CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 1 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S A bill to be entitled 1 An act relating to health care innovation; creating s. 2 381.4015, F.S.; defining terms; providing legislative 3 intent; creating the Health Care Innovation Council 4 within the Department of Health for a specified 5 purpose; providing for membership, meetings, an d 6 conflicts of interest of the council; specifying 7 conflicts of interest with respect to the revolving 8 loan program established under the act; defining the 9 terms "business relationship" and "relative"; 10 specifying duties of the council; requiring the 11 council, by a specified date, to adopt, and update as 12 necessary, a certain document; requiring the council 13 to submit annual reports to the Governor and the 14 Legislature; requiring state agencies and statutorily 15 created state entities to assist and cooperate with 16 the council as requested; requiring the department to 17 provide administrative support to the council; 18 requiring the department to maintain a link to 19 specified information on the homepage of its website; 20 requiring the department to publish specified 21 information on its website; requiring the department 22 to provide technical assistance to certain applicants 23 upon request; requiring the department to establish 24 and administer a revolving loan program for applicants 25 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 2 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S seeking to implement certain health care innovatio ns 26 in this state; providing for administration of the 27 program; requiring the department to adopt certain 28 rules; specifying eligibility and application 29 requirements; specifying terms, authorized uses, and 30 repayment options for loans; requiring the departmen t 31 to create and maintain a separate account in the 32 Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the department 33 to fund the revolving loan program; providing that 34 funds for the program are not subject to reversion; 35 authorizing the department to contract with a th ird 36 party to administer the program, including loan 37 servicing, and manage the revolving loan fund; 38 specifying requirements for the contract; requiring 39 the department to publish and update specified 40 information and reports on its website annually; 41 requiring the Office of Economic and Demographic 42 Research and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and 43 Government Accountability to each develop and present 44 an evaluation of the program to the Governor and the 45 Legislature every 5 years beginning on specified 46 dates; specifying requirements for the evaluations; 47 requiring that the offices be given access to all data 48 necessary to complete the evaluation, including 49 confidential data; authorizing the offices to 50 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 3 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S collaborate on data collection and analysis; requiring 51 the department to adopt rules; providing for future 52 expiration; authorizing the department to adopt 53 emergency rules to implement the act; providing 54 appropriations; authorizing the department to use a 55 specified percentage of appropriated funds for 56 administrative costs to implement the revolving loan 57 program; providing an effective date. 58 59 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 60 61 Section 1. Section 381.4015, Florida Statutes, is created 62 to read: 63 381.4015 Florida health care innovation. — 64 (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 65 (a) "Council" means the Health Care Innovation Council. 66 (b) "Department" means the Department of Health. 67 (c) "Health care provider" means any person or entity 68 licensed, certified, registered, or o therwise authorized by law 69 to provide health care services in this state. 70 (2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT. —The Legislature intends to harness 71 the innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs and businesses, 72 together with the state's health care system and stakehold ers, 73 to lead the discussion and highlight advances and innovations 74 that will address challenges in the health care system as they 75 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 4 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S develop in real time and transform the delivery and strengthen 76 the quality of health care in Florida. Innovative technologies, 77 workforce pathways, service delivery models, or other solutions 78 that improve the quality of care in measurable and sustainable 79 ways, that can be replicated, and that will lower costs and 80 allow that value to be passed on to health care consumers shall 81 be highlighted for adoption across all neighborhoods and 82 communities in this state. 83 (3) HEALTH CARE INNOVATION COUNCIL. —The Health Care 84 Innovation Council, a council as defined in s. 20.03, is created 85 within the department to tap into the best knowledge and 86 experience available by regularly bringing together subject 87 matter experts in a public forum to explore and discuss 88 innovations in technology, workforce, and service delivery 89 models that can be exhibited as best practices, implemented, or 90 scaled in order to improve the quality and delivery of health 91 care in this state in measurable, sustainable, and reproducible 92 ways. 93 (a) Membership.— 94 1. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as an ex officio, 95 nonvoting member and shall act as the council chair. 96 2. The council shall be composed of the following voting 97 members, to be appointed by July 1, 2024: 98 a. One member appointed by the President of the Senate and 99 one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of 100 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 5 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S Representatives. The appointing officers shall make appointments 101 prioritizing members who have the following experience: 102 (I) A representative of the health care sector who has 103 senior-level experience in reducing inefficiencies in health 104 care delivery systems; 105 (II) A representative of the private sector who has 106 senior-level experience in cybersecurity or software engineering 107 in the health care sector; 108 (III) A representative who has expertise in emerging 109 technology that can be used in the delivery of health care; or 110 (IV) A representative who has experi ence in finance or 111 investment or in management and operation of early stage 112 companies. 113 b. A physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, 114 appointed by the Governor. 115 c. A nurse licensed under chapter 464, appointed by the 116 Governor. 117 d. An employee of a hospital licensed under chapter 395 118 who has executive-level experience, appointed by the Governor. 119 e. A representative of the long -term care facility 120 industry, appointed by the Governor. 121 f. An employee of a health insurer or health maintenance 122 organization who has executive -level experience, appointed by 123 the Governor. 124 g. A resident of this state who can represent the interest 125 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 6 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S of health care patients in this state, appointed by the 126 Governor. 127 3. The chair of the Council of Florida Medical Scho ol 128 Deans shall serve as a voting member of the council. 129 4. The council shall be composed of the following ex 130 officio, nonvoting members: 131 a. The State Surgeon General. 132 b. The Secretary of Health Care Administration. 133 c. The Secretary of Children and Families. 134 d. The director of the Agency for Persons with 135 Disabilities. 136 e. The Secretary of Elderly Affairs. 137 5. Except for ex officio, nonvoting members, the term of 138 all appointees shall be for 2 years unless otherwise specified. 139 However, to achieve s taggered terms, the appointees in sub -140 subparagraphs 2.a.-c. shall serve initial terms of 3 years. The 141 appointees may be reappointed for no more than four consecutive 142 terms. 143 6. Any vacancy occurring on the council must be filled in 144 the same manner as the original appointment. Any member who is 145 appointed to fill a vacancy occurring because of death, 146 resignation, or ineligibility for membership shall serve only 147 for the unexpired term of the member's predecessor. 148 7. Members whose terms have expired may cont inue to serve 149 until replaced or reappointed. However, members whose terms have 150 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 7 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S expired may not serve longer than 6 months after the expiration 151 of their terms. 152 8. Members shall serve without compensation but are 153 entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses 154 pursuant to s. 112.061. 155 9. Members may be removed for cause by the appointing 156 entity. 157 10. Each member of the council who is not otherwise 158 required to file a financial disclosure statement pursuant to s. 159 8, Art. II of the State Constitut ion or s. 112.3144 must file a 160 disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s. 112.3145. 161 (b) Meetings.—The council shall convene its first 162 organizational meeting by September 1, 2024. Thereafter, the 163 council shall meet as necessary, but at least quarter ly, at the 164 call of the chair. In order to provide an opportunity for the 165 broadest public input, the chair shall ensure that a majority of 166 the meetings held in a year are geographically dispersed within 167 this state. As feasible, meetings are encouraged to pr ovide an 168 opportunity for presentation or demonstration of innovative 169 solutions in person. A majority of the members of the council 170 constitutes a quorum, and a meeting may not be held with less 171 than a quorum present. In order to establish a quorum, the 172 council may conduct its meetings through teleconference or other 173 electronic means. The affirmative vote of a majority of the 174 members of the council present is necessary for any official 175 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 8 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S action by the council. 176 (c) Conflicts of interest. — 177 1. A council member may not vote on any matter that would 178 provide: 179 a. Direct financial benefit to the member; 180 b. Financial benefit to a relative of the member, 181 including an entity of which a relative is an officer, partner, 182 director, or proprietor or in which the relativ e has a material 183 interest; or 184 c. Financial benefit to a person or entity with whom the 185 member has a business relationship. 186 2. With respect to the revolving loan program established 187 in subsection (7): 188 a. Council members may not receive loans under the 189 program. 190 b. A person or entity that has a conflict -of-interest 191 relationship with a council member as described in sub -192 subparagraph 1.b. or sub -subparagraph 1.c. may not receive a 193 loan under the program unless that council member recused 194 himself or herself from consideration of the person's or 195 entity's application. 196 3. For purposes of this paragraph, the term: 197 a. "Business relationship" means an ownership or 198 controlling interest, an affiliate or subsidiary relationship, a 199 common parent company, or any mutual interest in any limited 200 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 9 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability 201 company, or other entity or business association. 202 b. "Relative" means a father, mother, son, daughter, 203 husband, wife, brother, sister, grandparent, father -in-law, 204 mother-in-law, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law of a person. 205 (d) Public meetings and records. —The council and any 206 subcommittees it forms are subject to the provisions of chapter 207 119 relating to public records and the provisions of chapter 286 208 relating to public meetings. 209 (4) HEALTH CARE INNOVATION COUNCIL DUTIES. —In order to 210 facilitate and implement this section, the council shall: 211 (a) By February 1, 2025, adopt and update as necessary a 212 document that sets forth and describes a mission statement, 213 goals, and objectives for the council to function and meet the 214 purposes of this section. 215 (b) Facilitate public meetings across this state at which 216 innovators, developers, and implementers of technologies, 217 workforce pathways, service delivery models, and othe r solutions 218 may present information and lead discussions on concepts that 219 address challenges to the health care system as they develop in 220 real time and advance the delivery of health care in this state 221 through technology and innovation. 222 1. Consideration must be given to how such concepts 223 increase efficiency in the health care system in this state, 224 reduce strain on the state's health care workforce, improve 225 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 10 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S patient outcomes, expand public access to health care services 226 in this state, or reduce costs for pa tients and the state 227 without reducing the quality of patient care. 228 2. Exploration and discussion of concepts may include how 229 concepts can be supported, cross -functional, or scaled to meet 230 the needs of health care consumers, including employers, payors, 231 patients, and the state. 232 3. The council may coordinate with the Florida Small 233 Business Development Center Network, the Florida Opportunity 234 Fund, the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology, 235 and other business incubators, development organiza tions, or 236 institutions of higher education to include emerging and early 237 stage innovators, developers, and implementers of technology, 238 models, or solutions in health care in the exploration and 239 discussion of concepts and breakthrough innovations. 240 4. To support adoption and implementation of innovations 241 and advancements, specific meetings may be held which bring 242 together technical experts, such as those in system integration, 243 cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, to 244 lead discussions on recommended structures and integrations of 245 information technology products and services and propose 246 solutions that can make adoption and implementation efficient, 247 effective, and economical. 248 5. The council may also highlight broad community or 249 statewide issues or needs of providers and users of health care 250 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 11 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S delivery and may facilitate public forums in order to explore 251 and discuss the range of effective, efficient, and economical 252 technology and innovative solutions that can be implemented. 253 (c) Annually distinguish the most impactful concepts by 254 recognizing the innovators, developers, and implementers whose 255 work is helping Floridians live brighter and healthier lives. In 256 seeking out projects, initiatives, and concepts that are having 257 a positive impact in Florida, have huge potential to scale that 258 impact throughout this state through growth or replication, or 259 are cutting-edge advancements, programs, or other innovations 260 that have the capability to accelerate transformation of health 261 care in this state, the council may issue awards to recognize 262 these strategic and innovative thinkers who are helping 263 Floridians live brighter and healthier lives. The council may 264 develop a logo for the award for use by awardees to advertise 265 their achievements and recognition. 266 (d) Consult with and solicit input from health care 267 experts, health care providers, and technology and manufacturing 268 experts in the health care or related fields, users of such 269 innovations or systems, and the public to develop and update: 270 1. Best practice recommendations that will lead to the 271 continuous modernization of the health care system in this state 272 and make the Florida system a nationwide leader in innovation, 273 technology, and service. At a minimum, recommendations must be 274 made for how to explore i mplementation of innovations, how to 275 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 12 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S implement new technologies and strategies, and health care 276 service delivery models. As applicable, best practices must be 277 distinguished by practice setting and with an emphasis on 278 increasing efficiency in the delivery o f health care, reducing 279 strain on the health care workforce, increasing public access to 280 health care, improving patient outcomes, reducing unnecessary 281 emergency room visits, and reducing costs for patients and the 282 state without reducing the quality of pati ent care. Specifically 283 for information technology, best practices must also recommend 284 actions to guide the selection of technologies and innovations, 285 which may include, but need not be limited to, considerations 286 for system-to-system integration, consistent user experiences 287 for health care workers and patients, and patient education and 288 practitioner training. 289 2. A list of focus areas in which to advance the delivery 290 of health care in this state through innovative technologies, 291 workforce pathways, or servic e delivery models. The focus areas 292 may be broad or specific, but must, at a minimum, consider all 293 of the following topics: 294 a. The health care workforce. This topic includes, but is 295 not limited to, all of the following: 296 (I) Approaches to cultivate inter est and growth in the 297 workforce, including concepts resulting in increases in the 298 number of providers. 299 (II) Efforts to improve the use of the workforce, whether 300 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 13 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S through techniques, training, or devices to increase 301 effectiveness or efficiency. 302 (III) Educational pathways that connect students with 303 employers or result in attainment of cost -efficient and timely 304 degrees or credentials. 305 (IV) Use of technology to reduce the burden on the 306 workforce during decisionmaking processes such as triage, but 307 which leaves all final decisions to the health care 308 practitioner. 309 b. The provision of patient care in the most appropriate 310 setting and reduction of unnecessary emergency room visits. 311 These topics include, but are not limited to, all of the 312 following: 313 (I) Use of advanced technologies to improve patient 314 outcomes, provide patient care, or improve patient quality of 315 life. 316 (II) The use of early detection devices, including remote 317 communications devices and diagnostic tools engineered for early 318 detection and patient engagement. 319 (III) At-home patient monitoring devices and measures. 320 (IV) Advanced at-home health care. 321 (V) Advanced adaptive equipment. 322 c. The delivery of primary care through methods, 323 practices, or procedures that increase efficiencies. 324 d. The technical aspects of the provision of health care. 325 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 14 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S These aspects include, but are not limited to, all of the 326 following: 327 (I) Interoperability of electronic health records systems 328 and the impact on patient care coordination and administrative 329 costs for health care systems. 330 (II) Cybersecurity and the protection of health care data 331 and systems. 332 (e) Identify and recommend any changes to Florida law or 333 changes that can be implemented without legislative action which 334 are necessary to: 335 1. Advance, transform, or innovate in the delivery and 336 strengthen the quality of health care in Florida, including 337 removal or update of any regulatory barriers or governmental 338 inefficiencies. 339 2. Implement the council's duties or recommendations. 340 (f) Recommend crite ria for awarding loans as provided in 341 subsection (7) to the department and review loan applications. 342 (g) Annually submit by December 1 a report of council 343 activities and recommendations to the Governor, the President of 344 the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At 345 a minimum, the report must include an update on the status of 346 the delivery of health care in this state; information on 347 implementation of best practices by health care industry 348 stakeholders in this state; and highlights of exp loration, 349 development, or implementation of innovative technologies, 350 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 15 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S workforce pathways, service delivery models, or other solutions 351 by health care industry stakeholders in this state. 352 (5) AGENCY COOPERATION. —All state agencies and statutorily 353 created state entities shall assist and cooperate with the 354 council as requested. 355 (6) DEPARTMENT DUTIES. —The department shall, at a minimum, 356 do all of the following to facilitate implementation of this 357 section: 358 (a) Provide reasonable and necessary support staff and 359 materials to assist the council in the performance of its 360 duties. 361 (b) Maintain on the homepage of the department a link to a 362 website dedicated to the council on which the department shall 363 post information related to the council, including the outcome s 364 of the duties of the council and annual reports as described in 365 subsection (4). 366 (c) Identify and publish on its website a list of any 367 sources of federal, state, or private funding available for 368 implementation of innovative technologies and service deli very 369 models in health care, including the details and eligibility 370 requirements for each funding opportunity. Upon request, the 371 department shall provide technical assistance to any person 372 wanting to apply for such funding. If the entity with oversight 373 of the funding opportunity provides technical assistance, the 374 department may foster working relationships that allow the 375 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 16 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S department to refer the person seeking funding to the 376 appropriate contact for such assistance. 377 (d) Incorporate recommendations of the coun cil into the 378 department's duties or as part of the administration of this 379 section, or update administrative rules or procedures as 380 appropriate based upon council recommendations. 381 (7) REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM. —The department shall establish 382 and administer a revolving loan program for applicants seeking 383 to implement innovative solutions in this state. 384 (a) Administration.—The council may make recommendations 385 to the department for the administration of the loans. The 386 department shall adopt rules: 387 1. Establishing an application process to submit and 388 review funding proposals for loans. Such rules must also include 389 the process for the council to review applications to ensure 390 compliance with applicable laws, including those related to 391 discrimination and conflict s of interest. If a council member 392 participated in the vote of the council recommending an award 393 for a proposal with which the council member has a conflict of 394 interest, the division may not award the loan to that entity. 395 2. Establishing eligibility crit eria to be applied by the 396 council in recommending applications for the award of loans 397 which: 398 a. Incorporate the recommendations of the council. The 399 council shall recommend to the department criteria based upon 400 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 17 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S input received and the focus areas developed . The council may 401 recommend updated criteria as necessary, based upon the most 402 recent input, best practice recommendations, or focus areas 403 list. 404 b. Determine which proposals are likely to provide the 405 greatest return to the state if funded, taking into 406 consideration, at a minimum, the degree to which the proposal 407 would increase efficiency in the health care system in this 408 state, reduce strain on the state's health care workforce, 409 improve patient outcomes, increase public access to health care 410 in this state, or provide cost savings to patients or the state 411 without reducing the quality of patient care. 412 3. It deems necessary to administer the program, 413 including, but not limited to, rules for application 414 requirements, the ability of the applicant to properly 415 administer funds, the professional excellence of the applicant, 416 the fiscal stability of the applicant, the state or regional 417 impact of the proposal, matching requirements for the proposal, 418 and other requirements to further the purposes of the program. 419 (b) Eligibility.— 420 1. The following entities may apply for a revolving loan: 421 a. Entities licensed, registered, or certified by the 422 Agency for Health Care Administration as provided under s. 423 408.802, except for those specified in s. 408.802(1), (3), (13), 424 (23), or (25). 425 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 18 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S b. An education or clinical training provider in 426 partnership with an entity under sub -subparagraph a. 427 2.a. Council members may not receive loans under the 428 program. 429 b. An entity that has a conflict -of-interest relationship 430 with a council member as described in sub -subparagraph 431 (3)(c)1.b. or sub-subparagraph (3)(c)1.c. may not receive a loan 432 under the program unless that council member recused himself or 433 herself from consideration of the entity's application. 434 3. Priority must be given to applicants located in a rural 435 or medically underserved area as designated by the department 436 which are: 437 a. Rural hospitals as defined in s. 395.602(2). 438 b. Nonprofit entities that accept Medicaid patients. 439 4. The department may award a loan for up t o 50 percent of 440 the total projected implementation costs, or up to 80 percent of 441 the total projected implementation costs for an applicant under 442 subparagraph 3. The applicant must demonstrate the source of 443 funding it will use to cover the remainder of the total 444 projected implementation costs, which funding must be from 445 nonstate sources. 446 (c) Applications.— 447 1. The department shall set application periods to apply 448 for loans. The department may set multiple application periods 449 in a fiscal year, with up to f our periods per year. The 450 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 19 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S department shall coordinate with the council when establishing 451 application periods to establish separate priority, in addition 452 to eligibility, within the loan applications for defined 453 categories based on the current focus area lis t. The department 454 shall publicize the availability of loans under the program to 455 stakeholders, education or training providers, and others. 456 2. Upon receipt of an application, the department shall 457 determine whether the application is complete and the appl icant 458 has demonstrated the ability to repay the loan. Within 30 days 459 after the close of the application period, the department shall 460 forward all completed applications to the council for 461 consideration. 462 3. The council shall review applications for loans u nder 463 the criteria and pursuant to the processes and format adopted by 464 the department. The council shall submit to the department for 465 approval lists of applicants that it recommends for funding, 466 arranged in order of priority and as required for the 467 application period. 468 4. A loan applicant must demonstrate plans to use the 469 funds to implement one or more innovative technologies, 470 workforce pathways, service delivery models, or other solutions 471 in order to fill a demonstrated need; obtain or upgrade 472 necessary equipment, hardware, and materials; adopt new 473 technologies or systems; or a combination thereof which will 474 improve the quality and delivery of health care in measurable 475 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 20 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S and sustainable ways and which will lower costs and allow 476 savings to be passed on to heal th care consumers. 477 (d) Awards.— 478 1. The amount of each loan must be based upon demonstrated 479 need and availability of funds. The department may not award 480 more than 10 percent of the total allocated funds for the fiscal 481 year to a single loan applicant. 482 2. The interest rate for each loan may not exceed 1 483 percent. 484 3. The term of each loan is up to 10 years. 485 4. In order to equitably distribute limited state funding, 486 applicants may apply for and be awarded only one loan per fiscal 487 year. If a loan recipie nt has one or more outstanding loans at 488 any time, the recipient may apply for funding for a new loan if 489 the current loans are in good standing. 490 (e) Written agreement.— 491 1. Each loan recipient must enter into a written agreement 492 with the department to re ceive the loan. At a minimum, the 493 agreement with the applicant must specify all of the following: 494 a. The total amount of the award. 495 b. The performance conditions that must be met, based upon 496 the submitted proposal and the defined category or focus area , 497 as applicable. 498 c. The information to be reported on actual implementation 499 costs, including the share from nonstate resources. 500 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 21 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S d. The schedule for payment. 501 e. The data and progress reporting requirements and 502 schedule. 503 f. Any sanctions that would a pply for failure to meet 504 performance conditions. 505 2. The department shall develop uniform data reporting 506 requirements for loan recipients to evaluate the performance of 507 the implemented proposals. Such data must be shared with the 508 council. 509 3. If requested, the department shall provide technical 510 assistance to loan recipients under the program. 511 (f) Loan repayment.—Loans become due and payable in 512 accordance with the terms of the written agreement. All 513 repayments of principal received by the departm ent in a fiscal 514 year shall be returned to the revolving loan fund and made 515 available for loans to other applicants. 516 (g) Revolving loan fund. —The department shall create and 517 maintain a separate account in the Grants and Donations Trust 518 Fund within the department as a fund for the program. All 519 repayments of principal must be returned to the revolving loan 520 fund and made available as provided in this section. 521 Notwithstanding s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the revolving 522 loan program are not subject to reve rsion. The department may 523 contract with a third -party administrator to administer the 524 program, including loan servicing, and manage the revolving loan 525 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 22 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S fund. A contract for a third -party administrator which includes 526 management of the revolving loan fund mus t, at a minimum, 527 require maintenance of the revolving loan fund to ensure that 528 the program may operate in a revolving manner. 529 (8) REPORTING.—The department shall publish on its website 530 information related to loan recipients, including the written 531 agreements, performance conditions and their status, and the 532 total amount of loan funds disbursed to date. The department 533 shall update the information annually on the award date. The 534 department shall, beginning on September 1, 2025, and annually 535 thereafter, post on its website a report on this section for the 536 previous fiscal year which must include all of the following 537 information: 538 (a) A summary of the adoption and implementation of 539 recommendations of the council during the previous fiscal year. 540 (b) An evaluation of actions and related activities to 541 meet the purposes set forth in this section. 542 (c) Consolidated data based upon the uniform data 543 reporting by funding recipients and an evaluation of how the 544 provision of the loans has met the purposes set forth in this 545 section. 546 (d) The number of applications for loans, the types of 547 proposals received, and an analysis on the relationship between 548 the proposals and the purposes of this section. 549 (e) The amount of funds allocated and awarded for each 550 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 23 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S loan application period, as well as any funds not awarded in 551 that period. 552 (f) The amount of funds paid out during the fiscal year 553 and any funds repaid or unused. 554 (g) The number of persons assisted and outcomes of any 555 technical assistance requested for loans and any fe deral, state, 556 or private funding opportunities. 557 (9) EVALUATION.— 558 (a) Beginning October 1, 2029, and every 5 years 559 thereafter, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research 560 (EDR) shall develop and present to the Governor, the President 561 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a 562 comprehensive financial and economic evaluation of the 563 innovative solutions undertaken by the revolving loan program 564 administered under this section. The evaluation must include, 565 but need not be limited to, separate calculations of the state's 566 return and the economic value to residents of this state, as 567 well as the identification of any cost savings to patients or 568 the state and the impact on the state's health care workforce. 569 (b) Beginning October 1, 2030, and every 5 years 570 thereafter, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government 571 Accountability (OPPAGA) shall develop and present to the 572 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 573 House of Representatives an evaluation of the adminis tration and 574 efficiency of the revolving loan program administered under this 575 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 24 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S section. The evaluation must include, but need not be limited 576 to, the degree to which the collective proposals increased 577 efficiency in the health care system in this state, improv ed 578 patient outcomes, increased public access to health care, and 579 achieved the cost savings identified in paragraph (a) without 580 reducing the quality of patient care. 581 (c) Both the EDR and OPPAGA shall include recommendations 582 for consideration by the Legisl ature. The EDR and OPPAGA must be 583 given access to all data necessary to complete the evaluation, 584 including any confidential data. The offices may collaborate on 585 data collection and analysis. 586 (10) RULES.—The department shall adopt rules to implement 587 this section. 588 (11) EXPIRATION.—This section expires July 1, 2043. 589 Section 2. The Department of Health shall, and all 590 conditions are deemed met to, adopt emergency rules pursuant to 591 s. 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of implementing 592 s. 381.4015, Florida Statutes. Notwithstanding any other law, 593 emergency rules adopted pursuant to this section are effective 594 for 6 months after adoption and may be renewed during the 595 pendency of the procedure to adopt permanent rules addressing 596 the subject of the em ergency rules. 597 Section 3. (1) For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the sum of 598 $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is 599 appropriated to the Department of Health to implement and 600 CS/HB 1501 2024 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1501-01-c1 Page 25 of 25 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S administer the Health Care Innovation Council under s. 38 1.4015, 601 Florida Statutes. 602 (2) For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the sum of $1 million 603 in recurring funds is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund 604 to the Department of Health to implement and administer the 605 Health Care Innovation Council under s. 381.40 15, Florida 606 Statutes. 607 (3) By August 1 of each year, beginning in the 2024 -2025 608 fiscal year through the 2033 -2034 fiscal year, the Chief 609 Financial Officer shall transfer the sum of $50 million in 610 nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Gra nts 611 and Donations Trust Fund within the Department of Health. Each 612 year, beginning in the 2024 -2025 fiscal year through the 2033 -613 2034 fiscal year, the sum of $50 million in nonrecurring funds 614 is appropriated from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund to the 615 Department of Health for the revolving loan fund created in s. 616 381.4015, Florida Statutes. The department may use up to 3 617 percent of the appropriated funds for administrative costs to 618 implement the revolving loan program. 619 Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 620