The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
BILL: SB 1480
INTRODUCER: Senator Calatayud
SUBJECT: Grants for Nonprofit Organization Safety
DATE: March 28, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Lloyd Proctor MS Pre-meeting
2. ATD
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 1480 creates the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (Program) in the Division of Emergency
Management (division). The Program’s purpose is to award grants to nonprofit entities that are at
high risk for violence and hate crimes. The minimum grant award is $10,000 and the maximum
grant award is $150,000. The grant funds may be used for the hiring and training of security
personnel and staff, and to increase safety and security, including, but not limited to, the
purchase and installation of:
Security infrastructure;
Perimeter lighting;
Door hardening;
Security camera systems;
Perimeter fencing;
Barriers and bollards;
Blast-resistant film; and
Shatter-resistant glass for windows.
The bill appropriates, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, $15 million in nonrecurring funds from the
General Revenue Fund to the division for the Program. The division is directed to adopt rules to
administer the Program and may use up to 3 percent of any appropriation for the administration
of the Program.
The Program is repealed on January 1, 2028, unless saved from repeal by the Legislature.
The bill is effective July 1, 2023.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1480 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
For more than 40 years, the mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
has been focused on helping citizens recover from disasters before, during, and after the event.
The FEMA has made a formal commitment to build resilience and develop a culture of
preparedness across the country and to unify all levels of community and government in an
integrated approach to emergency management.
1
To achieve those goals, the FEMA coordinates
several grant programs and cooperative agreements with funds available for pre- and post-
emergency or disaster related projects. The FEMA grants support recovery initiatives, research,
and many other programs, and are the principal mechanism used by the FEMA to award federal
funding to state, local, tribal, territorial, certain private nonprofits, individuals, and institutions of
higher learning.
2
One major category for FEMA grant funding are the Preparedness Grants, such as the FEMA
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) which is one of three grant programs supporting the
comprehensive measures authorized by Congress enabling the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) and the FEMA to help strengthen the nation’s communities against extremist attacks.
3
These grants support first responders to ensure their coordination to protect against, respond to,
and recover from issues of terrorism and other emergencies.
4
The NSGP also provides funding
support for target hardening and physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that
are at high risk of terrorist attack.
5
The intent of NSGPs is to promote preparedness activities
among state and local governments and agencies, emphasizing coordination with public and
private community representatives.
6
Funding allocated under the NSGP is further broken down by two categories: Urban Area (UA)
and State (NSGP-S). Funds allocated to UA are awarded to nonprofit organizations located
within one of the Urban Area Security Initiative designated high-risk urban areas. The NSGP-S
funding is for nonprofit organizations located outside of the high-risk urban areas.
7
The designated State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply for the
NSGP funds. The SAA applies to the FEMA for available funding on behalf of the eligible
nonprofit organizations.
8
For federal FY 2023, the DHS is providing $305 million for facility
hardening and other physical security enhancements for eligible nonprofit organizations.
9
1
FEMA, Fiscal Year 2023 Preparedness Grant Manual, pg. 7, available at
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd-fy-23-preparedness-grants-manual.pdf (last visited March 26,
2023)
2
Id.
3
FEMA, FY 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Fact Sheet, available at
https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security (last visited March 27, 2023).
4
FEMA, Preparedness Grants, available at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness (last visited March 24, 2023.)
5
FEMA, FEMA Grants, available at www.fema.gov/grants (last visited March 24, 2023).
6
Id.
7
Id.
8
Supra note 3 at 2.
9
Supra note 3 at 1. BILL: SB 1480 Page 3
Florida Department of Emergency Management
In the State Emergency Management Act (Act), the Legislature created the division within the
Executive Office of the Governor.
10
The division is responsible for “maintaining a
comprehensive statewide program of emergency management.”
11
Among its duties, the division
is responsible for:
Preparing a state comprehensive emergency management plan that is integrated with the
emergency plans and programs of the Federal Government;
Having a shelter component that promotes coordination of activities between public, private,
and nonprofit entities and which meet certain minimum standards;
Developing a postdisaster response and recovery program that includes regional and
interregional planning provisions and promotes intergovernmental coordination of activities;
Addressing the need for a coordinated and expeditious deployment of state resources,
including the predeployment of the Florida National Guard;
Establishing a communication and warning system to ensure that both the public and
emergency management agencies are warned of developing emergency situations;
Scheduling a guidelines and timelines for annual exercises to test agencies’ responses to
different disaster levels; and
Assigning responsibilities to state agencies and personnel for emergency support functions
and other activities.
12
In the case of an emergency, the Governor, or in the Governor’s absence, her or his successor as
provided by law, may assume direct operational control over any or all parts of the emergency
management functions within the state.
13
The Governor may issue executive orders,
proclamations, and rules and such items have the full force and effect of law.
14
An executive
order, proclamation, or rule issued under an emergency is valid for no more than 60 days and
may be renewed, if necessary. If renewed, the executive order, proclamation, or rule is required
to state with specificity which provisions are being renewed. Other specific renewals may have
other requirements to approval of further extensions.
15
The division is also required to cooperate with various partners in emergency management and
must:
Cooperate with the President of the United States, the heads of the Armed Forces, the various
federal emergency management agencies, and the officers and agencies of other states in
matter relating to emergency management in the state and nation;
16
10
See ss. 252.32 and 252.34(3), F.S.
11
Section 252.35(1), F.S.
12
Section 252.35, F.S.
13
Section 252.36(1)(a), F.S.
14
Section 252.36(1)(b), F.S.
15
Id.
16
Section 252.35(2)(e), F.S. BILL: SB 1480 Page 4
Coordinate federal, state, and local emergency management activities and take all other steps
to ensure the availability of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency
management personnel before, during, and after emergencies and disasters;
17
Cooperate with the Federal Government and any public and private entity in achieving any
purpose of the Act and in implementing programs for mitigation, preparation, response, and
recovery.
18
In its role as SAA for the NSGP, DEM regularly publishes an application guide for organizations
to use for a variety of federal emergency grants, including the NSGP on its website.
19
The
application guide provides important program information, including identification of key
differences from the prior year’s application, deadlines, funding restrictions, and permitted grant
activities.
20
For the FY 2023 application, the DHS has identified the protection of soft targets or crowded
places as a national priority with three second-tier priorities of:
Effective planning;
Training and awareness campaigns; and
Exercises.
21
More specific needs and goals are detailed within each of the priorities. Eligible nonprofit
organizations, as defined by the NSGP, apply through an application released by the division.
22
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 1480 creates the Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program under a new section of law, s.
252.3712, F.S., in the Division of Emergency Management which is modeled after the federal
program. The Program provides grant awards to eligible nonprofit organizations, including
houses of worship and community centers, which are at high risk for violent attacks or hate
crimes.
The grants may be used to increase safety and security, including, but not limited to, the
purchase and installation of:
Security infrastructure;
Perimeter lighting;
17
Section 252.35(2)(1), F.S.
18
Section 252.35(2)(u), F.S.
19
See Florida Division of Emergency Mgm’t, available at: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/preparedness/grants-unit/
(last visited March 26, 2023). The FDEM website includes information about the FY 2023 application process, identification
of key changes in the process, a list of frequently asked questions, an application guide, and self-assessment guide.
20
Florida Division of Emergency Mgm’t, Preparedness Bureau, Nonprofit Security Grant Program – FY 2023 Application
Guide (March 2023), pg. 5, available at https://portal.floridadisaster.org/preparedness/External/Grants-
Unit/Nonprofit%20Security%20Grant%20Program/FY23/2023%20Florida%20NSGP%20Application%20Guide%2003.03.2
3%20-%20FINAL.pdf (last visited March 26, 2023).
21
Id.
22
Supra note 20 at 6-7. Eligible entities are those entities who are described under section 502(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of that same code; can demonstrate through the application that the
organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack; and is located within one of the Urban Area Security
Initiative designated areas. For FY 2023, those areas are Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. BILL: SB 1480 Page 5
Door hardening;
Security camera systems;
Perimeter fencing;
Barriers and bollards;
23
Blast-resistant film; and
Shatter-resistant glass for windows.
Grant funds may also be used towards hiring security personnel and training security personnel
and staff on threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid.
The minimum grant award established in the bill is $10,000 and the maximum grant award is
$150,000; however, the total amount available in any given year is contingent upon the funding
appropriated to the Program. The division is directed to adopt rules to administer the Program
and may use up to 3 percent of any appropriation for the administration of the Program.
The bill provides the Program will be automatically repealed on January 1, 2028, unless
reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
The bill appropriates, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, $15 million in nonrecurring funds from the
General Revenue fund to the division for the purpose of implementing the Program.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
23
A bollard is a short sturdy post that is often used to protect the perimeter of a store and ensure the safety of the patrons. See
Julia Donigian, What are bollards and why do we need them?, available at https://www.mccue.com/blog/what-is-a-safety-
bollard (last visited March 24, 2023). BILL: SB 1480 Page 6
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
Nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes which meet
the application criteria may be eligible to receive a grant for the purchase and installation
of security infrastructure or the addition of security and other staff. Additionally, the
installation of security infrastructure or the addition of security and other staff may also
lead to safer communities and lower crimes rates.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill appropriates, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, $15 million in nonrecurring funds
from the General Revenue Fund to the division for the Program. The division may use up
to 3 percent of any appropriation for the administration of the Program.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 252.3712 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.