Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida Senate Bill S1262 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 02/13/2024

                    The Florida Senate 
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT 
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.) 
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General 
Government  
BILL: CS/SB 1262 
INTRODUCER:  Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee and Senator 
Collins 
SUBJECT:  Qualifications for County Emergency Management Directors 
DATE: February 12, 2024 
 
 ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR  REFERENCE  	ACTION 
1. Ingram Proctor MS Fav/CS 
2. Nortelus Betta AEG  Favorable 
3.     RC  
 
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information: 
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes 
 
I. Summary: 
CS/SB 1262 creates minimum education, experience, and training standards for all county 
emergency management directors (directors). 
 
The bill requires directors to have at least a bachelor’s degree and six years of verifiable 
experience in emergency services, emergency management, emergency planning, law 
enforcement, or firefighting services. At least three of those years must be supervisory 
experience in emergency management, response, or operations for a county, a municipality, the 
state, or the Federal Government. A master’s degree in certain fields may be substituted for two 
years of the required experience but not for the required supervisory experience. 
 
The bill also requires that the directors complete specific National Incident Management System 
(NIMS) courses, or equivalent courses established by the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA). Alternatively, accreditation as a Certified Master Exercise Practitioner, a 
Certified Emergency Manager, or a Florida Professional Emergency Manager may be a 
substitute for the course requirements. A director must also have a valid driver license, and if the 
license is not a Florida driver license, he or she must obtain a Florida driver license within 30 
days after being appointed. Current directors will have until June 30, 2026, to meet the new 
criteria. 
 
The bill has no fiscal impact. 
REVISED:   BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 2 
 
 
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024. 
II. Present Situation: 
State Emergency Management Act 
Florida is vulnerable to a wide variety of emergencies, including natural, technological, and 
manufactured disasters threatening the health and safety of people, damaging and destroying 
property, disrupting services, and impeding economic growth and development.
1
 To reduce these 
vulnerabilities, promote emergency
2
 preparedness, response, mitigation, recovery, and 
coordinate all emergency management functions of the state with the political subdivisions of the 
state, other states, and the Federal Government,
3
 the Legislature adopted the State Emergency 
Management Act (Act).
4
 
  
Under the Act, emergency management
5
 responsibilities include: 
 Reducing vulnerability of people and communities of this state to damage, injury, and loss of 
life and property resulting from natural, technological, or manmade emergencies
6
 or hostile 
military or paramilitary action. 
 Preparing for prompt and efficient response and recovery to protect lives and property 
affected by emergencies. 
 Responding to emergencies using all systems, plans, and resources necessary to preserve 
adequately the health, safety, and welfare of persons or property affected by the emergency. 
 Recovery from emergencies by providing for the rapid and orderly start of restoration and 
rehabilitation of persons and property affected by emergencies. 
 Providing of emergency management system embodying all aspects of pre-emergency 
preparedness and post-emergency response, recovery, and mitigation. 
 Assisting with the anticipation, recognition, appraisal, prevention, and mitigation of 
emergencies which may be caused or aggravated by inadequate planning for, and regulation 
of, public and private facilities and land use.
7
 
 
                                                
1
 Section 252.311(1), F.S. 
2
 Section 252.34(4), F.S., defines emergency as any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural, technological, or 
manmade, in war or in peace, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population or substantial 
damage to or loss of property. 
3
 Sections 252.311 and 252.32, F.S. 
4
 Sections 252.31-252.60, F.S. See s. 252.31, F.S. 
5
 Section 252.34(5), F.S., defines emergency management as preparation for, the mitigation of, the response to, and the 
recovery from emergencies and disasters. 
6
 Section 252.34(7), F.S., defines manmade emergency as an emergency caused by an action against persons or society, 
including, but not limited to, enemy attack, sabotage, terrorism, civil unrest, or other action impairing the orderly 
administration of government. 
7
 Section 252.34(5)(a)-(f), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 3 
 
Florida Division of Emergency Management 
Overview 
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is created within the Executive Office 
of the Governor in accordance with s. 14.2016, F.S.,
8
  to implement the purposes of the Act. The 
FDEM is the state’s liaison with federal agencies and other public and private agencies, and it 
administers programs to assist communities impacted by an emergency.
9
 With a mission to 
coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with community stakeholders, the FDEM plans for 
and responds to both natural and manmade disasters,
10
 including, but not limited to, floods, 
hurricanes, and incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.
11
 The duties of the 
FDEM include preparing and updating the state comprehensive emergency management plan 
(CEMP);
12
 adopting standards and requirements for county emergency plans;
13
 assisting political 
subdivisions with preparing and maintaining their emergency management plans;
14
 and 
reviewing the political subdivision plans, ensuring consistency with the CEMP and the adopted 
standards and requirements.
15
 Additional duties include, coordinating federal, state, and local 
emergency management actions in advance of an actual emergency to ensure availability of 
adequately trained and equipped personnel before, during, and after an emergency or disaster.
16
 
   
The FDEM also conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency capabilities and 
provides emergency operations training for state and local governmental entities.
17
 Additionally, 
after a disaster, the FDEM advises the Governor on whether to declare an emergency and seek 
federal relief funds.
18
 The State Emergency Operations Center, maintained by the FDEM in 
Tallahassee, serves as the communications and command center for reporting emergencies and 
coordinating the state response activities. The State Warning Point, a state emergency 
communications center operated by the FDEM and staffed around the clock, maintains statewide 
communications with county emergency officials.
19
 
 
                                                
8
 Ch. 2011-142, s. 7, Laws of Fla. 
9
 Section 14.2016(1), F.S. 
10
 Section 252.34(2), F.S., defines disaster as any natural, technological, or civil emergency that causes damage of sufficient 
severity and magnitude to result in a declaration of a state of emergency by a county, the Governor, or the President of the 
United States. The statute further delineates disasters by the severity of resulting damage as catastrophic, major, or minor. 
11
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, About the Division, available at https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/about-the-
division/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
12
 See section 252.35(2)(a), F.S. The state comprehensive emergency plan must be integrated into and coordinate with federal 
emergency management plans and programs. 
13
 Section 252.35(2)(b), F.S. 
14
 Section 252.35(2)(c), F.S. 
15
 Section 252.35(2)(d), F.S. 
16
 Section 252.35(2)(l), F.S. 
17
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, supra note 11. 
18
 Pinellas Park Fire Department, Florida Division of Emergency Management, available at https://www.pinellas-
park.com/236/Florida-Division-of-Emergency-Management (last visited February 8, 2024). 
19
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, supra note 11.  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 4 
 
FDEM Core Programs
20
 
 Preparedness Bureau administers a statewide emergency management all-hazards 
preparedness program to ensure the State Emergency Response Team
21
 is prepared. 
o Facilitates prompt and efficient response and recovery. 
o Protects lives and property impacted by disasters. 
o Coordinates training courses for counties and first responders. 
 Response Bureau coordinates state operational response activities among partner 
organizations that are active during emergencies and disasters affecting the state. 
o Monitors incidents that may require state response. 
o Manages 24/7 State Watch Office.
22
 
o Oversees logistics vendor management and resource deployment. 
o Supports the State Emergency Response Commission through the Technological Hazards 
Unit.
23
 
 Recovery Bureau works to maximize and accelerate federal disaster assistance to eligible 
public-sector partners and residents through various state and federal disaster assistance 
programs and administers recovery funding, such as public assistance. 
 Mitigation Bureau assists communities in reducing the impacts of certain disasters and 
provides technical assistance to counties developing and implementing local mitigation 
strategies. 
o Administers federal mitigation grant programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and 
the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program. 
o Administers the Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program, a state-funded mitigation program. 
Routinely updates the State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan.
24
 
 
Division Director 
The FDEM director’s office provides management and oversight to the FDEM’s overall 
functions.
25
 In accordance with section 14.2016(1), F.S., the FDEM director is appointed by and 
serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is the head of the FDEM for all purposes.
26
 
Background or credential requirements of the FDEM director are not prescribed in the statute nor 
under the Act. The current FDEM Executive Director has a master’s degree and is accredited as 
                                                
20
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, Presentation, Overview of FDEM, p. 2 (Nov. 14, 2023) (on file with the Senate 
Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security). 
21
 The FDEM website provides that the State Emergency Response Team is an inter-agency organization authorized by law 
for the purpose of responding to, recovering from, mitigating against, and preparing for disasters, available at, 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/sert/ (last visited on February 8, 2024). 
22
 Section 14.2016(2), F.S., provides that the State Watch Office is established within the FDEM and is a clearinghouse of 
information with a primary purpose to record, analyze, and share information with federal, state, and county entities for 
appropriate response to emergencies. 
23
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, About the Division, Response, Technological Hazards, available at 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/response/technological-hazards/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
24
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, About the Division, Mitigation, available at 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
25
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, Office of the Director, available at 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/directors-office/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
26
 Section 14.2016(1), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 5 
 
a certified Master Exercise Practitioner
27
 by the FEMA. He also has over 30 years of experience 
in Public Safety and Emergency Management within the state, including supervisory experience 
in the same field.
28
 
 
Within the office of the director, the media office handles internal and external affairs; the 
Florida National Guard Liaison
29
 is the primary point of contact for inquiries and coordination 
between the military and the FDEM; and regional coordinators
30
 live and work across the state 
and are first in line to support to their respective area regions on all emergency management 
matters including local plan development, preparedness, training and exercise, recovery, and 
mitigation information.
31
 
 
Emergency Management-Counties and Municipalities 
State policy for responding to disasters is to support local emergency response efforts while also 
recognizing the need for state assistance when the scope of a disaster is greater than can be met 
by local resources.
32
 The Act provides specific authorization and emergency powers to counties, 
requiring each county to establish and maintain an emergency management agency and develop 
a county emergency management plan and program consistent with the CEMP and program.
33
 
Municipalities are encouraged to create their own emergency management plans but must 
coordinate with the county emergency management agency.
34
 
 
County emergency management agencies must each have a director appointed by either their 
respective board of county commissioners or county chief administrative officer and serving at 
the pleasure of the appointing authority. The county emergency management director may be a 
county constitutional officer
35 
or an employee of such an officer. Responsible for the 
organization, administration, and operation of the county emergency management agency, the 
director must coordinate the emergency activities, services, and programs of the agency 
throughout the county and serve as the county liaison to FDEM and other local emergency 
management entities.
36
 
 
                                                
27
 The Master Exercise Practitioner Program is a professional level program designed for advanced exercise practitioners in 
emergency management exercise design, conduct, and evaluation and is the most advanced program offered through the 
FEMA Emergency Management Institute. See U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, FEMA-EMI, Master Exercise Practitioner 
Program, available at https://training.fema.gov/programs/nsec/mepp/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
28
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, Director’s Office-Meet the Director, Kevin Guthrie, available at 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/directors-office/FDEMdirector/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
29
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, Director’s Office, Military Liaison, available at 
https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/directors-office/military-liaison/ (last visited February 8, 2024). 
30
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, Director’s Office, Regional Preparedness and Response Coordinators-Regional 
Emergency Management Coordination Team, available at https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/directors-office/regions/ (last 
visited February 8, 2024). 
31
 Fla. Division of Emergency Management, supra note 25. 
32
 Section 252.311(3), F.S. 
33
 Section 252.38(1)(a), F.S. 
34
 Section 252.38(2), F.S. 
35
 FLA. CONST. art. VIII, s. 1(d) requires the election of the following county officers: sheriff, tax collector, property 
appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit courts. 
36
 Section 252.38(1)(b), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 6 
 
In accordance with s. 252.38(1), F.S., the only qualifications a county director must meet are the 
minimum training and education standards in the job description approved by the county. Since 
there are no uniform minimum requirements for county directors, counties vary in the 
qualifications required for the position as shown by the following table: 
 
County 
Minimum Required 
Education 
Required Experience 
Required Licenses/ 
Certifications 
Broward
37
 
Bachelor’s degree in 
required subject
38
 
6 years in emergency planning and 
management, including 4 years of 
high level supervisory and 
administrative experience or 
closely related experience 
Valid Florida Class E 
Driver License; Florida 
Professional Manager 
(FPEM) or Certified 
Emergency Manager 
(CEM) 
Escambia
39
 
Graduation from 2-year 
college or university  
Bachelor’s degree may be 
substituted for 2 years of 
professional experience 
5 years professional experience in 
emergency management, 
emergency incident command & 
control, and familiarity with 
disaster relief  
Valid driver license from 
state of residence; NIMS 
certifications IS700, IS800, 
IS100, IS200, ICS300, and 
ICS400 
Leon County
40
 
Bachelor’s degree in 
required subject
41
 
5 years related work experience; 2 
years of which must have been in a 
supervisory capacity; or equivalent 
combination of training and 
experience 
Valid Florida Driver 
license. 
Sarasota
42
 
Bachelor’s degree in 
required subject
43
 
Master’s degree
44
 may be 
substituted for 2 years of 
required experience
 
 
 
6 years related experience 
At least 4 years supervisory 
experience in emergency 
management or operations of a city 
or county 
*progressively responsible 
professional experience may be 
substituted on a year for year basis 
for the college degree 
Valid Florida driver license 
Certified Emergency 
Manager (CEM) or Florida 
Professional Emergency 
Manager (FPEM) or ability 
to obtain within one-year 
                                                
37
 Broward County, Human Resources Division, Classification Pay Grades, EA044 Director of Emergency Management, 
available at https://www.broward.org/HumanResources/Pages/CombinedPayPlan.aspx (last visited February 8, 2024). 
38
 Public safety, emergency management, public or business administration or closely related field. Id. 
39
 Escambia County, BCC Job Descriptions, Emergency Management Division Director, available at 
https://myescambia.com/our-services/human-resources/employment/job-descriptions (last visited February 8, 2024). 
40
 Leon County, Class Specifications, Director-Emergency Management, available at 
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/leoncountyfl/classspecs?keywords=Emergency%20management (last visited 
February 8, 2024). 
41
 Emergency Management, Business or Public Administration, or a related field. Id. 
42
 Sarasota County Gov’t, Job Posting August 10, 2023, Emergency Management Chief (Manager III) – R16608, available at 
https://sgrjobs.com/SGR/position.php?JobID=453641 (last visited February 8, 2024). 
43
 Public administration, management, business science, or technical field. Id. 
44
 Sarasota County Gov’t, supra note 39. See also, Sarasota County Gov’t Classification provides that a master’s degree may 
be substituted for 1 year of required experience for an Emergency Management Chief - Manager IV Classification. (Dec. 4, 
2023) available at https://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/62861/638374535070700000 (last visited February 
8, 2024).  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 7 
 
County 
Minimum Required 
Education 
Required Experience 
Required Licenses/ 
Certifications 
Volusia
45
 
Bachelor’s degree in 
required subject
46
 
5 years progressively responsible 
work in emergency management 
Valid driver license; must 
obtain a valid Florida 
driver license within 30 
days of appointment and 
maintain thereafter 
Emergency Manager Qualifications 
The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) run by the FEMA is the primary center for the 
development and delivery of emergency management training nationally, emphasizing programs 
such as the NIMS.
47
 A comprehensive approach to managing emergency and disaster incidents, 
NIMS is intended to apply across all jurisdictional levels and functional disciplines for the 
management of all potential incidents, hazards, and impacts regardless of size, location, or 
complexity.
48
 The National Qualification System (NQS) within NIMS establishes guidance and 
tools to assist participants in developing processes for qualifying, certifying, and credentialing 
deployable emergency personnel.
49
 The pinnacle program offered by the FEMA’s EMI is the 
Master Exercise Practitioner Program.
50
 In addition to the NIMS program, national certification 
is available through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). IAEM has 
two levels of individual certification, the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and the 
Associate Emergency Manager (AEM).
51
 
 
NIMS maintains a core training curriculum including the following courses, all of which are 
available online as interactive web-based instruction:
52
 
 IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100. The course introduces the 
Incident Command System (ICS); provides the foundation for higher level ICS training; 
describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the ICS; and 
explains the relationship between ICS and NIMS. Course objectives include all of the 
following: 
o Explaining the principles and basic structure of the ICS. 
o Describing the NIMS management characteristics that are the foundation of the ICS. 
o Describing the ICS functional areas and the roles of the Incident Commander and 
Command Staff. 
                                                
45
 Volusia County, Current Job Openings, Class Specifications, Emergency Management Director-3166, available at 
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/volusiaco/classspecs?page=13 (last visited February 8, 2024). 
46
 Business, public administration, emergency management, homeland security, or related field. Id. 
47
 Nat’l Association of Counties, Managing Disasters at the County Level, A National Survey (March 2019) p. 4, available at 
https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/Emergency%20Management%20in%20County%20Government_03.25.1
9.pdf (last visited February 8, 2024). 
48
 Id. See also, U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, FEMA, National Incident Management System, available at 
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims (last visited February 8, 2024). 
49
 U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, FEMA, National Incident Management System Guideline for the National Qualification 
System (Nov. 2017), p. 1, available at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/fema_nims_nqs_guideline_0.pdf 
(last visited February 8, 2024). 
50
 U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, supra note 27. 
51
 International Association of Emergency Managers, Certification Intro, available at https://www.iaem.org/certification/intro 
(last visited February 8, 2024). 
52
 U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Security, FEMA-Emergency Management Institute, ICS and NIMS Courses, available at 
https://training.fema.gov/nims/ (last visited February 8, 2024).  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 8 
 
o Describing the General Staff roles within ICS. 
o Identifying how NIMS management characteristics apply to ICS for a variety of roles and 
discipline areas. 
 IS-200.C: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents/Basic Incident Command 
System for Initial Response, ICS-200. The course reviews the ICS, provides the context for 
ICS within initial response, supports higher level ICS training, and provides training on, and 
resources for, personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS. Course 
objectives include all of the following: 
o Describing how the NIMS Management Characteristics relate to Incident Command and 
Unified Command. 
o Describing the delegation of authority process, implementing authorities, management by 
objectives, and preparedness plans and objectives. 
o Identifying ICS organizational components, the Command Staff, the General Staff, and 
ICS tools. 
o Describing different types of briefings and meetings. 
o Explaining flexibility within the standard ICS organizational structure. 
o Explaining the transfer of command briefings and procedures. 
o Using ICS to manage an incident or event. 
 IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System, IS-700. The course 
provides an overview of the concepts, principles and components which make the NIMS the 
comprehensive approach guiding the whole community - all levels of government, 
nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector - to work together seamlessly to 
prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. 
Course objectives include all of the following: 
o Describing and identifying the key concepts, principles, scope, and applicability 
underlying NIMS. 
o Describing activities and methods for managing resources. 
o Describing the NIMS Management Characteristics. 
o Identifying and describe ICS organizational structures. 
o Explaining Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions, common models for staff 
organization, and activation levels. 
o Explaining the interconnectivity within the NIMS Management and Coordination 
structures: ICS, EOC, Joint Information System, and Multiagency Coordination Groups. 
o Identifying and describing the characteristics of communications and information 
systems, effective communication, incident information, and communication standards 
and formats. 
 IS-703.B: National Incident Management System Resource Management, IS-703.The course 
introduces federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency managers, first responders, 
and incident commanders from all emergency management disciplines to NIMS Resource 
Management, including private industry and volunteer agency personnel responsible for 
coordination activities during a disaster. Course objectives include all of the following: 
o Defining the four resource management tasks in preparation for incident response. 
o Identify the six primary tasks of resource management during an incident. 
o Describing the use of mutual aid in incidents. 
 IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction, IS-800. The course provides 
guidance for the whole community, focusing particularly on those who are involved in  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 9 
 
delivering and applying the response core capabilities. Course objectives include all of the 
following: 
o Describing the purpose, scope, organization, and underlying doctrine of the National 
Response Framework. 
o Describing the roles and responsibilities of response partners. 
o Describing core capabilities for response and actions required to deliver those 
capabilities. 
o Describing coordinating structures and operational planning used to support emergency 
response. 
o Describing how the stabilization of the seven Community Lifelines reduces threats to 
public health and safety, or economic security. 
 
The Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) is a private non-profit corporation 
providing an educational network for emergency managers at all levels of government as well as 
the private sector.
53
 FEPA certifies as Florida Professional Emergency Managers those 
experienced emergency managers who have advanced and diverse “knowledge, skills, and 
abilities to perform effectively” in a comprehensive emergency management program.
54
 
III. Effect of Proposed Changes: 
CS/SB 1262 amends s. 252.38, F.S., to establish the following minimum qualifications for all 
county emergency management directors: 
 A bachelor’s degree. 
 Six years of verifiable experience in emergency services, emergency management, 
emergency planning, law enforcement, or firefighting services. Three years of which, must 
be supervisory experience in emergency management, response, or operations for a county, a 
municipality, the state, or the Federal Government. 
 A master’s degree in one or more of the following fields may be substituted for two years of 
the required experience but not for the required supervisory experience: emergency 
preparedness or management, business or public administration, communications, finance, 
homeland security, public health, criminal justice, meteorology, or environmental science. 
 Valid accreditation as a Certified Master Exercise Practitioner by the FEMA; Certified 
Emergency Manager; or Florida Professional Emergency Manager or completion of all of the 
following NIMS courses, or their equivalent courses established by the FEMA: 
o ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System. 
o ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents. 
o IS-700.b: National Incident Management System, An Introduction. 
o IS-703.b: NIMS Resource Management. 
o IS-800.d: National Response Framework, An Introduction. 
 A valid driver license. If the license is not Florida driver license, the director must obtain a 
Florida driver license within 30 days after being appointed. 
 
                                                
53
 Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, About FEPA, available at https://www.fepa.org/about-us (last visited 
February 8, 2024). 
54
 Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, FEPA Certification Program, available at https://www.fepa.org/certification 
(last visited February 8, 2024).  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 10 
 
In an undesignated section of Florida law, the bill also authorizes a director who does not meet 
the newly established training or certification criteria on July 1, 2024, to have until June 30, 
2026, to satisfy those requirements. 
 
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024. 
IV. Constitutional Issues: 
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions: 
Not applicable. The bill does not require counties and municipalities to spend funds or 
take action requiring the expenditures of funds; reduce the counties’ or municipalities’ 
ability to raise revenues; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or 
municipalities. 
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues: 
None. 
C. Trust Funds Restrictions: 
None. 
D. State Tax or Fee Increases: 
None. 
E. Other Constitutional Issues: 
None. 
V. Fiscal Impact Statement: 
A. Tax/Fee Issues: 
None. 
B. Private Sector Impact: 
The bill may have an indeterminate negative economic impact on private individuals 
seeking appointment as county emergency management directors by requiring at least a 
bachelor’s degree and completion of specific courses pertaining to the NIMS offered by 
the EMI. 
C. Government Sector Impact: 
None.  BILL: CS/SB 1262   	Page 11 
 
VI. Technical Deficiencies: 
None. 
VII. Related Issues: 
None. 
VIII. Statutes Affected: 
This bill substantially amends section 252.38 of the Florida Statutes. 
IX. Additional Information: 
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes: 
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.) 
CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security on January 29, 
2024: 
The committee substitute: 
 Establishes minimum education, experience, and training standards for county 
emergency management directors and requires the directors to have a valid Florida 
driver license within 30 days after being appointed. 
 Removes the requirement of the FDEM director to meet minimum training and 
education qualifications established by FDEM rule. 
B. Amendments: 
None. 
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.