Florida 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H7037 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3	HB 7037 2024
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5	5
6	6
7	7	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8	8	hb7037-00
9	9	Page 1 of 338
10	10	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
11	11
12	12
13	13
14	14	A reviser's bill to be entitled 1
15	15	An act relating to the Florida Statutes; amending ss. 2
16	16	11.40, 11.45, 14.20195, 14.36, 16.615, 17.61, 20.04, 3
17	17	20.166, 20.181, 20.605, 45.031, 69.041, 110.112, 4
18	18	112.63, 112.665, 119.071, 120.80, 125.045, 155.40, 5
19	19	159.8081, 159.8083, 159.809, 159.81, 161.142, 161 .54, 6
20	20	163.3164, 163.3221, 163.3251, 163.3756, 163.503, 7
21	21	163.5055, 163.506, 163.508, 163.511, 163.512, 166.021, 8
22	22	171.204, 186.504, 189.012, 190.009, 190.047, 191.009, 9
23	23	191.015, 201.15, 212.08, 212.096, 212.097, 212.098, 10
24	24	213.053, 215.5588, 216.292, 218.32, 218.3 7, 218.411, 11
25	25	220.03, 220.153, 220.183, 220.1895, 220.191, 222.15, 12
26	26	252.85, 253.025, 255.099, 258.501, 259.042, 267.0625, 13
27	27	288.005, 288.061, 288.075, 288.1201, 288.1226, 14
28	28	288.8012, 288.8014, 288.9604, 288.9610, 288.987, 15
29	29	288.9961, 290.004, 290.0065, 290.00729, 2 90.042, 16
30	30	290.0455, 290.0491, 290.06561, 311.07, 311.09, 311.10, 17
31	31	311.101, 311.105, 311.11, 311.22, 320.08058, 322.142, 18
32	32	327.803, 331.3051, 331.3081, 331.324, 332.115, 19
33	33	334.065, 334.066, 339.135, 339.175, 339.2821, 342.201, 20
34	34	369.303, 369.318, 369.321, 369.322, 3 69.323, 369.324, 21
35	35	373.199, 373.4149, 373.453, 373.461, 375.021, 377.809, 22
36	36	378.411, 379.2291, 380.031, 380.093, 381.0086, 23
37	37	397.754, 403.0752, 403.0891, 403.507, 403.508, 24
38	38	403.524, 403.526, 403.527, 403.757, 403.941, 403.9411, 25
39	39
40	40	HB 7037 2024
41	41
42	42
43	43
44	44	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
45	45	hb7037-00
46	46	Page 2 of 338
47	47	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
48	48
49	49
50	50
51	51	403.973, 404.0617, 409.1451, 409.25 76, 409.25996, 26
52	52	409.508, 409.509, 410.502, 413.80, 413.801, 414.24, 27
53	53	414.40, 420.0004, 420.0005, 420.0006, 420.101, 28
54	54	420.111, 420.36, 420.424, 420.503, 420.504, 420.506, 29
55	55	420.507, 420.511, 420.602, 420.606, 420.609, 420.622, 30
56	56	420.631, 420.635, 421.001, 422.001, 423.001, 427.012, 31
57	57	440.12, 440.15, 440.381, 443.012, 443.036, 443.041, 32
58	58	443.051, 443.071, 443.101, 443.111, 443.1113, 33
59	59	443.1115, 443.1116, 443.1118, 443.1215, 443.1216, 34
60	60	443.1217, 443.131, 443.1312, 443.1313, 443.1315, 35
61	61	443.1316, 443.1317, 443.141, 443.151, 44 3.163, 36
62	62	443.171, 443.1715, 443.17161, 443.181, 443.191, 37
63	63	443.211, 443.221, 445.002, 445.003, 445.004, 445.009, 38
64	64	445.016, 445.024, 445.0325, 445.038, 445.045, 445.056, 39
65	65	445.06, 445.07, 446.41, 446.53, 446.71, 448.09, 40
66	66	448.095, 448.109, 448.110, 450.161, 450.191, 450.261, 41
67	67	450.31, 468.529, 551.104, 553.79, 570.71, 624.5105, 42
68	68	627.42397, 641.514, 692.203, 692.204, 720.403, 43
69	69	720.404, 720.406, 943.0311, 944.801, 945.10, 985.601, 44
70	70	1001.02, 1001.03, 1001.706, 1002.20, 1002.395, 45
71	71	1002.895, 1003.4156, 1003.491, 1003.493, 1004. 015, 46
72	72	1004.46, 1008.39, 1008.40, 1008.41, 1011.76, 1011.80, 47
73	73	and 1011.802, F.S., to conform to section 147 of 48
74	74	chapter 2023-173, Laws of Florida, which directs the 49
75	75	Division of Law Revision to prepare a reviser's bill 50
76	76
77	77	HB 7037 2024
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79	79
80	80
81	81	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
82	82	hb7037-00
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84	84	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
85	85
86	86
87	87
88	88	for the 2024 Regular Session of the Legisl ature to 51
89	89	replace references to the terms "Department of 52
90	90	Economic Opportunity" and "Secretary of Economic 53
91	91	Opportunity," wherever they occur in the Florida 54
92	92	Statutes, with the terms "Department of Commerce" and 55
93	93	"Secretary of Commerce," respectively; providing 56
94	94	effective dates. 57
95	95	58
96	96	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 59
97	97	60
98	98	Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 61
99	99	11.40, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 62
100	100	11.40 Legislative Auditing Committee. — 63
101	101	(2) Following notification by the Auditor General, the 64
102	102	Department of Financial Services, the Division of Bond Finance 65
103	103	of the State Board of Administration, the Governor or his or her 66
104	104	designee, or the Commissioner of Education or his or her 67
105	105	designee of the failure of a local governm ental entity, district 68
106	106	school board, charter school, or charter technical career center 69
107	107	to comply with the applicable provisions within s. 11.45(5) -(7), 70
108	108	s. 218.32(1), s. 218.38, or s. 218.503(3), the Legislative 71
109	109	Auditing Committee may schedule a hearing to determine if the 72
110	110	entity should be subject to further state action. If the 73
111	111	committee determines that the entity should be subject to 74
112	112	further state action, the committee shall: 75
113	113
114	114	HB 7037 2024
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116	116
117	117
118	118	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
119	119	hb7037-00
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121	121	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
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125	125	(b) In the case of a special district created by: 76
126	126	1. A special act, notify t he President of the Senate, the 77
127	127	Speaker of the House of Representatives, the standing committees 78
128	128	of the Senate and the House of Representatives charged with 79
129	129	special district oversight as determined by the presiding 80
130	130	officers of each respective chamber, the legislators who 81
131	131	represent a portion of the geographical jurisdiction of the 82
132	132	special district, and the Department of Commerce Economic 83
133	133	Opportunity that the special district has failed to comply with 84
134	134	the law. Upon receipt of notification, the Department of 85
135	135	Commerce Economic Opportunity shall proceed pursuant to s. 86
136	136	189.062 or s. 189.067. If the special district remains in 87
137	137	noncompliance after the process set forth in s. 189.0651, or if 88
138	138	a public hearing is not held, the Legislative Auditing Committee 89
139	139	may request the department to proceed pursuant to s. 189.067(3). 90
140	140	2. A local ordinance, notify the chair or equivalent of 91
141	141	the local general-purpose government pursuant to s. 189.0652 and 92
142	142	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity that the special 93
143	143	district has failed to comply with the law. Upon receipt of 94
144	144	notification, the department shall proceed pursuant to s. 95
145	145	189.062 or s. 189.067. If the special district remains in 96
146	146	noncompliance after the process set forth in s. 189.0652, or if 97
147	147	a public hearing is not held, the Legislative Auditing Committee 98
148	148	may request the department to proceed pursuant to s. 189.067(3). 99
149	149	3. Any manner other than a special act or local ordinance, 100
150	150
151	151	HB 7037 2024
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153	153
154	154
155	155	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
156	156	hb7037-00
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158	158	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
159	159
160	160
161	161
162	162	notify the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity that the 101
163	163	special district has failed to comply with the law. Upon receipt 102
164	164	of notification, the department shall proceed pursuant to s. 103
165	165	189.062 or s. 189.067(3). 104
166	166	Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (7) of section 105
167	167	11.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 106
168	168	11.45 Definitions; duties; aut horities; reports; rules. — 107
169	169	(7) AUDITOR GENERAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. — 108
170	170	(c) The Auditor General shall provide annually a list of 109
171	171	those special districts which are not in compliance with s. 110
172	172	218.39 to the Special District Accountability Program of the 111
173	173	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 112
174	174	Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 113
175	175	14.20195, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 114
176	176	14.20195 Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council; 115
177	177	creation; membership; duties. —There is created within the 116
178	178	Statewide Office for Suicide Prevention a Suicide Prevention 117
179	179	Coordinating Council. The council shall develop strategies for 118
180	180	preventing suicide. 119
181	181	(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Suicide Prevention Coordinating 120
182	182	Council shall consist of 31 voting members and 1 nonvo ting 121
183	183	member. 122
184	184	(b) The following state officials or their designees shall 123
185	185	serve on the coordinating council: 124
186	186	1. The Secretary of Elderly Affairs. 125
187	187
188	188	HB 7037 2024
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190	190
191	191
192	192	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
193	193	hb7037-00
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195	195	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
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197	197
198	198
199	199	2. The State Surgeon General. 126
200	200	3. The Commissioner of Education. 127
201	201	4. The Secretary of Health Care Admini stration. 128
202	202	5. The Secretary of Juvenile Justice. 129
203	203	6. The Secretary of Corrections. 130
204	204	7. The executive director of the Department of Law 131
205	205	Enforcement. 132
206	206	8. The executive director of the Department of Veterans' 133
207	207	Affairs. 134
208	208	9. The Secretary of Children and Fa milies. 135
209	209	10. The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 136
210	210	Section 4. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2), 137
211	211	paragraphs (d) and (k) of subsection (3), paragraph (c) of 138
212	212	subsection (4), and paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section 139
213	213	14.36, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 140
214	214	14.36 Reimagining Education and Career Help Act. —The 141
215	215	Reimagining Education and Career Help Act is created to address 142
216	216	the evolving needs of Florida's economy by increasing the level 143
217	217	of collaboration and cooperation among sta te businesses and 144
218	218	education communities while improving training within and equity 145
219	219	and access to a more integrated workforce and education system 146
220	220	for all Floridians. 147
221	221	(2) As used in this section, the term: 148
222	222	(c) "Workforce development system" means the en tities and 149
223	223	activities that contribute to the state's talent pipeline system 150
224	224
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229	229	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
230	230	hb7037-00
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232	232	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
233	233
234	234
235	235
236	236	through education, training, and support services that prepare 151
237	237	individuals for employment or career advancement, and the 152
238	238	entities that are responsible for oversight or conducting t hose 153
239	239	activities such as CareerSource Florida, Inc., local workforce 154
240	240	development boards, one -stop career centers, the Department of 155
241	241	Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of Education, and 156
242	242	the Department of Children and Families. 157
243	243	(d) "Workforce education region" means areas of the state 158
244	244	identified by the Department of Education, in collaboration with 159
245	245	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , to maximize 160
246	246	resource allocation by combining two or more sources of funding 161
247	247	to integrate education and training in order to improve access 162
248	248	to credentials of value for participants in adult education 163
249	249	programs. 164
250	250	(3) The duties of the office are to: 165
251	251	(d) Coordinate state and federal workforce related 166
252	252	programs, plans, resources, and activities provided by 167
253	253	CareerSource Florida, Inc., the Department of Commerce Economic 168
254	254	Opportunity, and the Department of Education. 169
255	255	(k) Facilitate coordination among the Department of 170
256	256	Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of Education, and 171
257	257	CareerSource Florida, Inc., to develop and expand 172
258	258	apprenticeship, preapprenticeship, and other work -based learning 173
259	259	models and streamline efforts to recruit and onboard new 174
260	260	apprentices, preapprentices, students, and employers interested 175
261	261
262	262	HB 7037 2024
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264	264
265	265
266	266	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
267	267	hb7037-00
268	268	Page 8 of 338
269	269	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
270	270
271	271
272	272
273	273	in work-based learning opportunities. Such coordin ation must 176
274	274	include, but need not be limited to, conducting outreach with 177
275	275	business leaders, local governments, and education providers. 178
276	276	(4) The office shall create a no -wrong-door-entry strategy 179
277	277	to improve equity and access to the myriad of state and 180
278	278	federally funded workforce related programs through CareerSource 181
279	279	Florida, Inc., local workforce development boards, one -stop 182
280	280	career centers, school districts, charter technical centers, 183
281	281	Florida College System institutions, the State University 184
282	282	System, and through eligible training providers. Individuals 185
283	283	must not be required to visit multiple locations when seeking 186
284	284	access to education and workforce training. To create the 187
285	285	strategy, the office shall: 188
286	286	(c) Coordinate and facilitate a memorandum of 189
287	287	understanding between the Department of Commerce Economic 190
288	288	Opportunity and the Department of Children and Families to 191
289	289	permit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and 192
290	290	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) clients to 193
291	291	precertify for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act training 194
292	292	services without having to physically visit a one -stop center. 195
293	293	(5) The office shall provide the public with access to 196
294	294	available federal, state, and local services and provide 197
295	295	stakeholders with a systemwide, global view of wor kforce related 198
296	296	program data across various programs through actionable 199
297	297	qualitative and quantitative information. The office shall: 200
298	298
299	299	HB 7037 2024
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303	303	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
304	304	hb7037-00
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306	306	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
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310	310	(b) Provide access to labor market data consistent with 201
311	311	the information developed by the Labor Market Estimating 202
312	312	Conference and the Labor Market Statistics Center within the 203
313	313	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and provide guidance 204
314	314	on how to analyze the data, the appropriate use of the data, and 205
315	315	any limitations of the data, including instances in which such 206
316	316	data may not be used. 207
317	317	Section 5. Paragraph (j) of subsection (1) of section 208
318	318	16.615, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 209
319	319	16.615 Council on the Social Status of Black Men and 210
320	320	Boys.— 211
321	321	(1) The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys 212
322	322	is established within the Department of Legal Affairs and shall 213
323	323	consist of 19 members appointed as follows: 214
324	324	(j) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or his 215
325	325	or her designee. 216
326	326	Section 6. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 217
327	327	17.61, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 218
328	328	17.61 Chief Financial Officer; powers and duties in the 219
329	329	investment of certain funds. — 220
330	330	(3) 221
331	331	(c) Except as provided in this paragraph and except for 222
332	332	moneys described in paragraph (d), the following agencies may 223
333	333	not invest trust fund mone ys as provided in this section, but 224
334	334	shall retain such moneys in their respective trust funds for 225
335	335
336	336	HB 7037 2024
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340	340	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
341	341	hb7037-00
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343	343	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
344	344
345	345
346	346
347	347	investment, with interest appropriated to the General Revenue 226
348	348	Fund, pursuant to s. 17.57: 227
349	349	1. The Agency for Health Care Administration, except for 228
350	350	the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. 229
351	351	2. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities, except for: 230
352	352	a. The Federal Grants Trust Fund. 231
353	353	b. The Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. 232
354	354	3. The Department of Children and Families, except for: 233
355	355	a. The Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Ment al Health Trust Fund. 234
356	356	b. The Social Services Block Grant Trust Fund. 235
357	357	c. The Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. 236
358	358	4. The Department of Corrections. 237
359	359	5. The Department of Elderly Affairs, except for: 238
360	360	a. The Federal Grants Trust Fund. 239
361	361	b. The Tobacco Sett lement Trust Fund. 240
362	362	6. The Department of Health, except for: 241
363	363	a. The Federal Grants Trust Fund. 242
364	364	b. The Grants and Donations Trust Fund. 243
365	365	c. The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Trust Fund. 244
366	366	d. The Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. 245
367	367	7. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 246
368	368	only for the Security Deposits Trust Fund. 247
369	369	8. The Department of Juvenile Justice. 248
370	370	9. The Department of Law Enforcement. 249
371	371	10. The Department of Legal Affairs. 250
372	372
373	373	HB 7037 2024
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380	380	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
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382	382
383	383
384	384	11. The Department of State, only for: 251
385	385	a. The Grants and Donations Trust Fund. 252
386	386	b. The Records Management Trust Fund. 253
387	387	12. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , only 254
388	388	for the Economic Development Trust Fund. 255
389	389	13. The Florida Public Service Commission, only for the 256
390	390	Florida Public Service Regulatory Trust Fund. 257
391	391	14. The Justice Administrative Commission. 258
392	392	15. The state courts system. 259
393	393	Section 7. Subsection (3) and paragraph (b) of subsection 260
394	394	(7) of section 20.04, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 261
395	395	20.04 Structure of executive bra nch.—The executive branch 262
396	396	of state government is structured as follows: 263
397	397	(3) For their internal structure, all departments, except 264
398	398	for the Department of Financial Services, the Department of 265
399	399	Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of Children and 266
400	400	Families, the Department of Corrections, the Department of 267
401	401	Management Services, the Department of Revenue, and the 268
402	402	Department of Transportation, must adhere to the following 269
403	403	standard terms: 270
404	404	(a) The principal unit of the department is the 271
405	405	"division." Each division is headed by a "director." 272
406	406	(b) The principal unit of the division is the "bureau." 273
407	407	Each bureau is headed by a "chief." 274
408	408	(c) The principal unit of the bureau is the "section." 275
409	409
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414	414	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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417	417	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
418	418
419	419
420	420
421	421	Each section is headed by an "administrator." 276
422	422	(d) If further subdivi sion is necessary, sections may be 277
423	423	divided into "subsections," which are headed by "supervisors." 278
424	424	(7) 279
425	425	(b) Within the limitations of this subsection, the head of 280
426	426	the department may recommend the establishment of additional 281
427	427	divisions, bureaus, sections, a nd subsections of the department 282
428	428	to promote efficient and effective operation of the department. 283
429	429	However, additional divisions, or offices in the Department of 284
430	430	Children and Families, the Department of Corrections, the 285
431	431	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity, and the Department 286
432	432	of Transportation, may be established only by specific statutory 287
433	433	enactment. New bureaus, sections, and subsections of departments 288
434	434	may be initiated by a department and established as recommended 289
435	435	by the Department of Management Serv ices and approved by the 290
436	436	Executive Office of the Governor, or may be established by 291
437	437	specific statutory enactment. 292
438	438	Section 8. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section 293
439	439	20.166, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 294
440	440	20.166 Florida Business Information Portal.— 295
441	441	(4) The state agencies that must cooperate with the 296
442	442	Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the 297
443	443	development, implementation, and ongoing content updates of the 298
444	444	Florida Business Information Portal include, but are not limited 299
445	445	to: 300
446	446
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451	451	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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454	454	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
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456	456
457	457
458	458	(c) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 301
459	459	Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 20.181, Florida 302
460	460	Statutes, is amended to read: 303
461	461	20.181 Federal Grants Trust Fund. — 304
462	462	(1) The Federal Grants Trust Fund is created within the 305
463	463	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 306
464	464	Section 10. Section 20.605, Florida Statutes, is amended 307
465	465	to read: 308
466	466	20.605 Administrative Trust Fund of the Department of 309
467	467	Commerce Economic Opportunity .— 310
468	468	(1) The Administrative Trust Fund is created within the 311
469	469	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 312
470	470	(2) Funds shall be used for the purpose of supporting the 313
471	471	administrative functions of the department as required by law, 314
472	472	pursuant to legislative appropriation or an approved amendment 315
473	473	to the department's operating budg et pursuant to the provisions 316
474	474	of chapter 216. 317
475	475	(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and 318
476	476	pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end 319
477	477	of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of 320
478	478	the year and shall be avai lable for carrying out the purposes of 321
479	479	the trust fund. 322
480	480	Section 11. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 323
481	481	45.031, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 324
482	482	45.031 Judicial sales procedure. —In any sale of real or 325
483	483
484	484	HB 7037 2024
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491	491	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
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493	493
494	494
495	495	personal property under an order or ju dgment, the procedures 326
496	496	provided in this section and ss. 45.0315 -45.035 may be followed 327
497	497	as an alternative to any other sale procedure if so ordered by 328
498	498	the court. 329
499	499	(7) DISBURSEMENTS OF PROCEEDS. — 330
500	500	(a) On filing a certificate of title, the clerk shall 331
501	501	disburse the proceeds of the sale in accordance with the order 332
502	502	or final judgment and shall file a report of such disbursements 333
503	503	and serve a copy of it on each party, and on the Department of 334
504	504	Revenue if the department was named as a defendant in the action 335
505	505	or if the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or the 336
506	506	former Agency for Workforce Innovation was named as a defendant 337
507	507	while the Department of Revenue was providing reemployment 338
508	508	assistance tax collection services under contract with the 339
509	509	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or the former Agency 340
510	510	for Workforce Innovation through an interagency agreement 341
511	511	pursuant to s. 443.1316. 342
512	512	Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 343
513	513	69.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 344
514	514	69.041 State named party; lien foreclosure, suit to quiet 345
515	515	title.— 346
516	516	(4)(a) The Department of Revenue has the right to 347
517	517	participate in the disbursement of funds remaining in the 348
518	518	registry of the court after distribution pursuant to s. 349
519	519	45.031(7). The department shall participate in accordance with 350
520	520
521	521	HB 7037 2024
522	522
523	523
524	524
525	525	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
526	526	hb7037-00
527	527	Page 15 of 338
528	528	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
529	529
530	530
531	531
532	532	applicable procedures in any mortgage foreclosure action in 351
533	533	which the department has a duly filed tax warrant, or interests 352
534	534	under a lien arising from a judgment, order, or decree for 353
535	535	support, as defined in s. 409.2554, or interest in a 354
536	536	reemployment assistance tax lien under contract with the 355
537	537	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity through an 356
538	538	interagency agreement pursuant to s. 443.1316, against the 357
539	539	subject property and with the same priority, regardless of 358
540	540	whether a default against the department, the Department of 359
541	541	Commerce Economic Opportunity , or the former Agency for 360
542	542	Workforce Innovation has been entered for failure to file an 361
543	543	answer or other responsive pleading. 362
544	544	Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 363
545	545	110.112, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 364
546	546	110.112 Affirmative action; equal employment opportunity. — 365
547	547	(3)(a) The department, in consultation with the Agency for 366
548	548	Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Vocational 367
549	549	Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind S ervices of the 368
550	550	Department of Education, the Department of Commerce Economic 369
551	551	Opportunity, and the Executive Office of the Governor, shall 370
552	552	develop and implement programs that incorporate internships, 371
553	553	mentoring, on-the-job training, unpaid work experience, 372
554	554	situational assessments, and other innovative strategies that 373
555	555	are specifically geared toward individuals who have a 374
556	556	disability. 375
557	557
558	558	HB 7037 2024
559	559
560	560
561	561
562	562	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
563	563	hb7037-00
564	564	Page 16 of 338
565	565	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
566	566
567	567
568	568
569	569	Section 14. Paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section 376
570	570	112.63, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 377
571	571	112.63 Actuarial report s and statements of actuarial 378
572	572	impact; review.— 379
573	573	(4) Upon receipt, pursuant to subsection (2), of an 380
574	574	actuarial report, or, pursuant to subsection (3), of a statement 381
575	575	of actuarial impact, the Department of Management Services shall 382
576	576	acknowledge such receipt, but shall only review and comment on 383
577	577	each retirement system's or plan's actuarial valuations at least 384
578	578	on a triennial basis. 385
579	579	(d) In the case of an affected special district, the 386
580	580	Department of Management Services shall also notify the 387
581	581	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . Upon receipt of 388
582	582	notification, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 389
583	583	shall proceed pursuant to s. 189.067. 390
584	584	1. Failure of a special district to provide a required 391
585	585	report or statement, to make appropriate adjustments, or t o 392
586	586	provide additional material information after the procedures 393
587	587	specified in s. 189.067(1) are exhausted shall be deemed final 394
588	588	action by the special district. 395
589	589	2. The Department of Management Services may notify the 396
590	590	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity of those special 397
591	591	districts that failed to come into compliance. Upon receipt of 398
592	592	notification, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 399
593	593	shall proceed pursuant to s. 189.067(4). 400
594	594
595	595	HB 7037 2024
596	596
597	597
598	598
599	599	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
600	600	hb7037-00
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602	602	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
603	603
604	604
605	605
606	606	Section 15. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 401
607	607	112.665, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 402
608	608	112.665 Duties of Department of Management Services. — 403
609	609	(1) The Department of Management Services shall: 404
610	610	(f) Annually issue, by January 1, a report to the Special 405
611	611	District Accountability Program of the Department of Commerce 406
612	612	Economic Opportunity which includes the participation in and 407
613	613	compliance of special districts with the local government 408
614	614	retirement system provisions in s. 112.63 and the state -409
615	615	administered retirement system provisions specified in part I of 410
616	616	chapter 121; and 411
617	617	Section 16. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) and paragraph 412
618	618	(f) of subsection (5) of section 119.071, Florida Statutes, are 413
619	619	amended to read: 414
620	620	119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of 415
621	621	public records.— 416
622	622	(1) AGENCY ADMINISTRATIO N.— 417
623	623	(h)1. Information relating to communications services 418
624	624	locations, project proposals, and challenges submitted to the 419
625	625	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity under s. 288.9962 or 420
626	626	pursuant to a federal broadband access grant program implemented 421
627	627	by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity is 422
628	628	confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I 423
629	629	of the State Constitution if such information is not otherwise 424
630	630	publicly available and the release of such information would 425
631	631
632	632	HB 7037 2024
633	633
634	634
635	635
636	636	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
637	637	hb7037-00
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639	639	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
640	640
641	641
642	642
643	643	reveal: 426
644	644	a. The location or capacity of communications network 427
645	645	facilities; 428
646	646	b. Communications network areas, including geographical 429
647	647	maps indicating actual or proposed locations of network 430
648	648	infrastructure or facilities; 431
649	649	c. The features, functions, and capabilities of 432
650	650	communications network infrastructure and facilities; 433
651	651	d. Security, including cybersecurity, of the design, 434
652	652	construction, and operation of the communications network and 435
653	653	associated services and products; 436
654	654	e. Specific customer locations; or 437
655	655	f. Sources of funding or in-kind contributions for a 438
656	656	project. 439
657	657	2. This exemption does not apply to any required functions 440
658	658	of the department under s. 288.9962 relating to publishing a 441
659	659	description of the proposed unserved areas to be served and the 442
660	660	proposed broadband Intern et speeds of the areas to be served as 443
661	661	provided by the applicant and approved by the department. 444
662	662	3. This paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset 445
663	663	Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed 446
664	664	on October 2, 2028, unless review ed and saved from repeal 447
665	665	through reenactment by the Legislature. 448
666	666	(5) OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION. — 449
667	667	(f)1. The following information held by the Department of 450
668	668
669	669	HB 7037 2024
670	670
671	671
672	672
673	673	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
674	674	hb7037-00
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676	676	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
677	677
678	678
679	679
680	680	Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Florida Housing Finance 451
681	681	Corporation, a county, a municipality , or a local housing 452
682	682	finance agency is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and 453
683	683	s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution: 454
684	684	a. Medical history records and information related to 455
685	685	health or property insurance provided by an applicant for or a 456
686	686	participant in a federal, state, or local housing assistance 457
687	687	program. 458
688	688	b. Property photographs and personal identifying 459
689	689	information of an applicant for or a participant in a federal, 460
690	690	state, or local housing assistance program for the purpose of 461
691	691	disaster recovery assistance for a presidentially declared 462
692	692	disaster. 463
693	693	2. Governmental entities or their agents shall have access 464
694	694	to such confidential and exempt records and information for the 465
695	695	purpose of auditing federal, state, or local housing programs or 466
696	696	housing assistance programs. 467
697	697	3. Such confidential and exempt records and information 468
698	698	may be used in any administrative or judicial proceeding, 469
699	699	provided such records are kept confidential and exempt unless 470
700	700	otherwise ordered by a court. 471
701	701	4. Sub-subparagraph 1.b. is subject to the Open Government 472
702	702	Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand 473
703	703	repealed on October 2, 2025, unless reviewed and saved from 474
704	704	repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. 475
705	705
706	706	HB 7037 2024
707	707
708	708
709	709
710	710	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
711	711	hb7037-00
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713	713	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
714	714
715	715
716	716
717	717	Section 17. Subsection (10) of section 120.80, Florida 476
718	718	Statutes, is amended to read: 477
719	719	120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies. — 478
720	720	(10) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY .— 479
721	721	(a) Notwithstanding s. 120.54, the rulemaking provisions 480
722	722	of this chapter do not apply to reemployment assistance appeals 481
723	723	referees. 482
724	724	(b) Notwithstanding s. 120.54(5), the uniform rules of 483
725	725	procedure do not apply to appeal proceedings conducted under 484
726	726	chapter 443 by the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission, 485
727	727	special deputies, or reemployment assistance a ppeals referees. 486
728	728	(c) Notwithstanding s. 120.57(1)(a), hearings under 487
729	729	chapter 443 may not be conducted by an administrative law judge 488
730	730	assigned by the division, but instead shall be conducted by the 489
731	731	Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission in reemploymen t 490
732	732	assistance appeals, reemployment assistance appeals referees, 491
733	733	and the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 492
734	734	special deputies under s. 443.141. 493
735	735	Section 18. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section 494
736	736	125.045, Florida Statutes, is amended t o read: 495
737	737	125.045 County economic development powers. — 496
738	738	(5)(a) By January 15, 2011, and annually thereafter, each 497
739	739	county shall report to the Office of Economic and Demographic 498
740	740	Research the economic development incentives in excess of 499
741	741	$25,000 given to any business during the county's previous 500
742	742
743	743	HB 7037 2024
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745	745
746	746
747	747	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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750	750	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
751	751
752	752
753	753
754	754	fiscal year. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research 501
755	755	shall compile the information from the counties into a report 502
756	756	and provide the report to the President of the Senate, the 503
757	757	Speaker of the House of Representati ves, and the Department of 504
758	758	Commerce Economic Opportunity . Economic development incentives 505
759	759	include: 506
760	760	1. Direct financial incentives of monetary assistance 507
761	761	provided to a business from the county or through an 508
762	762	organization authorized by the county. Such ince ntives include, 509
763	763	but are not limited to, grants, loans, equity investments, loan 510
764	764	insurance and guarantees, and training subsidies. 511
765	765	2. Indirect incentives in the form of grants and loans 512
766	766	provided to businesses and community organizations that provide 513
767	767	support to businesses or promote business investment or 514
768	768	development. 515
769	769	3. Fee-based or tax-based incentives, including, but not 516
770	770	limited to, credits, refunds, exemptions, and property tax 517
771	771	abatement or assessment reductions. 518
772	772	4. Below-market rate leases or deeds for real property. 519
773	773	Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (16) and 520
774	774	subsection (17) of section 155.40, Florida Statutes, are amended 521
775	775	to read: 522
776	776	155.40 Sale or lease of county, district, or municipal 523
777	777	hospital; effect of sale. — 524
778	778	(16) If a county, distr ict, or municipal hospital is sold 525
779	779
780	780	HB 7037 2024
781	781
782	782
783	783
784	784	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
785	785	hb7037-00
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787	787	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
788	788
789	789
790	790
791	791	or leased, the governing board shall: 526
792	792	(a) Deposit 50 percent of the net proceeds of the sale or 527
793	793	lease into a health care economic development trust fund, which 528
794	794	shall be under the control of the county commission of the 529
795	795	county in which the property is located, if the hospital is a 530
796	796	county hospital or district hospital whose geographic boundaries 531
797	797	extend beyond a single municipality, or, if the hospital is a 532
798	798	municipal hospital or district hospital whose geographic 533
799	799	boundaries lie entirely within a single municipality, under the 534
800	800	control of the city or municipal government in which the 535
801	801	hospital is located. The use and distribution of the funds shall 536
802	802	be at the discretion of a majority of the county commission if 537
803	803	the hospital is a county hospital or district hospital whose 538
804	804	geographic boundaries extend beyond a single municipality, or, 539
805	805	if the hospital is a municipal hospital or district hospital 540
806	806	whose geographic boundaries lie entirely within a single 541
807	807	municipality, at the discretion of a majority of the members of 542
808	808	the municipal government. The members of the county commission 543
809	809	or the municipal government, depending on the type of hospital 544
810	810	being sold, shall serve as trustees of the trust fund. The net 545
811	811	proceeds in the health care econom ic development trust fund 546
812	812	shall be distributed, in consultation with the Department of 547
813	813	Commerce Economic Opportunity , to promote job creation in the 548
814	814	health care sector of the economy through new or expanded health 549
815	815	care business development, new or expanded health care services, 550
816	816
817	817	HB 7037 2024
818	818
819	819
820	820
821	821	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
822	822	hb7037-00
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824	824	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
825	825
826	826
827	827
828	828	or new or expanded health care education programs or 551
829	829	commercialization of health care research within the affected 552
830	830	community; and 553
831	831	554
832	832	For the purposes of this subsection, the term "net proceeds" 555
833	833	means the sale price after payment of all district debts and 556
834	834	obligations. 557
835	835	(17) If a county, district, or municipal hospital or 558
836	836	health care system is sold or leased to a for -profit corporation 559
837	837	or other business entity subject to local taxation, the 560
838	838	resulting county and municipal ad valorem tax r evenue from the 561
839	839	formerly tax-exempt property shall be distributed by the county 562
840	840	commission of the county in which the property is located, if 563
841	841	the hospital is a county hospital or district hospital whose 564
842	842	geographic boundaries extend beyond a single municipa lity, or, 565
843	843	if the hospital is a municipal hospital or district hospital 566
844	844	whose geographic boundaries lie entirely within a single 567
845	845	municipality, such ad valorem tax revenues shall be distributed 568
846	846	by the municipal government. The distribution of such ad valorem 569
847	847	tax revenues shall be made in consultation with the Department 570
848	848	of Commerce Economic Opportunity , for purposes set forth in 571
849	849	subsection (16). 572
850	850	Section 20. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 573
851	851	159.8081, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 574
852	852	159.8081 Manufacturing facility bond pool. — 575
853	853
854	854	HB 7037 2024
855	855
856	856
857	857
858	858	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859	859	hb7037-00
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861	861	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
862	862
863	863
864	864
865	865	(2)(a) The first 75 percent of this pool shall be 576
866	866	available on a first come, first served basis, except that 15 577
867	867	percent of the state volume limitation allocated to this pool 578
868	868	shall be available as provided in paragrap h (b). Before issuing 579
869	869	any written confirmations for the remaining 25 percent of this 580
870	870	pool, the executive director shall forward all notices of intent 581
871	871	to issue which are received by the division for manufacturing 582
872	872	facility projects to the Department of Commerce Economic 583
873	873	Opportunity. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 584
874	874	shall decide, after receipt of the notices of intent to issue, 585
875	875	which notices will receive written confirmations. Such decision 586
876	876	shall be communicated in writing by the Department of Commerce 587
877	877	Economic Opportunity to the executive director within 10 days of 588
878	878	receipt of such notices of intent to issue. 589
879	879	Section 21. Section 159.8083, Florida Statutes, is amended 590
880	880	to read: 591
881	881	159.8083 Florida First Business allocation pool. —The 592
882	882	Florida First Business allocation pool is hereby established. 593
883	883	The Florida First Business allocation pool shall be available 594
884	884	solely to provide written confirmation for private activity 595
885	885	bonds to finance Florida First Business projects certified by 596
886	886	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity as eligible to 597
887	887	receive a written confirmation. Allocations from such pool shall 598
888	888	be awarded statewide pursuant to procedures specified in s. 599
889	889	159.805, except that the provisions of s. 159.805(2), (3), and 600
890	890
891	891	HB 7037 2024
892	892
893	893
894	894
895	895	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
896	896	hb7037-00
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898	898	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
899	899
900	900
901	901
902	902	(6) do not apply. Florida First Business projects that are 601
903	903	eligible for a carryforward do not lose their allocation 602
904	904	pursuant to s. 159.809(3) on October 1, or pursuant to s. 603
905	905	159.809(4) on November 16, if they have app lied for and have 604
906	906	been granted a carryforward by the division pursuant to s. 605
907	907	159.81(1). In issuing written confirmations of allocations for 606
908	908	Florida First Business projects, the division shall use the 607
909	909	Florida First Business allocation pool. If allocation is not 608
910	910	available from the Florida First Business allocation pool, the 609
911	911	division shall issue written confirmations of allocations for 610
912	912	Florida First Business projects pursuant to s. 159.806 or s. 611
913	913	159.807, in such order. For the purpose of determining priority 612
914	914	within a regional allocation pool or the state allocation pool, 613
915	915	notices of intent to issue bonds for Florida First Business 614
916	916	projects to be issued from a regional allocation pool or the 615
917	917	state allocation pool shall be considered to have been received 616
918	918	by the division at the time it is determined by the division 617
919	919	that the Florida First Business allocation pool is unavailable 618
920	920	to issue confirmation for such Florida First Business project. 619
921	921	If the total amount requested in notices of intent to issue 620
922	922	private activity bonds for Florida First Business projects 621
923	923	exceeds the total amount of the Florida First Business 622
924	924	allocation pool, the director shall forward all timely notices 623
925	925	of intent to issue, which are received by the division for such 624
926	926	projects, to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 625
927	927
928	928	HB 7037 2024
929	929
930	930
931	931
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935	935	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
936	936
937	937
938	938
939	939	which shall render a decision as to which notices of intent to 626
940	940	issue are to receive written confirmations. 627
941	941	Section 22. Subsection (3) of section 159.809, Florida 628
942	942	Statutes, is amended to read: 629
943	943	159.809 Recapture of unused amounts.— 630
944	944	(3) On October 1 of each year, any portion of the 631
945	945	allocation made to the Florida First Business allocation pool 632
946	946	pursuant to s. 159.804(5), subsection (1), or subsection (2), 633
947	947	which is eligible for carryforward pursuant to s. 146(f) of the 634
948	948	Code but which has not been certified for carryforward by the 635
949	949	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , shall be returned 636
950	950	to the Florida First Business allocation pool. 637
951	951	Section 23. Subsection (1) of section 159.81, Florida 638
952	952	Statutes, is amended to read: 639
953	953	159.81 Unused allocations; carryforwards. — 640
954	954	(1) The division shall, when requested, provide 641
955	955	carryforwards pursuant to s. 146(f) of the Code for written 642
956	956	confirmations for priority projects which qualify for a 643
957	957	carryforward pursuant to s. 146(f) of the Code, if such request 644
958	958	is accompanied by an opinion of bond counsel to that effect. In 645
959	959	addition, in the case of Florida First Business projects, the 646
960	960	division shall, when requested, grant requests for carryforward 647
961	961	only after receipt of a certification from the De partment of 648
962	962	Commerce Economic Opportunity that the project has been approved 649
963	963	by the department to receive carryforward. 650
964	964
965	965	HB 7037 2024
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967	967
968	968
969	969	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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972	972	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
973	973
974	974
975	975
976	976	Section 24. Subsection (4) of section 161.142, Florida 651
977	977	Statutes, is amended to read: 652
978	978	161.142 Declaration of public policy relating to improved 653
979	979	navigation inlets.—The Legislature recognizes the need for 654
980	980	maintaining navigation inlets to promote commercial and 655
981	981	recreational uses of our coastal waters and their resources. The 656
982	982	Legislature further recognizes that inlets interrupt or alter 657
983	983	the natural drift of beach -quality sand resources, which often 658
984	984	results in these sand resources being deposited in nearshore 659
985	985	areas or in the inlet channel, or in the inland waterway 660
986	986	adjacent to the inlet, instead of providing natural nourishment 661
987	987	to the adjacent eroding beaches. Accordingly, the Legislature 662
988	988	finds it is in the public interest to replicate the natural 663
989	989	drift of sand which is interrupted or altered by inlets to be 664
990	990	replaced and for each level of government to undertake all 665
991	991	reasonable efforts to max imize inlet sand bypassing to ensure 666
992	992	that beach-quality sand is placed on adjacent eroding beaches. 667
993	993	Such activities cannot make up for the historical sand deficits 668
994	994	caused by inlets but shall be designed to balance the sediment 669
995	995	budget of the inlet and adjac ent beaches and extend the life of 670
996	996	proximate beach-restoration projects so that periodic 671
997	997	nourishment is needed less frequently. Therefore, in furtherance 672
998	998	of this declaration of public policy and the Legislature's 673
999	999	intent to redirect and recommit the state's comprehensive beach 674
1000	1000	management efforts to address the beach erosion caused by 675
1001	1001
1002	1002	HB 7037 2024
1003	1003
1004	1004
1005	1005
1006	1006	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1009	1009	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
1010	1010
1011	1011
1012	1012
1013	1013	inlets, the department shall ensure that: 676
1014	1014	(4) The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) shall not be 677
1015	1015	a requirement imposed upon ports listed in s. 403.021(9)(b); 678
1016	1016	however, such ports must demonstrate reasonable effort to place 679
1017	1017	beach-quality sand from construction and maintenance dredging 680
1018	1018	and port-development projects on adjacent eroding beaches in 681
1019	1019	accordance with port master plans approved by the Department of 682
1020	1020	Commerce Economic Opportunity, and permits approved and issued 683
1021	1021	by the department, to ensure compliance with this section. Ports 684
1022	1022	may sponsor or cosponsor inlet management projects that are 685
1023	1023	fully eligible for state cost sharing. 686
1024	1024	Section 25. Subsection (10) of section 161. 54, Florida 687
1025	1025	Statutes, is amended to read: 688
1026	1026	161.54 Definitions. —In construing ss. 161.52 -161.58: 689
1027	1027	(10) "State land planning agency" means the Department of 690
1028	1028	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 691
1029	1029	Section 26. Subsection (44) of section 163.3164, Florida 692
1030	1030	Statutes, is amended to read: 693
1031	1031	163.3164 Community Planning Act; definitions. —As used in 694
1032	1032	this act: 695
1033	1033	(44) "State land planning agency" means the Department of 696
1034	1034	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 697
1035	1035	Section 27. Subsection (14) of section 163.3221, Florida 698
1036	1036	Statutes, is amended to read: 699
1037	1037	163.3221 Florida Local Government Development Agreement 700
1038	1038
1039	1039	HB 7037 2024
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1041	1041
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1046	1046	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
1047	1047
1048	1048
1049	1049
1050	1050	Act; definitions.—As used in ss. 163.3220 -163.3243: 701
1051	1051	(14) "State land planning agency" means the Department of 702
1052	1052	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 703
1053	1053	Section 28. Subsection (1) of sec tion 163.3251, Florida 704
1054	1054	Statutes, is amended to read: 705
1055	1055	163.3251 Definitions. —As used in this section and ss. 706
1056	1056	163.3252 and 163.3253, the term: 707
1057	1057	(1) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 708
1058	1058	Opportunity. 709
1059	1059	Section 29. Subsections (2) and (6) of section 163.3756, 710
1060	1060	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 711
1061	1061	163.3756 Inactive community redevelopment agencies. — 712
1062	1062	(2)(a) A community redevelopment agency that has reported 713
1063	1063	no revenue, no expenditures, and no debt under s. 189.016(9) or 714
1064	1064	s. 218.32 for 6 consecutive fiscal years beginning no earlier 715
1065	1065	than October 1, 2016, must be declared inactive by the 716
1066	1066	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , which shall notify 717
1067	1067	the agency of the declaration. If the agency does not have board 718
1068	1068	members or an agent, the notice of the declaration of inactive 719
1069	1069	status must be delivered to the county or municipal governing 720
1070	1070	board or commission that created the agency. 721
1071	1071	(b) The governing board of a community redevelopment 722
1072	1072	agency that is declared inactive under this section may seek to 723
1073	1073	invalidate the declaration by initiating proceedings under s. 724
1074	1074	189.062(5) within 30 days after the date of the receipt of the 725
1075	1075
1076	1076	HB 7037 2024
1077	1077
1078	1078
1079	1079
1080	1080	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1083	1083	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
1084	1084
1085	1085
1086	1086
1087	1087	notice from the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 726
1088	1088	(6) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 727
1089	1089	maintain on its website a separate list of community 728
1090	1090	redevelopment agencies declared inactive under this section. 729
1091	1091	Section 30. Subsection (3) of section 163.503, Florida 730
1092	1092	Statutes, is amended to read: 731
1093	1093	163.503 Definitions. — 732
1094	1094	(3) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 733
1095	1095	Opportunity. 734
1096	1096	Section 31. Subsection (1) of section 163.5055, Florida 735
1097	1097	Statutes, is amended to read: 736
1098	1098	163.5055 Registration of district establishment; notice of 737
1099	1099	dissolution.— 738
1100	1100	(1)(a) Each neighborhood improvement district authorized 739
1101	1101	and established under this part shall within 30 days thereof 740
1102	1102	register with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity by 741
1103	1103	providing the department with the district's name, location, 742
1104	1104	size, and type, and such oth er information as the department may 743
1105	1105	require. 744
1106	1106	(b) Each local governing body that authorizes the 745
1107	1107	dissolution of a district shall notify the Department of 746
1108	1108	Commerce Economic Opportunity within 30 days after the 747
1109	1109	dissolution of the district. 748
1110	1110	Section 32. Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 749
1111	1111	163.506, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 750
1112	1112
1113	1113	HB 7037 2024
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1120	1120	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
1121	1121
1122	1122
1123	1123
1124	1124	163.506 Local government neighborhood improvement 751
1125	1125	districts; creation; advisory council; dissolution. — 752
1126	1126	(1) After a local planning ordinance has been adopted 753
1127	1127	authorizing the creation of local government neighborhood 754
1128	1128	improvement districts, the local governing body of a 755
1129	1129	municipality or county may create local government neighborhood 756
1130	1130	improvement districts by the enactment of a separate ordinance 757
1131	1131	for each district, which ordinance: 758
1132	1132	(h) Requires the district to notify the Department of 759
1133	1133	Commerce Economic Opportunity in writing of its establishment 760
1134	1134	within 30 days thereof pursuant to s. 163.5055. 761
1135	1135	Section 33. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section 762
1136	1136	163.508, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 763
1137	1137	163.508 Property owners' association neighborhood 764
1138	1138	improvement districts; creation; powers and duties; duration. — 765
1139	1139	(1) After a local planning ordinance has been adopted 766
1140	1140	authorizing the creation of property owners' association 767
1141	1141	neighborhood improvement districts, the local governing body of 768
1142	1142	a municipality or county may create property owners' association 769
1143	1143	neighborhood improvement districts by the enactment of a 770
1144	1144	separate ordinance for each district, which ordinance: 771
1145	1145	(g) Requires the district to notify the Department of 772
1146	1146	Commerce Economic Opportunity in writing of its establishment 773
1147	1147	within 30 days thereof pursuant to s. 163.5055. 774
1148	1148	Section 34. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section 775
1149	1149
1150	1150	HB 7037 2024
1151	1151
1152	1152
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1157	1157	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
1158	1158
1159	1159
1160	1160
1161	1161	163.511, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 776
1162	1162	163.511 Special neighborhood improvement districts; 777
1163	1163	creation; referendum; board of directors; duration; extension. — 778
1164	1164	(1) After a local planning ordinance has been adopted 779
1165	1165	authorizing the creation of special neighborhood improvement 780
1166	1166	districts, the gover ning body of a municipality or county may 781
1167	1167	declare the need for and create special residential or business 782
1168	1168	neighborhood improvement districts by the enactment of a 783
1169	1169	separate ordinance for each district, which ordinance: 784
1170	1170	(i) Requires the district to notify the Department of 785
1171	1171	Commerce Economic Opportunity in writing of its establishment 786
1172	1172	within 30 days thereof pursuant to s. 163.5055. 787
1173	1173	Section 35. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section 788
1174	1174	163.512, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 789
1175	1175	163.512 Community re development neighborhood improvement 790
1176	1176	districts; creation; advisory council; dissolution. — 791
1177	1177	(1) Upon the recommendation of the community redevelopment 792
1178	1178	agency and after a local planning ordinance has been adopted 793
1179	1179	authorizing the creation of community redeve lopment neighborhood 794
1180	1180	improvement districts, the local governing body of a 795
1181	1181	municipality or county may create community redevelopment 796
1182	1182	neighborhood improvement districts by the enactment of a 797
1183	1183	separate ordinance for each district, which ordinance: 798
1184	1184	(i) Requires the district to notify the Department of 799
1185	1185	Legal Affairs and the Department of Commerce Economic 800
1186	1186
1187	1187	HB 7037 2024
1188	1188
1189	1189
1190	1190
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1194	1194	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
1195	1195
1196	1196
1197	1197
1198	1198	Opportunity in writing of its establishment within 30 days 801
1199	1199	thereof pursuant to s. 163.5055. 802
1200	1200	Section 36. Paragraph (e) of subsection (8) of section 803
1201	1201	166.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 804
1202	1202	166.021 Powers.— 805
1203	1203	(8) 806
1204	1204	(e)1. By January 15, 2011, and annually thereafter, each 807
1205	1205	municipality having annual revenues or expenditures greater than 808
1206	1206	$250,000 shall report to the Office of Economic and Demographic 809
1207	1207	Research the economic development incentives in excess of 810
1208	1208	$25,000 given to any business during the municipality's previous 811
1209	1209	fiscal year. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research 812
1210	1210	shall compile the information from the municipalities into a 813
1211	1211	report and provide the report to the President of the Senate, 814
1212	1212	the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Department 815
1213	1213	of Commerce Economic Opportunity . Economic development 816
1214	1214	incentives include: 817
1215	1215	a. Direct financial incentives of monetary assistance 818
1216	1216	provided to a business from the municipality or through an 819
1217	1217	organization authorized by the municipality. Such incentives 820
1218	1218	include, but are not limited to, grants, loans, equity 821
1219	1219	investments, loan insurance and guarantees, and training 822
1220	1220	subsidies. 823
1221	1221	b. Indirect incentives in the form of grants and loans 824
1222	1222	provided to businesses and community organizations that provide 825
1223	1223
1224	1224	HB 7037 2024
1225	1225
1226	1226
1227	1227
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1231	1231	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
1232	1232
1233	1233
1234	1234
1235	1235	support to businesses or promote business investment or 826
1236	1236	development. 827
1237	1237	c. Fee-based or tax-based incentives, including, but not 828
1238	1238	limited to, credits, refunds, exem ptions, and property tax 829
1239	1239	abatement or assessment reductions. 830
1240	1240	d. Below-market rate leases or deeds for real property. 831
1241	1241	2. A municipality shall report its economic development 832
1242	1242	incentives in the format specified by the Office of Economic and 833
1243	1243	Demographic Research. 834
1244	1244	3. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall 835
1245	1245	compile the economic development incentives provided by each 836
1246	1246	municipality in a manner that shows the total of each class of 837
1247	1247	economic development incentives provided by each municipality 838
1248	1248	and all municipalities. 839
1249	1249	Section 37. Subsection (1) of section 171.204, Florida 840
1250	1250	Statutes, is amended to read: 841
1251	1251	171.204 Prerequisites to annexation under this part. —The 842
1252	1252	interlocal service boundary agreement may describe the character 843
1253	1253	of land that may be annexed under this part and may provide that 844
1254	1254	the restrictions on the character of land that may be annexed 845
1255	1255	pursuant to part I are not restrictions on land that may be 846
1256	1256	annexed pursuant to this part. As determined in the interlocal 847
1257	1257	service boundary agreement , any character of land may be 848
1258	1258	annexed, including, but not limited to, an annexation of land 849
1259	1259	not contiguous to the boundaries of the annexing municipality, 850
1260	1260
1261	1261	HB 7037 2024
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1268	1268	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
1269	1269
1270	1270
1271	1271
1272	1272	an annexation that creates an enclave, or an annexation where 851
1273	1273	the annexed area is not reasonably com pact; however, such area 852
1274	1274	must be "urban in character" as defined in s. 171.031. The 853
1275	1275	interlocal service boundary agreement may not allow for 854
1276	1276	annexation of land within a municipality that is not a party to 855
1277	1277	the agreement or of land that is within another coun ty. Before 856
1278	1278	annexation of land that is not contiguous to the boundaries of 857
1279	1279	the annexing municipality, an annexation that creates an 858
1280	1280	enclave, or an annexation of land that is not currently served 859
1281	1281	by water or sewer utilities, one of the following options must 860
1282	1282	be followed: 861
1283	1283	(1) The municipality shall transmit a comprehensive plan 862
1284	1284	amendment that proposes specific amendments relating to the 863
1285	1285	property anticipated for annexation to the Department of 864
1286	1286	Commerce Economic Opportunity for review under chapter 163. 865
1287	1287	After considering the department's review, the municipality may 866
1288	1288	approve the annexation and comprehensive plan amendment 867
1289	1289	concurrently. The local government must adopt the annexation and 868
1290	1290	the comprehensive plan amendment as separate and distinct 869
1291	1291	actions but may take such actions at a single public hearing; or 870
1292	1292	Section 38. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section 871
1293	1293	186.504, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 872
1294	1294	186.504 Regional planning councils; creation; membership. — 873
1295	1295	(4) In addition to voting members appoint ed pursuant to 874
1296	1296	paragraph (2)(c), the Governor shall appoint the following ex 875
1297	1297
1298	1298	HB 7037 2024
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1300	1300
1301	1301
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1305	1305	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
1306	1306
1307	1307
1308	1308
1309	1309	officio nonvoting members to each regional planning council: 876
1310	1310	(c) A representative nominated by the Department of 877
1311	1311	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 878
1312	1312	879
1313	1313	The Governor may also appoint ex officio nonvoting members 880
1314	1314	representing appropriate metropolitan planning organizations and 881
1315	1315	regional water supply authorities. 882
1316	1316	Section 39. Subsection (1) of section 189.012, Florida 883
1317	1317	Statutes, is amended to read: 884
1318	1318	189.012 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 885
1319	1319	(1) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 886
1320	1320	Opportunity. 887
1321	1321	Section 40. Subsection (2) of section 190.009, Florida 888
1322	1322	Statutes, is amended to read: 889
1323	1323	190.009 Disclosure of public financing. — 890
1324	1324	(2) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 891
1325	1325	keep a current list of districts and their disclosures pursuant 892
1326	1326	to this act and shall make such studies and reports and take 893
1327	1327	such actions as it deems necessary. 894
1328	1328	Section 41. Section 190.047, Florida Statutes, is amended 895
1329	1329	to read: 896
1330	1330	190.047 Incorporation or annexation of district. — 897
1331	1331	(1) Upon attaining the population standards for 898
1332	1332	incorporation contained in s. 165.061 and as determined by the 899
1333	1333	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , any district wholly 900
1334	1334
1335	1335	HB 7037 2024
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1342	1342	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
1343	1343
1344	1344
1345	1345
1346	1346	contained within the u nincorporated area of a county that also 901
1347	1347	meets the other requirements for incorporation contained in s. 902
1348	1348	165.061 shall hold a referendum at a general election on the 903
1349	1349	question of whether to incorporate. However, any district 904
1350	1350	contiguous to the boundary of a m unicipality may be annexed to 905
1351	1351	such municipality pursuant to the provisions of chapter 171. 906
1352	1352	(2) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 907
1353	1353	annually monitor the status of the district for purposes of 908
1354	1354	carrying out the provisions of this section. 909
1355	1355	Section 42. Subsection (1) of section 191.009, Florida 910
1356	1356	Statutes, is amended to read: 911
1357	1357	191.009 Taxes; non-ad valorem assessments; impact fees and 912
1358	1358	user charges.— 913
1359	1359	(1) AD VALOREM TAXES. —An elected board may levy and assess 914
1360	1360	ad valorem taxes on all taxabl e property in the district to 915
1361	1361	construct, operate, and maintain district facilities and 916
1362	1362	services, to pay the principal of, and interest on, general 917
1363	1363	obligation bonds of the district, and to provide for any sinking 918
1364	1364	or other funds established in connection wit h such bonds. An ad 919
1365	1365	valorem tax levied by the board for operating purposes, 920
1366	1366	exclusive of debt service on bonds, may not exceed 3.75 mills 921
1367	1367	unless a higher amount has been previously authorized by law, 922
1368	1368	subject to a referendum as required by the State Constit ution 923
1369	1369	and this act. The ballot question on such referendum shall state 924
1370	1370	the currently authorized millage rate and the year of its 925
1371	1371
1372	1372	HB 7037 2024
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1379	1379	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
1380	1380
1381	1381
1382	1382
1383	1383	approval by referendum. The levy of ad valorem taxes pursuant to 926
1384	1384	this section must be approved by referendum called by the boar d 927
1385	1385	when the proposed levy of ad valorem taxes exceeds the amount 928
1386	1386	authorized by prior special act, general law of local 929
1387	1387	application, or county ordinance approved by referendum. Nothing 930
1388	1388	in this act shall require a referendum on the levy of ad valorem 931
1389	1389	taxes in an amount previously authorized by special act, general 932
1390	1390	law of local application, or county ordinance approved by 933
1391	1391	referendum. Such tax shall be assessed, levied, and collected in 934
1392	1392	the same manner as county taxes. The levy of ad valorem taxes 935
1393	1393	approved by referendum shall be reported within 60 days after 936
1394	1394	the vote to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 937
1395	1395	Section 43. Section 191.015, Florida Statutes, is amended 938
1396	1396	to read: 939
1397	1397	191.015 Codification. —Each fire control district existing 940
1398	1398	on the effective date of this section, by December 1, 2004, 941
1399	1399	shall submit to the Legislature a draft codified charter, at its 942
1400	1400	expense, so that its special acts may be codified into a single 943
1401	1401	act for reenactment by the Legislature, if there is more than 944
1402	1402	one special act for t he district. The Legislature may adopt a 945
1403	1403	schedule for individual district codification. Any codified act 946
1404	1404	relating to a district, which act is submitted to the 947
1405	1405	Legislature for reenactment, shall provide for the repeal of all 948
1406	1406	prior special acts of the Legisl ature relating to the district. 949
1407	1407	The codified act shall be filed with the Department of Commerce 950
1408	1408
1409	1409	HB 7037 2024
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1416	1416	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
1417	1417
1418	1418
1419	1419
1420	1420	Economic Opportunity pursuant to s. 189.016(2). 951
1421	1421	Section 44. Paragraphs (b), (d), and (f) of subsection (4) 952
1422	1422	of section 201.15, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 953
1423	1423	201.15 Distribution of taxes collected. —All taxes 954
1424	1424	collected under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be 955
1425	1425	first made available to make payments when due on bonds issued 956
1426	1426	pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds 957
1427	1427	authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such 958
1428	1428	pledge and availability for the payment of these bonds shall 959
1429	1429	have priority over any requirement for the costs of collection 960
1430	1430	and enforcement under this section. Before distribution pursuant 961
1431	1431	to this section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts 962
1432	1432	necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of 963
1433	1433	the tax levied by this chapter. The costs may not be levied 964
1434	1434	against any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to 965
1435	1435	the extent that the costs are required to pay any amounts 966
1436	1436	relating to the bonds. All of the costs of the collection and 967
1437	1437	enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter shall be available 968
1438	1438	and transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and 969
1439	1439	any other amounts payable w ith respect to bonds authorized 970
1440	1440	before January 1, 2017, secured by revenues distributed pursuant 971
1441	1441	to this section. All taxes remaining after deduction of costs 972
1442	1442	shall be distributed as follows: 973
1443	1443	(4) After the required distributions to the Land 974
1444	1444	Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), the 975
1445	1445
1446	1446	HB 7037 2024
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1453	1453	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
1454	1454
1455	1455
1456	1456
1457	1457	lesser of 8 percent of the remainder or $150 million in each 976
1458	1458	fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit 977
1459	1459	of the State Housing Trust Fund and shall be expended pursuant 978
1460	1460	to s. 420.50871. If 8 percent of the remainder is greater than 979
1461	1461	$150 million in any fiscal year, the difference between 8 980
1462	1462	percent of the remainder and $150 million shall be paid into the 981
1463	1463	State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund. The 982
1464	1464	remainder shall be distri buted as follows: 983
1465	1465	(b) The lesser of 0.1456 percent of the remainder or $3.25 984
1466	1466	million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State 985
1467	1467	Treasury to the credit of the Grants and Donations Trust Fund in 986
1468	1468	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to fund 987
1469	1469	technical assistance to local governments. 988
1470	1470	989
1471	1471	Moneys distributed pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) may not be 990
1472	1472	pledged for debt service unless such pledge is approved by 991
1473	1473	referendum of the voters. 992
1474	1474	(d) An amount equaling 5.20254 percent of the remai nder in 993
1475	1475	each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the 994
1476	1476	credit of the State Housing Trust Fund. Of such funds: 995
1477	1477	1. Twelve and one-half percent of that amount shall be 996
1478	1478	deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund and expended by the 997
1479	1479	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Florida 998
1480	1480	Housing Finance Corporation for the purposes for which the State 999
1481	1481	Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law. 1000
1482	1482
1483	1483	HB 7037 2024
1484	1484
1485	1485
1486	1486
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1490	1490	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
1491	1491
1492	1492
1493	1493
1494	1494	2. Eighty-seven and one-half percent of that amount shall 1001
1495	1495	be distributed to the Local Gov ernment Housing Trust Fund and 1002
1496	1496	used for the purposes for which the Local Government Housing 1003
1497	1497	Trust Fund was created and exists by law. Funds from this 1004
1498	1498	category may also be used to provide for state and local 1005
1499	1499	services to assist the homeless. 1006
1500	1500	(f) A total of $75 million shall be paid into the State 1007
1501	1501	Treasury to the credit of the State Economic Enhancement and 1008
1502	1502	Development Trust Fund within the Department of Commerce 1009
1503	1503	Economic Opportunity . 1010
1504	1504	Section 45. Effective July 1, 2033, paragraphs (b), (d), 1011
1505	1505	and (f) of subsection (4) of section 201.15, Florida Statutes, 1012
1506	1506	as amended by section 11 of chapter 2023 -17, Laws of Florida, 1013
1507	1507	are amended to read: 1014
1508	1508	201.15 Distribution of taxes collected. —All taxes 1015
1509	1509	collected under this chapter are hereby pledged and shall be 1016
1510	1510	first made available to make payments when due on bonds issued 1017
1511	1511	pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, or any other bonds 1018
1512	1512	authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds. Such 1019
1513	1513	pledge and availability for the payment of these bonds shall 1020
1514	1514	have priority over an y requirement for the payment of service 1021
1515	1515	charges or costs of collection and enforcement under this 1022
1516	1516	section. All taxes collected under this chapter, except taxes 1023
1517	1517	distributed to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to 1024
1518	1518	subsections (1) and (2), are subject to the service charge 1025
1519	1519
1520	1520	HB 7037 2024
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1522	1522
1523	1523
1524	1524	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1526	1526	Page 42 of 338
1527	1527	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
1528	1528
1529	1529
1530	1530
1531	1531	imposed in s. 215.20(1). Before distribution pursuant to this 1026
1532	1532	section, the Department of Revenue shall deduct amounts 1027
1533	1533	necessary to pay the costs of the collection and enforcement of 1028
1534	1534	the tax levied by this chapter. The costs and servi ce charge may 1029
1535	1535	not be levied against any portion of taxes pledged to debt 1030
1536	1536	service on bonds to the extent that the costs and service charge 1031
1537	1537	are required to pay any amounts relating to the bonds. All of 1032
1538	1538	the costs of the collection and enforcement of the tax l evied by 1033
1539	1539	this chapter and the service charge shall be available and 1034
1540	1540	transferred to the extent necessary to pay debt service and any 1035
1541	1541	other amounts payable with respect to bonds authorized before 1036
1542	1542	January 1, 2017, secured by revenues distributed pursuant to 1037
1543	1543	this section. All taxes remaining after deduction of costs shall 1038
1544	1544	be distributed as follows: 1039
1545	1545	(4) After the required distributions to the Land 1040
1546	1546	Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and 1041
1547	1547	deduction of the service charge imposed pursuant t o s. 1042
1548	1548	215.20(1), the remainder shall be distributed as follows: 1043
1549	1549	(b) The lesser of 0.1456 percent of the remainder or $3.25 1044
1550	1550	million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State 1045
1551	1551	Treasury to the credit of the Grants and Donations Trust Fund in 1046
1552	1552	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to fund 1047
1553	1553	technical assistance to local governments. 1048
1554	1554	1049
1555	1555	Moneys distributed pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) may not be 1050
1556	1556
1557	1557	HB 7037 2024
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1559	1559
1560	1560
1561	1561	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1563	1563	Page 43 of 338
1564	1564	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
1565	1565
1566	1566
1567	1567
1568	1568	pledged for debt service unless such pledge is approved by 1051
1569	1569	referendum of the voters. 1052
1570	1570	(d) An amount equaling 5.20254 percent of the remainder in 1053
1571	1571	each fiscal year shall be paid into the State Treasury to the 1054
1572	1572	credit of the State Housing Trust Fund. Of such funds: 1055
1573	1573	1. Twelve and one-half percent of that amount shall be 1056
1574	1574	deposited into the State Housing Trus t Fund and expended by the 1057
1575	1575	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Florida 1058
1576	1576	Housing Finance Corporation for the purposes for which the State 1059
1577	1577	Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law. 1060
1578	1578	2. Eighty-seven and one-half percent of that amount shall 1061
1579	1579	be distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund and 1062
1580	1580	used for the purposes for which the Local Government Housing 1063
1581	1581	Trust Fund was created and exists by law. Funds from this 1064
1582	1582	category may also be used to provide for state and local 1065
1583	1583	services to assist the homeless. 1066
1584	1584	(f) A total of $75 million shall be paid into the State 1067
1585	1585	Treasury to the credit of the State Economic Enhancement and 1068
1586	1586	Development Trust Fund within the Department of Commerce 1069
1587	1587	Economic Opportunity . 1070
1588	1588	Section 46. Paragraphs (p) and (q ) of subsection (5) of 1071
1589	1589	section 212.08, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1072
1590	1590	212.08 Sales, rental, use, consumption, distribution, and 1073
1591	1591	storage tax; specified exemptions. —The sale at retail, the 1074
1592	1592	rental, the use, the consumption, the distribution, and the 1075
1593	1593
1594	1594	HB 7037 2024
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1596	1596
1597	1597
1598	1598	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1601	1601	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
1602	1602
1603	1603
1604	1604
1605	1605	storage to be used or consumed in this state of the following 1076
1606	1606	are hereby specifically exempt from the tax imposed by this 1077
1607	1607	chapter. 1078
1608	1608	(5) EXEMPTIONS; ACCOUNT OF USE. — 1079
1609	1609	(p) Community contribution tax credit for donations. — 1080
1610	1610	1. Authorization.—Persons who are registered with the 1081
1611	1611	department under s. 212.18 to collect or remit sales or use tax 1082
1612	1612	and who make donations to eligible sponsors are eligible for tax 1083
1613	1613	credits against their state sales and use tax liabilities as 1084
1614	1614	provided in this paragraph: 1085
1615	1615	a. The credit shall be computed as 50 percent of the 1086
1616	1616	person's approved annual community contribution. 1087
1617	1617	b. The credit shall be granted as a refund against state 1088
1618	1618	sales and use taxes reported on returns and remitted in the 12 1089
1619	1619	months preceding the date of application to t he department for 1090
1620	1620	the credit as required in sub -subparagraph 3.c. If the annual 1091
1621	1621	credit is not fully used through such refund because of 1092
1622	1622	insufficient tax payments during the applicable 12 -month period, 1093
1623	1623	the unused amount may be included in an application for a refund 1094
1624	1624	made pursuant to sub -subparagraph 3.c. in subsequent years 1095
1625	1625	against the total tax payments made for such year. Carryover 1096
1626	1626	credits may be applied for a 3 -year period without regard to any 1097
1627	1627	time limitation that would otherwise apply under s. 215.26. 1098
1628	1628	c. A person may not receive more than $200,000 in annual 1099
1629	1629	tax credits for all approved community contributions made in any 1100
1630	1630
1631	1631	HB 7037 2024
1632	1632
1633	1633
1634	1634
1635	1635	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1638	1638	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
1639	1639
1640	1640
1641	1641
1642	1642	one year. 1101
1643	1643	d. All proposals for the granting of the tax credit 1102
1644	1644	require the prior approval of the Department of Commerce 1103
1645	1645	Economic Opportunity. 1104
1646	1646	e. The total amount of tax credits which may be granted 1105
1647	1647	for all programs approved under this paragraph and ss. 220.183 1106
1648	1648	and 624.5105 is $25 million in the 2023 -2024 fiscal year and in 1107
1649	1649	each fiscal year thereafter for projects that provide housing 1108
1650	1650	opportunities for persons with special needs or homeownership 1109
1651	1651	opportunities for low -income households or very -low-income 1110
1652	1652	households and $4.5 million in the 2022 -2023 fiscal year and in 1111
1653	1653	each fiscal year thereafter for all other projects. As used in 1112
1654	1654	this paragraph, the term "person with special needs" has the 1113
1655	1655	same meaning as in s. 420.0004 and the terms "low -income 1114
1656	1656	person," "low-income household," "very -low-income person," and 1115
1657	1657	"very-low-income household" have the same meanings as in s. 1116
1658	1658	420.9071. 1117
1659	1659	f. A person who is eligible to receive the credit provided 1118
1660	1660	in this paragraph, s. 220.183, or s. 624.5105 may receive the 1119
1661	1661	credit only under one section of the person's choice. 1120
1662	1662	2. Eligibility requirements. — 1121
1663	1663	a. A community contribution by a person must be in the 1122
1664	1664	following form: 1123
1665	1665	(I) Cash or other liquid assets; 1124
1666	1666	(II) Real property, including 100 percent ownership of a 1125
1667	1667
1668	1668	HB 7037 2024
1669	1669
1670	1670
1671	1671
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1674	1674	Page 46 of 338
1675	1675	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
1676	1676
1677	1677
1678	1678
1679	1679	real property holding company; 1126
1680	1680	(III) Goods or inventory; or 1127
1681	1681	(IV) Other physical resources identified by the Department 1128
1682	1682	of Commerce Economic Opportunity. 1129
1683	1683	1130
1684	1684	For purposes of this sub -subparagraph, the term "real property 1131
1685	1685	holding company" means a Florida entity, such as a Florida 1132
1686	1686	limited liability company, that is wholly owned by the person; 1133
1687	1687	is the sole owner of real property, as defined in s. 1134
1688	1688	192.001(12), located in this state; is disregarded as an entity 1135
1689	1689	for federal income tax purposes pursuant to 26 C.F.R. s. 1136
1690	1690	301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii); and at the time of contribution to an 1137
1691	1691	eligible sponsor, has no material assets other than the real 1138
1692	1692	property and any oth er property that qualifies as a community 1139
1693	1693	contribution. 1140
1694	1694	b. All community contributions must be reserved 1141
1695	1695	exclusively for use in a project. As used in this sub -1142
1696	1696	subparagraph, the term "project" means activity undertaken by an 1143
1697	1697	eligible sponsor which is desig ned to construct, improve, or 1144
1698	1698	substantially rehabilitate housing that is affordable to low -1145
1699	1699	income households or very -low-income households; designed to 1146
1700	1700	provide housing opportunities for persons with special needs; 1147
1701	1701	designed to provide commercial, industrial , or public resources 1148
1702	1702	and facilities; or designed to improve entrepreneurial and job -1149
1703	1703	development opportunities for low -income persons. A project may 1150
1704	1704
1705	1705	HB 7037 2024
1706	1706
1707	1707
1708	1708
1709	1709	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1712	1712	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
1713	1713
1714	1714
1715	1715
1716	1716	be the investment necessary to increase access to high -speed 1151
1717	1717	broadband capability in a rural community that had an enterprise 1152
1718	1718	zone designated pursuant to chapter 290 as of May 1, 2015, 1153
1719	1719	including projects that result in improvements to communications 1154
1720	1720	assets that are owned by a business. A project may include the 1155
1721	1721	provision of museum educational programs and mater ials that are 1156
1722	1722	directly related to a project approved between January 1, 1996, 1157
1723	1723	and December 31, 1999, and located in an area which was in an 1158
1724	1724	enterprise zone designated pursuant to s. 290.0065 as of May 1, 1159
1725	1725	2015. This paragraph does not preclude projects that propose to 1160
1726	1726	construct or rehabilitate housing for low -income households or 1161
1727	1727	very-low-income households on scattered sites or housing 1162
1728	1728	opportunities for persons with special needs. With respect to 1163
1729	1729	housing, contributions may be used to pay the following eligib le 1164
1730	1730	special needs, low-income, and very-low-income housing-related 1165
1731	1731	activities: 1166
1732	1732	(I) Project development impact and management fees for 1167
1733	1733	special needs, low-income, or very-low-income housing projects; 1168
1734	1734	(II) Down payment and closing costs for persons with 1169
1735	1735	special needs, low-income persons, and very -low-income persons; 1170
1736	1736	(III) Administrative costs, including housing counseling 1171
1737	1737	and marketing fees, not to exceed 10 percent of the community 1172
1738	1738	contribution, directly related to special needs, low -income, or 1173
1739	1739	very-low-income projects; and 1174
1740	1740	(IV) Removal of liens recorded against residential 1175
1741	1741
1742	1742	HB 7037 2024
1743	1743
1744	1744
1745	1745
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1749	1749	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
1750	1750
1751	1751
1752	1752
1753	1753	property by municipal, county, or special district local 1176
1754	1754	governments if satisfaction of the lien is a necessary precedent 1177
1755	1755	to the transfer of the property to a low -income person or very-1178
1756	1756	low-income person for the purpose of promoting home ownership. 1179
1757	1757	Contributions for lien removal must be received from a 1180
1758	1758	nonrelated third party. 1181
1759	1759	c. The project must be undertaken by an "eligible 1182
1760	1760	sponsor," which includes: 1183
1761	1761	(I) A community action program; 1184
1762	1762	(II) A nonprofit community -based development organization 1185
1763	1763	whose mission is the provision of housing for persons with 1186
1764	1764	special needs, low-income households, or very -low-income 1187
1765	1765	households or increasing entrepreneurial and job -development 1188
1766	1766	opportunities for low-income persons; 1189
1767	1767	(III) A neighborhood housing services corporation; 1190
1768	1768	(IV) A local housing authority created under chapter 421; 1191
1769	1769	(V) A community redevelopment agency created under s. 1192
1770	1770	163.356; 1193
1771	1771	(VI) A historic preservation district agency or 1194
1772	1772	organization; 1195
1773	1773	(VII) A local workforce development board; 1196
1774	1774	(VIII) A direct-support organization as provided in s. 1197
1775	1775	1009.983; 1198
1776	1776	(IX) An enterprise zone development agency created under 1199
1777	1777	s. 290.0056; 1200
1778	1778
1779	1779	HB 7037 2024
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1781	1781
1782	1782
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1786	1786	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
1787	1787
1788	1788
1789	1789
1790	1790	(X) A community-based organization incorporated under 1201
1791	1791	chapter 617 which is recognized as educational, charitable, or 1202
1792	1792	scientific pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1203
1793	1793	and whose bylaws and articles of incorporation include 1204
1794	1794	affordable housing, economic development, or community 1205
1795	1795	development as the primary m ission of the corporation; 1206
1796	1796	(XI) Units of local government; 1207
1797	1797	(XII) Units of state government; or 1208
1798	1798	(XIII) Any other agency that the Department of Commerce 1209
1799	1799	Economic Opportunity designates by rule. 1210
1800	1800	1211
1801	1801	A contributing person may not have a financial interest i n the 1212
1802	1802	eligible sponsor. 1213
1803	1803	d. The project must be located in an area which was in an 1214
1804	1804	enterprise zone designated pursuant to chapter 290 as of May 1, 1215
1805	1805	2015, or a Front Porch Florida Community, unless the project 1216
1806	1806	increases access to high -speed broadband capabi lity in a rural 1217
1807	1807	community that had an enterprise zone designated pursuant to 1218
1808	1808	chapter 290 as of May 1, 2015, but is physically located outside 1219
1809	1809	the designated rural zone boundaries. Any project designed to 1220
1810	1810	construct or rehabilitate housing for low -income households or 1221
1811	1811	very-low-income households or housing opportunities for persons 1222
1812	1812	with special needs is exempt from the area requirement of this 1223
1813	1813	sub-subparagraph. 1224
1814	1814	e.(I) If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1225
1815	1815
1816	1816	HB 7037 2024
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1823	1823	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
1824	1824
1825	1825
1826	1826
1827	1827	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects that 1226
1828	1828	provide housing opportunities for persons with special needs or 1227
1829	1829	homeownership opportunities for low -income households or very -1228
1830	1830	low-income households are received for less than the annual tax 1229
1831	1831	credits available for those projects, the Department of Commerce 1230
1832	1832	Economic Opportunity shall grant tax credits for those 1231
1833	1833	applications and grant remaining tax credits on a first -come, 1232
1834	1834	first-served basis for subsequent eligible applications received 1233
1835	1835	before the end of the state fiscal year. If, during the first 10 1234
1836	1836	business days of the state fiscal year, eligible tax credit 1235
1837	1837	applications for projects that provide housing opportunities for 1236
1838	1838	persons with special needs or homeownership opportunities for 1237
1839	1839	low-income households or very-low-income households are received 1238
1840	1840	for more than the annual tax credits available for those 1239
1841	1841	projects, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1240
1842	1842	grant the tax credits for those applications as follows: 1241
1843	1843	(A) If tax credit applicat ions submitted for approved 1242
1844	1844	projects of an eligible sponsor do not exceed $200,000 in total, 1243
1845	1845	the credits shall be granted in full if the tax credit 1244
1846	1846	applications are approved. 1245
1847	1847	(B) If tax credit applications submitted for approved 1246
1848	1848	projects of an eligible s ponsor exceed $200,000 in total, the 1247
1849	1849	amount of tax credits granted pursuant to sub -sub-sub-1248
1850	1850	subparagraph (A) shall be subtracted from the amount of 1249
1851	1851	available tax credits, and the remaining credits shall be 1250
1852	1852
1853	1853	HB 7037 2024
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1856	1856
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1860	1860	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
1861	1861
1862	1862
1863	1863
1864	1864	granted to each approved tax credit application on a pro rata 1251
1865	1865	basis. 1252
1866	1866	(II) If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1253
1867	1867	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects other 1254
1868	1868	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 1255
1869	1869	special needs or homeownership opportunities for low -income 1256
1870	1870	households or very-low-income households are received for less 1257
1871	1871	than the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 1258
1872	1872	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant tax 1259
1873	1873	credits for those applications and shall grant remaining tax 1260
1874	1874	credits on a first-come, first-served basis for subsequent 1261
1875	1875	eligible applications received before the end of the state 1262
1876	1876	fiscal year. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1263
1877	1877	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects other 1264
1878	1878	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 1265
1879	1879	special needs or homeownership opportunities for low -income 1266
1880	1880	households or very-low-income households are received for more 1267
1881	1881	than the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 1268
1882	1882	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant the tax 1269
1883	1883	credits for those applications on a pro rata basis. 1270
1884	1884	3. Application requirements. — 1271
1885	1885	a. An eligible sponsor seeking to participate in this 1272
1886	1886	program must submit a proposal to the Department of Commerce 1273
1887	1887	Economic Opportunity which sets forth the name of the sponsor, a 1274
1888	1888	description of the project, and the area in which the project is 1275
1889	1889
1890	1890	HB 7037 2024
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1892	1892
1893	1893
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1896	1896	Page 52 of 338
1897	1897	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
1898	1898
1899	1899
1900	1900
1901	1901	located, together with such supporting information as is 1276
1902	1902	prescribed by rule. The proposal must also contain a resolution 1277
1903	1903	from the local governmental unit in which the project is located 1278
1904	1904	certifying that the project is consistent with local plans and 1279
1905	1905	regulations. 1280
1906	1906	b. A person seeking to participate in this program must 1281
1907	1907	submit an application for tax credit to the Department of 1282
1908	1908	Commerce Economic Opportunity which sets forth the name of the 1283
1909	1909	sponsor; a description of the project; and the type, value, and 1284
1910	1910	purpose of the contribution. The sponsor shall verify, in 1285
1911	1911	writing, the terms of the application and indicate its receipt 1286
1912	1912	of the contribution, a nd such verification must accompany the 1287
1913	1913	application for tax credit. The person must submit a separate 1288
1914	1914	tax credit application to the Department of Commerce Economic 1289
1915	1915	Opportunity for each individual contribution that it makes to 1290
1916	1916	each individual project. 1291
1917	1917	c. A person who has received notification from the 1292
1918	1918	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity that a tax credit 1293
1919	1919	has been approved must apply to the department to receive the 1294
1920	1920	refund. Application must be made on the form prescribed for 1295
1921	1921	claiming refunds of sales and use taxes and be accompanied by a 1296
1922	1922	copy of the notification. A person may submit only one 1297
1923	1923	application for refund to the department within a 12 -month 1298
1924	1924	period. 1299
1925	1925	4. Administration.— 1300
1926	1926
1927	1927	HB 7037 2024
1928	1928
1929	1929
1930	1930
1931	1931	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1932	1932	hb7037-00
1933	1933	Page 53 of 338
1934	1934	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
1935	1935
1936	1936
1937	1937
1938	1938	a. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 1301
1939	1939	adopt rules necessary to administer this paragraph, including 1302
1940	1940	rules for the approval or disapproval of proposals by a person. 1303
1941	1941	b. The decision of the Department of Commerce Economic 1304
1942	1942	Opportunity must be in writing, and, if approved, the 1305
1943	1943	notification shall state the m aximum credit allowable to the 1306
1944	1944	person. Upon approval, the Department of Commerce Economic 1307
1945	1945	Opportunity shall transmit a copy of the decision to the 1308
1946	1946	department. 1309
1947	1947	c. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1310
1948	1948	periodically monitor all projects in a manner consistent with 1311
1949	1949	available resources to ensure that resources are used in 1312
1950	1950	accordance with this paragraph; however, each project must be 1313
1951	1951	reviewed at least once every 2 years. 1314
1952	1952	d. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall, 1315
1953	1953	in consultation with the statewide and regional housing and 1316
1954	1954	financial intermediaries, market the availability of the 1317
1955	1955	community contribution tax credit program to community -based 1318
1956	1956	organizations. 1319
1957	1957	(q) Building materials, the rental of tangible personal 1320
1958	1958	property, and pest c ontrol services used in new construction 1321
1959	1959	located in a rural area of opportunity. — 1322
1960	1960	1. As used in this paragraph, the term: 1323
1961	1961	a. "Building materials" means tangible personal property 1324
1962	1962	that becomes a component part of improvements to real property. 1325
1963	1963
1964	1964	HB 7037 2024
1965	1965
1966	1966
1967	1967
1968	1968	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1969	1969	hb7037-00
1970	1970	Page 54 of 338
1971	1971	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
1972	1972
1973	1973
1974	1974
1975	1975	b. "Exempt goods and services" means building materials, 1326
1976	1976	the rental of tangible personal property, and pest control 1327
1977	1977	services used in new construction. 1328
1978	1978	c. "New construction" means improvements to real property 1329
1979	1979	which did not previously exist. The term does not in clude the 1330
1980	1980	reconstruction, renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, 1331
1981	1981	modification, alteration, or expansion of buildings already 1332
1982	1982	located on the parcel on which the new construction is built. 1333
1983	1983	d. "Pest control" has the same meaning as in s. 482.021. 1334
1984	1984	e. "Real property" has the same meaning as provided in s. 1335
1985	1985	192.001, but does not include a condominium parcel or 1336
1986	1986	condominium property as defined in s. 718.103. 1337
1987	1987	f. "Substantially completed" has the same meaning as in s. 1338
1988	1988	192.042(1). 1339
1989	1989	2. Building materials, the r ental of tangible personal 1340
1990	1990	property, and pest control services used in new construction 1341
1991	1991	located in a rural area of opportunity, as designated by the 1342
1992	1992	Governor pursuant to s. 288.0656, are exempt from the tax 1343
1993	1993	imposed by this chapter if an owner, lessee, or l essor can 1344
1994	1994	demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the 1345
1995	1995	requirements of this paragraph have been met. Except as provided 1346
1996	1996	in subparagraph 3., this exemption inures to the owner, lessee, 1347
1997	1997	or lessor at the time the new construction occurs, but onl y 1348
1998	1998	through a refund of previously paid taxes. To receive a refund 1349
1999	1999	pursuant to this paragraph, the owner, lessee, or lessor of the 1350
2000	2000
2001	2001	HB 7037 2024
2002	2002
2003	2003
2004	2004
2005	2005	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2006	2006	hb7037-00
2007	2007	Page 55 of 338
2008	2008	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
2009	2009
2010	2010
2011	2011
2012	2012	new construction must file an application under oath with the 1351
2013	2013	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . The application 1352
2014	2014	must include all of the following: 1353
2015	2015	a. The name and address of the person claiming the refund. 1354
2016	2016	b. An address and assessment roll parcel number of the 1355
2017	2017	real property that was improved by the new construction for 1356
2018	2018	which a refund of previously paid taxes is bein g sought. 1357
2019	2019	c. A description of the new construction. 1358
2020	2020	d. A copy of a valid building permit issued by the county 1359
2021	2021	or municipal building department for the new construction. 1360
2022	2022	e. A sworn statement, under penalty of perjury, from the 1361
2023	2023	general contractor licen sed in this state with whom the 1362
2024	2024	applicant contracted to build the new construction, which 1363
2025	2025	specifies the exempt goods and services, the actual cost of the 1364
2026	2026	exempt goods and services, and the amount of sales tax paid in 1365
2027	2027	this state on the exempt goods and serv ices, and which states 1366
2028	2028	that the improvement to the real property was new construction. 1367
2029	2029	If a general contractor was not used, the applicant shall make 1368
2030	2030	the sworn statement required by this sub -subparagraph. Copies of 1369
2031	2031	the invoices evidencing the actual cost o f the exempt goods and 1370
2032	2032	services and the amount of sales tax paid on such goods and 1371
2033	2033	services must be attached to the sworn statement provided by the 1372
2034	2034	general contractor or by the applicant. If copies of such 1373
2035	2035	invoices are not attached, the cost of the exempt goods and 1374
2036	2036	services is deemed to be an amount equal to 40 percent of the 1375
2037	2037
2038	2038	HB 7037 2024
2039	2039
2040	2040
2041	2041
2042	2042	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2043	2043	hb7037-00
2044	2044	Page 56 of 338
2045	2045	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
2046	2046
2047	2047
2048	2048
2049	2049	increase in assessed value of the property for ad valorem tax 1376
2050	2050	purposes. 1377
2051	2051	f. A certification by the local building code inspector 1378
2052	2052	that the new construction is substantially completed a nd is new 1379
2053	2053	construction. 1380
2054	2054	3. The exemption under this paragraph inures to a 1381
2055	2055	municipality, county, other governmental unit or agency, or 1382
2056	2056	nonprofit community-based organization through a refund of 1383
2057	2057	previously paid taxes if the exempt goods and services are pa id 1384
2058	2058	for from the funds of a community development block grant, the 1385
2059	2059	State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program, or a similar 1386
2060	2060	grant or loan program. To receive a refund, a municipality, 1387
2061	2061	county, other governmental unit or agency, or nonprofit 1388
2062	2062	community-based organization must file an application that 1389
2063	2063	includes the same information required under subparagraph 2. In 1390
2064	2064	addition, the application must include a sworn statement signed 1391
2065	2065	by the chief executive officer of the municipality, county, 1392
2066	2066	other governmental unit or agency, or nonprofit community -based 1393
2067	2067	organization seeking a refund which states that the exempt goods 1394
2068	2068	and services for which a refund is sought were funded by a 1395
2069	2069	community development block grant, the State Housing Initiatives 1396
2070	2070	Partnership Program, or a similar grant or loan program. 1397
2071	2071	4. Within 10 working days after receiving an application, 1398
2072	2072	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall review the 1399
2073	2073	application to determine whether it contains all of the 1400
2074	2074
2075	2075	HB 7037 2024
2076	2076
2077	2077
2078	2078
2079	2079	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2080	2080	hb7037-00
2081	2081	Page 57 of 338
2082	2082	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
2083	2083
2084	2084
2085	2085
2086	2086	information required by subparagraph 2. or subparagraph 3., as 1401
2087	2087	appropriate, and meets the criteria set out in this paragraph. 1402
2088	2088	The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall certify 1403
2089	2089	all applications that contain the required information and are 1404
2090	2090	eligible to receive a refund. The certification must be in 1405
2091	2091	writing and a copy must be transmitted by the Department of 1406
2092	2092	Commerce Economic Opportunity to the executive director of the 1407
2093	2093	department. The applicant is responsible for forwarding a 1408
2094	2094	certified application to the department within the period 1409
2095	2095	specified in subparagraph 5. 1410
2096	2096	5. An application for a refund must be submitted to the 1411
2097	2097	department within 6 months after the new construction is deemed 1412
2098	2098	to be substantially completed by the local building code 1413
2099	2099	inspector or by November 1 after the improved property is first 1414
2100	2100	subject to assessment. 1415
2101	2101	6. Only one exemption through a refund of previously paid 1416
2102	2102	taxes for the new construction may be claimed for any single 1417
2103	2103	parcel of property unless there is a change in ownership, a new 1418
2104	2104	lessor, or a new lessee of the real property. A refund may not 1419
2105	2105	be granted unless the amount to be refunded exceeds $500. A 1420
2106	2106	refund may not exceed the lesser of 97.5 percent of the Florida 1421
2107	2107	sales or use tax paid on the cost of the exempt goods and 1422
2108	2108	services as determined pursuant to sub -subparagraph 2.e. or 1423
2109	2109	$10,000. The department shall issue a refund within 30 days 1424
2110	2110	after it formally approves a refund application. 1425
2111	2111
2112	2112	HB 7037 2024
2113	2113
2114	2114
2115	2115
2116	2116	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2117	2117	hb7037-00
2118	2118	Page 58 of 338
2119	2119	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
2120	2120
2121	2121
2122	2122
2123	2123	7. The department shall deduct 10 percent of each refund 1426
2124	2124	amount granted under this paragrap h from the amount transferred 1427
2125	2125	into the Local Government Half -cent Sales Tax Clearing Trust 1428
2126	2126	Fund pursuant to s. 212.20 for the county area in which the new 1429
2127	2127	construction is located and shall transfer that amount to the 1430
2128	2128	General Revenue Fund. 1431
2129	2129	8. The department may adopt rules governing the manner and 1432
2130	2130	format of refund applications and may establish guidelines as to 1433
2131	2131	the requisites for an affirmative showing of qualification for 1434
2132	2132	exemption under this paragraph. 1435
2133	2133	9. This exemption does not apply to improvements for which 1436
2134	2134	construction began before July 1, 2017. 1437
2135	2135	Section 47. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 1438
2136	2136	212.096, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1439
2137	2137	212.096 Sales, rental, storage, use tax; enterprise zone 1440
2138	2138	jobs credit against sales tax. — 1441
2139	2139	(1) For the purposes of the credit provided in this 1442
2140	2140	section: 1443
2141	2141	(d) "Job" means a full -time position, as consistent with 1444
2142	2142	terms used by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1445
2143	2143	and the United States Department of Labor for purposes of 1446
2144	2144	reemployment assistance tax administration and employment 1447
2145	2145	estimation resulting directly from a business operation in this 1448
2146	2146	state. This term does not include a temporary construction job 1449
2147	2147	involved with the construction of facilities or any job that has 1450
2148	2148
2149	2149	HB 7037 2024
2150	2150
2151	2151
2152	2152
2153	2153	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2154	2154	hb7037-00
2155	2155	Page 59 of 338
2156	2156	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
2157	2157
2158	2158
2159	2159
2160	2160	previously been included in a ny application for tax credits 1451
2161	2161	under s. 220.181(1). The term also includes employment of an 1452
2162	2162	employee leased from an employee leasing company licensed under 1453
2163	2163	chapter 468 if such employee has been continuously leased to the 1454
2164	2164	employer for an average of at least 36 hours per week for more 1455
2165	2165	than 6 months. 1456
2166	2166	1457
2167	2167	A person shall be deemed to be employed if the person performs 1458
2168	2168	duties in connection with the operations of the business on a 1459
2169	2169	regular, full-time basis, provided the person is performing such 1460
2170	2170	duties for an average of at least 36 hours per week each month. 1461
2171	2171	The person must be performing such duties at a business site 1462
2172	2172	located in the enterprise zone. 1463
2173	2173	Section 48. Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (1), 1464
2174	2174	subsections (6) and (7), paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection 1465
2175	2175	(10), and subsection (11) of section 212.097, Florida Statutes, 1466
2176	2176	are amended to read: 1467
2177	2177	212.097 Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program. — 1468
2178	2178	(1) As used in this section, the term: 1469
2179	2179	(a) "Eligible business" means any sole proprietorship, 1470
2180	2180	firm, partnership, or corporation that is located in a qualified 1471
2181	2181	county and is predominantly engaged in, or is headquarters for a 1472
2182	2182	business predominantly engaged in, activities usually provided 1473
2183	2183	for consideration by firms classified within the following 1474
2184	2184	standard industrial c lassifications: SIC 01 -SIC 09 (agriculture, 1475
2185	2185
2186	2186	HB 7037 2024
2187	2187
2188	2188
2189	2189
2190	2190	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2191	2191	hb7037-00
2192	2192	Page 60 of 338
2193	2193	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
2194	2194
2195	2195
2196	2196
2197	2197	forestry, and fishing); SIC 20 -SIC 39 (manufacturing); SIC 52 -1476
2198	2198	SIC 57 and SIC 59 (retail); SIC 422 (public warehousing and 1477
2199	2199	storage); SIC 70 (hotels and other lodging places); SIC 7391 1478
2200	2200	(research and development); S IC 781 (motion picture production 1479
2201	2201	and allied services); SIC 7992 (public golf courses); and SIC 1480
2202	2202	7996 (amusement parks). A call center or similar customer 1481
2203	2203	service operation that services a multistate market or 1482
2204	2204	international market is also an eligible busine ss. In addition, 1483
2205	2205	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may, as part of 1484
2206	2206	its final budget request submitted pursuant to s. 216.023, 1485
2207	2207	recommend additions to or deletions from the list of standard 1486
2208	2208	industrial classifications used to determine an eligib le 1487
2209	2209	business, and the Legislature may implement such 1488
2210	2210	recommendations. Excluded from eligible receipts are receipts 1489
2211	2211	from retail sales, except such receipts for SIC 52 -SIC 57 and 1490
2212	2212	SIC 59 (retail) hotels and other lodging places classified in 1491
2213	2213	SIC 70, public golf courses in SIC 7992, and amusement parks in 1492
2214	2214	SIC 7996. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 1493
2215	2215	"predominantly" means that more than 50 percent of the 1494
2216	2216	business's gross receipts from all sources is generated by those 1495
2217	2217	activities usually provided for conside ration by firms in the 1496
2218	2218	specified standard industrial classification. The determination 1497
2219	2219	of whether the business is located in a qualified high -crime 1498
2220	2220	area and the tier ranking of that area must be based on the date 1499
2221	2221	of application for the credit under this se ction. Commonly owned 1500
2222	2222
2223	2223	HB 7037 2024
2224	2224
2225	2225
2226	2226
2227	2227	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2228	2228	hb7037-00
2229	2229	Page 61 of 338
2230	2230	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
2231	2231
2232	2232
2233	2233
2234	2234	and controlled entities are to be considered a single business 1501
2235	2235	entity. 1502
2236	2236	(e) "Qualified high -crime area" means an area selected by 1503
2237	2237	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity in the following 1504
2238	2238	manner: every third year, the Departme nt of Commerce Economic 1505
2239	2239	Opportunity shall rank and tier those areas nominated under 1506
2240	2240	subsection (7), according to the following prioritized criteria: 1507
2241	2241	1. Highest arrest rates within the geographic area for 1508
2242	2242	violent crime and for such other crimes as drug sa le, drug 1509
2243	2243	possession, prostitution, vandalism, and civil disturbances; 1510
2244	2244	2. Highest reported crime volume and rate of specific 1511
2245	2245	property crimes such as business and residential burglary, motor 1512
2246	2246	vehicle theft, and vandalism; 1513
2247	2247	3. Highest percentage of reported index crimes that are 1514
2248	2248	violent in nature; 1515
2249	2249	4. Highest overall index crime volume for the area; and 1516
2250	2250	5. Highest overall index crime rate for the geographic 1517
2251	2251	area. 1518
2252	2252	1519
2253	2253	Tier-one areas are ranked 1 through 5 and represent the highest 1520
2254	2254	crime areas according to thi s ranking. Tier-two areas are ranked 1521
2255	2255	6 through 10 according to this ranking. Tier -three areas are 1522
2256	2256	ranked 11 through 15. Notwithstanding this definition, 1523
2257	2257	"qualified high-crime area" also means an area that has been 1524
2258	2258	designated as a federal Empowerment Zone p ursuant to the 1525
2259	2259
2260	2260	HB 7037 2024
2261	2261
2262	2262
2263	2263
2264	2264	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2265	2265	hb7037-00
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2267	2267	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
2268	2268
2269	2269
2270	2270
2271	2271	Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Such a designated area is ranked in 1526
2272	2272	tier three until the areas are reevaluated by the Department of 1527
2273	2273	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 1528
2274	2274	(6) Any county or municipality, or a county and one or 1529
2275	2275	more municipalities toge ther, may apply to the Department of 1530
2276	2276	Commerce Economic Opportunity for the designation of an area as 1531
2277	2277	a high-crime area after the adoption by the governing body or 1532
2278	2278	bodies of a resolution that: 1533
2279	2279	(a) Finds that a high -crime area exists in such county or 1534
2280	2280	municipality, or in both the county and one or more 1535
2281	2281	municipalities, which chronically exhibits extreme and 1536
2282	2282	unacceptable levels of poverty, unemployment, physical 1537
2283	2283	deterioration, and economic disinvestment; 1538
2284	2284	(b) Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or 1539
2285	2285	redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of such a high -crime 1540
2286	2286	area is necessary in the interest of the health, safety, and 1541
2287	2287	welfare of the residents of such county or municipality, or such 1542
2288	2288	county and one or more municipalities; and 1543
2289	2289	(c) Determines that the revitalization of such a high -1544
2290	2290	crime area can occur if the public sector or private sector can 1545
2291	2291	be induced to invest its own resources in productive enterprises 1546
2292	2292	that build or rebuild the economic viability of the area. 1547
2293	2293	(7) The governing body of the en tity nominating the area 1548
2294	2294	shall provide to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1549
2295	2295	the following: 1550
2296	2296
2297	2297	HB 7037 2024
2298	2298
2299	2299
2300	2300
2301	2301	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2304	2304	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
2305	2305
2306	2306
2307	2307
2308	2308	(a) The overall index crime rate for the geographic area; 1551
2309	2309	(b) The overall index crime volume for the area; 1552
2310	2310	(c) The percentage of reported index crimes that are 1553
2311	2311	violent in nature; 1554
2312	2312	(d) The reported crime volume and rate of specific 1555
2313	2313	property crimes such as business and residential burglary, motor 1556
2314	2314	vehicle theft, and vandalism; and 1557
2315	2315	(e) The arrest rates within the geographic area for 1558
2316	2316	violent crime and for such other crimes as drug sale, drug 1559
2317	2317	possession, prostitution, disorderly conduct, vandalism, and 1560
2318	2318	other public-order offenses. 1561
2319	2319	(10)(a) In order to claim this credit, an eligible 1562
2320	2320	business must file under oath with the Department of Commerce 1563
2321	2321	Economic Opportunity a statement that includes the name and 1564
2322	2322	address of the eligible business and any other information that 1565
2323	2323	is required to process the application. 1566
2324	2324	(c) The maximum credit amount that may be approved during 1567
2325	2325	any calendar year is $5 million, of whi ch $1 million shall be 1568
2326	2326	exclusively reserved for tier -one areas. The Department of 1569
2327	2327	Revenue, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce Economic 1570
2328	2328	Opportunity, shall notify the governing bodies in areas 1571
2329	2329	designated as urban high -crime areas when the $5 mill ion maximum 1572
2330	2330	amount has been reached. Applications must be considered for 1573
2331	2331	approval in the order in which they are received without regard 1574
2332	2332	to whether the credit is for a new or existing business. This 1575
2333	2333
2334	2334	HB 7037 2024
2335	2335
2336	2336
2337	2337
2338	2338	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2341	2341	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
2342	2342
2343	2343
2344	2344
2345	2345	limitation applies to the value of the credit as containe d in 1576
2346	2346	approved applications. Approved credits may be taken in the time 1577
2347	2347	and manner allowed pursuant to this section. 1578
2348	2348	(11) If the application is insufficient to support the 1579
2349	2349	credit authorized in this section, the Department of Commerce 1580
2350	2350	Economic Opportunity shall deny the credit and notify the 1581
2351	2351	business of that fact. The business may reapply for this credit 1582
2352	2352	within 3 months after such notification. 1583
2353	2353	Section 49. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1), paragraphs 1584
2354	2354	(a), (b), and (c) of subsection (6), and subsection ( 7) of 1585
2355	2355	section 212.098, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1586
2356	2356	212.098 Rural Job Tax Credit Program. — 1587
2357	2357	(1) As used in this section, the term: 1588
2358	2358	(c) "Qualified area" means any area that is contained 1589
2359	2359	within a rural area of opportunity designated under s. 2 88.0656, 1590
2360	2360	a county that has a population of fewer than 75,000 persons, or 1591
2361	2361	a county that has a population of 125,000 or less and is 1592
2362	2362	contiguous to a county that has a population of less than 1593
2363	2363	75,000, selected in the following manner: every third year, the 1594
2364	2364	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall rank and tier 1595
2365	2365	the state's counties according to the following four factors: 1596
2366	2366	1. Highest unemployment rate for the most recent 36 -month 1597
2367	2367	period. 1598
2368	2368	2. Lowest per capita income for the most recent 36 -month 1599
2369	2369	period. 1600
2370	2370
2371	2371	HB 7037 2024
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2378	2378	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
2379	2379
2380	2380
2381	2381
2382	2382	3. Highest percentage of residents whose incomes are below 1601
2383	2383	the poverty level, based upon the most recent data available. 1602
2384	2384	4. Average weekly manufacturing wage, based upon the most 1603
2385	2385	recent data available. 1604
2386	2386	(6)(a) In order to claim this credit, an eligib le business 1605
2387	2387	must file under oath with the Department of Commerce Economic 1606
2388	2388	Opportunity a statement that includes the name and address of 1607
2389	2389	the eligible business, the starting salary or hourly wages paid 1608
2390	2390	to the new employee, and any other information that the 1609
2391	2391	Department of Revenue requires. 1610
2392	2392	(b) Pursuant to the incentive review process under s. 1611
2393	2393	288.061, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1612
2394	2394	review the application to determine whether it contains all the 1613
2395	2395	information required by this subsection a nd meets the criteria 1614
2396	2396	set out in this section. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1615
2397	2397	(c), the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1616
2398	2398	approve all applications that contain the information required 1617
2399	2399	by this subsection and meet the criteria set out in this section 1618
2400	2400	as eligible to receive a credit. 1619
2401	2401	(c) The maximum credit amount that may be approved during 1620
2402	2402	any calendar year is $5 million. The Department of Revenue, in 1621
2403	2403	conjunction with the Department of Commerce Economic 1622
2404	2404	Opportunity, shall notify the governing bodies in areas 1623
2405	2405	designated as qualified counties when the $5 million maximum 1624
2406	2406	amount has been reached. Applications must be considered for 1625
2407	2407
2408	2408	HB 7037 2024
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2415	2415	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
2416	2416
2417	2417
2418	2418
2419	2419	approval in the order in which they are received without regard 1626
2420	2420	to whether the credit is for a new or existi ng business. This 1627
2421	2421	limitation applies to the value of the credit as contained in 1628
2422	2422	approved applications. Approved credits may be taken in the time 1629
2423	2423	and manner allowed pursuant to this section. 1630
2424	2424	(7) If the application is insufficient to support the 1631
2425	2425	credit authorized in this section, the Department of Commerce 1632
2426	2426	Economic Opportunity shall deny the credit and notify the 1633
2427	2427	business of that fact. The business may reapply for this credit 1634
2428	2428	within 3 months after such notification. 1635
2429	2429	Section 50. Subsection (4) and paragr aph (a) of subsection 1636
2430	2430	(7) of section 213.053, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1637
2431	2431	213.053 Confidentiality and information sharing. — 1638
2432	2432	(4) The department, while providing reemployment 1639
2433	2433	assistance tax collection services under contract with the 1640
2434	2434	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity through an 1641
2435	2435	interagency agreement pursuant to s. 443.1316, may release 1642
2436	2436	reemployment assistance tax rate information to the agent of an 1643
2437	2437	employer who provides payroll services for more than 100 1644
2438	2438	employers, pursuant to the ter ms of a memorandum of 1645
2439	2439	understanding. The memorandum of understanding must state that 1646
2440	2440	the agent affirms, subject to the criminal penalties contained 1647
2441	2441	in ss. 443.171 and 443.1715, that the agent will retain the 1648
2442	2442	confidentiality of the information, that the age nt has in effect 1649
2443	2443	a power of attorney from the employer which permits the agent to 1650
2444	2444
2445	2445	HB 7037 2024
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2452	2452	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
2453	2453
2454	2454
2455	2455
2456	2456	obtain reemployment assistance tax rate information, and that 1651
2457	2457	the agent shall provide the department with a copy of the 1652
2458	2458	employer's power of attorney upon request. 1653
2459	2459	(7)(a) Any information received by the Department of 1654
2460	2460	Revenue in connection with the administration of taxes, 1655
2461	2461	including, but not limited to, information contained in returns, 1656
2462	2462	reports, accounts, or declarations filed by persons subject to 1657
2463	2463	tax, shall be made available to the following in performance of 1658
2464	2464	their official duties: 1659
2465	2465	1. The Auditor General or his or her authorized agent; 1660
2466	2466	2. The director of the Office of Program Policy Analysis 1661
2467	2467	and Government Accountability or his or her authorized agent; 1662
2468	2468	3. The Chief Financial Officer or his or her authorized 1663
2469	2469	agent; 1664
2470	2470	4. The Director of the Office of Insurance Regulation of 1665
2471	2471	the Financial Services Commission or his or her authorized 1666
2472	2472	agent; 1667
2473	2473	5. A property appraiser or tax collector or their 1668
2474	2474	authorized agents pursuant to s. 195.084(1); 1669
2475	2475	6. Designated employees of the Department of Education 1670
2476	2476	solely for determination of each school district's price level 1671
2477	2477	index pursuant to s. 1011.62(2); 1672
2478	2478	7. The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or his 1673
2479	2479	or her authorized agent; 1674
2480	2480	8. The taxpayers' rights advocate or his or her authorized 1675
2481	2481
2482	2482	HB 7037 2024
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2489	2489	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
2490	2490
2491	2491
2492	2492
2493	2493	agent pursuant to s. 20.21(3); and 1676
2494	2494	9. The coordinator of the Office of Economic and 1677
2495	2495	Demographic Research or his or her authorized agent. 1678
2496	2496	Section 51. Subsection (1) of section 215.5588, Flori da 1679
2497	2497	Statutes, is amended to read: 1680
2498	2498	215.5588 Florida Disaster Recovery Program. — 1681
2499	2499	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1682
2500	2500	implement the 2006 Disaster Recovery Program from funds provided 1683
2501	2501	through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations A ct for 1684
2502	2502	Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006, 1685
2503	2503	for the purpose of assisting local governments in satisfying 1686
2504	2504	disaster recovery needs in the areas of low -income housing and 1687
2505	2505	infrastructure, with a primary focus on the hardening of sin gle-1688
2506	2506	family and multifamily housing units, not only to ensure that 1689
2507	2507	affordable housing can withstand the effects of hurricane -force 1690
2508	2508	winds, but also to mitigate the increasing costs of insurance, 1691
2509	2509	which may ultimately render existing affordable homes 1692
2510	2510	unaffordable or uninsurable. This section does not create an 1693
2511	2511	entitlement for local governments or property owners or obligate 1694
2512	2512	the state in any way to fund disaster recovery needs. 1695
2513	2513	Section 52. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 1696
2514	2514	216.292, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1697
2515	2515	216.292 Appropriations nontransferable; exceptions. — 1698
2516	2516	(6) The Chief Financial Officer shall transfer from any 1699
2517	2517	available funds of an agency or the judicial branch the 1700
2518	2518
2519	2519	HB 7037 2024
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2526	2526	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
2527	2527
2528	2528
2529	2529
2530	2530	following amounts and shall report all such transfers and the 1701
2531	2531	reasons therefor to the legislative appropriations committees 1702
2532	2532	and the Executive Office of the Governor: 1703
2533	2533	(a) The amount due to the Unemployment Compensation Trust 1704
2534	2534	Fund which is more than 90 days delinquent on reimbursements due 1705
2535	2535	to the Unemployment Compensatio n Trust Fund. The amount 1706
2536	2536	transferred shall be that certified by the state agency 1707
2537	2537	providing reemployment assistance tax collection services under 1708
2538	2538	contract with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1709
2539	2539	through an interagency agreement pursuant to s. 4 43.1316. 1710
2540	2540	Section 53. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1), subsection 1711
2541	2541	(2), and paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 218.32, 1712
2542	2542	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1713
2543	2543	218.32 Annual financial reports; local governmental 1714
2544	2544	entities.— 1715
2545	2545	(1) 1716
2546	2546	(f) If the department does not receive a completed annual 1717
2547	2547	financial report from a local governmental entity within the 1718
2548	2548	required period, it shall notify the Legislative Auditing 1719
2549	2549	Committee and the Special District Accountability Program of the 1720
2550	2550	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity of the entity's 1721
2551	2551	failure to comply with the reporting requirements. 1722
2552	2552	(2) The department shall annually by December 1 file a 1723
2553	2553	verified report with the Governor, the Legislature, the Auditor 1724
2554	2554	General, and the Special District Accountability Progr am of the 1725
2555	2555
2556	2556	HB 7037 2024
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2563	2563	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
2564	2564
2565	2565
2566	2566
2567	2567	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity showing the 1726
2568	2568	revenues, both locally derived and derived from 1727
2569	2569	intergovernmental transfers, and the expenditures of each local 1728
2570	2570	governmental entity, regional planning council, local government 1729
2571	2571	finance commission, and municipal power corporation that is 1730
2572	2572	required to submit an annual financial report. In preparing the 1731
2573	2573	verified report, the department may request additional 1732
2574	2574	information from the local governmental entity. The information 1733
2575	2575	requested must be provided to the department within 45 days 1734
2576	2576	after the request. If the local governmental entity does not 1735
2577	2577	comply with the request, the department shall notify the 1736
2578	2578	Legislative Auditing Committee, which may take action pursuant 1737
2579	2579	to s. 11.40(2). The report must include, but is not limited to: 1738
2580	2580	(a) The total revenues and expenditures of each local 1739
2581	2581	governmental entity that is a component unit included in the 1740
2582	2582	annual financial report of the reporting entity. 1741
2583	2583	(b) The amount of outstanding long -term debt by each local 1742
2584	2584	governmental entity. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 1743
2585	2585	"long-term debt" means any agreement or series of agreements to 1744
2586	2586	pay money, which, at inception, contemplate terms of payment 1745
2587	2587	exceeding 1 year in duration. 1746
2588	2588	(3) 1747
2589	2589	(c) By November 1 of each year, the de partment must 1748
2590	2590	provide the Special District Accountability Program of the 1749
2591	2591	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity with a list of each 1750
2592	2592
2593	2593	HB 7037 2024
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2600	2600	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
2601	2601
2602	2602
2603	2603
2604	2604	community redevelopment agency that does not report any 1751
2605	2605	revenues, expenditures, or debt for the community redevelopment 1752
2606	2606	agency's previous fiscal year. 1753
2607	2607	Section 54. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 1754
2608	2608	218.37, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1755
2609	2609	218.37 Powers and duties of Division of Bond Finance; 1756
2610	2610	advisory council.— 1757
2611	2611	(1) The Division of Bond Finance of the St ate Board of 1758
2612	2612	Administration, with respect to both general obligation bonds 1759
2613	2613	and revenue bonds, shall: 1760
2614	2614	(f) By January 1 each year, provide the Special District 1761
2615	2615	Accountability Program of the Department of Commerce Economic 1762
2616	2616	Opportunity with a list of special districts that are not in 1763
2617	2617	compliance with the requirements in s. 218.38. 1764
2618	2618	Section 55. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 1765
2619	2619	218.411, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1766
2620	2620	218.411 Authorization for state technical and advisory 1767
2621	2621	assistance.— 1768
2622	2622	(1) The board is authorized, upon request, to assist local 1769
2623	2623	governments in investing funds that are temporarily in excess of 1770
2624	2624	operating needs by: 1771
2625	2625	(c) Providing, in cooperation with the Department of 1772
2626	2626	Commerce Economic Opportunity , technical assistance to local 1773
2627	2627	governments in investment of surplus funds. 1774
2628	2628	Section 56. Paragraph (ff) of subsection (1) of section 1775
2629	2629
2630	2630	HB 7037 2024
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2637	2637	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
2638	2638
2639	2639
2640	2640
2641	2641	220.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1776
2642	2642	220.03 Definitions. — 1777
2643	2643	(1) SPECIFIC TERMS. —When used in this code, and when not 1778
2644	2644	otherwise distinctly expressed or manifestly incompatible with 1779
2645	2645	the intent thereof, the following terms shall have the following 1780
2646	2646	meanings: 1781
2647	2647	(ff) "Job" means a full -time position, as consistent with 1782
2648	2648	terms used by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1783
2649	2649	and the United States Department of Labor for purposes of 1784
2650	2650	reemployment assistance tax administration and employment 1785
2651	2651	estimation resulting directly from business operations in this 1786
2652	2652	state. The term may not include a temporary construction job 1787
2653	2653	involved with the construction of facilities or any job that has 1788
2654	2654	previously been included in any application for tax credits 1789
2655	2655	under s. 212.096. The term also includes employment of an 1790
2656	2656	employee leased from an employee leasing company licensed under 1791
2657	2657	chapter 468 if the employee has been conti nuously leased to the 1792
2658	2658	employer for an average of at least 36 hours per week for more 1793
2659	2659	than 6 months. 1794
2660	2660	Section 57. Subsections (2) and (3), paragraphs (b) and 1795
2661	2661	(c) of subsection (4), and subsection (5) of section 220.153, 1796
2662	2662	Florida Statutes, are amended to r ead: 1797
2663	2663	220.153 Apportionment by sales factor. — 1798
2664	2664	(2) APPORTIONMENT OF TAXES; ELIGIBILITY. —A taxpayer, not 1799
2665	2665	including a financial organization as defined in s. 220.15(6) or 1800
2666	2666
2667	2667	HB 7037 2024
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2674	2674	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
2675	2675
2676	2676
2677	2677
2678	2678	a bank, savings association, international banking facility, or 1801
2679	2679	banking organization as defined in s. 220.62, doing business 1802
2680	2680	within and without this state, who applies and demonstrates to 1803
2681	2681	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity that, within a 1804
2682	2682	2-year period beginning on or after July 1, 2011, it has made 1805
2683	2683	qualified capital expenditur es equal to or exceeding $250 1806
2684	2684	million may apportion its adjusted federal income solely by the 1807
2685	2685	sales factor set forth in s. 220.15(5), commencing in the 1808
2686	2686	taxable year that the Department of Commerce Economic 1809
2687	2687	Opportunity approves the application, but not before a taxable 1810
2688	2688	year that begins on or after January 1, 2013. Once approved, a 1811
2689	2689	taxpayer may elect to apportion its adjusted federal income for 1812
2690	2690	any taxable year using the method provided under this section or 1813
2691	2691	the method provided under s. 220.15. 1814
2692	2692	(3) QUALIFICATION PROCESS. — 1815
2693	2693	(a) To qualify as a taxpayer who is eligible to apportion 1816
2694	2694	its adjusted federal income under this section: 1817
2695	2695	1. The taxpayer must notify the Department of Commerce 1818
2696	2696	Economic Opportunity of its intent to submit an application to 1819
2697	2697	apportion its adjusted federal income in order to commence the 1820
2698	2698	2-year period for measuring qualified capital expenditures. 1821
2699	2699	2. The taxpayer must submit an application to apportion 1822
2700	2700	its adjusted federal income under this section t o the Department 1823
2701	2701	of Commerce Economic Opportunity within 2 years after notifying 1824
2702	2702	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity of the 1825
2703	2703
2704	2704	HB 7037 2024
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2711	2711	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
2712	2712
2713	2713
2714	2714
2715	2715	taxpayer's intent to qualify. The application must be made under 1826
2716	2716	oath and provide such information as the Department of Commerce 1827
2717	2717	Economic Opportunity reasonably requires by rule for determining 1828
2718	2718	the applicant's eligibility to apportion adjusted federal income 1829
2719	2719	under this section. The taxpayer is responsible for 1830
2720	2720	affirmatively demonstrating to the satisfaction of the 1831
2721	2721	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity that it meets the 1832
2722	2722	eligibility requirements. 1833
2723	2723	(b) The taxpayer notice and application forms shall be 1834
2724	2724	established by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1835
2725	2725	by rule. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1836
2726	2726	acknowledge receipt of the notice and approve or deny the 1837
2727	2727	application in writing within 45 days after receipt. 1838
2728	2728	(4) REVIEW AUTHORITY; RECAPTURE OF TAX. — 1839
2729	2729	(b) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may, 1840
2730	2730	by order, revoke its decision to grant eligibility for 1841
2731	2731	apportionment pursuant to this section, and may also order the 1842
2732	2732	recalculation of apportionment factors to those applicable under 1843
2733	2733	s. 220.15 if, as the result of an audit, investigation, or 1844
2734	2734	examination, it determines that information provided by the 1845
2735	2735	taxpayer in the application, or in a statement, representation, 1846
2736	2736	record, report, plan, or other document provided to the 1847
2737	2737	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to become eligible 1848
2738	2738	for apportionment, was materially false at the time it was made 1849
2739	2739	and that an individual acting on behalf of the taxpayer knew, or 1850
2740	2740
2741	2741	HB 7037 2024
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2748	2748	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
2749	2749
2750	2750
2751	2751
2752	2752	should have known, that the information submitted was false. The 1851
2753	2753	taxpayer shall pay such additional taxes and interest as may be 1852
2754	2754	due pursuant to this chapter computed as the difference between 1853
2755	2755	the tax that would have been due under the apportionment formula 1854
2756	2756	provided in s. 220.15 for such years and the tax actually paid. 1855
2757	2757	In addition, the department shall assess a penalty equal to 100 1856
2758	2758	percent of the additional tax due. 1857
2759	2759	(c) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 1858
2760	2760	immediately notify the department of an order affecting a 1859
2761	2761	taxpayer's eligibility to apportion tax pursuant to this 1860
2762	2762	section. A taxpayer who is liable for past tax must file an 1861
2763	2763	amended return with the department, or such othe r report as the 1862
2764	2764	department prescribes by rule, and pay any required tax, 1863
2765	2765	interest, and penalty within 60 days after the taxpayer receives 1864
2766	2766	notification from the Department of Commerce Economic 1865
2767	2767	Opportunity that the previously approved credits have been 1866
2768	2768	revoked. If the revocation is contested, the taxpayer shall file 1867
2769	2769	an amended return or other report within 30 days after an order 1868
2770	2770	becomes final. A taxpayer who fails to pay the past tax, 1869
2771	2771	interest, and penalty by the due date is subject to the 1870
2772	2772	penalties provided in s. 220.803. 1871
2773	2773	(5) RULES.—The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 1872
2774	2774	and the department may adopt rules to administer this section. 1873
2775	2775	Section 58. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1), paragraphs 1874
2776	2776	(b) and (c) of subsection (2), paragraphs (a) and (b) of 1875
2777	2777
2778	2778	HB 7037 2024
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2785	2785	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
2786	2786
2787	2787
2788	2788
2789	2789	subsection (3), and paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (e) of 1876
2790	2790	subsection (4) of section 220.183, Florida Statutes, are amended 1877
2791	2791	to read: 1878
2792	2792	220.183 Community contribution tax credit. — 1879
2793	2793	(1) AUTHORIZATION TO GRANT COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION TAX 1880
2794	2794	CREDITS; LIMITATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL CREDITS AND PROGRAM 1881
2795	2795	SPENDING.— 1882
2796	2796	(d) All proposals for the granting of the tax credit shall 1883
2797	2797	require the prior approval of the Department of Commerce 1884
2798	2798	Economic Opportunity . 1885
2799	2799	(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. — 1886
2800	2800	(b)1. All community contributions must be reserved 1887
2801	2801	exclusively for use in projects as defined in s. 220.03(1)(t). 1888
2802	2802	2. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1889
2803	2803	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects that 1890
2804	2804	provide housing opportunities for persons with special needs as 1891
2805	2805	defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership opportunities for low -1892
2806	2806	income or very-low-income households as defined in s. 1893
2807	2807	420.9071(20) and (30) are received for less than the annual tax 1894
2808	2808	credits available for those projects, the Department of Commerce 1895
2809	2809	Economic Opportunity shall grant tax credits for those 1896
2810	2810	applications and shall grant remaining tax credits on a first -1897
2811	2811	come, first-served basis for any subsequent eligible 1898
2812	2812	applications received before the end of the state fiscal year. 1899
2813	2813	If, during the first 10 busine ss days of the state fiscal year, 1900
2814	2814
2815	2815	HB 7037 2024
2816	2816
2817	2817
2818	2818
2819	2819	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2820	2820	hb7037-00
2821	2821	Page 77 of 338
2822	2822	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
2823	2823
2824	2824
2825	2825
2826	2826	eligible tax credit applications for projects that provide 1901
2827	2827	housing opportunities for persons with special needs as defined 1902
2828	2828	in s. 420.0004 or homeownership opportunities for low -income or 1903
2829	2829	very-low-income households as defin ed in s. 420.9071(20) and 1904
2830	2830	(30) are received for more than the annual tax credits available 1905
2831	2831	for those projects, the Department of Commerce Economic 1906
2832	2832	Opportunity shall grant the tax credits for those applications 1907
2833	2833	as follows: 1908
2834	2834	a. If tax credit applications su bmitted for approved 1909
2835	2835	projects of an eligible sponsor do not exceed $200,000 in total, 1910
2836	2836	the credit shall be granted in full if the tax credit 1911
2837	2837	applications are approved. 1912
2838	2838	b. If tax credit applications submitted for approved 1913
2839	2839	projects of an eligible sponsor ex ceed $200,000 in total, the 1914
2840	2840	amount of tax credits granted under sub -subparagraph a. shall be 1915
2841	2841	subtracted from the amount of available tax credits, and the 1916
2842	2842	remaining credits shall be granted to each approved tax credit 1917
2843	2843	application on a pro rata basis. 1918
2844	2844	3. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1919
2845	2845	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects other 1920
2846	2846	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 1921
2847	2847	special needs as defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership 1922
2848	2848	opportunities for low -income or very-low-income households as 1923
2849	2849	defined in s. 420.9071(20) and (30) are received for less than 1924
2850	2850	the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 1925
2851	2851
2852	2852	HB 7037 2024
2853	2853
2854	2854
2855	2855
2856	2856	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2857	2857	hb7037-00
2858	2858	Page 78 of 338
2859	2859	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
2860	2860
2861	2861
2862	2862
2863	2863	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant tax 1926
2864	2864	credits for those applications and shall grant remaining tax 1927
2865	2865	credits on a first-come, first-served basis for any subsequent 1928
2866	2866	eligible applications received before the end of the state 1929
2867	2867	fiscal year. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 1930
2868	2868	fiscal year, eligible tax credit application s for projects other 1931
2869	2869	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 1932
2870	2870	special needs as defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership 1933
2871	2871	opportunities for low -income or very-low-income households as 1934
2872	2872	defined in s. 420.9071(20) and (30) are received for more than 1935
2873	2873	the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 1936
2874	2874	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant the tax 1937
2875	2875	credits for those applications on a pro rata basis. 1938
2876	2876	(c) The project must be undertaken by an "eligible 1939
2877	2877	sponsor," defined he re as: 1940
2878	2878	1. A community action program; 1941
2879	2879	2. A nonprofit community -based development organization 1942
2880	2880	whose mission is the provision of housing for persons with 1943
2881	2881	special needs or low -income or very-low-income households or 1944
2882	2882	increasing entrepreneurial and job -development opportunities for 1945
2883	2883	low-income persons; 1946
2884	2884	3. A neighborhood housing services corporation; 1947
2885	2885	4. A local housing authority, created pursuant to chapter 1948
2886	2886	421; 1949
2887	2887	5. A community redevelopment agency, created pursuant to 1950
2888	2888
2889	2889	HB 7037 2024
2890	2890
2891	2891
2892	2892
2893	2893	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2894	2894	hb7037-00
2895	2895	Page 79 of 338
2896	2896	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
2897	2897
2898	2898
2899	2899
2900	2900	s. 163.356; 1951
2901	2901	6. A historic preservation district agency or 1952
2902	2902	organization; 1953
2903	2903	7. A local workforce development board; 1954
2904	2904	8. A direct-support organization as provided in s. 1955
2905	2905	1009.983; 1956
2906	2906	9. An enterprise zone development agency created pursuant 1957
2907	2907	to s. 290.0056; 1958
2908	2908	10. A community-based organization incorporated under 1959
2909	2909	chapter 617 which is recognized as educational, charitable, or 1960
2910	2910	scientific pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1961
2911	2911	and whose bylaws and articles of incorporation include 1962
2912	2912	affordable housing, economic development, or c ommunity 1963
2913	2913	development as the primary mission of the corporation; 1964
2914	2914	11. Units of local government; 1965
2915	2915	12. Units of state government; or 1966
2916	2916	13. Such other agency as the Department of Commerce 1967
2917	2917	Economic Opportunity may, from time to time, designate by rule. 1968
2918	2918	1969
2919	2919	In no event shall a contributing business firm have a financial 1970
2920	2920	interest in the eligible sponsor. 1971
2921	2921	(3) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. — 1972
2922	2922	(a) Any eligible sponsor wishing to participate in this 1973
2923	2923	program must submit a proposal to the Department of Commerce 1974
2924	2924	Economic Opportunity which sets forth the sponsor, the project, 1975
2925	2925
2926	2926	HB 7037 2024
2927	2927
2928	2928
2929	2929
2930	2930	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2931	2931	hb7037-00
2932	2932	Page 80 of 338
2933	2933	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
2934	2934
2935	2935
2936	2936
2937	2937	the area in which the project is located, and such supporting 1976
2938	2938	information as may be prescribed by rule. The proposal shall 1977
2939	2939	also contain a resolution from the local governmental unit in 1978
2940	2940	which it is located certifying that the project is consistent 1979
2941	2941	with local plans and regulations. 1980
2942	2942	(b) Any business wishing to participate in this program 1981
2943	2943	must submit an application for tax credit to the Department of 1982
2944	2944	Commerce Economic Opportunity , which application sets fo rth the 1983
2945	2945	sponsor; the project; and the type, value, and purpose of the 1984
2946	2946	contribution. The sponsor shall verify the terms of the 1985
2947	2947	application and indicate its receipt of the contribution, which 1986
2948	2948	verification must be in writing and accompany the application 1987
2949	2949	for tax credit. 1988
2950	2950	(4) ADMINISTRATION. — 1989
2951	2951	(a) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity has 1990
2952	2952	authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 1991
2953	2953	to implement the provisions of this section, including rules for 1992
2954	2954	the approval or disapproval of prop osals by business firms. 1993
2955	2955	(b) The decision of the Department of Commerce Economic 1994
2956	2956	Opportunity shall be in writing, and, if approved, the 1995
2957	2957	notification must state the maximum credit allowable to the 1996
2958	2958	business firm. A copy of the decision shall be transmitted to 1997
2959	2959	the executive director of the Department of Revenue, who shall 1998
2960	2960	apply such credit to the ta x liability of the business firm. 1999
2961	2961	(c) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2000
2962	2962
2963	2963	HB 7037 2024
2964	2964
2965	2965
2966	2966
2967	2967	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2968	2968	hb7037-00
2969	2969	Page 81 of 338
2970	2970	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
2971	2971
2972	2972
2973	2973
2974	2974	periodically monitor all projects in a manner consistent with 2001
2975	2975	available resources to ensure that resources are utilized in 2002
2976	2976	accordance with this section; however, each project shall be 2003
2977	2977	reviewed no less often than once every 2 years. 2004
2978	2978	(e) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall, 2005
2979	2979	in consultation with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and 2006
2980	2980	the statewide and regional housing and financial intermediar ies, 2007
2981	2981	market the availability of the community contribution tax credit 2008
2982	2982	program to community -based organizations. 2009
2983	2983	Section 59. Section 220.1895, Florida Statutes, is amended 2010
2984	2984	to read: 2011
2985	2985	220.1895 Rural Job Tax Credit and Urban High -Crime Area 2012
2986	2986	Job Tax Credit.—There shall be allowed a credit against the tax 2013
2987	2987	imposed by this chapter amounts approved by the Department of 2014
2988	2988	Commerce Economic Opportunity pursuant to the Rural Job Tax 2015
2989	2989	Credit Program in s. 212.098 and the Urban High -Crime Area Job 2016
2990	2990	Tax Credit Program in s. 212.097. A corporation that uses its 2017
2991	2991	credit against the tax imposed by this chapter may not take the 2018
2992	2992	credit against the tax imposed by chapter 212. If any credit 2019
2993	2993	granted under this section is not fully used in the first year 2020
2994	2994	for which it becomes availa ble, the unused amount may be carried 2021
2995	2995	forward for a period not to exceed 5 years. The carryover may be 2022
2996	2996	used in a subsequent year when the tax imposed by this chapter 2023
2997	2997	for such year exceeds the credit for such year under this 2024
2998	2998	section after applying the other credits and unused credit 2025
2999	2999
3000	3000	HB 7037 2024
3001	3001
3002	3002
3003	3003
3004	3004	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3005	3005	hb7037-00
3006	3006	Page 82 of 338
3007	3007	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
3008	3008
3009	3009
3010	3010
3011	3011	carryovers in the order provided in s. 220.02(8). 2026
3012	3012	Section 60. Paragraphs (f) and (g) of subsection (1) of 2027
3013	3013	section 220.191, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2028
3014	3014	220.191 Capital investment tax credit. — 2029
3015	3015	(1) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 2030
3016	3016	(f) "Jobs" means full -time equivalent positions, as that 2031
3017	3017	term is consistent with terms used by the Department of Commerce 2032
3018	3018	Economic Opportunity and the United States Department of Labor 2033
3019	3019	for purposes of reemployment assistance t ax administration and 2034
3020	3020	employment estimation, resulting directly from a project in this 2035
3021	3021	state. The term does not include temporary construction jobs 2036
3022	3022	involved in the construction of the project facility. 2037
3023	3023	(g) "Qualifying business" means a business which 2038
3024	3024	establishes a qualifying project in this state and which is 2039
3025	3025	certified by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to 2040
3026	3026	receive tax credits pursuant to this section. 2041
3027	3027	Section 61. Subsection (2) of section 222.15, Florida 2042
3028	3028	Statutes, is amended to read: 2043
3029	3029	222.15 Wages or reemployment assistance or unemployment 2044
3030	3030	compensation payments due deceased employee may be paid spouse 2045
3031	3031	or certain relatives. — 2046
3032	3032	(2) It is also lawful for the Department of Commerce 2047
3033	3033	Economic Opportunity , in case of death of any unemployed 2048
3034	3034	individual, to pay to those persons referred to in subsection 2049
3035	3035	(1) any reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation 2050
3036	3036
3037	3037	HB 7037 2024
3038	3038
3039	3039
3040	3040
3041	3041	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3042	3042	hb7037-00
3043	3043	Page 83 of 338
3044	3044	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
3045	3045
3046	3046
3047	3047
3048	3048	payments that may be due to the individual at the time of his or 2051
3049	3049	her death. 2052
3050	3050	Section 62. Subsection (1) of section 252.85, Florida 2053
3051	3051	Statutes, is amended to read: 2054
3052	3052	252.85 Fees.— 2055
3053	3053	(1) Any owner or operator of a facility required under s. 2056
3054	3054	302 or s. 312 of EPCRA, or by s. 252.87, to submit a 2057
3055	3055	notification or an annual inventory form to the commission shall 2058
3056	3056	be required to pay an annual registration fee. The fee for any 2059
3057	3057	company, including all facilities under common ownership or 2060
3058	3058	control, shall not be less than $25 nor more than $2,000. The 2061
3059	3059	division shall establish a reduced fee, of not less than $25 nor 2062
3060	3060	more than $500, applicable to any owner or operator regulated 2063
3061	3061	under part I of chapter 368, chapter 527, or s. 376.303, which 2064
3062	3062	does not have present any extremely hazardous substance, as 2065
3063	3063	defined by EPCRA, in excess of a threshold planning quantity, as 2066
3064	3064	established by EPCRA. The division shall establish a reduced fee 2067
3065	3065	of not less than $25 nor more than $1,000, applicable to any 2068
3066	3066	owner or operator of a facility with a Standard Industrial 2069
3067	3067	Classification Code of 01, 02, or 07, which is eligible for the 2070
3068	3068	"routine agricultural use" exemption provided in ss. 311 and 312 2071
3069	3069	of EPCRA. The fee under this subsection shall be based on the 2072
3070	3070	number of employees employed within the state at facilities 2073
3071	3071	under the common ownership or control of such owner or operator, 2074
3072	3072	which number shall be determined, to the extent possible, in 2075
3073	3073
3074	3074	HB 7037 2024
3075	3075
3076	3076
3077	3077
3078	3078	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3079	3079	hb7037-00
3080	3080	Page 84 of 338
3081	3081	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
3082	3082
3083	3083
3084	3084
3085	3085	accordance with data supplied by the Department of Commerce 2076
3086	3086	Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service provider. In 2077
3087	3087	order to avoid the duplicative reporting of seasonal and 2078
3088	3088	temporary agricultural employee s, fees applicable to owners or 2079
3089	3089	operators of agricultural facilities, which are eligible for the 2080
3090	3090	"routine agricultural use" reporting exemption provided in ss. 2081
3091	3091	311 and 312 of EPCRA, shall be based on employee data which most 2082
3092	3092	closely reflects such owner or operator's permanent nonseasonal 2083
3093	3093	workforce. The division shall establish by rule the date by 2084
3094	3094	which the fee is to be paid, as well as a formula or method of 2085
3095	3095	determining the applicable fee under this subsection without 2086
3096	3096	regard to the number of facilities unde r common ownership or 2087
3097	3097	control. The division may require owners or operators of 2088
3098	3098	multiple facilities to demonstrate common ownership or control 2089
3099	3099	for purposes of this subsection. 2090
3100	3100	Section 63. Paragraph (a) of subsection (21) of section 2091
3101	3101	253.025, Florida Stat utes, is amended to read: 2092
3102	3102	253.025 Acquisition of state lands. — 2093
3103	3103	(21)(a) The board of trustees may acquire, pursuant to s. 2094
3104	3104	288.980(2)(b), nonconservation lands from the annual list 2095
3105	3105	submitted by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for 2096
3106	3106	the purpose of buffering a military installation against 2097
3107	3107	encroachment. 2098
3108	3108	Section 64. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 2099
3109	3109	255.099, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2100
3110	3110
3111	3111	HB 7037 2024
3112	3112
3113	3113
3114	3114
3115	3115	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3116	3116	hb7037-00
3117	3117	Page 85 of 338
3118	3118	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
3119	3119
3120	3120
3121	3121
3122	3122	255.099 Preference to state residents. — 2101
3123	3123	(1) Each contract for construction that is funded by state 2102
3124	3124	funds must contain a provision requiring the contractor to give 2103
3125	3125	preference to the employment of state residents in the 2104
3126	3126	performance of the work on the project if state residents have 2105
3127	3127	substantially equal qualifications to those of nonresident s. A 2106
3128	3128	contract for construction funded by local funds may contain such 2107
3129	3129	a provision. 2108
3130	3130	(b) A contractor required to employ state residents must 2109
3131	3131	contact the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to post 2110
3132	3132	the contractor's employment needs in the state's j ob bank 2111
3133	3133	system. 2112
3134	3134	Section 65. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3), paragraph (b) 2113
3135	3135	of subsection (4), subsection (6), paragraph (a) of subsection 2114
3136	3136	(7), and paragraph (c) of subsection (9) of section 258.501, 2115
3137	3137	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2116
3138	3138	258.501 Myakka River; wild and scenic segment. — 2117
3139	3139	(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 2118
3140	3140	(b) "Agreement" means the interagency operating agreement 2119
3141	3141	between the department, the Department of Commerce Economic 2120
3142	3142	Opportunity, and Sarasota County or the City o f North Port. 2121
3143	3143	(4) DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER. — 2122
3144	3144	(b) The governments of Sarasota County and the City of 2123
3145	3145	North Port shall manage the Myakka River wild and scenic 2124
3146	3146	protection zone under their existing authorities for 2125
3147	3147
3148	3148	HB 7037 2024
3149	3149
3150	3150
3151	3151
3152	3152	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3153	3153	hb7037-00
3154	3154	Page 86 of 338
3155	3155	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
3156	3156
3157	3157
3158	3158
3159	3159	comprehensive planning, the re gulation of land development 2126
3160	3160	activities, and other necessary or appropriate ordinances and in 2127
3161	3161	conformance with this section, the management plan required 2128
3162	3162	under subsection (5), and the agreements adopted by the 2129
3163	3163	department and the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 2130
3164	3164	with the city and county pursuant to this section. 2131
3165	3165	(6) AMENDMENT OF REGULATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANS. — 2132
3166	3166	(a) Sarasota County and the City of North Port shall amend 2133
3167	3167	their comprehensive plans so that the parts of such plans that 2134
3168	3168	affect the wild and scenic protection zone conform to, or are 2135
3169	3169	more stringent than, this section, the river management plan, 2136
3170	3170	and management guidelines and performance standards to be 2137
3171	3171	developed and contained within agreements to be adopted by the 2138
3172	3172	department, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and 2139
3173	3173	the city and county. The guidelines and performance standards 2140
3174	3174	must be used by the department and the Department of Commerce 2141
3175	3175	Economic Opportunity to review and monitor the regulation of 2142
3176	3176	activities by the city a nd county in the wild and scenic 2143
3177	3177	protection zone. Amendments to those comprehensive plans must 2144
3178	3178	include specific policies and guidelines for minimizing adverse 2145
3179	3179	impacts on resources in the river area and for managing the wild 2146
3180	3180	and scenic protection zone in co nformance with this section, the 2147
3181	3181	river management plan, and the agreement. Such comprehensive 2148
3182	3182	plans must be amended within 1 year after the adoption date of 2149
3183	3183	the agreement, and thereafter, within 6 months following an 2150
3184	3184
3185	3185	HB 7037 2024
3186	3186
3187	3187
3188	3188
3189	3189	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3190	3190	hb7037-00
3191	3191	Page 87 of 338
3192	3192	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
3193	3193
3194	3194
3195	3195
3196	3196	amendment to this section, the river ma nagement plan, or the 2151
3197	3197	agreement, as may be necessary. For the purposes established in 2152
3198	3198	this subsection, such amendments need not conform to statutory 2153
3199	3199	or local ordinance limitations on the frequency of consideration 2154
3200	3200	of amendments to local comprehensive plans . 2155
3201	3201	(b) Sarasota County and the City of North Port shall adopt 2156
3202	3202	or amend, within 1 year after the department and the Department 2157
3203	3203	of Commerce Economic Opportunity adopt with the city and with 2158
3204	3204	the county agreements for regulating activities in the wild and 2159
3205	3205	scenic protection zone, any necessary ordinances and land 2160
3206	3206	development regulations so that those ordinances and regulations 2161
3207	3207	conform to the purposes of this section, the river management 2162
3208	3208	plan, and the agreement. Thereafter, following any amendment to 2163
3209	3209	this section, the river management plan, or the agreement, the 2164
3210	3210	city and county must amend or adopt, within 1 year, appropriate 2165
3211	3211	ordinances and land development regulations to maintain such 2166
3212	3212	local ordinances and regulations in conformance with this 2167
3213	3213	section, the river m anagement plan, and the agreement. Those 2168
3214	3214	ordinances and regulations must provide that activities must be 2169
3215	3215	prohibited, or must undergo review and either be denied or 2170
3216	3216	permitted with or without conditions, so as to minimize 2171
3217	3217	potential adverse physical and visua l impacts on resource values 2172
3218	3218	in the river area and to minimize adverse impacts on private 2173
3219	3219	landowners' use of land for residential purposes. The resource 2174
3220	3220	values of concern are those identified in this section and by 2175
3221	3221
3222	3222	HB 7037 2024
3223	3223
3224	3224
3225	3225
3226	3226	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3227	3227	hb7037-00
3228	3228	Page 88 of 338
3229	3229	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
3230	3230
3231	3231
3232	3232
3233	3233	the coordinating council in the river man agement plan. 2176
3234	3234	Activities which may be prohibited, subject to the agreement, 2177
3235	3235	include, but are not limited to, landfills, clear cuttings, 2178
3236	3236	major new infrastructure facilities, major activities that would 2179
3237	3237	alter historic water or flood flows, multifamily reside ntial 2180
3238	3238	construction, commercial and industrial development, and mining 2181
3239	3239	and major excavations. However, appurtenant structures for these 2182
3240	3240	activities may be permitted if such structures do not have 2183
3241	3241	adverse visual or measurable adverse environmental impacts to 2184
3242	3242	resource values in the river area. 2185
3243	3243	(c) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 2186
3244	3244	determines that the local comprehensive plan or land development 2187
3245	3245	regulations, as amended or supplemented by the local government, 2188
3246	3246	are not in conformance with the pu rposes of this section, the 2189
3247	3247	river management plan, and the agreement, the Department of 2190
3248	3248	Commerce Economic Opportunity shall issue a notice of intent to 2191
3249	3249	find the plan not in compliance and such plan shall be subject 2192
3250	3250	to the administrative proceedings in acco rdance with s. 2193
3251	3251	163.3184. 2194
3252	3252	(7) MANAGEMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL. — 2195
3253	3253	(a) Upon designation, the department shall create a 2196
3254	3254	permanent council to provide interagency and intergovernmental 2197
3255	3255	coordination in the management of the river. The coordinating 2198
3256	3256	council shall be composed of one representative appointed from 2199
3257	3257	each of the following: the department, the Department of 2200
3258	3258
3259	3259	HB 7037 2024
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3261	3261
3262	3262
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3266	3266	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
3267	3267
3268	3268
3269	3269
3270	3270	Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2201
3271	3271	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Florida 2202
3272	3272	Forest Service of the De partment of Agriculture and Consumer 2203
3273	3273	Services, the Division of Historical Resources of the Department 2204
3274	3274	of State, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Southwest 2205
3275	3275	Florida Water Management District, the Southwest Florida 2206
3276	3276	Regional Planning Council, Manat ee County, Sarasota County, 2207
3277	3277	Charlotte County, the City of Sarasota, the City of North Port, 2208
3278	3278	agricultural interests, environmental organizations, and any 2209
3279	3279	others deemed advisable by the department. 2210
3280	3280	(9) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. — 2211
3281	3281	(c) The department and the De partment of Commerce Economic 2212
3282	3282	Opportunity must enter into agreements with the City of North 2213
3283	3283	Port and Sarasota County which provide for guiding and 2214
3284	3284	monitoring the regulation of activities by the city and county, 2215
3285	3285	in accordance with subsection (6). Such agree ments shall include 2216
3286	3286	guidelines and performance standards for regulating proposed 2217
3287	3287	activities so as to minimize adverse environmental and visual 2218
3288	3288	impacts of such activities on the resource values in the river 2219
3289	3289	area, and to minimize adverse impacts to landowner s' use of land 2220
3290	3290	for residential purposes. 2221
3291	3291	Section 66. Subsection (3) of section 259.042, Florida 2222
3292	3292	Statutes, is amended to read: 2223
3293	3293	259.042 Tax increment financing for conservation lands. — 2224
3294	3294	(3) The governing body of the jurisdiction that will 2225
3295	3295
3296	3296	HB 7037 2024
3297	3297
3298	3298
3299	3299
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3303	3303	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
3304	3304
3305	3305
3306	3306
3307	3307	administer the separate reserve account shall provide 2226
3308	3308	documentation to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 2227
3309	3309	identifying the boundary of the tax increment area. The 2228
3310	3310	department shall determine whether the boundary is appropriate 2229
3311	3311	in that property owners within the boundary will receive a 2230
3312	3312	benefit from the proposed purchase of identified conservation 2231
3313	3313	lands. The department must issue a letter of approval stating 2232
3314	3314	that the establishment of the tax increment area and the 2233
3315	3315	proposed purchases would benefit p roperty owners within the 2234
3316	3316	boundary and serve a public purpose before any tax increment 2235
3317	3317	funds are deposited into the separate reserve account. If the 2236
3318	3318	department fails to provide the required letter within 90 days 2237
3319	3319	after receiving sufficient documentation of the boundary, the 2238
3320	3320	establishment of the area and the proposed purchases are deemed 2239
3321	3321	to provide such benefit and serve a public purpose. 2240
3322	3322	Section 67. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 2241
3323	3323	267.0625, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2242
3324	3324	267.0625 Abrogation of offensive and derogatory geographic 2243
3325	3325	place names.— 2244
3326	3326	(4) The division shall: 2245
3327	3327	(b) Notify the Department of Transportation, the 2246
3328	3328	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of 2247
3329	3329	Management Services, and any other entity that compi les 2248
3330	3330	information for or develops maps or markers for the state of the 2249
3331	3331	name change so that it may be reflected on subsequent editions 2250
3332	3332
3333	3333	HB 7037 2024
3334	3334
3335	3335
3336	3336
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3340	3340	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
3341	3341
3342	3342
3343	3343
3344	3344	of any maps, informational literature, or markers produced by 2251
3345	3345	those entities. 2252
3346	3346	Section 68. Subsection (2) of section 288. 005, Florida 2253
3347	3347	Statutes, is amended to read: 2254
3348	3348	288.005 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 2255
3349	3349	(2) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2256
3350	3350	Opportunity. 2257
3351	3351	Section 69. Subsection (3), paragraph (a) of subsection 2258
3352	3352	(5), and subsection ( 6) of section 288.061, Florida Statutes, 2259
3353	3353	are amended to read: 2260
3354	3354	288.061 Economic development incentive application 2261
3355	3355	process.— 2262
3356	3356	(3) Within 10 business days after the department receives 2263
3357	3357	the submitted economic development incentive application, the 2264
3358	3358	Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall approve or 2265
3359	3359	disapprove the application and issue a letter of certification 2266
3360	3360	to the applicant which includes a justification of that 2267
3361	3361	decision, unless the business requests an extension of that 2268
3362	3362	time. 2269
3363	3363	(a) The contract or agreement with the applicant must 2270
3364	3364	specify the total amount of the award, the performance 2271
3365	3365	conditions that must be met to obtain the award, the schedule 2272
3366	3366	for payment, and sanctions that would apply for failure to meet 2273
3367	3367	performance conditions. The department may enter into one 2274
3368	3368	agreement or contract covering all of the state incentives that 2275
3369	3369
3370	3370	HB 7037 2024
3371	3371
3372	3372
3373	3373
3374	3374	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3377	3377	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
3378	3378
3379	3379
3380	3380
3381	3381	are being provided to the applicant. The contract must provide 2276
3382	3382	that release of funds is contingent upon sufficient 2277
3383	3383	appropriation of funds by the Legislature. 2278
3384	3384	(b) The release of funds for the incentive or incentives 2279
3385	3385	awarded to the applicant depends upon the statutory requirements 2280
3386	3386	of the particular incentive program. 2281
3387	3387	(5)(a) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 2282
3388	3388	not approve an economic development incentive appl ication unless 2283
3389	3389	the application includes a signed written declaration by the 2284
3390	3390	applicant which states that the applicant has read the 2285
3391	3391	information in the application and that the information is true, 2286
3392	3392	correct, and complete to the best of the applicant's knowled ge 2287
3393	3393	and belief. 2288
3394	3394	(6) Beginning July 1, 2020, The Secretary of Commerce 2289
3395	3395	Economic Opportunity may not approve an economic development 2290
3396	3396	incentive application unless the application includes proof to 2291
3397	3397	the department that the applicant business is registered with 2292
3398	3398	and uses the E-Verify system, as defined in s. 448.095, to 2293
3399	3399	verify the work authorization status of all newly hired 2294
3400	3400	employees. If the department determines that an awardee is not 2295
3401	3401	complying with this subsection, the department must notify the 2296
3402	3402	awardee by certified mail of the department's determination of 2297
3403	3403	noncompliance and the awardee's right to appeal the 2298
3404	3404	determination. Upon a final determination of noncompliance, the 2299
3405	3405	awardee must repay all moneys received as an economic 2300
3406	3406
3407	3407	HB 7037 2024
3408	3408
3409	3409
3410	3410
3411	3411	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3414	3414	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
3415	3415
3416	3416
3417	3417
3418	3418	development incentive to the departme nt within 30 days after the 2301
3419	3419	final determination. 2302
3420	3420	Section 70. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 2303
3421	3421	288.075, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2304
3422	3422	288.075 Confidentiality of records. — 2305
3423	3423	(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 2306
3424	3424	(a) "Economic development agency" means: 2307
3425	3425	1. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity ; 2308
3426	3426	2. Any industrial development authority created in 2309
3427	3427	accordance with part III of chapter 159 or by special law; 2310
3428	3428	3. Space Florida created in part II of chapter 331; 2311
3429	3429	4. The public economic development agency of a county or 2312
3430	3430	municipality or, if the county or municipality does not have a 2313
3431	3431	public economic development agency, the county or municipal 2314
3432	3432	officers or employees assigned the duty to promote the general 2315
3433	3433	business interests or industrial interests of that county or 2316
3434	3434	municipality or the responsibilities related thereto; 2317
3435	3435	5. Any research and development authority created in 2318
3436	3436	accordance with part V of chapter 159; or 2319
3437	3437	6. Any private agency, person, partnership, corporatio n, 2320
3438	3438	or business entity when authorized by the state, a municipality, 2321
3439	3439	or a county to promote the general business interests or 2322
3440	3440	industrial interests of the state or that municipality or 2323
3441	3441	county. 2324
3442	3442	Section 71. Subsection (1) of section 288.1201, Florida 2325
3443	3443
3444	3444	HB 7037 2024
3445	3445
3446	3446
3447	3447
3448	3448	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3449	3449	hb7037-00
3450	3450	Page 94 of 338
3451	3451	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
3452	3452
3453	3453
3454	3454
3455	3455	Statutes, is amended to read: 2326
3456	3456	288.1201 State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust 2327
3457	3457	Fund.— 2328
3458	3458	(1) There is created within the Department of Commerce 2329
3459	3459	Economic Opportunity the State Economic Enhancement and 2330
3460	3460	Development Trust Fund. Moneys deposited in the tru st fund shall 2331
3461	3461	be used for infrastructure and job creation opportunities and 2332
3462	3462	for the following purposes or programs: 2333
3463	3463	(a) Transportation facilities that meet a strategic and 2334
3464	3464	essential state interest with respect to the economic 2335
3465	3465	development of the state; 2336
3466	3466	(b) Affordable housing programs and projects in accordance 2337
3467	3467	with chapter 420; 2338
3468	3468	(c) Economic development incentives for job creation and 2339
3469	3469	capital investment; 2340
3470	3470	(d) Workforce training associated with locating a new 2341
3471	3471	business or expanding an existing business; and 2342
3472	3472	(e) Tourism promotion and marketing services, functions, 2343
3473	3473	and programs. 2344
3474	3474	Section 72. Subsection (11) of section 288.1226, Florida 2345
3475	3475	Statutes, is amended to read: 2346
3476	3476	288.1226 Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; 2347
3477	3477	use of property; board of dir ectors; duties; audit. — 2348
3478	3478	(11) PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET SUBMISSION. —By August 15 of 2349
3479	3479	each fiscal year, the Department of Commerce Economic 2350
3480	3480
3481	3481	HB 7037 2024
3482	3482
3483	3483
3484	3484
3485	3485	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3486	3486	hb7037-00
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3488	3488	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
3489	3489
3490	3490
3491	3491
3492	3492	Opportunity shall submit a proposed operating budget for the 2351
3493	3493	corporation including amounts to be expended on advertis ing, 2352
3494	3494	marketing, promotions, events, other operating capital outlay, 2353
3495	3495	and salaries and benefits for each employee to the Governor, the 2354
3496	3496	President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 2355
3497	3497	Representatives. 2356
3498	3498	Section 73. Subsection (2) of section 288.801 2, Florida 2357
3499	3499	Statutes, is amended to read: 2358
3500	3500	288.8012 Definitions. —As used in ss. 288.8011 -288.8018, 2359
3501	3501	the term: 2360
3502	3502	(2) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2361
3503	3503	Opportunity. 2362
3504	3504	Section 74. Subsection (8) of section 288.8014, Florida 2363
3505	3505	Statutes, is amended to read: 2364
3506	3506	288.8014 Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.; organization; board of 2365
3507	3507	directors.— 2366
3508	3508	(8) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity , or his 2367
3509	3509	or her designee, the Secretary of Environmental Protection, or 2368
3510	3510	his or her designee, and the chair of the C ommittee of 8 2369
3511	3511	Disproportionally Affected Counties, or his or her designee, 2370
3512	3512	shall be available to consult with the board of directors and 2371
3513	3513	may be requested to attend meetings of the board of directors. 2372
3514	3514	These individuals shall not be permitted to vote on any matter 2373
3515	3515	before the board. 2374
3516	3516	Section 75. Subsection (2) of section 288.9604, Florida 2375
3517	3517
3518	3518	HB 7037 2024
3519	3519
3520	3520
3521	3521
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3524	3524	Page 96 of 338
3525	3525	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
3526	3526
3527	3527
3528	3528
3529	3529	Statutes, is amended to read: 2376
3530	3530	288.9604 Creation of the corporation. — 2377
3531	3531	(2) The board of directors of the corporation shall 2378
3532	3532	consist of seven directors. The Secretary of Commerce Economic 2379
3533	3533	Opportunity, or his or her designee, shall serve as chair of the 2380
3534	3534	board of directors of the corporation. The director of the 2381
3535	3535	Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration, 2382
3536	3536	or his or her designee, shall serve as a director on the board 2383
3537	3537	of directors of the corporation. The Governor, subject to 2384
3538	3538	confirmation by the Senate, shall appoint the remaining five 2385
3539	3539	directors of the board of directors of the corporation. The 2386
3540	3540	terms of office for the appointed directors are for 4 years 2387
3541	3541	after the date of their appointment. A vacancy occurring during 2388
3542	3542	a term of an appointed director shall be filled for the 2389
3543	3543	unexpired term. An appointed director is eligible for 2390
3544	3544	reappointment. At least three of the appointed directors of the 2391
3545	3545	corporation must have ex perience in finance, and one of the 2392
3546	3546	directors must have experience in economic development. 2393
3547	3547	Section 76. Section 288.9610, Florida Statutes, is amended 2394
3548	3548	to read: 2395
3549	3549	288.9610 Annual reports of Florida Development Finance 2396
3550	3550	Corporation.—On or before 90 days a fter the close of the Florida 2397
3551	3551	Development Finance Corporation's fiscal year, the corporation 2398
3552	3552	shall submit to the Governor, the Legislature, the Auditor 2399
3553	3553	General, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and 2400
3554	3554
3555	3555	HB 7037 2024
3556	3556
3557	3557
3558	3558
3559	3559	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3560	3560	hb7037-00
3561	3561	Page 97 of 338
3562	3562	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
3563	3563
3564	3564
3565	3565
3566	3566	the governing body of each public entity f or which the 2401
3567	3567	corporation issues revenue bonds pursuant to s. 288.9606 or with 2402
3568	3568	which it has entered into an interlocal agreement a complete and 2403
3569	3569	detailed report setting forth: 2404
3570	3570	(1) The results of any audit conducted under s. 11.45. 2405
3571	3571	(2) The activities, ope rations, and accomplishments of the 2406
3572	3572	Florida Development Finance Corporation, including the number of 2407
3573	3573	businesses assisted by the corporation. 2408
3574	3574	(3) Its assets, liabilities, income, and operating 2409
3575	3575	expenses at the end of its most recent fiscal year, including a 2410
3576	3576	description of all of its outstanding revenue bonds. 2411
3577	3577	Section 77. Subsection (5) of section 288.987, Florida 2412
3578	3578	Statutes, is amended to read: 2413
3579	3579	288.987 Florida Defense Support Task Force. — 2414
3580	3580	(5) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity , or his 2415
3581	3581	or her designee, shall serve as the ex officio, nonvoting 2416
3582	3582	executive director of the task force. 2417
3583	3583	Section 78. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 2418
3584	3584	288.9961, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2419
3585	3585	288.9961 Promotion of broadband adoption; Florida Offic e 2420
3586	3586	of Broadband.— 2421
3587	3587	(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 2422
3588	3588	(b) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2423
3589	3589	Opportunity. 2424
3590	3590	Section 79. Subsection (2) of section 290.004, Florida 2425
3591	3591
3592	3592	HB 7037 2024
3593	3593
3594	3594
3595	3595
3596	3596	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3598	3598	Page 98 of 338
3599	3599	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
3600	3600
3601	3601
3602	3602
3603	3603	Statutes, is amended to read: 2426
3604	3604	290.004 Definitions relating to Florida Enterprise Zone 2427
3605	3605	Act.—As used in ss. 290.001 -290.016: 2428
3606	3606	(2) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2429
3607	3607	Opportunity. 2430
3608	3608	Section 80. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 2431
3609	3609	290.0065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2432
3610	3610	290.0065 State designation of enterprise zones. — 2433
3611	3611	(6)(a) The department may develop guidelines necessary for 2434
3612	3612	the approval of areas under this section by the Secretary of 2435
3613	3613	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 2436
3614	3614	Section 81. Section 290.00729, Florida Statutes, is 2437
3615	3615	amended to read: 2438
3616	3616	290.00729 Enterprise zone designation for Charlotte 2439
3617	3617	County.—Charlotte County may apply to the Department of Commerce 2440
3618	3618	Economic Opportunity for designation of one enterprise zone 2441
3619	3619	encompassing an area not to exceed 20 square miles within 2442
3620	3620	Charlotte County. Notwithstanding s. 290.0065 limiting the total 2443
3621	3621	number of enterprise zones designated and the number of 2444
3622	3622	enterprise zones within a population category, the department 2445
3623	3623	may designate one enterprise zone under this section. The 2446
3624	3624	department shall establish the initial effective date of the 2447
3625	3625	enterprise zone designated under this section. 2448
3626	3626	Section 82. Subsection (3) of section 290.042, Florida 2449
3627	3627	Statutes, is amended to read: 2450
3628	3628
3629	3629	HB 7037 2024
3630	3630
3631	3631
3632	3632
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3634	3634	hb7037-00
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3636	3636	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
3637	3637
3638	3638
3639	3639
3640	3640	290.042 Definitions relating to Florida Small Cities 2451
3641	3641	Community Development Block Grant Program Act. —As used in ss. 2452
3642	3642	290.0401-290.048, the term: 2453
3643	3643	(3) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2454
3644	3644	Opportunity. 2455
3645	3645	Section 83. Subsection (4) of section 290.0455, Florida 2456
3646	3646	Statutes, is amended to read: 2457
3647	3647	290.0455 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant 2458
3648	3648	Loan Guarantee Program; Section 108 loan guarantees. — 2459
3649	3649	(4) An applicant approved by the United States Department 2460
3650	3650	of Housing and Urban Development to receive a Section 108 loan 2461
3651	3651	shall enter into an agreement with the De partment of Commerce 2462
3652	3652	Economic Opportunity which requires the applicant to pledge half 2463
3653	3653	of the amount necessary to guarantee the loan in the event of 2464
3654	3654	default. 2465
3655	3655	Section 84. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and subsection 2466
3656	3656	(4) of section 290.0491, Florida Sta tutes, are amended to read: 2467
3657	3657	290.0491 Florida Empowerment Zones. — 2468
3658	3658	(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 2469
3659	3659	(a) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 2470
3660	3660	Opportunity. 2471
3661	3661	(4) EMPOWERMENT ZONE PROGRAM. —There is created an economic 2472
3662	3662	development program to be known as the Florida Empowerment Zone 2473
3663	3663	Program. The program shall exist for 10 years and, except as 2474
3664	3664	otherwise provided by law, be operated by the Department of 2475
3665	3665
3666	3666	HB 7037 2024
3667	3667
3668	3668
3669	3669
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3671	3671	hb7037-00
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3673	3673	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
3674	3674
3675	3675
3676	3676
3677	3677	Commerce Economic Opportunity in conjunction with the Federal 2476
3678	3678	Empowerment Zone Program. 2477
3679	3679	Section 85. Section 290.06561, Florida Statutes, is 2478
3680	3680	amended to read: 2479
3681	3681	290.06561 Designation of rural enterprise zone as catalyst 2480
3682	3682	site.—Notwithstanding s. 290.0065(1), the Department of Commerce 2481
3683	3683	Economic Opportunity , upon request of th e host county, shall 2482
3684	3684	designate as a rural enterprise zone any catalyst site as 2483
3685	3685	defined in s. 288.0656(2)(b) that was approved before January 1, 2484
3686	3686	2010, and that is not located in an existing rural enterprise 2485
3687	3687	zone. The request from the host county must includ e the legal 2486
3688	3688	description of the catalyst site and the name and contact 2487
3689	3689	information for the county development authority responsible for 2488
3690	3690	managing the catalyst site. The designation shall provide 2489
3691	3691	businesses locating within the catalyst site the same 2490
3692	3692	eligibility for economic incentives and other benefits of a 2491
3693	3693	rural enterprise zone designated under s. 290.0065. The 2492
3694	3694	reporting criteria for a catalyst site designated as a rural 2493
3695	3695	enterprise zone under this section are the same as for other 2494
3696	3696	rural enterprise zones. Hos t county development authorities may 2495
3697	3697	enter into memoranda of agreement, as necessary, to coordinate 2496
3698	3698	their efforts to implement this section. 2497
3699	3699	Section 86. Subsection (2) of section 311.07, Florida 2498
3700	3700	Statutes, is amended to read: 2499
3701	3701	311.07 Florida seaport tr ansportation and economic 2500
3702	3702
3703	3703	HB 7037 2024
3704	3704
3705	3705
3706	3706
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3710	3710	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
3711	3711
3712	3712
3713	3713
3714	3714	development funding. — 2501
3715	3715	(2) A minimum of $25 million per year shall be made 2502
3716	3716	available from the State Transportation Trust Fund to fund the 2503
3717	3717	Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program. 2504
3718	3718	The Florida Seaport Transp ortation and Economic Development 2505
3719	3719	Council created in s. 311.09 shall develop guidelines for 2506
3720	3720	project funding. Council staff, the Department of 2507
3721	3721	Transportation, and the Department of Commerce Economic 2508
3722	3722	Opportunity shall work in cooperation to review projects a nd 2509
3723	3723	allocate funds in accordance with the schedule required for the 2510
3724	3724	Department of Transportation to include these projects in the 2511
3725	3725	tentative work program developed pursuant to s. 339.135(4). 2512
3726	3726	Section 87. Subsections (1), (3), (5), (7), (8), and (10) 2513
3727	3727	of section 311.09, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2514
3728	3728	311.09 Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic 2515
3729	3729	Development Council. — 2516
3730	3730	(1) The Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic 2517
3731	3731	Development Council is created within the Department of 2518
3732	3732	Transportation. The council consists of the following 18 2519
3733	3733	members: the port director, or the port director's designee, of 2520
3734	3734	each of the ports of Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Port Citrus, 2521
3735	3735	Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, Port Everglades, Miami, Port Manatee, 2522
3736	3736	St. Petersburg, Putnam Cou nty, Tampa, Port St. Joe, Panama City, 2523
3737	3737	Pensacola, Key West, and Fernandina; the secretary of the 2524
3738	3738	Department of Transportation or his or her designee; and the 2525
3739	3739
3740	3740	HB 7037 2024
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3742	3742
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3747	3747	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
3748	3748
3749	3749
3750	3750
3751	3751	secretary of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 2526
3752	3752	his or her designee. 2527
3753	3753	(3) The council shall prepare a 5 -year Florida Seaport 2528
3754	3754	Mission Plan defining the goals and objectives of the council 2529
3755	3755	concerning the development of port facilities and an intermodal 2530
3756	3756	transportation system consistent with the goals of the Florida 2531
3757	3757	Transportation Plan dev eloped pursuant to s. 339.155. The 2532
3758	3758	Florida Seaport Mission Plan shall include specific 2533
3759	3759	recommendations for the construction of transportation 2534
3760	3760	facilities connecting any port to another transportation mode 2535
3761	3761	and for the efficient, cost -effective development of 2536
3762	3762	transportation facilities or port facilities for the purpose of 2537
3763	3763	enhancing trade, promoting cargo flow, increasing cruise 2538
3764	3764	passenger movements, increasing port revenues, and providing 2539
3765	3765	economic benefits to the state. The council shall develop a 2540
3766	3766	priority list of projects based on these recommendations 2541
3767	3767	annually and submit the list to the Department of 2542
3768	3768	Transportation. The council shall update the 5 -year Florida 2543
3769	3769	Seaport Mission Plan annually and shall submit the plan no later 2544
3770	3770	than February 1 of each year to the P resident of the Senate, the 2545
3771	3771	Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Department of 2546
3772	3772	Commerce Economic Opportunity , and the Department of 2547
3773	3773	Transportation. The council shall develop programs, based on an 2548
3774	3774	examination of existing programs in Florida and othe r states, 2549
3775	3775	for the training of minorities and secondary school students in 2550
3776	3776
3777	3777	HB 7037 2024
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3779	3779
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3784	3784	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
3785	3785
3786	3786
3787	3787
3788	3788	job skills associated with employment opportunities in the 2551
3789	3789	maritime industry, and report on progress and recommendations 2552
3790	3790	for further action to the President of the Senate and the 2553
3791	3791	Speaker of the House of Representatives annually. 2554
3792	3792	(5) The council shall review and approve or disapprove 2555
3793	3793	each project eligible to be funded pursuant to the Florida 2556
3794	3794	Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Program. The 2557
3795	3795	council shall annually submit to the Secretary of Transportation 2558
3796	3796	and the executive director of the Department of Commerce 2559
3797	3797	Economic Opportunity , or his or her designee, a list of projects 2560
3798	3798	which have been approved by the council. The list shall specify 2561
3799	3799	the recommended funding level for eac h project; and, if staged 2562
3800	3800	implementation of the project is appropriate, the funding 2563
3801	3801	requirements for each stage shall be specified. 2564
3802	3802	(7) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2565
3803	3803	review the list of project applications approved by the council 2566
3804	3804	to evaluate the economic benefit of the project and to determine 2567
3805	3805	whether the project is consistent with the Florida Seaport 2568
3806	3806	Mission Plan and with state economic development goals and 2569
3807	3807	policies. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2570
3808	3808	review the proposed project's consistency with state, regional, 2571
3809	3809	and local plans, as appropriate, and the economic benefits of 2572
3810	3810	each project based upon the rules adopted pursuant to subsection 2573
3811	3811	(4). The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2574
3812	3812	identify those projects that it has determined do not offer an 2575
3813	3813
3814	3814	HB 7037 2024
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3816	3816
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3821	3821	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
3822	3822
3823	3823
3824	3824
3825	3825	economic benefit to the state, are not consistent with an 2576
3826	3826	appropriate plan, or are not consistent with the Florida Seaport 2577
3827	3827	Mission Plan or state economic development goals and policies 2578
3828	3828	and shall notify the co uncil of its findings. 2579
3829	3829	(8) The council shall review the findings of the 2580
3830	3830	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Department 2581
3831	3831	of Transportation. Projects found to be inconsistent pursuant to 2582
3832	3832	subsection (6) or subsection (7) or projects that have been 2583
3833	3833	determined not to offer an economic benefit to the state 2584
3834	3834	pursuant to subsection (7) may not be included in the list of 2585
3835	3835	projects to be funded. 2586
3836	3836	(10) The council shall meet at the call of its 2587
3837	3837	chairperson, at the request of a majority of its membership , or 2588
3838	3838	at such times as may be prescribed in its bylaws. However, the 2589
3839	3839	council must meet at least semiannually. A majority of voting 2590
3840	3840	members of the council constitutes a quorum for the purpose of 2591
3841	3841	transacting the business of the council. All members of the 2592
3842	3842	council are voting members. A vote of the majority of the voting 2593
3843	3843	members present is sufficient for any action of the council, 2594
3844	3844	except that a member representing the Department of 2595
3845	3845	Transportation or the Department of Commerce Economic 2596
3846	3846	Opportunity may vote to overrule any action of the council 2597
3847	3847	approving a project pursuant to subsection (5). The bylaws of 2598
3848	3848	the council may require a greater vote for a particular action. 2599
3849	3849	Section 88. Subsection (2) of section 311.10, Florida 2600
3850	3850
3851	3851	HB 7037 2024
3852	3852
3853	3853
3854	3854
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3858	3858	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
3859	3859
3860	3860
3861	3861
3862	3862	Statutes, is amended to read: 2601
3863	3863	311.10 Strategic Port Investment Initiative. — 2602
3864	3864	(2) Prior to making final project allocations, the 2603
3865	3865	Department of Transportation shall schedule a publicly noticed 2604
3866	3866	workshop with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 2605
3867	3867	and the deepwater ports listed in s. 311.09 to review the 2606
3868	3868	proposed projects. After considering the comments received, the 2607
3869	3869	Department of Transportation shall finalize a prioritized list 2608
3870	3870	of potential projects. 2609
3871	3871	Section 89. Subsection (4) of section 311.1 01, Florida 2610
3872	3872	Statutes, is amended to read: 2611
3873	3873	311.101 Intermodal Logistics Center Infrastructure Support 2612
3874	3874	Program.— 2613
3875	3875	(4) The department shall coordinate and consult with the 2614
3876	3876	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity in the selection of 2615
3877	3877	projects to be funde d by this program. 2616
3878	3878	Section 90. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 2617
3879	3879	311.105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2618
3880	3880	311.105 Florida Seaport Environmental Management 2619
3881	3881	Committee; permitting; mitigation. — 2620
3882	3882	(1) 2621
3883	3883	(b) The committee shall consist of th e following members: 2622
3884	3884	the Secretary of Environmental Protection, or his or her 2623
3885	3885	designee, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; a designee from 2624
3886	3886	the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as an ex officio, 2625
3887	3887
3888	3888	HB 7037 2024
3889	3889
3890	3890
3891	3891
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3895	3895	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
3896	3896
3897	3897
3898	3898
3899	3899	nonvoting member; a designee from the Florida Inland Na vigation 2626
3900	3900	District, as an ex officio, nonvoting member; the Secretary of 2627
3901	3901	Commerce Economic Opportunity , or his or her designee, as an ex 2628
3902	3902	officio, nonvoting member; and five or more port directors, as 2629
3903	3903	voting members, appointed to the committee by the council chair, 2630
3904	3904	who shall also designate one such member as committee chair. 2631
3905	3905	Section 91. Section 311.11, Florida Statutes, is amended 2632
3906	3906	to read: 2633
3907	3907	311.11 Seaport Employment Training Grant Program. — 2634
3908	3908	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in 2635
3909	3909	cooperation with the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic 2636
3910	3910	Development Council, shall establish a Seaport Employment 2637
3911	3911	Training Grant Program within the Department of Commerce 2638
3912	3912	Economic Opportunity . The Department of Commerce Economic 2639
3913	3913	Opportunity shall grant funds appropriated by the Legislature to 2640
3914	3914	the program for the purpose of stimulating and supporting 2641
3915	3915	seaport training and employment programs which will seek to 2642
3916	3916	match state and local training programs with identified job 2643
3917	3917	skills associated with employment opp ortunities in the port, 2644
3918	3918	maritime, and transportation industries, and for the purpose of 2645
3919	3919	providing such other training, educational, and information 2646
3920	3920	services as required to stimulate jobs in the described 2647
3921	3921	industries. Funds may be used for the purchase of eq uipment to 2648
3922	3922	be used for training purposes, hiring instructors, and any other 2649
3923	3923	purpose associated with the training program. The contribution 2650
3924	3924
3925	3925	HB 7037 2024
3926	3926
3927	3927
3928	3928
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3932	3932	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
3933	3933
3934	3934
3935	3935
3936	3936	of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to any 2651
3937	3937	specific training program may not exceed 50 percent of the total 2652
3938	3938	cost of the program. Matching contributions may include services 2653
3939	3939	in kind, including, but not limited to, training instructors, 2654
3940	3940	equipment usage, and training facilities. 2655
3941	3941	(2) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2656
3942	3942	adopt criteria to imp lement this section. 2657
3943	3943	Section 92. Subsection (2) of section 311.22, Florida 2658
3944	3944	Statutes, is amended to read: 2659
3945	3945	311.22 Additional authorization for funding certain 2660
3946	3946	dredging projects.— 2661
3947	3947	(2) The council shall adopt rules for evaluating the 2662
3948	3948	projects that may be funded pursuant to this section. The rules 2663
3949	3949	must provide criteria for evaluating the economic benefit of the 2664
3950	3950	project. The rules must include the creation of an 2665
3951	3951	administrative review process by the council which is similar to 2666
3952	3952	the process described in s. 3 11.09(5)-(11), and provide for a 2667
3953	3953	review by the Department of Transportation and the Department of 2668
3954	3954	Commerce Economic Opportunity of all projects submitted for 2669
3955	3955	funding under this section. 2670
3956	3956	Section 93. Paragraph (b) of subsection (58) of section 2671
3957	3957	320.08058, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2672
3958	3958	320.08058 Specialty license plates. — 2673
3959	3959	(58) PROTECT FLORIDA SPRINGS LICENSE PLATES. — 2674
3960	3960	(b) The annual use fees shall be distributed to the 2675
3961	3961
3962	3962	HB 7037 2024
3963	3963
3964	3964
3965	3965
3966	3966	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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3969	3969	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
3970	3970
3971	3971
3972	3972
3973	3973	Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc., a citizen support 2676
3974	3974	organization created pursuant to s. 379.223, which shall 2677
3975	3975	administer the fees as follows: 2678
3976	3976	1. Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc., shall retain the 2679
3977	3977	first $60,000 of the annual use fees as direct reimbursement for 2680
3978	3978	administrative costs, startup costs, and costs incurred in the 2681
3979	3979	development and approval process. 2682
3980	3980	2. Thereafter, a maximum of 10 percent of the fees may be 2683
3981	3981	used for administrative costs directly associated with education 2684
3982	3982	programs, conservation, springs research, and grant 2685
3983	3983	administration of the foundation. A maximum of 15 percent of the 2686
3984	3984	fees may be used for continuing promotion and marketing of the 2687
3985	3985	license plate. 2688
3986	3986	3. At least 55 percent of the fees shall be available for 2689
3987	3987	competitive grants for targeted community -based springs research 2690
3988	3988	not currently available for stat e funding. The remaining 20 2691
3989	3989	percent shall be directed toward community outreach programs 2692
3990	3990	aimed at implementing such research findings. The competitive 2693
3991	3991	grants shall be administered and approved by the board of 2694
3992	3992	directors of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida . The granting 2695
3993	3993	advisory committee shall be composed of nine members, including 2696
3994	3994	one representative from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation 2697
3995	3995	Commission, one representative from the Department of 2698
3996	3996	Environmental Protection, one representative from the Department 2699
3997	3997	of Health, one representative from the Department of Commerce 2700
3998	3998
3999	3999	HB 7037 2024
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4001	4001
4002	4002
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4006	4006	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
4007	4007
4008	4008
4009	4009
4010	4010	Economic Opportunity , three citizen representatives, and two 2701
4011	4011	representatives from nonprofit stakeholder groups. 2702
4012	4012	4. The remaining funds shall be distributed with the 2703
4013	4013	approval of and accountabi lity to the board of directors of the 2704
4014	4014	Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and shall be used to support 2705
4015	4015	activities contributing to education, outreach, and springs 2706
4016	4016	conservation. 2707
4017	4017	Section 94. Paragraph (k) of subsection (4) of section 2708
4018	4018	322.142, Florida Statute s, is amended to read: 2709
4019	4019	322.142 Color photographic or digital imaged licenses. — 2710
4020	4020	(4) The department may maintain a film negative or print 2711
4021	4021	file. The department shall maintain a record of the digital 2712
4022	4022	image and signature of the licensees, together with othe r data 2713
4023	4023	required by the department for identification and retrieval. 2714
4024	4024	Reproductions from the file or digital record are exempt from 2715
4025	4025	the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and may be made and issued only: 2716
4026	4026	(k) To the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 2717
4027	4027	pursuant to an interagency agreement to facilitate the 2718
4028	4028	validation of reemployment assistance claims and the 2719
4029	4029	identification of fraudulent or false reemployment assistance 2720
4030	4030	claims; 2721
4031	4031	Section 95. Subsection (3) of section 327.803, Florida 2722
4032	4032	Statutes, is amended to read: 2723
4033	4033	327.803 Boating Advisory Council. — 2724
4034	4034	(3) The purpose of the council is to make recommendations 2725
4035	4035
4036	4036	HB 7037 2024
4037	4037
4038	4038
4039	4039
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4043	4043	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
4044	4044
4045	4045
4046	4046
4047	4047	to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the 2726
4048	4048	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity regarding issues 2727
4049	4049	affecting the boating community, in cluding, but not limited to, 2728
4050	4050	issues related to: 2729
4051	4051	(a) Boating and diving safety education. 2730
4052	4052	(b) Boating-related facilities, including marinas and boat 2731
4053	4053	testing facilities. 2732
4054	4054	(c) Boat usage. 2733
4055	4055	(d) Boat access. 2734
4056	4056	(e) Working waterfronts. 2735
4057	4057	Section 96. Subsections (2), (3), (6), (13), and (15) of 2736
4058	4058	section 331.3051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2737
4059	4059	331.3051 Duties of Space Florida. —Space Florida shall: 2738
4060	4060	(2) Enter into agreement with the Department of Education, 2739
4061	4061	the Department of Transportation, the De partment of Commerce 2740
4062	4062	Economic Opportunity , and CareerSource Florida, Inc., for the 2741
4063	4063	purpose of implementing this act. 2742
4064	4064	(3) In cooperation with the Department of Commerce 2743
4065	4065	Economic Opportunity , develop a plan to retain, expand, attract, 2744
4066	4066	and create aerospace industry entities, public or private, which 2745
4067	4067	results in the creation of high -value-added businesses and jobs 2746
4068	4068	in this state. 2747
4069	4069	(6) Develop, in cooperation with the Department of 2748
4070	4070	Commerce Economic Opportunity , a plan to provide financing 2749
4071	4071	assistance to aerospa ce businesses. The plan may include the 2750
4072	4072
4073	4073	HB 7037 2024
4074	4074
4075	4075
4076	4076
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4080	4080	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
4081	4081
4082	4082
4083	4083
4084	4084	following activities: 2751
4085	4085	(a) Assembling, publishing, and disseminating information 2752
4086	4086	concerning financing opportunities and techniques for aerospace 2753
4087	4087	projects, programs, and activities; sources of public and 2754
4088	4088	private aerospace financing assistance; and sources of 2755
4089	4089	aerospace-related financing. 2756
4090	4090	(b) Organizing, hosting, and participating in seminars and 2757
4091	4091	other forums designed to disseminate information and technical 2758
4092	4092	assistance regarding aerospace -related financing. 2759
4093	4093	(c) Coordinating with programs and goals of the Department 2760
4094	4094	of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2761
4095	4095	the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the International 2762
4096	4096	Trade Administration of the United States Department of 2763
4097	4097	Commerce, the Foreign C redit Insurance Association, and other 2764
4098	4098	private and public programs and organizations, domestic and 2765
4099	4099	foreign. 2766
4100	4100	(d) Establishing a network of contacts among those 2767
4101	4101	domestic and foreign public and private organizations that 2768
4102	4102	provide information, technical assis tance, and financial support 2769
4103	4103	to the aerospace industry. 2770
4104	4104	(e) Financing aerospace business development projects or 2771
4105	4105	initiatives using funds provided by the Legislature. 2772
4106	4106	(13) Partner with the Division of Workforce Services of 2773
4107	4107	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity, CareerSource 2774
4108	4108	Florida, Inc., and local workforce development boards to support 2775
4109	4109
4110	4110	HB 7037 2024
4111	4111
4112	4112
4113	4113
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4117	4117	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
4118	4118
4119	4119
4120	4120
4121	4121	initiatives that address the high technology skills and staff 2776
4122	4122	resources needed to better promote the state's efforts in 2777
4123	4123	becoming the nation's leader in aerospa ce and space exploration. 2778
4124	4124	(15) By October 1, 2023, and each year thereafter, submit 2779
4125	4125	to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for inclusion 2780
4126	4126	in the annual report required under s. 20.60 a complete and 2781
4127	4127	detailed written report setting forth: 2782
4128	4128	(a) Its operations and accomplishments during the fiscal 2783
4129	4129	year. 2784
4130	4130	(b) Accomplishments and progress concerning the 2785
4131	4131	implementation of the spaceport master plan and other measurable 2786
4132	4132	goals, and any updates to such plan and measurable goals. 2787
4133	4133	(c) Any other informat ion required by the Department of 2788
4134	4134	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 2789
4135	4135	Section 97. Subsection (6) of section 331.3081, Florida 2790
4136	4136	Statutes, is amended to read: 2791
4137	4137	331.3081 Board of directors. — 2792
4138	4138	(6) The board shall conduct education for newly appointed 2793
4139	4139	board members as provided by the Department of Commerce Economic 2794
4140	4140	Opportunity in accordance with s. 189.063. 2795
4141	4141	Section 98. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of 2796
4142	4142	section 331.324, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2797
4143	4143	331.324 Contracts, grants, and contributions.— 2798
4144	4144	(2) 2799
4145	4145	(b) A final assessment report shall be submitted to the 2800
4146	4146
4147	4147	HB 7037 2024
4148	4148
4149	4149
4150	4150
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4154	4154	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
4155	4155
4156	4156
4157	4157
4158	4158	Space Florida board of directors and the Secretary of Commerce 2801
4159	4159	Economic Opportunity or his or her designee. Within 30 days 2802
4160	4160	after receipt of the final assessment report, the board shall 2803
4161	4161	submit to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity a 2804
4162	4162	written statement of explanation or rebuttal concerning findings 2805
4163	4163	requiring corrective action, including corrective action to be 2806
4164	4164	taken to preclude a recurrence. 2807
4165	4165	(c) Beginning October 1, 2023, and every 3 years 2808
4166	4166	thereafter, Space Florida shall complete a risk -based compliance 2809
4167	4167	assessment of all internal contracts executed by Space Florida 2810
4168	4168	for the preceding 3 fiscal years. The assessment must include 2811
4169	4169	steps to reasonably ensure that contracted service 2812
4170	4170	organizations' controls relevant to services provided are 2813
4171	4171	suitably designed and operating effectively. The assessment 2814
4172	4172	findings must be submitted to the bo ard of directors, the 2815
4173	4173	Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or his or her 2816
4174	4174	designee, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 2817
4175	4175	Speaker of the House of Representatives. 2818
4176	4176	Section 99. Subsection (1) of section 332.115, Florida 2819
4177	4177	Statutes, is amended to read: 2820
4178	4178	332.115 Joint project agreement with port district for 2821
4179	4179	transportation corridor between airport and port facility. — 2822
4180	4180	(1) An eligible agency may acquire, construct, and operate 2823
4181	4181	all equipment, appurtenances, and land necessary to establish, 2824
4182	4182	maintain, and operate, or to license others to establish, 2825
4183	4183
4184	4184	HB 7037 2024
4185	4185
4186	4186
4187	4187
4188	4188	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4189	4189	hb7037-00
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4191	4191	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
4192	4192
4193	4193
4194	4194
4195	4195	maintain, operate, or use, a transportation corridor connecting 2826
4196	4196	an airport operated by such eligible agency with a port 2827
4197	4197	facility, which corridor must be acquired, constructed, and used 2828
4198	4198	for the transportation of persons between the airport and the 2829
4199	4199	port facility, for the transportation of cargo, and for the 2830
4200	4200	location and operation of lines for the transmission of water, 2831
4201	4201	electricity, communications, information, petroleum products, 2832
4202	4202	products of a public ut ility (including new technologies of a 2833
4203	4203	public utility nature), and materials. However, any such 2834
4204	4204	corridor may be established and operated only pursuant to a 2835
4205	4205	joint project agreement between an eligible agency as defined in 2836
4206	4206	s. 332.004 and a port district as d efined in s. 315.02, and such 2837
4207	4207	agreement must be approved by the Department of Transportation 2838
4208	4208	and the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . Before the 2839
4209	4209	Department of Transportation approves the joint project 2840
4210	4210	agreement, that department must review the public purpose and 2841
4211	4211	necessity for the corridor pursuant to s. 337.273(5) and must 2842
4212	4212	also determine that the proposed corridor is consistent with the 2843
4213	4213	Florida Transportation Plan. Before the Department of Commerce 2844
4214	4214	Economic Opportunity approves the joint project agreement, that 2845
4215	4215	department must determine that the proposed corridor is 2846
4216	4216	consistent with the applicable local government comprehensive 2847
4217	4217	plans. An affected local government may provide its comments 2848
4218	4218	regarding the consistency of the proposed corridor with its 2849
4219	4219	comprehensive plan to the Department of Commerce Economic 2850
4220	4220
4221	4221	HB 7037 2024
4222	4222
4223	4223
4224	4224
4225	4225	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4226	4226	hb7037-00
4227	4227	Page 115 of 338
4228	4228	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
4229	4229
4230	4230
4231	4231
4232	4232	Opportunity. 2851
4233	4233	Section 100. Subsection (3) of section 334.065, Florida 2852
4234	4234	Statutes, is amended to read: 2853
4235	4235	334.065 Center for Urban Transportation Research. — 2854
4236	4236	(3) An advisory board shall be created t o periodically and 2855
4237	4237	objectively review and advise the center concerning its research 2856
4238	4238	program. Except for projects mandated by law, state -funded base 2857
4239	4239	projects shall not be undertaken without approval of the 2858
4240	4240	advisory board. The membership of the board shall c onsist of 2859
4241	4241	nine experts in transportation -related areas, including the 2860
4242	4242	secretaries of the Department of Transportation, the Department 2861
4243	4243	of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Commerce 2862
4244	4244	Economic Opportunity , or their designees, and a member of the 2863
4245	4245	Florida Transportation Commission. The nomination of the 2864
4246	4246	remaining members of the board shall be made to the President of 2865
4247	4247	the University of South Florida by the College of Engineering at 2866
4248	4248	the University of South Florida, and the appointment of these 2867
4249	4249	members must be reviewed and approved by the Florida 2868
4250	4250	Transportation Commission and confirmed by the Board of 2869
4251	4251	Governors. 2870
4252	4252	Section 101. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section 2871
4253	4253	334.066, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2872
4254	4254	334.066 Implementing Solutions fro m Transportation 2873
4255	4255	Research and Evaluating Emerging Technologies Living Lab. — 2874
4256	4256	(3) An advisory board shall be created to periodically 2875
4257	4257
4258	4258	HB 7037 2024
4259	4259
4260	4260
4261	4261
4262	4262	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4263	4263	hb7037-00
4264	4264	Page 116 of 338
4265	4265	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
4266	4266
4267	4267
4268	4268
4269	4269	review and advise I-STREET concerning its research program. The 2876
4270	4270	board shall consist of nine members with expertise in 2877
4271	4271	transportation-related areas, as follows: 2878
4272	4272	(d) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or his 2879
4273	4273	or her designee. 2880
4274	4274	Section 102. Paragraph (f) of subsection (4) of section 2881
4275	4275	339.135, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2882
4276	4276	339.135 Work program; legislative budget request; 2883
4277	4277	definitions; preparation, adoption, execution, and amendment. — 2884
4278	4278	(4) FUNDING AND DEVELOPING A TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAM. — 2885
4279	4279	(f) The central office shall submit a preliminary copy of 2886
4280	4280	the tentative work program to the Executive Office of the 2887
4281	4281	Governor, the legislative appropriations committees, the Florida 2888
4282	4282	Transportation Commission, and the Department of Commerce 2889
4283	4283	Economic Opportunity at least 14 days prior to the convening of 2890
4284	4284	the regular legislative session. Prior to the statewide public 2891
4285	4285	hearing required by paragraph (g), the Department of Commerce 2892
4286	4286	Economic Opportunity shall transmit to the Florida 2893
4287	4287	Transportation Commission a list of those projects and project 2894
4288	4288	phases contained in the tentative work program which are 2895
4289	4289	identified as being inconsisten t with approved local government 2896
4290	4290	comprehensive plans. For urbanized areas of metropolitan 2897
4291	4291	planning organizations, the list may not contain any project or 2898
4292	4292	project phase that is scheduled in a transportation improvement 2899
4293	4293	program unless such inconsistency has been previously reported 2900
4294	4294
4295	4295	HB 7037 2024
4296	4296
4297	4297
4298	4298
4299	4299	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4300	4300	hb7037-00
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4302	4302	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
4303	4303
4304	4304
4305	4305
4306	4306	to the affected metropolitan planning organization. 2901
4307	4307	Section 103. Paragraphs (f) and (g) of subsection (8) of 2902
4308	4308	section 339.175, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2903
4309	4309	339.175 Metropolitan planning organization. — 2904
4310	4310	(8) TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. —Each M.P.O. shall, 2905
4311	4311	in cooperation with the state and affected public transportation 2906
4312	4312	operators, develop a transportation improvement program for the 2907
4313	4313	area within the jurisdiction of the M.P.O. In the development of 2908
4314	4314	the transportation improvement program, each M.P.O. must provide 2909
4315	4315	the public, affected public agencies, representatives of 2910
4316	4316	transportation agency employees, freight shippers, providers of 2911
4317	4317	freight transportation services, private providers of 2912
4318	4318	transportation, representatives of users of public transit, and 2913
4319	4319	other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to 2914
4320	4320	comment on the proposed transportation improvement program. 2915
4321	4321	(f) The adopted annual transportation improvement program 2916
4322	4322	for M.P.O.'s in nonattainment or maintenance a reas must be 2917
4323	4323	submitted to the district secretary and the Department of 2918
4324	4324	Commerce Economic Opportunity at least 90 days before the 2919
4325	4325	submission of the state transportation improvement program by 2920
4326	4326	the department to the appropriate federal agencies. The annual 2921
4327	4327	transportation improvement program for M.P.O.'s in attainment 2922
4328	4328	areas must be submitted to the district secretary and the 2923
4329	4329	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity at least 45 days 2924
4330	4330	before the department submits the state transportation 2925
4331	4331
4332	4332	HB 7037 2024
4333	4333
4334	4334
4335	4335
4336	4336	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4337	4337	hb7037-00
4338	4338	Page 118 of 338
4339	4339	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
4340	4340
4341	4341
4342	4342
4343	4343	improvement program to the appropriate federal agencies; 2926
4344	4344	however, the department, the Department of Commerce Economic 2927
4345	4345	Opportunity, and a metropolitan planning organization may, in 2928
4346	4346	writing, agree to vary this submittal date. The Governor or the 2929
4347	4347	Governor's designee shall review a nd approve each transportation 2930
4348	4348	improvement program and any amendments thereto. 2931
4349	4349	(g) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 2932
4350	4350	review the annual transportation improvement program of each 2933
4351	4351	M.P.O. for consistency with the approved local governmen t 2934
4352	4352	comprehensive plans of the units of local government whose 2935
4353	4353	boundaries are within the metropolitan area of each M.P.O. and 2936
4354	4354	shall identify those projects that are inconsistent with such 2937
4355	4355	comprehensive plans. The Department of Commerce Economic 2938
4356	4356	Opportunity shall notify an M.P.O. of any transportation 2939
4357	4357	projects contained in its transportation improvement program 2940
4358	4358	which are inconsistent with the approved local government 2941
4359	4359	comprehensive plans of the units of local government whose 2942
4360	4360	boundaries are within the metropol itan area of the M.P.O. 2943
4361	4361	Section 104. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and 2944
4362	4362	subsections (2) and (6) of section 339.2821, Florida Statutes, 2945
4363	4363	are amended to read: 2946
4364	4364	339.2821 Economic development transportation projects. — 2947
4365	4365	(1) 2948
4366	4366	(b) As used in this section, t he term: 2949
4367	4367	1. "Governmental body" means an instrumentality of the 2950
4368	4368
4369	4369	HB 7037 2024
4370	4370
4371	4371
4372	4372
4373	4373	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4374	4374	hb7037-00
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4376	4376	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
4377	4377
4378	4378
4379	4379
4380	4380	state or a county, municipality, district, authority, board, or 2951
4381	4381	commission, or an agency thereof, within which jurisdiction the 2952
4382	4382	transportation project is located and which is responsible to 2953
4383	4383	the department for the transportation project. 2954
4384	4384	2. "Transportation project" means a transportation 2955
4385	4385	facility, as defined in s. 334.03, which the department, in 2956
4386	4386	consultation with the Department of Commerce Economic 2957
4387	4387	Opportunity, deems necessary to facilitate the economic 2958
4388	4388	development and growth of the state. 2959
4389	4389	(2) The department, in consultation with the Department of 2960
4390	4390	Commerce Economic Opportunity , shall review each transportation 2961
4391	4391	project for approval and funding. In the review, the department 2962
4392	4392	must consider: 2963
4393	4393	(a) The cost per job created or retained considering the 2964
4394	4394	amount of transportation funds requested; 2965
4395	4395	(b) The average hourly rate of wages for jobs created; 2966
4396	4396	(c) The reliance on any program as an inducement for 2967
4397	4397	determining the transportation project's location; 2968
4398	4398	(d) The amount of capital investment to be made by a 2969
4399	4399	business; 2970
4400	4400	(e) The demonstrated local commitment; 2971
4401	4401	(f) The location of the transportation project in an 2972
4402	4402	enterprise zone as designated in s. 290.0055; 2973
4403	4403	(g) The location of the transportatio n project in a 2974
4404	4404	spaceport territory as defined in s. 331.304; 2975
4405	4405
4406	4406	HB 7037 2024
4407	4407
4408	4408
4409	4409
4410	4410	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4413	4413	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
4414	4414
4415	4415
4416	4416
4417	4417	(h) The unemployment rate of the surrounding area; and 2976
4418	4418	(i) The poverty rate of the community. 2977
4419	4419	2978
4420	4420	The department may contact any agency it deems appropriate for 2979
4421	4421	additional information regarding the approval of a 2980
4422	4422	transportation project. A transportation project must be 2981
4423	4423	approved by the department to be eligible for funding. 2982
4424	4424	(6) Each governmental body receiving funds under this 2983
4425	4425	section shall submit to the department a financial audit of the 2984
4426	4426	governmental body conducted by an independent certified public 2985
4427	4427	accountant. The department, in consultation with the Department 2986
4428	4428	of Commerce Economic Opportunity , shall develop procedures to 2987
4429	4429	ensure that audits are received and reviewed in a timely manner 2988
4430	4430	and that deficiencies or questioned costs noted in the audit are 2989
4431	4431	resolved. 2990
4432	4432	Section 105. Subsection (1) of section 342.201, Florida 2991
4433	4433	Statutes, is amended to read: 2992
4434	4434	342.201 Waterfronts Florida Program. — 2993
4435	4435	(1) There is established within the Department of Commerce 2994
4436	4436	Economic Opportunity the Waterfronts Florida Program to provide 2995
4437	4437	technical assistance and support to communities in revitalizing 2996
4438	4438	waterfront areas in this state. 2997
4439	4439	Section 106. Subsection (3) of section 369.303, Florida 2998
4440	4440	Statutes, is amended to read: 2999
4441	4441	369.303 Definitions.—As used in this part: 3000
4442	4442
4443	4443	HB 7037 2024
4444	4444
4445	4445
4446	4446
4447	4447	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4449	4449	Page 121 of 338
4450	4450	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
4451	4451
4452	4452
4453	4453
4454	4454	(3) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 3001
4455	4455	Opportunity. 3002
4456	4456	Section 107. Subsection (1) of section 369.318, Florida 3003
4457	4457	Statutes, is amended to read: 3004
4458	4458	369.318 Studies.— 3005
4459	4459	(1) The Department of Environm ental Protection shall study 3006
4460	4460	the efficacy and applicability of water quality and wastewater 3007
4461	4461	treatment standards needed to achieve nitrogen reductions 3008
4462	4462	protective of surface and groundwater quality within the Wekiva 3009
4463	4463	Study Area and report to the Governor and the Department of 3010
4464	4464	Commerce Economic Opportunity . The Department of Environmental 3011
4465	4465	Protection may adopt rules to implement the specific 3012
4466	4466	recommendations set forth in sections C.2. and C.4. of its 3013
4467	4467	report entitled "A Strategy for Water Quality Protection: 3014
4468	4468	Wastewater Treatment in the Wekiva Study Area," dated December 3015
4469	4469	2004, in order to achieve nitrogen reductions protective of 3016
4470	4470	surface and groundwater quality in the Wekiva Study Area and 3017
4471	4471	implement Recommendation 8 of the Wekiva River Basin 3018
4472	4472	Coordinating Committee's final report dated March 16, 2004. The 3019
4473	4473	rules shall provide an opportunity for relief from such specific 3020
4474	4474	recommendations upon affirmative demonstration by the permittee 3021
4475	4475	or permit applicant, based on water quality data, physical 3022
4476	4476	circumstances, or other cred ible information, that the discharge 3023
4477	4477	of treated wastewater is protective of surface water and 3024
4478	4478	groundwater quality with respect to nitrate nitrogen as set 3025
4479	4479
4480	4480	HB 7037 2024
4481	4481
4482	4482
4483	4483
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4487	4487	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
4488	4488
4489	4489
4490	4490
4491	4491	forth in section C.1. of the referenced December 2004 report. 3026
4492	4492	Section 108. Subsections (5) and (7) of section 369.321, 3027
4493	4493	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 3028
4494	4494	369.321 Comprehensive plan amendments. —Except as otherwise 3029
4495	4495	expressly provided, by January 1, 2006, each local government 3030
4496	4496	within the Wekiva Study Area shall amend its local government 3031
4497	4497	comprehensive plan to include the following: 3032
4498	4498	(5) Comprehensive plans and comprehensive plan amendments 3033
4499	4499	adopted by the local governments to implement this section shall 3034
4500	4500	be reviewed by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 3035
4501	4501	pursuant to s. 163.3184. 3036
4502	4502	(7) During the period prior to the adoption of the 3037
4503	4503	comprehensive plan amendments required by this act, any local 3038
4504	4504	comprehensive plan amendment adopted by a city or county that 3039
4505	4505	applies to land located within the Wekiva Study Area shall 3040
4506	4506	protect surface and groundwat er resources and be reviewed by the 3041
4507	4507	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity using best available 3042
4508	4508	data, including the information presented to the Wekiva River 3043
4509	4509	Basin Coordinating Committee. 3044
4510	4510	Section 109. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 369.322, 3045
4511	4511	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 3046
4512	4512	369.322 Coordination of land use and water supply within 3047
4513	4513	the Wekiva Study Area. — 3048
4514	4514	(1) In their review of local government comprehensive plan 3049
4515	4515	amendments for property located within the Wekiva Study Area 3050
4516	4516
4517	4517	HB 7037 2024
4518	4518
4519	4519
4520	4520
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4524	4524	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
4525	4525
4526	4526
4527	4527
4528	4528	pursuant to s. 163.3184, the Department of Commerce Economic 3051
4529	4529	Opportunity and the St. Johns River Water Management District 3052
4530	4530	shall assure that amendments that increase development potential 3053
4531	4531	demonstrate that adequate potable water consumptive use permit 3054
4532	4532	capacity is available. 3055
4533	4533	(3) In recognition of the need to balance resource 3056
4534	4534	protection, existing infrastructure and improvements planned or 3057
4535	4535	committed as part of approved development, consistent with 3058
4536	4536	existing municipal or county comprehensive plans and economic 3059
4537	4537	development opportunities, planned community development 3060
4538	4538	initiatives that assure protection of surface and groundwater 3061
4539	4539	resources while promoting compact, ecologically and economically 3062
4540	4540	sustainable growth should be encouraged. Small area studies, 3063
4541	4541	sector plans, or similar planning tools should support these 3064
4542	4542	community development initiatives. In addition, the Department 3065
4543	4543	of Commerce Economic Opportunity may make available best 3066
4544	4544	practice guides that demonstrate how to balance resource 3067
4545	4545	protection and economic development opportu nities. 3068
4546	4546	Section 110. Section 369.323, Florida Statutes, is amended 3069
4547	4547	to read: 3070
4548	4548	369.323 Compliance. —Comprehensive plans and plan 3071
4549	4549	amendments adopted by the local governments within the Wekiva 3072
4550	4550	Study Area to implement this act shall be reviewed for 3073
4551	4551	compliance by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3074
4552	4552	Section 111. Subsectio ns (1) and (5) of section 369.324, 3075
4553	4553
4554	4554	HB 7037 2024
4555	4555
4556	4556
4557	4557
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4561	4561	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
4562	4562
4563	4563
4564	4564
4565	4565	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 3076
4566	4566	369.324 Wekiva River Basin Commission. — 3077
4567	4567	(1) The Wekiva River Basin Commission is created to 3078
4568	4568	monitor and ensure the implementation of the recommendations of 3079
4569	4569	the Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee for the Wekiva 3080
4570	4570	Study Area. The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council 3081
4571	4571	shall provide staff support to the commission with funding 3082
4572	4572	assistance from the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3083
4573	4573	The commission shall be compri sed of a total of 18 members 3084
4574	4574	appointed by the Governor, 9 of whom shall be voting members and 3085
4575	4575	9 shall be ad hoc nonvoting members. The voting members shall 3086
4576	4576	include: 3087
4577	4577	(a) One member of each of the Boards of County 3088
4578	4578	Commissioners for Lake, Orange, and Semino le Counties. 3089
4579	4579	(b) One municipal elected official to serve as a 3090
4580	4580	representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva 3091
4581	4581	Study Area of Lake County. 3092
4582	4582	(c) One municipal elected official to serve as a 3093
4583	4583	representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva 3094
4584	4584	Study Area of Orange County. 3095
4585	4585	(d) One municipal elected official to serve as a 3096
4586	4586	representative of the municipalities located within the Wekiva 3097
4587	4587	Study Area of Seminole County. 3098
4588	4588	(e) One citizen representing an environmental or 3099
4589	4589	conservation organization, one citizen representing a local 3100
4590	4590
4591	4591	HB 7037 2024
4592	4592
4593	4593
4594	4594
4595	4595	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4598	4598	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
4599	4599
4600	4600
4601	4601
4602	4602	property owner, a land developer, or an agricultural entity, and 3101
4603	4603	one at-large citizen who shall serve as chair of the council. 3102
4604	4604	(f) The ad hoc nonvoting members shall include one 3103
4605	4605	representative from each of the fol lowing entities: 3104
4606	4606	1. St. Johns River Management District. 3105
4607	4607	2. Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3106
4608	4608	3. Department of Environmental Protection. 3107
4609	4609	4. Department of Health. 3108
4610	4610	5. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 3109
4611	4611	6. Fish and Wildlif e Conservation Commission. 3110
4612	4612	7. Department of Transportation. 3111
4613	4613	8. MetroPlan Orlando. 3112
4614	4614	9. Central Florida Expressway Authority. 3113
4615	4615	(5) The commission shall report annually, no later than 3114
4616	4616	December 31 of each year, to the Governor, the President of the 3115
4617	4617	Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the 3116
4618	4618	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity on implementation 3117
4619	4619	progress. 3118
4620	4620	Section 112. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 3119
4621	4621	373.199, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3120
4622	4622	373.199 Florida For ever Water Management District Work 3121
4623	4623	Plan.— 3122
4624	4624	(3) In developing the list, each water management district 3123
4625	4625	shall: 3124
4626	4626	(b) Work cooperatively with the applicable ecosystem 3125
4627	4627
4628	4628	HB 7037 2024
4629	4629
4630	4630
4631	4631
4632	4632	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4635	4635	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
4636	4636
4637	4637
4638	4638
4639	4639	management area teams and other citizen advisory groups, the 3126
4640	4640	Department of Environmental P rotection and its district offices, 3127
4641	4641	the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Fish 3128
4642	4642	and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Commerce 3129
4643	4643	Economic Opportunity , the Department of Transportation, other 3130
4644	4644	state agencies, and federal age ncies, where applicable. 3131
4645	4645	Section 113. Subsection (5) of section 373.4149, Florida 3132
4646	4646	Statutes, is amended to read: 3133
4647	4647	373.4149 Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Plan. — 3134
4648	4648	(5) The secretary of the Department of Environmental 3135
4649	4649	Protection, the secretary of the Depart ment of Commerce Economic 3136
4650	4650	Opportunity, the secretary of the Department of Transportation, 3137
4651	4651	the Commissioner of Agriculture, the executive director of the 3138
4652	4652	Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the executive 3139
4653	4653	director of the South Florida Water Manage ment District may 3140
4654	4654	enter into agreements with landowners, developers, businesses, 3141
4655	4655	industries, individuals, and governmental agencies as necessary 3142
4656	4656	to effectuate the Miami -Dade County Lake Belt Plan and the 3143
4657	4657	provisions of this section. 3144
4658	4658	Section 114. Paragra ph (a) of subsection (1) of section 3145
4659	4659	373.453, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3146
4660	4660	373.453 Surface water improvement and management plans and 3147
4661	4661	programs.— 3148
4662	4662	(1)(a) Each water management district, in cooperation with 3149
4663	4663	the department, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer 3150
4664	4664
4665	4665	HB 7037 2024
4666	4666
4667	4667
4668	4668
4669	4669	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4671	4671	Page 127 of 338
4672	4672	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
4673	4673
4674	4674
4675	4675
4676	4676	Services, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the 3151
4677	4677	Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, local governments, 3152
4678	4678	and others, shall maintain a list that prioritizes water bodies 3153
4679	4679	of regional or statewide significance within the water 3154
4680	4680	management district. The list shall be reviewed and updated 3155
4681	4681	every 5 years. 3156
4682	4682	Section 115. Paragraph (f) of subsection (5) of section 3157
4683	4683	373.461, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3158
4684	4684	373.461 Lake Apopka improvement and management. — 3159
4685	4685	(5) PURCHASE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS. — 3160
4686	4686	(f)1. Tangible personal property acquired by the district 3161
4687	4687	as part of related facilities pursuant to this section, and 3162
4688	4688	classified as surplus by the district, shall be sold by the 3163
4689	4689	Department of Management Services. The Department of Management 3164
4690	4690	Services shall deposit the proceeds of such sale in the Economic 3165
4691	4691	Development Trust Fund in the Department of Commerce Economic 3166
4692	4692	Opportunity. The proceeds shall be used for the purpose of 3167
4693	4693	providing economic and infrastructure development in portions of 3168
4694	4694	northwestern Orange County and east central Lake County which 3169
4695	4695	will be adversely affected economically due to the acquisition 3170
4696	4696	of lands pursuant to this subsection. 3171
4697	4697	2. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall, 3172
4698	4698	upon presentation of the appropriate documentation justifying 3173
4699	4699	expenditure of the funds deposited pursuant to this paragraph, 3174
4700	4700	pay any obligation for which it has sufficient funds from the 3175
4701	4701
4702	4702	HB 7037 2024
4703	4703
4704	4704
4705	4705
4706	4706	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4709	4709	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
4710	4710
4711	4711
4712	4712
4713	4713	proceeds of the sale of tangible personal property and which 3176
4714	4714	meets the limitations specified in paragraph (g). The authority 3177
4715	4715	of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to expend 3178
4716	4716	such funds shall expire 5 years from the effective date of this 3179
4717	4717	paragraph. Such expenditures may occur without future 3180
4718	4718	appropriation from the Legislature. 3181
4719	4719	3. Funds deposited under this paragraph may not be used 3182
4720	4720	for any purpose other than those enumerated in paragraph (g). 3183
4721	4721	Section 116. Subsection (1) of section 375.021, Florida 3184
4722	4722	Statutes, is amended to read: 3185
4723	4723	375.021 Comprehensive multipurpose outdoor recreation 3186
4724	4724	plan.— 3187
4725	4725	(1) The department is given the responsibility, authority, 3188
4726	4726	and power to develop and execute a comprehensive multipurpose 3189
4727	4727	outdoor recreation plan for this state with the cooperation of 3190
4728	4728	the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the 3191
4729	4729	Department of Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation 3192
4730	4730	Commission, the Depart ment of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and 3193
4731	4731	the water management districts. 3194
4732	4732	Section 117. Subsection (1), paragraph (c) of subsection 3195
4733	4733	(2), subsection (3), and paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection 3196
4734	4734	(4) of section 377.809, Florida Statutes, are amended to r ead: 3197
4735	4735	377.809 Energy Economic Zone Pilot Program. — 3198
4736	4736	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in 3199
4737	4737	consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall 3200
4738	4738
4739	4739	HB 7037 2024
4740	4740
4741	4741
4742	4742
4743	4743	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4746	4746	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
4747	4747
4748	4748
4749	4749
4750	4750	implement an Energy Economic Zone Pilot Program for the purpose 3201
4751	4751	of developing a model to help communities cultivate green 3202
4752	4752	economic development, encourage renewable electric energy 3203
4753	4753	generation, manufacture products that contribute to energy 3204
4754	4754	conservation and green jobs, and further implement chapter 2008 -3205
4755	4755	191, Laws of Florida, relative to discour aging sprawl and 3206
4756	4756	developing energy-efficient land use patterns and greenhouse gas 3207
4757	4757	reduction strategies. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer 3208
4758	4758	Services shall provide technical assistance to the departments 3209
4759	4759	in developing and administering the program. 3210
4760	4760	(2) 3211
4761	4761	(c) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3212
4762	4762	grant at least one application if the application meets the 3213
4763	4763	requirements of this subsection and the community has 3214
4764	4764	demonstrated a prior commitment to energy conservation, carbon 3215
4765	4765	reduction, green building, and economic development. The 3216
4766	4766	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall provide the 3217
4767	4767	pilot community, including businesses within the energy economic 3218
4768	4768	zone, with technical assistance in identifying and qualifying 3219
4769	4769	for eligible grants and c redits in job creation, energy, and 3220
4770	4770	other areas. 3221
4771	4771	(3) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3222
4772	4772	submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, 3223
4773	4773	and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by February 15, 3224
4774	4774	2015, evaluating whet her the pilot program has demonstrated 3225
4775	4775
4776	4776	HB 7037 2024
4777	4777
4778	4778
4779	4779
4780	4780	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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4783	4783	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
4784	4784
4785	4785
4786	4786
4787	4787	success. The report shall contain recommendations with regard to 3226
4788	4788	whether the program should be expanded for use by other local 3227
4789	4789	governments and whether state policies should be revised to 3228
4790	4790	encourage the goals of the pro gram. 3229
4791	4791	(4) 3230
4792	4792	(c) Upon approving an incentive for an eligible business, 3231
4793	4793	the governing body that has jurisdiction over the energy 3232
4794	4794	economic zone shall provide the taxpayer with a certificate 3233
4795	4795	indicating the name and federal identification number of the 3234
4796	4796	eligible business, the date the incentive is provided, the name 3235
4797	4797	of the energy economic zone, the incentive type, and the 3236
4798	4798	incentive amount. The local governing body shall certify to the 3237
4799	4799	Department of Revenue or the Department of Commerce Economic 3238
4800	4800	Opportunity, whichever is applicable, which businesses or 3239
4801	4801	properties are eligible to receive any or all of the state 3240
4802	4802	incentives according to their statutory requirements. The 3241
4803	4803	governing body that has jurisdiction over the energy economic 3242
4804	4804	zone shall provide a copy of the cer tificate to the Department 3243
4805	4805	of Revenue and the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 3244
4806	4806	as notification that such incentives were approved for the 3245
4807	4807	specific eligible business or property. For incentives to be 3246
4808	4808	claimed against the sales and use tax under ch apter 212, the 3247
4809	4809	Department of Revenue shall send, within 14 days after receipt, 3248
4810	4810	written instructions to an eligible business on how to claim the 3249
4811	4811	credit on a sales and use tax return initiated through an 3250
4812	4812
4813	4813	HB 7037 2024
4814	4814
4815	4815
4816	4816
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4819	4819	Page 131 of 338
4820	4820	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
4821	4821
4822	4822
4823	4823
4824	4824	electronic data interchange. Any credit against the sa les and 3251
4825	4825	use tax shall be deducted from any sales and use tax remitted by 3252
4826	4826	the dealer to the Department of Revenue by electronic funds 3253
4827	4827	transfer and may be deducted only on a sales and use tax return 3254
4828	4828	initiated through an electronic data interchange. The deale r 3255
4829	4829	shall separately state the credit on the electronic return. The 3256
4830	4830	net amount of tax due and payable must be remitted by electronic 3257
4831	4831	funds transfer. If the credit exceeds the amount owed on the 3258
4832	4832	sales and use tax return, such excess amount may be carried 3259
4833	4833	forward for a period not to exceed 12 months after the date that 3260
4834	4834	the credit is initially claimed. 3261
4835	4835	(d) If all conditions are deemed met, the Department of 3262
4836	4836	Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Department of Revenue may 3263
4837	4837	adopt emergency rules pursuant to ss. 12 0.536(1) and 120.54 to 3264
4838	4838	administer this subsection. The emergency rules shall remain in 3265
4839	4839	effect for 6 months after the rules are adopted, and the rules 3266
4840	4840	may be renewed while the procedures to adopt permanent rules 3267
4841	4841	addressing the subject of the emergency rules are pending. 3268
4842	4842	Section 118. Subsection (3) of section 378.411, Florida 3269
4843	4843	Statutes, is amended to read: 3270
4844	4844	378.411 Certification to receive notices of intent to 3271
4845	4845	mine, to review, and to inspect for compliance. — 3272
4846	4846	(3) In making his or her determination, the s ecretary 3273
4847	4847	shall consult with the Department of Commerce Economic 3274
4848	4848	Opportunity, the appropriate regional planning council, and the 3275
4849	4849
4850	4850	HB 7037 2024
4851	4851
4852	4852
4853	4853
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4857	4857	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
4858	4858
4859	4859
4860	4860
4861	4861	appropriate water management district. 3276
4862	4862	Section 119. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section 3277
4863	4863	379.2291, Florida Statutes, i s amended to read: 3278
4864	4864	379.2291 Endangered and Threatened Species Act. — 3279
4865	4865	(4) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. — 3280
4866	4866	(c) The commission, in consultation with the Department of 3281
4867	4867	Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Commerce 3282
4868	4868	Economic Opportunity , or the Department of Transportation, may 3283
4869	4869	establish reduced speed zones along roads, streets, and highways 3284
4870	4870	to protect endangered species or threatened species. 3285
4871	4871	Section 120. Subsection (18) of section 380.031, Florida 3286
4872	4872	Statutes, is amended to read: 3287
4873	4873	380.031 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: 3288
4874	4874	(18) "State land planning agency" means the Department of 3289
4875	4875	Commerce Economic Opportunity and may be referred to in this 3290
4876	4876	part as the "department." 3291
4877	4877	Section 121. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section 3292
4878	4878	380.093, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3293
4879	4879	380.093 Resilient Florida Grant Program; comprehensive 3294
4880	4880	statewide flood vulnerability and sea level rise data set and 3295
4881	4881	assessment; Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience 3296
4882	4882	Plan; regional resilience entities. — 3297
4883	4883	(3) RESILIENT FLORIDA GRANT PROGRAM. — 3298
4884	4884	(d) A vulnerability assessment conducted pursuant to 3299
4885	4885	paragraph (b) must include all of the following: 3300
4886	4886
4887	4887	HB 7037 2024
4888	4888
4889	4889
4890	4890
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4894	4894	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
4895	4895
4896	4896
4897	4897
4898	4898	1. Peril of flood comprehensive plan amendments that 3301
4899	4899	address the requirements of s. 163.3178(2)(f), if the coun ty or 3302
4900	4900	municipality is subject to such requirements and has not 3303
4901	4901	complied with such requirements as determined by the Department 3304
4902	4902	of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3305
4903	4903	2. If applicable, the depth of: 3306
4904	4904	a. Tidal flooding, including future high tide flooding, 3307
4905	4905	which must use thresholds published and provided by the 3308
4906	4906	department. To the extent practicable, the analysis should also 3309
4907	4907	geographically display the number of tidal flood days expected 3310
4908	4908	for each scenario and planning horizon. 3311
4909	4909	b. Current and future storm surge flooding using publicly 3312
4910	4910	available National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or 3313
4911	4911	Federal Emergency Management Agency storm surge data. The 3314
4912	4912	initial storm surge event used must equal or exceed the current 3315
4913	4913	100-year flood event. Higher frequency storm even ts may be 3316
4914	4914	analyzed to understand the exposure of a critical asset. 3317
4915	4915	c. To the extent practicable, rainfall -induced flooding 3318
4916	4916	using spatiotemporal analysis or existing hydrologic and 3319
4917	4917	hydraulic modeling results. Future boundary conditions should be 3320
4918	4918	modified to consider sea level rise and high tide conditions. 3321
4919	4919	Vulnerability assessments for rainfall -induced flooding must 3322
4920	4920	include the depth of rainfall -induced flooding for a 100 -year 3323
4921	4921	storm and a 500-year storm, as defined by the applicable water 3324
4922	4922	management district or, if necessary, the appropriate federal 3325
4923	4923
4924	4924	HB 7037 2024
4925	4925
4926	4926
4927	4927
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4931	4931	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
4932	4932
4933	4933
4934	4934
4935	4935	agency. Future rainfall conditions should be used, if available. 3326
4936	4936	Noncoastal communities must perform a rainfall -induced flooding 3327
4937	4937	assessment. 3328
4938	4938	d. To the extent practicable, compound flooding or the 3329
4939	4939	combination of tidal, storm surge, and rainfall -induced 3330
4940	4940	flooding. 3331
4941	4941	3. The following scenarios and standards: 3332
4942	4942	a. All analyses in the North American Vertical Datum of 3333
4943	4943	1988. 3334
4944	4944	b. At least two local sea level rise scenarios, which must 3335
4945	4945	include the 2017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 3336
4946	4946	intermediate-low and intermediate -high sea level rise 3337
4947	4947	projections. 3338
4948	4948	c. At least two planning horizons that include planning 3339
4949	4949	horizons for the years 2040 and 2070. 3340
4950	4950	d. Local sea level data that has been interpolated between 3341
4951	4951	the two closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 3342
4952	4952	tide gauges. Local sea level data may be taken from one such 3343
4953	4953	gauge if the gauge has a higher mean sea level. Data taken from 3344
4954	4954	an alternate tide gauge may be used with appropriate rationale 3345
4955	4955	and department approval, as long as it is publicly available or 3346
4956	4956	submitted to the department pursuant to paragraph (b). 3347
4957	4957	Section 122. Subsection (6) of section 381.0086, Florida 3348
4958	4958	Statutes, is amended to read: 3349
4959	4959	381.0086 Rules; variances; penalties. — 3350
4960	4960
4961	4961	HB 7037 2024
4962	4962
4963	4963
4964	4964
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4966	4966	hb7037-00
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4968	4968	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
4969	4969
4970	4970
4971	4971
4972	4972	(6) For the purposes of filing an interstate clearance 3351
4973	4973	order with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , if 3352
4974	4974	the housing is covered by 20 C.F.R. part 654, subpart E, no 3353
4975	4975	permanent structural variance referred to in subsection (2) is 3354
4976	4976	allowed. 3355
4977	4977	Section 123. Subsection (6) of section 397.754, Florida 3356
4978	4978	Statutes, is amended to read: 3357
4979	4979	397.754 Duties and responsibilities of the Department of 3358
4980	4980	Corrections.—The Department of Corrections shall: 3359
4981	4981	(6) In cooperation with other agencies, actively seek to 3360
4982	4982	enhance resources for the provision of treatment services for 3361
4983	4983	inmates and to develop partnerships with other state agencies, 3362
4984	4984	including but not limited to the Departments of Children and 3363
4985	4985	Families, Education, Commerce Economic Opportunity , and Law 3364
4986	4986	Enforcement. 3365
4987	4987	Section 124. Subsection (5) of section 403.0752, Florida 3366
4988	4988	Statutes, is amended to read: 3367
4989	4989	403.0752 Ecosystem management agreements. — 3368
4990	4990	(5) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the 3369
4991	4991	Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Agriculture, 3370
4992	4992	the Executive Director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation 3371
4993	4993	Commission, and the executive directors of the water management 3372
4994	4994	districts are authorized to participate in the development of 3373
4995	4995	ecosystem management agreements with regulated entities and 3374
4996	4996	other governmental agencies as necessary to effectuate the 3375
4997	4997
4998	4998	HB 7037 2024
4999	4999
5000	5000
5001	5001
5002	5002	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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5005	5005	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
5006	5006
5007	5007
5008	5008
5009	5009	provisions of this section. Local governments are encouraged to 3376
5010	5010	participate in ecosystem management agreements. 3377
5011	5011	Section 125. Subsection (6) of section 403.0891, Florida 3378
5012	5012	Statutes, is amended to read: 3379
5013	5013	403.0891 State, regional, and local stormwater management 3380
5014	5014	plans and programs.—The department, the water management 3381
5015	5015	districts, and local governments shall have the responsibility 3382
5016	5016	for the development of mutually compatible stormwater management 3383
5017	5017	programs. 3384
5018	5018	(6) The department and the Department of Commerce Economic 3385
5019	5019	Opportunity, in cooperation with local governments in the 3386
5020	5020	coastal zone, shall develop a model stormwater management 3387
5021	5021	program that could be adopted by local governments. The model 3388
5022	5022	program must contain model ord inances that target nutrient 3389
5023	5023	reduction practices and use green infrastructure. The model 3390
5024	5024	program shall contain dedicated funding options, including a 3391
5025	5025	stormwater utility fee system based upon an equitable unit cost 3392
5026	5026	approach. Funding options shall be designe d to generate capital 3393
5027	5027	to retrofit existing stormwater management systems, build new 3394
5028	5028	treatment systems, operate facilities, and maintain and service 3395
5029	5029	debt. 3396
5030	5030	Section 126. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 3397
5031	5031	403.507, Florida Statutes, is amended to r ead: 3398
5032	5032	403.507 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, project 3399
5033	5033	analyses, and studies. — 3400
5034	5034
5035	5035	HB 7037 2024
5036	5036
5037	5037
5038	5038
5039	5039	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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5042	5042	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
5043	5043
5044	5044
5045	5045
5046	5046	(2)(a) No later than 100 days after the certification 3401
5047	5047	application has been determined complete, the following agencies 3402
5048	5048	shall prepare reports as provided below and shall submit them to 3403
5049	5049	the department and the applicant, unless a final order denying 3404
5050	5050	the determination of need has been issued under s. 403.519: 3405
5051	5051	1. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3406
5052	5052	prepare a report containing recommendations which address the 3407
5053	5053	impact upon the public of the proposed electrical power plant, 3408
5054	5054	based on the degree to which the electrical power plant is 3409
5055	5055	consistent with the applicable portions of the state 3410
5056	5056	comprehensive plan, emergency management, and other such matters 3411
5057	5057	within its jurisdiction. The Department of Commerce Economic 3412
5058	5058	Opportunity may also comment on the consistency of the proposed 3413
5059	5059	electrical power plant with applicable strategic regional policy 3414
5060	5060	plans or local comprehensive plans and land development 3415
5061	5061	regulations. 3416
5062	5062	2. The water management district shall prepare a report as 3417
5063	5063	to matters within its jurisdiction, including but not limited 3418
5064	5064	to, the impact of the proposed electrical power plant on water 3419
5065	5065	resources, regional water supply planning, and district -owned 3420
5066	5066	lands and works. 3421
5067	5067	3. Each local government in whose jurisdiction the 3422
5068	5068	proposed electrical power plant is to be located shall prepare a 3423
5069	5069	report as to the consistency of the proposed electrical power 3424
5070	5070	plant with all applicable local ordinances, regulations, 3425
5071	5071
5072	5072	HB 7037 2024
5073	5073
5074	5074
5075	5075
5076	5076	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5077	5077	hb7037-00
5078	5078	Page 138 of 338
5079	5079	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
5080	5080
5081	5081
5082	5082
5083	5083	standards, or criteria that apply to the proposed electrical 3426
5084	5084	power plant, including any applicable local environmental 3427
5085	5085	regulations adopted pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means. 3428
5086	5086	4. The Fish and Wildlife Co nservation Commission shall 3429
5087	5087	prepare a report as to matters within its jurisdiction. 3430
5088	5088	5. The Department of Transportation shall address the 3431
5089	5089	impact of the proposed electrical power plant on matters within 3432
5090	5090	its jurisdiction. 3433
5091	5091	Section 127. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 3434
5092	5092	403.508, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3435
5093	5093	403.508 Land use and certification hearings, parties, 3436
5094	5094	participants.— 3437
5095	5095	(3)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall include: 3438
5096	5096	1. The applicant. 3439
5097	5097	2. The Public Service Commission. 3440
5098	5098	3. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3441
5099	5099	4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 3442
5100	5100	5. The water management district. 3443
5101	5101	6. The department. 3444
5102	5102	7. The local government. 3445
5103	5103	8. The Department of Transportation. 3446
5104	5104	Section 128. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 3447
5105	5105	403.524, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3448
5106	5106	403.524 Applicability; certification; exemptions. — 3449
5107	5107	(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), construction of 3450
5108	5108
5109	5109	HB 7037 2024
5110	5110
5111	5111
5112	5112
5113	5113	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5114	5114	hb7037-00
5115	5115	Page 139 of 338
5116	5116	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
5117	5117
5118	5118
5119	5119
5120	5120	a transmission line may not be undertaken without first 3451
5121	5121	obtaining certification under this act, but this act does not 3452
5122	5122	apply to: 3453
5123	5123	(b) Transmission lines that have been exempted by a 3454
5124	5124	binding letter of interpretation issued under s. 380.06(3), or 3455
5125	5125	in which the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 3456
5126	5126	predecessor agency has determined the utility to have vested 3457
5127	5127	development rights within the meaning of s. 380.05(18) or s. 3458
5128	5128	380.06(8). 3459
5129	5129	Section 129. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 3460
5130	5130	403.526, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3461
5131	5131	403.526 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and 3462
5132	5132	project analyses; studies. — 3463
5133	5133	(2)(a) No later than 90 days after the filing of the 3464
5134	5134	application, the following agencies shall prepare reports as 3465
5135	5135	provided below, unless a final order denying the determination 3466
5136	5136	of need has been issued under s. 403.537: 3467
5137	5137	1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact 3468
5138	5138	of each proposed transmission line or corridor as it relates to 3469
5139	5139	matters within its jurisdiction. 3470
5140	5140	2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 3471
5141	5141	which a proposed trans mission line or corridor is to be located 3472
5142	5142	shall prepare a report as to the impact on water resources and 3473
5143	5143	other matters within its jurisdiction. 3474
5144	5144	3. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3475
5145	5145
5146	5146	HB 7037 2024
5147	5147
5148	5148
5149	5149
5150	5150	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5151	5151	hb7037-00
5152	5152	Page 140 of 338
5153	5153	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
5154	5154
5155	5155
5156	5156
5157	5157	prepare a report containing recommendations which add ress the 3476
5158	5158	impact upon the public of the proposed transmission line or 3477
5159	5159	corridor, based on the degree to which the proposed transmission 3478
5160	5160	line or corridor is consistent with the applicable portions of 3479
5161	5161	the state comprehensive plan, emergency management, and oth er 3480
5162	5162	matters within its jurisdiction. The Department of Commerce 3481
5163	5163	Economic Opportunity may also comment on the consistency of the 3482
5164	5164	proposed transmission line or corridor with applicable strategic 3483
5165	5165	regional policy plans or local comprehensive plans and land 3484
5166	5166	development regulations. 3485
5167	5167	4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall 3486
5168	5168	prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed transmission 3487
5169	5169	line or corridor on fish and wildlife resources and other 3488
5170	5170	matters within its jurisdiction. 3489
5171	5171	5. Each local governm ent shall prepare a report as to the 3490
5172	5172	impact of each proposed transmission line or corridor on matters 3491
5173	5173	within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of the 3492
5174	5174	proposed transmission line or corridor with all applicable local 3493
5175	5175	ordinances, regulations, standa rds, or criteria that apply to 3494
5176	5176	the proposed transmission line or corridor, including local 3495
5177	5177	comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, land development 3496
5178	5178	regulations, and any applicable local environmental regulations 3497
5179	5179	adopted pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means. A change by 3498
5180	5180	the responsible local government or local agency in local 3499
5181	5181	comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, or other regulations 3500
5182	5182
5183	5183	HB 7037 2024
5184	5184
5185	5185
5186	5186
5187	5187	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5188	5188	hb7037-00
5189	5189	Page 141 of 338
5190	5190	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
5191	5191
5192	5192
5193	5193
5194	5194	made after the date required for the filing of the local 3501
5195	5195	government's report required by this section is not applicabl e 3502
5196	5196	to the certification of the proposed transmission line or 3503
5197	5197	corridor unless the certification is denied or the application 3504
5198	5198	is withdrawn. 3505
5199	5199	6. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a report 3506
5200	5200	as to the impact of the proposed transmission line or corridor 3507
5201	5201	on state roads, railroads, airports, aeronautics, seaports, and 3508
5202	5202	other matters within its jurisdiction. 3509
5203	5203	7. The commission shall prepare a report containing its 3510
5204	5204	determination under s. 403.537, and the report may include the 3511
5205	5205	comments from the commi ssion with respect to any other subject 3512
5206	5206	within its jurisdiction. 3513
5207	5207	8. Any other agency, if requested by the department, shall 3514
5208	5208	also perform studies or prepare reports as to subjects within 3515
5209	5209	the jurisdiction of the agency which may potentially be affected 3516
5210	5210	by the proposed transmission line. 3517
5211	5211	Section 130. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 3518
5212	5212	403.527, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3519
5213	5213	403.527 Certification hearing, parties, participants. — 3520
5214	5214	(2)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall be: 3521
5215	5215	1. The applicant. 3522
5216	5216	2. The department. 3523
5217	5217	3. The commission. 3524
5218	5218	4. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3525
5219	5219
5220	5220	HB 7037 2024
5221	5221
5222	5222
5223	5223
5224	5224	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5225	5225	hb7037-00
5226	5226	Page 142 of 338
5227	5227	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
5228	5228
5229	5229
5230	5230
5231	5231	5. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 3526
5232	5232	6. The Department of Transportation. 3527
5233	5233	7. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 3528
5234	5234	which the proposed transmission line or corridor is to be 3529
5235	5235	located. 3530
5236	5236	8. The local government. 3531
5237	5237	Section 131. Subsection (1) of section 403.757, Florida 3532
5238	5238	Statutes, is amended to read: 3533
5239	5239	403.757 Coordination with other state agencies. — 3534
5240	5240	(1) The department shall coordinate its activities and 3535
5241	5241	functions under ss. 403.75 -403.769 and s. 526.01, as amended by 3536
5242	5242	chapter 84-338, Laws of Florida, with the Department of Commerce 3537
5243	5243	Economic Opportunity and other state agencies to avoid 3538
5244	5244	duplication in reporting and information gathering. 3539
5245	5245	Section 132. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 3540
5246	5246	403.941, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3541
5247	5247	403.941 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and 3542
5248	5248	studies.— 3543
5249	5249	(2)(a) The affected agencies shall prepare reports as 3544
5250	5250	provided in this paragraph and shall submit them to the 3545
5251	5251	department and the applicant within 60 days after the 3546
5252	5252	application is determined sufficient: 3547
5253	5253	1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact 3548
5254	5254	of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 3549
5255	5255	as it relates to matters within its jurisdiction. 3550
5256	5256
5257	5257	HB 7037 2024
5258	5258
5259	5259
5260	5260
5261	5261	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5262	5262	hb7037-00
5263	5263	Page 143 of 338
5264	5264	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
5265	5265
5266	5266
5267	5267
5268	5268	2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 3551
5269	5269	which a proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 3552
5270	5270	is to be located shall prepare a report as to the impact on 3553
5271	5271	water resources and othe r matters within its jurisdiction. 3554
5272	5272	3. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3555
5273	5273	prepare a report containing recommendations which address the 3556
5274	5274	impact upon the public of the proposed natural gas transmission 3557
5275	5275	pipeline or corridor, based on the d egree to which the proposed 3558
5276	5276	natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor is consistent with 3559
5277	5277	the applicable portions of the state comprehensive plan and 3560
5278	5278	other matters within its jurisdiction. The Department of 3561
5279	5279	Commerce Economic Opportunity may also comment on the 3562
5280	5280	consistency of the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or 3563
5281	5281	corridor with applicable strategic regional policy plans or 3564
5282	5282	local comprehensive plans and land development regulations. 3565
5283	5283	4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall 3566
5284	5284	prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed natural gas 3567
5285	5285	transmission pipeline or corridor on fish and wildlife resources 3568
5286	5286	and other matters within its jurisdiction. 3569
5287	5287	5. Each local government in which the natural gas 3570
5288	5288	transmission pipeline or natural gas tr ansmission pipeline 3571
5289	5289	corridor will be located shall prepare a report as to the impact 3572
5290	5290	of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 3573
5291	5291	on matters within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of 3574
5292	5292	the proposed natural gas transmission pipel ine or corridor with 3575
5293	5293
5294	5294	HB 7037 2024
5295	5295
5296	5296
5297	5297
5298	5298	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5299	5299	hb7037-00
5300	5300	Page 144 of 338
5301	5301	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
5302	5302
5303	5303
5304	5304
5305	5305	all applicable local ordinances, regulations, standards, or 3576
5306	5306	criteria that apply to the proposed natural gas transmission 3577
5307	5307	pipeline or corridor, including local comprehensive plans, 3578
5308	5308	zoning regulations, land development regulations, and a ny 3579
5309	5309	applicable local environmental regulations adopted pursuant to 3580
5310	5310	s. 403.182 or by other means. No change by the responsible local 3581
5311	5311	government or local agency in local comprehensive plans, zoning 3582
5312	5312	ordinances, or other regulations made after the date required 3583
5313	5313	for the filing of the local government's report required by this 3584
5314	5314	section shall be applicable to the certification of the proposed 3585
5315	5315	natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor unless the 3586
5316	5316	certification is denied or the application is withdrawn. 3587
5317	5317	6. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a report 3588
5318	5318	on the effect of the natural gas transmission pipeline or 3589
5319	5319	natural gas transmission pipeline corridor on matters within its 3590
5320	5320	jurisdiction, including roadway crossings by the pipeline. The 3591
5321	5321	report shall contain at a minimum: 3592
5322	5322	a. A report by the applicant to the department stating 3593
5323	5323	that all requirements of the department's utilities 3594
5324	5324	accommodation guide have been or will be met in regard to the 3595
5325	5325	proposed pipeline or pipeline corridor; and 3596
5326	5326	b. A statement by the de partment as to the adequacy of the 3597
5327	5327	report to the department by the applicant. 3598
5328	5328	7. The Department of State, Division of Historical 3599
5329	5329	Resources, shall prepare a report on the impact of the natural 3600
5330	5330
5331	5331	HB 7037 2024
5332	5332
5333	5333
5334	5334
5335	5335	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5336	5336	hb7037-00
5337	5337	Page 145 of 338
5338	5338	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
5339	5339
5340	5340
5341	5341
5342	5342	gas transmission pipeline or natural gas transmission pipeline 3601
5343	5343	corridor on matters within its jurisdiction. 3602
5344	5344	8. The commission shall prepare a report addressing 3603
5345	5345	matters within its jurisdiction. The commission's report shall 3604
5346	5346	include its determination of need issued pursuant to s. 3605
5347	5347	403.9422. 3606
5348	5348	Section 133. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 3607
5349	5349	403.9411, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3608
5350	5350	403.9411 Notice; proceedings; parties and participants. — 3609
5351	5351	(4)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall be: 3610
5352	5352	1. The applicant. 3611
5353	5353	2. The department. 3612
5354	5354	3. The commission. 3613
5355	5355	4. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3614
5356	5356	5. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 3615
5357	5357	6. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 3616
5358	5358	which the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 3617
5359	5359	is to be located. 3618
5360	5360	7. The local government. 3619
5361	5361	8. The Department of Transportation. 3620
5362	5362	9. The Department of State, Division of Historical 3621
5363	5363	Resources. 3622
5364	5364	Section 134. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (3) and 3623
5365	5365	subsection (17) of section 403.973, Florida Statutes, are 3624
5366	5366	amended to read: 3625
5367	5367
5368	5368	HB 7037 2024
5369	5369
5370	5370
5371	5371
5372	5372	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5373	5373	hb7037-00
5374	5374	Page 146 of 338
5375	5375	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
5376	5376
5377	5377
5378	5378
5379	5379	403.973 Expedited permitting; amendments to comprehensive 3626
5380	5380	plans.— 3627
5381	5381	(3) 3628
5382	5382	(b) On a case-by-case basis and at the request of a county 3629
5383	5383	or municipal government, the Department of Commerce Economic 3630
5384	5384	Opportunity may certify as eligible for expedited review a 3631
5385	5385	project not meeting the minimum job creation thresholds but 3632
5386	5386	creating a minimum of 10 jobs. The recommendation from the 3633
5387	5387	governing body of the county or municipality in which the 3634
5388	5388	project may be located is required in order for the Department 3635
5389	5389	of Commerce Economic Opportunity to certify that any project is 3636
5390	5390	eligible for expedited review under this paragraph. When 3637
5391	5391	considering projects that do not meet the minimum job creation 3638
5392	5392	thresholds but that are recommended by the governing body in 3639
5393	5393	which the project may be located, t he Department of Commerce 3640
5394	5394	Economic Opportunity shall consider economic impact factors that 3641
5395	5395	include, but are not limited to: 3642
5396	5396	1. The proposed wage and skill levels relative to those 3643
5397	5397	existing in the area in which the project may be located; 3644
5398	5398	2. The project's potential to diversify and strengthen the 3645
5399	5399	area's economy; 3646
5400	5400	3. The amount of capital investment; and 3647
5401	5401	4. The number of jobs that will be made available for 3648
5402	5402	persons served by the welfare transition program. 3649
5403	5403	(c) At the request of a county or municipal government, 3650
5404	5404
5405	5405	HB 7037 2024
5406	5406
5407	5407
5408	5408
5409	5409	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5410	5410	hb7037-00
5411	5411	Page 147 of 338
5412	5412	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
5413	5413
5414	5414
5415	5415
5416	5416	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or a Quick 3651
5417	5417	Permitting County may certify projects located in counties where 3652
5418	5418	the ratio of new jobs per participant in the welfare transition 3653
5419	5419	program, as determined by CareerSource Florida, Inc., is less 3654
5420	5420	than one or otherwise critical, as eligible for the expedited 3655
5421	5421	permitting process. Such projects must meet the numerical 3656
5422	5422	criteria for job creation specified in this subsection, but the 3657
5423	5423	jobs created by the project do not have to be high -wage jobs 3658
5424	5424	that diversify the state's economy. 3659
5425	5425	(17) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 3660
5426	5426	working with the Rural Economic Development Initiative, shall 3661
5427	5427	provide technical assistance in preparing permit applications 3662
5428	5428	and local comprehensive plan amendments for c ounties having a 3663
5429	5429	population of fewer than 75,000 residents, or counties having 3664
5430	5430	fewer than 125,000 residents which are contiguous to counties 3665
5431	5431	having fewer than 75,000 residents. Additional assistance may 3666
5432	5432	include, but not be limited to, guidance in land deve lopment 3667
5433	5433	regulations and permitting processes, working cooperatively with 3668
5434	5434	state, regional, and local entities to identify areas within 3669
5435	5435	these counties which may be suitable or adaptable for 3670
5436	5436	preclearance review of specified types of land uses and other 3671
5437	5437	activities requiring permits. 3672
5438	5438	Section 135. Paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section 3673
5439	5439	404.0617, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3674
5440	5440	404.0617 Siting of commercial low -level radioactive waste 3675
5441	5441
5442	5442	HB 7037 2024
5443	5443
5444	5444
5445	5445
5446	5446	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5447	5447	hb7037-00
5448	5448	Page 148 of 338
5449	5449	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
5450	5450
5451	5451
5452	5452
5453	5453	management facilities. — 3676
5454	5454	(4) The Governor and Cabinet shall con sider the following 3677
5455	5455	when determining whether to grant a petition for a variance from 3678
5456	5456	local ordinances, regulations, or plans: 3679
5457	5457	(d) Such studies, reports, and information as the Governor 3680
5458	5458	and Cabinet may request of the Department of Commerce Economic 3681
5459	5459	Opportunity addressing whether or not the proposed facility 3682
5460	5460	unreasonably interferes with the achievement of the goals and 3683
5461	5461	objectives of any adopted state or local comprehensive plan and 3684
5462	5462	any other matter within its jurisdiction. 3685
5463	5463	Section 136. Paragraph (c) of subsection (7) of section 3686
5464	5464	409.1451, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3687
5465	5465	409.1451 The Road-to-Independence Program. — 3688
5466	5466	(7) INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL. —The 3689
5467	5467	secretary shall establish the Independent Living Services 3690
5468	5468	Advisory Council for the purpose of reviewing and making 3691
5469	5469	recommendations concerning the implementation and operation of 3692
5470	5470	s. 39.6251 and the Road -to-Independence Program. 3693
5471	5471	(c) Members of the advisory council shall be appointed by 3694
5472	5472	the secretary of the department. The membership of the advisory 3695
5473	5473	council must include, at a minimum, young adults who receive 3696
5474	5474	services and funding through the Road -to-Independence Program, 3697
5475	5475	representatives from the headquarters and regional offices of 3698
5476	5476	the department, community -based care lead agencies, th e 3699
5477	5477	Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Commerce 3700
5478	5478
5479	5479	HB 7037 2024
5480	5480
5481	5481
5482	5482
5483	5483	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5484	5484	hb7037-00
5485	5485	Page 149 of 338
5486	5486	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
5487	5487
5488	5488
5489	5489
5490	5490	Economic Opportunity , the Department of Education, the Agency 3701
5491	5491	for Health Care Administration, the State Youth Advisory Board, 3702
5492	5492	CareerSource Florida, Inc., the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem 3703
5493	5493	Office, foster parents, and advocates for children in care. The 3704
5494	5494	secretary shall determine the length of the term to be served by 3705
5495	5495	each member appointed to the advisory council, which may not 3706
5496	5496	exceed 4 years. 3707
5497	5497	Section 137. Subsection (8) of section 409.2576, Flori da 3708
5498	5498	Statutes, is amended to read: 3709
5499	5499	409.2576 State Directory of New Hires. — 3710
5500	5500	(8) PROVIDING INFORMATION TO NATIONAL DIRECTORY. —The State 3711
5501	5501	Directory of New Hires must furnish information regarding newly 3712
5502	5502	hired or rehired employees and other individuals subject to 3713
5503	5503	reporting to the National Directory of New Hires for matching 3714
5504	5504	with the records of other state case registries within 3 3715
5505	5505	business days of entering such information into the State 3716
5506	5506	Directory of New Hires. The State Directory of New Hires shall 3717
5507	5507	enter into an agreement with the Department of Commerce Economic 3718
5508	5508	Opportunity or its tax collection service provider for the 3719
5509	5509	quarterly reporting to the National Directory of New Hires 3720
5510	5510	information on wages and reemployment assistance taken from the 3721
5511	5511	quarterly report to t he Secretary of Labor, now required by 3722
5512	5512	Title III of the Social Security Act, except that no report 3723
5513	5513	shall be filed with respect to an employee of a state or local 3724
5514	5514	agency performing intelligence or counterintelligence functions, 3725
5515	5515
5516	5516	HB 7037 2024
5517	5517
5518	5518
5519	5519
5520	5520	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5521	5521	hb7037-00
5522	5522	Page 150 of 338
5523	5523	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
5524	5524
5525	5525
5526	5526
5527	5527	if the head of such agency ha s determined that filing such a 3726
5528	5528	report could endanger the safety of the employee or compromise 3727
5529	5529	an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission. 3728
5530	5530	Section 138. Section 409.25996, Florida Statutes, is 3729
5531	5531	amended to read: 3730
5532	5532	409.25996 Organizations that assist noncustodial parents. —3731
5533	5533	The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall award 3732
5534	5534	grants to organizations that assist noncustodial parents who are 3733
5535	5535	unemployed or underemployed and have difficulty meeting child 3734
5536	5536	support obligations to become self -sufficient and establish a 3735
5537	5537	successful pattern of paying child support obligations. 3736
5538	5538	Section 139. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section 3737
5539	5539	409.508, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 3738
5540	5540	409.508 Low-income home energy assistance program. — 3739
5541	5541	(2) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity is 3740
5542	5542	designated as the state agency to administer the Low -income Home 3741
5543	5543	Energy Assistance Act of 1981, 42 U.S.C. ss. 8621 et seq. The 3742
5544	5544	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity is authorized to 3743
5545	5545	provide home energy assistance bene fits to eligible households 3744
5546	5546	which may be in the form of cash, vouchers, certificates, or 3745
5547	5547	direct payments to electric or natural gas utilities or other 3746
5548	5548	energy suppliers and operators of low -rent, subsidized housing 3747
5549	5549	in behalf of eligible households. Priority shall be given to 3748
5550	5550	eligible households having at least one elderly or handicapped 3749
5551	5551	individual and to eligible households with the lowest incomes. 3750
5552	5552
5553	5553	HB 7037 2024
5554	5554
5555	5555
5556	5556
5557	5557	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5558	5558	hb7037-00
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5560	5560	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
5561	5561
5562	5562
5563	5563
5564	5564	(3) Agreements may be established between electric or 3751
5565	5565	natural gas utility companies, other energy suppliers, the 3752
5566	5566	Department of Revenue, and the Department of Commerce Economic 3753
5567	5567	Opportunity for the purpose of providing payments to energy 3754
5568	5568	suppliers in the form of a credit against sales and use taxes 3755
5569	5569	due or direct payments to energy suppliers for services rendered 3756
5570	5570	to low-income, eligible households. 3757
5571	5571	(4) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 3758
5572	5572	adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this act. 3759
5573	5573	Section 140. Subsection (2) of section 409.509, Florida 3760
5574	5574	Statutes, is amended to read: 3761
5575	5575	409.509 Definitions; weatherization of low -income 3762
5576	5576	residences.—As used in this act, the term: 3763
5577	5577	(2) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 3764
5578	5578	Opportunity. 3765
5579	5579	Section 141. Subsection (2) and paragraph (f) of 3766
5580	5580	subsection (3) of section 410.502, Florida Statutes, are amended 3767
5581	5581	to read: 3768
5582	5582	410.502 Housing and living arrangements; special needs of 3769
5583	5583	the elderly; services. —The Department of Elderly Affairs shall 3770
5584	5584	provide services related to housing and living arrangements 3771
5585	5585	which meet the special needs of the elderly. Such se rvices shall 3772
5586	5586	include, but not be limited to: 3773
5587	5587	(2) Coordinating with the Department of Commerce Economic 3774
5588	5588	Opportunity to gather and maintain data on living arrangements 3775
5589	5589
5590	5590	HB 7037 2024
5591	5591
5592	5592
5593	5593
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5595	5595	hb7037-00
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5597	5597	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
5598	5598
5599	5599
5600	5600
5601	5601	which meet the special needs of the elderly and to disseminate 3776
5602	5602	such information to the p ublic. Such information shall include 3777
5603	5603	types of facilities, cost of care, services provided, and 3778
5604	5604	possible sources of help in meeting the cost of care for 3779
5605	5605	indigent individuals. 3780
5606	5606	(3) Promoting, through the Department of Elderly Affairs 3781
5607	5607	staff activities and a rea agencies on aging, the development of 3782
5608	5608	a variety of living arrangements through public and private 3783
5609	5609	auspices to meet the various needs and desires of the elderly, 3784
5610	5610	including, but not limited to: 3785
5611	5611	(f) Retirement communities for independent communal 3786
5612	5612	living, to be developed in conjunction with the Department of 3787
5613	5613	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3788
5614	5614	3789
5615	5615	Demonstration projects must be used advisedly to test the extent 3790
5616	5616	to which these and other innovative housing and living 3791
5617	5617	arrangements do meet the basic and special needs of the elderly. 3792
5618	5618	Section 142. Paragraph (f) of subsection (4) of section 3793
5619	5619	413.80, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3794
5620	5620	413.80 Employment First Act. — 3795
5621	5621	(4) INTERAGENCY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. —The following state 3796
5622	5622	agencies and organizations, and others, as appropriate, shall 3797
5623	5623	develop an interagency cooperative agreement to implement this 3798
5624	5624	act: 3799
5625	5625	(f) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 3800
5626	5626
5627	5627	HB 7037 2024
5628	5628
5629	5629
5630	5630
5631	5631	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5632	5632	hb7037-00
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5634	5634	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
5635	5635
5636	5636
5637	5637
5638	5638	Section 143. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of 3801
5639	5639	subsection (2) of section 413.801, Florida Statutes, are a mended 3802
5640	5640	to read: 3803
5641	5641	413.801 Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. — 3804
5642	5642	(1) CREATION AND PURPOSE. —The Department of Commerce 3805
5643	5643	Economic Opportunity shall establish the Florida Unique 3806
5644	5644	Abilities Partner Program to designate a business entity as a 3807
5645	5645	Florida Unique Abilities Partner if the business entity 3808
5646	5646	demonstrates commitment, through employment or support, to the 3809
5647	5647	independence of individuals who have a disability. The 3810
5648	5648	department shall consult with the Agency for Persons with 3811
5649	5649	Disabilities, the Division of Vocation al Rehabilitation of the 3812
5650	5650	Department of Education, the Division of Blind Services of the 3813
5651	5651	Department of Education, and CareerSource Florida, Inc., in 3814
5652	5652	creating the program. 3815
5653	5653	(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 3816
5654	5654	(a) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 3817
5655	5655	Opportunity. 3818
5656	5656	Section 144. Section 414.24, Florida Statutes, is amended 3819
5657	5657	to read: 3820
5658	5658	414.24 Integrated welfare reform and child welfare 3821
5659	5659	services.—The department shall develop integrated service 3822
5660	5660	delivery strategies to better meet the needs of families subject 3823
5661	5661	to work activity requirements who are involved in the child 3824
5662	5662	welfare system or are at high risk of involvement in the child 3825
5663	5663
5664	5664	HB 7037 2024
5665	5665
5666	5666
5667	5667
5668	5668	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5669	5669	hb7037-00
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5671	5671	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
5672	5672
5673	5673
5674	5674
5675	5675	welfare system. To the extent that resources are available, the 3826
5676	5676	department and the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 3827
5677	5677	shall provide funds to one or more service districts to promote 3828
5678	5678	development of integrated, nonduplicative case management within 3829
5679	5679	the department, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 3830
5680	5680	other participating government agencies, and community partners. 3831
5681	5681	Alternative delivery systems shall be encouraged which include 3832
5682	5682	well-defined, pertinent outcome measures. Other factors to be 3833
5683	5683	considered shall include innovation regarding training, 3834
5684	5684	enhancement of existing resources, and increased private sector 3835
5685	5685	and business sector participation. 3836
5686	5686	Section 145. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section 3837
5687	5687	414.40, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3838
5688	5688	414.40 Stop Inmate Fraud Program established; guidelines. — 3839
5689	5689	(2) The Department of Financial Services is directed to 3840
5690	5690	implement the Stop Inmate Fraud Program in accordance with the 3841
5691	5691	following guidelines: 3842
5692	5692	(d) Data obtained from correctional institutions or other 3843
5693	5693	detention facilities shall be compared with the client fi les of 3844
5694	5694	the Department of Children and Families, the Department of 3845
5695	5695	Commerce Economic Opportunity , and other state or local agencies 3846
5696	5696	as needed to identify persons wrongfully obtaining benefits. 3847
5697	5697	Data comparisons shall be accomplished during periods of low 3848
5698	5698	information demand by agency personnel to minimize inconvenience 3849
5699	5699	to the agency. 3850
5700	5700
5701	5701	HB 7037 2024
5702	5702
5703	5703
5704	5704
5705	5705	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5706	5706	hb7037-00
5707	5707	Page 155 of 338
5708	5708	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
5709	5709
5710	5710
5711	5711
5712	5712	Section 146. Subsection (6) of section 420.0004, Florida 3851
5713	5713	Statutes, is amended to read: 3852
5714	5714	420.0004 Definitions. —As used in this part, unless the 3853
5715	5715	context otherwise indicates: 3854
5716	5716	(6) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 3855
5717	5717	Opportunity. 3856
5718	5718	Section 147. Subsection (1) of section 420.0005, Florida 3857
5719	5719	Statutes, is amended to read: 3858
5720	5720	420.0005 State Housing Trust Fund; State Housing Fund. — 3859
5721	5721	(1) There is established in the S tate Treasury a separate 3860
5722	5722	trust fund to be named the "State Housing Trust Fund." There 3861
5723	5723	shall be deposited in the fund all moneys appropriated by the 3862
5724	5724	Legislature, or moneys received from any other source, for the 3863
5725	5725	purpose of this chapter, and all proceeds der ived from the use 3864
5726	5726	of such moneys. The fund shall be administered by the Florida 3865
5727	5727	Housing Finance Corporation on behalf of the department, as 3866
5728	5728	specified in this chapter. Money deposited to the fund and 3867
5729	5729	appropriated by the Legislature must, notwithstanding the 3868
5730	5730	provisions of chapter 216 or s. 420.504(3), be transferred 3869
5731	5731	quarterly in advance, to the extent available, or, if not so 3870
5732	5732	available, as soon as received into the State Housing Trust 3871
5733	5733	Fund, and subject to the provisions of s. 420.5092(6)(a) and (b) 3872
5734	5734	by the Chief Financial Officer to the corporation upon 3873
5735	5735	certification by the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity 3874
5736	5736	that the corporation is in compliance with the requirements of 3875
5737	5737
5738	5738	HB 7037 2024
5739	5739
5740	5740
5741	5741
5742	5742	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5743	5743	hb7037-00
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5745	5745	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
5746	5746
5747	5747
5748	5748
5749	5749	s. 420.0006. The certification made by the secretary shall also 3876
5750	5750	include the split of funds among programs administered by the 3877
5751	5751	corporation and the department as specified in chapter 92 -317, 3878
5752	5752	Laws of Florida, as amended. Moneys advanced by the Chief 3879
5753	5753	Financial Officer must be deposited by the corporation into a 3880
5754	5754	separate fund established with a qualified public depository 3881
5755	5755	meeting the requirements of chapter 280 to be named the "State 3882
5756	5756	Housing Fund" and used for the purposes of this chapter. 3883
5757	5757	Administrative and personnel costs incurred in implementing this 3884
5758	5758	chapter may be paid from the State Housin g Fund, but such costs 3885
5759	5759	may not exceed 5 percent of the moneys deposited into such fund. 3886
5760	5760	To the State Housing Fund shall be credited all loan repayments, 3887
5761	5761	penalties, and other fees and charges accruing to such fund 3888
5762	5762	under this chapter. It is the intent of thi s chapter that all 3889
5763	5763	loan repayments, penalties, and other fees and charges collected 3890
5764	5764	be credited in full to the program account from which the loan 3891
5765	5765	originated. Moneys in the State Housing Fund which are not 3892
5766	5766	currently needed for the purposes of this chapter shall be 3893
5767	5767	invested in such manner as is provided for by statute. The 3894
5768	5768	interest received on any such investment shall be credited to 3895
5769	5769	the State Housing Fund. 3896
5770	5770	Section 148. Section 420.0006, Florida Statutes, is 3897
5771	5771	amended to read: 3898
5772	5772	420.0006 Authority to contr act with corporation; contract 3899
5773	5773	requirements; nonperformance. —The Secretary of Commerce Economic 3900
5774	5774
5775	5775	HB 7037 2024
5776	5776
5777	5777
5778	5778
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5780	5780	hb7037-00
5781	5781	Page 157 of 338
5782	5782	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
5783	5783
5784	5784
5785	5785
5786	5786	Opportunity shall contract, notwithstanding part I of chapter 3901
5787	5787	287, with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation on a multiyear 3902
5788	5788	basis to stimulate, provide, and foster affordable housing in 3903
5789	5789	the state. The contract must incorporate the performance 3904
5790	5790	measures required by s. 420.511 and be consistent with the 3905
5791	5791	corporation's strategic business plan prepared in accordance 3906
5792	5792	with s. 420.511. The contract must provide that if the 3907
5793	5793	corporation fails to comply with a performance measure required 3908
5794	5794	by s. 420.511, the secretary shall notify the Governor and refer 3909
5795	5795	the nonperformance to the department's inspector general for 3910
5796	5796	review and determination as to whether such failure is due to 3911
5797	5797	forces beyond the corporation's control or whether such failure 3912
5798	5798	is due to inadequate management of the corporation's resources. 3913
5799	5799	Advances shall continue to be made pursuant to s. 420.0005 3914
5800	5800	during the pendency of the review. If such failure is due to 3915
5801	5801	outside forces, it may not be deemed a violation of the 3916
5802	5802	contract. If such failure is due to inadequate management, the 3917
5803	5803	department's inspector general shall provide recommendations 3918
5804	5804	regarding solutions. The Governor may resolve differences of 3919
5805	5805	opinion with respect t o performance under the contract and may 3920
5806	5806	request that advances continue in the event of a failure under 3921
5807	5807	the contract due to inadequate management. The Chief Financial 3922
5808	5808	Officer shall approve the request absent a finding by the Chief 3923
5809	5809	Financial Officer that co ntinuing such advances would adversely 3924
5810	5810	impact the state; however, the Chief Financial Officer shall 3925
5811	5811
5812	5812	HB 7037 2024
5813	5813
5814	5814
5815	5815
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5817	5817	hb7037-00
5818	5818	Page 158 of 338
5819	5819	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
5820	5820
5821	5821
5822	5822
5823	5823	provide advances sufficient to meet the debt service 3926
5824	5824	requirements of the corporation and sufficient to fund contracts 3927
5825	5825	committing funds from the State Housin g Trust Fund if such 3928
5826	5826	contracts are in accordance with the laws of this state. 3929
5827	5827	Section 149. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 3930
5828	5828	420.101, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3931
5829	5829	420.101 Housing Development Corporation of Florida; 3932
5830	5830	creation, membership, and purposes.— 3933
5831	5831	(1) Twenty-five or more persons, a majority of whom shall 3934
5832	5832	be residents of this state, who may desire to create a housing 3935
5833	5833	development corporation under the provisions of this part for 3936
5834	5834	the purpose of promoting and developing housing and advancing 3937
5835	5835	the prosperity and economic welfare of the state and, to that 3938
5836	5836	end, to exercise the powers and privileges hereinafter provided, 3939
5837	5837	may be incorporated by filing in the Department of State, as 3940
5838	5838	hereinafter provided, articles of incorporation. The arti cles of 3941
5839	5839	incorporation shall contain: 3942
5840	5840	(d) The names and post office addresses of the members of 3943
5841	5841	the first board of directors. The first board of directors shall 3944
5842	5842	be elected by and from the stockholders of the corporation and 3945
5843	5843	shall consist of 21 members. Ho wever, five of such members shall 3946
5844	5844	consist of the following persons, who shall be nonvoting 3947
5845	5845	members: the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or her 3948
5846	5846	or his designee; the head of the Department of Financial 3949
5847	5847	Services or her or his designee with expertis e in banking 3950
5848	5848
5849	5849	HB 7037 2024
5850	5850
5851	5851
5852	5852
5853	5853	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5854	5854	hb7037-00
5855	5855	Page 159 of 338
5856	5856	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
5857	5857
5858	5858
5859	5859
5860	5860	matters; a designee of the head of the Department of Financial 3951
5861	5861	Services with expertise in insurance matters; one state senator 3952
5862	5862	appointed by the President of the Senate; and one representative 3953
5863	5863	appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representa tives. 3954
5864	5864	Section 150. Subsection (8) of section 420.111, Florida 3955
5865	5865	Statutes, is amended to read: 3956
5866	5866	420.111 Housing Development Corporation of Florida; 3957
5867	5867	additional powers.—In furtherance of its purposes and in 3958
5868	5868	addition to the powers now or hereafter conferre d on business 3959
5869	5869	corporations by part I of chapter 607, the corporation shall, 3960
5870	5870	subject to the restrictions and limitations contained in this 3961
5871	5871	section, have the following powers: 3962
5872	5872	(8) To cooperate with, and avail itself of the facilities 3963
5873	5873	of, the United States Department of Housing and Urban 3964
5874	5874	Development, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 3965
5875	5875	and any other similar local, state, or Federal Government 3966
5876	5876	agency; and to cooperate with and assist, and otherwise 3967
5877	5877	encourage, organizations in the various communit ies of the state 3968
5878	5878	on the promotion, assistance, and development of the housing and 3969
5879	5879	economic welfare of such communities or of this state or any 3970
5880	5880	part thereof. 3971
5881	5881	Section 151. Section 420.36, Florida Statutes, is amended 3972
5882	5882	to read: 3973
5883	5883	420.36 Low-income Emergency Home Repair Program. —There is 3974
5884	5884	established within the Department of Commerce Economic 3975
5885	5885
5886	5886	HB 7037 2024
5887	5887
5888	5888
5889	5889
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5891	5891	hb7037-00
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5893	5893	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
5894	5894
5895	5895
5896	5896
5897	5897	Opportunity the Low-income Emergency Home Repair Program to 3976
5898	5898	assist low-income persons, especially the elderly and physically 3977
5899	5899	disabled, in making emergency repairs which directly affect 3978
5900	5900	their health and safety. 3979
5901	5901	(1) As used in this section, the term: 3980
5902	5902	(a) "Grantee" means a local public or private nonprofit 3981
5903	5903	agency currently receiving funds from the department to conduct 3982
5904	5904	a weatherization assistance program in one or more c ounties or a 3983
5905	5905	public or nonprofit agency chosen as outlined in subparagraph 3984
5906	5906	(4)(c)4. 3985
5907	5907	(b) "Subgrantee" means a local public or private nonprofit 3986
5908	5908	agency experienced in weatherization, emergency repairs, or 3987
5909	5909	rehabilitation of housing. 3988
5910	5910	(2) A person is eligib le to receive assistance if that 3989
5911	5911	person has an income in relation to that person's family size 3990
5912	5912	which is at or below 125 percent of the poverty level as 3991
5913	5913	specified annually in the federal Office of Management and 3992
5914	5914	Budget Poverty Guidelines. Eligible persons o ver 60 years of age 3993
5915	5915	and eligible persons who are physically disabled shall be given 3994
5916	5916	priority in the program. 3995
5917	5917	(3)(a) Allowable repairs, including materials and labor, 3996
5918	5918	which may be charged under the program include: 3997
5919	5919	1. Correcting deficiencies in support beams, load-bearing 3998
5920	5920	walls, and floor joists. 3999
5921	5921	2. Repair or replacement of unsafe or nonfunctional space 4000
5922	5922
5923	5923	HB 7037 2024
5924	5924
5925	5925
5926	5926
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5928	5928	hb7037-00
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5930	5930	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
5931	5931
5932	5932
5933	5933
5934	5934	heating or water heating systems. 4001
5935	5935	3. Egress or physically disabled accessibility repairs, 4002
5936	5936	improvements, or assistive devices, including wheelchair ra mps, 4003
5937	5937	steps, porches, handrails, or other health and safety measures. 4004
5938	5938	4. Plumbing, pump, well, and line repairs to ensure safe 4005
5939	5939	drinking water and sanitary sewage. 4006
5940	5940	5. Electrical repairs. 4007
5941	5941	6. Repairs to deteriorating walls, floors, and roofs. 4008
5942	5942	7. Other interior and exterior repairs as necessary for 4009
5943	5943	the health and safety of the resident. 4010
5944	5944	(b) Administrative expenses may not exceed 10 percent of 4011
5945	5945	the total grant funds. 4012
5946	5946	(c) Each grantee shall be required to provide an in -kind 4013
5947	5947	or cash match of at least 20 percent of the funds granted. 4014
5948	5948	Grantees and subgrantees shall be encouraged to use community 4015
5949	5949	resources to provide such match, including family, church, and 4016
5950	5950	neighborhood volunteers and materials provided by local groups 4017
5951	5951	and businesses. Grantees shall coordin ate with local governments 4018
5952	5952	through their community development block grant entitlement 4019
5953	5953	programs and other housing programs, local housing partnerships, 4020
5954	5954	and agencies under contract to a lead agency for the provisions 4021
5955	5955	of services under the Community Care for the Elderly Act, ss. 4022
5956	5956	430.201-430.207. 4023
5957	5957	(4)(a) Funds appropriated to the department for the 4024
5958	5958	program shall be deposited in the Federal Grants Trust Fund. 4025
5959	5959
5960	5960	HB 7037 2024
5961	5961
5962	5962
5963	5963
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5965	5965	hb7037-00
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5967	5967	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
5968	5968
5969	5969
5970	5970
5971	5971	Administrative and personnel costs incurred by the department in 4026
5972	5972	implementing the provisions of this s ection may be paid from the 4027
5973	5973	fund. 4028
5974	5974	(b) The grantee may subgrant these funds to a subgrantee 4029
5975	5975	if the grantee is unable to serve all of the county or the 4030
5976	5976	target population. Grantee and subgrantee eligibility shall be 4031
5977	5977	determined by the department. 4032
5978	5978	(c) Funds shall be distributed to grantees and subgrantees 4033
5979	5979	as follows: 4034
5980	5980	1. For each county, a base amount of at least $3,000 shall 4035
5981	5981	be set aside from the total funds available, and such amount 4036
5982	5982	shall be deducted from the total amount appropriated by the 4037
5983	5983	Legislature. 4038
5984	5984	2. The balance of the funds appropriated by the 4039
5985	5985	Legislature shall be divided by the total poverty population of 4040
5986	5986	the state, and this quotient shall be multiplied by each 4041
5987	5987	county's share of the poverty population. That amount plus the 4042
5988	5988	base of at least $3,0 00 constitutes each county's share. A 4043
5989	5989	grantee that serves more than one county shall receive the base 4044
5990	5990	amount plus the poverty population share for each county to be 4045
5991	5991	served. Contracts with grantees may be renewed annually. 4046
5992	5992	3. The funds allocated to each c ounty shall be offered 4047
5993	5993	first to an existing weatherization assistance program grantee 4048
5994	5994	in good standing, as determined by the department, which can 4049
5995	5995	provide services to the target population of low -income persons, 4050
5996	5996
5997	5997	HB 7037 2024
5998	5998
5999	5999
6000	6000
6001	6001	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6002	6002	hb7037-00
6003	6003	Page 163 of 338
6004	6004	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
6005	6005
6006	6006
6007	6007
6008	6008	low-income elderly persons, and low -income physically disabled 4051
6009	6009	persons throughout the county. 4052
6010	6010	4. If a weatherization assistance program grantee is not 4053
6011	6011	available to serve the entire county area, the funds shall be 4054
6012	6012	distributed through the following process: 4055
6013	6013	a. An announcement of funding availabili ty shall be 4056
6014	6014	provided to the county. The county may elect to administer the 4057
6015	6015	program. 4058
6016	6016	b. If the county elects not to administer the program, the 4059
6017	6017	department shall establish rules to address the selection of one 4060
6018	6018	or more public or private not -for-profit agencies that are 4061
6019	6019	experienced in weatherization, rehabilitation, or emergency 4062
6020	6020	repair to administer the program. 4063
6021	6021	5. If no eligible agency agrees to serve a county, the 4064
6022	6022	funds for that county shall be distributed to grantees having 4065
6023	6023	the best performance record as determined by department rule. At 4066
6024	6024	the end of the contract year, any uncontracted or unexpended 4067
6025	6025	funds shall be returned to the Federal Grants Trust Fund and 4068
6026	6026	reallocated under the next year's contracting cycle. 4069
6027	6027	(5) The department may perform all actions a ppropriate and 4070
6028	6028	necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including, 4071
6029	6029	but not limited to: 4072
6030	6030	(a) Entering into contracts and agreements with the 4073
6031	6031	Federal Government, agencies of the state, local governments, or 4074
6032	6032	any person, association, corporation, or entity. 4075
6033	6033
6034	6034	HB 7037 2024
6035	6035
6036	6036
6037	6037
6038	6038	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6039	6039	hb7037-00
6040	6040	Page 164 of 338
6041	6041	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
6042	6042
6043	6043
6044	6044
6045	6045	(b) Seeking and accepting funding from any public or 4076
6046	6046	private source. 4077
6047	6047	(c) Adopting and enforcing rules consistent with this 4078
6048	6048	section. 4079
6049	6049	Section 152. Subsection (1) of section 420.424, Florida 4080
6050	6050	Statutes, is amended to read: 4081
6051	6051	420.424 Definitions.—As used in ss. 420.421 -420.429: 4082
6052	6052	(1) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 4083
6053	6053	Opportunity. 4084
6054	6054	Section 153. Subsections (9) and (13) of section 420.503, 4085
6055	6055	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4086
6056	6056	420.503 Definitions. —As used in this part, the term: 4087
6057	6057	(9) "Contract" means the contract between the Secretary of 4088
6058	6058	Commerce Economic Opportunity and the corporation for provision 4089
6059	6059	of housing services referenced in s. 420.0006. 4090
6060	6060	(13) "Department" means the Department of Commerce 4091
6061	6061	Economic Opportunity . 4092
6062	6062	Section 154. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 420.504, 4093
6063	6063	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4094
6064	6064	420.504 Public corporation; creation, membership, terms, 4095
6065	6065	expenses.— 4096
6066	6066	(1) A public corporation and a public body corporate and 4097
6067	6067	politic, to be known as th e "Florida Housing Finance 4098
6068	6068	Corporation," is created within the Department of Commerce 4099
6069	6069	Economic Opportunity . It is declared to be the intent of and 4100
6070	6070
6071	6071	HB 7037 2024
6072	6072
6073	6073
6074	6074
6075	6075	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6076	6076	hb7037-00
6077	6077	Page 165 of 338
6078	6078	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
6079	6079
6080	6080
6081	6081
6082	6082	constitutional construction by the Legislature that the Florida 4101
6083	6083	Housing Finance Corporation constitutes an en trepreneurial 4102
6084	6084	public corporation organized to provide and promote the public 4103
6085	6085	welfare by administering the governmental function of financing 4104
6086	6086	or refinancing housing and related facilities in this state and 4105
6087	6087	that the corporation is not a department of the exe cutive branch 4106
6088	6088	of state government within the scope and meaning of s. 6, Art. 4107
6089	6089	IV of the State Constitution, but is functionally related to the 4108
6090	6090	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity in which it is 4109
6091	6091	placed. The executive function of state government to b e 4110
6092	6092	performed by the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity in 4111
6093	6093	the conduct of the business of the Florida Housing Finance 4112
6094	6094	Corporation must be performed pursuant to a contract to monitor 4113
6095	6095	and set performance standards for the implementation of the 4114
6096	6096	business plan for the provision of housing approved for the 4115
6097	6097	corporation as provided in s. 420.0006. This contract must 4116
6098	6098	include performance standards for the provision of affordable 4117
6099	6099	housing in this state established in the strategic business plan 4118
6100	6100	described in s. 420.511. 4119
6101	6101	(3) The corporation is a separate budget entity and is not 4120
6102	6102	subject to control, supervision, or direction by the department 4121
6103	6103	in any manner, including, but not limited to, personnel, 4122
6104	6104	purchasing, transactions involving real or personal property, 4123
6105	6105	and budgetary matters. The corporation shall consist of a board 4124
6106	6106	of directors composed of the Secretary of Commerce Economic 4125
6107	6107
6108	6108	HB 7037 2024
6109	6109
6110	6110
6111	6111
6112	6112	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6113	6113	hb7037-00
6114	6114	Page 166 of 338
6115	6115	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
6116	6116
6117	6117
6118	6118
6119	6119	Opportunity as an ex officio and voting member, or a senior -4126
6120	6120	level agency employee designated by the secretary, one member 4127
6121	6121	appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed 4128
6122	6122	by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and eight 4129
6123	6123	members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the 4130
6124	6124	Senate from the following: 4131
6125	6125	(a) One citizen actively engaged in the residential home 4132
6126	6126	building industry. 4133
6127	6127	(b) One citizen actively engaged in the banking or 4134
6128	6128	mortgage banking industry. 4135
6129	6129	(c) One citizen who is a representative of those areas of 4136
6130	6130	labor engaged in home building. 4137
6131	6131	(d) One citizen with experience in housing development who 4138
6132	6132	is an advocate for low-income persons. 4139
6133	6133	(e) One citizen actively engaged in the commercial 4140
6134	6134	building industry. 4141
6135	6135	(f) One citizen who is a former local government elected 4142
6136	6136	official. 4143
6137	6137	(g) Two citizens of the state who are not principally 4144
6138	6138	employed as members or representatives of any of the groups 4145
6139	6139	specified in paragraphs (a) -(f). 4146
6140	6140	Section 155. Subsection (1) of section 420.506, Florida 4147
6141	6141	Statutes, is amended to read: 4148
6142	6142	420.506 Executive director; agents and employees; 4149
6143	6143	inspector general.— 4150
6144	6144
6145	6145	HB 7037 2024
6146	6146
6147	6147
6148	6148
6149	6149	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6150	6150	hb7037-00
6151	6151	Page 167 of 338
6152	6152	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
6153	6153
6154	6154
6155	6155
6156	6156	(1) The appointment an d removal of an executive director 4151
6157	6157	shall be by the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity , with 4152
6158	6158	the advice and consent of the corporation's board of directors. 4153
6159	6159	The executive director shall employ legal and technical experts 4154
6160	6160	and such other agents and em ployees, permanent and temporary, as 4155
6161	6161	the corporation may require, and shall communicate with and 4156
6162	6162	provide information to the Legislature with respect to the 4157
6163	6163	corporation's activities. Notwithstanding s. 216.262, the board 4158
6164	6164	may develop and implement rules rega rding the employment of 4159
6165	6165	employees of the corporation and service providers, including 4160
6166	6166	legal counsel. The board is entitled to establish travel 4161
6167	6167	procedures and guidelines for employees of the corporation, 4162
6168	6168	subject to s. 112.061(6) and (7). The executive direc tor's 4163
6169	6169	office and the corporation's files and records must be located 4164
6170	6170	in Leon County. 4165
6171	6171	Section 156. Subsection (30) of section 420.507, Florida 4166
6172	6172	Statutes, is amended to read: 4167
6173	6173	420.507 Powers of the corporation. —The corporation shall 4168
6174	6174	have all the powers n ecessary or convenient to carry out and 4169
6175	6175	effectuate the purposes and provisions of this part, including 4170
6176	6176	the following powers which are in addition to all other powers 4171
6177	6177	granted by other provisions of this part: 4172
6178	6178	(30) To prepare and submit to the Secretary of Commerce 4173
6179	6179	Economic Opportunity a budget request for purposes of the 4174
6180	6180	corporation, which request must, notwithstanding the provisions 4175
6181	6181
6182	6182	HB 7037 2024
6183	6183
6184	6184
6185	6185
6186	6186	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6187	6187	hb7037-00
6188	6188	Page 168 of 338
6189	6189	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
6190	6190
6191	6191
6192	6192
6193	6193	of chapter 216 and in accordance with s. 216.351, contain a 4176
6194	6194	request for operational expenditures and separate requests for 4177
6195	6195	other authorized corporation programs. The request must include, 4178
6196	6196	for informational purposes, the amount of state funds necessary 4179
6197	6197	to use all federal housing funds anticipated to be received by, 4180
6198	6198	or allocated to, the state in the fiscal year in order to 4181
6199	6199	maximize the production of new, affordable multifamily housing 4182
6200	6200	units in this state. The request need not contain information on 4183
6201	6201	the number of employees, salaries, or any classification 4184
6202	6202	thereof, and the approved operating budget therefor need not 4185
6203	6203	comply with s. 216.181(8)-(10). The secretary may include within 4186
6204	6204	the department's budget request the corporation's budget request 4187
6205	6205	in the form as authorized by this section. 4188
6206	6206	Section 157. Effective July 1, 2033, subsection (30) of 4189
6207	6207	section 420.507, Florida Statutes, as a mended by section 30 of 4190
6208	6208	chapter 2023-17, Laws of Florida, is amended to read: 4191
6209	6209	420.507 Powers of the corporation. —The corporation shall 4192
6210	6210	have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and 4193
6211	6211	effectuate the purposes and provisions of this part, inclu ding 4194
6212	6212	the following powers which are in addition to all other powers 4195
6213	6213	granted by other provisions of this part: 4196
6214	6214	(30) To prepare and submit to the Secretary of Commerce 4197
6215	6215	Economic Opportunity a budget request for purposes of the 4198
6216	6216	corporation, which request sha ll, notwithstanding the provisions 4199
6217	6217	of chapter 216 and in accordance with s. 216.351, contain a 4200
6218	6218
6219	6219	HB 7037 2024
6220	6220
6221	6221
6222	6222
6223	6223	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6224	6224	hb7037-00
6225	6225	Page 169 of 338
6226	6226	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
6227	6227
6228	6228
6229	6229
6230	6230	request for operational expenditures and separate requests for 4201
6231	6231	other authorized corporation programs. The request need not 4202
6232	6232	contain information on the number of e mployees, salaries, or any 4203
6233	6233	classification thereof, and the approved operating budget 4204
6234	6234	therefor need not comply with s. 216.181(8) -(10). The secretary 4205
6235	6235	may include within the department's budget request the 4206
6236	6236	corporation's budget request in the form as authoriz ed by this 4207
6237	6237	section. 4208
6238	6238	Section 158. Subsection (2) of section 420.511, Florida 4209
6239	6239	Statutes, is amended to read: 4210
6240	6240	420.511 Strategic business plan; long -range program plan; 4211
6241	6241	annual report; audited financial statements. — 4212
6242	6242	(2) The corporation, in coordination w ith the department, 4213
6243	6243	shall annually develop a long -range program plan for the 4214
6244	6244	provision of affordable housing in this state as required 4215
6245	6245	pursuant to chapter 186. In part, the plan must include 4216
6246	6246	provisions that maximize the abilities of the corporation to 4217
6247	6247	implement the state housing strategy established under s. 4218
6248	6248	420.0003, to respond to federal housing initiatives, and to 4219
6249	6249	develop programs in a manner that is more responsive to the 4220
6250	6250	needs of public and private partners. The plan shall be 4221
6251	6251	developed on a schedule co nsistent with that established by s. 4222
6252	6252	186.021. For purposes of this section, the Secretary of Commerce 4223
6253	6253	Economic Opportunity or his or her designee shall serve as the 4224
6254	6254	corporation's representative to achieve a coordinated and 4225
6255	6255
6256	6256	HB 7037 2024
6257	6257
6258	6258
6259	6259
6260	6260	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6261	6261	hb7037-00
6262	6262	Page 170 of 338
6263	6263	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
6264	6264
6265	6265
6266	6266
6267	6267	integrated planning relationship with the department. 4226
6268	6268	Section 159. Subsection (6) of section 420.602, Florida 4227
6269	6269	Statutes, is amended to read: 4228
6270	6270	420.602 Definitions. —As used in this part, the following 4229
6271	6271	terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context 4230
6272	6272	otherwise requires: 4231
6273	6273	(6) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 4232
6274	6274	Opportunity. 4233
6275	6275	Section 160. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 420.606, 4234
6276	6276	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4235
6277	6277	420.606 Training and technical assistance program. — 4236
6278	6278	(3) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. —The 4237
6279	6279	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall be responsible 4238
6280	6280	for securing the necessary expertise to provide training and 4239
6281	6281	technical assistance to: 4240
6282	6282	(a) Staff of local governments, to staff of state 4241
6283	6283	agencies, as appropriate, to community -based organizations, and 4242
6284	6284	to persons forming such organizations, which are formed for the 4243
6285	6285	purpose of developing new housing and rehabilitating existing 4244
6286	6286	housing that is affordable for very -low-income persons, low-4245
6287	6287	income persons, and moderate -income persons. 4246
6288	6288	1. The training component of the program shall be designed 4247
6289	6289	to build the housing development capacity of community -based 4248
6290	6290	organizations and local governments as a permanent resource for 4249
6291	6291	the benefit of communities in th is state. 4250
6292	6292
6293	6293	HB 7037 2024
6294	6294
6295	6295
6296	6296
6297	6297	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6298	6298	hb7037-00
6299	6299	Page 171 of 338
6300	6300	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
6301	6301
6302	6302
6303	6303
6304	6304	a. The scope of training must include, but need not be 4251
6305	6305	limited to, real estate development skills related to affordable 4252
6306	6306	housing, including the construction process and property 4253
6307	6307	management and disposition, the development of public -private 4254
6308	6308	partnerships to reduce housing costs, model housing projects, 4255
6309	6309	and management and board responsibilities of community -based 4256
6310	6310	organizations. 4257
6311	6311	b. Training activities may include, but are not limited 4258
6312	6312	to, materials for self -instruction, workshops, seminars, 4259
6313	6313	internships, coursework, and special programs developed in 4260
6314	6314	conjunction with state universities and community colleges. 4261
6315	6315	2. The technical assistance component of the program shall 4262
6316	6316	be designed to assist applicants for state -administered programs 4263
6317	6317	in developing applications and in expediting project 4264
6318	6318	implementation. Technical assistance activities for the staffs 4265
6319	6319	of community-based organizations and local governments who are 4266
6320	6320	directly involved in the production of affordable housing may 4267
6321	6321	include, but are not limited to, w orkshops for program 4268
6322	6322	applicants, onsite visits, guidance in achieving project 4269
6323	6323	completion, and a newsletter to community -based organizations 4270
6324	6324	and local governments. 4271
6325	6325	(b) Designated lead agencies of homeless assistance 4272
6326	6326	continuums of care which receive fundin g from the Department of 4273
6327	6327	Children and Families to provide or secure housing, programs, 4274
6328	6328	and other services for homeless persons. Such training and 4275
6329	6329
6330	6330	HB 7037 2024
6331	6331
6332	6332
6333	6333
6334	6334	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6335	6335	hb7037-00
6336	6336	Page 172 of 338
6337	6337	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
6338	6338
6339	6339
6340	6340
6341	6341	technical assistance, subject to a specific appropriation in the 4276
6342	6342	General Appropriations Act for that purpose, must be provided by 4277
6343	6343	a nonprofit entity that meets the requirements for providing 4278
6344	6344	training and technical assistance under s. 420.531. 4279
6345	6345	(4) POWERS.—The Department of Commerce Economic 4280
6346	6346	Opportunity may do all things necessary or appropriate to carry 4281
6347	6347	out the purposes of this section, including exercising the power 4282
6348	6348	to: 4283
6349	6349	(a) Enter into contracts and agreements with the Federal 4284
6350	6350	Government or with other agencies of the state, with local 4285
6351	6351	governments, or with any other person, association, corporation, 4286
6352	6352	or entity; 4287
6353	6353	(b) Seek and accept funding from any public or private 4288
6354	6354	source; and 4289
6355	6355	(c) Adopt and enforce rules consistent with this section. 4290
6356	6356	Section 161. Subsection (5) of section 420.609, Florida 4291
6357	6357	Statutes, is amended to read: 4292
6358	6358	420.609 Affordable Housing Study Comm ission.—Because the 4293
6359	6359	Legislature firmly supports affordable housing in Florida for 4294
6360	6360	all economic classes: 4295
6361	6361	(5) The commission shall review, evaluate, and make 4296
6362	6362	recommendations regarding existing and proposed housing programs 4297
6363	6363	and initiatives. The commission s hall provide these and any 4298
6364	6364	other housing recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce 4299
6365	6365	Economic Opportunity and the executive director of the 4300
6366	6366
6367	6367	HB 7037 2024
6368	6368
6369	6369
6370	6370
6371	6371	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6372	6372	hb7037-00
6373	6373	Page 173 of 338
6374	6374	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
6375	6375
6376	6376
6377	6377
6378	6378	corporation. 4301
6379	6379	Section 162. Subsection (2) of section 420.622, Florida 4302
6380	6380	Statutes, is amended to read: 4303
6381	6381	420.622 State Office on Homelessness; Council on 4304
6382	6382	Homelessness.— 4305
6383	6383	(2) The Council on Homelessness is created to consist of 4306
6384	6384	19 representatives of public and private agencies who shall 4307
6385	6385	develop policy and advise the State Office on Homelessness. The 4308
6386	6386	council members shall be: the Secretary of Children and 4309
6387	6387	Families, or his or her designee; the Secretary of Commerce 4310
6388	6388	Economic Opportunity , or his or her designee, who shall advise 4311
6389	6389	the council on issues related to rural development; the State 4312
6390	6390	Surgeon General, or his or her des ignee; the Executive Director 4313
6391	6391	of Veterans' Affairs, or his or her designee; the Secretary of 4314
6392	6392	Corrections, or his or her designee; the Secretary of Health 4315
6393	6393	Care Administration, or his or her designee; the Commissioner of 4316
6394	6394	Education, or his or her designee; th e Executive Director of 4317
6395	6395	CareerSource Florida, Inc., or his or her designee; one 4318
6396	6396	representative of the Florida Association of Counties; one 4319
6397	6397	representative of the Florida League of Cities; one 4320
6398	6398	representative of the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition; one 4321
6399	6399	representative of the Florida Housing Coalition; the Executive 4322
6400	6400	Director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, or his or 4323
6401	6401	her designee; one representative of the Florida Coalition for 4324
6402	6402	the Homeless; the secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, 4325
6403	6403
6404	6404	HB 7037 2024
6405	6405
6406	6406
6407	6407
6408	6408	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6409	6409	hb7037-00
6410	6410	Page 174 of 338
6411	6411	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
6412	6412
6413	6413
6414	6414
6415	6415	or his or her designee; and four members appointed by the 4326
6416	6416	Governor. The council members shall be nonpaid volunteers and 4327
6417	6417	shall be reimbursed only for travel expenses. The appointed 4328
6418	6418	members of the council shall be appointed to staggered 2 -year 4329
6419	6419	terms and are encouraged to have experience in the 4330
6420	6420	administration or provision of resources, services, or housing 4331
6421	6421	that addresses the needs of persons experiencing homelessness. 4332
6422	6422	The council shall meet at least four times per year. The 4333
6423	6423	importance of minority, gender, and geogr aphic representation 4334
6424	6424	shall be considered in appointing members to the council. 4335
6425	6425	Section 163. Subsection (6) of section 420.631, Florida 4336
6426	6426	Statutes, is amended to read: 4337
6427	6427	420.631 Definitions relating to Urban Homesteading Act. —As 4338
6428	6428	used in ss. 420.630-420.635: 4339
6429	6429	(6) "Office" means the Office of Urban Opportunity within 4340
6430	6430	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 4341
6431	6431	Section 164. Section 420.635, Florida Statutes, is amended 4342
6432	6432	to read: 4343
6433	6433	420.635 Loans to qualified buyers. —Contingent upon an 4344
6434	6434	appropriation, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 4345
6435	6435	in consultation with the Office of Urban Opportunity, shall 4346
6436	6436	provide loans to qualified buyers who are required to pay the 4347
6437	6437	pro rata portion of the bonded debt on single -family housing 4348
6438	6438	pursuant to s. 420.634. L oans provided under this section shall 4349
6439	6439	be made at a rate of interest which does not exceed the 4350
6440	6440
6441	6441	HB 7037 2024
6442	6442
6443	6443
6444	6444
6445	6445	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6446	6446	hb7037-00
6447	6447	Page 175 of 338
6448	6448	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
6449	6449
6450	6450
6451	6451
6452	6452	qualified loan rate. A buyer must maintain the qualifications 4351
6453	6453	specified in s. 420.633 for the full term of the loan. The loan 4352
6454	6454	agreement may contain additional te rms and conditions as 4353
6455	6455	determined by the department. 4354
6456	6456	Section 165. Section 421.001, Florida Statutes, is amended 4355
6457	6457	to read: 4356
6458	6458	421.001 State role in housing and urban development. —The 4357
6459	6459	role of state government required by part I of chapter 421 4358
6460	6460	(Housing Authorities Law), chapter 422 (Housing Cooperation 4359
6461	6461	Law), and chapter 423 (Tax Exemption of Housing Authorities) is 4360
6462	6462	the responsibility of the Department of Commerce Economic 4361
6463	6463	Opportunity; and the department is the agency of state 4362
6464	6464	government responsible for the st ate's role in housing and urban 4363
6465	6465	development. 4364
6466	6466	Section 166. Section 422.001, Florida Statutes, is amended 4365
6467	6467	to read: 4366
6468	6468	422.001 State role in housing and urban development. —The 4367
6469	6469	role of state government required by part I of chapter 421 4368
6470	6470	(Housing Authorities Law), chapter 422 (Housing Cooperation 4369
6471	6471	Law), and chapter 423 (Tax Exemption of Housing Authorities) is 4370
6472	6472	the responsibility of the Department of Commerce Economic 4371
6473	6473	Opportunity; and the department is the agency of state 4372
6474	6474	government responsible for the state's r ole in housing and urban 4373
6475	6475	development. 4374
6476	6476	Section 167. Section 423.001, Florida Statutes, is amended 4375
6477	6477
6478	6478	HB 7037 2024
6479	6479
6480	6480
6481	6481
6482	6482	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6483	6483	hb7037-00
6484	6484	Page 176 of 338
6485	6485	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
6486	6486
6487	6487
6488	6488
6489	6489	to read: 4376
6490	6490	423.001 State role in housing and urban development. —The 4377
6491	6491	role of state government required by part I of chapter 421 4378
6492	6492	(Housing Authorities Law), c hapter 422 (Housing Cooperation 4379
6493	6493	Law), and chapter 423 (Tax Exemption of Housing Authorities) is 4380
6494	6494	the responsibility of the Department of Commerce Economic 4381
6495	6495	Opportunity; and the department is the agency of state 4382
6496	6496	government responsible for the state's role in housing and urban 4383
6497	6497	development. 4384
6498	6498	Section 168. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section 4385
6499	6499	427.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4386
6500	6500	427.012 The Commission for the Transportation 4387
6501	6501	Disadvantaged.—There is created the Commission for the 4388
6502	6502	Transportation Disadvantaged in the Department of 4389
6503	6503	Transportation. 4390
6504	6504	(1) The commission shall consist of seven members, all of 4391
6505	6505	whom shall be appointed by the Governor, in accordance with the 4392
6506	6506	requirements of s. 20.052. 4393
6507	6507	(g) The Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary o f 4394
6508	6508	Children and Families, the Secretary of Commerce Economic 4395
6509	6509	Opportunity, the executive director of the Department of 4396
6510	6510	Veterans' Affairs, the Secretary of Elderly Affairs, the 4397
6511	6511	Secretary of Health Care Administration, the director of the 4398
6512	6512	Agency for Persons wi th Disabilities, and a county manager or 4399
6513	6513	administrator who is appointed by the Governor, or a senior 4400
6514	6514
6515	6515	HB 7037 2024
6516	6516
6517	6517
6518	6518
6519	6519	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6520	6520	hb7037-00
6521	6521	Page 177 of 338
6522	6522	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
6523	6523
6524	6524
6525	6525
6526	6526	management level representative of each, shall serve as ex 4401
6527	6527	officio, nonvoting advisors to the commission. 4402
6528	6528	Section 169. Subsection (2) of section 440.12 , Florida 4403
6529	6529	Statutes, is amended to read: 4404
6530	6530	440.12 Time for commencement and limits on weekly rate of 4405
6531	6531	compensation.— 4406
6532	6532	(2) Compensation for disability resulting from injuries 4407
6533	6533	which occur after December 31, 1974, shall not be less than $20 4408
6534	6534	per week. However, if the employee's wages at the time of injury 4409
6535	6535	are less than $20 per week, he or she shall receive his or her 4410
6536	6536	full weekly wages. If the employee's wages at the time of the 4411
6537	6537	injury exceed $20 per week, compensation shall not exceed an 4412
6538	6538	amount per week which is : 4413
6539	6539	(a) Equal to 100 percent of the statewide average weekly 4414
6540	6540	wage, determined as hereinafter provided for the year in which 4415
6541	6541	the injury occurred; however, the increase to 100 percent from 4416
6542	6542	66 2/3 percent of the statewide average weekly wage shall apply 4417
6543	6543	only to injuries occurring on or after August 1, 1979; and 4418
6544	6544	(b) Adjusted to the nearest dollar. 4419
6545	6545	4420
6546	6546	For the purpose of this subsection, the "statewide average 4421
6547	6547	weekly wage" means the average weekly wage paid by employers 4422
6548	6548	subject to the Florida Reemployment Assista nce Program Law as 4423
6549	6549	reported to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for 4424
6550	6550	the four calendar quarters ending each June 30, which average 4425
6551	6551
6552	6552	HB 7037 2024
6553	6553
6554	6554
6555	6555
6556	6556	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6557	6557	hb7037-00
6558	6558	Page 178 of 338
6559	6559	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
6560	6560
6561	6561
6562	6562
6563	6563	weekly wage shall be determined by the Department of Commerce 4426
6564	6564	Economic Opportunity on or before November 30 of each year and 4427
6565	6565	shall be used in determining the maximum weekly compensation 4428
6566	6566	rate with respect to injuries occurring in the calendar year 4429
6567	6567	immediately following. The statewide average weekly wage 4430
6568	6568	determined by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4431
6569	6569	shall be reported annually to the Legislature. 4432
6570	6570	Section 170. Paragraph (c) of subsection (9) of section 4433
6571	6571	440.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4434
6572	6572	440.15 Compensation for disability. —Compensation for 4435
6573	6573	disability shall be paid to the employee, subject to the limits 4436
6574	6574	provided in s. 440.12(2), as follows: 4437
6575	6575	(9) EMPLOYEE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THIS CHAPTER AND 4438
6576	6576	FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE ACT. — 4439
6577	6577	(c) Disability compensation benefits payable for any week, 4440
6578	6578	including those benefit s provided by paragraph (1)(f), may not 4441
6579	6579	be reduced pursuant to this subsection until the Social Security 4442
6580	6580	Administration determines the amount otherwise payable to the 4443
6581	6581	employee under 42 U.S.C. ss. 402 and 423 and the employee has 4444
6582	6582	begun receiving such social security benefit payments. The 4445
6583	6583	employee shall, upon demand by the department, the employer, or 4446
6584	6584	the carrier, authorize the Social Security Administration to 4447
6585	6585	release disability information relating to her or him and 4448
6586	6586	authorize the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to 4449
6587	6587	release reemployment assistance information relating to her or 4450
6588	6588
6589	6589	HB 7037 2024
6590	6590
6591	6591
6592	6592
6593	6593	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6594	6594	hb7037-00
6595	6595	Page 179 of 338
6596	6596	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
6597	6597
6598	6598
6599	6599
6600	6600	him, in accordance with rules to be adopted by the department 4451
6601	6601	prescribing the procedure and manner for requesting the 4452
6602	6602	authorization and for compliance by the employee. The d epartment 4453
6603	6603	or the employer or carrier may not make any payment of benefits 4454
6604	6604	for total disability or those additional benefits provided by 4455
6605	6605	paragraph (1)(f) for any period during which the employee 4456
6606	6606	willfully fails or refuses to authorize the release of 4457
6607	6607	information in the manner and within the time prescribed by such 4458
6608	6608	rules. The authority for release of disability information 4459
6609	6609	granted by an employee under this paragraph is effective for a 4460
6610	6610	period not to exceed 12 months and such authority may be 4461
6611	6611	renewed, as the department prescribes by rule. 4462
6612	6612	Section 171. Subsections (4) and (7) of section 440.381, 4463
6613	6613	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4464
6614	6614	440.381 Application for coverage; reporting payroll; 4465
6615	6615	payroll audit procedures; penalties. — 4466
6616	6616	(4) Each employer must submit a c opy of the quarterly 4467
6617	6617	earnings report required by chapter 443 at the end of each 4468
6618	6618	quarter to the carrier and submit self -audits supported by the 4469
6619	6619	quarterly earnings reports required by chapter 443 and the rules 4470
6620	6620	adopted by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or by 4471
6621	6621	the state agency providing reemployment assistance tax 4472
6622	6622	collection services under contract with the Department of 4473
6623	6623	Commerce Economic Opportunity through an interagency agreement 4474
6624	6624	pursuant to s. 443.1316. The reports must include a sworn 4475
6625	6625
6626	6626	HB 7037 2024
6627	6627
6628	6628
6629	6629
6630	6630	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6631	6631	hb7037-00
6632	6632	Page 180 of 338
6633	6633	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
6634	6634
6635	6635
6636	6636
6637	6637	statement by an officer or principal of the employer attesting 4476
6638	6638	to the accuracy of the information contained in the report. 4477
6639	6639	(7) If an employee suffering a compensable injury was not 4478
6640	6640	reported as earning wages on the last quarterly earnings report 4479
6641	6641	filed with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 4480
6642	6642	the state agency providing reemployment assistance tax 4481
6643	6643	collection services under contract with the Department of 4482
6644	6644	Commerce Economic Opportunity through an interagency agreement 4483
6645	6645	pursuant to s. 443.1316 before the accident, the employer shall 4484
6646	6646	indemnify the carrier for all workers' compensation benefits 4485
6647	6647	paid to or on behalf of the employee unless the employer 4486
6648	6648	establishes that the employee was hired after the filing of the 4487
6649	6649	quarterly report, in which case the employer and employee shall 4488
6650	6650	attest to the fact that the employee was employed by the 4489
6651	6651	employer at the time of the injury. Failure of the employer to 4490
6652	6652	indemnify the insurer within 21 days after deman d by the insurer 4491
6653	6653	is grounds for the insurer to immediately cancel coverage. Any 4492
6654	6654	action for indemnification brought by the carrier is cognizable 4493
6655	6655	in the circuit court having jurisdiction where the employer or 4494
6656	6656	carrier resides or transacts business. The insure r is entitled 4495
6657	6657	to a reasonable attorney's fee if it recovers any portion of the 4496
6658	6658	benefits paid in the action. 4497
6659	6659	Section 172. Subsections (1), (4), and (5) of section 4498
6660	6660	443.012, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4499
6661	6661	443.012 Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission.— 4500
6662	6662
6663	6663	HB 7037 2024
6664	6664
6665	6665
6666	6666
6667	6667	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6668	6668	hb7037-00
6669	6669	Page 181 of 338
6670	6670	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
6671	6671
6672	6672
6673	6673
6674	6674	(1) There is created within the Division of Workforce 4501
6675	6675	Services of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity a 4502
6676	6676	Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission. The commission is 4503
6677	6677	composed of a chair and two other members appointed by the 4504
6678	6678	Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Only one 4505
6679	6679	appointee may be a representative of employers, as demonstrated 4506
6680	6680	by his or her previous vocation, employment, or affiliation; and 4507
6681	6681	only one appointee may be a representative of employees, as 4508
6682	6682	demonstrated by his or her previous vocation, employment, or 4509
6683	6683	affiliation. 4510
6684	6684	(a) The chair shall devote his or her entire time to 4511
6685	6685	commission duties and is responsible for the administrative 4512
6686	6686	functions of the commission. 4513
6687	6687	(b) The chair has authority to appoint a general counsel 4514
6688	6688	and other personnel to carry out the duties and responsibilities 4515
6689	6689	of the commission. 4516
6690	6690	(c) The chair must have the qualifications required by law 4517
6691	6691	for a judge of the circuit court and may not engage in any other 4518
6692	6692	business vocation or employment. Notwi thstanding any other law, 4519
6693	6693	the chair shall be paid a salary equal to that paid under state 4520
6694	6694	law to a judge of the circuit court. 4521
6695	6695	(d) The remaining members shall be paid a stipend of $100 4522
6696	6696	for each day they are engaged in the work of the commission. The 4523
6697	6697	chair and other members are entitled to be reimbursed for travel 4524
6698	6698	expenses, as provided in s. 112.061. 4525
6699	6699
6700	6700	HB 7037 2024
6701	6701
6702	6702
6703	6703
6704	6704	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6705	6705	hb7037-00
6706	6706	Page 182 of 338
6707	6707	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
6708	6708
6709	6709
6710	6710
6711	6711	(e) The total salary and travel expenses of each member of 4526
6712	6712	the commission shall be paid from the Employment Security 4527
6713	6713	Administration Trust Fund. 4528
6714	6714	(4) The property, personnel, and appropriations relating 4529
6715	6715	to the specified authority, powers, duties, and responsibilities 4530
6716	6716	of the commission shall be provided to the commission by the 4531
6717	6717	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 4532
6718	6718	(5) The commission is not subject to control, supervision, 4533
6719	6719	or direction by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4534
6720	6720	in performing its powers or duties under this chapter. 4535
6721	6721	Section 173. Subsections (9), (42), (44), and (46) of 4536
6722	6722	section 443.036, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4537
6723	6723	443.036 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 4538
6724	6724	(9) "Benefit year" means, for an individual, the 1 -year 4539
6725	6725	period beginning with the first day of the first week for which 4540
6726	6726	the individual first files a valid claim for benefits and, 4541
6727	6727	thereafter, the 1-year period beginning with the first day of 4542
6728	6728	the first week for which the individual next files a valid claim 4543
6729	6729	for benefits after the termination of his or her last preceding 4544
6730	6730	benefit year. Each claim for benefits made in accordance with s. 4545
6731	6731	443.151(2) is a valid claim if the individual was paid wages for 4546
6732	6732	insured work in accordance with s. 443.091(1)(g) and is 4547
6733	6733	unemployed at the time of filing the claim. However, the 4548
6734	6734	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may adopt rules 4549
6735	6735	providing for the establishment of a uniform benefit year for 4550
6736	6736
6737	6737	HB 7037 2024
6738	6738
6739	6739
6740	6740
6741	6741	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6742	6742	hb7037-00
6743	6743	Page 183 of 338
6744	6744	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
6745	6745
6746	6746
6747	6747
6748	6748	all workers in one or more groups or classes of service or 4551
6749	6749	within a particular industry if the department determines, after 4552
6750	6750	notice to the industry and to the workers in the industry and an 4553
6751	6751	opportunity to be heard in the matter, t hat those groups or 4554
6752	6752	classes of workers in a particular industry periodically 4555
6753	6753	experience unemployment resulting from layoffs or shutdowns for 4556
6754	6754	limited periods of time. 4557
6755	6755	(42) "Tax collection service provider" or "service 4558
6756	6756	provider" means the state agency prov iding reemployment 4559
6757	6757	assistance tax collection services under contract with the 4560
6758	6758	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity through an 4561
6759	6759	interagency agreement pursuant to s. 443.1316. 4562
6760	6760	(44) "Unemployment" or "unemployed" means: 4563
6761	6761	(a) An individual is "totally unemployed" in any week 4564
6762	6762	during which he or she does not perform any services and for 4565
6763	6763	which earned income is not payable to him or her. An individual 4566
6764	6764	is "partially unemployed" in any week of less than full -time 4567
6765	6765	work if the earned income payable to him or h er for that week is 4568
6766	6766	less than his or her weekly benefit amount. The Department of 4569
6767	6767	Commerce Economic Opportunity may adopt rules prescribing 4570
6768	6768	distinctions in the procedures for unemployed individuals based 4571
6769	6769	on total unemployment, part -time unemployment, parti al 4572
6770	6770	unemployment of individuals attached to their regular jobs, and 4573
6771	6771	other forms of short -time work. 4574
6772	6772	(b) An individual's week of unemployment commences only 4575
6773	6773
6774	6774	HB 7037 2024
6775	6775
6776	6776
6777	6777
6778	6778	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6779	6779	hb7037-00
6780	6780	Page 184 of 338
6781	6781	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
6782	6782
6783	6783
6784	6784
6785	6785	after registration with the Department of Commerce Economic 4576
6786	6786	Opportunity as required in s. 443.091. 4577
6787	6787	(46) "Week" means a period of 7 consecutive days as 4578
6788	6788	defined in the rules of the Department of Commerce Economic 4579
6789	6789	Opportunity. The department may by rule prescribe that a week is 4580
6790	6790	deemed to be "in," "within," or "during" the benefit year that 4581
6791	6791	contains the greater part of the week. 4582
6792	6792	Section 174. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and 4583
6793	6793	subsection (3) of section 443.041, Florida Statutes, are amended 4584
6794	6794	to read: 4585
6795	6795	443.041 Waiver of rights; fees; privileged 4586
6796	6796	communications.— 4587
6797	6797	(2) FEES.— 4588
6798	6798	(a) Except as otherwise pro vided in this chapter, an 4589
6799	6799	individual claiming benefits may not be charged fees of any kind 4590
6800	6800	in any proceeding under this chapter by the commission or the 4591
6801	6801	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , or their 4592
6802	6802	representatives, or by any court or any officer o f the court. An 4593
6803	6803	individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the 4594
6804	6804	commission or the department, or representatives of either, or a 4595
6805	6805	court may be represented by counsel or an authorized 4596
6806	6806	representative, but the counsel or representative may not charge 4597
6807	6807	or receive for those services more than an amount approved by 4598
6808	6808	the commission, the department, or the court. 4599
6809	6809	(3) PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS. —All letters, reports, 4600
6810	6810
6811	6811	HB 7037 2024
6812	6812
6813	6813
6814	6814
6815	6815	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6816	6816	hb7037-00
6817	6817	Page 185 of 338
6818	6818	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
6819	6819
6820	6820
6821	6821
6822	6822	communications, or any other matters, either oral or written, 4601
6823	6823	between an employer and an emp loyee or between the Department of 4602
6824	6824	Commerce Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service 4603
6825	6825	provider and any of their agents, representatives, or employees 4604
6826	6826	which are written, sent, delivered, or made in connection with 4605
6827	6827	this chapter, are privileged and m ay not be the subject matter 4606
6828	6828	or basis for any suit for slander or libel in any court of the 4607
6829	6829	state. 4608
6830	6830	Section 175. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 4609
6831	6831	443.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4610
6832	6832	443.051 Benefits not alienable; exception, child support 4611
6833	6833	intercept.— 4612
6834	6834	(3) EXCEPTION, SUPPORT INTERCEPT. — 4613
6835	6835	(a) The Department of Revenue shall, at least biweekly, 4614
6836	6836	provide the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity with a 4615
6837	6837	magnetic tape or other electronic data file disclosing the 4616
6838	6838	individuals who owe support obligations and the amount of any 4617
6839	6839	legally required deductions. 4618
6840	6840	Section 176. Subsections (3) and (4), paragraph (b) of 4619
6841	6841	subsection (5), and subsections (6) and (8) of section 443.071, 4620
6842	6842	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4621
6843	6843	443.071 Penalties.— 4622
6844	6844	(3) Any employing unit or any officer or agent of any 4623
6845	6845	employing unit or any other person who fails to furnish any 4624
6846	6846	reports required under this chapter or to produce or permit the 4625
6847	6847
6848	6848	HB 7037 2024
6849	6849
6850	6850
6851	6851
6852	6852	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6853	6853	hb7037-00
6854	6854	Page 186 of 338
6855	6855	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
6856	6856
6857	6857
6858	6858
6859	6859	inspection of or copying of records as required under this 4626
6860	6860	chapter, who fails or refuses, within 6 months after written 4627
6861	6861	demand by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 4628
6862	6862	tax collection service provider, to keep and maintain the 4629
6863	6863	payroll records required by this chapter or by rule of the 4630
6864	6864	department or the state agenc y providing tax collection 4631
6865	6865	services, or who willfully fails or refuses to make any 4632
6866	6866	contribution, reimbursement, or other payment required from an 4633
6867	6867	employer under this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the second 4634
6868	6868	degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 o r s. 775.083. 4635
6869	6869	(4) Any person who establishes a fictitious employing unit 4636
6870	6870	by submitting to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4637
6871	6871	or its tax collection service provider fraudulent employing unit 4638
6872	6872	records or tax or wage reports by the introduction of fraudulent 4639
6873	6873	records into a computer system, the intentional or deliberate 4640
6874	6874	alteration or destruction of computerized information or files, 4641
6875	6875	or the theft of financial instruments, data, and other assets, 4642
6876	6876	for the purpose of enabling herself or himself or any other 4643
6877	6877	person to receive benefits under this chapter to which such 4644
6878	6878	person is not entitled, commits a felony of the third degree, 4645
6879	6879	punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 4646
6880	6880	(5) In any prosecution or action under this section, the 4647
6881	6881	entry into evidence of the signature of a person on a document, 4648
6882	6882	letter, or other writing constitutes prima facie evidence of the 4649
6883	6883	person's identity if the following conditions exist: 4650
6884	6884
6885	6885	HB 7037 2024
6886	6886
6887	6887
6888	6888
6889	6889	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6890	6890	hb7037-00
6891	6891	Page 187 of 338
6892	6892	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
6893	6893
6894	6894
6895	6895
6896	6896	(b) The signature of the person is witnessed by an agent 4651
6897	6897	or employee of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4652
6898	6898	or its tax collection service provider at the time the document, 4653
6899	6899	letter, or other writing is filed. 4654
6900	6900	(6) The entry into evidence of an application for 4655
6901	6901	reemployment assistance benefits initiated by the use of th e 4656
6902	6902	Internet claims program or the interactive voice response system 4657
6903	6903	telephone claims program of the Department of Commerce Economic 4658
6904	6904	Opportunity constitutes prima facie evidence of the 4659
6905	6905	establishment of a personal benefit account by or for an 4660
6906	6906	individual if the following information is provided: the 4661
6907	6907	applicant's name, residence address, date of birth, social 4662
6908	6908	security number, and present or former place of work. 4663
6909	6909	(8) All records relating to investigations of reemployment 4664
6910	6910	assistance fraud in the custody of the De partment of Commerce 4665
6911	6911	Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service provider are 4666
6912	6912	available for examination by the Department of Law Enforcement, 4667
6913	6913	the state attorneys, or the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor 4668
6914	6914	in the prosecution of offenses under s. 817. 568 or in 4669
6915	6915	proceedings brought under this chapter. 4670
6916	6916	Section 177. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1), subsections 4671
6917	6917	(2), (6), and (7), and paragraph (a) of subsection (9) of 4672
6918	6918	section 443.101, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4673
6919	6919	443.101 Disqualification for benefits.—An individual shall 4674
6920	6920	be disqualified for benefits: 4675
6921	6921
6922	6922	HB 7037 2024
6923	6923
6924	6924
6925	6925
6926	6926	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6927	6927	hb7037-00
6928	6928	Page 188 of 338
6929	6929	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
6930	6930
6931	6931
6932	6932
6933	6933	(1)(a) For the week in which he or she has voluntarily 4676
6934	6934	left work without good cause attributable to his or her 4677
6935	6935	employing unit or for the week in which he or she has been 4678
6936	6936	discharged by the emplo ying unit for misconduct connected with 4679
6937	6937	his or her work, based on a finding by the Department of 4680
6938	6938	Commerce Economic Opportunity . As used in this paragraph, the 4681
6939	6939	term "work" means any work, whether full -time, part-time, or 4682
6940	6940	temporary. 4683
6941	6941	1. Disqualification for voluntarily quitting continues for 4684
6942	6942	the full period of unemployment next ensuing after the 4685
6943	6943	individual has left his or her full -time, part-time, or 4686
6944	6944	temporary work voluntarily without good cause and until the 4687
6945	6945	individual has earned income equal to or greater than 17 times 4688
6946	6946	his or her weekly benefit amount. As used in this subsection, 4689
6947	6947	the term "good cause" includes only that cause attributable to 4690
6948	6948	the employing unit which would compel a reasonable employee to 4691
6949	6949	cease working or attributable to the individual's illn ess or 4692
6950	6950	disability requiring separation from his or her work. Any other 4693
6951	6951	disqualification may not be imposed. 4694
6952	6952	2. An individual is not disqualified under this subsection 4695
6953	6953	for: 4696
6954	6954	a. Voluntarily leaving temporary work to return 4697
6955	6955	immediately when called to work by the permanent employing unit 4698
6956	6956	that temporarily terminated his or her work within the previous 4699
6957	6957	6 calendar months; 4700
6958	6958
6959	6959	HB 7037 2024
6960	6960
6961	6961
6962	6962
6963	6963	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6964	6964	hb7037-00
6965	6965	Page 189 of 338
6966	6966	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
6967	6967
6968	6968
6969	6969
6970	6970	b. Voluntarily leaving work to relocate as a result of his 4701
6971	6971	or her military-connected spouse's permanent change of station 4702
6972	6972	orders, activation orders, or unit deployment orders; or 4703
6973	6973	c. Voluntarily leaving work if he or she proves that his 4704
6974	6974	or her discontinued employment is a direct result of 4705
6975	6975	circumstances related to domestic violence as defined in s. 4706
6976	6976	741.28. An individual who voluntarily leaves work under this 4707
6977	6977	sub-subparagraph must: 4708
6978	6978	(I) Make reasonable efforts to preserve employment, unless 4709
6979	6979	the individual establishes that such remedies are likely to be 4710
6980	6980	futile or to increase the risk of future incidents of domestic 4711
6981	6981	violence. Such efforts may in clude seeking a protective 4712
6982	6982	injunction, relocating to a secure place, or seeking reasonable 4713
6983	6983	accommodation from the employing unit, such as a transfer or 4714
6984	6984	change of assignment; 4715
6985	6985	(II) Provide evidence such as an injunction, a protective 4716
6986	6986	order, or other docume ntation authorized by state law which 4717
6987	6987	reasonably proves that domestic violence has occurred; and 4718
6988	6988	(III) Reasonably believe that he or she is likely to be 4719
6989	6989	the victim of a future act of domestic violence at, in transit 4720
6990	6990	to, or departing from his or her place of employment. 4721
6991	6991	3. The employment record of an employing unit may not be 4722
6992	6992	charged for the payment of benefits to an individual who has 4723
6993	6993	voluntarily left work under sub -subparagraph 2.c. 4724
6994	6994	4. Disqualification for being discharged for misconduct 4725
6995	6995
6996	6996	HB 7037 2024
6997	6997
6998	6998
6999	6999
7000	7000	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7001	7001	hb7037-00
7002	7002	Page 190 of 338
7003	7003	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
7004	7004
7005	7005
7006	7006
7007	7007	connected with his or her work continues for the full period of 4726
7008	7008	unemployment next ensuing after having been discharged and until 4727
7009	7009	the individual is reemployed and has earned income of at least 4728
7010	7010	17 times his or her weekly benefit amount and for not more than 4729
7011	7011	52 weeks immediately following that week, as determined by the 4730
7012	7012	department in each case according to the circumstances or the 4731
7013	7013	seriousness of the misconduct, under the department's rules for 4732
7014	7014	determining disqualification for benefits for misconduct. 4733
7015	7015	5. If an individual has provided notification to the 4734
7016	7016	employing unit of his or her intent to voluntarily leave work 4735
7017	7017	and the employing unit discharges the individual for reasons 4736
7018	7018	other than misconduct before the date the voluntary quit was to 4737
7019	7019	take effect, the individual, if oth erwise entitled, shall 4738
7020	7020	receive benefits from the date of the employer's discharge until 4739
7021	7021	the effective date of his or her voluntary quit. 4740
7022	7022	6. If an individual is notified by the employing unit of 4741
7023	7023	the employer's intent to discharge the individual for reason s 4742
7024	7024	other than misconduct and the individual quits without good 4743
7025	7025	cause before the date the discharge was to take effect, the 4744
7026	7026	claimant is ineligible for benefits pursuant to s. 443.091(1)(d) 4745
7027	7027	for failing to be available for work for the week or weeks of 4746
7028	7028	unemployment occurring before the effective date of the 4747
7029	7029	discharge. 4748
7030	7030	(2) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4749
7031	7031	finds that the individual has failed without good cause to apply 4750
7032	7032
7033	7033	HB 7037 2024
7034	7034
7035	7035
7036	7036
7037	7037	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7038	7038	hb7037-00
7039	7039	Page 191 of 338
7040	7040	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
7041	7041
7042	7042
7043	7043
7044	7044	for available suitable work, accept suitable work when offered 4751
7045	7045	to him or her, or return to the individual's customary self -4752
7046	7046	employment when directed by the department, the disqualification 4753
7047	7047	continues for the full period of unemployment next ensuing after 4754
7048	7048	he or she failed without good cause to apply for available 4755
7049	7049	suitable work, accept suitable work, or return to his or her 4756
7050	7050	customary self-employment, and until the individual has earned 4757
7051	7051	income of at least 17 times his or her weekly benefit amount. 4758
7052	7052	The department shall by rule adopt criteria for determining the 4759
7053	7053	"suitability of work," as used in this section. In developing 4760
7054	7054	these rules, the department shall consider the duration of a 4761
7055	7055	claimant's unemployment in determining the suitability of work 4762
7056	7056	and the suitability of proposed rates of compensation for 4763
7057	7057	available work. Further, after an i ndividual has received 25 4764
7058	7058	weeks of benefits in a single year, suitable work is a job that 4765
7059	7059	pays the minimum wage and is 120 percent or more of the weekly 4766
7060	7060	benefit amount the individual is drawing. 4767
7061	7061	(a) In determining whether or not any work is suitable for 4768
7062	7062	an individual, the department shall consider the degree of risk 4769
7063	7063	to the individual's health, safety, and morals; the individual's 4770
7064	7064	physical fitness, prior training, experience, prior earnings, 4771
7065	7065	length of unemployment, and prospects for securing local work in 4772
7066	7066	his or her customary occupation; and the distance of the 4773
7067	7067	available work from his or her residence. 4774
7068	7068	(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, 4775
7069	7069
7070	7070	HB 7037 2024
7071	7071
7072	7072
7073	7073
7074	7074	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7075	7075	hb7037-00
7076	7076	Page 192 of 338
7077	7077	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
7078	7078
7079	7079
7080	7080
7081	7081	work is not deemed suitable and benefits may not be denied to 4776
7082	7082	any otherwise eligible individual f or refusing to accept new 4777
7083	7083	work under any of the following conditions: 4778
7084	7084	1. The position offered is vacant due directly to a 4779
7085	7085	strike, lockout, or other labor dispute. 4780
7086	7086	2. The wages, hours, or other conditions of the work 4781
7087	7087	offered are substantially less favor able to the individual than 4782
7088	7088	those prevailing for similar work in the locality. 4783
7089	7089	3. As a condition of being employed, the individual is 4784
7090	7090	required to join a company union or to resign from or refrain 4785
7091	7091	from joining any bona fide labor organization. 4786
7092	7092	(c) If the department finds that an individual was 4787
7093	7093	rejected for offered employment as the direct result of a 4788
7094	7094	positive, confirmed drug test required as a condition of 4789
7095	7095	employment, the individual is disqualified for refusing to 4790
7096	7096	accept an offer of suitable work. 4791
7097	7097	(6) For making any false or fraudulent representation for 4792
7098	7098	the purpose of obtaining benefits contrary to this chapter, 4793
7099	7099	constituting a violation under s. 443.071. The disqualification 4794
7100	7100	imposed under this subsection shall begin with the week for 4795
7101	7101	which the false or fraudulent representation was made and shall 4796
7102	7102	continue for a period not to exceed 1 year after the date the 4797
7103	7103	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity discovers the false 4798
7104	7104	or fraudulent representation and until any overpayment of 4799
7105	7105	benefits resulting from su ch representation has been repaid in 4800
7106	7106
7107	7107	HB 7037 2024
7108	7108
7109	7109
7110	7110
7111	7111	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7112	7112	hb7037-00
7113	7113	Page 193 of 338
7114	7114	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
7115	7115
7116	7116
7117	7117
7118	7118	full. This disqualification may be appealed in the same manner 4801
7119	7119	as any other disqualification imposed under this section. A 4802
7120	7120	conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction in this state 4803
7121	7121	of the offense prohibited or pun ished by s. 443.071 is 4804
7122	7122	conclusive upon the appeals referee and the commission of the 4805
7123	7123	making of the false or fraudulent representation for which 4806
7124	7124	disqualification is imposed under this section. 4807
7125	7125	(7) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4808
7126	7126	finds that the individual is an alien, unless the alien is an 4809
7127	7127	individual who has been lawfully admitted for permanent 4810
7128	7128	residence or otherwise is permanently residing in the United 4811
7129	7129	States under color of law, including an alien who is lawfully 4812
7130	7130	present in the United States as a result of the application of 4813
7131	7131	s. 203(a)(7) or s. 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality 4814
7132	7132	Act, if any modifications to s. 3304(a)(14) of the Federal 4815
7133	7133	Unemployment Tax Act, as provided by Pub. L. No. 94 -566, which 4816
7134	7134	specify other conditions or o ther effective dates than those 4817
7135	7135	stated under federal law for the denial of benefits based on 4818
7136	7136	services performed by aliens, and which modifications are 4819
7137	7137	required to be implemented under state law as a condition for 4820
7138	7138	full tax credit against the tax imposed by the Federal 4821
7139	7139	Unemployment Tax Act, are deemed applicable under this section, 4822
7140	7140	if: 4823
7141	7141	(a) Any data or information required of individuals 4824
7142	7142	applying for benefits to determine whether benefits are not 4825
7143	7143
7144	7144	HB 7037 2024
7145	7145
7146	7146
7147	7147
7148	7148	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7149	7149	hb7037-00
7150	7150	Page 194 of 338
7151	7151	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
7152	7152
7153	7153
7154	7154
7155	7155	payable to them because of their alien status is uniformly 4826
7156	7156	required from all applicants for benefits; and 4827
7157	7157	(b) In the case of an individual whose application for 4828
7158	7158	benefits would otherwise be approved, a determination that 4829
7159	7159	benefits to such individual are not payable because of his or 4830
7160	7160	her alien status may not be made e xcept by a preponderance of 4831
7161	7161	the evidence. 4832
7162	7162	4833
7163	7163	If the department finds that the individual has refused without 4834
7164	7164	good cause an offer of resettlement or relocation, which offer 4835
7165	7165	provides for suitable employment for the individual 4836
7166	7166	notwithstanding the distance of re location, resettlement, or 4837
7167	7167	employment from the current location of the individual in this 4838
7168	7168	state, this disqualification continues for the week in which the 4839
7169	7169	failure occurred and for not more than 17 weeks immediately 4840
7170	7170	after that week, or a reduction by not mo re than 5 weeks from 4841
7171	7171	the duration of benefits, as determined by the department in 4842
7172	7172	each case. 4843
7173	7173	(9) If the individual was terminated from his or her work 4844
7174	7174	as follows: 4845
7175	7175	(a) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 4846
7176	7176	the Reemployment Assistance App eals Commission finds that the 4847
7177	7177	individual was terminated from work for violation of any 4848
7178	7178	criminal law, under any jurisdiction, which was in connection 4849
7179	7179	with his or her work, and the individual was convicted, or 4850
7180	7180
7181	7181	HB 7037 2024
7182	7182
7183	7183
7184	7184
7185	7185	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7186	7186	hb7037-00
7187	7187	Page 195 of 338
7188	7188	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
7189	7189
7190	7190
7191	7191
7192	7192	entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, th e individual is 4851
7193	7193	not entitled to reemployment assistance benefits for up to 52 4852
7194	7194	weeks, pursuant to rules adopted by the department, and until he 4853
7195	7195	or she has earned income of at least 17 times his or her weekly 4854
7196	7196	benefit amount. If, before an adjudication of gui lt, an 4855
7197	7197	admission of guilt, or a plea of nolo contendere, the employer 4856
7198	7198	proves by competent substantial evidence to the department that 4857
7199	7199	the arrest was due to a crime against the employer or the 4858
7200	7200	employer's business, customers, or invitees, the individual is 4859
7201	7201	not entitled to reemployment assistance benefits. 4860
7202	7202	4861
7203	7203	If an individual is disqualified for benefits, the account of 4862
7204	7204	the terminating employer, if the employer is in the base period, 4863
7205	7205	is noncharged at the time the disqualification is imposed. 4864
7206	7206	Section 178. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of 4865
7207	7207	subsection (5) of section 443.111, Florida Statutes, are amended 4866
7208	7208	to read: 4867
7209	7209	443.111 Payment of benefits. — 4868
7210	7210	(1) MANNER OF PAYMENT. —Benefits are payable from the fund 4869
7211	7211	in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Commerce 4870
7212	7212	Economic Opportunity , subject to the following requirements: 4871
7213	7213	(a) Benefits are payable electronically, except that an 4872
7214	7214	individual being paid by paper warrant on July 1, 2011, may 4873
7215	7215	continue to be paid in that manner until the expiration of the 4874
7216	7216	claim. The department may develop a system for the payment of 4875
7217	7217
7218	7218	HB 7037 2024
7219	7219
7220	7220
7221	7221
7222	7222	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7223	7223	hb7037-00
7224	7224	Page 196 of 338
7225	7225	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
7226	7226
7227	7227
7228	7228
7229	7229	benefits by electronic funds transfer, including, but not 4876
7230	7230	limited to, debit cards, electronic payment cards, or any other 4877
7231	7231	means of electronic payment that the department deems to be 4878
7232	7232	commercially viable or cost-effective. Commodities or services 4879
7233	7233	related to the development of such a system shall be procured by 4880
7234	7234	competitive solicitation, unless they are purchased from a state 4881
7235	7235	term contract pursuant to s. 287.056. The department shall adopt 4882
7236	7236	rules necessary to administer this paragraph. 4883
7237	7237	(b) As required under s. 443.091(1), each claimant must 4884
7238	7238	report at least biweekly to receive reemployment assistance 4885
7239	7239	benefits and to attest to the fact that she or he is able and 4886
7240	7240	available for work, has not refused suitable work, is seeking 4887
7241	7241	work and has met the requirements of s. 443.091(1)(d), and, if 4888
7242	7242	she or he has worked, to report earnings from that work. Each 4889
7243	7243	claimant must continue to report regardless of any appeal or 4890
7244	7244	pending appeal relating to her or his eligibility or 4891
7245	7245	disqualification for benefits. 4892
7246	7246	(5) DURATION OF BENEFITS. — 4893
7247	7247	(a) As used in this section, the term "Florida average 4894
7248	7248	unemployment rate" means the average of the 3 months for the 4895
7249	7249	most recent third calendar year quarter of the seasonally 4896
7250	7250	adjusted statewide u nemployment rates as published by the 4897
7251	7251	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 4898
7252	7252	Section 179. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection 4899
7253	7253	(4), and subsection (5) of section 443.1113, Florida Statutes, 4900
7254	7254
7255	7255	HB 7037 2024
7256	7256
7257	7257
7258	7258
7259	7259	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7260	7260	hb7037-00
7261	7261	Page 197 of 338
7262	7262	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
7263	7263
7264	7264
7265	7265
7266	7266	are amended to read: 4901
7267	7267	443.1113 Reemployment Assi stance Claims and Benefits 4902
7268	7268	Information System.— 4903
7269	7269	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 4904
7270	7270	implement an integrated, modular system hosted in a cloud 4905
7271	7271	computing service, as defined in s. 282.0041, that provides for 4906
7272	7272	rapid provisioning of addi tional data processing when necessary. 4907
7273	7273	The system must support the efficient distribution of benefits 4908
7274	7274	and the effective operation and management of the reemployment 4909
7275	7275	assistance program. The system may be cited as the "Reemployment 4910
7276	7276	Assistance Claims and Bene fits Information System" and must: 4911
7277	7277	(a) Be accessible through the Internet on both mobile 4912
7278	7278	devices and personal computers. 4913
7279	7279	(b) Process reemployment assistance claims. 4914
7280	7280	(c) Process benefit payments. 4915
7281	7281	(d) Process and manage overpayments. 4916
7282	7282	(e) Perform adjudication functions. 4917
7283	7283	(f) Process appeals and manage appeal hearings. 4918
7284	7284	(g) Manage and process employer charging. 4919
7285	7285	(4)(a) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 4920
7286	7286	shall perform an annual review of the system and identify 4921
7287	7287	enhancements or moderniza tion efforts that improve the delivery 4922
7288	7288	of services to claimants and employers and reporting to state 4923
7289	7289	and federal entities. These improvements must include, but need 4924
7290	7290	not be limited to: 4925
7291	7291
7292	7292	HB 7037 2024
7293	7293
7294	7294
7295	7295
7296	7296	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7297	7297	hb7037-00
7298	7298	Page 198 of 338
7299	7299	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
7300	7300
7301	7301
7302	7302
7303	7303	1. Infrastructure upgrades through cloud services. 4926
7304	7304	2. Software improvements. 4927
7305	7305	3. Enhanced data analytics and reporting. 4928
7306	7306	4. Increased cybersecurity pursuant to s. 282.318. 4929
7307	7307	(5) By October 1, 2023, and each year thereafter, the 4930
7308	7308	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall submit a 4931
7309	7309	Reemployment Assistance Claims and Benefits Information System 4932
7310	7310	report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 4933
7311	7311	Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must, at a 4934
7312	7312	minimum, include: 4935
7313	7313	(a) A summary of maintenance, enhancement, and 4936
7314	7314	modernization efforts over the last f iscal year. 4937
7315	7315	(b) A 3-year outlook of recommended enhancements or 4938
7316	7316	modernization efforts that includes projected costs and 4939
7317	7317	timeframes for completion. 4940
7318	7318	Section 180. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1), subsection 4941
7319	7319	(2), paragraph (a) of subsection (3), and subs ection (6) of 4942
7320	7320	section 443.1115, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4943
7321	7321	443.1115 Extended benefits. — 4944
7322	7322	(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 4945
7323	7323	(d) "Rate of insured unemployment" means the percentage 4946
7324	7324	derived by dividing the average weekly num ber of individuals 4947
7325	7325	filing claims for regular compensation in this state, excluding 4948
7326	7326	extended-benefit claimants for weeks of unemployment with 4949
7327	7327	respect to the most recent 13 -consecutive-week period, as 4950
7328	7328
7329	7329	HB 7037 2024
7330	7330
7331	7331
7332	7332
7333	7333	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7334	7334	hb7037-00
7335	7335	Page 199 of 338
7336	7336	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
7337	7337
7338	7338
7339	7339
7340	7340	determined by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity on 4951
7341	7341	the basis of its reports to the United States Secretary of 4952
7342	7342	Labor, by the average monthly employment covered under this 4953
7343	7343	chapter for the first four of the most recent six completed 4954
7344	7344	calendar quarters ending before the end of that 13 -week period. 4955
7345	7345	(2) REGULAR BENEFITS ON CLAIMS FOR, AND THE PAYMENT OF, 4956
7346	7346	EXTENDED BENEFITS.—Except when the result is inconsistent with 4957
7347	7347	the other provisions of this section and as provided in the 4958
7348	7348	rules of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the 4959
7349	7349	provisions of this chapter applying to claims for, or the 4960
7350	7350	payment of, regular benefits apply to claims for, and the 4961
7351	7351	payment of, extended benefits. These extended benefits are 4962
7352	7352	charged to the employment records of employers to the extent 4963
7353	7353	that the share of those extended benef its paid from this state's 4964
7354	7354	Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund is not eligible to be 4965
7355	7355	reimbursed from federal sources. 4966
7356	7356	(3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTENDED BENEFITS. — 4967
7357	7357	(a) An individual is eligible to receive extended benefits 4968
7358	7358	for any week of unemployment in her or his eligibility period 4969
7359	7359	only if the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity finds 4970
7360	7360	that, for that week: 4971
7361	7361	1. She or he is an exhaustee as defined in subsec tion (1). 4972
7362	7362	2. She or he satisfies the requirements of this chapter 4973
7363	7363	for the receipt of regular benefits applicable to individuals 4974
7364	7364	claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to 4975
7365	7365
7366	7366	HB 7037 2024
7367	7367
7368	7368
7369	7369
7370	7370	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7371	7371	hb7037-00
7372	7372	Page 200 of 338
7373	7373	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
7374	7374
7375	7375
7376	7376
7377	7377	disqualification from the receipt of benefits. An individual 4976
7378	7378	disqualified from receiving regular benefits may not receive 4977
7379	7379	extended benefits after the disqualification period terminates 4978
7380	7380	if he or she was disqualified for voluntarily leaving work, 4979
7381	7381	being discharged from work for misconduct, or refusing suitable 4980
7382	7382	work. However, if the disqualification period for regular 4981
7383	7383	benefits terminates because the individual received the required 4982
7384	7384	amount of remuneration for services rendered as a common -law 4983
7385	7385	employee, she or he may receive extended benefits. 4984
7386	7386	3. The individual was paid wages for insured work for the 4985
7387	7387	applicable benefit year equal to 1.5 times the high quarter 4986
7388	7388	earnings during the base period. 4987
7389	7389	(6) COMPUTATIONS.—The Department of Commerce Economic 4988
7390	7390	Opportunity shall perform the computations required under 4989
7391	7391	paragraph (1)(d) in acco rdance with regulations of the United 4990
7392	7392	States Secretary of Labor. 4991
7393	7393	Section 181. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) and paragraph 4992
7394	7394	(a) of subsection (5) of section 443.1116, Florida Statutes, are 4993
7395	7395	amended to read: 4994
7396	7396	443.1116 Short-time compensation.— 4995
7397	7397	(2) APPROVAL OF SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PLANS. —An employer 4996
7398	7398	wishing to participate in the short -time compensation program 4997
7399	7399	must submit a signed, written, short -time plan to the Department 4998
7400	7400	of Commerce Economic Opportunity for approval. The Secretary of 4999
7401	7401	Commerce Economic Opportunity or his or her designee shall 5000
7402	7402
7403	7403	HB 7037 2024
7404	7404
7405	7405
7406	7406
7407	7407	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7408	7408	hb7037-00
7409	7409	Page 201 of 338
7410	7410	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
7411	7411
7412	7412
7413	7413
7414	7414	approve the plan if: 5001
7415	7415	(a) The plan applies to and identifies each specific 5002
7416	7416	affected unit; 5003
7417	7417	(b) The individuals in the affected unit are identified by 5004
7418	7418	name and social security number; 5005
7419	7419	(c) The normal weekly hou rs of work for individuals in the 5006
7420	7420	affected unit are reduced by at least 10 percent and by not more 5007
7421	7421	than 40 percent; 5008
7422	7422	(d) The plan includes a certified statement by the 5009
7423	7423	employer that the aggregate reduction in work hours is in lieu 5010
7424	7424	of layoffs that would af fect at least 10 percent of the 5011
7425	7425	employees in the affected unit and that would have resulted in 5012
7426	7426	an equivalent reduction in work hours; 5013
7427	7427	(e) The plan applies to at least 10 percent of the 5014
7428	7428	employees in the affected unit; 5015
7429	7429	(f) The plan is approved in writing by the collective 5016
7430	7430	bargaining agent for each collective bargaining agreement 5017
7431	7431	covering any individual in the affected unit; 5018
7432	7432	(g) The plan does not serve as a subsidy to seasonal 5019
7433	7433	employers during the off -season or as a subsidy to employers who 5020
7434	7434	traditionally use part-time employees; 5021
7435	7435	(h) The plan certifies that, if the employer provides 5022
7436	7436	fringe benefits to any employee whose workweek is reduced under 5023
7437	7437	the program, the fringe benefits will continue to be provided to 5024
7438	7438	the employee participating in the short -time compensation 5025
7439	7439
7440	7440	HB 7037 2024
7441	7441
7442	7442
7443	7443
7444	7444	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7445	7445	hb7037-00
7446	7446	Page 202 of 338
7447	7447	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
7448	7448
7449	7449
7450	7450
7451	7451	program under the same terms and conditions as though the 5026
7452	7452	workweek of such employee had not been reduced or to the same 5027
7453	7453	extent as other employees not participating in the short -time 5028
7454	7454	compensation program. As used in this paragraph, the term 5029
7455	7455	"fringe benefits" includes, but is not limited to, health 5030
7456	7456	insurance, retirement benefits under defined benefit pension 5031
7457	7457	plans as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 5032
7458	7458	of 1974, 29 U.S.C. s. 1002(35), contributions under a defined 5033
7459	7459	contribution plan as defined in s. 414(i) of the Internal 5034
7460	7460	Revenue Code, paid vacation and holidays, and sick leave; 5035
7461	7461	(i) The plan describes the manner in which the 5036
7462	7462	requirements of this subsection will be implemented, including a 5037
7463	7463	plan for giving notice, if feasible, to an employee whose 5038
7464	7464	workweek is to be reduced, together with an estimate of the 5039
7465	7465	number of layoffs that would have occurred absent the ability to 5040
7466	7466	participate in short -time compensation; and 5041
7467	7467	(j) The terms of the employer's written plan and 5042
7468	7468	implementation are consistent with employer obligations under 5043
7469	7469	applicable federal laws and laws of this state. 5044
7470	7470	(3) APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THE PLAN. —The Secretary of 5045
7471	7471	Commerce Economic Opportunity or his or her designee shall 5046
7472	7472	approve or disapprove a short -time compensation plan in writing 5047
7473	7473	within 15 days after its receipt. If the plan is denied, the 5048
7474	7474	secretary or his or her designee shall notify the employer of 5049
7475	7475	the reasons for disapproval. 5050
7476	7476
7477	7477	HB 7037 2024
7478	7478
7479	7479
7480	7480
7481	7481	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7482	7482	hb7037-00
7483	7483	Page 203 of 338
7484	7484	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
7485	7485
7486	7486
7487	7487
7488	7488	(4) BEGINNING AND TERMINATION OF SHORT -TIME COMPENSATION 5051
7489	7489	BENEFIT PERIOD.—A plan takes effect on the date of its approval 5052
7490	7490	by the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity or his or her 5053
7491	7491	designee and expires at the end of the 12th full calendar month 5054
7492	7492	after its effective date. 5055
7493	7493	(5) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SHORT -TIME COMPENSATION 5056
7494	7494	BENEFITS.— 5057
7495	7495	(a) Except as provided in this subsection, an individual 5058
7496	7496	is eligible to receive short -time compensation benefits for any 5059
7497	7497	week only if she or he complies with this chapter and the 5060
7498	7498	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity finds that: 5061
7499	7499	1. The individual is employed as a member of an affected 5062
7500	7500	unit in an approved plan that was approved before the week and 5063
7501	7501	is in effect for the week; 5064
7502	7502	2. The individual is able to work and is available for 5065
7503	7503	additional hours of work or for full -time work with the short -5066
7504	7504	time employer; and 5067
7505	7505	3. The normal weekly hours of work of the individual are 5068
7506	7506	reduced by at least 10 percent but not by more than 40 percent, 5069
7507	7507	with a corresponding reduction in wages. 5070
7508	7508	Section 182. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 5071
7509	7509	443.1118, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5072
7510	7510	443.1118 Employer-assisted claims.— 5073
7511	7511	(1) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 5074
7512	7512	(a) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 5075
7513	7513
7514	7514	HB 7037 2024
7515	7515
7516	7516
7517	7517
7518	7518	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7519	7519	hb7037-00
7520	7520	Page 204 of 338
7521	7521	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
7522	7522
7523	7523
7524	7524
7525	7525	Opportunity. 5076
7526	7526	Section 183. Subsection (3) of section 443.1215, Florida 5077
7527	7527	Statutes, is amended to read: 5078
7528	7528	443.1215 Employers. — 5079
7529	7529	(3) An employing unit that fails to keep the records of 5080
7530	7530	employment required by this chapter and by the rules of the 5081
7531	7531	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the state agency 5082
7532	7532	providing reemployment assistance tax collection services is 5083
7533	7533	presumed to be an employer liable for the payment of 5084
7534	7534	contributions under this chapter, regardless of the number of 5085
7535	7535	individuals employed by the employing unit. However, the t ax 5086
7536	7536	collection service provider shall make written demand that the 5087
7537	7537	employing unit keep and maintain required payroll records. The 5088
7538	7538	demand must be made at least 6 months before assessing 5089
7539	7539	contributions against an employing unit determined to be an 5090
7540	7540	employer that is subject to this chapter solely by reason of 5091
7541	7541	this subsection. 5092
7542	7542	Section 184. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1), subsection 5093
7543	7543	(12), and paragraph (p) of subsection (13) of section 443.1216, 5094
7544	7544	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 5095
7545	7545	443.1216 Employment. —Employment, as defined in s. 443.036, 5096
7546	7546	is subject to this chapter under the following conditions: 5097
7547	7547	(1)(a) The employment subject to this chapter includes a 5098
7548	7548	service performed, including a service performed in interstate 5099
7549	7549	commerce, by: 5100
7550	7550
7551	7551	HB 7037 2024
7552	7552
7553	7553
7554	7554
7555	7555	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7556	7556	hb7037-00
7557	7557	Page 205 of 338
7558	7558	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
7559	7559
7560	7560
7561	7561
7562	7562	1. An officer of a corpo ration. 5101
7563	7563	2. An individual who, under the usual common -law rules 5102
7564	7564	applicable in determining the employer -employee relationship, is 5103
7565	7565	an employee. However, whenever a client, as defined in s. 5104
7566	7566	443.036(18), which would otherwise be designated as an employing 5105
7567	7567	unit has contracted with an employee leasing company to supply 5106
7568	7568	it with workers, those workers are considered employees of the 5107
7569	7569	employee leasing company. An employee leasing company may lease 5108
7570	7570	corporate officers of the client to the client and other workers 5109
7571	7571	to the client, except as prohibited by regulations of the 5110
7572	7572	Internal Revenue Service. Employees of an employee leasing 5111
7573	7573	company must be reported under the employee leasing company's 5112
7574	7574	tax identification number and contribution rate for work 5113
7575	7575	performed for the employ ee leasing company. 5114
7576	7576	a. However, except for the internal employees of an 5115
7577	7577	employee leasing company, each employee leasing company may make 5116
7578	7578	a separate one-time election to report and pay contributions 5117
7579	7579	under the tax identification number and contribution rat e for 5118
7580	7580	each client of the employee leasing company. Under the client 5119
7581	7581	method, an employee leasing company choosing this option must 5120
7582	7582	assign leased employees to the client company that is leasing 5121
7583	7583	the employees. The client method is solely a method to report 5122
7584	7584	and pay unemployment contributions, and, whichever method is 5123
7585	7585	chosen, such election may not impact any other aspect of state 5124
7586	7586	law. An employee leasing company that elects the client method 5125
7587	7587
7588	7588	HB 7037 2024
7589	7589
7590	7590
7591	7591
7592	7592	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7593	7593	hb7037-00
7594	7594	Page 206 of 338
7595	7595	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
7596	7596
7597	7597
7598	7598
7599	7599	must pay contributions at the rates assigned to each client 5126
7600	7600	company. 5127
7601	7601	(I) The election applies to all of the employee leasing 5128
7602	7602	company's current and future clients. 5129
7603	7603	(II) The employee leasing company must notify the 5130
7604	7604	Department of Revenue of its election by July 1, 2012, and such 5131
7605	7605	election applies to reports and contributions for the first 5132
7606	7606	quarter of the following calendar year. The notification must 5133
7607	7607	include: 5134
7608	7608	(A) A list of each client company and the unemployment 5135
7609	7609	account number or, if one has not yet been issued, the federal 5136
7610	7610	employment identification number, as established by the employee 5137
7611	7611	leasing company upon the election to file by client method; 5138
7612	7612	(B) A list of each client company's current and previous 5139
7613	7613	employees and their respective social security numbers for the 5140
7614	7614	prior 3 state fiscal years or, if the client company has not 5141
7615	7615	been a client for the prior 3 state fiscal years, such portion 5142
7616	7616	of the prior 3 state fiscal years that the client company has 5143
7617	7617	been a client must be supplied; 5144
7618	7618	(C) The wage data and benefit charges associated with each 5145
7619	7619	client company for the prior 3 state fiscal years or, if the 5146
7620	7620	client company has not been a client for the prior 3 state 5147
7621	7621	fiscal years, such portion of the prior 3 state fiscal years 5148
7622	7622	that the client company has been a client must be supplied. If 5149
7623	7623	the client company's employment record is chargea ble with 5150
7624	7624
7625	7625	HB 7037 2024
7626	7626
7627	7627
7628	7628
7629	7629	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7630	7630	hb7037-00
7631	7631	Page 207 of 338
7632	7632	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
7633	7633
7634	7634
7635	7635
7636	7636	benefits for less than 8 calendar quarters while being a client 5151
7637	7637	of the employee leasing company, the client company must pay 5152
7638	7638	contributions at the initial rate of 2.7 percent; and 5153
7639	7639	(D) The wage data and benefit charges for the prior 3 5154
7640	7640	state fiscal years that cannot be associated with a client 5155
7641	7641	company must be reported and charged to the employee leasing 5156
7642	7642	company. 5157
7643	7643	(III) Subsequent to choosing the client method, the 5158
7644	7644	employee leasing company may not change its reporting method. 5159
7645	7645	(IV) The employee lea sing company shall file a Florida 5160
7646	7646	Department of Revenue Employer's Quarterly Report for each 5161
7647	7647	client company by approved electronic means, and pay all 5162
7648	7648	contributions by approved electronic means. 5163
7649	7649	(V) For the purposes of calculating experience rates when 5164
7650	7650	the client method is chosen, each client's own benefit charges 5165
7651	7651	and wage data experience while with the employee leasing company 5166
7652	7652	determines each client's tax rate where the client has been a 5167
7653	7653	client of the employee leasing company for at least 8 calendar 5168
7654	7654	quarters before the election. The client company shall continue 5169
7655	7655	to report the nonleased employees under its tax rate. 5170
7656	7656	(VI) The election is binding on each client of the 5171
7657	7657	employee leasing company for as long as a written agreement is 5172
7658	7658	in effect between the clien t and the employee leasing company 5173
7659	7659	pursuant to s. 468.525(3)(a). If the relationship between the 5174
7660	7660	employee leasing company and the client terminates, the client 5175
7661	7661
7662	7662	HB 7037 2024
7663	7663
7664	7664
7665	7665
7666	7666	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7667	7667	hb7037-00
7668	7668	Page 208 of 338
7669	7669	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
7670	7670
7671	7671
7672	7672
7673	7673	retains the wage and benefit history experienced under the 5176
7674	7674	employee leasing company. 5177
7675	7675	(VII) Notwithstanding which election method the employee 5178
7676	7676	leasing company chooses, the applicable client company is an 5179
7677	7677	employing unit for purposes of s. 443.071. The employee leasing 5180
7678	7678	company or any of its officers or agents are liable for any 5181
7679	7679	violation of s. 443.071 engaged in by such persons or entities. 5182
7680	7680	The applicable client company or any of its officers or agents 5183
7681	7681	are liable for any violation of s. 443.071 engaged in by such 5184
7682	7682	persons or entities. The employee leasing company or its 5185
7683	7683	applicable client company is not liable for any violation of s. 5186
7684	7684	443.071 engaged in by the other party or by the other party's 5187
7685	7685	officers or agents. 5188
7686	7686	(VIII) If an employee leasing company fails to select the 5189
7687	7687	client method of reporting not later than July 1, 2012, the 5190
7688	7688	entity is required to r eport under the employee leasing 5191
7689	7689	company's tax identification number and contribution rate. 5192
7690	7690	(IX) After an employee leasing company is licensed 5193
7691	7691	pursuant to part XI of chapter 468, each newly licensed entity 5194
7692	7692	has 30 days after the date the license is grante d to notify the 5195
7693	7693	tax collection service provider in writing of their selection of 5196
7694	7694	the client method. A newly licensed employee leasing company 5197
7695	7695	that fails to timely select reporting pursuant to the client 5198
7696	7696	method of reporting must report under the employee le asing 5199
7697	7697	company's tax identification number and contribution rate. 5200
7698	7698
7699	7699	HB 7037 2024
7700	7700
7701	7701
7702	7702
7703	7703	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7704	7704	hb7037-00
7705	7705	Page 209 of 338
7706	7706	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
7707	7707
7708	7708
7709	7709
7710	7710	(X) Irrespective of the election, each transfer of trade 5201
7711	7711	or business, including workforce, or a portion thereof, between 5202
7712	7712	employee leasing companies is subject to the provisions of s. 5203
7713	7713	443.131(3)(h) if, at the time of the transfer, there is common 5204
7714	7714	ownership, management, or control between the entities. 5205
7715	7715	b. In addition to any other report required to be filed by 5206
7716	7716	law, an employee leasing company shall submit a report to the 5207
7717	7717	Labor Market Statist ics Center within the Department of Commerce 5208
7718	7718	Economic Opportunity which includes each client establishment 5209
7719	7719	and each establishment of the leasing company, or as otherwise 5210
7720	7720	directed by the department. The report must include the 5211
7721	7721	following information for each establishment: 5212
7722	7722	(I) The trade or establishment name; 5213
7723	7723	(II) The former reemployment assistance account number, if 5214
7724	7724	available; 5215
7725	7725	(III) The former federal employer's identification number, 5216
7726	7726	if available; 5217
7727	7727	(IV) The industry code recognized and published by t he 5218
7728	7728	United States Office of Management and Budget, if available; 5219
7729	7729	(V) A description of the client's primary business 5220
7730	7730	activity in order to verify or assign an industry code; 5221
7731	7731	(VI) The address of the physical location; 5222
7732	7732	(VII) The number of full -time and part-time employees who 5223
7733	7733	worked during, or received pay that was subject to reemployment 5224
7734	7734	assistance taxes for, the pay period including the 12th of the 5225
7735	7735
7736	7736	HB 7037 2024
7737	7737
7738	7738
7739	7739
7740	7740	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7741	7741	hb7037-00
7742	7742	Page 210 of 338
7743	7743	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
7744	7744
7745	7745
7746	7746
7747	7747	month for each month of the quarter; 5226
7748	7748	(VIII) The total wages subject to reemployment assistance 5227
7749	7749	taxes paid during the calendar quarter; 5228
7750	7750	(IX) An internal identification code to uniquely identify 5229
7751	7751	each establishment of each client; 5230
7752	7752	(X) The month and year that the client entered into the 5231
7753	7753	contract for services; and 5232
7754	7754	(XI) The month and year that the client terminated the 5233
7755	7755	contract for services. 5234
7756	7756	c. The report must be submitted electronically or in a 5235
7757	7757	manner otherwise prescribed by the Department of Commerce 5236
7758	7758	Economic Opportunity in the format specified by the Bureau of 5237
7759	7759	Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for 5238
7760	7760	its Multiple Worksite Report for Professional Employer 5239
7761	7761	Organizations. The report must be provided quarterly to the 5240
7762	7762	Labor Market Statistics Center within the department, or as 5241
7763	7763	otherwise directed by the d epartment, and must be filed by the 5242
7764	7764	last day of the month immediately after the end of the calendar 5243
7765	7765	quarter. The information required in sub -sub-subparagraphs b.(X) 5244
7766	7766	and (XI) need be provided only in the quarter in which the 5245
7767	7767	contract to which it relates was entered into or terminated. The 5246
7768	7768	sum of the employment data and the sum of the wage data in this 5247
7769	7769	report must match the employment and wages reported in the 5248
7770	7770	reemployment assistance quarterly tax and wage report. 5249
7771	7771	d. The department shall adopt rules as nece ssary to 5250
7772	7772
7773	7773	HB 7037 2024
7774	7774
7775	7775
7776	7776
7777	7777	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7778	7778	hb7037-00
7779	7779	Page 211 of 338
7780	7780	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
7781	7781
7782	7782
7783	7783
7784	7784	administer this subparagraph, and may administer, collect, 5251
7785	7785	enforce, and waive the penalty imposed by s. 443.141(1)(b) for 5252
7786	7786	the report required by this subparagraph. 5253
7787	7787	e. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term 5254
7788	7788	"establishment" means any loca tion where business is conducted 5255
7789	7789	or where services or industrial operations are performed. 5256
7790	7790	3. An individual other than an individual who is an 5257
7791	7791	employee under subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2., who performs 5258
7792	7792	services for remuneration for any person: 5259
7793	7793	a. As an agent-driver or commission -driver engaged in 5260
7794	7794	distributing meat products, vegetable products, fruit products, 5261
7795	7795	bakery products, beverages other than milk, or laundry or 5262
7796	7796	drycleaning services for his or her principal. 5263
7797	7797	b. As a traveling or city salesper son engaged on a full -5264
7798	7798	time basis in the solicitation on behalf of, and the 5265
7799	7799	transmission to, his or her principal of orders from 5266
7800	7800	wholesalers, retailers, contractors, or operators of hotels, 5267
7801	7801	restaurants, or other similar establishments for merchandise for 5268
7802	7802	resale or supplies for use in the business operations. This sub -5269
7803	7803	subparagraph does not apply to an agent -driver or a commission -5270
7804	7804	driver and does not apply to sideline sales activities performed 5271
7805	7805	on behalf of a person other than the salesperson's principal. 5272
7806	7806	4. The services described in subparagraph 3. are 5273
7807	7807	employment subject to this chapter only if: 5274
7808	7808	a. The contract of service contemplates that substantially 5275
7809	7809
7810	7810	HB 7037 2024
7811	7811
7812	7812
7813	7813
7814	7814	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7815	7815	hb7037-00
7816	7816	Page 212 of 338
7817	7817	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
7818	7818
7819	7819
7820	7820
7821	7821	all of the services are to be performed personally by the 5276
7822	7822	individual; 5277
7823	7823	b. The individual does not have a substantial investment 5278
7824	7824	in facilities used in connection with the services, other than 5279
7825	7825	facilities used for transportation; and 5280
7826	7826	c. The services are not in the nature of a single 5281
7827	7827	transaction that is not part of a continuing relationship with 5282
7828	7828	the person for whom the services are performed. 5283
7829	7829	(12) The employment subject to this chapter includes 5284
7830	7830	services covered by a reciprocal arrangement under s. 443.221 5285
7831	7831	between the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 5286
7832	7832	tax collection service provider and the a gency charged with the 5287
7833	7833	administration of another state reemployment assistance or 5288
7834	7834	unemployment compensation law or a federal reemployment 5289
7835	7835	assistance or unemployment compensation law, under which all 5290
7836	7836	services performed by an individual for an employing unit are 5291
7837	7837	deemed to be performed entirely within this state, if the 5292
7838	7838	department or its tax collection service provider approved an 5293
7839	7839	election of the employing unit in which all of the services 5294
7840	7840	performed by the individual during the period covered by the 5295
7841	7841	election are deemed to be insured work. 5296
7842	7842	(13) The following are exempt from coverage under this 5297
7843	7843	chapter: 5298
7844	7844	(p) Service covered by an arrangement between the 5299
7845	7845	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , or its tax 5300
7846	7846
7847	7847	HB 7037 2024
7848	7848
7849	7849
7850	7850
7851	7851	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7852	7852	hb7037-00
7853	7853	Page 213 of 338
7854	7854	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
7855	7855
7856	7856
7857	7857
7858	7858	collection service provider, and the agency charged with the 5301
7859	7859	administration of another state or federal reemployment 5302
7860	7860	assistance or unemployment compensation law under which all 5303
7861	7861	services performed by an individual for an employing unit during 5304
7862	7862	the period covered by the employing unit's duly approved 5305
7863	7863	election is deemed to be performed entirely within the other 5306
7864	7864	agency's state or under the federal law. 5307
7865	7865	Section 185. Subsection (1) of section 443.1217, Florida 5308
7866	7866	Statutes, is amended to read: 5309
7867	7867	443.1217 Wages.— 5310
7868	7868	(1) The wages subject to this chapter include all 5311
7869	7869	remuneration for employment, including commissions, bonuses, 5312
7870	7870	back pay awards, and the cash value of all remuneration paid in 5313
7871	7871	any medium other than cash. The reasonable cash value of 5314
7872	7872	remuneration in any medium other than cash must be estimated and 5315
7873	7873	determined in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of 5316
7874	7874	Commerce Economic Opportunity or the state agency providing tax 5317
7875	7875	collection services. The wages subject to this chapter include 5318
7876	7876	tips or gratuities received while performing services that 5319
7877	7877	constitute employment and are included in a written statement 5320
7878	7878	furnished to the employer under s. 6053(a) of the Internal 5321
7879	7879	Revenue Code of 1954. As used in this section only, the term 5322
7880	7880	"employment" includes services constituting employment under any 5323
7881	7881	employment security law of another state or of the Federal 5324
7882	7882	Government. 5325
7883	7883
7884	7884	HB 7037 2024
7885	7885
7886	7886
7887	7887
7888	7888	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7889	7889	hb7037-00
7890	7890	Page 214 of 338
7891	7891	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
7892	7892
7893	7893
7894	7894
7895	7895	Section 186. Subsection (1) and paragraphs (a), (e), (i), 5326
7896	7896	and (j) of subsection (3) of section 443.131, Florida Statutes, 5327
7897	7897	are amended to read: 5328
7898	7898	443.131 Contributions. — 5329
7899	7899	(1) PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS. —Contributions accrue and are 5330
7900	7900	payable by each employer for each calendar quarter he or she is 5331
7901	7901	subject to this chapter for wages paid during each calendar 5332
7902	7902	quarter for employment. Contributions are due and payable by 5333
7903	7903	each employer to the tax collection service pr ovider, in 5334
7904	7904	accordance with the rules adopted by the Department of Commerce 5335
7905	7905	Economic Opportunity or the state agency providing tax 5336
7906	7906	collection services. This subsection does not prohibit the tax 5337
7907	7907	collection service provider from allowing, at the request of th e 5338
7908	7908	employer, employers of employees performing domestic services, 5339
7909	7909	as defined in s. 443.1216(6), to pay contributions or report 5340
7910	7910	wages at intervals other than quarterly when the nonquarterly 5341
7911	7911	payment or reporting assists the service provider and when 5342
7912	7912	nonquarterly payment and reporting is authorized under federal 5343
7913	7913	law. Employers of employees performing domestic services may 5344
7914	7914	report wages and pay contributions annually, with a due date of 5345
7915	7915	no later than January 31, unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, 5346
7916	7916	or holiday, in which event the due date is the next day that is 5347
7917	7917	not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. For purposes of this 5348
7918	7918	subsection, the term "holiday" means a day designated under s. 5349
7919	7919	110.117(1) and (2) or any other day when the offices of the 5350
7920	7920
7921	7921	HB 7037 2024
7922	7922
7923	7923
7924	7924
7925	7925	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7926	7926	hb7037-00
7927	7927	Page 215 of 338
7928	7928	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
7929	7929
7930	7930
7931	7931
7932	7932	United States Postal Ser vice are closed. To qualify for this 5351
7933	7933	election, the employer must employ only employees performing 5352
7934	7934	domestic services, be eligible for a variation from the standard 5353
7935	7935	rate computed under subsection (3), apply to this program no 5354
7936	7936	later than December 1 of the pre ceding calendar year, and agree 5355
7937	7937	to provide the department or its tax collection service provider 5356
7938	7938	with any special reports that are requested, including copies of 5357
7939	7939	all federal employment tax forms. An employer who fails to 5358
7940	7940	timely furnish any wage information required by the department 5359
7941	7941	or its tax collection service provider loses the privilege to 5360
7942	7942	participate in this program, effective the calendar quarter 5361
7943	7943	immediately after the calendar quarter the failure occurred. The 5362
7944	7944	employer may reapply for annual reporting when a complete 5363
7945	7945	calendar year elapses after the employer's disqualification if 5364
7946	7946	the employer timely furnished any requested wage information 5365
7947	7947	during the period in which annual reporting was denied. An 5366
7948	7948	employer may not deduct contributions, interests, penalt ies, 5367
7949	7949	fines, or fees required under this chapter from any part of the 5368
7950	7950	wages of his or her employees. A fractional part of a cent less 5369
7951	7951	than one-half cent shall be disregarded from the payment of 5370
7952	7952	contributions, but a fractional part of at least one -half cent 5371
7953	7953	shall be increased to 1 cent. 5372
7954	7954	(3) VARIATION OF CONTRIBUTION RATES BASED ON BENEFIT 5373
7955	7955	EXPERIENCE.— 5374
7956	7956	(a) Employment records.—The regular and short -time 5375
7957	7957
7958	7958	HB 7037 2024
7959	7959
7960	7960
7961	7961
7962	7962	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
7963	7963	hb7037-00
7964	7964	Page 216 of 338
7965	7965	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
7966	7966
7967	7967
7968	7968
7969	7969	compensation benefits paid to an eligible individual shall be 5376
7970	7970	charged to the employment record of each em ployer who paid the 5377
7971	7971	individual wages of at least $100 during the individual's base 5378
7972	7972	period in proportion to the total wages paid by all employers 5379
7973	7973	who paid the individual wages during the individual's base 5380
7974	7974	period. Benefits may not be charged to the employmen t record of 5381
7975	7975	an employer who furnishes part -time work to an individual who, 5382
7976	7976	because of loss of employment with one or more other employers, 5383
7977	7977	is eligible for partial benefits while being furnished part -time 5384
7978	7978	work by the employer on substantially the same basis and in 5385
7979	7979	substantially the same amount as the individual's employment 5386
7980	7980	during his or her base period, regardless of whether this part -5387
7981	7981	time work is simultaneous or successive to the individual's lost 5388
7982	7982	employment. Further, as provided in s. 443.151(3), benefits may 5389
7983	7983	not be charged to the employment record of an employer who 5390
7984	7984	furnishes the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity with 5391
7985	7985	notice, as prescribed in rules of the department, that any of 5392
7986	7986	the following apply: 5393
7987	7987	1. If an individual leaves his or her work w ithout good 5394
7988	7988	cause attributable to the employer or is discharged by the 5395
7989	7989	employer for misconduct connected with his or her work, benefits 5396
7990	7990	subsequently paid to the individual based on wages paid by the 5397
7991	7991	employer before the separation may not be charged to the 5398
7992	7992	employment record of the employer. 5399
7993	7993	2. If an individual is discharged by the employer for 5400
7994	7994
7995	7995	HB 7037 2024
7996	7996
7997	7997
7998	7998
7999	7999	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8000	8000	hb7037-00
8001	8001	Page 217 of 338
8002	8002	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
8003	8003
8004	8004
8005	8005
8006	8006	unsatisfactory performance during an initial employment 5401
8007	8007	probationary period, benefits subsequently paid to the 5402
8008	8008	individual based on wages paid during the probationary period by 5403
8009	8009	the employer before the separation may not be charged to the 5404
8010	8010	employer's employment record. As used in this subparagraph, the 5405
8011	8011	term "initial employment probationary period" means an 5406
8012	8012	established probationary plan that applies to all employees or a 5407
8013	8013	specific group of employees and that does not exceed 90 calendar 5408
8014	8014	days following the first day a new employee begins work. The 5409
8015	8015	employee must be informed of the probationary period within the 5410
8016	8016	first 7 days of work. The employer must demonstrate by 5411
8017	8017	conclusive evidence that the individual was separated because of 5412
8018	8018	unsatisfactory work performance and not because of lack of work 5413
8019	8019	due to temporary, seasonal, casual, or other similar employment 5414
8020	8020	that is not of a regular, permanent, and year -round nature. 5415
8021	8021	3. Benefits subsequently paid to an individual after his 5416
8022	8022	or her refusal without good cause to accept suitable work from 5417
8023	8023	an employer may not be charged to the employment record of the 5418
8024	8024	employer if any part of those benefits are based on wages paid 5419
8025	8025	by the employer before the individual's refusal to accept 5420
8026	8026	suitable work. As used in this subparagraph, the term "good 5421
8027	8027	cause" does not include distance to employment caused by a 5422
8028	8028	change of residence by the individual. The department shall 5423
8029	8029	adopt rules prescribing for the payment o f all benefits whether 5424
8030	8030	this subparagraph applies regardless of whether a 5425
8031	8031
8032	8032	HB 7037 2024
8033	8033
8034	8034
8035	8035
8036	8036	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8037	8037	hb7037-00
8038	8038	Page 218 of 338
8039	8039	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
8040	8040
8041	8041
8042	8042
8043	8043	disqualification under s. 443.101 applies to the claim. 5426
8044	8044	4. If an individual is separated from work as a direct 5427
8045	8045	result of a natural disaster declared under the Robert T. 5428
8046	8046	Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5429
8047	8047	ss. 5121 et seq., benefits subsequently paid to the individual 5430
8048	8048	based on wages paid by the employer before the separation may 5431
8049	8049	not be charged to the employment record of the employer. 5432
8050	8050	5. If an individual is separated from work as a direct 5433
8051	8051	result of an oil spill, terrorist attack, or other similar 5434
8052	8052	disaster of national significance not subject to a declaration 5435
8053	8053	under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 5436
8054	8054	Assistance Act, benefits subsequently p aid to the individual 5437
8055	8055	based on wages paid by the employer before the separation may 5438
8056	8056	not be charged to the employment record of the employer. 5439
8057	8057	6. If an individual is separated from work as a direct 5440
8058	8058	result of domestic violence and meets all requirements in s. 5441
8059	8059	443.101(1)(a)2.c., benefits subsequently paid to the individual 5442
8060	8060	based on wages paid by the employer before separation may not be 5443
8061	8061	charged to the employment record of the employer. 5444
8062	8062	(e) Assignment of variations from the standard rate. — 5445
8063	8063	1. As used in this paragraph, the terms "total benefit 5446
8064	8064	payments," "benefits paid to an individual," and "benefits 5447
8065	8065	charged to the employment record of an employer" mean the amount 5448
8066	8066	of benefits paid to individuals multiplied by: 5449
8067	8067	a. For benefits paid prior to July 1, 2007, 1. 5450
8068	8068
8069	8069	HB 7037 2024
8070	8070
8071	8071
8072	8072
8073	8073	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8074	8074	hb7037-00
8075	8075	Page 219 of 338
8076	8076	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
8077	8077
8078	8078
8079	8079
8080	8080	b. For benefits paid during the period beginning on July 5451
8081	8081	1, 2007, and ending March 31, 2011, 0.90. 5452
8082	8082	c. For benefits paid after March 31, 2011, 1. 5453
8083	8083	d. For benefits paid during the period beginning April 1, 5454
8084	8084	2020, and ending December 31, 2020, 0. 5455
8085	8085	e. For benefits paid during the period beginning January 5456
8086	8086	1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2021, 1, except as otherwise 5457
8087	8087	adjusted in accordance with paragraph (f). 5458
8088	8088	2. For the calculation of contribution rates effective 5459
8089	8089	January 1, 2012, and thereafter: 5460
8090	8090	a. The tax collection service provider shall assign a 5461
8091	8091	variation from the standard rate of contributions for each 5462
8092	8092	calendar year to each eligible employer. In determining the 5463
8093	8093	contribution rate, varying from the standard rate to be assigned 5464
8094	8094	each employer, adjustment f actors computed under sub -sub-5465
8095	8095	subparagraphs (I)-(IV) are added to the benefit ratio. This 5466
8096	8096	addition shall be accomplished in two steps by adding a variable 5467
8097	8097	adjustment factor and a final adjustment factor. The sum of 5468
8098	8098	these adjustment factors computed under s ub-sub-subparagraphs 5469
8099	8099	(I)-(IV) shall first be algebraically summed. The sum of these 5470
8100	8100	adjustment factors shall next be divided by a gross benefit 5471
8101	8101	ratio determined as follows: Total benefit payments for the 3 -5472
8102	8102	year period described in subparagraph (b)3. are ch arged to 5473
8103	8103	employers eligible for a variation from the standard rate, minus 5474
8104	8104	excess payments for the same period, divided by taxable payroll 5475
8105	8105
8106	8106	HB 7037 2024
8107	8107
8108	8108
8109	8109
8110	8110	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8111	8111	hb7037-00
8112	8112	Page 220 of 338
8113	8113	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
8114	8114
8115	8115
8116	8116
8117	8117	entering into the computation of individual benefit ratios for 5476
8118	8118	the calendar year for which the contribution rate is be ing 5477
8119	8119	computed. The ratio of the sum of the adjustment factors 5478
8120	8120	computed under sub-sub-subparagraphs (I)-(IV) to the gross 5479
8121	8121	benefit ratio is multiplied by each individual benefit ratio 5480
8122	8122	that is less than the maximum contribution rate to obtain 5481
8123	8123	variable adjustment factors; except that if the sum of an 5482
8124	8124	employer's individual benefit ratio and variable adjustment 5483
8125	8125	factor exceeds the maximum contribution rate, the variable 5484
8126	8126	adjustment factor is reduced in order for the sum to equal the 5485
8127	8127	maximum contribution rate. The va riable adjustment factor for 5486
8128	8128	each of these employers is multiplied by his or her taxable 5487
8129	8129	payroll entering into the computation of his or her benefit 5488
8130	8130	ratio. The sum of these products is divided by the taxable 5489
8131	8131	payroll of the employers who entered into the co mputation of 5490
8132	8132	their benefit ratios. The resulting ratio is subtracted from the 5491
8133	8133	sum of the adjustment factors computed under sub -sub-5492
8134	8134	subparagraphs (I)-(IV) to obtain the final adjustment factor. 5493
8135	8135	The variable adjustment factors and the final adjustment factor 5494
8136	8136	must be computed to five decimal places and rounded to the 5495
8137	8137	fourth decimal place. This final adjustment factor is added to 5496
8138	8138	the variable adjustment factor and benefit ratio of each 5497
8139	8139	employer to obtain each employer's contribution rate. An 5498
8140	8140	employer's contribution rate may not, however, be rounded to 5499
8141	8141	less than 0.1 percent. In determining the contribution rate, 5500
8142	8142
8143	8143	HB 7037 2024
8144	8144
8145	8145
8146	8146
8147	8147	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8148	8148	hb7037-00
8149	8149	Page 221 of 338
8150	8150	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
8151	8151
8152	8152
8153	8153
8154	8154	varying from the standard rate to be assigned, the computation 5501
8155	8155	shall exclude any benefit that is excluded by the multipliers 5502
8156	8156	under subparagraph (b)2. and subparagraph 1. The computation of 5503
8157	8157	the contribution rate, varying from the standard rate to be 5504
8158	8158	assigned, shall also exclude any benefit paid as a result of a 5505
8159	8159	governmental order related to COVID -19 to close or reduce 5506
8160	8160	capacity of a business. In addition, th e contribution rate for 5507
8161	8161	the 2021 and 2022 calendar years shall be calculated without the 5508
8162	8162	application of the positive adjustment factor in sub -sub-5509
8163	8163	subparagraph (III). 5510
8164	8164	(I) An adjustment factor for noncharge benefits is 5511
8165	8165	computed to the fifth decimal place a nd rounded to the fourth 5512
8166	8166	decimal place by dividing the amount of noncharge benefits 5513
8167	8167	during the 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)3. by the 5514
8168	8168	taxable payroll of employers eligible for a variation from the 5515
8169	8169	standard rate who have a benefit ratio for th e current year 5516
8170	8170	which is less than the maximum contribution rate. For purposes 5517
8171	8171	of computing this adjustment factor, the taxable payroll of 5518
8172	8172	these employers is the taxable payrolls for the 3 years ending 5519
8173	8173	June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the tax 5520
8174	8174	collection service provider by September 30 of the same calendar 5521
8175	8175	year. As used in this sub -sub-subparagraph, the term "noncharge 5522
8176	8176	benefits" means benefits paid to an individual, as adjusted 5523
8177	8177	pursuant to subparagraph (b)2. and subparagraph 1., from the 5524
8178	8178	Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund which were not charged to 5525
8179	8179
8180	8180	HB 7037 2024
8181	8181
8182	8182
8183	8183
8184	8184	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8185	8185	hb7037-00
8186	8186	Page 222 of 338
8187	8187	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
8188	8188
8189	8189
8190	8190
8191	8191	the employment record of any employer, but excluding any benefit 5526
8192	8192	paid as a result of a governmental order related to COVID -19 to 5527
8193	8193	close or reduce capacity of a business. 5528
8194	8194	(II) An adjustment fact or for excess payments is computed 5529
8195	8195	to the fifth decimal place, and rounded to the fourth decimal 5530
8196	8196	place by dividing the total excess payments during the 3 -year 5531
8197	8197	period described in subparagraph (b)3. by the taxable payroll of 5532
8198	8198	employers eligible for a variati on from the standard rate who 5533
8199	8199	have a benefit ratio for the current year which is less than the 5534
8200	8200	maximum contribution rate. For purposes of computing this 5535
8201	8201	adjustment factor, the taxable payroll of these employers is the 5536
8202	8202	same figure used to compute the adjust ment factor for noncharge 5537
8203	8203	benefits under sub-sub-subparagraph (I). As used in this sub -5538
8204	8204	subparagraph, the term "excess payments" means the amount of 5539
8205	8205	benefits charged to the employment record of an employer, as 5540
8206	8206	adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (b)2. and sub paragraph 1., 5541
8207	8207	during the 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)3., but 5542
8208	8208	excluding any benefit paid as a result of a governmental order 5543
8209	8209	related to COVID-19 to close or reduce capacity of a business, 5544
8210	8210	less the product of the maximum contribution rate and the 5545
8211	8211	employer's taxable payroll for the 3 years ending June 30 of the 5546
8212	8212	current calendar year as reported to the tax collection service 5547
8213	8213	provider by September 30 of the same calendar year. As used in 5548
8214	8214	this sub-sub-subparagraph, the term "total excess payments" 5549
8215	8215	means the sum of the individual employer excess payments for 5550
8216	8216
8217	8217	HB 7037 2024
8218	8218
8219	8219
8220	8220
8221	8221	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8222	8222	hb7037-00
8223	8223	Page 223 of 338
8224	8224	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
8225	8225
8226	8226
8227	8227
8228	8228	those employers that were eligible for assignment of a 5551
8229	8229	contribution rate different from the standard rate. 5552
8230	8230	(III) With respect to computing a positive adjustment 5553
8231	8231	factor: 5554
8232	8232	(A) Beginning January 1, 2012, if the balance of the 5555
8233	8233	Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund on September 30 of the 5556
8234	8234	calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year for which 5557
8235	8235	the contribution rate is being computed is less than 4 percent 5558
8236	8236	of the taxable payrolls for the year e nding June 30 as reported 5559
8237	8237	to the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that 5560
8238	8238	calendar year, a positive adjustment factor shall be computed. 5561
8239	8239	The positive adjustment factor is computed annually to the fifth 5562
8240	8240	decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place by 5563
8241	8241	dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year 5564
8242	8242	ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the 5565
8243	8243	tax collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar 5566
8244	8244	year into a sum equal to one -fifth of the differen ce between the 5567
8245	8245	balance of the fund as of September 30 of that calendar year and 5568
8246	8246	the sum of 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls for that 5569
8247	8247	year. The positive adjustment factor remains in effect for 5570
8248	8248	subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment 5571
8249	8249	Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year 5572
8250	8250	immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution 5573
8251	8251	rate equals or exceeds 4 percent of the taxable payrolls for the 5574
8252	8252	year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to 5575
8253	8253
8254	8254	HB 7037 2024
8255	8255
8256	8256
8257	8257
8258	8258	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8259	8259	hb7037-00
8260	8260	Page 224 of 338
8261	8261	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
8262	8262
8263	8263
8264	8264
8265	8265	the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that 5576
8266	8266	calendar year. 5577
8267	8267	(B) Beginning January 1, 2018, and for each year 5578
8268	8268	thereafter, the positive adjustment shall be computed by 5579
8269	8269	dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year 5580
8270	8270	ending June 30 of the curr ent calendar year as reported to the 5581
8271	8271	tax collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar 5582
8272	8272	year into a sum equal to one -fourth of the difference between 5583
8273	8273	the balance of the fund as of September 30 of that calendar year 5584
8274	8274	and the sum of 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls for that 5585
8275	8275	year. The positive adjustment factor remains in effect for 5586
8276	8276	subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment 5587
8277	8277	Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year 5588
8278	8278	immediately preceding the effective date of the co ntribution 5589
8279	8279	rate equals or exceeds 4 percent of the taxable payrolls for the 5590
8280	8280	year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to 5591
8281	8281	the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that 5592
8282	8282	calendar year. 5593
8283	8283	(IV) If, beginning January 1, 2015, and each year 5594
8284	8284	thereafter, the balance of the Unemployment Compensation Trust 5595
8285	8285	Fund as of September 30 of the year immediately preceding the 5596
8286	8286	calendar year for which the contribution rate is being computed 5597
8287	8287	exceeds 5 percent of the taxable payrolls for the year e nding 5598
8288	8288	June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the tax 5599
8289	8289	collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar 5600
8290	8290
8291	8291	HB 7037 2024
8292	8292
8293	8293
8294	8294
8295	8295	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8296	8296	hb7037-00
8297	8297	Page 225 of 338
8298	8298	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
8299	8299
8300	8300
8301	8301
8302	8302	year, a negative adjustment factor must be computed. The 5601
8303	8303	negative adjustment factor shall be computed annually beginning 5602
8304	8304	on January 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, to the fifth 5603
8305	8305	decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place by 5604
8306	8306	dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year 5605
8307	8307	ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the 5606
8308	8308	tax collection service pr ovider by September 30 of the calendar 5607
8309	8309	year into a sum equal to one -fourth of the difference between 5608
8310	8310	the balance of the fund as of September 30 of the current 5609
8311	8311	calendar year and 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls of 5610
8312	8312	that year. The negative adjustment f actor remains in effect for 5611
8313	8313	subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment 5612
8314	8314	Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year 5613
8315	8315	immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution 5614
8316	8316	rate is less than 5 percent, but more than 4 percent of t he 5615
8317	8317	taxable payrolls for the year ending June 30 of the current 5616
8318	8318	calendar year as reported to the tax collection service provider 5617
8319	8319	by September 30 of that calendar year. The negative adjustment 5618
8320	8320	authorized by this section is suspended in any calendar year in 5619
8321	8321	which repayment of the principal amount of an advance received 5620
8322	8322	from the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund under 42 5621
8323	8323	U.S.C. s. 1321 is due to the Federal Government. 5622
8324	8324	(V) The maximum contribution rate that may be assigned to 5623
8325	8325	an employer is 5.4 per cent, except employers participating in an 5624
8326	8326	approved short-time compensation plan may be assigned a maximum 5625
8327	8327
8328	8328	HB 7037 2024
8329	8329
8330	8330
8331	8331
8332	8332	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8333	8333	hb7037-00
8334	8334	Page 226 of 338
8335	8335	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
8336	8336
8337	8337
8338	8338
8339	8339	contribution rate that is 1 percent greater than the maximum 5626
8340	8340	contribution rate for other employers in any calendar year in 5627
8341	8341	which short-time compensation benefits are charged to the 5628
8342	8342	employer's employment record. 5629
8343	8343	(VI) As used in this subsection, "taxable payroll" shall 5630
8344	8344	be determined by excluding any part of the remuneration paid to 5631
8345	8345	an individual by an employer for employment during a calendar 5632
8346	8346	year in excess of the first $7,000. Beginning January 1, 2012, 5633
8347	8347	"taxable payroll" shall be determined by excluding any part of 5634
8348	8348	the remuneration paid to an individual by an employer for 5635
8349	8349	employment during a calendar year as described in s. 5636
8350	8350	443.1217(2). For the purpose s of the employer rate calculation 5637
8351	8351	that will take effect in January 1, 2012, and in January 1, 5638
8352	8352	2013, the tax collection service provider shall use the data 5639
8353	8353	available for taxable payroll from 2009 based on excluding any 5640
8354	8354	part of the remuneration paid to an i ndividual by an employer 5641
8355	8355	for employment during a calendar year in excess of the first 5642
8356	8356	$7,000, and from 2010 and 2011, the data available for taxable 5643
8357	8357	payroll based on excluding any part of the remuneration paid to 5644
8358	8358	an individual by an employer for employment during a calendar 5645
8359	8359	year in excess of the first $8,500. 5646
8360	8360	b. If the transfer of an employer's employment record to 5647
8361	8361	an employing unit under paragraph (g) which, before the 5648
8362	8362	transfer, was an employer, the tax collection service provider 5649
8363	8363	shall recompute a benef it ratio for the successor employer based 5650
8364	8364
8365	8365	HB 7037 2024
8366	8366
8367	8367
8368	8368
8369	8369	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8370	8370	hb7037-00
8371	8371	Page 227 of 338
8372	8372	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
8373	8373
8374	8374
8375	8375
8376	8376	on the combined employment records and reassign an appropriate 5651
8377	8377	contribution rate to the successor employer effective on the 5652
8378	8378	first day of the calendar quarter immediately after the 5653
8379	8379	effective date of the transfer. 5654
8380	8380	3. The tax collection service provider shall reissue rates 5655
8381	8381	for the 2021 calendar year. However, an employer shall continue 5656
8382	8382	to timely file its employer's quarterly reports and pay the 5657
8383	8383	contributions due in a timely manner in accordance with the 5658
8384	8384	rules of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . The 5659
8385	8385	Department of Revenue shall post the revised rates on its 5660
8386	8386	website to enable employers to securely review the revised 5661
8387	8387	rates. For contributions for the first quarter of the 2021 5662
8388	8388	calendar year, if any employer remits to the tax collection 5663
8389	8389	service provider an amount in excess of the amount that would be 5664
8390	8390	due as calculated pursuant to this paragraph, the tax collection 5665
8391	8391	service provider shall refund the excess amount from the amount 5666
8392	8392	erroneously collected. Notwithsta nding s. 443.141(6), refunds 5667
8393	8393	issued through August 31, 2021, for first quarter 2021 5668
8394	8394	contributions must be paid from the General Revenue Fund. 5669
8395	8395	4. The tax collection service provider shall calculate and 5670
8396	8396	assign contribution rates effective January 1, 2022, through 5671
8397	8397	December 31, 2022, excluding any benefit charge that is excluded 5672
8398	8398	by the multipliers under subparagraph (b)2. and subparagraph 1.; 5673
8399	8399	without the application of the positive adjustment factor in 5674
8400	8400	sub-sub-subparagraph 2.a.(III); and without the inclusion of any 5675
8401	8401
8402	8402	HB 7037 2024
8403	8403
8404	8404
8405	8405
8406	8406	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8407	8407	hb7037-00
8408	8408	Page 228 of 338
8409	8409	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
8410	8410
8411	8411
8412	8412
8413	8413	benefit charge directly related to COVID -19 as a result of a 5676
8414	8414	governmental order to close or reduce capacity of a business, as 5677
8415	8415	determined by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 5678
8416	8416	for each employer who is eligible for a variation from the 5679
8417	8417	standard rate pursuant to paragraph (d). The Department of 5680
8418	8418	Commerce Economic Opportunity shall provide the tax collection 5681
8419	8419	service provider with all necessary benefit charge information 5682
8420	8420	by August 1, 2021, including specific information for 5683
8421	8421	adjustments related to COVID-19 charges resulting from a 5684
8422	8422	governmental order to close or reduce capacity of a business, to 5685
8423	8423	enable the tax collection service provider to calculate and 5686
8424	8424	issue tax rates effective January 1, 2022. The tax collection 5687
8425	8425	service provider shall calcul ate and post rates for the 2022 5688
8426	8426	calendar year by March 1, 2022. 5689
8427	8427	5. Subject to subparagraph 6., the tax collection service 5690
8428	8428	provider shall calculate and assign contribution rates effective 5691
8429	8429	January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025, excluding any 5692
8430	8430	benefit charge that is excluded by the multipliers under 5693
8431	8431	subparagraph (b)2. and subparagraph 1.; without the application 5694
8432	8432	of the positive adjustment factor in sub -sub-subparagraph 5695
8433	8433	2.a.(III); and without the inclusion of any benefit charge 5696
8434	8434	directly related to COVID -19 as a result of a governmental order 5697
8435	8435	to close or reduce capacity of a business, as determined by the 5698
8436	8436	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , for each employer 5699
8437	8437	who is eligible for a variation from the standard rate pursuant 5700
8438	8438
8439	8439	HB 7037 2024
8440	8440
8441	8441
8442	8442
8443	8443	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8444	8444	hb7037-00
8445	8445	Page 229 of 338
8446	8446	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
8447	8447
8448	8448
8449	8449
8450	8450	to paragraph (d). The Depar tment of Commerce Economic 5701
8451	8451	Opportunity shall provide the tax collection service provider 5702
8452	8452	with all necessary benefit charge information by August 1 of 5703
8453	8453	each year, including specific information for adjustments 5704
8454	8454	related to COVID-19 charges resulting from a gov ernmental order 5705
8455	8455	to close or reduce capacity of a business, to enable the tax 5706
8456	8456	collection service provider to calculate and issue tax rates 5707
8457	8457	effective the following January. 5708
8458	8458	6. If the balance of the Unemployment Compensation Trust 5709
8459	8459	Fund on June 30 of any yea r exceeds $4,071,519,600, subparagraph 5710
8460	8460	5. is repealed for rates effective the following years. The 5711
8461	8461	Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall advise the tax 5712
8462	8462	collection service provider of the balance of the trust fund on 5713
8463	8463	June 30 by August 1 of that year. After the repeal of 5714
8464	8464	subparagraph 5. and notwithstanding the dates specified in that 5715
8465	8465	subparagraph, the tax collection service provider shall 5716
8466	8466	calculate and assign contribution rates for each subsequent 5717
8467	8467	calendar year as otherwise provided in this sectio n. 5718
8468	8468	(i) Additional conditions for variation from the standard 5719
8469	8469	rate.—An employer's contribution rate may not be reduced below 5720
8470	8470	the standard rate under this section unless: 5721
8471	8471	1. All contributions, reimbursements, interest, and 5722
8472	8472	penalties incurred by the emplo yer for wages paid by him or her 5723
8473	8473	in all previous calendar quarters, except the 4 calendar 5724
8474	8474	quarters immediately preceding the calendar quarter or calendar 5725
8475	8475
8476	8476	HB 7037 2024
8477	8477
8478	8478
8479	8479
8480	8480	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8481	8481	hb7037-00
8482	8482	Page 230 of 338
8483	8483	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
8484	8484
8485	8485
8486	8486
8487	8487	year for which the benefit ratio is computed, are paid; 5726
8488	8488	2. The employer has produced for inspection and copying 5727
8489	8489	all work records in his or her possession, custody, or control 5728
8490	8490	which were requested by the Department of Commerce Economic 5729
8491	8491	Opportunity or its tax collection service provider pursuant to 5730
8492	8492	s. 443.171(5). An employer shall have at least 60 days to 5731
8493	8493	provide the requested work records before the employer is 5732
8494	8494	assigned the standard rate; and 5733
8495	8495	3. The employer entitled to a rate reduction has at least 5734
8496	8496	one annual payroll as defined in subparagraph (b)1. unless th e 5735
8497	8497	employer is eligible for additional credit under the Federal 5736
8498	8498	Unemployment Tax Act. If the Federal Unemployment Tax Act is 5737
8499	8499	amended or repealed in a manner affecting credit under the 5738
8500	8500	federal act, this section applies only to the extent that 5739
8501	8501	additional credit is allowed against the payment of the tax 5740
8502	8502	imposed by the act. 5741
8503	8503	5742
8504	8504	The tax collection service provider shall assign an earned 5743
8505	8505	contribution rate to an employer for the quarter immediately 5744
8506	8506	after the quarter in which all contributions, reimbursements, 5745
8507	8507	interest, and penalties are paid in full and all work records 5746
8508	8508	requested pursuant to s. 443.171(5) are produced for inspection 5747
8509	8509	and copying by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 5748
8510	8510	or the tax collection service provider. 5749
8511	8511	(j) Notice of determinations of c ontribution rates; 5750
8512	8512
8513	8513	HB 7037 2024
8514	8514
8515	8515
8516	8516
8517	8517	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8518	8518	hb7037-00
8519	8519	Page 231 of 338
8520	8520	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
8521	8521
8522	8522
8523	8523
8524	8524	redeterminations.—The state agency providing tax collection 5751
8525	8525	services: 5752
8526	8526	1. Shall promptly notify each employer of his or her 5753
8527	8527	contribution rate as determined for any calendar year under this 5754
8528	8528	section. The determination is conclusive and bi nding on the 5755
8529	8529	employer unless within 20 days after mailing the notice of 5756
8530	8530	determination to the employer's last known address, or, in the 5757
8531	8531	absence of mailing, within 20 days after delivery of the notice, 5758
8532	8532	the employer files an application for review and redeter mination 5759
8533	8533	setting forth the grounds for review. An employer may not, in 5760
8534	8534	any proceeding involving his or her contribution rate or 5761
8535	8535	liability for contributions, contest the chargeability to his or 5762
8536	8536	her employment record of any benefits paid in accordance with a 5763
8537	8537	determination, redetermination, or decision under s. 443.151, 5764
8538	8538	except on the ground that the benefits charged were not based on 5765
8539	8539	services performed in employment for him or her and then only if 5766
8540	8540	the employer was not a party to the determination, 5767
8541	8541	redetermination, or decision, or to any other proceeding under 5768
8542	8542	this chapter, in which the character of those services was 5769
8543	8543	determined. 5770
8544	8544	2. Shall, upon discovery of an error in computation, 5771
8545	8545	reconsider any prior determination or redetermination of a 5772
8546	8546	contribution rate af ter the 20-day period has expired and issue 5773
8547	8547	a revised notice of contribution rate as redetermined. A 5774
8548	8548	redetermination is subject to review, and is conclusive and 5775
8549	8549
8550	8550	HB 7037 2024
8551	8551
8552	8552
8553	8553
8554	8554	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8555	8555	hb7037-00
8556	8556	Page 232 of 338
8557	8557	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
8558	8558
8559	8559
8560	8560
8561	8561	binding if review is not sought, in the same manner as review of 5776
8562	8562	a determination under subparag raph 1. A reconsideration may not 5777
8563	8563	be made after March 31 of the calendar year immediately after 5778
8564	8564	the calendar year for which the contribution rate is applicable, 5779
8565	8565	and interest may not accrue on any additional contributions 5780
8566	8566	found to be due until 30 days after the employer is mailed 5781
8567	8567	notice of his or her revised contribution rate. 5782
8568	8568	3. May adopt rules providing for periodic notification to 5783
8569	8569	employers of benefits paid and charged to their employment 5784
8570	8570	records or of the status of those employment records. A 5785
8571	8571	notification, unless an application for redetermination is filed 5786
8572	8572	in the manner and within the time limits prescribed by the 5787
8573	8573	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , is conclusive and 5788
8574	8574	binding on the employer under this chapter. The redetermination, 5789
8575	8575	and the finding of fact of the department in connection with the 5790
8576	8576	redetermination, may be introduced in any subsequent 5791
8577	8577	administrative or judicial proceeding involving the 5792
8578	8578	determination of the contribution rate of an employer for any 5793
8579	8579	calendar year. A redetermination beco mes final in the same 5794
8580	8580	manner provided in this subsection for findings of fact made by 5795
8581	8581	the department in proceedings to redetermine the contribution 5796
8582	8582	rate of an employer. Pending a redetermination or an 5797
8583	8583	administrative or judicial proceeding, the employer mus t file 5798
8584	8584	reports and pay contributions in accordance with this section. 5799
8585	8585	Section 187. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) and paragraph 5800
8586	8586
8587	8587	HB 7037 2024
8588	8588
8589	8589
8590	8590
8591	8591	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8592	8592	hb7037-00
8593	8593	Page 233 of 338
8594	8594	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
8595	8595
8596	8596
8597	8597
8598	8598	(d) of subsection (3) of section 443.1312, Florida Statutes, are 5801
8599	8599	amended to read: 5802
8600	8600	443.1312 Reimbursements; nonprofit orga nizations.—Benefits 5803
8601	8601	paid to employees of nonprofit organizations shall be financed 5804
8602	8602	in accordance with this section. 5805
8603	8603	(2) LIABILITY FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ELECTION OF 5806
8604	8604	REIMBURSEMENT.—A nonprofit organization that is, or becomes, 5807
8605	8605	subject to this chapter under s. 443.1215(1)(c) or s. 5808
8606	8606	443.121(3)(a) must pay contributions under s. 443.131 unless it 5809
8607	8607	elects, in accordance with this subsection, to reimburse the 5810
8608	8608	Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund for all of the regular 5811
8609	8609	benefits, short-time compensation benefits, an d one-half of the 5812
8610	8610	extended benefits paid, which are attributable to service in the 5813
8611	8611	employ of the nonprofit organization, to individuals for weeks 5814
8612	8612	of unemployment which begin during the effective period of the 5815
8613	8613	election. 5816
8614	8614	(d) In accordance with rules adopte d by the Department of 5817
8615	8615	Commerce Economic Opportunity or the state agency providing 5818
8616	8616	reemployment assistance tax collection services, the tax 5819
8617	8617	collection service provider shall notify each nonprofit 5820
8618	8618	organization of any determination of the organization's stat us 5821
8619	8619	as an employer, the effective date of any election the 5822
8620	8620	organization makes, and the effective date of any termination of 5823
8621	8621	the election. Each determination is subject to reconsideration, 5824
8622	8622	appeal, and review under s. 443.141(2)(c). 5825
8623	8623
8624	8624	HB 7037 2024
8625	8625
8626	8626
8627	8627
8628	8628	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8629	8629	hb7037-00
8630	8630	Page 234 of 338
8631	8631	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
8632	8632
8633	8633
8634	8634
8635	8635	(3) PAYMENT OF REIMBURSE MENTS.—Reimbursements in lieu of 5826
8636	8636	contributions must be paid in accordance with this subsection. 5827
8637	8637	(d) The amount due, as specified in any bill from the tax 5828
8638	8638	collection service provider, is conclusive, and the nonprofit 5829
8639	8639	organization is liable for payment of that amount unless, within 5830
8640	8640	20 days after the bill is mailed to the organization's last 5831
8641	8641	known address or otherwise delivered to the organization, the 5832
8642	8642	organization files an application for redetermination by the 5833
8643	8643	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , setting forth the 5834
8644	8644	grounds for the application. The department shall promptly 5835
8645	8645	review and reconsider the amount due, as specified in the bill, 5836
8646	8646	and shall issue a redetermination in each case in which an 5837
8647	8647	application for redetermination is filed. The redetermina tion is 5838
8648	8648	conclusive and the nonprofit organization is liable for payment 5839
8649	8649	of the amount due, as specified in the redetermination, unless, 5840
8650	8650	within 20 days after the redetermination is mailed to the 5841
8651	8651	organization's last known address or otherwise delivered to th e 5842
8652	8652	organization, the organization files a protest, setting forth 5843
8653	8653	the grounds for the appeal. Proceedings on the protest shall be 5844
8654	8654	conducted in accordance with s. 443.141(2). 5845
8655	8655	Section 188. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 5846
8656	8656	443.1313, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5847
8657	8657	443.1313 Public employers; reimbursements; election to pay 5848
8658	8658	contributions.—Benefits paid to employees of a public employer, 5849
8659	8659	as defined in s. 443.036, based on service described in s. 5850
8660	8660
8661	8661	HB 7037 2024
8662	8662
8663	8663
8664	8664
8665	8665	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8666	8666	hb7037-00
8667	8667	Page 235 of 338
8668	8668	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
8669	8669
8670	8670
8671	8671
8672	8672	443.1216(2) shall be financed in accordanc e with this section. 5851
8673	8673	(1) PAYMENT OF REIMBURSEMENTS. — 5852
8674	8674	(b) If a state agency is more than 120 days delinquent on 5853
8675	8675	reimbursements due to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, 5854
8676	8676	the tax collection service provider shall certify to the Chief 5855
8677	8677	Financial Officer the amount due and the Chief Financial Officer 5856
8678	8678	shall transfer the amount due to the Unemployment Compensation 5857
8679	8679	Trust Fund from the funds of the agency which legally may be 5858
8680	8680	used for that purpose. If a public employer other than a state 5859
8681	8681	agency is more than 120 days delinquent on reimbursements due to 5860
8682	8682	the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, upon request by the 5861
8683	8683	tax collection service provider after a hearing, the Department 5862
8684	8684	of Revenue or the Department of Financial Services, as 5863
8685	8685	applicable, shall deduct the amount owed by the public employer 5864
8686	8686	from any funds to be distributed by the applicable department to 5865
8687	8687	the public employer for further distribution to the trust fund 5866
8688	8688	in accordance with this chapter. If an employer for whom the 5867
8689	8689	municipal or county tax collect or collects taxes fails to make 5868
8690	8690	the reimbursements to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund 5869
8691	8691	required by this chapter, the tax collector after a hearing, at 5870
8692	8692	the request of the tax collection service provider and upon 5871
8693	8693	receipt of a certificate showing the amount owed by the 5872
8694	8694	employer, shall deduct the certified amount from any taxes 5873
8695	8695	collected for the employer and remit that amount to the tax 5874
8696	8696	collection service provider for further distribution to the 5875
8697	8697
8698	8698	HB 7037 2024
8699	8699
8700	8700
8701	8701
8702	8702	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8703	8703	hb7037-00
8704	8704	Page 236 of 338
8705	8705	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
8706	8706
8707	8707
8708	8708
8709	8709	trust fund in accordance with this chapter. This paragraph does 5876
8710	8710	not apply to amounts owed by a political subdivision of the 5877
8711	8711	state for benefits erroneously paid in which the claimant must 5878
8712	8712	repay to the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity under 5879
8713	8713	s. 443.151(6)(a) or (b) any sum as benefits received. 5880
8714	8714	Section 189. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and 5881
8715	8715	subsection (7) of section 443.1315, Florida Statutes, are 5882
8716	8716	amended to read: 5883
8717	8717	443.1315 Treatment of Indian tribes. — 5884
8718	8718	(4) 5885
8719	8719	(b)1. Services performed for an Indian tribe or tribal 5886
8720	8720	unit that fails to make required rei mbursements, including 5887
8721	8721	assessments of interest and penalty, after all collection 5888
8722	8722	activities deemed necessary by the tax collection service 5889
8723	8723	provider, subject to approval by the Department of Commerce 5890
8724	8724	Economic Opportunity , are exhausted may not be treated as 5891
8725	8725	employment for purposes of paragraph (1)(b). 5892
8726	8726	2. The tax collection service provider may determine that 5893
8727	8727	any Indian tribe that loses coverage under subparagraph 1. may 5894
8728	8728	have services performed for the tribe subsequently included as 5895
8729	8729	employment for purposes of paragraph (1)(b) if all 5896
8730	8730	contributions, reimbursements, penalties, and interest are paid. 5897
8731	8731	(7) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and 5898
8732	8732	the state agency providing reemployment assistance tax 5899
8733	8733	collection services shall adopt rules necessary to administer 5900
8734	8734
8735	8735	HB 7037 2024
8736	8736
8737	8737
8738	8738
8739	8739	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8740	8740	hb7037-00
8741	8741	Page 237 of 338
8742	8742	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
8743	8743
8744	8744
8745	8745
8746	8746	this section. 5901
8747	8747	Section 190. Subsection (1) of section 443.1316, Florida 5902
8748	8748	Statutes, is amended to read: 5903
8749	8749	443.1316 Reemployment assistance tax collection services; 5904
8750	8750	interagency agreement. — 5905
8751	8751	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 5906
8752	8752	contract with the Department of Revenue, through an interagency 5907
8753	8753	agreement, to perform the duties of the tax collection service 5908
8754	8754	provider and provide other reemployment assistance tax 5909
8755	8755	collection services under this chapter. Under the interagency 5910
8756	8756	agreement, the tax collection service provider may only 5911
8757	8757	implement: 5912
8758	8758	(a) The provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon 5913
8759	8759	the tax collection service provider. 5914
8760	8760	(b) The provisions of law conferring duties upon the 5915
8761	8761	department which are specifically delegated t o the tax 5916
8762	8762	collection service provider in the interagency agreement. 5917
8763	8763	Section 191. Section 443.1317, Florida Statutes, is 5918
8764	8764	amended to read: 5919
8765	8765	443.1317 Rulemaking authority; enforcement of rules. — 5920
8766	8766	(1) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY .— 5921
8767	8767	(a) Except as otherwise provided in s. 443.012, the 5922
8768	8768	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity has ultimate 5923
8769	8769	authority over the administration of the Reemployment Assistance 5924
8770	8770	Program. 5925
8771	8771
8772	8772	HB 7037 2024
8773	8773
8774	8774
8775	8775
8776	8776	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8777	8777	hb7037-00
8778	8778	Page 238 of 338
8779	8779	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
8780	8780
8781	8781
8782	8782
8783	8783	(b) The department may adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) 5926
8784	8784	and 120.54 to administer the provisions of this chapter 5927
8785	8785	conferring duties upon either the department or its tax 5928
8786	8786	collection service provider. 5929
8787	8787	(2) TAX COLLECTION SERVICE PROVIDER. —The state agency 5930
8788	8788	providing reemployment assistance tax collection services under 5931
8789	8789	contract with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 5932
8790	8790	through an interagency agreement pursuant to s. 443.1316 may 5933
8791	8791	adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, subject to approval 5934
8792	8792	by the department, to administer the provisions of law described 5935
8793	8793	in s. 443.1316(1)(a) and (b) which are within this chapter. 5936
8794	8794	These rules must not conflict with the rules adopted by the 5937
8795	8795	department or with the interagency agreement. 5938
8796	8796	(3) ENFORCEMENT OF RULES. —The Department of Commerce 5939
8797	8797	Economic Opportunity may enforce any rule adopt ed by the state 5940
8798	8798	agency providing reemployment assistance tax collection services 5941
8799	8799	to administer this chapter. The tax collection service provider 5942
8800	8800	may enforce any rule adopted by the department to administer the 5943
8801	8801	provisions of law described in s. 443.1316(1)( a) and (b). 5944
8802	8802	Section 192. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1), paragraph 5945
8803	8803	(a) of subsection (2), paragraphs (f) and (g) of subsection (3), 5946
8804	8804	and paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section 443.141, Florida 5947
8805	8805	Statutes, are amended to read: 5948
8806	8806	443.141 Collection of contributions and reimbursements. — 5949
8807	8807	(1) PAST DUE CONTRIBUTIONS AND REIMBURSEMENTS; DELINQUENT, 5950
8808	8808
8809	8809	HB 7037 2024
8810	8810
8811	8811
8812	8812
8813	8813	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8814	8814	hb7037-00
8815	8815	Page 239 of 338
8816	8816	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
8817	8817
8818	8818
8819	8819
8820	8820	ERRONEOUS, INCOMPLETE, OR INSUFFICIENT REPORTS. — 5951
8821	8821	(b) Penalty for delinquent, erroneous, incomplete, or 5952
8822	8822	insufficient reports. — 5953
8823	8823	1. An employing unit that fail s to file any report 5954
8824	8824	required by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 5955
8825	8825	its tax collection service provider, in accordance with rules 5956
8826	8826	for administering this chapter, shall pay to the service 5957
8827	8827	provider for each delinquent report the sum of $25 fo r each 30 5958
8828	8828	days or fraction thereof that the employing unit is delinquent, 5959
8829	8829	unless the department or its service provider, whichever 5960
8830	8830	required the report, finds that the employing unit has good 5961
8831	8831	reason for failing to file the report. The department or its 5962
8832	8832	service provider may assess penalties only through the date of 5963
8833	8833	the issuance of the final assessment notice. However, additional 5964
8834	8834	penalties accrue if the delinquent report is subsequently filed. 5965
8835	8835	2.a. An employing unit that files an erroneous, 5966
8836	8836	incomplete, or insufficient report with the department or its 5967
8837	8837	tax collection service provider shall pay a penalty. The amount 5968
8838	8838	of the penalty is $50 or 10 percent of any tax due, whichever is 5969
8839	8839	greater, but no more than $300 per report. The penalty shall be 5970
8840	8840	added to any tax, penalty, or interest otherwise due. 5971
8841	8841	b. The department or its tax collection service provider 5972
8842	8842	shall waive the penalty if the employing unit files an accurate, 5973
8843	8843	complete, and sufficient report within 30 days after a penalty 5974
8844	8844	notice is issued to the employing unit. The penalty may not be 5975
8845	8845
8846	8846	HB 7037 2024
8847	8847
8848	8848
8849	8849
8850	8850	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8851	8851	hb7037-00
8852	8852	Page 240 of 338
8853	8853	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
8854	8854
8855	8855
8856	8856
8857	8857	waived pursuant to this subparagraph more than one time during a 5976
8858	8858	12-month period. 5977
8859	8859	c. As used in this subsection, the term "erroneous, 5978
8860	8860	incomplete, or insufficient report" means a report so lacking in 5979
8861	8861	information, completeness , or arrangement that the report cannot 5980
8862	8862	be readily understood, verified, or reviewed. Such reports 5981
8863	8863	include, but are not limited to, reports having missing wage or 5982
8864	8864	employee information, missing or incorrect social security 5983
8865	8865	numbers, or illegible entries; rep orts submitted in a format 5984
8866	8866	that is not approved by the department or its tax collection 5985
8867	8867	service provider; and reports showing gross wages that do not 5986
8868	8868	equal the total of the wages of each employee. However, the term 5987
8869	8869	does not include a report that merely con tains inaccurate data 5988
8870	8870	that was supplied to the employer by the employee, if the 5989
8871	8871	employer was unaware of the inaccuracy. 5990
8872	8872	3. Penalties imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall be 5991
8873	8873	deposited in the Special Employment Security Administration 5992
8874	8874	Trust Fund. 5993
8875	8875	4. The penalty and interest for a delinquent, erroneous, 5994
8876	8876	incomplete, or insufficient report may be waived if the penalty 5995
8877	8877	or interest is inequitable. The provisions of s. 213.24(1) apply 5996
8878	8878	to any penalty or interest that is imposed under this section. 5997
8879	8879	(2) REPORTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, APPEALS. — 5998
8880	8880	(a) Failure to make reports and pay contributions. —If an 5999
8881	8881	employing unit determined by the tax collection service provider 6000
8882	8882
8883	8883	HB 7037 2024
8884	8884
8885	8885
8886	8886
8887	8887	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8888	8888	hb7037-00
8889	8889	Page 241 of 338
8890	8890	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
8891	8891
8892	8892
8893	8893
8894	8894	to be an employer subject to this chapter fails to make and file 6001
8895	8895	any report as and when required by th is chapter or by any rule 6002
8896	8896	of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or the state 6003
8897	8897	agency providing tax collection services, for the purpose of 6004
8898	8898	determining the amount of contributions due by the employer 6005
8899	8899	under this chapter, or if any filed report is found by the 6006
8900	8900	service provider to be incorrect or insufficient, and the 6007
8901	8901	employer, after being notified in writing by the service 6008
8902	8902	provider to file the report, or a corrected or sufficient 6009
8903	8903	report, as applicable, fails to file the report within 15 days 6010
8904	8904	after the date of the mailing of the notice, the tax collection 6011
8905	8905	service provider may: 6012
8906	8906	1. Determine the amount of contributions due from the 6013
8907	8907	employer based on the information readily available to it, which 6014
8908	8908	determination is deemed to be prima facie correct; 6015
8909	8909	2. Assess the employer the amount of contributions 6016
8910	8910	determined to be due; and 6017
8911	8911	3. Immediately notify the employer by mail of the 6018
8912	8912	determination and assessment including penalties as provided in 6019
8913	8913	this chapter, if any, added and assessed, and demand payment 6020
8914	8914	together with interest on the amount of contributions from the 6021
8915	8915	date that amount was due and payable. 6022
8916	8916	(3) COLLECTION PROCEEDINGS. — 6023
8917	8917	(f) Reproductions.—In any proceedings in any court under 6024
8918	8918	this chapter, reproductions of the original records of the 6025
8919	8919
8920	8920	HB 7037 2024
8921	8921
8922	8922
8923	8923
8924	8924	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8925	8925	hb7037-00
8926	8926	Page 242 of 338
8927	8927	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
8928	8928
8929	8929
8930	8930
8931	8931	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , its tax collection 6026
8932	8932	service provider, the former Agency for Workforce Innovation, 6027
8933	8933	the former Department of Labor and Employment Security, or the 6028
8934	8934	commission, including, but not limited to, photocopies or 6029
8935	8935	microfilm, are primary evidence in lieu of the original records 6030
8936	8936	or of the documents that were transcribed into those records. 6031
8937	8937	(g) Jeopardy assessment and warrant. —If the tax collection 6032
8938	8938	service provider reasonably believes that the collection of 6033
8939	8939	contributions or reimburseme nts from an employer will be 6034
8940	8940	jeopardized by delay, the service provider may assess the 6035
8941	8941	contributions or reimbursements immediately, together with 6036
8942	8942	interest or penalties when due, regardless of whether the 6037
8943	8943	contributions or reimbursements accrued are due, and may 6038
8944	8944	immediately issue a notice of lien and jeopardy warrant upon 6039
8945	8945	which proceedings may be conducted as provided in this section 6040
8946	8946	for notice of lien and warrant of the service provider. Within 6041
8947	8947	15 days after mailing the notice of lien by registered mail, the 6042
8948	8948	employer may protest the issuance of the lien in the same manner 6043
8949	8949	provided in paragraph (2)(a). The protest does not operate as a 6044
8950	8950	supersedeas or stay of enforcement unless the employer files 6045
8951	8951	with the sheriff seeking to enforce the warrant a good and 6046
8952	8952	sufficient surety bond in twice the amount demanded by the 6047
8953	8953	notice of lien or warrant. The bond must be conditioned upon 6048
8954	8954	payment of the amount subsequently found to be due from the 6049
8955	8955	employer to the tax collection service provider in the final 6050
8956	8956
8957	8957	HB 7037 2024
8958	8958
8959	8959
8960	8960
8961	8961	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8962	8962	hb7037-00
8963	8963	Page 243 of 338
8964	8964	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
8965	8965
8966	8966
8967	8967
8968	8968	order of the Departme nt of Commerce Economic Opportunity upon 6051
8969	8969	protest of assessment. The jeopardy warrant and notice of lien 6052
8970	8970	are satisfied in the manner provided in this section upon 6053
8971	8971	payment of the amount finally determined to be due from the 6054
8972	8972	employer. If enforcement of the je opardy warrant is not 6055
8973	8973	superseded as provided in this section, the employer is entitled 6056
8974	8974	to a refund from the fund of all amounts paid as contributions 6057
8975	8975	or reimbursements in excess of the amount finally determined to 6058
8976	8976	be due by the employer upon application be ing made as provided 6059
8977	8977	in this chapter. 6060
8978	8978	(4) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTION OF 6061
8979	8979	CONTRIBUTIONS AND REIMBURSEMENTS. — 6062
8980	8980	(c) Any agent or employee designated by the Department of 6063
8981	8981	Commerce Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service 6064
8982	8982	provider may administer an oath to any person for any return or 6065
8983	8983	report required by this chapter or by the rules of the 6066
8984	8984	department or the state agency providing reemployment assistance 6067
8985	8985	tax collection services, and an oath made before the department 6068
8986	8986	or its service provide r or any authorized agent or employee has 6069
8987	8987	the same effect as an oath made before any judicial officer or 6070
8988	8988	notary public of the state. 6071
8989	8989	Section 193. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1), paragraph 6072
8990	8990	(a) of subsection (2), paragraph (a) of subsection (3), 6073
8991	8991	paragraph (a) of subsection (4), paragraph (a) of subsection 6074
8992	8992	(5), paragraph (a) of subsection (6), and paragraph (a) of 6075
8993	8993
8994	8994	HB 7037 2024
8995	8995
8996	8996
8997	8997
8998	8998	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8999	8999	hb7037-00
9000	9000	Page 244 of 338
9001	9001	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
9002	9002
9003	9003
9004	9004
9005	9005	subsection (8) of section 443.151, Florida Statutes, are amended 6076
9006	9006	to read: 6077
9007	9007	443.151 Procedure concerning claims. — 6078
9008	9008	(1) POSTING OF INFORMATION.— 6079
9009	9009	(a) Each employer must post and maintain in places readily 6080
9010	9010	accessible to individuals in her or his employ printed 6081
9011	9011	statements concerning benefit rights, claims for benefits, and 6082
9012	9012	other matters relating to the administration of this chapter as 6083
9013	9013	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may by rule 6084
9014	9014	prescribe. Each employer must supply to individuals copies of 6085
9015	9015	printed statements or other materials relating to claims for 6086
9016	9016	benefits as directed by the rules of the department. The 6087
9017	9017	department shall supply these printed statements and other 6088
9018	9018	materials to each employer without cost to the employer. 6089
9019	9019	(2) FILING OF CLAIM INVESTIGATIONS; NOTIFICATION OF 6090
9020	9020	CLAIMANTS AND EMPLOYERS. — 6091
9021	9021	(a) In general.—Initial and continued claims for benefits 6092
9022	9022	must be made by approved electronic or alternate means and in 6093
9023	9023	accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Commerce 6094
9024	9024	Economic Opportunity . The department shall provide alternative 6095
9025	9025	means, such as by telephone, for filing initial and continued 6096
9026	9026	claims if the department determines access to the approved 6097
9027	9027	electronic means is or will be unavailable and also must provide 6098
9028	9028	public notice of such unavailability. The department must notify 6099
9029	9029	claimants and employers regarding monetary and nonmonetary 6100
9030	9030
9031	9031	HB 7037 2024
9032	9032
9033	9033
9034	9034
9035	9035	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9036	9036	hb7037-00
9037	9037	Page 245 of 338
9038	9038	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
9039	9039
9040	9040
9041	9041
9042	9042	determinations of eligibility. I nvestigations of issues raised 6101
9043	9043	in connection with a claimant which may affect a claimant's 6102
9044	9044	eligibility for benefits or charges to an employer's employment 6103
9045	9045	record shall be conducted by the department through written, 6104
9046	9046	telephonic, or electronic means as presc ribed by rule. 6105
9047	9047	(3) DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY. — 6106
9048	9048	(a) Notices of claim.—The Department of Commerce Economic 6107
9049	9049	Opportunity shall promptly provide a notice of claim to the 6108
9050	9050	claimant's most recent employing unit and all employers whose 6109
9051	9051	employment records are liable for benefits under the monetary 6110
9052	9052	determination. The employer must respond to the notice of claim 6111
9053	9053	within 14 days after the mailing date of the notice, or in lieu 6112
9054	9054	of mailing, within 14 days after the delivery of the notice. If 6113
9055	9055	a contributing employer or its agent fails to timely or 6114
9056	9056	adequately respond to the notice of claim or request for 6115
9057	9057	information, the employer's accoun t may not be relieved of 6116
9058	9058	benefit charges as provided in s. 443.131(3)(a), notwithstanding 6117
9059	9059	paragraph (5)(b). The department may adopt rules as necessary to 6118
9060	9060	implement the processes described in this paragraph relating to 6119
9061	9061	notices of claim. 6120
9062	9062	(4) APPEALS.— 6121
9063	9063	(a) Appeals referees.— 6122
9064	9064	1. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 6123
9065	9065	appoint one or more impartial salaried appeals referees in 6124
9066	9066	accordance with s. 443.171(3) to hear and decide appealed 6125
9067	9067
9068	9068	HB 7037 2024
9069	9069
9070	9070
9071	9071
9072	9072	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9073	9073	hb7037-00
9074	9074	Page 246 of 338
9075	9075	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
9076	9076
9077	9077
9078	9078
9079	9079	claims. 6126
9080	9080	2. A person may not participate on behalf of the 6127
9081	9081	department as an appeals referee in any case in which she or he 6128
9082	9082	is an interested party. 6129
9083	9083	3. The department may designate alternates to serve in the 6130
9084	9084	absence or disqualification of any appeals referee on a 6131
9085	9085	temporary basis. These alternates must have the sa me 6132
9086	9086	qualifications required of appeals referees. 6133
9087	9087	4. The department shall provide the commission and the 6134
9088	9088	appeals referees with proper facilities and assistance for the 6135
9089	9089	execution of their functions. 6136
9090	9090	(5) PAYMENT OF BENEFITS. — 6137
9091	9091	(a) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 6138
9092	9092	promptly pay benefits in accordance with a determination or 6139
9093	9093	redetermination regardless of any appeal or pending appeal. 6140
9094	9094	Before payment of benefits to the claimant, however, each 6141
9095	9095	employer who is liable for reimbursements in lie u of 6142
9096	9096	contributions for payment of the benefits must be notified, at 6143
9097	9097	the address on file with the department or its tax collection 6144
9098	9098	service provider, of the initial determination of the claim and 6145
9099	9099	must be given 10 days to respond. 6146
9100	9100	(6) RECOVERY AND RECOUPMEN T.— 6147
9101	9101	(a) Any person who, by reason of her or his fraud, 6148
9102	9102	receives benefits under this chapter to which she or he is not 6149
9103	9103	entitled is liable for repaying those benefits to the Department 6150
9104	9104
9105	9105	HB 7037 2024
9106	9106
9107	9107
9108	9108
9109	9109	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9110	9110	hb7037-00
9111	9111	Page 247 of 338
9112	9112	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
9113	9113
9114	9114
9115	9115
9116	9116	of Commerce Economic Opportunity on behalf of the trust fund or, 6151
9117	9117	in the discretion of the department, to have those benefits 6152
9118	9118	deducted from future benefits payable to her or him under this 6153
9119	9119	chapter. In addition, the department shall impose upon the 6154
9120	9120	claimant a penalty equal to 15 percent of the amount overpaid. 6155
9121	9121	To enforce this paragraph, the department must find the 6156
9122	9122	existence of fraud through a redetermination or decision under 6157
9123	9123	this section within 2 years after the fraud was committed. Any 6158
9124	9124	recovery or recoupment of benefits must be commenced within 7 6159
9125	9125	years after the redeterminati on or decision. 6160
9126	9126	(8) BILINGUAL REQUIREMENTS. — 6161
9127	9127	(a) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 6162
9128	9128	provide printed bilingual instructional and educational 6163
9129	9129	materials in the appropriate language in those counties in which 6164
9130	9130	5 percent or more of the hou seholds in the county are classified 6165
9131	9131	as a single-language minority. 6166
9132	9132	Section 194. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection 6167
9133	9133	(3), and subsection (4) of section 443.163, Florida Statutes, 6168
9134	9134	are amended to read: 6169
9135	9135	443.163 Electronic reporting and remitting of 6170
9136	9136	contributions and reimbursements. — 6171
9137	9137	(1) An employer may file any report and remit any 6172
9138	9138	contributions or reimbursements required under this chapter by 6173
9139	9139	electronic means. The Department of Commerce Economic 6174
9140	9140	Opportunity or the state agency providing reempl oyment 6175
9141	9141
9142	9142	HB 7037 2024
9143	9143
9144	9144
9145	9145
9146	9146	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9147	9147	hb7037-00
9148	9148	Page 248 of 338
9149	9149	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
9150	9150
9151	9151
9152	9152
9153	9153	assistance tax collection services shall adopt rules prescribing 6176
9154	9154	the format and instructions necessary for electronically filing 6177
9155	9155	reports and remitting contributions and reimbursements to ensure 6178
9156	9156	a full collection of contributions and reimbursements d ue. The 6179
9157	9157	acceptable method of transfer, the method, form, and content of 6180
9158	9158	the electronic means, and the method, if any, by which the 6181
9159	9159	employer will be provided with an acknowledgment shall be 6182
9160	9160	prescribed by the department or its tax collection service 6183
9161	9161	provider. However, any employer who employed 10 or more 6184
9162	9162	employees in any quarter during the preceding state fiscal year 6185
9163	9163	must file the Employers Quarterly Reports, including any 6186
9164	9164	corrections, for the current calendar year and remit the 6187
9165	9165	contributions and reimbursemen ts due by electronic means 6188
9166	9166	approved by the tax collection service provider. 6189
9167	9167	(3) The tax collection service provider may waive the 6190
9168	9168	requirement to file an Employers Quarterly Report by electronic 6191
9169	9169	means for employers that are unable to comply despite good f aith 6192
9170	9170	efforts or due to circumstances beyond the employer's reasonable 6193
9171	9171	control. 6194
9172	9172	(a) As prescribed by the Department of Commerce Economic 6195
9173	9173	Opportunity or its tax collection service provider, grounds for 6196
9174	9174	approving the waiver include, but are not limited to, 6197
9175	9175	circumstances in which the employer does not: 6198
9176	9176	1. Currently file information or data electronically with 6199
9177	9177	any business or government agency; or 6200
9178	9178
9179	9179	HB 7037 2024
9180	9180
9181	9181
9182	9182
9183	9183	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9184	9184	hb7037-00
9185	9185	Page 249 of 338
9186	9186	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
9187	9187
9188	9188
9189	9189
9190	9190	2. Have a compatible computer that meets or exceeds the 6201
9191	9191	standards prescribed by the department or its tax coll ection 6202
9192	9192	service provider. 6203
9193	9193	(4) As used in this section, the term "electronic means" 6204
9194	9194	includes, but is not limited to, electronic data interchange; 6205
9195	9195	electronic funds transfer; and use of the Internet, telephone, 6206
9196	9196	or other technology specified by the Department of Commerce 6207
9197	9197	Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service provider. 6208
9198	9198	Section 195. Section 443.171, Florida Statutes, is amended 6209
9199	9199	to read: 6210
9200	9200	443.171 Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and 6211
9201	9201	commission; powers and duties; records and reports; proceedings; 6212
9202	9202	state-federal cooperation. — 6213
9203	9203	(1) POWERS AND DUTIES. —The Department of Commerce Economic 6214
9204	9204	Opportunity shall administer this chapter. The department may 6215
9205	9205	employ persons, make expenditures, require reports, conduct 6216
9206	9206	investigations, and take other a ction necessary or suitable to 6217
9207	9207	administer this chapter. The department shall annually submit 6218
9208	9208	information to the state board as defined in s. 445.002 covering 6219
9209	9209	the administration and operation of this chapter during the 6220
9210	9210	preceding calendar year for inclusion in the strategic plan 6221
9211	9211	under s. 445.006 and may make recommendations for amendment to 6222
9212	9212	this chapter. 6223
9213	9213	(2) PUBLICATION OF ACTS AND RULES. —The Department of 6224
9214	9214	Commerce Economic Opportunity shall cause to be printed and 6225
9215	9215
9216	9216	HB 7037 2024
9217	9217
9218	9218
9219	9219
9220	9220	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9221	9221	hb7037-00
9222	9222	Page 250 of 338
9223	9223	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
9224	9224
9225	9225
9226	9226
9227	9227	distributed to the public, or otherwise distributed to the 6226
9228	9228	public through the Internet or similar electronic means, the 6227
9229	9229	text of this chapter and of the rules for administering this 6228
9230	9230	chapter adopted by the department or the state agency providing 6229
9231	9231	reemployment assistance tax collection services and any other 6230
9232	9232	matter relevant and suitable. The department shall furnish this 6231
9233	9233	information to any person upon request. However, any pamphlet, 6232
9234	9234	rules, circulars, or reports required by this chapter may not 6233
9235	9235	contain any matter except the actual data necessary to c omplete 6234
9236	9236	them or the actual language of the rule, together with the 6235
9237	9237	proper notices. 6236
9238	9238	(3) PERSONNEL.—Subject to chapter 110 and the other 6237
9239	9239	provisions of this chapter, the Department of Commerce Economic 6238
9240	9240	Opportunity may appoint, set the compensation of, and p rescribe 6239
9241	9241	the duties and powers of employees, accountants, attorneys, 6240
9242	9242	experts, and other persons as necessary for the performance of 6241
9243	9243	the duties of the department under this chapter. The department 6242
9244	9244	may delegate to any person its power and authority under thi s 6243
9245	9245	chapter as necessary for the effective administration of this 6244
9246	9246	chapter and may bond any person handling moneys or signing 6245
9247	9247	checks under this chapter. The cost of these bonds must be paid 6246
9248	9248	from the Employment Security Administration Trust Fund. 6247
9249	9249	(4) EMPLOYMENT STABILIZATION.—The Department of Commerce 6248
9250	9250	Economic Opportunity , under the direction of the state board as 6249
9251	9251	defined in s. 445.002, shall take all appropriate steps to 6250
9252	9252
9253	9253	HB 7037 2024
9254	9254
9255	9255
9256	9256
9257	9257	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9258	9258	hb7037-00
9259	9259	Page 251 of 338
9260	9260	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
9261	9261
9262	9262
9263	9263
9264	9264	reduce and prevent unemployment; to encourage and assist in the 6251
9265	9265	adoption of practical m ethods of career training, retraining, 6252
9266	9266	and career guidance; to investigate, recommend, advise, and 6253
9267	9267	assist municipalities, counties, school districts, and the state 6254
9268	9268	in the establishment and operation of reserves for public works 6255
9269	9269	to be used in times of busin ess depression and unemployment; to 6256
9270	9270	promote the reemployment of unemployed workers throughout the 6257
9271	9271	state in every other way that may be feasible; to refer a 6258
9272	9272	claimant entitled to extended benefits to suitable work that 6259
9273	9273	meets the criteria of this chapter; and , to these ends, to carry 6260
9274	9274	on and publish the results of investigations and research 6261
9275	9275	studies. 6262
9276	9276	(5) RECORDS AND REPORTS. —Each employing unit shall keep 6263
9277	9277	true and accurate work records, containing the information 6264
9278	9278	required by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 6265
9279	9279	its tax collection service provider. These records must be open 6266
9280	9280	to inspection and are subject to being copied by the department 6267
9281	9281	or its tax collection service provider at any reasonable time 6268
9282	9282	and as often as necessary. The department or its tax collection 6269
9283	9283	service provider may require from any employing unit any sworn 6270
9284	9284	or unsworn reports, for persons employed by the employing unit, 6271
9285	9285	necessary for the effective administration of this chapter. 6272
9286	9286	However, a state or local governmental agency performi ng 6273
9287	9287	intelligence or counterintelligence functions need not report an 6274
9288	9288	employee if the head of that agency determines that reporting 6275
9289	9289
9290	9290	HB 7037 2024
9291	9291
9292	9292
9293	9293
9294	9294	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9295	9295	hb7037-00
9296	9296	Page 252 of 338
9297	9297	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
9298	9298
9299	9299
9300	9300
9301	9301	the employee could endanger the safety of the employee or 6276
9302	9302	compromise an ongoing investigation or intelligence mission. 6277
9303	9303	(6) OATHS AND WITNESSES.—In the discharge of the duties 6278
9304	9304	imposed by this chapter, the Department of Commerce Economic 6279
9305	9305	Opportunity, its tax collection service provider, the members of 6280
9306	9306	the commission, and any authorized representative of any of 6281
9307	9307	these entities may administer oaths and affirmations, take 6282
9308	9308	depositions, certify to official acts, and issue subpoenas to 6283
9309	9309	compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, 6284
9310	9310	papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records deemed 6285
9311	9311	necessary as evidence in conne ction with the administration of 6286
9312	9312	this chapter. 6287
9313	9313	(7) SUBPOENAS.—If a person refuses to obey a subpoena 6288
9314	9314	issued to that person, any court of this state within the 6289
9315	9315	jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on, or within the 6290
9316	9316	jurisdiction of which the person is found, resides, or transacts 6291
9317	9317	business, upon application by the Department of Commerce 6292
9318	9318	Economic Opportunity , its tax collection service provider, the 6293
9319	9319	commission, or any authorized representative of any of these 6294
9320	9320	entities has jurisdiction to order the per son to appear before 6295
9321	9321	the entity to produce evidence or give testimony on the matter 6296
9322	9322	under investigation or in question. Failure to obey the order of 6297
9323	9323	the court may be punished by the court as contempt. Any person 6298
9324	9324	who fails or refuses without just cause to a ppear or testify; to 6299
9325	9325	answer any lawful inquiry; or to produce books, papers, 6300
9326	9326
9327	9327	HB 7037 2024
9328	9328
9329	9329
9330	9330
9331	9331	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9332	9332	hb7037-00
9333	9333	Page 253 of 338
9334	9334	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
9335	9335
9336	9336
9337	9337
9338	9338	correspondence, memoranda, and other records within her or his 6301
9339	9339	control as commanded in a subpoena of the department, its tax 6302
9340	9340	collection service provider, the commission, or any au thorized 6303
9341	9341	representative of any of these entities commits a misdemeanor of 6304
9342	9342	the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 6305
9343	9343	775.083. Each day that a violation continues is a separate 6306
9344	9344	offense. 6307
9345	9345	(8) PROTECTION AGAINST SELF -INCRIMINATION.—A person is not 6308
9346	9346	excused from appearing or testifying, or from producing books, 6309
9347	9347	papers, correspondence, memoranda, or other records, before the 6310
9348	9348	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , its tax collection 6311
9349	9349	service provider, the commission, or any authorized 6312
9350	9350	representative of any of these entities or as commanded in a 6313
9351	9351	subpoena of any of these entities in any proceeding before the 6314
9352	9352	department, the commission, an appeals referee, or a special 6315
9353	9353	deputy on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary 6316
9354	9354	or otherwise, required of the person may incriminate her or him 6317
9355	9355	or subject her or him to a penalty or forfeiture. That person 6318
9356	9356	may not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture 6319
9357	9357	for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing 6320
9358	9358	concerning which she or he is compelled, after having claimed 6321
9359	9359	her or his privilege against self -incrimination, to testify or 6322
9360	9360	produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that the 6323
9361	9361	person testifying is not exempt from prosecution and punishment 6324
9362	9362	for perjury committed while testifying. 6325
9363	9363
9364	9364	HB 7037 2024
9365	9365
9366	9366
9367	9367
9368	9368	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9369	9369	hb7037-00
9370	9370	Page 254 of 338
9371	9371	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
9372	9372
9373	9373
9374	9374
9375	9375	(9) STATE-FEDERAL COOPERATION. — 6326
9376	9376	(a)1. In the administration of this chapter, the 6327
9377	9377	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and its tax 6328
9378	9378	collection service provider shall cooperate with the United 6329
9379	9379	States Department of Labor to the fullest e xtent consistent with 6330
9380	9380	this chapter and shall take those actions, through the adoption 6331
9381	9381	of appropriate rules, administrative methods, and standards, 6332
9382	9382	necessary to secure for this state all advantages available 6333
9383	9383	under the provisions of federal law relating to r eemployment 6334
9384	9384	assistance. 6335
9385	9385	2. In the administration of the provisions in s. 443.1115, 6336
9386	9386	which are enacted to conform with the Federal -State Extended 6337
9387	9387	Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, the department shall take 6338
9388	9388	those actions necessary to ensure that those provisions are 6339
9389	9389	interpreted and applied to meet the requirements of the federal 6340
9390	9390	act as interpreted by the United States Department of Labor and 6341
9391	9391	to secure for this state the full reimbursement of the federal 6342
9392	9392	share of extended benefits paid under this chapter which is 6343
9393	9393	reimbursable under the federal act. 6344
9394	9394	3. The department and its tax collection service provider 6345
9395	9395	shall comply with the regulations of the United States 6346
9396	9396	Department of Labor relating to the receipt or expenditure by 6347
9397	9397	this state of funds granted under federal law; shall submit the 6348
9398	9398	reports in the form and containing the information the United 6349
9399	9399	States Department of Labor requires; and shall comply with 6350
9400	9400
9401	9401	HB 7037 2024
9402	9402
9403	9403
9404	9404
9405	9405	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9406	9406	hb7037-00
9407	9407	Page 255 of 338
9408	9408	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
9409	9409
9410	9410
9411	9411
9412	9412	directions of the United States Department of Labor necessary to 6351
9413	9413	assure the correctness and verification of these reports. 6352
9414	9414	(b) The department and its tax collection service provider 6353
9415	9415	may cooperate with every agency of the United States charged 6354
9416	9416	with administration of any unemployment insurance law. 6355
9417	9417	(c) The department and its tax collection service provider 6356
9418	9418	shall cooperate with the agencies of other states, and shall 6357
9419	9419	make every proper effort within their means, to oppose and 6358
9420	9420	prevent any further action leading to the complete or 6359
9421	9421	substantial federalization of state reemployment assistance 6360
9422	9422	funds or state employ ment security programs. The department and 6361
9423	9423	its tax collection service provider may make, and may cooperate 6362
9424	9424	with other appropriate agencies in making, studies as to the 6363
9425	9425	practicability and probable cost of possible new state -6364
9426	9426	administered social security prog rams and the relative 6365
9427	9427	desirability of state, rather than federal, action in that field 6366
9428	9428	of study. 6367
9429	9429	(10) EVIDENCE OF MAILING. —A mailing date on any notice, 6368
9430	9430	determination, decision, order, or other document mailed by the 6369
9431	9431	department or its tax collection serv ice provider pursuant to 6370
9432	9432	this chapter creates a rebuttable presumption that such notice, 6371
9433	9433	determination, order, or other document was mailed on the date 6372
9434	9434	indicated. 6373
9435	9435	Section 196. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of 6374
9436	9436	subsection (2) of section 443.1715, Flor ida Statutes, are 6375
9437	9437
9438	9438	HB 7037 2024
9439	9439
9440	9440
9441	9441
9442	9442	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9443	9443	hb7037-00
9444	9444	Page 256 of 338
9445	9445	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
9446	9446
9447	9447
9448	9448
9449	9449	amended to read: 6376
9450	9450	443.1715 Disclosure of information; confidentiality. — 6377
9451	9451	(1) RECORDS AND REPORTS. —Information revealing an 6378
9452	9452	employing unit's or individual's identity obtained from the 6379
9453	9453	employing unit or any individual under the administra tion of 6380
9454	9454	this chapter, and any determination revealing that information, 6381
9455	9455	is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. 6382
9456	9456	I of the State Constitution. This confidential information may 6383
9457	9457	be released in accordance with the provisions in 20 C.F.R . part 6384
9458	9458	603. A person receiving confidential information who violates 6385
9459	9459	this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, 6386
9460	9460	punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. The 6387
9461	9461	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its tax 6388
9462	9462	collection service provider may, however, furnish to any 6389
9463	9463	employer copies of any report submitted by that employer upon 6390
9464	9464	the request of the employer and may furnish to any claimant 6391
9465	9465	copies of any report submitted by that claimant upon the request 6392
9466	9466	of the claimant. The departm ent or its tax collection service 6393
9467	9467	provider may charge a reasonable fee for copies of these reports 6394
9468	9468	as prescribed by rule, which may not exceed the actual 6395
9469	9469	reasonable cost of the preparation of the copies. Fees received 6396
9470	9470	for copies under this subsection must be deposited in the 6397
9471	9471	Employment Security Administration Trust Fund. 6398
9472	9472	(2) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. — 6399
9473	9473	(a) Subject to restrictions the Department of Commerce 6400
9474	9474
9475	9475	HB 7037 2024
9476	9476
9477	9477
9478	9478
9479	9479	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9480	9480	hb7037-00
9481	9481	Page 257 of 338
9482	9482	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
9483	9483
9484	9484
9485	9485
9486	9486	Economic Opportunity or the state agency providing reemployment 6401
9487	9487	assistance tax collection services adopts by rule, information 6402
9488	9488	declared confidential under this section is available to any 6403
9489	9489	agency of this or any other state, or any federal agency, 6404
9490	9490	charged with the administration of any reemployment assistance 6405
9491	9491	or unemployment compensation law or the maint enance of the one-6406
9492	9492	stop delivery system, or the Bureau of Internal Revenue of the 6407
9493	9493	United States Department of the Treasury, or the Florida 6408
9494	9494	Department of Revenue. Information obtained in connection with 6409
9495	9495	the administration of the one -stop delivery system may be made 6410
9496	9496	available to persons or agencies for purposes appropriate to the 6411
9497	9497	operation of a public employment service or a job -preparatory or 6412
9498	9498	career education or training program. The department shall, on a 6413
9499	9499	quarterly basis, furnish the National Directory of Ne w Hires 6414
9500	9500	with information concerning the wages and reemployment 6415
9501	9501	assistance benefits paid to individuals, by the dates, in the 6416
9502	9502	format, and containing the information specified in the 6417
9503	9503	regulations of the United States Secretary of Health and Human 6418
9504	9504	Services. Upon request, the department shall furnish any agency 6419
9505	9505	of the United States charged with the administration of public 6420
9506	9506	works or assistance through public employment, and may furnish 6421
9507	9507	to any state agency similarly charged, the name, address, 6422
9508	9508	ordinary occupation, and employment status of each recipient of 6423
9509	9509	benefits and the recipient's rights to further benefits under 6424
9510	9510	this chapter. Except as otherwise provided by law, the receiving 6425
9511	9511
9512	9512	HB 7037 2024
9513	9513
9514	9514
9515	9515
9516	9516	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9517	9517	hb7037-00
9518	9518	Page 258 of 338
9519	9519	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
9520	9520
9521	9521
9522	9522
9523	9523	agency must retain the confidentiality of this information as 6426
9524	9524	provided in this sectio n. The tax collection service provider 6427
9525	9525	may request the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States 6428
9526	9526	to examine the correctness of any return or report of any 6429
9527	9527	national banking association rendered under this chapter and may 6430
9528	9528	in connection with that reque st transmit any report or return 6431
9529	9529	for examination to the Comptroller of the Currency of the United 6432
9530	9530	States as provided in s. 3305(c) of the federal Internal Revenue 6433
9531	9531	Code. 6434
9532	9532	Section 197. Subsection (1), paragraph (c) of subsection 6435
9533	9533	(2), and subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7) of section 6436
9534	9534	443.17161, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 6437
9535	9535	443.17161 Authorized electronic access to employer 6438
9536	9536	information.— 6439
9537	9537	(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 6440
9538	9538	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall contract 6441
9539	9539	with one or more consumer reporting agencies to provide users 6442
9540	9540	with secured electronic access to employer -provided information 6443
9541	9541	relating to the quarterly wages report submitted in accordance 6444
9542	9542	with the state's reemployment assistance law. The acces s is 6445
9543	9543	limited to the wage reports for the appropriate amount of time 6446
9544	9544	for the purpose the information is requested. 6447
9545	9545	(2) Users must obtain consent in writing or by electronic 6448
9546	9546	signature from an applicant for credit, employment, or other 6449
9547	9547	permitted purposes. A ny written or electronic signature consent 6450
9548	9548
9549	9549	HB 7037 2024
9550	9550
9551	9551
9552	9552
9553	9553	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9554	9554	hb7037-00
9555	9555	Page 259 of 338
9556	9556	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
9557	9557
9558	9558
9559	9559
9560	9560	from an applicant must be signed and must include the following: 6451
9561	9561	(c) Notice that the files of the Department of Commerce 6452
9562	9562	Economic Opportunity or its tax collection service provider 6453
9563	9563	containing information concern ing wage and employment history 6454
9564	9564	which is submitted by the applicant or his or her employers may 6455
9565	9565	be accessed; and 6456
9566	9566	(4) If a consumer reporting agency or user violates this 6457
9567	9567	section, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall, 6458
9568	9568	upon 30 days' writte n notice to the consumer reporting agency, 6459
9569	9569	terminate the contract established between the Department of 6460
9570	9570	Commerce Economic Opportunity and the consumer reporting agency 6461
9571	9571	or require the consumer reporting agency to terminate the 6462
9572	9572	contract established between t he consumer reporting agency and 6463
9573	9573	the user under this section. 6464
9574	9574	(5) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 6465
9575	9575	establish minimum audit, security, net worth, and liability 6466
9576	9576	insurance standards, technical requirements, and any other terms 6467
9577	9577	and conditions considered necessary in the discretion of the 6468
9578	9578	state agency to safeguard the confidentiality of the information 6469
9579	9579	released under this section and to otherwise serve the public 6470
9580	9580	interest. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 6471
9581	9581	also include, in coordination with any necessary state agencies, 6472
9582	9582	necessary audit procedures to ensure that these rules are 6473
9583	9583	followed. 6474
9584	9584	(6) In contracting with one or more consumer reporting 6475
9585	9585
9586	9586	HB 7037 2024
9587	9587
9588	9588
9589	9589
9590	9590	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9591	9591	hb7037-00
9592	9592	Page 260 of 338
9593	9593	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
9594	9594
9595	9595
9596	9596
9597	9597	agencies under this section, any revenues generated by the 6476
9598	9598	contract must be use d to pay the entire cost of providing access 6477
9599	9599	to the information. Further, in accordance with federal 6478
9600	9600	regulations, any additional revenues generated by the Department 6479
9601	9601	of Commerce Economic Opportunity or the state under this section 6480
9602	9602	must be paid into the Adm inistrative Trust Fund of the 6481
9603	9603	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for the 6482
9604	9604	administration of the unemployment compensation system or be 6483
9605	9605	used as program income. 6484
9606	9606	(7) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 6485
9607	9607	not provide wage and employment history information to any 6486
9608	9608	consumer reporting agency before the consumer reporting agency 6487
9609	9609	or agencies under contract with the Department of Commerce 6488
9610	9610	Economic Opportunity pay all development and other startup costs 6489
9611	9611	incurred by the state in connection with the design, 6490
9612	9612	installation, and administration of technological systems and 6491
9613	9613	procedures for the electronic access program. 6492
9614	9614	Section 198. Section 443.181, Florida Statutes, is amended 6493
9615	9615	to read: 6494
9616	9616	443.181 Public employment service. — 6495
9617	9617	(1) The one-stop delivery system established under s. 6496
9618	9618	445.009 is this state's public employment service as part of the 6497
9619	9619	national system of public employment offices established under 6498
9620	9620	29 U.S.C. s. 49. The Department of Commerce Economic 6499
9621	9621	Opportunity, under policy direction from the state board as 6500
9622	9622
9623	9623	HB 7037 2024
9624	9624
9625	9625
9626	9626
9627	9627	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9628	9628	hb7037-00
9629	9629	Page 261 of 338
9630	9630	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
9631	9631
9632	9632
9633	9633
9634	9634	defined in s. 445.002, shall cooperate with any official or 6501
9635	9635	agency of the United States having power or duties under 29 6502
9636	9636	U.S.C. ss. 49-49l-1 and shall perform those duties necessary to 6503
9637	9637	secure to this state the funds p rovided under federal law for 6504
9638	9638	the promotion and maintenance of the state's public employment 6505
9639	9639	service. In accordance with 29 U.S.C. s. 49c, this state accepts 6506
9640	9640	29 U.S.C. ss. 49-49l-1. The department is designated the state 6507
9641	9641	agency responsible for cooperating with the United States 6508
9642	9642	Secretary of Labor under 29 U.S.C. s. 49c. The department shall 6509
9643	9643	appoint sufficient employees to administer this section. The 6510
9644	9644	department may cooperate with or enter into agreements with the 6511
9645	9645	Railroad Retirement Board for the establishm ent, maintenance, 6512
9646	9646	and use of one-stop career centers. 6513
9647	9647	(2) All funds received by this state under 29 U.S.C. ss. 6514
9648	9648	49-49l-1 must be paid into the Employment Security 6515
9649	9649	Administration Trust Fund, and these funds are available to the 6516
9650	9650	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for expenditure as 6517
9651	9651	provided by this chapter or by federal law. For the purpose of 6518
9652	9652	establishing and maintaining one -stop career centers, the 6519
9653	9653	department may enter into agreements with the Railroad 6520
9654	9654	Retirement Board or any other agency of the U nited States 6521
9655	9655	charged with the administration of a reemployment assistance or 6522
9656	9656	unemployment compensation law, with any political subdivision of 6523
9657	9657	this state, or with any private, nonprofit organization. As a 6524
9658	9658	part of any such agreement, the department may accep t moneys, 6525
9659	9659
9660	9660	HB 7037 2024
9661	9661
9662	9662
9663	9663
9664	9664	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9665	9665	hb7037-00
9666	9666	Page 262 of 338
9667	9667	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
9668	9668
9669	9669
9670	9670
9671	9671	services, or quarters as a contribution to the Employment 6526
9672	9672	Security Administration Trust Fund. 6527
9673	9673	Section 199. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section 6528
9674	9674	443.191, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 6529
9675	9675	443.191 Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund ; 6530
9676	9676	establishment and control. — 6531
9677	9677	(2) The Chief Financial Officer is the ex officio 6532
9678	9678	treasurer and custodian of the fund and shall administer the 6533
9679	9679	fund in accordance with the directions of the Department of 6534
9680	9680	Commerce Economic Opportunity . All payments from the fund must 6535
9681	9681	be approved by the department or by an authorized agent. The 6536
9682	9682	Chief Financial Officer shall maintain within the fund three 6537
9683	9683	separate accounts: 6538
9684	9684	(a) A clearing account; 6539
9685	9685	(b) An Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund account; and 6540
9686	9686	(c) A benefit account. 6541
9687	9687	6542
9688	9688	All moneys payable to the fund, including moneys received from 6543
9689	9689	the United States as reimbursement for extended benefits paid by 6544
9690	9690	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , must be 6545
9691	9691	forwarded to the Chief Financial Officer, who shall immediately 6546
9692	9692	deposit them in the clearing account. Refunds payable under s. 6547
9693	9693	443.141 may be paid from the clearing account. After clearance, 6548
9694	9694	all other moneys in the clearing account must be immediately 6549
9695	9695	deposited with the Secretary of the Treasury of the United 6550
9696	9696
9697	9697	HB 7037 2024
9698	9698
9699	9699
9700	9700
9701	9701	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9702	9702	hb7037-00
9703	9703	Page 263 of 338
9704	9704	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
9705	9705
9706	9706
9707	9707
9708	9708	States to the credit of this state's account in the federal 6551
9709	9709	Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund notwithstanding any state 6552
9710	9710	law relating to the deposit, administration, release, or 6553
9711	9711	disbursement of moneys in the possession or custody of this 6554
9712	9712	state. The benefit account consists of all moneys requisitioned 6555
9713	9713	from this state's account in the federal Unemployment 6556
9714	9714	Compensation Trust Fund. Except as otherwise provided by law, 6557
9715	9715	moneys in the clearing and benefit accounts may be deposited by 6558
9716	9716	the Chief Financial Officer, under the direction of the 6559
9717	9717	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in any bank or 6560
9718	9718	public depository in which general funds of the state are 6561
9719	9719	deposited, but a public deposit insurance charge or premium may 6562
9720	9720	not be paid out of the fund. If any warrant issued again st the 6563
9721	9721	clearing account or the benefit account is not presented for 6564
9722	9722	payment within 1 year after issuance, the Chief Financial 6565
9723	9723	Officer must cancel the warrant and credit without restriction 6566
9724	9724	the amount of the warrant to the account upon which it is drawn. 6567
9725	9725	When the payee or person entitled to a canceled warrant requests 6568
9726	9726	payment of the warrant, the Chief Financial Officer, upon 6569
9727	9727	direction of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 6570
9728	9728	must issue a new warrant, payable from the account against which 6571
9729	9729	the canceled warrant was drawn. 6572
9730	9730	(3) Moneys may only be requisitioned from the state's 6573
9731	9731	account in the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund 6574
9732	9732	solely for the payment of benefits and extended benefits and for 6575
9733	9733
9734	9734	HB 7037 2024
9735	9735
9736	9736
9737	9737
9738	9738	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9739	9739	hb7037-00
9740	9740	Page 264 of 338
9741	9741	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
9742	9742
9743	9743
9744	9744
9745	9745	payment in accordance with rules prescribed by the Department of 6576
9746	9746	Commerce Economic Opportunity , or for the repayment of advances 6577
9747	9747	made pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s. 1321, as authorized by the 6578
9748	9748	Governor or the Governor's designee, except that money credited 6579
9749	9749	to this state's account under 42 U.S.C. s. 1103 may only be used 6580
9750	9750	exclusively as provided in subsection (5). The Department of 6581
9751	9751	Commerce Economic Opportunity , through the Chief Financial 6582
9752	9752	Officer, shall requisition from the federal Unemployment 6583
9753	9753	Compensation Trust Fund amounts, not exceeding the amounts 6584
9754	9754	credited to this state's account in the fund, as necessary for 6585
9755	9755	the payment of benefits and extended benefits for a reasonable 6586
9756	9756	future period. Upon receipt of these amounts, the Chief 6587
9757	9757	Financial Officer shall deposit the moneys in the benefit 6588
9758	9758	account in the State Treasur y and warrants for the payment of 6589
9759	9759	benefits and extended benefits shall be drawn upon the order of 6590
9760	9760	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity against the 6591
9761	9761	account. All warrants for benefits and extended benefits are 6592
9762	9762	payable directly to the ultimate bene ficiary. Expenditures of 6593
9763	9763	these moneys in the benefit account and refunds from the 6594
9764	9764	clearing account are not subject to any law requiring specific 6595
9765	9765	appropriations or other formal release by state officers of 6596
9766	9766	money in their custody. All warrants issued for the payment of 6597
9767	9767	benefits and refunds must bear the signature of the Chief 6598
9768	9768	Financial Officer. Any balance of moneys requisitioned from this 6599
9769	9769	state's account in the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust 6600
9770	9770
9771	9771	HB 7037 2024
9772	9772
9773	9773
9774	9774
9775	9775	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9776	9776	hb7037-00
9777	9777	Page 265 of 338
9778	9778	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
9779	9779
9780	9780
9781	9781
9782	9782	Fund which remains unclaimed or unpaid in the benefit acco unt 6601
9783	9783	after the period for which the moneys were requisitioned shall 6602
9784	9784	be deducted from estimates for, and may be used for the payment 6603
9785	9785	of, benefits and extended benefits during succeeding periods, 6604
9786	9786	or, in the discretion of the Department of Commerce Economic 6605
9787	9787	Opportunity, shall be redeposited with the Secretary of the 6606
9788	9788	Treasury of the United States, to the credit of this state's 6607
9789	9789	account in the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, as 6608
9790	9790	provided in subsection (2). 6609
9791	9791	(4) Subsections (1), (2), and (3), to the e xtent they 6610
9792	9792	relate to the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, 6611
9793	9793	apply only while the fund continues to exist and while the 6612
9794	9794	Secretary of the Treasury of the United States continues to 6613
9795	9795	maintain for this state a separate account of all funds 6614
9796	9796	deposited by this state for the payment of benefits, together 6615
9797	9797	with this state's proportionate share of the earnings of the 6616
9798	9798	federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, from which no 6617
9799	9799	other state is permitted to make withdrawals. If the federal 6618
9800	9800	Unemployment Compensat ion Trust Fund ceases to exist, or the 6619
9801	9801	separate account is no longer maintained, all moneys, 6620
9802	9802	properties, or securities belonging to this state's account in 6621
9803	9803	the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund must be 6622
9804	9804	transferred to the treasurer of the Unemplo yment Compensation 6623
9805	9805	Trust Fund, who must hold, invest, transfer, sell, deposit, and 6624
9806	9806	release those moneys, properties, or securities in a manner 6625
9807	9807
9808	9808	HB 7037 2024
9809	9809
9810	9810
9811	9811
9812	9812	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9813	9813	hb7037-00
9814	9814	Page 266 of 338
9815	9815	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
9816	9816
9817	9817
9818	9818
9819	9819	approved by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity in 6626
9820	9820	accordance with this chapter. These moneys must, however, be 6627
9821	9821	invested in the following readily marketable classes of 6628
9822	9822	securities: bonds or other interest -bearing obligations of the 6629
9823	9823	United States or of the state. Further, the investment must at 6630
9824	9824	all times be made in a manner that allows all the assets of the 6631
9825	9825	fund to always be readily convertible into cash when needed for 6632
9826	9826	the payment of benefits. The treasurer may only dispose of 6633
9827	9827	securities or other properties belonging to the Unemployment 6634
9828	9828	Compensation Trust Fund under the direction of the Department of 6635
9829	9829	Commerce Economic Opportunity . 6636
9830	9830	Section 200. Section 443.211, Florida Statutes, is amended 6637
9831	9831	to read: 6638
9832	9832	443.211 Employment Security Administration Trust Fund; 6639
9833	9833	appropriation; reimbursement. — 6640
9834	9834	(1) EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TRUST FUND. —There 6641
9835	9835	is created in the State Treasury the "Employment Security 6642
9836	9836	Administration Trust Fund." All moneys deposited into this fund 6643
9837	9837	remain continuously available to the Department of Commerce 6644
9838	9838	Economic Opportunity for expenditure in accordance with this 6645
9839	9839	chapter and do not revert at any time and may not be transferred 6646
9840	9840	to any other fund. All moneys in this fund which are received 6647
9841	9841	from the Federal Government or any federal agency or which are 6648
9842	9842	appropriated by this state under ss. 443.171 and 443.181, except 6649
9843	9843	money received under s. 443.191(5)(c), must be expended solely 6650
9844	9844
9845	9845	HB 7037 2024
9846	9846
9847	9847
9848	9848
9849	9849	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9850	9850	hb7037-00
9851	9851	Page 267 of 338
9852	9852	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
9853	9853
9854	9854
9855	9855
9856	9856	for the purposes and in the amounts found necessary by the 6651
9857	9857	authorized cooperating federal agencies for the proper and 6652
9858	9858	efficient administration of this chapter. The f und consists of: 6653
9859	9859	all moneys appropriated by this state; all moneys received from 6654
9860	9860	the United States or any federal agency; all moneys received 6655
9861	9861	from any other source for the administration of this chapter; 6656
9862	9862	any funds collected for enhanced, specialized, or va lue-added 6657
9863	9863	labor market information services; any moneys received from any 6658
9864	9864	agency of the United States or any other state as compensation 6659
9865	9865	for services or facilities supplied to that agency; any amounts 6660
9866	9866	received from any surety bond or insurance policy or fr om other 6661
9867	9867	sources for losses sustained by the Employment Security 6662
9868	9868	Administration Trust Fund or by reason of damage to equipment or 6663
9869	9869	supplies purchased from moneys in the fund; and any proceeds 6664
9870	9870	from the sale or disposition of such equipment or supplies. All 6665
9871	9871	money requisitioned and deposited in this fund under s. 6666
9872	9872	443.191(5)(c) remains part of the Unemployment Compensation 6667
9873	9873	Trust Fund and must be used only in accordance with s. 6668
9874	9874	443.191(5). All moneys in this fund must be deposited, 6669
9875	9875	administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the 6670
9876	9876	same conditions and requirements as provided by law for other 6671
9877	9877	trust funds in the State Treasury. These moneys must be secured 6672
9878	9878	by the depositary in which they are held to the same extent and 6673
9879	9879	in the same manner as required by th e general depositary law of 6674
9880	9880	the state, and collateral pledged must be maintained in a 6675
9881	9881
9882	9882	HB 7037 2024
9883	9883
9884	9884
9885	9885
9886	9886	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9887	9887	hb7037-00
9888	9888	Page 268 of 338
9889	9889	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
9890	9890
9891	9891
9892	9892
9893	9893	separate custody account. All payments from the Employment 6676
9894	9894	Security Administration Trust Fund must be approved by the 6677
9895	9895	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or by an authorized 6678
9896	9896	agent and must be made by the Chief Financial Officer. Any 6679
9897	9897	balances in this fund do not revert at any time and must remain 6680
9898	9898	continuously available to the Department of Commerce Economic 6681
9899	9899	Opportunity for expenditure consistent with this chapter. 6682
9900	9900	(2) SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TRUST 6683
9901	9901	FUND.—There is created in the State Treasury the "Special 6684
9902	9902	Employment Security Administration Trust Fund," into which shall 6685
9903	9903	be deposited or transferred all interest on contributions and 6686
9904	9904	reimbursements, penalties, and fines or fees collected under 6687
9905	9905	this chapter. Interest on contributions and reimbursements, 6688
9906	9906	penalties, and fines or fees deposited during any calendar 6689
9907	9907	quarter in the clearing account in the Unemployment Compensation 6690
9908	9908	Trust Fund shall, as soon as practicable after the close of that 6691
9909	9909	calendar quarter and upon certification of the Department of 6692
9910	9910	Commerce Economic Opportunity , be transferred to the Special 6693
9911	9911	Employment Security Administration Trust Fund. The amount 6694
9912	9912	certified by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity as 6695
9913	9913	required under this chapter to pay refunds of interest on 6696
9914	9914	contributions and reimbursements, penalties, and fines or fees 6697
9915	9915	collected and erroneously deposited into the clearing account in 6698
9916	9916	the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund shal l, however, be 6699
9917	9917	withheld from this transfer. The interest and penalties 6700
9918	9918
9919	9919	HB 7037 2024
9920	9920
9921	9921
9922	9922
9923	9923	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9924	9924	hb7037-00
9925	9925	Page 269 of 338
9926	9926	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
9927	9927
9928	9928
9929	9929
9930	9930	certified for transfer are deemed as being erroneously deposited 6701
9931	9931	in the clearing account, and their transfer to the Special 6702
9932	9932	Employment Security Administration Trust Fund is deemed to be a 6703
9933	9933	refund of the erroneous deposits. All moneys in this fund shall 6704
9934	9934	be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and 6705
9935	9935	under the same requirements as provided by law for other trust 6706
9936	9936	funds in the State Treasury. These moneys may not be expended or 6707
9937	9937	be available for expenditure in any manner that would permit 6708
9938	9938	their substitution for, or permit a corresponding reduction in, 6709
9939	9939	federal funds that would, in the absence of these moneys, be 6710
9940	9940	available to finance expenditures for the administration of this 6711
9941	9941	chapter. This section does not prevent these moneys from being 6712
9942	9942	used as a revolving fund to cover lawful expenditures for which 6713
9943	9943	federal funds are requested but not yet received, subject to the 6714
9944	9944	charging of the expenditures against the funds when received. 6715
9945	9945	The moneys in this fund, with the approval of the Executive 6716
9946	9946	Office of the Governor, shall be used by the Department of 6717
9947	9947	Commerce Economic Opportunity for paying administrative costs 6718
9948	9948	that are not chargeable against funds obtained from federal 6719
9949	9949	sources. All moneys in the Special Employment Security 6720
9950	9950	Administration Trust Fund shall be continuously available to the 6721
9951	9951	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity for expenditure in 6722
9952	9952	accordance with this chapter and do not revert at any time. All 6723
9953	9953	payments from the Special E mployment Security Administration 6724
9954	9954	Trust Fund must be approved by the Department of Commerce 6725
9955	9955
9956	9956	HB 7037 2024
9957	9957
9958	9958
9959	9959
9960	9960	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9961	9961	hb7037-00
9962	9962	Page 270 of 338
9963	9963	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
9964	9964
9965	9965
9966	9966
9967	9967	Economic Opportunity or by an authorized agent and shall be made 6726
9968	9968	by the Chief Financial Officer. The moneys in this fund are 6727
9969	9969	available to replace, as contemplated b y subsection (3), 6728
9970	9970	expenditures from the Employment Security Administration Trust 6729
9971	9971	Fund which the United States Secretary of Labor, or other 6730
9972	9972	authorized federal agency or authority, finds are lost or 6731
9973	9973	improperly expended because of any action or contingency. T he 6732
9974	9974	Chief Financial Officer is liable on her or his official bond 6733
9975	9975	for the faithful performance of her or his duties in connection 6734
9976	9976	with the Special Employment Security Administration Trust Fund. 6735
9977	9977	(3) REIMBURSEMENT OF FUND. —If any moneys received from the 6736
9978	9978	United States Secretary of Labor under 42 U.S.C. ss. 501 -504, 6737
9979	9979	any unencumbered balances in the Employment Security 6738
9980	9980	Administration Trust Fund, any moneys granted to this state 6739
9981	9981	under the Wagner-Peyser Act, or any moneys made available by 6740
9982	9982	this state or its poli tical subdivisions and matched by the 6741
9983	9983	moneys granted to this state under the Wagner -Peyser Act, are 6742
9984	9984	after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing, found by 6743
9985	9985	the United States Secretary of Labor, because of any action or 6744
9986	9986	contingency, to be lost or expe nded for purposes other than, or 6745
9987	9987	in amounts in excess of, those allowed by the United States 6746
9988	9988	Secretary of Labor for the administration of this chapter, these 6747
9989	9989	moneys shall be replaced by moneys appropriated for that purpose 6748
9990	9990	from the General Revenue Fund to the Employment Security 6749
9991	9991	Administration Trust Fund for expenditure as provided in 6750
9992	9992
9993	9993	HB 7037 2024
9994	9994
9995	9995
9996	9996
9997	9997	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
9998	9998	hb7037-00
9999	9999	Page 271 of 338
10000	10000	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
10001	10001
10002	10002
10003	10003
10004	10004	subsection (1). Upon receipt of notice of such a finding by the 6751
10005	10005	United States Secretary of Labor, the Department of Commerce 6752
10006	10006	Economic Opportunity shall promptly report the amo unt required 6753
10007	10007	for replacement to the Governor. The Governor shall, at the 6754
10008	10008	earliest opportunity, submit to the Legislature a request for 6755
10009	10009	the appropriation of the replacement funds. 6756
10010	10010	(4) RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRUST FUNDS. —In connection with its 6757
10011	10011	duties under s. 443.181, the Department of Commerce Economic 6758
10012	10012	Opportunity is responsible for the deposit, requisition, 6759
10013	10013	expenditure, approval of payment, reimbursement, and reporting 6760
10014	10014	in regard to the trust funds established by this section. 6761
10015	10015	Section 201. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and 6762
10016	10016	subsections (2), (3), and (4) of section 443.221, Florida 6763
10017	10017	Statutes, are amended to read: 6764
10018	10018	443.221 Reciprocal arrangements. — 6765
10019	10019	(1)(a) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or 6766
10020	10020	its tax collection service provider may enter into reciprocal 6767
10021	10021	arrangements with other states or with the Federal Government, 6768
10022	10022	or both, for considering services performed by an individual for 6769
10023	10023	a single employing unit for which services are performed by the 6770
10024	10024	individual in more than one state as services perform ed entirely 6771
10025	10025	within any one of the states: 6772
10026	10026	1. In which any part of the individual's service is 6773
10027	10027	performed; 6774
10028	10028	2. In which the individual has her or his residence; or 6775
10029	10029
10030	10030	HB 7037 2024
10031	10031
10032	10032
10033	10033
10034	10034	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10035	10035	hb7037-00
10036	10036	Page 272 of 338
10037	10037	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
10038	10038
10039	10039
10040	10040
10041	10041	3. In which the employing unit maintains a place of 6776
10042	10042	business. 6777
10043	10043	(2) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 6778
10044	10044	tax collection service provider may make to other state or 6779
10045	10045	federal agencies and receive from these other state or federal 6780
10046	10046	agencies reimbursements from or to the fund, in accordance with 6781
10047	10047	arrangements entered into under subs ection (1). 6782
10048	10048	(3) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or its 6783
10049	10049	tax collection service provider may enter into reciprocal 6784
10050	10050	arrangements with other states or the Federal Government, or 6785
10051	10051	both, for exchanging services, determining and enforcing payment 6786
10052	10052	obligations, and making available facilities and information. 6787
10053	10053	The department or its tax collection service provider may 6788
10054	10054	conduct investigations, secure and transmit information, make 6789
10055	10055	available services and facilities, and exercise other powers 6790
10056	10056	provided under this chapter to facilitate the administration of 6791
10057	10057	any reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation or 6792
10058	10058	public employment service law and, in a similar manner, accept 6793
10059	10059	and use information, services, and facilities made available to 6794
10060	10060	this state by the agency charged with the administration of any 6795
10061	10061	other unemployment compensation or public employment service 6796
10062	10062	law. 6797
10063	10063	(4) To the extent permissible under federal law, the 6798
10064	10064	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may enter into or 6799
10065	10065	cooperate in arrangements whereby facilities and services 6800
10066	10066
10067	10067	HB 7037 2024
10068	10068
10069	10069
10070	10070
10071	10071	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10072	10072	hb7037-00
10073	10073	Page 273 of 338
10074	10074	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
10075	10075
10076	10076
10077	10077
10078	10078	provided under this chapter and facilities and services provided 6801
10079	10079	under the reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation 6802
10080	10080	law of any foreign government may be used for the taking of 6803
10081	10081	claims and the payment of benefits u nder the employment security 6804
10082	10082	law of the state or under a similar law of that government. 6805
10083	10083	Section 202. Subsection (1) of section 445.002, Florida 6806
10084	10084	Statutes, is amended to read: 6807
10085	10085	445.002 Definitions. —As used in this chapter, the term: 6808
10086	10086	(1) "Department" means the Department of Commerce Economic 6809
10087	10087	Opportunity. 6810
10088	10088	Section 203. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section 6811
10089	10089	445.003, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 6812
10090	10090	445.003 Implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation 6813
10091	10091	and Opportunity Act.— 6814
10092	10092	(7) DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. —The department shall adopt 6815
10093	10093	rules to implement the requirements of this chapter, including: 6816
10094	10094	(b) Initial and subsequent eligibility criteria, based on 6817
10095	10095	input from the state board, local workforce development boards, 6818
10096	10096	the Department of Education, and other stakeholders, for the 6819
10097	10097	Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act eligible training 6820
10098	10098	provider list. This list directs training resources to programs 6821
10099	10099	leading to employment in high -demand and high-priority 6822
10100	10100	occupations that provide economic security, particularly those 6823
10101	10101	occupations facing a shortage of skilled workers. A training 6824
10102	10102	provider who offers training to obtain a credential on the 6825
10103	10103
10104	10104	HB 7037 2024
10105	10105
10106	10106
10107	10107
10108	10108	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10109	10109	hb7037-00
10110	10110	Page 274 of 338
10111	10111	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
10112	10112
10113	10113
10114	10114
10115	10115	Master Credentials List under s. 445.004(4)(h) may not be 6826
10116	10116	included on a state or local eligi ble training provider list if 6827
10117	10117	the provider fails to submit the required information or fails 6828
10118	10118	to meet initial or subsequent eligibility criteria. Subsequent 6829
10119	10119	eligibility criteria must use the performance and outcome 6830
10120	10120	measures defined and reported under s. 100 8.40, to determine 6831
10121	10121	whether each program offered by a training provider is qualified 6832
10122	10122	to remain on the list. The Department of Commerce Economic 6833
10123	10123	Opportunity and the Department of Education shall establish the 6834
10124	10124	minimum criteria a training provider must achieve for 6835
10125	10125	completion, earnings, and employment rates of eligible 6836
10126	10126	participants. A provider must meet at least two of the minimum 6837
10127	10127	criteria for subsequent eligibility. The minimum program 6838
10128	10128	criteria may not exceed the threshold at which more than 20 6839
10129	10129	percent of all eligible training providers in the state would 6840
10130	10130	fall below. 6841
10131	10131	Section 204. Paragraph (h) of subsection (4) of section 6842
10132	10132	445.004, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 6843
10133	10133	445.004 CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the state board; 6844
10134	10134	creation; purpose; membership; d uties and powers.— 6845
10135	10135	(4) 6846
10136	10136	(h)1. The state board shall appoint a Credentials Review 6847
10137	10137	Committee to identify nondegree credentials and degree 6848
10138	10138	credentials of value for approval by the state board and 6849
10139	10139	inclusion in the Master Credentials List. Such credentials mu st 6850
10140	10140
10141	10141	HB 7037 2024
10142	10142
10143	10143
10144	10144
10145	10145	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10146	10146	hb7037-00
10147	10147	Page 275 of 338
10148	10148	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
10149	10149
10150	10150
10151	10151
10152	10152	include registered apprenticeship programs; industry 6851
10153	10153	certifications, including industry certifications for 6852
10154	10154	agricultural occupations submitted pursuant to s. 570.07(43); 6853
10155	10155	licenses; advanced technical certificates; college credit 6854
10156	10156	certificates; career certi ficates; applied technology diplomas; 6855
10157	10157	associate degrees; baccalaureate degrees; and graduate degrees. 6856
10158	10158	The Credentials Review Committee must include: 6857
10159	10159	a. The Chancellor of the Division of Public Schools. 6858
10160	10160	b. The Chancellor of the Division of Career and Ad ult 6859
10161	10161	Education. 6860
10162	10162	c. The Chancellor of the Florida College System. 6861
10163	10163	d. The Chancellor of the State University System. 6862
10164	10164	e. The director of the Office of Reimagining Education and 6863
10165	10165	Career Help, who shall serve as chair of the committee. 6864
10166	10166	f. Four members fro m local workforce development boards, 6865
10167	10167	with equal representation from urban and rural regions. 6866
10168	10168	g. Two members from nonpublic postsecondary institutions. 6867
10169	10169	h. Two members from industry associations. 6868
10170	10170	i. Two members from Florida -based businesses. 6869
10171	10171	j. Two members from the Department of Commerce Economic 6870
10172	10172	Opportunity. 6871
10173	10173	k. One member from the Department of Agriculture and 6872
10174	10174	Consumer Services. 6873
10175	10175	2. All information pertaining to the Credentials Review 6874
10176	10176	Committee, the process for the approval of credentials of valu e, 6875
10177	10177
10178	10178	HB 7037 2024
10179	10179
10180	10180
10181	10181
10182	10182	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10183	10183	hb7037-00
10184	10184	Page 276 of 338
10185	10185	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
10186	10186
10187	10187
10188	10188
10189	10189	and the Master Credentials List must be made available and be 6876
10190	10190	easily accessible to the public on all relevant state agency 6877
10191	10191	websites. 6878
10192	10192	3. The Credentials Review Committee shall establish a 6879
10193	10193	definition for credentials of value and create a framework of 6880
10194	10194	quality. The framework must align with federally funded 6881
10195	10195	workforce accountability requirements and undergo biennial 6882
10196	10196	review. 6883
10197	10197	4. The criteria to determine value for nondegree 6884
10198	10198	credentials should, at a minimum, require: 6885
10199	10199	a. Evidence that the credential meets l abor market demand 6886
10200	10200	as identified by the Labor Market Statistics Center within the 6887
10201	10201	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity or the Labor Market 6888
10202	10202	Estimating Conference created in s. 216.136, or meets local 6889
10203	10203	demand as identified in the criteria adopted by th e Credentials 6890
10204	10204	Review Committee. The Credentials Review Committee may consider 6891
10205	10205	additional evidence to determine labor market demand for 6892
10206	10206	credentials for agricultural occupations. Evidence to be 6893
10207	10207	considered by the Credentials Review Committee must include 6894
10208	10208	employer information on present credential use or emerging 6895
10209	10209	opportunities. 6896
10210	10210	b. Evidence that the competencies mastered upon completion 6897
10211	10211	of the credential are aligned with labor market demand. 6898
10212	10212	c. Evidence of the employment and earnings outcomes for 6899
10213	10213	individuals after obtaining the credential. Earnings outcomes 6900
10214	10214
10215	10215	HB 7037 2024
10216	10216
10217	10217
10218	10218
10219	10219	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10220	10220	hb7037-00
10221	10221	Page 277 of 338
10222	10222	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
10223	10223
10224	10224
10225	10225
10226	10226	must provide middle-level to high-level wages with preference 6901
10227	10227	given to credentials generating high -level wages. Credentials 6902
10228	10228	that do not meet the earnings outcomes criteria must be part of 6903
10229	10229	a sequence of credentials that are required for the next level 6904
10230	10230	occupation that does meet the earnings outcomes criteria in 6905
10231	10231	order to be identified as a credential of value. For new 6906
10232	10232	credentials, this criteria may be met with conditional 6907
10233	10233	eligibility until measurable labor mar ket outcomes are obtained. 6908
10234	10234	5. The Credentials Review Committee shall establish the 6909
10235	10235	criteria to determine value for degree programs. This criteria 6910
10236	10236	must include evidence that the program meets statewide or 6911
10237	10237	regional labor market demand as identified by the Labor Market 6912
10238	10238	Statistics Center within the Department of Commerce Economic 6913
10239	10239	Opportunity or the Labor Market Estimating Conference created in 6914
10240	10240	s. 216.136, or meets local demand as determined by the 6915
10241	10241	committee. The Credentials Review Committee may consider 6916
10242	10242	additional evidence to determine labor market demand for 6917
10243	10243	credentials for agricultural occu pations. Such criteria, once 6918
10244	10244	available and applicable to baccalaureate degrees and graduate 6919
10245	10245	degrees, must be used to designate programs of emphasis under s. 6920
10246	10246	1001.706 and to guide the development of program standards and 6921
10247	10247	benchmarks under s. 1004.92. 6922
10248	10248	6. The Credentials Review Committee shall establish a 6923
10249	10249	process for prioritizing nondegree credentials and degree 6924
10250	10250	programs based on critical statewide or regional shortages. 6925
10251	10251
10252	10252	HB 7037 2024
10253	10253
10254	10254
10255	10255
10256	10256	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10257	10257	hb7037-00
10258	10258	Page 278 of 338
10259	10259	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
10260	10260
10261	10261
10262	10262
10263	10263	7. The Credentials Review Committee shall establish a 6926
10264	10264	process for: 6927
10265	10265	a. At a minimum, quarterly review and approval of 6928
10266	10266	credential applications. Approved credentials of value shall be 6929
10267	10267	used by the committee to develop the Master Credentials List. 6930
10268	10268	b. Annual review of the Master Credentials List. 6931
10269	10269	c. Phasing out credentials on the Master Cre dentials List 6932
10270	10270	that no longer meet the framework of quality. Credentials must 6933
10271	10271	remain on the list for at least 1 year after identification for 6934
10272	10272	removal. 6935
10273	10273	d. Designating performance funding eligibility under ss. 6936
10274	10274	1011.80 and 1011.81, based upon the highest ava ilable 6937
10275	10275	certification for postsecondary students. 6938
10276	10276	e. Upon approval, the state board shall submit the Master 6939
10277	10277	Credentials List to the State Board of Education. The list must, 6940
10278	10278	at a minimum, identify nondegree credentials and degree programs 6941
10279	10279	determined to be of value for purposes of the CAPE Industry 6942
10280	10280	Certification Funding List adopted under ss. 1008.44 and 6943
10281	10281	1011.62(1); if the credential or degree program meets statewide, 6944
10282	10282	regional, or local level demand; the type of certificate, 6945
10283	10283	credential, or degree; and the pr imary standard occupation 6946
10284	10284	classification code. 6947
10285	10285	f. If an application submitted to the Credentials Review 6948
10286	10286	Committee does not meet the required standards, the Credentials 6949
10287	10287	Review Committee must provide a notice of deficiency to the 6950
10288	10288
10289	10289	HB 7037 2024
10290	10290
10291	10291
10292	10292
10293	10293	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10294	10294	hb7037-00
10295	10295	Page 279 of 338
10296	10296	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
10297	10297
10298	10298
10299	10299
10300	10300	applicant and the provider who was identified as the point of 6951
10301	10301	contact provided on the application by the end of the next 6952
10302	10302	quarter after receipt of the application. The notice must 6953
10303	10303	include the basis for denial and the procedure to appeal the 6954
10304	10304	denial. 6955
10305	10305	8. The Credentials Review Commit tee shall establish a 6956
10306	10306	process for linking Classifications of Instructional Programs 6957
10307	10307	(CIP) to Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC) for all new 6958
10308	10308	credentials of value identified on the Master Credentials List. 6959
10309	10309	The CIP code aligns instructional programs to occupations. A CIP 6960
10310	10310	to SOC link indicates that programs classified in the CIP code 6961
10311	10311	category prepare individuals for jobs classified in the SOC code 6962
10312	10312	category. The state board shall submit approved CIP to SOC 6963
10313	10313	linkages to the State Board of Education with e ach credential 6964
10314	10314	that is added to the Master Credentials List. 6965
10315	10315	9. The Credentials Review Committee shall identify all 6966
10316	10316	data elements necessary to collect information on credentials by 6967
10317	10317	the Florida Education and Training Placement Program automated 6968
10318	10318	system under s. 1008.39. 6969
10319	10319	Section 205. Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of section 6970
10320	10320	445.009, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 6971
10321	10321	445.009 One-stop delivery system. — 6972
10322	10322	(8)(a) Individual Training Accounts must be expended on 6973
10323	10323	programs that prepare people to enter o ccupations identified by 6974
10324	10324	the Labor Market Statistics Center within the Department of 6975
10325	10325
10326	10326	HB 7037 2024
10327	10327
10328	10328
10329	10329
10330	10330	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10331	10331	hb7037-00
10332	10332	Page 280 of 338
10333	10333	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
10334	10334
10335	10335
10336	10336
10337	10337	Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Labor Market Estimating 6976
10338	10338	Conference created by s. 216.136, and on other programs 6977
10339	10339	recommended and approved by the state board following a review 6978
10340	10340	by the department to determine the program's compliance with 6979
10341	10341	federal law. 6980
10342	10342	Section 206. Subsection (5) of section 445.016, Florida 6981
10343	10343	Statutes, is amended to read: 6982
10344	10344	445.016 Untried Worker Placement and Employment Incentive 6983
10345	10345	Act.— 6984
10346	10346	(5) Incentives must be paid according to the incentive 6985
10347	10347	schedule developed by CareerSource Florida, Inc., the Department 6986
10348	10348	of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and the Department of Children 6987
10349	10349	and Families which costs the state less per placement than the 6988
10350	10350	state's 12-month expenditure on a welfare recipient. 6989
10351	10351	Section 207. Subsection (1) of section 445.024, Florida 6990
10352	10352	Statutes, is amended to read: 6991
10353	10353	445.024 Work requirements. — 6992
10354	10354	(1) WORK ACTIVITIES. —The Department of Commerce Economic 6993
10355	10355	Opportunity may develop activities under each of the following 6994
10356	10356	categories of work activities. The following categories of work 6995
10357	10357	activities, based on federal law and regulations, may be used 6996
10358	10358	individually or in combination to satisfy the work requirements 6997
10359	10359	for a participant in the temporary cash assistanc e program: 6998
10360	10360	(a) Unsubsidized employment. 6999
10361	10361	(b) Subsidized private sector employment. 7000
10362	10362
10363	10363	HB 7037 2024
10364	10364
10365	10365
10366	10366
10367	10367	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10368	10368	hb7037-00
10369	10369	Page 281 of 338
10370	10370	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
10371	10371
10372	10372
10373	10373
10374	10374	(c) Subsidized public sector employment. 7001
10375	10375	(d) On-the-job training. 7002
10376	10376	(e) Community service programs. 7003
10377	10377	(f) Work experience. 7004
10378	10378	(g) Job search and job readiness assistan ce. 7005
10379	10379	(h) Vocational educational training. 7006
10380	10380	(i) Job skills training directly related to employment. 7007
10381	10381	(j) Education directly related to employment. 7008
10382	10382	(k) Satisfactory attendance at a secondary school or in a 7009
10383	10383	course of study leading to a high school equiva lency diploma. 7010
10384	10384	(l) Providing child care services. 7011
10385	10385	Section 208. Subsection (1) of section 445.0325, Florida 7012
10386	10386	Statutes, is amended to read: 7013
10387	10387	445.0325 Welfare Transition Trust Fund. — 7014
10388	10388	(1) The Welfare Transition Trust Fund is created in the 7015
10389	10389	State Treasury, to be administered by the Department of Commerce 7016
10390	10390	Economic Opportunity . Funds shall be credited to the trust fund 7017
10391	10391	to be used for the purposes of the welfare transition program 7018
10392	10392	set forth in ss. 445.017-445.032. 7019
10393	10393	Section 209. Section 445.038, Florida Statutes, is amended 7020
10394	10394	to read: 7021
10395	10395	445.038 Digital media; job training. —CareerSource Florida, 7022
10396	10396	Inc., through the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 7023
10397	10397	may use funds dedicated for incumb ent worker training for the 7024
10398	10398	digital media industry. Training may be provided by public or 7025
10399	10399
10400	10400	HB 7037 2024
10401	10401
10402	10402
10403	10403
10404	10404	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10405	10405	hb7037-00
10406	10406	Page 282 of 338
10407	10407	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
10408	10408
10409	10409
10410	10410
10411	10411	private training providers for broadband digital media jobs 7026
10412	10412	listed on the occupations list developed by the Labor Market 7027
10413	10413	Estimating Conference or the Labor Market Sta tistics Center 7028
10414	10414	within the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and on 7029
10415	10415	other programs recommended and approved by the state board 7030
10416	10416	following a review by the department to determine the program's 7031
10417	10417	compliance with federal law. Programs that operate outsi de the 7032
10418	10418	normal semester time periods and coordinate the use of industry 7033
10419	10419	and public resources must be given priority status for funding. 7034
10420	10420	Section 210. Subsection (2), paragraph (b) of subsection 7035
10421	10421	(4), and subsection (6) of section 445.045, Florida Statutes , 7036
10422	10422	are amended to read: 7037
10423	10423	445.045 Development of an Internet -based system for 7038
10424	10424	information technology industry promotion and workforce 7039
10425	10425	recruitment.— 7040
10426	10426	(2) CareerSource Florida, Inc., shall coordinate with the 7041
10427	10427	Department of Management Services and the Departm ent of Commerce 7042
10428	10428	Economic Opportunity to ensure links, as feasible and 7043
10429	10429	appropriate, to existing job information websites maintained by 7044
10430	10430	the state and state agencies and to ensure that information 7045
10431	10431	technology positions offered by the state and state agencies a re 7046
10432	10432	posted on the information technology website. 7047
10433	10433	(4) 7048
10434	10434	(b) CareerSource Florida, Inc., may enter into an 7049
10435	10435	agreement with the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 7050
10436	10436
10437	10437	HB 7037 2024
10438	10438
10439	10439
10440	10440
10441	10441	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10442	10442	hb7037-00
10443	10443	Page 283 of 338
10444	10444	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
10445	10445
10446	10446
10447	10447
10448	10448	or any other public agency with the requisite information 7051
10449	10449	technology expertise for the provision of design, operating, or 7052
10450	10450	other technological services necessary to develop and maintain 7053
10451	10451	the website. 7054
10452	10452	(6) In fulfilling its responsibilities under this section, 7055
10453	10453	CareerSource Florida, Inc., may enlist the assistance of and act 7056
10454	10454	through the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . The 7057
10455	10455	department is authorized and directed to provide the services 7058
10456	10456	that CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the department consider 7059
10457	10457	necessary to implement this section. 7060
10458	10458	Section 211. Section 445.056, Florida Statutes, is amended 7061
10459	10459	to read: 7062
10460	10460	445.056 Citizen Soldier Matching Grant Program. —The 7063
10461	10461	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall implement the 7064
10462	10462	matching grant program established by the former Agency for 7065
10463	10463	Workforce Innovation to award matching grants to private sec tor 7066
10464	10464	employers in this state which provide wages to employees serving 7067
10465	10465	in the United States Armed Forces Reserves or the Florida 7068
10466	10466	National Guard while those employees are on federal active duty. 7069
10467	10467	A grant may not be provided for federal active duty served 7070
10468	10468	before January 1, 2005. Each grant shall be awarded to reimburse 7071
10469	10469	the employer for not more than one -half of the monthly wages 7072
10470	10470	paid to an employee who is a resident of this state for the 7073
10471	10471	actual period of federal active duty. The monthly grant per 7074
10472	10472	employee may not exceed one-half of the difference between the 7075
10473	10473
10474	10474	HB 7037 2024
10475	10475
10476	10476
10477	10477
10478	10478	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10479	10479	hb7037-00
10480	10480	Page 284 of 338
10481	10481	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
10482	10482
10483	10483
10484	10484
10485	10485	amount of monthly wages paid by the employer to the employee at 7076
10486	10486	the level paid before the date the employee was called to 7077
10487	10487	federal active duty and the amount of the employee's active duty 7078
10488	10488	base pay, housing and variable allowances, and subsistence 7079
10489	10489	allowance. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 7080
10490	10490	implement the plan administered by the former Agency for 7081
10491	10491	Workforce Innovation. 7082
10492	10492	Section 212. Subsection (2), paragraph (a) of subsection 7083
10493	10493	(3), and subsection (5) of section 445.06, Florida Statutes, are 7084
10494	10494	amended to read: 7085
10495	10495	445.06 Florida Ready to Work Credential Program. — 7086
10496	10496	(2) Training required to be eligible for a credential 7087
10497	10497	under the program may be conducted in public middle and high 7088
10498	10498	schools, Florida College System institutions, technical centers, 7089
10499	10499	one-stop career centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, 7090
10500	10500	Department of Corrections facilities, and Department of Juvenile 7091
10501	10501	Justice educational facilities. Such training may also be made 7092
10502	10502	available at other en tities that provide job training. The 7093
10503	10503	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in coordination 7094
10504	10504	with the Department of Education, shall establish institutional 7095
10505	10505	readiness criteria for program implementation. 7096
10506	10506	(3) The program shall be composed of: 7097
10507	10507	(a) A comprehensive identification by the Department of 7098
10508	10508	Commerce Economic Opportunity and the Department of Education of 7099
10509	10509	employability skills currently in demand by employers, 7100
10510	10510
10511	10511	HB 7037 2024
10512	10512
10513	10513
10514	10514
10515	10515	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10516	10516	hb7037-00
10517	10517	Page 285 of 338
10518	10518	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
10519	10519
10520	10520
10521	10521
10522	10522	including, but not limited to, professionalism, time management, 7101
10523	10523	communication, problem solving, collaboration, resilience, 7102
10524	10524	digital literacy skills, and academic skills such as mathematics 7103
10525	10525	and reading. 7104
10526	10526	(5) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in 7105
10527	10527	consultation with the Department of Education, shall adopt rules 7106
10528	10528	pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the 7107
10529	10529	provisions of this section. 7108
10530	10530	Section 213. Subsection (1) of section 445.07, Florida 7109
10531	10531	Statutes, is amended to read: 7110
10532	10532	445.07 Economic security report of employment and earning 7111
10533	10533	outcomes.— 7112
10534	10534	(1) Beginning December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter, 7113
10535	10535	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in consultation 7114
10536	10536	with the Department of Education, shall prepare, or contract 7115
10537	10537	with an entity to prepare, an economic security report of 7116
10538	10538	employment and earning outcomes for degr ees or certificates 7117
10539	10539	earned at public postsecondary educational institutions. 7118
10540	10540	Section 214. Section 446.41, Florida Statutes, is amended 7119
10541	10541	to read: 7120
10542	10542	446.41 Legislative intent with respect to rural workforce 7121
10543	10543	training and development; establishment of Rural Workforce 7122
10544	10544	Services Program.—In order that the state may achieve its full 7123
10545	10545	economic and social potential, consideration must be given to 7124
10546	10546	rural workforce training and development to enable those living 7125
10547	10547
10548	10548	HB 7037 2024
10549	10549
10550	10550
10551	10551
10552	10552	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10553	10553	hb7037-00
10554	10554	Page 286 of 338
10555	10555	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
10556	10556
10557	10557
10558	10558
10559	10559	in rural areas to develop their maximum capacities and 7126
10560	10560	participate productively in society. It is, therefore, the 7127
10561	10561	policy of the state to make available those services needed to 7128
10562	10562	assist individuals and communities in rural areas to improve 7129
10563	10563	their quality of life. It is with a great sense of urgency that 7130
10564	10564	a Rural Workforce Services Program is established within the 7131
10565	10565	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , under the direction 7132
10566	10566	of CareerSource Florida, Inc., to provide equal access to all 7133
10567	10567	manpower training programs available to rural as well as urban 7134
10568	10568	areas. 7135
10569	10569	Section 215. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and paragraph 7136
10570	10570	(d) of subsection (2) of section 446.53, Florida Statutes, are 7137
10571	10571	amended to read: 7138
10572	10572	446.53 Concrete masonry education. — 7139
10573	10573	(1)(a) The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, 7140
10574	10574	Inc., is created as a nonp rofit corporation organized under the 7141
10575	10575	laws of this state and operating as a direct -support 7142
10576	10576	organization of the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 7143
10577	10577	(2) 7144
10578	10578	(d) In addition to the 13 voting members described in 7145
10579	10579	paragraph (a), the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 7146
10580	10580	or his or her designee, shall serve ex officio as a nonvoting 7147
10581	10581	member of the board of directors of the council. 7148
10582	10582	Section 216. Subsections (1), (4), (5), (6), and (8) of 7149
10583	10583	section 446.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7150
10584	10584
10585	10585	HB 7037 2024
10586	10586
10587	10587
10588	10588
10589	10589	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10590	10590	hb7037-00
10591	10591	Page 287 of 338
10592	10592	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
10593	10593
10594	10594
10595	10595
10596	10596	446.71 Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community 7151
10597	10597	Employment Training Program. — 7152
10598	10598	(1) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , in 7153
10599	10599	cooperation with the state board as defined in s. 445.002, shall 7154
10600	10600	establish the Everglades Restoration Agricultur al Community 7155
10601	10601	Employment Training Program within the Department of Commerce 7156
10602	10602	Economic Opportunity . The Department of Commerce Economic 7157
10603	10603	Opportunity shall use funds appropriated to the program by the 7158
10604	10604	Legislature to provide grants to stimulate and support train ing 7159
10605	10605	and employment programs that seek to match persons who complete 7160
10606	10606	such training programs to nonagricultural employment 7161
10607	10607	opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment, and to 7162
10608	10608	provide other training, educational, and information services 7163
10609	10609	necessary to stimulate the creation of jobs in the areas of high 7164
10610	10610	agricultural unemployment. In determining whether to provide 7165
10611	10611	funds to a particular program, the Department of Commerce 7166
10612	10612	Economic Opportunity shall consider the location of the program 7167
10613	10613	in proximity to the program's intended participants. 7168
10614	10614	(4) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 7169
10615	10615	not award a grant to any given training program which exceeds 50 7170
10616	10616	percent of the total cost of the program, unless the training 7171
10617	10617	program is located within a rural area of opportunity, in which 7172
10618	10618	case the grant may exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the 7173
10619	10619	program and up to 100 percent. Matching contributions may 7174
10620	10620	include in-kind services, including, but not limited to, the 7175
10621	10621
10622	10622	HB 7037 2024
10623	10623
10624	10624
10625	10625
10626	10626	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10627	10627	hb7037-00
10628	10628	Page 288 of 338
10629	10629	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
10630	10630
10631	10631
10632	10632
10633	10633	provision of training instructors, equipment, and training 7176
10634	10634	facilities. 7177
10635	10635	(5) Before granting a request for funds made in accordance 7178
10636	10636	with this section, the Department of Commerce Economic 7179
10637	10637	Opportunity shall enter into a grant agreement with the 7180
10638	10638	requester of funds and the institution receiving funding t hrough 7181
10639	10639	the program. Such agreement must include all of the following 7182
10640	10640	information: 7183
10641	10641	(a) An identification of the personnel necessary to 7184
10642	10642	conduct the instructional program, the qualifications of such 7185
10643	10643	personnel, and the respective responsibilities of the part ies 7186
10644	10644	for paying costs associated with the employment of such 7187
10645	10645	personnel. 7188
10646	10646	(b) An identification of the estimated length of the 7189
10647	10647	instructional program. 7190
10648	10648	(c) An identification of all direct, training -related 7191
10649	10649	costs, including tuition and fees, curriculum devel opment, books 7192
10650	10650	and classroom materials, and overhead or indirect costs. 7193
10651	10651	(d) An identification of special program requirements that 7194
10652	10652	are not otherwise addressed in the agreement. 7195
10653	10653	(6) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 7196
10654	10654	grant up to 100 perc ent of the tuition for a training program 7197
10655	10655	participant who currently resides, and has resided for at least 7198
10656	10656	3 of the 5 immediately preceding years, within the Everglades 7199
10657	10657	Agricultural Area as described in s. 373.4592 and in counties 7200
10658	10658
10659	10659	HB 7037 2024
10660	10660
10661	10661
10662	10662
10663	10663	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10664	10664	hb7037-00
10665	10665	Page 289 of 338
10666	10666	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
10667	10667
10668	10668
10669	10669
10670	10670	that provide for water sto rage and dispersed water storage that 7201
10671	10671	are located in rural areas of opportunity as described in s. 7202
10672	10672	288.0656. 7203
10673	10673	(8) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 7204
10674	10674	adopt rules to implement this section. 7205
10675	10675	Section 217. Effective July 1, 2024, subsect ion (2) of 7206
10676	10676	section 448.09, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 6 of 7207
10677	10677	chapter 2023-40, Laws of Florida, is amended to read: 7208
10678	10678	448.09 Unauthorized aliens; employment prohibited. — 7209
10679	10679	(2) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 7210
10680	10680	finds or is notified by an entity specified in s. 448.095(3)(a) 7211
10681	10681	that an employer has knowingly employed an unauthorized alien 7212
10682	10682	without verifying the employment eligibility of such person, the 7213
10683	10683	department must enter an order pursuant to chapter 120 making 7214
10684	10684	such determination and require repayment of any economic 7215
10685	10685	development incentive pursuant to s. 288.061(6). 7216
10686	10686	Section 218. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and 7217
10687	10687	paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (6) of section 448.095, 7218
10688	10688	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7219
10689	10689	448.095 Employment eligibility.— 7220
10690	10690	(3) ENFORCEMENT.— 7221
10691	10691	(a) For the purpose of enforcement of this section, any of 7222
10692	10692	the following persons or entities may request, and an employer 7223
10693	10693	must provide, copies of any documentation relied upon by the 7224
10694	10694	employer for the verification of a new employee's employment 7225
10695	10695
10696	10696	HB 7037 2024
10697	10697
10698	10698
10699	10699
10700	10700	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10701	10701	hb7037-00
10702	10702	Page 290 of 338
10703	10703	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
10704	10704
10705	10705
10706	10706
10707	10707	eligibility: 7226
10708	10708	1. The Department of Law Enforcement; 7227
10709	10709	2. The Attorney General; 7228
10710	10710	3. The state attorney in the circuit in which the new 7229
10711	10711	employee works; 7230
10712	10712	4. The statewide prosecutor; or 7231
10713	10713	5. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity. 7232
10714	10714	(6) COMPLIANCE.— 7233
10715	10715	(a) In addition to the requirements under s. 288.061(6), 7234
10716	10716	beginning on July 1, 2024, if the Department of Commerce 7235
10717	10717	Economic Opportunity determines that an employer failed to use 7236
10718	10718	the E-Verify system to verify the employment eli gibility of 7237
10719	10719	employees as required under this section, the department must 7238
10720	10720	notify the employer of the department's determination of 7239
10721	10721	noncompliance and provide the employer with 30 days to cure the 7240
10722	10722	noncompliance. 7241
10723	10723	(b) If the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity 7242
10724	10724	determines that an employer failed to use the E -Verify system as 7243
10725	10725	required under this section three times in any 24 -month period, 7244
10726	10726	the department must impose a fine of $1,000 per day until the 7245
10727	10727	employer provides sufficient proof to the department t hat the 7246
10728	10728	noncompliance is cured. Noncompliance constitutes grounds for 7247
10729	10729	the suspension of all licenses issued by a licensing agency 7248
10730	10730	subject to chapter 120 until the noncompliance is cured. 7249
10731	10731	Section 219. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 7250
10732	10732
10733	10733	HB 7037 2024
10734	10734
10735	10735
10736	10736
10737	10737	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10738	10738	hb7037-00
10739	10739	Page 291 of 338
10740	10740	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
10741	10741
10742	10742
10743	10743
10744	10744	448.109, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7251
10745	10745	448.109 Notification of the state minimum wage. — 7252
10746	10746	(3)(a) Each year the Department of Commerce Economic 7253
10747	10747	Opportunity shall, on or before December 1, create and make 7254
10748	10748	available to employers a poster in English and in Spanish which 7255
10749	10749	reads substantially as follows: 7256
10750	10750	7257
10751	10751	NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES 7258
10752	10752	7259
10753	10753	The Florida minimum wage is $ ...(amount)... per hour, 7260
10754	10754	with a minimum wage of at least $ ...(amount)... per 7261
10755	10755	hour for tipped employees, in addition to tips, for 7262
10756	10756	January 1, ...(year)..., through December 31, 7263
10757	10757	...(year).... 7264
10758	10758	7265
10759	10759	The rate of the minimum wage is recalculated yearly on 7266
10760	10760	September 30, based on the Consumer Price Index. Every 7267
10761	10761	year on January 1 the new Florida minimum wage takes 7268
10762	10762	effect. 7269
10763	10763	7270
10764	10764	An employer may not retaliate against an employee for 7271
10765	10765	exercising his or her right to receive the minimum 7272
10766	10766	wage. Rights protected by the State Constitution 7273
10767	10767	include the right to: 7274
10768	10768	1. File a complaint about an e mployer's alleged 7275
10769	10769
10770	10770	HB 7037 2024
10771	10771
10772	10772
10773	10773
10774	10774	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10775	10775	hb7037-00
10776	10776	Page 292 of 338
10777	10777	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
10778	10778
10779	10779
10780	10780
10781	10781	noncompliance with lawful minimum wage requirements. 7276
10782	10782	2. Inform any person about an employer's alleged 7277
10783	10783	noncompliance with lawful minimum wage requirements. 7278
10784	10784	3. Inform any person of his or her potential rights 7279
10785	10785	under Section 24, Article X of the State Constitution 7280
10786	10786	and to assist him or her in asserting such rights. 7281
10787	10787	7282
10788	10788	An employee who has not received the lawful minimum 7283
10789	10789	wage after notifying his or her employer and giving 7284
10790	10790	the employer 15 days to resolve any claims for unpaid 7285
10791	10791	wages may bring a civil action in a court of law 7286
10792	10792	against an employer to recover back wages plus damages 7287
10793	10793	and attorney's fees. 7288
10794	10794	7289
10795	10795	An employer found liable for intentionally violating 7290
10796	10796	minimum wage requirements is subject to a fine of 7291
10797	10797	$1,000 per violation, payable to the state. 7292
10798	10798	7293
10799	10799	The Attorney General or other official designated by 7294
10800	10800	the Legislature may bring a civil action to enforce 7295
10801	10801	the minimum wage. 7296
10802	10802	7297
10803	10803	For details see Section 24, Article X of the State 7298
10804	10804	Constitution. 7299
10805	10805	Section 220. Subsections (2), (4), and (11) of section 7300
10806	10806
10807	10807	HB 7037 2024
10808	10808
10809	10809
10810	10810
10811	10811	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10812	10812	hb7037-00
10813	10813	Page 293 of 338
10814	10814	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
10815	10815
10816	10816
10817	10817
10818	10818	448.110, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7301
10819	10819	448.110 State minimum wage; annual wage adjustment; 7302
10820	10820	enforcement.— 7303
10821	10821	(2) The purpose of this section is to provide measures 7304
10822	10822	appropriate for the implementation of s. 24, Art. X of the State 7305
10823	10823	Constitution, in accordance with authority granted to the 7306
10824	10824	Legislature pursuant to s. 24(f), Art. X of the State 7307
10825	10825	Constitution. To implement s. 24, Art. X of the State 7308
10826	10826	Constitution, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity is 7309
10827	10827	designated as the state Agency for Workforce Innovat ion. 7310
10828	10828	(4)(a) Beginning September 30, 2005, and annually on 7311
10829	10829	September 30 thereafter, the Department of Commerce Economic 7312
10830	10830	Opportunity shall calculate an adjusted state minimum wage rate 7313
10831	10831	by increasing the state minimum wage by the rate of inflation 7314
10832	10832	for the 12 months prior to September 1. In calculating the 7315
10833	10833	adjusted state minimum wage, the Department of Commerce Economic 7316
10834	10834	Opportunity shall use the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage 7317
10835	10835	Earners and Clerical Workers, not seasonally adjusted, for the 7318
10836	10836	South Region or a successor index as calculated by the United 7319
10837	10837	States Department of Labor. Each adjusted state minimum wage 7320
10838	10838	rate shall take effect on the following January 1, with the 7321
10839	10839	initial adjusted minimum wage rate to take effect on January 1, 7322
10840	10840	2006. 7323
10841	10841	(b) The Department of Revenue and the Department of 7324
10842	10842	Commerce Economic Opportunity shall annually publish the amount 7325
10843	10843
10844	10844	HB 7037 2024
10845	10845
10846	10846
10847	10847
10848	10848	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10849	10849	hb7037-00
10850	10850	Page 294 of 338
10851	10851	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
10852	10852
10853	10853
10854	10854
10855	10855	of the adjusted state minimum wage and the effective date. 7326
10856	10856	Publication shall occur by posting the adjusted state minimum 7327
10857	10857	wage rate and the effective date on the Internet home pages of 7328
10858	10858	the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the 7329
10859	10859	Department of Revenue by October 15 of each year. In addition, 7330
10860	10860	to the extent funded in the General Appropriations Act, the 7331
10861	10861	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall provide 7332
10862	10862	written notice of the adjusted rate and the effective date of 7333
10863	10863	the adjusted state minimum wage to all employers registered in 7334
10864	10864	the most current reemployment assistance database. Such notice 7335
10865	10865	shall be mailed by November 15 of each yea r using the addresses 7336
10866	10866	included in the database. Employers are responsible for 7337
10867	10867	maintaining current address information in the reemployment 7338
10868	10868	assistance database. The Department of Commerce Economic 7339
10869	10869	Opportunity is not responsible for failure to provide notice due 7340
10870	10870	to incorrect or incomplete address information in the database. 7341
10871	10871	The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall provide 7342
10872	10872	the Department of Revenue with the adjusted state minimum wage 7343
10873	10873	rate information and effective date in a timely manner. 7344
10874	10874	(11) Except for calculating the adjusted state minimum 7345
10875	10875	wage and publishing the initial state minimum wage and any 7346
10876	10876	annual adjustments thereto, the authority of the Department of 7347
10877	10877	Commerce Economic Opportunity in implementing s. 24, Art. X of 7348
10878	10878	the State Constitutio n, pursuant to this section, shall be 7349
10879	10879	limited to that authority expressly granted by the Legislature. 7350
10880	10880
10881	10881	HB 7037 2024
10882	10882
10883	10883
10884	10884
10885	10885	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10886	10886	hb7037-00
10887	10887	Page 295 of 338
10888	10888	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
10889	10889
10890	10890
10891	10891
10892	10892	Section 221. Section 450.161, Florida Statutes, as amended 7351
10893	10893	by section 400 of chapter 2011 -142, Laws of Florida, is amended 7352
10894	10894	to read: 7353
10895	10895	450.161 Chapter not to affect career education of 7354
10896	10896	children; other exceptions. —Nothing in this chapter shall 7355
10897	10897	prevent minors of any age from receiving career education 7356
10898	10898	furnished by the United States, this state, or any county or 7357
10899	10899	other political subdivision of this state and duly approved by 7358
10900	10900	the Department of Education or other duly constituted authority, 7359
10901	10901	nor any apprentice indentured under a plan approved by the 7360
10902	10902	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , or prevent the 7361
10903	10903	employment of any minor 14 years of age or older when such 7362
10904	10904	employment is authorized as an integral part of, or supplement 7363
10905	10905	to, such a course in career education and is authorized by 7364
10906	10906	regulations of the district school board of the district in 7365
10907	10907	which such minor is employed, provided the employment is in 7366
10908	10908	compliance with the provisions of ss. 450.021(4) and 450.061. 7367
10909	10909	Exemptions for the employment of student learners 16 to 18 years 7368
10910	10910	of age are provided in s. 450.061. Such an exemption shall apply 7369
10911	10911	when: 7370
10912	10912	(1) The student learner is enrolled in a youth vocational 7371
10913	10913	training program under a recognized state or local educational 7372
10914	10914	authority. 7373
10915	10915	(2) Such student learner is employed under a written 7374
10916	10916	agreement that provides: 7375
10917	10917
10918	10918	HB 7037 2024
10919	10919
10920	10920
10921	10921
10922	10922	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10923	10923	hb7037-00
10924	10924	Page 296 of 338
10925	10925	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
10926	10926
10927	10927
10928	10928
10929	10929	(a) That the work of the student learner in the occupation 7376
10930	10930	declared particularly hazardous shall be inciden tal to the 7377
10931	10931	training. 7378
10932	10932	(b) That such work shall be intermittent and for short 7379
10933	10933	periods of time and under the direct and close supervision of a 7380
10934	10934	qualified and experienced person. 7381
10935	10935	(c) That safety instructions shall be given by the school 7382
10936	10936	and correlated by th e employer with on-the-job training. 7383
10937	10937	(d) That a schedule of organized and progressive work 7384
10938	10938	processes to be performed on the job shall have been prepared. 7385
10939	10939	7386
10940	10940	Each such written agreement shall contain the name of the 7387
10941	10941	student learner and shall be signed by th e employer, the school 7388
10942	10942	coordinator and principal, and the parent or legal guardian. 7389
10943	10943	Copies of each agreement shall be kept on file by both the 7390
10944	10944	school and the employer. This exemption for the employment of 7391
10945	10945	student learners may be revoked in any individual s ituation when 7392
10946	10946	it is found that reasonable precautions have not been observed 7393
10947	10947	for the safety of minors employed thereunder. A high school 7394
10948	10948	graduate may be employed in an occupation in which he or she has 7395
10949	10949	completed training as a student learner, as provided i n this 7396
10950	10950	section, even though he or she is not yet 18 years of age. 7397
10951	10951	Section 222. Paragraph (j) of subsection (1) of section 7398
10952	10952	450.191, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7399
10953	10953	450.191 Executive Office of the Governor; powers and 7400
10954	10954
10955	10955	HB 7037 2024
10956	10956
10957	10957
10958	10958
10959	10959	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10960	10960	hb7037-00
10961	10961	Page 297 of 338
10962	10962	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
10963	10963
10964	10964
10965	10965
10966	10966	duties.— 7401
10967	10967	(1) The Executive Office of the Governor is authorized and 7402
10968	10968	directed to: 7403
10969	10969	(j) Cooperate with the Department of Commerce Economic 7404
10970	10970	Opportunity in the recruitment and referral of migrant laborers 7405
10971	10971	and other persons for the planting, cultivation, and harvesting 7406
10972	10972	of agricultural crops in Florida. 7407
10973	10973	Section 223. Section 450.261, Florida Statutes, is amended 7408
10974	10974	to read: 7409
10975	10975	450.261 Interstate Migrant Labor Commission; Florida 7410
10976	10976	membership.—In selecting the Florida membership of the 7411
10977	10977	Interstate Migrant Labor Commission, the Governor may de signate 7412
10978	10978	the Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity as his or her 7413
10979	10979	representative. 7414
10980	10980	Section 224. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section 7415
10981	10981	450.31, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7416
10982	10982	450.31 Issuance, revocation, and suspension of, and 7417
10983	10983	refusal to issue or renew, certificate of registration. — 7418
10984	10984	(2) The department may revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue 7419
10985	10985	or renew any certificate of registration when it is shown that 7420
10986	10986	the farm labor contractor has: 7421
10987	10987	(e) Failed to pay reemployment assistance taxes as 7422
10988	10988	determined by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity ; 7423
10989	10989	or 7424
10990	10990	Section 225. Subsection (3) of section 468.529, Florida 7425
10991	10991
10992	10992	HB 7037 2024
10993	10993
10994	10994
10995	10995
10996	10996	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
10997	10997	hb7037-00
10998	10998	Page 298 of 338
10999	10999	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
11000	11000
11001	11001
11002	11002
11003	11003	Statutes, is amended to read: 7426
11004	11004	468.529 Licensee's insurance; employment tax; benefit 7427
11005	11005	plans.— 7428
11006	11006	(3) A licensed employee leasing comp any shall within 30 7429
11007	11007	days after initiation or termination notify its workers' 7430
11008	11008	compensation insurance carrier, the Division of Workers' 7431
11009	11009	Compensation of the Department of Financial Services, and the 7432
11010	11010	state agency providing reemployment assistance tax collectio n 7433
11011	11011	services under contract with the Department of Commerce Economic 7434
11012	11012	Opportunity through an interagency agreement pursuant to s. 7435
11013	11013	443.1316 of both the initiation or the termination of the 7436
11014	11014	company's relationship with any client company. 7437
11015	11015	Section 226. Paragr aph (i) of subsection (4) of section 7438
11016	11016	551.104, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7439
11017	11017	551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming. — 7440
11018	11018	(4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued 7441
11019	11019	authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot 7442
11020	11020	machine licensee shall: 7443
11021	11021	(i) Create and file with the commission a written policy 7444
11022	11022	for: 7445
11023	11023	1. Creating opportunities to purchase from vendors in this 7446
11024	11024	state, including minority vendors. 7447
11025	11025	2. Creating opportunities for employment of residents of 7448
11026	11026	this state, including minority residents. 7449
11027	11027	3. Ensuring opportunities for construction services from 7450
11028	11028
11029	11029	HB 7037 2024
11030	11030
11031	11031
11032	11032
11033	11033	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11034	11034	hb7037-00
11035	11035	Page 299 of 338
11036	11036	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
11037	11037
11038	11038
11039	11039
11040	11040	minority contractors. 7451
11041	11041	4. Ensuring that opportunities for employment are offered 7452
11042	11042	on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis. 7453
11043	11043	5. Training for employees on responsible gami ng and 7454
11044	11044	working with a compulsive or addictive gambling prevention 7455
11045	11045	program to further its purposes as provided for in s. 551.118. 7456
11046	11046	6. The implementation of a drug -testing program that 7457
11047	11047	includes, but is not limited to, requiring each employee to sign 7458
11048	11048	an agreement that he or she understands that the slot machine 7459
11049	11049	facility is a drug-free workplace. 7460
11050	11050	7461
11051	11051	The slot machine licensee shall use the Internet -based job-7462
11052	11052	listing system of the Department of Commerce Economic 7463
11053	11053	Opportunity in advertising employment opportunities. Each slot 7464
11054	11054	machine licensee shall provide an annual report to the Florida 7465
11055	11055	Gaming Control Commission containing information indicating 7466
11056	11056	compliance with this paragraph in regard to minority persons. 7467
11057	11057	Section 227. Paragraph (e) of subsection (16) of section 7468
11058	11058	553.79, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7469
11059	11059	553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections. — 7470
11060	11060	(16) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a building 7471
11061	11061	permit for a single-family residential dwelling must be issued 7472
11062	11062	within 30 business days after recei ving the permit application 7473
11063	11063	unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida 7474
11064	11064	Building Code or the enforcing agency's laws or ordinances. 7475
11065	11065
11066	11066	HB 7037 2024
11067	11067
11068	11068
11069	11069
11070	11070	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11071	11071	hb7037-00
11072	11072	Page 300 of 338
11073	11073	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
11074	11074
11075	11075
11076	11076
11077	11077	(e) A building permit for a single -family residential 7476
11078	11078	dwelling applied for by a contractor licensed in this state on 7477
11079	11079	behalf of a property owner who participates in a Community 7478
11080	11080	Development Block Grant –Disaster Recovery program administered 7479
11081	11081	by the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity must be 7480
11082	11082	issued within 15 working days after receipt of the application 7481
11083	11083	unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida 7482
11084	11084	Building Code or the enforcing agency's laws or ordinances. 7483
11085	11085	Section 228. Subsection (10) of section 570.71, Florida 7484
11086	11086	Statutes, is amended to read: 7485
11087	11087	570.71 Conservation easements and agreements. — 7486
11088	11088	(10) The department, in consultation with the Department 7487
11089	11089	of Environmental Protection, the water management districts, the 7488
11090	11090	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and the Florida 7489
11091	11091	Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shall adopt rules 7490
11092	11092	that establish an application process; a process and criteria 7491
11093	11093	for setting priorities for use of funds consistent with the 7492
11094	11094	purposes specified in subsection (1) and giving preference to 7493
11095	11095	ranch and timber lands managed using sustainable practices, 7494
11096	11096	lands in imminent dang er of development or degradation, or lands 7495
11097	11097	within the Florida wildlife corridor as defined in s. 7496
11098	11098	259.1055(4); an appraisal process; and a process for title 7497
11099	11099	review and compliance and approval of the rules by the Board of 7498
11100	11100	Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. 7499
11101	11101	Section 229. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1), paragraph 7500
11102	11102
11103	11103	HB 7037 2024
11104	11104
11105	11105
11106	11106
11107	11107	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11108	11108	hb7037-00
11109	11109	Page 301 of 338
11110	11110	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
11111	11111
11112	11112
11113	11113
11114	11114	(e) of subsection (2), subsection (3), and paragraph (a) of 7501
11115	11115	subsection (4) of section 624.5105, Florida Statutes, are 7502
11116	11116	amended to read: 7503
11117	11117	624.5105 Community contribution tax credit; au thorization; 7504
11118	11118	limitations; eligibility and application requirements; 7505
11119	11119	administration; definitions; expiration. — 7506
11120	11120	(1) AUTHORIZATION TO GRANT TAX CREDITS; LIMITATIONS. — 7507
11121	11121	(d) Each proposal for the granting of such tax credit 7508
11122	11122	requires the prior approval of the Secretary of Commerce 7509
11123	11123	Economic Opportunity . 7510
11124	11124	(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. — 7511
11125	11125	(e)1. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 7512
11126	11126	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects that 7513
11127	11127	provide housing opportunities for persons with special needs as 7514
11128	11128	defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership opportunities for low -7515
11129	11129	income or very-low-income households as defined in s. 7516
11130	11130	420.9071(20) and (30) are received for less than the annual tax 7517
11131	11131	credits available for those projects, the Department of Commerce 7518
11132	11132	Economic Opportunity shall grant tax credits for those 7519
11133	11133	applications and shall grant remaining tax credits on a first -7520
11134	11134	come, first-served basis for any subsequent eligible 7521
11135	11135	applications received before the end of the state fiscal year. 7522
11136	11136	If, during the first 10 b usiness days of the state fiscal year, 7523
11137	11137	eligible tax credit applications for projects that provide 7524
11138	11138	housing opportunities for persons with special needs as defined 7525
11139	11139
11140	11140	HB 7037 2024
11141	11141
11142	11142
11143	11143
11144	11144	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11145	11145	hb7037-00
11146	11146	Page 302 of 338
11147	11147	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
11148	11148
11149	11149
11150	11150
11151	11151	in s. 420.0004 or homeownership opportunities for low -income or 7526
11152	11152	very-low-income households as defined in s. 420.9071(20) and 7527
11153	11153	(30) are received for more than the annual tax credits available 7528
11154	11154	for those projects, the Department of Commerce Economic 7529
11155	11155	Opportunity shall grant the tax credits for those applications 7530
11156	11156	as follows: 7531
11157	11157	a. If tax credit applicatio ns submitted for approved 7532
11158	11158	projects of an eligible sponsor do not exceed $200,000 in total, 7533
11159	11159	the credits shall be granted in full if the tax credit 7534
11160	11160	applications are approved. 7535
11161	11161	b. If tax credit applications submitted for approved 7536
11162	11162	projects of an eligible spon sor exceed $200,000 in total, the 7537
11163	11163	amount of tax credits granted under sub -subparagraph a. shall be 7538
11164	11164	subtracted from the amount of available tax credits, and the 7539
11165	11165	remaining credits shall be granted to each approved tax credit 7540
11166	11166	application on a pro rata basis. 7541
11167	11167	2. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 7542
11168	11168	fiscal year, eligible tax credit applications for projects other 7543
11169	11169	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 7544
11170	11170	special needs as defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership 7545
11171	11171	opportunities for low-income or very-low-income households as 7546
11172	11172	defined in s. 420.9071(20) and (30) are received for less than 7547
11173	11173	the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 7548
11174	11174	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant tax 7549
11175	11175	credits for those application s and shall grant remaining tax 7550
11176	11176
11177	11177	HB 7037 2024
11178	11178
11179	11179
11180	11180
11181	11181	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11182	11182	hb7037-00
11183	11183	Page 303 of 338
11184	11184	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
11185	11185
11186	11186
11187	11187
11188	11188	credits on a first-come, first-served basis for any subsequent 7551
11189	11189	eligible applications received before the end of the state 7552
11190	11190	fiscal year. If, during the first 10 business days of the state 7553
11191	11191	fiscal year, eligible tax credit appli cations for projects other 7554
11192	11192	than those that provide housing opportunities for persons with 7555
11193	11193	special needs as defined in s. 420.0004 or homeownership 7556
11194	11194	opportunities for low -income or very-low-income households as 7557
11195	11195	defined in s. 420.9071(20) and (30) are receive d for more than 7558
11196	11196	the annual tax credits available for those projects, the 7559
11197	11197	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall grant the tax 7560
11198	11198	credits for those applications on a pro rata basis. 7561
11199	11199	(3) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. — 7562
11200	11200	(a) Any eligible sponsor wishing to participate in this 7563
11201	11201	program must submit a proposal to the Department of Commerce 7564
11202	11202	Economic Opportunity which sets forth the sponsor, the project, 7565
11203	11203	the area in which the project is located, and such supporting 7566
11204	11204	information as may be prescribed by rule. The proposal shall 7567
11205	11205	also contain a resolution from the local governmental unit in 7568
11206	11206	which the proposed project is located certifying that the 7569
11207	11207	project is consistent with local plans and regulations. 7570
11208	11208	(b)1. Any insurer wishing to participate in this program 7571
11209	11209	must submit an application for tax credit to the Department of 7572
11210	11210	Commerce Economic Opportunity which sets forth the sponsor; the 7573
11211	11211	project; and the type, value, and purpose of the contribution. 7574
11212	11212	The sponsor must verify, in writing, the terms of the 7575
11213	11213
11214	11214	HB 7037 2024
11215	11215
11216	11216
11217	11217
11218	11218	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11219	11219	hb7037-00
11220	11220	Page 304 of 338
11221	11221	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
11222	11222
11223	11223
11224	11224
11225	11225	application and indicate its willingness to receive the 7576
11226	11226	contribution, which verification must accompany the application 7577
11227	11227	for tax credit. 7578
11228	11228	2. The insurer must submit a separate application for tax 7579
11229	11229	credit for each individual contribution which it proposes to 7580
11230	11230	contribute to each individual project. 7581
11231	11231	(4) ADMINISTRATION. — 7582
11232	11232	(a)1. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 7583
11233	11233	adopt rules to administer this section, including rules for the 7584
11234	11234	approval or disapproval of proposals by insurers. 7585
11235	11235	2. The decision of the Secretary of Commerce Economic 7586
11236	11236	Opportunity shall be in writing, and, if approved, the proposal 7587
11237	11237	shall state the maximum credit allowable to the insurer. A copy 7588
11238	11238	of the decision shall be transmitted to the executive director 7589
11239	11239	of the Department of Revenue, who shall apply such credit to the 7590
11240	11240	tax liability of the insurer. 7591
11241	11241	3. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 7592
11242	11242	monitor all projects periodically, in a manner consistent with 7593
11243	11243	available resources to ensure that resources are utilized in 7594
11244	11244	accordance with this section; however, each project shall be 7595
11245	11245	reviewed no less frequently than once every 2 years. 7596
11246	11246	4. The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall, 7597
11247	11247	in consultation with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and 7598
11248	11248	the statewide and regional housing and financial intermediaries, 7599
11249	11249	market the availability of the community contribution tax credit 7600
11250	11250
11251	11251	HB 7037 2024
11252	11252
11253	11253
11254	11254
11255	11255	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11256	11256	hb7037-00
11257	11257	Page 305 of 338
11258	11258	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
11259	11259
11260	11260
11261	11261
11262	11262	program to community-based organizations. 7601
11263	11263	Section 230. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 7602
11264	11264	627.42397, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7603
11265	11265	627.42397 Coverage for air ambulance services. — 7604
11266	11266	(1) As used in this section, the term: 7605
11267	11267	(c) "Reasonable reimbur sement" means reimbursement that 7606
11268	11268	considers the direct cost to provide the air ambulance 7607
11269	11269	transportation service to the insured, the operation of an air 7608
11270	11270	ambulance service by a county which operates entirely within a 7609
11271	11271	designated area of critical state concern as determined by the 7610
11272	11272	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and in-network 7611
11273	11273	reimbursement established by the health insurer for the specific 7612
11274	11274	policy. The term does not include the amount of billed charges 7613
11275	11275	for the cost of services rendered. 7614
11276	11276	Section 231. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 7615
11277	11277	641.514, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7616
11278	11278	641.514 Coverage for air ambulance services. — 7617
11279	11279	(1) As used in this section, the term: 7618
11280	11280	(c) "Reasonable reimbursement" means reimbursement that 7619
11281	11281	considers the direct cost to provide the air ambulance 7620
11282	11282	transportation service to the subscriber, the operation of an 7621
11283	11283	air ambulance service by a county which operates entirely within 7622
11284	11284	a designated area of critical state concern as determined by the 7623
11285	11285	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and in-network 7624
11286	11286	reimbursement established by the health maintenance organization 7625
11287	11287
11288	11288	HB 7037 2024
11289	11289
11290	11290
11291	11291
11292	11292	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11293	11293	hb7037-00
11294	11294	Page 306 of 338
11295	11295	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
11296	11296
11297	11297
11298	11298
11299	11299	for the specific contract. The term does not include the amount 7626
11300	11300	of billed charges for the cost of services rendered. 7627
11301	11301	Section 232. Paragraph (a) of sub section (3), paragraph 7628
11302	11302	(b) of subsection (7), and subsection (10) of section 692.203, 7629
11303	11303	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7630
11304	11304	692.203 Purchase of real property on or around military 7631
11305	11305	installations or critical infrastructure facilities by foreign 7632
11306	11306	principals prohibited.— 7633
11307	11307	(3)(a) A foreign principal must register with the 7634
11308	11308	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity if the foreign 7635
11309	11309	principal owns or acquires real property on or within 10 miles 7636
11310	11310	of any military installation or critical infrastructure facility 7637
11311	11311	in this state as authorized under subsection (4) or if the 7638
11312	11312	foreign principal owned or acquired an interest, other than a de 7639
11313	11313	minimus indirect interest, in such property before July 1, 2023. 7640
11314	11314	The department must establish a form for such registration 7641
11315	11315	which, at a minimum, must include all of the following: 7642
11316	11316	1. The name of the owner of the real property. 7643
11317	11317	2. The address of the real property, the property 7644
11318	11318	appraiser's parcel identification number, and the property's 7645
11319	11319	legal description. 7646
11320	11320	(7) 7647
11321	11321	(b) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 7648
11322	11322	initiate a civil action in the circuit court of the county in 7649
11323	11323	which the property lies for the forfeiture of the real property 7650
11324	11324
11325	11325	HB 7037 2024
11326	11326
11327	11327
11328	11328
11329	11329	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11330	11330	hb7037-00
11331	11331	Page 307 of 338
11332	11332	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
11333	11333
11334	11334
11335	11335
11336	11336	or any interest therein. 7651
11337	11337	(10) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 7652
11338	11338	adopt rules to implement this section. 7653
11339	11339	Section 233. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4), paragraph 7654
11340	11340	(b) of subsection (7), and subsection (10) of section 692.204, 7655
11341	11341	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7656
11342	11342	692.204 Purchase or acquisition of real property by the 7657
11343	11343	People's Republic of China prohibited. — 7658
11344	11344	(4)(a) A person or entity described in paragraph (1)(a), 7659
11345	11345	subsection (2), or subsection (5) must register with the 7660
11346	11346	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity if the person or 7661
11347	11347	entity owns or acquires more than a de minimus indirect interest 7662
11348	11348	in real property in this state. The department must establish a 7663
11349	11349	form for such registration which, at a minimum, must include all 7664
11350	11350	of the following: 7665
11351	11351	1. The name of the owner of the real property. 7666
11352	11352	2. The address of the real property, the property 7667
11353	11353	appraiser's parcel identification number, and the property's 7668
11354	11354	legal description. 7669
11355	11355	(7) 7670
11356	11356	(b) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may 7671
11357	11357	initiate a civil action in the circuit court of the county in 7672
11358	11358	which the property lies for the forfeitur e of the real property 7673
11359	11359	or any interest therein. 7674
11360	11360	(10) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 7675
11361	11361
11362	11362	HB 7037 2024
11363	11363
11364	11364
11365	11365
11366	11366	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11367	11367	hb7037-00
11368	11368	Page 308 of 338
11369	11369	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
11370	11370
11371	11371
11372	11372
11373	11373	adopt rules to implement this section. 7676
11374	11374	Section 234. Subsection (2) of section 720.403, Florida 7677
11375	11375	Statutes, is amended to read: 7678
11376	11376	720.403 Preservation of communities; revival of 7679
11377	11377	declaration of covenants. — 7680
11378	11378	(2) In order to preserve a community and the associated 7681
11379	11379	infrastructure and common areas for the purposes described in 7682
11380	11380	this section, the parcel owners in a community that was 7683
11381	11381	previously subject to a declaration of covenants that has ceased 7684
11382	11382	to govern one or more parcels in the community may revive the 7685
11383	11383	declaration and the association for the community upon approval 7686
11384	11384	by the parcel owners to be governed thereby as provided in this 7687
11385	11385	act, and upon approval of the declaration and the other 7688
11386	11386	governing documents for the association by the Department of 7689
11387	11387	Commerce Economic Opportunity in a manner consistent with this 7690
11388	11388	act. 7691
11389	11389	Section 235. Section 720.404, Florida Statutes, is amended 7692
11390	11390	to read: 7693
11391	11391	720.404 Eligible communities; requirements for revival of 7694
11392	11392	declaration.—Parcel owners in a community are eligible to seek 7695
11393	11393	approval from the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity to 7696
11394	11394	revive a declaration of covenants under this act if all of the 7697
11395	11395	following requirements are met: 7698
11396	11396	(1) All parcels to be governed by the revived declaration 7699
11397	11397	must have been once governed by a previous declaration that has 7700
11398	11398
11399	11399	HB 7037 2024
11400	11400
11401	11401
11402	11402
11403	11403	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11404	11404	hb7037-00
11405	11405	Page 309 of 338
11406	11406	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
11407	11407
11408	11408
11409	11409
11410	11410	ceased to govern some or all of the parcels in the community; 7701
11411	11411	(2) The revived declaration must be approved in the ma nner 7702
11412	11412	provided in s. 720.405(6); and 7703
11413	11413	(3) The revived declaration may not contain covenants that 7704
11414	11414	are more restrictive on the parcel owners than the covenants 7705
11415	11415	contained in the previous declaration, except that the 7706
11416	11416	declaration may: 7707
11417	11417	(a) Have an effective te rm of longer duration than the 7708
11418	11418	term of the previous declaration; 7709
11419	11419	(b) Omit restrictions contained in the previous 7710
11420	11420	declaration; 7711
11421	11421	(c) Govern fewer than all of the parcels governed by the 7712
11422	11422	previous declaration; 7713
11423	11423	(d) Provide for amendments to the declaration and other 7714
11424	11424	governing documents; and 7715
11425	11425	(e) Contain provisions required by this chapter for new 7716
11426	11426	declarations that were not contained in the previous 7717
11427	11427	declaration. 7718
11428	11428	Section 236. Section 720.406, Florida Statutes, is amended 7719
11429	11429	to read: 7720
11430	11430	720.406 Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity ; 7721
11431	11431	submission; review and determination. — 7722
11432	11432	(1) No later than 60 days after the date the proposed 7723
11433	11433	revived declaration and other governing documents are approved 7724
11434	11434	by the affected parcel owners, the organizing committee or its 7725
11435	11435
11436	11436	HB 7037 2024
11437	11437
11438	11438
11439	11439
11440	11440	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11441	11441	hb7037-00
11442	11442	Page 310 of 338
11443	11443	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
11444	11444
11445	11445
11446	11446
11447	11447	designee must submit the proposed revived governing documents 7726
11448	11448	and supporting materials to the Department of Commerce Economic 7727
11449	11449	Opportunity to review and determine whether to approve or 7728
11450	11450	disapprove of the proposal to preserve the residential 7729
11451	11451	community. The submis sion to the department must include: 7730
11452	11452	(a) The full text of the proposed revived declaration of 7731
11453	11453	covenants and articles of incorporation and bylaws of the 7732
11454	11454	homeowners' association; 7733
11455	11455	(b) A verified copy of the previous declaration of 7734
11456	11456	covenants and other prev ious governing documents for the 7735
11457	11457	community, including any amendments thereto; 7736
11458	11458	(c) The legal description of each parcel to be subject to 7737
11459	11459	the revived declaration and other governing documents and a plat 7738
11460	11460	or other graphic depiction of the affected properties in the 7739
11461	11461	community; 7740
11462	11462	(d) A verified copy of the written consents of the 7741
11463	11463	requisite number of the affected parcel owners approving the 7742
11464	11464	revived declaration and other governing documents or, if 7743
11465	11465	approval was obtained by a vote at a meeting of affected parcel 7744
11466	11466	owners, verified copies of the notice of the meeting, 7745
11467	11467	attendance, and voting results; 7746
11468	11468	(e) An affidavit by a current or former officer of the 7747
11469	11469	association or by a member of the organizing committee verifying 7748
11470	11470	that the requirements for the revived declaration set forth in 7749
11471	11471	s. 720.404 have been satisfied; and 7750
11472	11472
11473	11473	HB 7037 2024
11474	11474
11475	11475
11476	11476
11477	11477	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11478	11478	hb7037-00
11479	11479	Page 311 of 338
11480	11480	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
11481	11481
11482	11482
11483	11483
11484	11484	(f) Such other documentation that the organizing committee 7751
11485	11485	believes is supportive of the policy of preserving the 7752
11486	11486	residential community and operating, managing, and maintaining 7753
11487	11487	the infrastructure, aestheti c character, and common areas 7754
11488	11488	serving the residential community. 7755
11489	11489	(2) No later than 60 days after receiving the submission, 7756
11490	11490	the department must determine whether the proposed revived 7757
11491	11491	declaration of covenants and other governing documents comply 7758
11492	11492	with the requirements of this act. 7759
11493	11493	(a) If the department determines that the proposed revived 7760
11494	11494	declaration and other governing documents comply with the act 7761
11495	11495	and have been approved by the parcel owners as required by this 7762
11496	11496	act, the department shall notify the organiz ing committee in 7763
11497	11497	writing of its approval. 7764
11498	11498	(b) If the department determines that the proposed revived 7765
11499	11499	declaration and other governing documents do not comply with 7766
11500	11500	this act or have not been approved as required by this act, the 7767
11501	11501	department shall notify the organizing committee in writing that 7768
11502	11502	it does not approve the governing documents and shall state the 7769
11503	11503	reasons for the disapproval. 7770
11504	11504	Section 237. Subsections (2) and (8) of section 943.0311, 7771
11505	11505	Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7772
11506	11506	943.0311 Chief of Domes tic Security; duties of the 7773
11507	11507	department with respect to domestic security. — 7774
11508	11508	(2) The chief shall regularly coordinate random audits 7775
11509	11509
11510	11510	HB 7037 2024
11511	11511
11512	11512
11513	11513
11514	11514	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11515	11515	hb7037-00
11516	11516	Page 312 of 338
11517	11517	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
11518	11518
11519	11519
11520	11520
11521	11521	pursuant to s. 448.095 to ensure compliance and enforcement and 7776
11522	11522	shall notify the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity of 7777
11523	11523	any violations. 7778
11524	11524	(8) As used in this section, the term "state agency" 7779
11525	11525	includes the Agency for Health Care Administration, the 7780
11526	11526	Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department 7781
11527	11527	of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of 7782
11528	11528	Children and Families, the Department of Citrus, the Department 7783
11529	11529	of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of Corrections, 7784
11530	11530	the Department of Education, the Department of Elderly Affairs, 7785
11531	11531	the Division of Emergency Management, the Department of 7786
11532	11532	Environmental Protection, the Department of Financial Services, 7787
11533	11533	the Department of Health, the Department of Highway Safety and 7788
11534	11534	Motor Vehicles, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the 7789
11535	11535	Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Legal Affairs, 7790
11536	11536	the Department of Management Services, the Department of 7791
11537	11537	Military Affairs, the Department of Revenue, the Department of 7792
11538	11538	State, the Department of the Lottery, the Department of 7793
11539	11539	Transportation, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Fish 7794
11540	11540	and Wildlife Conservation C ommission, the Florida Commission on 7795
11541	11541	Offender Review, the State Board of Administration, and the 7796
11542	11542	Executive Office of the Governor. 7797
11543	11543	Section 238. Paragraph (h) of subsection (3) of section 7798
11544	11544	944.801, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7799
11545	11545	944.801 Education for state prisoners. — 7800
11546	11546
11547	11547	HB 7037 2024
11548	11548
11549	11549
11550	11550
11551	11551	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11552	11552	hb7037-00
11553	11553	Page 313 of 338
11554	11554	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
11555	11555
11556	11556
11557	11557
11558	11558	(3) The responsibilities of the Correctional Education 7801
11559	11559	Program shall be to: 7802
11560	11560	(h) Develop a written procedure for selecting programs to 7803
11561	11561	add to or delete from the vocational curriculum. The procedure 7804
11562	11562	shall include labor mar ket analyses that demonstrate the 7805
11563	11563	projected demand for certain occupations and the projected 7806
11564	11564	supply of potential employees. In conducting these analyses, the 7807
11565	11565	department shall evaluate the feasibility of adding vocational 7808
11566	11566	education programs that have been i dentified by the Department 7809
11567	11567	of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the Department of Education, 7810
11568	11568	or a regional coordinating council as being in undersupply in 7811
11569	11569	this state. The department shall periodically reevaluate the 7812
11570	11570	vocational education programs in major ins titutions to determine 7813
11571	11571	which of the programs support and provide relevant skills to 7814
11572	11572	inmates who could be assigned to a correctional work program 7815
11573	11573	that is operated as a Prison Industry Enhancement Program. 7816
11574	11574	Section 239. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of section 7817
11575	11575	945.10, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7818
11576	11576	945.10 Confidential information. — 7819
11577	11577	(3) Due to substantial concerns regarding institutional 7820
11578	11578	security and unreasonable and excessive demands on personnel and 7821
11579	11579	resources if an inmate or an offender has u nlimited or routine 7822
11580	11580	access to records of the Department of Corrections, an inmate or 7823
11581	11581	an offender who is under the jurisdiction of the department may 7824
11582	11582	not have unrestricted access to the department's records or to 7825
11583	11583
11584	11584	HB 7037 2024
11585	11585
11586	11586
11587	11587
11588	11588	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11589	11589	hb7037-00
11590	11590	Page 314 of 338
11591	11591	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
11592	11592
11593	11593
11594	11594
11595	11595	information contained in the department's re cords. However, 7826
11596	11596	except as to another inmate's or offender's records, the 7827
11597	11597	department may permit limited access to its records if an inmate 7828
11598	11598	or an offender makes a written request and demonstrates an 7829
11599	11599	exceptional need for information contained in the departmen t's 7830
11600	11600	records and the information is otherwise unavailable. 7831
11601	11601	Exceptional circumstances include, but are not limited to: 7832
11602	11602	(d) The requested records contain information required to 7833
11603	11603	process an application or claim by the inmate or offender with 7834
11604	11604	the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security 7835
11605	11605	Administration, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , 7836
11606	11606	or any other similar application or claim with a state agency or 7837
11607	11607	federal agency. 7838
11608	11608	Section 240. Subsection (4) of section 985.601, Florida 7839
11609	11609	Statutes, is amended to read: 7840
11610	11610	985.601 Administering the juvenile justice continuum. — 7841
11611	11611	(4) The department shall maintain continuing cooperation 7842
11612	11612	with the Department of Education, the Department of Children and 7843
11613	11613	Families, the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and 7844
11614	11614	the Department of Corrections for the purpose of participating 7845
11615	11615	in agreements with respect to dropout prevention and the 7846
11616	11616	reduction of suspensions, expulsions, and truancy; increased 7847
11617	11617	access to and participation in high school equivalency diploma, 7848
11618	11618	vocational, and alternative education programs; and employment 7849
11619	11619	training and placement assistance. The cooperative agreements 7850
11620	11620
11621	11621	HB 7037 2024
11622	11622
11623	11623
11624	11624
11625	11625	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11626	11626	hb7037-00
11627	11627	Page 315 of 338
11628	11628	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
11629	11629
11630	11630
11631	11631
11632	11632	between the departments shall include an interdepartmental plan 7851
11633	11633	to cooperate in accomplishing the reduction of inappropriate 7852
11634	11634	transfers of children into the adult criminal justice and 7853
11635	11635	correctional systems. As part of its continuing cooperation, the 7854
11636	11636	department shall participate in the planning process for 7855
11637	11637	promoting a coordinated system of care for children and 7856
11638	11638	adolescents pursuant to s. 394.4955 . 7857
11639	11639	Section 241. Paragraph (w) of subsection (2) of section 7858
11640	11640	1001.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 7859
11641	11641	1001.02 General powers of State Board of Education. — 7860
11642	11642	(2) The State Board of Education has the following duties: 7861
11643	11643	(w) Beginning in the 2014 -2015 academic year and annually 7862
11644	11644	thereafter, to require each Florida College System institution 7863
11645	11645	prior to registration to provide each enrolled student 7864
11646	11646	electronic access to the economic security report of employment 7865
11647	11647	and earning outcomes prepared by the Departme nt of Commerce 7866
11648	11648	Economic Opportunity pursuant to s. 445.07. 7867
11649	11649	Section 242. Subsection (18) of section 1001.03, Florida 7868
11650	11650	Statutes, is amended to read: 7869
11651	11651	1001.03 Specific powers of State Board of Education. — 7870
11652	11652	(18) UNIFIED STATE PLAN FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 7871
11653	11653	ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM). —The State Board of 7872
11654	11654	Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors and the 7873
11655	11655	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , shall adopt a 7874
11656	11656	unified state plan to improve K -20 STEM education and prepare 7875
11657	11657
11658	11658	HB 7037 2024
11659	11659
11660	11660
11661	11661
11662	11662	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11663	11663	hb7037-00
11664	11664	Page 316 of 338
11665	11665	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
11666	11666
11667	11667
11668	11668
11669	11669	students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand employment 7876
11670	11670	in STEM and STEM-related fields. 7877
11671	11671	Section 243. Paragraphs (b), (d), and (i) of subsection 7878
11672	11672	(5) of section 1001.706, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 7879
11673	11673	1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Govern ors.— 7880
11674	11674	(5) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY. — 7881
11675	11675	(b) The Board of Governors shall develop a strategic plan 7882
11676	11676	specifying goals and objectives for the State University System 7883
11677	11677	and each constituent university, including each university's 7884
11678	11678	contribution to overall system goals and objectives. The 7885
11679	11679	strategic plan must: 7886
11680	11680	1. Include performance metrics and standards common for 7887
11681	11681	all institutions and metrics and standards unique to 7888
11682	11682	institutions depending on institutional core missions, 7889
11683	11683	including, but not limit ed to, student admission requirements, 7890
11684	11684	retention, graduation, percentage of graduates who have attained 7891
11685	11685	employment, percentage of graduates enrolled in continued 7892
11686	11686	education, licensure passage, nondegree credential attainment, 7893
11687	11687	average wages of employed gradu ates, average cost per graduate, 7894
11688	11688	excess hours, student loan burden and default rates, faculty 7895
11689	11689	awards, total annual research expenditures, patents, licenses 7896
11690	11690	and royalties, intellectual property, startup companies, annual 7897
11691	11691	giving, endowments, and well -known, highly respected national 7898
11692	11692	rankings for institutional and program achievements. 7899
11693	11693	2. Consider reports and recommendations of the Florida 7900
11694	11694
11695	11695	HB 7037 2024
11696	11696
11697	11697
11698	11698
11699	11699	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11700	11700	hb7037-00
11701	11701	Page 317 of 338
11702	11702	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
11703	11703
11704	11704
11705	11705
11706	11706	Talent Development Council under s. 1004.015 and the 7901
11707	11707	Articulation Coordinating Committee under s. 1007.01, and the 7902
11708	11708	information provided by the Labor Market Statistics Center 7903
11709	11709	within the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the 7904
11710	11710	Labor Market Estimating Conference. 7905
11711	11711	3. Include student enrollment and performance data 7906
11712	11712	delineated by method of instruction, including, bu t not limited 7907
11713	11713	to, traditional, online, and distance learning instruction. 7908
11714	11714	4. Include criteria for designating baccalaureate degree 7909
11715	11715	and master's degree programs at specified universities as high -7910
11716	11716	demand programs of emphasis. Once the criteria are available and 7911
11717	11717	applicable to baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees, the 7912
11718	11718	Board of Governors shall adopt the criteria to determine value 7913
11719	11719	for and prioritization of degree credentials and degree programs 7914
11720	11720	established by the Credentials Review Committee under s. 445. 004 7915
11721	11721	for designating high -demand programs of emphasis. The Board of 7916
11722	11722	Governors must review designated programs of emphasis, at a 7917
11723	11723	minimum, every 3 years to ensure alignment with the 7918
11724	11724	prioritization of degree credentials and degree programs 7919
11725	11725	identified by the Cr edentials Review Committee. 7920
11726	11726	5. Include criteria for nondegree credentials. 7921
11727	11727	(d) The Board of Governors shall annually require a state 7922
11728	11728	university prior to registration to provide each enrolled 7923
11729	11729	student electronic access to the economic security report of 7924
11730	11730	employment and earning outcomes prepared by the Department of 7925
11731	11731
11732	11732	HB 7037 2024
11733	11733
11734	11734
11735	11735
11736	11736	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11737	11737	hb7037-00
11738	11738	Page 318 of 338
11739	11739	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
11740	11740
11741	11741
11742	11742
11743	11743	Commerce Economic Opportunity pursuant to s. 445.07. In 7926
11744	11744	addition, the Board of Governors shall require a state 7927
11745	11745	university to provide each student electronic access to the 7928
11746	11746	following information e ach year prior to registration using the 7929
11747	11747	data described in s. 1008.39: 7930
11748	11748	1. The top 25 percent of degrees reported by the 7931
11749	11749	university in terms of highest full -time job placement and 7932
11750	11750	highest average annualized earnings in the year after earning 7933
11751	11751	the degree. 7934
11752	11752	2. The bottom 10 percent of degrees reported by the 7935
11753	11753	university in terms of lowest full -time job placement and lowest 7936
11754	11754	average annualized earnings in the year after earning the 7937
11755	11755	degree. 7938
11756	11756	(i) The Board of Governors shall match individual student 7939
11757	11757	information with information in the files of state and federal 7940
11758	11758	agencies that maintain educational and employment records. The 7941
11759	11759	board must enter into an agreement with the Department of 7942
11760	11760	Commerce Economic Opportunity that allows access to the 7943
11761	11761	individual reemployment assistance wage records maintained by 7944
11762	11762	the department. The agreement must protect individual privacy 7945
11763	11763	and provide that student information may be used only for the 7946
11764	11764	purposes of auditing or eva luating higher education programs 7947
11765	11765	offered by state universities. 7948
11766	11766	Section 244. Subsection (24) of section 1002.20, Florida 7949
11767	11767	Statutes, is amended to read: 7950
11768	11768
11769	11769	HB 7037 2024
11770	11770
11771	11771
11772	11772
11773	11773	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11774	11774	hb7037-00
11775	11775	Page 319 of 338
11776	11776	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
11777	11777
11778	11778
11779	11779
11780	11780	1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights. —Parents of public 7951
11781	11781	school students must receive accurate an d timely information 7952
11782	11782	regarding their child's academic progress and must be informed 7953
11783	11783	of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K -12 7954
11784	11784	students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory 7955
11785	11785	rights including, but not limited to, the following: 7956
11786	11786	(24) ECONOMIC SECURITY REPORT. —Beginning in the 2014 -2015 7957
11787	11787	school year and annually thereafter, each middle school and high 7958
11788	11788	school student or the student's parent prior to registration 7959
11789	11789	shall be provided a two -page summary of the Department of 7960
11790	11790	Commerce's Economic Opportunity's economic security report of 7961
11791	11791	employment and earning outcomes prepared pursuant to s. 445.07 7962
11792	11792	and electronic access to the report. 7963
11793	11793	Section 245. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 7964
11794	11794	1002.395, Florida Statutes, is amended to rea d: 7965
11795	11795	1002.395 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. — 7966
11796	11796	(7) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROGRAM 7967
11797	11797	PARTICIPATION.— 7968
11798	11798	(a) A parent whose student will be enrolled full time in a 7969
11799	11799	private school must: 7970
11800	11800	1. Select an eligible private school and apply for the 7971
11801	11801	admission of his or her child. 7972
11802	11802	2. Inform the child's school district when the parent 7973
11803	11803	withdraws his or her child to attend an eligible private school. 7974
11804	11804	3. Require his or her student participating in the program 7975
11805	11805
11806	11806	HB 7037 2024
11807	11807
11808	11808
11809	11809
11810	11810	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11811	11811	hb7037-00
11812	11812	Page 320 of 338
11813	11813	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
11814	11814
11815	11815
11816	11816
11817	11817	to remain in attendance throughout the school year unless 7976
11818	11818	excused by the school for illness or other good cause and comply 7977
11819	11819	with the private school's published policies. 7978
11820	11820	4. Meet with the private school's principal or the 7979
11821	11821	principal's designee to review the school's academic programs 7980
11822	11822	and policies, specialized services, code of student conduct, and 7981
11823	11823	attendance policies before enrollment in the private school. 7982
11824	11824	5. Require his or her student participating in the program 7983
11825	11825	to take the norm-referenced assessment offered by the private 7984
11826	11826	school. The parent may also choose to have the student 7985
11827	11827	participate in the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22. 7986
11828	11828	If the parent requests that the student participating in the 7987
11829	11829	scholarship program take statewide assessments pursuant to s. 7988
11830	11830	1008.22 and the private sch ool has not chosen to offer and 7989
11831	11831	administer the statewide assessments, the parent is responsible 7990
11832	11832	for transporting the student to the assessment site designated 7991
11833	11833	by the school district. 7992
11834	11834	6. Approve each payment before the scholarship funds may 7993
11835	11835	be deposited by funds transfer. The parent may not designate any 7994
11836	11836	entity or individual associated with the participating private 7995
11837	11837	school as the parent's attorney in fact to approve a funds 7996
11838	11838	transfer. A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph 7997
11839	11839	forfeits the scholarship. 7998
11840	11840	7. Authorize the nonprofit scholarship -funding 7999
11841	11841	organization to access information needed for income eligibility 8000
11842	11842
11843	11843	HB 7037 2024
11844	11844
11845	11845
11846	11846
11847	11847	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11848	11848	hb7037-00
11849	11849	Page 321 of 338
11850	11850	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
11851	11851
11852	11852
11853	11853
11854	11854	determination and verification held by other state or federal 8001
11855	11855	agencies, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of 8002
11856	11856	Children and Families, the Department of Education, the 8003
11857	11857	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , and the Agency for 8004
11858	11858	Health Care Administration. 8005
11859	11859	8. Agree to have the organization commit scholarship funds 8006
11860	11860	on behalf of his or her student for tuition and fees fo r which 8007
11861	11861	the parent is responsible for payment at the private school 8008
11862	11862	before using empowerment account funds for additional authorized 8009
11863	11863	uses under paragraph (6)(d). A parent is responsible for all 8010
11864	11864	eligible expenses in excess of the amount of the scholarship. 8011
11865	11865	8012
11866	11866	An eligible nonprofit scholarship -funding organization may not 8013
11867	11867	further regulate, exercise control over, or require 8014
11868	11868	documentation beyond the requirements of this subsection unless 8015
11869	11869	the regulation, control, or documentation is necessary for 8016
11870	11870	participation in the program. 8017
11871	11871	Section 246. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 8018
11872	11872	1002.895, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 8019
11873	11873	1002.895 Market rate schedule. —The school readiness 8020
11874	11874	program market rate schedule shall be implemented as follows: 8021
11875	11875	(6) The department shall establish procedures to annually 8022
11876	11876	collect data regarding the cost of care to include, but not be 8023
11877	11877	limited to: 8024
11878	11878	(a) Data from the Department of Commerce's Economic 8025
11879	11879
11880	11880	HB 7037 2024
11881	11881
11882	11882
11883	11883
11884	11884	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11885	11885	hb7037-00
11886	11886	Page 322 of 338
11887	11887	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
11888	11888
11889	11889
11890	11890
11891	11891	Opportunity's Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic 8026
11892	11892	Research on the average sala ry for child care personnel to 8027
11893	11893	include, at a minimum, child care instructors and child care 8028
11894	11894	directors. 8029
11895	11895	Section 247. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section 8030
11896	11896	1003.4156, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 8031
11897	11897	1003.4156 General requirements for middle grades 8032
11898	11898	promotion.— 8033
11899	11899	(1) In order for a student to be promoted to high school 8034
11900	11900	from a school that includes middle grades 6, 7, and 8, the 8035
11901	11901	student must successfully complete the following courses: 8036
11902	11902	(e) One course in career and education planning to be 8037
11903	11903	completed in grades 6, 7, or 8, which may be taught by any 8038
11904	11904	member of the instructional staff. The course must be Internet -8039
11905	11905	based, customizable to each student, and include research -based 8040
11906	11906	assessments to assist students in determining educational and 8041
11907	11907	career options and goals. In addition, the course must result in 8042
11908	11908	a completed personalized academic and career plan for the 8043
11909	11909	student, which must use, when available, Florida's online career 8044
11910	11910	planning and work-based learning coordination system. The course 8045
11911	11911	must teach each student how to access and update the plan and 8046
11912	11912	encourage the student to access and update the plan at least 8047
11913	11913	annually as the student progresses through middle school and 8048
11914	11914	high school. The personalized academic and career plan must 8049
11915	11915	emphasize the importance of entrepreneurship and employability 8050
11916	11916
11917	11917	HB 7037 2024
11918	11918
11919	11919
11920	11920
11921	11921	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11922	11922	hb7037-00
11923	11923	Page 323 of 338
11924	11924	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
11925	11925
11926	11926
11927	11927
11928	11928	skills and must include information from the Department of 8051
11929	11929	Commerce's Economic Opportunity's economic security report under 8052
11930	11930	s. 445.07 and other state career planning resources. The 8053
11931	11931	required personalized academic and caree r plan must inform 8054
11932	11932	students of high school graduation requirements, including a 8055
11933	11933	detailed explanation of the requirements for earning a high 8056
11934	11934	school diploma designation under s. 1003.4285 and the career and 8057
11935	11935	technical education pathway to earn a standard high school 8058
11936	11936	diploma under s. 1003.4282(10); the requirements for each 8059
11937	11937	scholarship in the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; 8060
11938	11938	state university and Florida College System institution 8061
11939	11939	admission requirements; available opportunities to earn college 8062
11940	11940	credit in high school, including Advanced Placement courses; the 8063
11941	11941	International Baccalaureate Program; the Advanced International 8064
11942	11942	Certificate of Education Program; dual enrollment, including 8065
11943	11943	career dual enrollment; work -based learning opportunities, 8066
11944	11944	including internships and preapprenticeship and apprenticeship 8067
11945	11945	programs; and career education courses, including career -themed 8068
11946	11946	courses and course sequences that lead to industry certification 8069
11947	11947	pursuant to s. 1003.492 or s. 1008.44. The course may be 8070
11948	11948	implemented as a stan d-alone course or integrated into another 8071
11949	11949	course or courses. 8072
11950	11950	Section 248. Subsection (2), paragraphs (a) and (b) of 8073
11951	11951	subsection (3), and subsection (4) of section 1003.491, Florida 8074
11952	11952	Statutes, are amended to read: 8075
11953	11953
11954	11954	HB 7037 2024
11955	11955
11956	11956
11957	11957
11958	11958	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11959	11959	hb7037-00
11960	11960	Page 324 of 338
11961	11961	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
11962	11962
11963	11963
11964	11964
11965	11965	1003.491 Florida Career and Professiona l Education Act.—8076
11966	11966	The Florida Career and Professional Education Act is created to 8077
11967	11967	provide a statewide planning partnership between the business 8078
11968	11968	and education communities in order to attract, expand, and 8079
11969	11969	retain targeted, high -value industry and to sustain a strong, 8080
11970	11970	knowledge-based economy. 8081
11971	11971	(2) Each district school board shall develop, in 8082
11972	11972	collaboration with local workforce development boards, economic 8083
11973	11973	development agencies, and postsecondary institutions approved to 8084
11974	11974	operate in the state, a strategic 3 -year plan to address and 8085
11975	11975	meet local and regional workforce demands. If involvement of a 8086
11976	11976	local workforce development board or an economic development 8087
11977	11977	agency in the strategic plan development is not feasible, the 8088
11978	11978	local school board, with the approval of the Departm ent of 8089
11979	11979	Commerce Economic Opportunity , shall collaborate with the most 8090
11980	11980	appropriate regional business leadership board. Two or more 8091
11981	11981	school districts may collaborate in the development of the 8092
11982	11982	strategic plan and offer career -themed courses, as defined in s. 8093
11983	11983	1003.493(1)(b), or a career and professional academy as a joint 8094
11984	11984	venture. The strategic plan must describe in detail provisions 8095
11985	11985	for the efficient transportation of students, the maximum use of 8096
11986	11986	shared resources, access to courses aligned to state curriculum 8097
11987	11987	standards through virtual education providers legislatively 8098
11988	11988	authorized to provide part -time instruction to middle school 8099
11989	11989	students, and an objective review of proposed career and 8100
11990	11990
11991	11991	HB 7037 2024
11992	11992
11993	11993
11994	11994
11995	11995	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
11996	11996	hb7037-00
11997	11997	Page 325 of 338
11998	11998	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
11999	11999
12000	12000
12001	12001
12002	12002	professional academy courses and other career -themed courses to 8101
12003	12003	determine if the courses will lead to the attainment of industry 8102
12004	12004	certifications included on the Industry Certified Funding List 8103
12005	12005	pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Each 8104
12006	12006	strategic plan shall be reviewed, updated, and jointly approved 8105
12007	12007	every 3 years by the local school district, local workforce 8106
12008	12008	development boards, economic development agencies, and state -8107
12009	12009	approved postsecondary institutions. 8108
12010	12010	(3) The strategic 3 -year plan developed jointly by the 8109
12011	12011	local school district, local workforce development boards, 8110
12012	12012	economic development agencies, and state -approved postsecondary 8111
12013	12013	institutions must be constructed and based on: 8112
12014	12014	(a) Research conducted to objectively determine local and 8113
12015	12015	regional workforce needs for the ensuing 3 years, using labor 8114
12016	12016	projections as identified by the Labor Market Statistics Center 8115
12017	12017	within the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity and the 8116
12018	12018	Labor Market Estimating Conference as factors in the criteria 8117
12019	12019	for the plan; 8118
12020	12020	(b) Strategies to develop and implement career academies 8119
12021	12021	or career-themed courses based on occupations identified by the 8120
12022	12022	Labor Market Statistics Center within the Department of Commerce 8121
12023	12023	Economic Opportunity and the Labor Market Estimating Conference; 8122
12024	12024	(4) The State Board of Education shall establish a process 8123
12025	12025	for the continual and uninterrupted review of newly proposed 8124
12026	12026	core secondary courses and existing courses requested to be 8125
12027	12027
12028	12028	HB 7037 2024
12029	12029
12030	12030
12031	12031
12032	12032	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12033	12033	hb7037-00
12034	12034	Page 326 of 338
12035	12035	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
12036	12036
12037	12037
12038	12038
12039	12039	considered as core courses to ensure that sufficient rigor and 8126
12040	12040	relevance is provided for workforce skills and postsecondary 8127
12041	12041	education and aligned to state curriculum standards. 8128
12042	12042	(a) The review of newly proposed core secondary courses 8129
12043	12043	shall be the responsibility of a curriculum review committee 8130
12044	12044	whose membership is approved by CareerSource Florida, Inc. The 8131
12045	12045	membership of the committee shall include: 8132
12046	12046	1. Three certified high school counselors recommended by 8133
12047	12047	the Florida Association of Student Services Administrators. 8134
12048	12048	2. Three assistant superintendents for curriculum and 8135
12049	12049	instruction, recommended by the Florida Association of District 8136
12050	12050	School Superintendents, who serve in districts that operate 8137
12051	12051	successful career and professional academies pursuant to s. 8138
12052	12052	1003.492 or a successful series of courses that lead to industry 8139
12053	12053	certification. Committee members in this category shall employ 8140
12054	12054	the expertise of appropr iate subject area specialists in the 8141
12055	12055	review of proposed courses. 8142
12056	12056	3. Three workforce representatives recommended by the 8143
12057	12057	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 8144
12058	12058	4. Three admissions directors of postsecondary 8145
12059	12059	institutions accredited by an accrediting agency or association 8146
12060	12060	recognized by the database created and maintained by the United 8147
12061	12061	States Department of Education, representing both public and 8148
12062	12062	private institutions. 8149
12063	12063	5. The Commissioner of Education, or his or her designee, 8150
12064	12064
12065	12065	HB 7037 2024
12066	12066
12067	12067
12068	12068
12069	12069	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12070	12070	hb7037-00
12071	12071	Page 327 of 338
12072	12072	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
12073	12073
12074	12074
12075	12075
12076	12076	who is responsible for K -12 curriculum and instruction and shall 8151
12077	12077	employ the expertise of appropriate subject area specialists in 8152
12078	12078	the review of proposed courses. 8153
12079	12079	(b) The curriculum review committee shall review newly 8154
12080	12080	proposed core courses electronically. Each proposed core course 8155
12081	12081	shall be approved or denied within 30 days after submission by a 8156
12082	12082	district school board or local workforce development board. All 8157
12083	12083	courses approved as core courses for purposes of middle school 8158
12084	12084	promotion and high school graduation shall be immediately added 8159
12085	12085	to the Course Code Directory. Approved core courses shall also 8160
12086	12086	be reviewed and considered for approval for dual enrollment 8161
12087	12087	credit. The Board of Governors and the Commissioner of Education 8162
12088	12088	shall jointly recommend an annual deadline for approval of new 8163
12089	12089	core courses to be included for purposes of postsecondary 8164
12090	12090	admissions and dual enrollment credit the following academic 8165
12091	12091	year. The State Board of Education shall establish an appeals 8166
12092	12092	process in the event that a proposed course is denied which 8167
12093	12093	shall require a cons ensus ruling by the Department of Commerce 8168
12094	12094	Economic Opportunity and the Commissioner of Education within 15 8169
12095	12095	days. 8170
12096	12096	Section 249. Subsection (1) and paragraph (d) of 8171
12097	12097	subsection (4) of section 1003.493, Florida Statutes, are 8172
12098	12098	amended to read: 8173
12099	12099	1003.493 Career and professional academies and career -8174
12100	12100	themed courses.— 8175
12101	12101
12102	12102	HB 7037 2024
12103	12103
12104	12104
12105	12105
12106	12106	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12107	12107	hb7037-00
12108	12108	Page 328 of 338
12109	12109	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
12110	12110
12111	12111
12112	12112
12113	12113	(1)(a) A "career and professional academy" is a research -8176
12114	12114	based program that integrates a rigorous academic curriculum 8177
12115	12115	with an industry-specific curriculum aligned directly to 8178
12116	12116	priority workforce n eeds established by the local workforce 8179
12117	12117	development board or the Department of Commerce Economic 8180
12118	12118	Opportunity. Career and professional academies shall be offered 8181
12119	12119	by public schools and school districts. Career and professional 8182
12120	12120	academies may be offered by cha rter schools. The Florida Virtual 8183
12121	12121	School is encouraged to develop and offer rigorous career and 8184
12122	12122	professional courses as appropriate. Students completing career 8185
12123	12123	and professional academy programs must receive a standard high 8186
12124	12124	school diploma, the highest avail able industry certification, 8187
12125	12125	and opportunities to earn postsecondary credit if the academy 8188
12126	12126	partners with a postsecondary institution approved to operate in 8189
12127	12127	the state. 8190
12128	12128	(b) A "career-themed course" is a course, or a course in a 8191
12129	12129	series of courses, that lead s to an industry certification 8192
12130	12130	identified in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List 8193
12131	12131	pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. 8194
12132	12132	Career-themed courses have industry -specific curriculum aligned 8195
12133	12133	directly to priority workforce needs establ ished by the local 8196
12134	12134	workforce development board or the Department of Commerce 8197
12135	12135	Economic Opportunity . School districts shall offer at least two 8198
12136	12136	career-themed courses, and each secondary school is encouraged 8199
12137	12137	to offer at least one career -themed course. The Flor ida Virtual 8200
12138	12138
12139	12139	HB 7037 2024
12140	12140
12141	12141
12142	12142
12143	12143	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12144	12144	hb7037-00
12145	12145	Page 329 of 338
12146	12146	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
12147	12147
12148	12148
12149	12149
12150	12150	School is encouraged to develop and offer rigorous career -themed 8201
12151	12151	courses as appropriate. Students completing a career -themed 8202
12152	12152	course must be provided opportunities to earn postsecondary 8203
12153	12153	credit if the credit for the career -themed course can be 8204
12154	12154	articulated to a postsecondary institution approved to operate 8205
12155	12155	in the state. 8206
12156	12156	(4) Each career and professional academy and secondary 8207
12157	12157	school providing a career -themed course must: 8208
12158	12158	(d) Provide instruction in careers designated as high -8209
12159	12159	skill, high-wage, and high-demand by the local workforce 8210
12160	12160	development board, the chamber of commerce, economic development 8211
12161	12161	agencies, or the Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 8212
12162	12162	Section 250. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) and 8213
12163	12163	subsections (5) and (6) of section 1004.0 15, Florida Statutes, 8214
12164	12164	are amended to read: 8215
12165	12165	1004.015 Florida Talent Development Council. — 8216
12166	12166	(2) Members of the council shall include: 8217
12167	12167	(e) The Secretary of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 8218
12168	12168	(5) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity shall 8219
12169	12169	provide administrative support for the council. 8220
12170	12170	(6) The council shall coordinate, facilitate, and 8221
12171	12171	communicate statewide efforts to meet supply and demand needs 8222
12172	12172	for the state's health care workforce. Annually, by December 1, 8223
12173	12173	the council shall report on the imple mentation of this 8224
12174	12174	subsection and any other relevant information on the Florida 8225
12175	12175
12176	12176	HB 7037 2024
12177	12177
12178	12178
12179	12179
12180	12180	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12181	12181	hb7037-00
12182	12182	Page 330 of 338
12183	12183	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
12184	12184
12185	12185
12186	12186
12187	12187	Talent Development Council's web page located on the Department 8226
12188	12188	of Commerce's Economic Opportunity's website. To support the 8227
12189	12189	efforts of the council, the Board of Governors and t he State 8228
12190	12190	Board of Education shall: 8229
12191	12191	(a) Provide 10-year trend information on nursing education 8230
12192	12192	programs subject to the requirements of s. 464.019. The 8231
12193	12193	Department of Health, the Board of Governors, the State Board of 8232
12194	12194	Education, the Commission for Independe nt Education, the 8233
12195	12195	Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, the Florida 8234
12196	12196	Center for Nursing, and postsecondary institutions participating 8235
12197	12197	in a state grant, fund, or performance -based incentive program 8236
12198	12198	under s. 1009.89, s. 1009.8962, or s. 1009.897 s hall provide 8237
12199	12199	data, by institution and program, on: 8238
12200	12200	1. The number of student slots available. 8239
12201	12201	2. The number of student applications submitted, the 8240
12202	12202	number of qualified student applicants, the number of students 8241
12203	12203	accepted, and the number of students enroll ed. 8242
12204	12204	3. The number of program graduates. 8243
12205	12205	4. Program retention rates of students tracked from 8244
12206	12206	program entry to graduation. 8245
12207	12207	5. Graduate passage rates, as defined in s. 464.003, on 8246
12208	12208	and the number of times each graduate took the National Council 8247
12209	12209	of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination. 8248
12210	12210	6. The number of graduates who become employed as 8249
12211	12211	practical or professional nurses in the state. 8250
12212	12212
12213	12213	HB 7037 2024
12214	12214
12215	12215
12216	12216
12217	12217	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12218	12218	hb7037-00
12219	12219	Page 331 of 338
12220	12220	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
12221	12221
12222	12222
12223	12223
12224	12224	7. The educational advancement of nurses through career 8251
12225	12225	pathways by comparing their initial degree to the highest degree 8252
12226	12226	they obtained for the preceding 10 years. 8253
12227	12227	8. The outcomes of students enrolled at institutions 8254
12228	12228	participating in the Linking Industry to Nursing Education 8255
12229	12229	(LINE) Fund under s. 1009.8962 or the Prepping Institutions, 8256
12230	12230	Programs, Employers, and Learner s through Incentives for Nursing 8257
12231	12231	Education (PIPELINE) Fund under s. 1009.897. 8258
12232	12232	9. The outcomes of graduates who have received a nursing 8259
12233	12233	student loan forgiveness repayment under s. 1009.66. Such data 8260
12234	12234	must include, for the previous 4 fiscal years, the numbe r of 8261
12235	12235	graduates who have received a repayment, the amount repaid on 8262
12236	12236	behalf of each graduate, each graduate's employer of record for 8263
12237	12237	each repayment and the length of employment at each employer, 8264
12238	12238	and the level or levels of nursing licensure earned by each 8265
12239	12239	graduate. 8266
12240	12240	(b) Develop definitions for data elements and a uniform 8267
12241	12241	survey for use by the Department of Health, the Commission for 8268
12242	12242	Independent Education, the Independent Colleges and Universities 8269
12243	12243	of Florida, and postsecondary institutions participating in a 8270
12244	12244	state loan forgiveness program, grant, fund, or performance -8271
12245	12245	based incentive program under s. 1009.66, s. 1009.89, s. 8272
12246	12246	1009.8962, or s. 1009.897 to collect data required under 8273
12247	12247	paragraph (a). The survey must include, but is not limited to, a 8274
12248	12248	student's age, gender, race, ethnicity, veteran status, wage, 8275
12249	12249
12250	12250	HB 7037 2024
12251	12251
12252	12252
12253	12253
12254	12254	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12255	12255	hb7037-00
12256	12256	Page 332 of 338
12257	12257	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
12258	12258
12259	12259
12260	12260
12261	12261	employer information, loan debt, and retirement expectations. 8276
12262	12262	Section 251. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section 8277
12263	12263	1004.46, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 8278
12264	12264	1004.46 Multidisciplinary Center for Affo rdable Housing.— 8279
12265	12265	(1) The Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing is 8280
12266	12266	established within the School of Building Construction of the 8281
12267	12267	College of Architecture of the University of Florida with the 8282
12268	12268	collaboration of other related disciplines such as agr iculture, 8283
12269	12269	business administration, engineering, law, and medicine. The 8284
12270	12270	center shall work in conjunction with other state universities. 8285
12271	12271	The Multidisciplinary Center for Affordable Housing shall: 8286
12272	12272	(g) Establish a research agenda and general work plan in 8287
12273	12273	cooperation with the Department of Commerce Economic 8288
12274	12274	Opportunity, which is the state agency responsible for research 8289
12275	12275	and planning for affordable housing and for training and 8290
12276	12276	technical assistance for providers of affordable housing. 8291
12277	12277	Section 252. Subsection (3) of section 1008.39, Florida 8292
12278	12278	Statutes, is amended to read: 8293
12279	12279	1008.39 Florida Education and Training Placement 8294
12280	12280	Information Program. — 8295
12281	12281	(3) The Florida Education and Training Placement 8296
12282	12282	Information Program must not make public any information that 8297
12283	12283	could identify an individual or the individual's employer. The 8298
12284	12284	Department of Education must ensure that the purpose of 8299
12285	12285	obtaining placement information is to evaluate and improve 8300
12286	12286
12287	12287	HB 7037 2024
12288	12288
12289	12289
12290	12290
12291	12291	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12292	12292	hb7037-00
12293	12293	Page 333 of 338
12294	12294	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
12295	12295
12296	12296
12297	12297
12298	12298	public programs or to conduct research for the purpose of 8301
12299	12299	improving services to the i ndividuals whose social security 8302
12300	12300	numbers are used to identify their placement. If an agreement 8303
12301	12301	assures that this purpose will be served and that privacy will 8304
12302	12302	be protected, the Department of Education shall have access to 8305
12303	12303	the reemployment assistance wage re ports maintained by the 8306
12304	12304	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity , the files of the 8307
12305	12305	Department of Children and Families that contain information 8308
12306	12306	about the distribution of public assistance, the files of the 8309
12307	12307	Department of Corrections that contain records of 8310
12308	12308	incarcerations, and the files of the Department of Business and 8311
12309	12309	Professional Regulation that contain the results of licensure 8312
12310	12310	examination. 8313
12311	12311	Section 253. Subsection (3) of section 1008.40, Florida 8314
12312	12312	Statutes, is amended to read: 8315
12313	12313	1008.40 Workforce Deve lopment Information System. —The 8316
12314	12314	Department of Education shall: 8317
12315	12315	(3) Work with the Department of Commerce Economic 8318
12316	12316	Opportunity, the Department of Children and Families, and other 8319
12317	12317	entities to define statewide education, workforce development, 8320
12318	12318	and employment metrics and ensure the integrity and quality of 8321
12319	12319	data being collected. 8322
12320	12320	Section 254. Paragraphs (c) and (f) of subsection (3) of 8323
12321	12321	section 1008.41, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 8324
12322	12322	1008.41 Workforce education; management information 8325
12323	12323
12324	12324	HB 7037 2024
12325	12325
12326	12326
12327	12327
12328	12328	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12329	12329	hb7037-00
12330	12330	Page 334 of 338
12331	12331	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
12332	12332
12333	12333
12334	12334
12335	12335	system.— 8326
12336	12336	(3) Planning and evaluation of job -preparatory programs 8327
12337	12337	shall be based on standard sources of data and use standard 8328
12338	12338	occupational definitions and coding structures, including, but 8329
12339	12339	not limited to: 8330
12340	12340	(c) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 8331
12341	12341	(f) The Labor Market Statistics Center within the 8332
12342	12342	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity . 8333
12343	12343	Section 255. Subsections (2), (3), and (5) of section 8334
12344	12344	1011.76, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 8335
12345	12345	1011.76 Small School District Stabilization Program. — 8336
12346	12346	(2) In order to participate in this program, a school 8337
12347	12347	district must be located in a rural area of opportunity 8338
12348	12348	designated by the Executive Office of the Governor, and the 8339
12349	12349	district school board must submit a resolution to the Department 8340
12350	12350	of Commerce Economic Opportunity requesting participation in the 8341
12351	12351	program. A rural area of opportunity must be a rural community, 8342
12352	12352	or a region composed of such, that has been adversely affected 8343
12353	12353	by an extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that 8344
12354	12354	presents a unique econom ic development concern or opportunity of 8345
12355	12355	regional impact. The resolution must be accompanied by 8346
12356	12356	documentation of the economic conditions in the community and 8347
12357	12357	provide information indicating the negative impact of these 8348
12358	12358	conditions on the school district's fi nancial stability, and the 8349
12359	12359	school district must participate in a best financial management 8350
12360	12360
12361	12361	HB 7037 2024
12362	12362
12363	12363
12364	12364
12365	12365	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12366	12366	hb7037-00
12367	12367	Page 335 of 338
12368	12368	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
12369	12369
12370	12370
12371	12371
12372	12372	practices review to determine potential efficiencies that could 8351
12373	12373	be implemented to reduce program costs in the district. 8352
12374	12374	(3) The Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity, in 8353
12375	12375	consultation with the Department of Education, shall review the 8354
12376	12376	resolution and other information required by subsection (2) and 8355
12377	12377	determine whether the school district is eligible to participate 8356
12378	12378	in the program. Factors influencing the determinat ion of the 8357
12379	12379	Department of Commerce Economic Opportunity may include, but are 8358
12380	12380	not limited to, reductions in the county tax roll resulting from 8359
12381	12381	business closures or other causes, or a reduction in student 8360
12382	12382	enrollment due to business closures or impacts in the local 8361
12383	12383	economy. 8362
12384	12384	(5) Based on the availability of funds, the Department of 8363
12385	12385	Commerce Economic Opportunity or the Department of Education may 8364
12386	12386	enter into contracts or issue grants necessary to implement the 8365
12387	12387	program. 8366
12388	12388	Section 256. Paragraph (c) of subsectio n (2) of section 8367
12389	12389	1011.80, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 8368
12390	12390	1011.80 Funds for operation of workforce education 8369
12391	12391	programs.— 8370
12392	12392	(2) Any workforce education program may be conducted by a 8371
12393	12393	Florida College System institution or a school district career 8372
12394	12394	center as described in this subsection and, if applicable, as 8373
12395	12395	approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 8374
12396	12396	1001.03(15). Any instruction designed to articulate to a degree 8375
12397	12397
12398	12398	HB 7037 2024
12399	12399
12400	12400
12401	12401
12402	12402	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12403	12403	hb7037-00
12404	12404	Page 336 of 338
12405	12405	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
12406	12406
12407	12407
12408	12408
12409	12409	program is subject to guidelines and standards adopted by the 8376
12410	12410	State Board of Education under s. 1007.25. 8377
12411	12411	(c) A Florida College System institution or school 8378
12412	12412	district offering a new workforce education program that is in 8379
12413	12413	the statewide curriculum framework must be approved by the board 8380
12414	12414	of trustees of the Florida College System institu tion or the 8381
12415	12415	district school board based on criteria that must include, but 8382
12416	12416	are not limited to, the following: 8383
12417	12417	1. A description of the new workforce education program 8384
12418	12418	that includes all of the following: 8385
12419	12419	a. An analysis of workforce demand and unmet need 8386
12420	12420	consistent with the information provided by the Labor Market 8387
12421	12421	Statistics Center within the Department of Commerce Economic 8388
12422	12422	Opportunity for graduates of the program on a district, 8389
12423	12423	regional, or statewide basi s, as appropriate, including evidence 8390
12424	12424	from entities independent of the technical center or 8391
12425	12425	institution. 8392
12426	12426	b. The geographic region to be served. 8393
12427	12427	2. Documentation of collaboration among technical centers 8394
12428	12428	and institutions serving the same students in a geo graphical or 8395
12429	12429	service area that enhances program offerings and prevents 8396
12430	12430	program duplication that exceeds workforce need. Unnecessary 8397
12431	12431	duplication of programs offered by public and private 8398
12432	12432	institutions must be avoided. 8399
12433	12433	3. Alignment of program offerings with credentials or 8400
12434	12434
12435	12435	HB 7037 2024
12436	12436
12437	12437
12438	12438
12439	12439	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12440	12440	hb7037-00
12441	12441	Page 337 of 338
12442	12442	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
12443	12443
12444	12444
12445	12445
12446	12446	degree programs identified on the Master Credentials List under 8401
12447	12447	s. 445.004(4). 8402
12448	12448	4. Articulation agreements between technical centers and 8403
12449	12449	Florida College System institutions for the enrollment of 8404
12450	12450	graduates in related workforce education pro grams. 8405
12451	12451	5. Documentation of alignment between the exit 8406
12452	12452	requirements of a technical center and the admissions 8407
12453	12453	requirements of a Florida College System institution into which 8408
12454	12454	students typically transfer. 8409
12455	12455	6. Performance and compliance indicators that will be used 8410
12456	12456	in determining the program's success. 8411
12457	12457	Section 257. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 8412
12458	12458	1011.802, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 8413
12459	12459	1011.802 Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant 8414
12460	12460	Program.— 8415
12461	12461	(2) The department shall adminis ter the grant, identify 8416
12462	12462	projects, solicit proposals, and make funding recommendations to 8417
12463	12463	the Commissioner of Education, who is authorized to approve 8418
12464	12464	grant awards for preapprenticeship or apprenticeship programs 8419
12465	12465	with demonstrated statewide or regional deman d that: 8420
12466	12466	(a) Address a critical statewide or regional shortage, 8421
12467	12467	with consideration given to the information provided by the 8422
12468	12468	Labor Market Statistics Center within the Department of Commerce 8423
12469	12469	Economic Opportunity , the Labor Market Estimating Conference, 8424
12470	12470	and the Credentials Review Committee; or 8425
12471	12471
12472	12472	HB 7037 2024
12473	12473
12474	12474
12475	12475
12476	12476	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
12477	12477	hb7037-00
12478	12478	Page 338 of 338
12479	12479	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
12480	12480
12481	12481
12482	12482
12483	12483	Reviser's note.—Amended pursuant to the directive of the 8426
12484	12484	Legislature in s. 147, ch. 2023 -173, Laws of Florida, to 8427
12485	12485	the Division of Law Revision to prepare a reviser's bill 8428
12486	12486	for the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature to replace 8429
12487	12487	references to the terms "Department of Economic 8430
12488	12488	Opportunity" and "Secretary of Economic Opportunity," 8431
12489	12489	wherever they occur in the Florida Statutes, with the terms 8432
12490	12490	"Department of Commerce" and "Secretary of Commerce," 8433
12491	12491	respectively. 8434
12492	12492	Section 258. Except as otherwise provided, this act shall 8435
12493	12493	take effect on the 60th day after adjournment sine die of the 8436
12494	12494	session of the Legislature in which enacted . 8437