         department; deleting the definitions of the terms
 3126         “catalyst project” and “catalyst site”; requiring that
 3127         an alternate for each designated deputy secretary be a
 3128         deputy secretary or higher-level staff person;
 3129         requiring that the names of such alternates be
 3130         reported to the director of the office; requiring at
 3131         least one rural liaison to participate in REDI
 3132         meetings; requiring REDI to meet at least each month;
 3133         deleting a provision that a rural area of opportunity
 3134         may designate catalyst projects; requiring REDI to
 3135         submit a certain report to the office, rather than to
 3136         the department; specifying requirements for such
 3137         report; conforming provisions to changes made by the
 3138         act; repealing s. 288.06561, F.S., relating to
 3139         reduction or waiver of financial match requirements;
 3140         amending s. 288.0657, F.S.; requiring the office,
 3141         rather than the department, to provide grants to
 3142         assist rural communities; providing that such grants
 3143         may be used for specified purposes; requiring the
 3144         rural liaison to assist those applying for such
 3145         grants; providing that marketing grants may include
 3146         certain funding; amending s. 288.1226, F.S.; revising
 3147         required components of the 4-year marketing plan of
 3148         the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation;
 3149         repealing s. 288.12266, F.S., relating to the Targeted
 3150         Marketing Assistance Program; amending s. 288.9961,
 3151         F.S.; revising the definition of the term
 3152         “underserved”; requiring the office to consult with
 3153         regional rural community liaison centers on
 3154         development of a certain strategic plan; requiring
 3155         rural liaisons to assist rural communities with
 3156         providing feedback in applying for federal grants for
 3157         broadband Internet services; requiring the office to
 3158         submit reports with specified information to the
 3159         Governor and the Legislature within certain
 3160         timeframes; repealing s. 290.06561, F.S., relating to
 3161         designation of rural enterprise zones as catalyst
 3162         sites; amending s. 319.32, F.S.; revising the
 3163         disposition of fees collected for certain title
 3164         certificates; amending s. 322.095, F.S.; specifying
 3165         the age at which an applicant for a driver license
 3166         must complete a traffic law and substance abuse
 3167         education course; amending s. 322.1615, F.S.;
 3168         requiring an applicant for a learner’s driver license
 3169         to complete a certain driver education course approved
 3170         by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
 3171         Vehicles; amending s. 334.044, F.S.; revising the
 3172         powers and duties of the Department of Transportation;
 3173         amending s. 339.0801, F.S.; revising the allocation of
 3174         funds received in the State Transportation Trust Fund;
 3175         amending s. 339.135, F.S.; requiring that funds for
 3176         rural transit operating block grants be allocated in a
 3177         certain manner; amending s. 339.2816, F.S.; requiring,
 3178         rather than authorizing, that certain funds received
 3179         from the State Transportation Trust Fund be used for
 3180         the Small County Road Assistance Program; requiring
 3181         the department to use other additional revenues for
 3182         the Small County Road Assistance Program; providing an
 3183         exception from the prohibition against funding
 3184         capacity improvements on county roads; amending s.
 3185         339.2817, F.S.; revising the criteria that the
 3186         Department of Transportation must consider for
 3187         evaluating projects for County Incentive Grant Program
 3188         assistance; requiring the department to give priority
 3189         to counties located either wholly or partially within
 3190         the Everglades Agricultural Area and which request a
 3191         specified percentage of project costs for eligible
 3192         projects; specifying a limitation on such requests;
 3193         providing for future expiration; amending s. 339.2818,
 3194         F.S.; deleting a provision that the funds allocated
 3195         under the Small County Outreach Program are in
 3196         addition to the Small County Road Assistance Program;
 3197         deleting a provision that a local government within
 3198         the Everglades Agricultural Area, the Peace River
 3199         Basin, or the Suwannee River Basin may compete for
 3200         additional funding; conforming provisions to changes
 3201         made by the act; making a technical change; amending
 3202         s. 339.68, F.S.; providing legislative findings;
 3203         creating the Florida Arterial Road Modernization
 3204         Program within the Department of Commerce; defining
 3205         the term “rural community”; requiring the department
 3206         to allocate from the State Transportation Trust Fund a
 3207         minimum sum in each fiscal year to fund the program;
 3208         providing that such funding is in addition to any
 3209         other funding provided to the program; providing
 3210         criteria the department must use to prioritize
 3211         projects for funding under the program; requiring the
 3212         department to submit a report to the Governor and the
 3213         Legislature by a specified date; requiring that such
 3214         report be submitted every 2 years thereafter;
 3215         providing the criteria for such report; requiring the
 3216         Department of Transportation to allocate additional
 3217         funds to implement the Small County Road Assistance
 3218         Program and amend the tentative work program for a
 3219         specified number of fiscal years; requiring the
 3220         department to submit a budget amendment before the
 3221         adoption of the work program; requiring the department
 3222         to allocate sufficient funds to implement the Florida
 3223         Arterial Road Modernization Program; requiring the
 3224         department to amend the current tentative work program
 3225         for a specified number of fiscal years to include the
 3226         program’s projects; requiring the department to submit
 3227         a budget amendment before the implementation of the
 3228         program; requiring that the revenue increases in the
 3229         State Transportation Trust Fund which are derived from
 3230         the act be used to fund the work program; amending s.
 3231         341.052, F.S.; revising the list of providers to which
 3232         certain block grant funds shall be provided; revising
 3233         the specified report used to verify certain data;
 3234         creating s. 341.0525, F.S.; creating a rural transit
 3235         operating block grant program to be administered by
 3236         the department; requiring the annual allocation of
 3237         certain funds from the State Transportation Trust Fund
 3238         for the program; providing for the distribution of
 3239         funds to each eligible public transit provider in at
 3240         least a certain amount; providing authorized uses of
 3241         grant funds; prohibiting state participation in
 3242         certain costs above a specified percentage or amount;
 3243         prohibiting an eligible public transit provider from
 3244         using block grant funds in a certain manner; providing
 3245         an exception; prohibiting the state from giving a
 3246         county more than a specified percentage of available
 3247         funds or a certain amount; providing eligibility
 3248         requirements; requiring an eligible provider to return
 3249         funds under certain circumstances; authorizing the
 3250         department to consult with an eligible provider before
 3251         distributing funds to make a certain determination;
 3252         requiring an eligible provider to repay to the
 3253         department funds expended on unauthorized uses if
 3254         revealed in an audit; requiring the department to
 3255         redistribute returned and repaid funds to other
 3256         eligible providers; amending s. 420.9073, F.S.;
 3257         revising the calculation of guaranteed amounts
 3258         distributed from the Local Government Housing Trust
 3259         Fund; reenacting and amending s. 420.9075, F.S.;
 3260         authorizing a certain percentage of the funds made
 3261         available in each county and eligible municipality
 3262         from the local housing distribution to be used to
 3263         preserve multifamily affordable rental housing;
 3264         specifying what such funds may be used for; providing
 3265         an expiration; providing appropriations for specified
 3266         purposes; amending ss. 163.3187, 212.205, 257.191,
 3267         257.193, 265.283, 288.11621, 288.11631, 443.191,
 3268         571.26, and 571.265, F.S.; conforming cross-references
 3269         and provisions to changes made by the act; reenacting
 3270         s. 288.9935(8), F.S., relating to the Microfinance
 3271         Guarantee Program, to incorporate the amendment made
 3272         to s. 20.60, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting
 3273         ss. 125.0104(5)(c), 193.624(3), 196.182(2), 218.12(1),
 3274         218.125(1), 218.135(1), 218.136(1), 252.35(2)(cc),
 3275         288.102(4), 403.064(16)(g), 589.08(2) and (3), and
 3276         1011.62(1)(f), F.S., relating to authorized uses of
 3277         tourist development tax; applicability of assessments
 3278         of renewable energy source devices; application of
 3279         exemptions of renewable energy source devices;
 3280         appropriations to offset reductions in ad valorem tax
 3281         revenue in fiscally constrained counties; offset for
 3282         tax loss associated with certain constitutional
 3283         amendments affecting fiscally constrained counties;
 3284         offset for tax loss associated with reductions in
 3285         value of certain citrus fruit packing and processing
 3286         equipment; offset for ad valorem revenue loss
 3287         affecting fiscally constrained counties; Division of
 3288         Emergency Management powers; one-to-one match
 3289         requirement under the Supply Chain Innovation Grant
 3290         Program; applicability of provisions related to reuse
 3291         of reclaimed water; land acquisition restrictions; and
 3292         funds for operation of schools, respectively, to
 3293         incorporate the amendment made to s. 218.67, F.S., in
 3294         references thereto; reenacting s. 403.0741(6)(c),
 3295         F.S., relating to grease waste removal and disposal,
 3296         to incorporate the amendments made to ss. 218.67 and
 3297         339.2818, F.S., in references thereto; reenacting s.
 3298         163.3177(7)(e), F.S., relating to required and
 3299         optional elements of comprehensive plans and studies
 3300         and surveys, to incorporate the amendment made to s.
 3301         288.0656, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s.
 3302         288.9962(7)(a), F.S., relating to the Broadband
 3303         Opportunity Program, to incorporate the amendment made
 3304         to s. 288.9961, F.S., in a reference thereto;
 3305         reenacting s. 215.211(1), F.S., relating to service
 3306         charges and elimination or reduction for specified
 3307         proceeds, to incorporate the amendment made to s.
 3308         319.32, F.S., in a reference thereto; reenacting s.
 3309         339.66(5) and (6), F.S., relating to upgrades of
 3310         arterial highways with controlled access facilities,
 3311         to incorporate the amendment made to s. 339.68, F.S.,
 3312         in references thereto; reenacting ss. 420.9072(4) and
 3313         (6), 420.9076(7)(b), and 420.9079(2), F.S., relating
 3314         to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program,
 3315         adoption of affordable housing incentive strategies
 3316         and committees, and the Local Government Housing Trust
 3317         Fund, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made
 3318         to s. 420.9073, F.S., in references thereto; providing
 3319         an effective date.