Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida Senate Bill S1420 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 02/20/2024

                    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 Committee on Rules 
 
BILL: CS/SB 1420 
INTRODUCER:  Commerce and Tourism Committee and Senator Burgess 
SUBJECT:  Department of Commerce 
DATE: February 20, 2024 
 
 ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR  REFERENCE  	ACTION 
1. Renner McKay CM Fav/CS 
2. Nortelus Jerrett ATD  Favorable 
3. Renner Twogood RC Pre-meeting 
 
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information: 
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes 
 
I. Summary: 
CS/SB 1420 makes the following changes that impact the Department of Commerce (DCM): 
 Provides that if the local government doesn’t hold a second public hearing and adopt a 
comprehensive plan amendment within 180 days after the DCM provides comments, the 
amendment is deemed withdrawn; and provides that comprehensive plan amendments are 
deemed withdrawn if the local government fails to transmit the comprehensive plan 
amendment to the DCM within 10 working days after the final adoption hearing. 
 Deletes an outdated requirement that the Florida Sports Foundation must continue amateur 
sports programs previously conducted by the Florida Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness 
and Amateur Sports. 
 Extends the repayment period of the Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan 
Program from 5 to 10 years and directs the DCM to amend existing loans executed before 
Feb. 1, 2024, in order to increase the loan term to a total of 10 years from the original date of 
execution. 
 Requires the DCM to establish a direct-support organization (DSO); renames the Florida 
Defense Support Task Force; provides for organizational composition; revises the mission of 
the DSO; requires the DSO to operate under a contract with the DCM; revises the due date 
for the annual report; and provides a repeal date of October 1, 2029. 
 Revises the term “businesses” to include healthcare facilities and allied health care 
opportunities, and revises the funding priority purposes to provide that health care facilities, 
in addition to hospitals, operated by nonprofit or local government entities that provide 
REVISED:   BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 2 
 
opportunities in health care, are eligible for the funding under the Incumbent Worker 
Training Program. 
 Specifies that board members of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act are voting 
members of the state workforce development board. 
 Specifies that a homeowner’s association’s proposed revived declaration of covenants and 
articles of incorporation and bylaws must be submitted to the DCM within 60 days after 
obtaining valid written consent from a majority of the affected parcel owners, or within 60 
days after the date the documents are approved by affected parcel owners by a vote at a 
meeting. 
 
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the bill, which takes effect upon the bill becoming a 
law, the bill takes effect July 1, 2024. 
II. Present Situation: 
Due to the disparate issues in the bill, for ease of organization and readability, the Present 
Situation for each issue is discussed below in conjunction with the Effect of Proposed Changes 
III. Effect of Proposed Changes: 
Comprehensive Plans (Section 2) 
Present Situation 
The Community Planning Act provides counties and municipalities with the power to plan for 
future development by adopting comprehensive plans.
1
 Each county and municipality must 
maintain a comprehensive plan to guide future development.
2
 
 
All development, both public and private, and all development orders approved by local 
governments must be consistent with the local government’s comprehensive plan.
3
 A 
comprehensive plan is intended to provide for the future use of land, which contemplates a 
gradual and ordered growth, and establishes a long-range maximum limit on the possible 
intensity of land use. Development that does not conform to the comprehensive plan may not be 
approved by a local government unless the local government amends its comprehensive plan 
first. The state land planning agency that administers these provisions is the DCM.
4
 
 
A locality’s comprehensive plan lays out the locations for future public facilities, including 
roads, water and sewer facilities, neighborhoods, parks, schools, and commercial and industrial 
developments. A comprehensive plan is made up of 10 required elements, each laying out 
regulations for a different facet of development.
5
 
 
The 10 required elements consider and address capital improvements; future land use plan; 
transportation; general sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, potable water, and natural 
                                                
1
 Section 163.3167(1), F.S. 
2
 Section 163.3167(2), F.S.  
3
 Section 163.3194(3), F.S 
4
 Section 163.3221(14), F.S. 
5
 Section 163.3177(3) and (6), F.S.   BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 3 
 
groundwater aquifer recharge; conservation; recreation and open space; housing; coastal 
management; intergovernmental coordination; and property rights. Other plans and programs 
may be added as optional elements to a comprehensive plan.
6
 
 
A comprehensive plan is implemented through the adoption of land development regulations
7
 
that are consistent with the plan, and which contain specific and detailed provisions necessary to 
implement the plan.
8
 Such regulations must, among other prescriptions, regulate the subdivision 
of land and the use of land for the land use categories in the land use element of the 
comprehensive plan.
9
  
 
State law requires a proposed comprehensive plan amendment to receive 3 public hearings, the 
first held by the local planning board.
10
 The local commission (city or county) must then hold an 
initial public hearing regarding the proposed amendment and subsequently transmit it to several 
statutorily identified reviewing agencies, including the DCM, the relevant Regional Planning 
Council (RPC), and adjacent local governments that request to participate in the review 
process.
11
 
 
The state and regional agencies review the proposed amendment for impacts related to their 
statutory purview. The RPC reviews the amendment specifically for “extrajurisdictional impacts 
that would be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within 
the region” as well as adverse effects on regional resources or facilities.
12
 Upon receipt of the 
reports from the various agencies, the local government holds a second public hearing at which 
the governing body votes to approve the amendment or not. If the local government fails, within 
180 days after receipt of agency comments, to hold the second public hearing, the amendments 
are deemed withdrawn unless extended by agreement.
13
 If the amendment receives a favorable 
vote, it is transmitted within 10 days to the DCM, and any other agency or local government that 
provided comments, for final review.
14
 The DCM then has either 31 days or 45 days (depending 
on the review process to which the amendment is subject) to determine whether the proposed 
comprehensive plan amendment is in compliance with all relevant laws and agency rules.
15
  
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 163.3184(3)(c), F.S., to provide that if the local government doesn’t hold a 
second public hearing and adopt a comprehensive plan amendment within 180 days after the 
DCM provides comments, the amendment is deemed withdrawn.  
 
                                                
6
 Id. 
7
 “Land development regulations” means ordinances enacted by governing bodies for the regulation of any aspect of 
development and includes any local government zoning, rezoning, subdivision, building construction, or sign regulations or 
any other regulations controlling the development of land, except that this definition does not apply in s. 163.3213, F.S. 
(governing the administrative review of land development regulations). See s. 163.3164(26), F.S. 
8
 Section 163.3202(2), F.S. 
9
 Id. 
10
 Sections 163.3174(4)(a), and 163.3184, F.S. 
11
 Section 163.3184(3)(b), F.S. 
12
 Section 163.3184(3)(b)3.a., F.S. 
13
 Section 163.3184(3)(c), F.S. 
14
 Section 163.3184(4)(e)2., F.S. 
15
 Sections 163.3184(3)(c)4., and 163.3184(4)(e)4., F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 4 
 
The bill amends s. 163.3184(4), F.S., to provide that if the local government fails to transmit the 
comprehensive plan amendment to the DCM within 10 working days after the final adoption 
hearing, the amendment is deemed withdrawn. 
 
Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan Program (Section 3 and 11) 
Present Situation 
The Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan provides financial assistance to local 
governments impacted by federally declared disasters. The purpose of the loan program is to 
assist these local governments in maintaining operations by bridging the gap between the time 
that the declared disaster occurred and the time that additional funding sources or revenues are 
secured to provide them with financial assistance.
 16
 
 
The loans are interest-free with the loan amount determined based upon demonstrated need. The 
term of the loan is up to 5 years.
17
 To be eligible, a local government must be a county or a 
municipality located in an area designated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
disaster declaration. The local government must show that it may suffer or has suffered 
substantial loss of its tax or other revenues as a result of the disaster and demonstrate a need for 
financial assistance to enable it to continue to perform its government operations.
18
 
 
The program expires July 1, 2038 and a loan may not be awarded after June 30, 2038. Upon 
expiration, all unencumbered funds and loan repayments made on or after July 1, 2038, must be 
transferred to the General Revenue fund.
19
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 288.066, F.S., to extend the repayment period of the program from 5 to 10 
years. Effective upon becoming a law, the bill directs the DCM to amend any existing loans 
executed before Feb. 1, 2024, in order to increase the loan term to a total of 10 years from the 
original date of execution.  
 
Florida Sports Foundation (Section 4) 
Present Situation 
The Florida Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, serving as the official sports 
promotion and development organization for the State of Florida. It is charged with the 
promotion and development of professional, amateur, and recreational sports, physical fitness 
opportunities, and assisting communities and host organizations in attracting major and minor 
sports events to help produce a thriving Florida sports industry and environment.
20
 Under its duty 
to promote amateur sports and physical fitness, the Florida Sports Foundation must continue the 
                                                
16
 Section 288.066(1), F.S. 
17
 Section 288.066(3), F.S. 
18
 Section 288.066(2), F.S. 
19
 Section 288.066(9), F.S. 
20
 Section 288.1229, F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 5 
 
successful amateur sports programs previously conducted by the Florida Governor’s Council on 
Physical Fitness and Amateur Sports.
21
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 288.1229, F.S., to delete an outdated requirement that the Florida Sports 
Foundation must continue amateur sports programs previously conducted by the Florida 
Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Amateur Sports. 
 
Florida Defense Support Task Force (Section 7) 
Present Situation 
In 2011,
22
 the Legislature created the Florida Defense Support Task Force (Task Force) with the 
mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations to support the 
state’s position in research and development related to or arising out of military missions and 
contracting, and to improve the state’s military-friendly environment for servicemembers, 
military dependents, military retirees, and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to 
the state.
23
 
 
The task force is comprised of the Governor, or his or her designee, and 12 members comprised 
of four members appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, respectively. Task Force members represent defense-related industries or 
communities that host military bases and installations.
24
 With the exception of Legislative 
members, Task Force members serve for a term of four years. Vacancies are to be filled for the 
remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment. Legislative 
members serve until the expiration of their legislative term and may be reappointed once. All 
members are eligible for reappointment.
25
 The President and the Speaker each designate one of 
their appointees to serve as chair and the chair must rotate each July 1.
26
 The Secretary of the 
DCM, or his or her designee, serves as the ex officio, nonvoting executive director.
27
  
 
The DCM is required to contract with the task force for the expenditure of appropriated funds, 
which may be used by the task force for: 
 Economic and product research and development; 
 Joint planning with host communities to accommodate military missions and prevent base 
encroachment; 
 Advocacy on the state’s behalf with federal civilian and military officials; 
 Assistance to school districts in providing a smooth transition for large numbers of additional 
military-related students; 
                                                
21
 Section 288.1229(7)(g), F.S. 
22
 Chapter 2011-76, s. 38, Laws of Fla. 
23
 Section 288.987(2), F.S. 
24
 Section 288.987(3), F.S. 
25
 Section 288.987(3), F.S. 
26
 Section 288.987(4), F.S. 
27
 Section 288.987(5), F.S., actually states that the Secretary of Economic Opportunity serves as the ex officio, nonvoting 
executive director; however, HB 5 from 2023 (enacted as Chapter 2023-173, Laws of Fla.) changed the name of the 
Department of Economic Opportunity to the Department of Commerce.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 6 
 
 Job training and placement for military spouses in communities with high proportions of 
active duty military personnel; and 
 Promotion of the state to military and related contractors and employers.
28
 
 
The Task Force must submit an annual progress report and work plan to the Governor, the 
President, and the Speaker each February 1.
29
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 288.987, F.S., to require the DCM to establish a direct-support organization 
(DSO) to support Florida’s military and defense industries and communities, and renames the 
Florida Defense Support Task Force as the DSO. The DSO must operate under a contract with 
the DCM which must provide that: 
 The DCM may review the DSO’s articles of incorporation; 
 The DSO must submit an annual budget proposal to the DCM; 
 Any DSO funds held in a trust must revert to the state upon the expiration or cancellation of 
the contract; and 
 The DSO is subject to an annual compliance review by the DCM. 
 
The DSO fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next succeeding year. The DSO 
must also provide an annual financial audit pursuant to s. 215.981, F.S. 
 
The bill specifies that, under certain provisions of law, the DSO is not an agency for purposes of 
leasing buildings or for bids for printing. However, the DSO must comply with per diem and 
travel expense requirements pursuant to s. 112.061, F.S. The DCM may allow the DSO to use 
the property, facilities, personnel, and services of the DCM if the DSO provides equal 
employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national 
origin. 
 
The bill revises the mission of the DSO. In addition to carrying out the provisions of s. 288.987, 
F.S., the DSO must assist with the coordination of economic and workforce development efforts 
in military communities and assist in the planning and research and development related to 
military missions, businesses, and military families. Additionally, the DSO is organized and 
operated to:  
 Request, receive, hold, invest, and administer property;  
 Manage and make expenditures for the operation of the activities, services, functions, and 
programs for economic and product research and development,  
 Conduct joint planning with host communities to accommodate military missions and 
prevent base encroachment,  
 Advocate on the state’s behalf with federal civilian and military officials;  
 Assist school districts in providing a smooth transition for additional military-related 
students; 
 Provide job training and placement for military spouses in communities with high 
proportions of active duty military personnel; and 
                                                
28
 Section 288.987(7), F.S. 
29
 Section 288.987(6), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 7 
 
 Promote the state to military and related contractors and employers. 
 
The DSO must be governed by a board of directors composed of the Governor, or his or her 
designee, four members appointed by the Governor, the President, and the Speaker. All 
appointments in place as of July 1, 2024, must continue in effect until the expiration of the term. 
The President and the Speaker each designate one of their appointees to serve as chair for a 2-
year term and the chair must rotate on July 1 of each odd-numbered year. 
 
In the performance of its duties, the DSO is authorized to make and enter into contracts as 
necessary to carry out its mission. A proposed contract with a total cost of $750,000 or more is 
subject to the noticing, review, and objection procedures provided in s. 216.177, F.S. The DSO 
may not divide one proposed contract with a total cost of $750,000 or more into multiple 
contracts to circumvent the prohibition. If the contract is contrary to legislative policy and intent, 
the DSO is prohibited from entering into such contract. The DSO is also authorized to establish 
grant programs and administer grant awards to support its mission. 
 
The bill changes the due date for an annual report from February 1 to December 1. 
  
Unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature, the DSO is repealed on October 1, 
2029. 
 
Florida Defense Support Task Force Public Records and Meetings Exemption (Section 6) 
Present Situation 
Current law provides a public record exemption for certain records held by the Task Force. 
Specifically, the following records are exempt
30
 from public records requirements:
31
 
 That portion of a record that relates to strengths and weaknesses of military installations or 
military missions in Florida relative to the selection criteria for the realignment and closure 
of military bases and missions under the United States base realignment and closure (BRAC) 
process. 
 That portion of a record that relates to strengths and weaknesses of military installations or 
military missions in other state or territories and the vulnerability of such installations or 
missions to base realignment or closure under the United States BRAC process, and any 
agreements or proposals to relocate or realign military units and missions from other states or 
territories. 
 That portion of a record that relates to Florida’s strategy to retain its military bases during 
any United States BRAC process and any agreements or proposals to relocate or realign 
military units and missions. 
                                                
30
 There is a difference between records the Legislature designates exempt from public record requirements and those the 
Legislature designates confidential and exempt. A record classified as exempt from public disclosure may be disclosed under 
certain circumstances. See WFTV, Inc. v. Sch. Bd. of Seminole, 874 So.2d 48, 53 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004), review denied, 892 
So.2d 1015 (Fla. 2004); State v. Wooten, 260 So. 3d 1060, 1070 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018); City of Rivera Beach v. Barfield, 642 
So.2d 1135 (Fla. 4th DCA 1994); Williams v. City of Minneola, 575 So.2d 683, 687 (Fla. 5th DCA 1991). If the Legislature 
designates a record as confidential and exempt from public disclosure, such record may not be released by the custodian of 
public records to anyone other than the persons or entities specifically designated in statute. See Op. Att’y Gen. Fla. 04- 09 
(2004). 
31
 Section 288.985(1)(a)-(c), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 8 
 
Current law also provides a public meeting exemption for any portion of a meeting of the Task 
Force, or a workgroup of the Task Force, wherein such exempt records are presented or 
discussed.
32
 In addition, any records generated during the closed portion of the meeting are 
exempt from public record requirements.
33
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 288.985, F.S., to make conforming changes made by s. 288.987, F.S. 
 
Incumbent Worker Training Program and CareerSource Florida, Inc. (Sections 8 and 9) 
Present Situation 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 
In 2014, Congress passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which 
superseded the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
34
 WIOA requires each state to develop a 
single, unified plan for aligning workforce services through the identification and evaluation of 
core workforce programs.
35
  
 
WIOA identifies four core programs that coordinate and complement each other to ensure job 
seekers have access to needed resources.
36
 The core programs are: 
 Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Programs; 
 Adult Education and Literacy Activities;  
 Employment Services under the Wagner-Peyser Act;
37
 and 
 Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
38
 
 
WIOA establishes minimum performance accountability measures for the evaluation of core 
programs in each state and performance reports to be provided at the state, local, and training 
provider levels.
39
 Performance measures that apply across all core programs include:
40
  
 The percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during second quarter after exit. 
 The percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during fourth quarter after exit. 
 The median earnings of participants during second quarter after exit. 
 The percentage of participants who obtain a postsecondary credential or secondary school 
diploma within 1 year after exit. 
 The achievement of measureable skill gains toward credentials or employment; and  
 The effectiveness in serving employers. 
 
 
 
                                                
32
 Section 288.985(2), F.S. 
33
 Section 288.985(3), F.S. 
34
 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. s. 3101 et seq. (2014). 
35
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3112(a). 
36
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3102(13). 
37
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 49 et seq. 
38
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 720 et. seq. 
39
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3141. 
40
 Id.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 9 
 
State Administration of Workforce Development 
WIOA requires the Governor to establish a State Workforce Development Board (state board) to 
assist the Governor in carrying out the duties and responsibilities required by WIOA.
41
 
CareerSource Florida, Inc., implements the policy directives of the state board and administers 
state workforce development programs.
42
 CareerSource Florida, Inc., provides administrative 
support to the state board, the principal workforce policy organization for the state. WIOA state 
board members are nonvoting and the number of members is determined by the Governor.
43
 
 
WIOA requires states to designate local workforce development areas in the state. The local 
workforce development areas must be consistent with labor market areas and regional economic 
development areas in the state and have available federal and non-federal resources necessary to 
effectively administer workforce development services.
44
 Within each area, a local workforce 
development board must be established.
45
 Each local workforce development board is required to 
coordinate planning and service delivery strategies within the local workforce development area 
and submit to the Governor a 4-year local plan for the delivery of workforce development 
services.
46
 
 
The DCM serves as Florida’s lead workforce agency.
47
 The DCM is responsible for the fiscal 
and administrative affairs of the workforce development system.
48
 The DCM receives and 
distributes federal funds for employment-related programs to the local workforce development 
boards.
49
 Under the direction of CareerSource, the DCM is required to annually meet with each 
local workforce development board to review the board’s performance and to certify that the 
board is in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
50
  
 
Incumbent Worker Training Program 
The Incumbent Worker Training Program (program) was created to provide grant funding for 
continuing education and training of incumbent employees at existing Florida businesses. The 
program provides reimbursement grants to businesses that pay for preapproved, direct, training-
related costs. The term “business” includes hospitals operated by nonprofit or local government 
entities which provide nursing opportunities to acquire new or improved skills.
 51
 
 
Funding priority is given in the following order:
52
 
 Businesses that provide employees with opportunities to acquire new or improved skills by 
earning a credential on the Master Credentials List; 
                                                
41
 29 U.S.C. s. 3111. 
42
 Section 445.004(2), F.S. 
43
 Section 445.004(3)(a), F.S. 
44
 See 29 U.S.C. s. 3121. 
45
 29 U.S.C. s. 3122. 
46
 See 29 U.S.C. ss. 3122 and 3123. 
47
 Primarily through the Division of Workforce Services. See s. 20.60, F.S. 
48
 See s. 20.60(5)(c), F.S. and s. 445.009(3)(c), F.S. 
49
 See s. 20.60(5)(c), F.S. and s. 445.003, F.S. 
50
 See s. 445.007(3), F.S. 
51
 Section 445.003(3)3., F.S. 
52
 Id.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 10 
 
 Hospitals operated by nonprofit or local government entities that provide nursing 
opportunities to acquire new or improved skills; 
 Businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant upgrade in employee skills; 
 Businesses with 25 employees or fewer, businesses in rural areas, and businesses in 
distressed inner-city areas; and  
 Businesses in a qualified targeted industry or businesses whose grant proposals represent a 
significant layoff avoidance strategy. 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 445.003, F.S., to revise the term “businesses” under the program to include 
healthcare facilities and allied health care opportunities. The bill also revises the funding priority 
for grant purposes to provide that health care facilities, in addition to hospitals, operated by 
nonprofit or local government entities that provide opportunities in health care, rather than 
nursing opportunities, are eligible for the funding. 
 
The bill amends s. 445.004, F.S., to specify that WIOA state board members are voting 
members. 
 
DCM Review of Revitalization of Homeowner Association Covenants (Section 10) 
Present Situation 
Parcel owners in a community that was previously subject to a declaration of covenants that has 
ceased to govern one or more parcels in the community may revive the declaration and the 
association for the community upon approval by the parcel owners to be governed as provided in 
the Covenant Revitalization Act
53
 and upon approval of the declaration and the other governing 
documents for the association by the DCM.
54
 
 
No later than 60 days after the date after the date the proposed revived declaration and other 
governing documents are approved by the affected parcel owners, the organizing committee 
must submit the proposed revived governing documents and any supporting materials to the 
DCM to review and determine whether to approve or disapprove of the proposal to preserve the 
residential community.
55
 
 
The DCM must make a determination by no later than 60 days and must notify the organizing 
committee in writing of its approval or reasons for the disapproval.
56
 
 
Effect of Proposed Changes 
The bill amends s. 720.406, F.S., to specify that a homeowner’s association’s proposed revived 
declaration of covenants and articles of incorporation and bylaws must be submitted to the DCM 
within 60 days after obtaining valid written consent from a majority of the affected parcel 
                                                
53
 Chapter 720, Part III, F.S. 
54
 Section 720.403(2), F.S. 
55
 Section 720.406(1), F.S. 
56
 Section 720.406(2), F.S.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 11 
 
owners, or within 60 days after the date the documents are approved by affected parcel owners 
by a vote at a meeting. 
 
Miscellaneous Provisions 
Section 1 amends s. 163.3175, F.S., to update a cross reference. 
 
Section 5 amends s. 288.980, F.S., to update a cross reference. 
 
Section 12 provides an effective date of July 1, 2024, except section 11, which directs the DCM 
to amend any existing loans executed before Feb. 1, 2024, in order to increase the loan term to a 
total of 10 years from the original date of execution, takes effect upon becoming a law. 
IV. Constitutional Issues: 
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions: 
None. 
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues: 
None. 
C. Trust Funds Restrictions: 
None. 
D. State Tax or Fee Increases: 
None. 
E. Other Constitutional Issues: 
Article II, s. 5(a) of the Florida Constitution prohibits a person from holding at the same 
time more than one office under the government of the state and the counties and 
municipalities therein, except that a notary public or military officer may hold another 
office, and any officer may be a member of a constitution revision commission, taxation 
and budget reform commission, constitutional convention, or statutory body having only 
advisory powers. 
 
A direct support organization (DSO) is a statutorily created private entity, generally 
required to be a non-profit corporation, and authorized to carry out specific tasks in 
support of public entities or public causes. The functions and purpose of a DSO are 
prescribed by its enacting statute and also, for most, by a written contract with the agency 
the DSO was created to support. 
 
This bill creates a DSO to support Florida’s military and defense industries and 
communities. The DSO is governed by a board of directors composed of the Governor, or  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 12 
 
his or her designee, and members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker, and the 
President. Currently serving members of the Legislature may only vote on advisory 
matters, but this restriction does not apply to the Governor. Though created as a private 
entity, the DSO is organized and operated to, among other things, manage and make 
expenditures for the operation of the activities, services, functions, and programs of this 
state.  
V. Fiscal Impact Statement: 
A. Tax/Fee Issues: 
None. 
B. Private Sector Impact: 
None. 
C. Government Sector Impact: 
None. 
VI. Technical Deficiencies: 
None. 
VII. Related Issues: 
None. 
VIII. Statutes Affected: 
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 163.3175, 163.3184, 
288.066, 288.1229, 288.980, 288.985, 288.987, 445.003, 445.004, 720.406, and 721.97. 
IX. Additional Information: 
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes: 
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.) 
CS by Commerce and Tourism on January 23, 2024: 
The committee substitute: 
 Extends the repayment period of the Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge 
Loan Program from 5 to 10 years and directs the DCM to amend existing loans 
executed before Feb. 1, 2024, in order to increase the loan term to a total of 10 years 
from the original date of execution; and 
 Removes a provision requiring the Secretary of the DCM, rather than the Governor, 
to appoint commissioners of deeds who authenticate acknowledgements in certain 
real estate transactions in other states or foreign countries.  BILL: CS/SB 1420   	Page 13 
 
B. Amendments: 
None. 
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.