Florida 2023 2023 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1169 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 03/15/2023

                    This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME: h1169a.LFS 
DATE: 3/15/2023 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LOCAL BILL STAFF ANALYSIS 
 
BILL #: HB 1169    Hamilton County 
SPONSOR(S): Shoaf 
TIED BILLS:    IDEN./SIM. BILLS:   
 
REFERENCE 	ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or 
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF 
1) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special 
Districts Subcommittee 
18 Y, 0 N Burgess Darden 
2) State Affairs Committee    
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
The Hamilton County Development Authority (Authority) was an independent special district created by a 
special act in 1959. The Authority assists the growth of existing businesses in Hamilton County and 
encourages new investments and industry for the community. The Authority is governed by an eight-member 
board of supervisors (Board) made up of qualified electors appointed by the Governor to serve three-year 
terms.  The Authority’s proposed budget for FY 2021-22 was $3,500,000, primarily funded by the phosphate 
rock severance tax. The Authority will be dissolved on June 1, 2023 per general law. 
 
The bill reestablishes the Authority, effective June 1, 2023, and provides a new charter. The new charter 
largely mirrors the existing charter, except that the new chapter: 
 Specifies that the boundaries of the district are coextensive with boundaries of Hamilton County; and 
 Provides for a seven-member governing board serving four-year terms, with five members appointed 
by the Governor, one from each county commission district, and two members appointed by the 
Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners.   STORAGE NAME: h1169a.LFS 	PAGE: 2 
DATE: 3/15/2023 
  
FULL ANALYSIS 
I.  SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS 
 
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 
Present Situation 
 
Special Districts 
 
A “special district” is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to 
operate within a limited geographic boundary.
1
 A special district may be created by general law, special 
act, local ordinance, or rule of the Governor and Cabinet.
2
 A special district has only those powers 
expressly provided by, or reasonably implied from, the authority provided in the district’s charter.
3
 
Special districts provide specific municipal services in addition to, or in place of, those provided by a 
municipality or county.
4
  
 
A “dependent special district” is a special district meeting at least one of the following criteria: 
 the membership of the district’s governing body is identical to the governing body of a single 
county or municipality; 
 all members of the district’s governing body are appointed by the governing body of a single 
county or municipality; 
 members of the district’s governing body are removable at will by the governing body of a single 
county or municipality; or 
 the district’s budget is subject to approval by the governing body of a single county or 
municipality.
5
  
 
An “independent special district” is any district that is not a dependent special district or one that 
includes more than one county unless the district lies wholly within a single municipality.
6
  
 
According to the Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Special District Accountability Program 
Official List of Special Districts (Official List of Districts), there are 1,918 special districts, including 
1,303 independent special districts and 615 dependent districts.
7
 
 
Special districts do not possess “home rule” powers and may impose only those taxes, assessments, or 
fees authorized by special or general law. The special act creating an independent special district may 
provide for funding from a variety of sources while prohibiting others. For example, ad valorem tax 
authority is not mandatory for a special district.
8
  
 
Generally, the maximum millage rate for an independent special district is the millage rate authorized 
by law and approved by the electors of the district in a referendum.
9
 The 1968 Florida Constitution, 
however, provides that independent special districts with ad valorem tax authority established by law 
                                                
1
 S. 189.012(6), F.S. See also Halifax Hospital Medical Center v. State of Fla., et al., 278 So. 3d 545, 547-48 (Fla. 2019). 
2
 S. 189.012(6), F.S. 
3
 See ss. 189.02(4)-(5) and 189.031(3), F.S. Counties and municipalities have “home rule” powers allowing them to enact ordinances 
not inconsistent with general or special law for governmental, corporate, or proprietary purposes. Special districts do not possess home 
rule powers and are permitted to impose only those taxes, assessments, or fees authorized by special or general law. See art. VIII, ss. 
1(f) and (g), 2(b), s. 6(e), Fla. Const. and ss. 125.01 and 166.021, F.S. See also Local Gov’t Formation Manual 62, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3227 (last visited March 3, 2023). 
4
 Local Gov’t Formation Manual at 62. 
5
 S. 189.012(2), F.S. 
6
 S. 189.012(3), F.S. Independent special districts are created by the Legislature, unless another mechanism is authorized by general 
law. See, e.g. s. 190.005, F.S. (community development districts may be created by a county, municipality, or the Florida Land and 
Water Adjudicatory Commission, depending on the size and location of the district). 
7
 Dept. of Economic Opportunity, Special Dist. Accountability Program, “Official List of Special Districts,”  
https://specialdistrictreports.floridajobs.org/OfficialList/DistrictWebsitePDF (last visited March 3, 2023). 
8
 See art. VII, s. 9(a), Fla. Const.  
9
 See art. VII, s. 9(b), Fla. Const.  STORAGE NAME: h1169a.LFS 	PAGE: 3 
DATE: 3/15/2023 
  
before its effective date may continue to exercise that authority, but that the authority may be restricted 
or withdrawn by law unless such power is necessary to pay outstanding debts.
10
 
 
Formation and Charter of an Independent Special District 
 
With the exception of community development districts,
11
 the charter for an independent special district 
must include the minimum elements required by ch. 189, F.S.
12
 Charters of independent special 
districts must address and include a list of required provisions, including the purpose of the district, its 
geographical boundaries, taxing authority, bond authority, and selection procedures for the members of 
its governing body.
13
  
 
Independent Special District Dissolution 
 
Generally, an independent special district may be dissolved in one of the four following ways: 
 Voluntary dissolution by a majority vote plus one of the district’s board;
14
 
 For districts created by special act, the passage of a special act dissolving the district, subject to 
approval by a majority vote of the residents or landowners of the district;
15
 
 For districts created by a local government, voter approval of a referendum dissolving the 
district or by the procedure used to create the district;
16
 or 
 For districts that have been declared inactive by DEO, by special act or ordinance without a 
referendum.
17
 
 
Additionally, s. 189.0311(2), F.S., provides for the dissolution of all independent special districts created 
by special act prior to the ratification of the Florida Constitution on November 5, 1968, if those districts 
are not reestablished, re-ratified, or otherwise reconstituted by a special act or general law after that 
date.
18
 Such districts dissolve on June 1, 2023, unless re-established pursuant to the requirements and 
limitations of ch. 189, F.S., on or after that date. According to the Official List of Districts, 132 active 
independent special districts were created by special act before November 5, 1968,
19
 and of those 
districts, six do not operate under a charter that was reestablished, re-ratified, or otherwise 
reconstituted by a special act or general law after November 5, 1968.
20
  
 
Unless otherwise provided by law or ordinance, all assets and liabilities of a dissolved independent 
special district are transferred to the local general-purpose government having jurisdiction over the 
territory of the district.
21
 
 
Hamilton County Development Authority 
 
                                                
10
 Art. XII, ss. 2, 15, Fla. Const. See also art. IX, s. 2, Fla. Const. (1885), amended by SJR 69 (1939) (approved by the voters Nov. 5, 
1940) (prohibition on state levy of ad valorem taxes for state purposes). Bailey v. Ponce de Leon Port Authority, 398 So. 2d 812 (Fla. 
1981); see also Hillsborough County v. Tampa Port Authority, 563 So. 2d 1108 (Fla. 2d DCA 1990). 
11
 S. 189.0311, F.S.; see s. 190.004, F.S. (providing that ch. 190, F.S., governs the functions and powers of independent community 
development districts). 
12
 Ss. 189.031(1) and (3), F.S., sets forth the minimum charter requirements for an independent special district. 
13
 S. 189.031(3), F.S. (setting forth the minimum charter requirements).  
14
 S. 189.072(1), F.S. If the district was created by special act, dissolution also requires a special act of the Legislature to take effect. 
15
 S. 189.072(2)(a), F.S. 
16
 S. 189.072(2)(b), F.S. If the district has the power to levy ad valorem taxes, a referendum is required for dissolution. See Art. VII, s. 
9(b), Fla. Const. 
17
 S. 189.072(3), F.S. 
18
 Created by ch. 2022-266, Laws of Fla. 
19
 Dept. of Economic Opportunity, Special Dist. Accountability Program, “Official List of Special Districts,”  
https://specialdistrictreports.floridajobs.org/OfficialList/DistrictWebsitePDF (last visited March 3, 2023). 
20
 Bradford County Development Authority, Bradford County; Eastpoint Water and Sewer District, Franklin County; Hamilton County 
Development Authority, Hamilton County; Marion County Law Library, Marion County; Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and 
Osceola Counties; and Sunshine Water Control District, Broward County will dissolve on June 1, 2023, unless re-established pursuant 
to the requirements and limitations of ch. 189, F.S., on or after that date. Of those scheduled to sunset, Eastpoint Water and Sewer 
District, Reedy Creek Improvement District, and Sunshine Water Control District have debt obligations. 
21
 Ss. 189.072(4) and 189.076(2), F.S.  STORAGE NAME: h1169a.LFS 	PAGE: 4 
DATE: 3/15/2023 
  
The Hamilton County Development Authority (Authority) is an independent special district created by a 
special act in 1959.
22
 The Authority, assists existing local businesses in Hamilton County and 
encourages investments and industry in the community.
23
 The Authority is governed by an eight-
member board of supervisors (Board) made up of qualified electors appointed by the Governor to serve 
three-year terms.
24
 The Authority’s proposed budget for FY 2021-22 was $3,500,000,
25
 primarily funded 
by the phosphate rock severance tax.
26
 
 
Effect of the Proposed Changes 
 
The bill recreates the Authority, effective June 1, 2023, and provides a new charter for the district. The 
new charter for the Authority largely mirrors the existing charter, while removing provisions that are now 
provided for in general law. The new charter differs from the existing charter in two ways: 
 Specifies the boundaries of the authority are coextensive with the boundaries of Hamilton 
County; and 
 Provides for a seven-member governing board serving four-year terms, with five members 
appointed by the Governor, one from each county commission district, and two members 
appointed by the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners. 
 
B. SECTION DIRECTORY: 
Section 1:  Creates the district and provides a statement of purpose.  
 
Section 2:  Provides definitions.  
 
Section 3:  Creates the board of supervisors for the Authority, provides for appointment, terms, 
quorum, and compensation. 
 
Section 4:  Provides general powers and duties for the Authority. 
 
Section 5:  Prohibits creating a debt as against the state, county, or any of the incorporated    
      municipalities in Hamilton County. 
             
 Section 6:  Provides for liberal construction. 
 
 Section 7:  Provides severability.  
 
 Section 8:  Provides this act may be amended only by special act of the Legislature. 
 
 Section 9:  Provides an effective date of June 1, 2023.  
 
II.  NOTICE/REFERENDUM AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS 
 
A.  NOTICE PUBLISHED?     Yes [X]     No [] 
 
      IF YES, WHEN?  January 25, 2023. 
 
                                                
22
 Ch. 59-1322, Laws of Fla. 
23
 Hamilton County Development Authority, About HCDA, https://www.hamiltoncda.org/about-hcda/ (last visited Mar. 3, 2023). 
24
 Ch. 59-1322, s. 4, Laws of Fla. 
25
 2021 Hamilton County Development Authority Financial Statements 23, available at 
https://flauditor.gov/pages/specialdistricts_efile%20rpts/2021%20hamilton%20county%20development%20authority.pdf (last visited 
Mar. 3, 2023). 
26
 2021 Hamilton County Development Authority Financial Statements 10, available at 
https://flauditor.gov/pages/specialdistricts_efile%20rpts/2021%20hamilton%20county%20development%20authority.pdf (last visited 
Mar.ch 3, 2023). 
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WHERE?  The Riverbend News, a weekly newspaper published in Suwannee, Lafayette, 
and Hamilton Counties. 
 
B.  REFERENDUM(S) REQUIRED?     Yes []     No [X] 
 
      IF YES, WHEN? 
 
C.  LOCAL BILL CERTIFICATION FILED?     Yes [X]     No [] 
 
D.  ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT FILED?     Yes [X]     No [] 
 
 
III.  COMMENTS 
 
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: 
None. 
 
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY: 
The bill does not provide rulemaking authority or require executive branch rulemaking. 
 
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS: 
None. 
IV.  AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES 
 None.