This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h1225b.TMS
DATE: 3/27/2023
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LOCAL BILL STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1225 Sanford Airport Authority, Seminole County
SPONSOR(S): Smith
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) Transportation & Modals Subcommittee Lewis Hinshelwood
3) State Affairs Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
A "special district" is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to operate
within a limited geographic boundary. Special districts are created by general law, special act, local ordinance,
or by rule of the Governor and Cabinet. A “dependent special district” is a special district subject to significant
control by the governing body of a single county or municipality.
The Sanford Airport Authority (Authority) is a dependent special district of the City of Sanford created by
special act in 1971. The Authority is governed by a board of nine members, each appointed to serve a four-
year term. The Authority’s charter provides that it may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, leases,
franchises, or other arrangements with any person or persons for terms of up to 50 years.
The bill extends the maximum term of the Authority to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, leases,
franchises, or other arrangements with any person or persons from 50 years to 99 years.
The bill takes effect upon becoming a law. STORAGE NAME: h1225b.TMS PAGE: 2
DATE: 3/27/2023
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
The Sanford Airport Authority
The Sanford Airport Authority (Authority) is a dependent special district of the City of Sanford created
by the Legislature in 1971.
7
The Authority is governed by a board of nine members, each appointed to
serve a four-year term.
8
Members are appointed by the city commission of the City of Sanford.
9
The board has the power to hire employees, acquire property, maintain and operate airport facilities,
enter into contracts, and issue revenue bonds.
10
Currently, the Authority may enter into exclusive or
nonexclusive contracts, leases, franchises, or other arrangements with any person or persons for
terms not exceeding 50 years.
11
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 Mar. 6, 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
Ch. 71-924, Laws of Fla.
8
Ch. 71-924, s. 4, Laws of Fla. See Orlando Sanford Intl. Airport, Board of Directors, https://flysfb.com/saa/board-of-directors/ (last
visited Mar. 12, 2023).
9
Ch. 71-924, s. 4, Laws of Fla.
10
Ch. 71-924, s. 11, Laws of Fla.
11
Ch. 71-924, s. 11(4)(i), Laws of Fla., as amended by ch. 2005-306, Laws of Fla. STORAGE NAME: h1225b.TMS PAGE: 3
DATE: 3/27/2023
Effect of the Bill
The bill extends the maximum term of the Authority to enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts,
leases, franchises, or other arrangements with any person or persons from 50 years to 99 years.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends ch. 71-924, Laws of Fla., as amended by ch. 2005-306, Laws of Fla., revising
contract and other arrangement terms.
Section 2: Provides the bill takes effect upon becoming a law.
II. NOTICE/REFERENDUM AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A. NOTICE PUBLISHED? Yes [X] No []
IF YES, WHEN? January 28, 2023
WHERE? The Orlando Sentinel, a daily newspaper of general circulation in Seminole and
Orange 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 neither provides authority for nor requires rulemaking by executive branch agencies.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.