HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 1 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to regional planning and economic 2
development; amending s. 20.60, F.S.; revising 3
provisions relating to the creation of the Department 4
of Commerce and its powers and duties; establishing 5
the Office of Secure Florida within the department fo r 6
specified purposes; amending s. 187.201, F.S.; 7
revising economic policies of the state comprehensive 8
plan to promote entrepreneurship from certain business 9
startups; amending s. 120.52, F.S.; revising 10
definitions; reenacting s. 57.111(3)(f), F.S., 11
relating to civil actions and administrative 12
proceedings initiated by state agencies; reenacting s. 13
216.241(3), F.S., relating to expenditure of certain 14
revenues; amending s. 212.08, F.S.; removing a 15
provision prohibiting the issuance of a temporary tax 16
exemption certificate after a specified date; amending 17
s. 253.025, F.S.; providing applicability; amending s. 18
288.001, F.S.; revising the composition of the 19
statewide advisory board of the Florida Small Business 20
Development Center Network; amending s. 288.0065, 21
F.S.; revising the content requirements of the 22
department's annual incentives report; amending s. 23
288.0656, F.S.; revising definitions relating to the 24
Rural Economic Development Initiative; requiring the 25
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 2 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
designation of a certain representative by a specified 26
date; creating s. 288.06562, F.S.; creating the Rural 27
Accelerator Program within the department for a 28
specified purpose; requiring that the department 29
accept grant applications from rural communities and 30
collaborate with the Florida Regional Economic 31
Development Association in review of such 32
applications; requiring funds to be appropriated from 33
the Rural Infrastructure Fund for specified purposes; 34
authorizing grant recipient reimbursement in certain 35
instances; authorizing the department to adopt rules; 36
defining the terms "rural community" and "catalyst 37
site"; amending s. 288.1229, F.S.; revising 38
composition requirements of the Florida Sports 39
Foundation; amending s. 288.124, F.S.; revising 40
provisions relating to the convention grants program 41
established by the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing 42
Corporation; providing a directive to the Division of 43
Law Revision; amending s. 288.702, F.S.; revising a 44
short title; amending s. 288.703, F.S.; defining the 45
term "business enterprise in an economically 46
disadvantaged area"; revising definitions; amending s. 47
288.705, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the use 48
of the statewide contracts register and who the Small 49
Business Development Center is required to coordinate 50
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 3 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
with regarding such use; revising report requirement s; 51
repealing s. 288.706, F.S., relating to the Florida 52
Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program; revising 53
legislative findings; repealing ss. 288.7094, 54
288.7102, 288.71025, 288.7103, and 288.714, F.S., 55
relating to the Black Business Loan Program; amend ing 56
s. 288.776, F.S.; revising composition requirements 57
for the board of directors of the Florida Export 58
Finance Corporation; creating s. 288.9628, F.S.; 59
providing legislative findings; establishing within 60
the Department of Commerce the Research, Innovatio n, 61
Science, and Engineering Investment Tax Credit 62
Program; providing the purpose of the program; 63
requiring the department to coordinate with the State 64
Board of Administration in implementing the program; 65
providing definitions; providing for the application 66
process; establishing content requirements of 67
application; requiring applicants to update their 68
applications; establishing funding limitations under 69
the program; listing eligibility and application 70
requirements for a qualifying private fund; providing 71
a funding limitation for a qualifying private fund; 72
authorizing the Department of Revenue to issue tax 73
credits to eligible qualifying investments; providing 74
a fund limitation; authorizing the tax credits issued 75
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 4 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to be applied against corporate income tax liabi lity; 76
authorizing a qualifying private fund to sell or 77
transfer tax credits issued under the program; 78
providing election requirements; prohibiting the 79
selling or transferring of tax credits that have not 80
yet been issued; authorizing the Department of 81
Commerce to revoke or modify its determination to 82
grant tax credits in certain instances; requiring the 83
department to notify the Department of Revenue of such 84
action; requiring a qualifying private fund to submit 85
an annual report for a specified time period to remain 86
eligible to receive tax credits; providing report 87
requirements; providing construction; requiring the 88
Department of Commerce to include in its annual 89
incentives report, beginning on a specified date, 90
certain information about the program; authorizin g the 91
department to adopt rules; amending s. 290.0056, F.S.; 92
revising the types of business enterprises that the 93
enterprise zone development agency may invest in via 94
community investment corporations; amending s. 95
331.302, F.S.; providing construction; amen ding s. 96
331.351, F.S.; revising legislative intent; requiring 97
Space Florida to involve and use business enterprises 98
in economically disadvantaged areas as it relates to 99
spaceport development; amending s. 445.004, F.S.; 100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 5 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
revising membership composition of Ca reerSource 101
Florida, Inc.; amending s. 445.007, F.S.; revising 102
composition of local workforce development boards; 103
removing a provision requiring a certain consideration 104
when appointments are made to any committee 105
established by the board; amending s. 445.08 , F.S.; 106
revising eligibility requirements for newly employed 107
officers to receive and retain bonus payments; 108
removing an expiration date; amending s. 447.203, 109
F.S.; revising the term "managerial employees"; 110
authorizing counties and municipalities to enter i nto 111
agreements to create regional planning entities 112
pursuant to specified law; providing a directive to 113
the Division of Law Revision; repealing ss. 186.501, 114
186.502, 186.503, 186.504, 186.505, 186.506, 186.507, 115
186.508, 186.509, 186.511, 186.512, and 186.5 13, F.S., 116
relating to the Florida Regional Planning Council Act; 117
repealing s. 186.515, F.S., relating to the creation 118
of regional planning councils under chapter 163; 119
amending s. 120.525, F.S.; removing provisions 120
relating to meetings of regional planning councils; 121
amending s. 163.3164, F.S.; removing the term 122
"regional planning agency" from the Community Planning 123
Act; amending s. 163.3184, F.S.; revising definitions; 124
revising provisions relating to the expedited review 125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 6 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
process for the adoption of comprehen sive plan 126
amendments; amending s. 163.3245, F.S.; revising 127
provisions relating to sector plans; amending s. 128
186.003, F.S.; removing the term "regional planning 129
agency" from the Florida State Comprehensive Planning 130
Act of 1972; amending s. 186.006, F.S.; re vising the 131
powers and responsibilities of the Executive Office of 132
the Governor; amending s. 186.007, F.S; revising 133
provisions relating to state comprehensive plan 134
preparation and revision; amending s. 215.559, F.S.; 135
revising provision regarding funding pri ority to 136
projects in certain regional planning council regions; 137
amending s. 252.385, F.S.; revising the content 138
requirements for statewide emergency shelter plans; 139
amending s. 320.08058, F.S.; removing a provision 140
providing specified proceeds to the Tampa Bay Regional 141
Planning Council; amending s. 338.2278, F.S.; removing 142
regional planning councils from the taskforce created 143
under the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic 144
Significance Program; amending ss. 369.303 and 145
369.307, F.S.; revising provisions r elating to the 146
Wekiva River Protection Area; repealing s. 369.324, 147
F.S., relating to the Wekiva River Basin Commission; 148
amending s. 380.05, F.S.; revising provisions relating 149
to areas of critical state concern; amending s. 150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 7 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
380.045, F.S.; removing regional planning councils 151
from resource planning and management committee 152
representation; reenacting s. 380.0552(6), F.S., 153
relating to the Florida Keys Area; amending ss. 154
403.7225 and 403.723, F.S.; replacing regional 155
planning councils with the Department of Envir onmental 156
Protection for purposes of hazardous waste management 157
assessments and facilities; amending s. 403.503, F.S.; 158
removing the term "regional planning council" from the 159
Florida Electric Power Plant Siting Act; amending s. 160
403.522, F.S.; removing the te rm "regional planning 161
council" from the Florida Electric Transmission Line 162
Siting Act; amending s. 408.033, F.S.; revising 163
provisions relating to local health councils; amending 164
s. 420.609, F.S.; revising the composition of the 165
Affordable Housing Study Com mission; amending ss. 166
17.11, 24.113, 120.65, 163.3177, 163.3178, 163.568, 167
164.1031, 186.008, 186.803, 218.32, 255.101, 255.102, 168
255.20, 258.501, 260.0142, 287.012, 287.042, 287.055, 169
287.057, 287.0931, 287.094, 287.0943, 287.09431, 170
287.09451, 287.0947, 288. 1167, 288.12266, 288.7015, 171
288.7031, 288.975, 290.004, 290.0057, 320.63, 334.045, 172
335.188, 338.227, 339.155, 339.175, 339.2821, 339.63, 173
339.64, 341.041, 343.54, 373.309, 373.607, 376.84, 174
380.055, 380.06, 380.061, 380.0651, 380.07, 380.507, 175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 8 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
381.986, 403.0752, 403.50663, 403.507, 403.518, 176
403.526, 403.5272, 403.5363, 403.5365, 403.537, 177
403.704, 403.7226, 403.9403, 403.941, 403.9422, 178
403.973, 501.171, 625.3255, 627.3511, 657.042, 658.67, 179
957.09, 1001.706, 1013.30, and 1013.46, F.S.; 180
conforming provisions to ch anges made by the act; 181
amending ss. 212.055, 212.096, 339.285, 373.415, 182
376.3072, 377.703, 378.411, 380.031, 403.5115, 183
409.901, 440.45, 473.3065, 641.217, 947.02, 947.021, 184
and 1004.435, F.S.; conforming cross -references; 185
providing an effective date. 186
187
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 188
189
Section 1. Paragraphs (e) and (k) of subsection (4), 190
paragraph (a) of subsection (5), and paragraph (c) of subsection 191
(10) of section 20.60, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 192
20.60 Department of Commerce; creation; powers and 193
duties.— 194
(4) The purpose of the department is to assist the 195
Governor in working with the Legislature, state agencies, 196
business leaders, and economic development professionals to 197
formulate and implement coherent and consistent policies and 198
strategies designed to promote economic opportunities for all 199
Floridians. The department is the state's chief agency for 200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 9 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
business recruitment and expansion and economic development. To 201
accomplish such purposes, the department shall: 202
(e) Manage the activities of public -private partnerships 203
and state agencies in order to avoid duplication and promote 204
coordinated and consistent implementation of programs in areas 205
including, but not limited to, tourism; international trade and 206
investment; business recruitment, creation, retention, and 207
expansion; minority and small business development; business 208
development in economically disadvantaged areas; defense, space, 209
and aerospace development; rural community development; and the 210
development and promotion of professional and amateur sporting 211
events. 212
(k) Assist, promote, and enhance economic opportunities 213
for this state's minority-owned businesses in economically 214
disadvantaged areas and rural and urban communities . 215
(5) The divisions within the department have specific 216
responsibilities to achieve the duties, responsibilities, and 217
goals of the department. Specifically: 218
(a) The Division of Economic Development shall: 219
1. Analyze and evaluate business prospects identified by 220
the Governor and the secretary. 221
2. Administer certain tax refund, tax credit, and grant 222
programs created in law. Notwithstanding any other provision of 223
law, the department may expend interest earned from the 224
investment of program funds deposited in the Grants and 225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 10 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Donations Trust Fund to contract for the administration of those 226
programs, or portions of the programs, assigned to the 227
department by law, by the appropriations process, or by the 228
Governor. Such expenditures shall be subject to review under 229
chapter 216. 230
3. Develop measurement protocols for the state incentive 231
programs and for the contracted entities which will be used to 232
determine their performance and competitive value to the state. 233
Performance measures, benchmarks, and sanctions must be 234
developed in consultation with the legislative appropriations 235
committees and the appropriate substantive committees, and are 236
subject to the review and approval process provided in s. 237
216.177. The approved performance measures, standards, and 238
sanctions shall be included and made a p art of the strategic 239
plan for contracts entered into for delivery of programs 240
authorized by this section. 241
4. Develop a 5-year statewide strategic plan. The 242
strategic plan must include, but need not be limited to: 243
a. Strategies for the promotion of busi ness formation, 244
expansion, recruitment, and retention through aggressive 245
marketing, attraction of venture capital and finance 246
development, domestic trade, international development, and 247
export assistance, which lead to more and better jobs and higher 248
wages for all geographic regions , disadvantaged communities, and 249
populations of the state, including economically disadvantaged 250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 11 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
areas rural areas, minority businesses, and urban core areas . 251
b. The development of realistic policies and programs to 252
further the economic diversity of the state, its regions, and 253
their associated industrial clusters. 254
c. Specific provisions for the stimulation of economic 255
development and job creation in rural areas and midsize cities 256
and counties of the state, including strategies for rural 257
marketing and the development of infrastructure in rural areas. 258
d. Provisions for the promotion of the successful long -259
term economic development of the state with increased emphasis 260
in market research and information. 261
e. Plans for the generat ion of foreign investment in the 262
state which create jobs paying above -average wages and which 263
result in reverse investment in the state, including programs 264
that establish viable overseas markets, assist in meeting the 265
financing requirements of export -ready firms, broaden 266
opportunities for international joint venture relationships, use 267
the resources of academic and other institutions, coordinate 268
trade assistance and facilitation services, and facilitate 269
availability of and access to education and training pr ograms 270
that assure requisite skills and competencies necessary to 271
compete successfully in the global marketplace. 272
f. The identification of business sectors that are of 273
current or future importance to the state's economy and to the 274
state's global business image, and development of specific 275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 12 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
strategies to promote the development of such sectors. 276
g. Strategies for talent development necessary in the 277
state to encourage economic development growth, taking into 278
account factors such as the state's talent supply chain, 279
education and training opportunities, and available workforce. 280
h. Strategies and plans to support this state's defense, 281
space, and aerospace industries and the emerging complementary 282
business activities and industries that support the development 283
and growth of defense, space, and aerospace in this state. 284
5. Update the strategic plan every 5 years. 285
6. Involve CareerSource Florida, Inc.; direct -support 286
organizations of the department; local governments; the general 287
public; local and regional eco nomic development organizations; 288
other local, state, and federal economic, international, and 289
workforce development entities; the business community; and 290
educational institutions to assist with the strategic plan. 291
7. Coordinate with the Florida Tourism I ndustry Marketing 292
Corporation in the development of the 4 -year marketing plan 293
pursuant to s. 288.1226(13). 294
8. Administer and manage relationships, as appropriate, 295
with the entities and programs created pursuant to the Florida 296
Capital Formation Act, ss. 2 88.9621-288.96255. 297
9. Establish the Office of Secure Florida, which is 298
responsible for administering and enforcing: 299
a. E-Verify and employment authorization compliance as set 300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 13 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
forth in ss. 448.09 and 448.095. 301
b. The purchase and registration of real property in the 302
state by foreign principals as set forth in ss. 692.203 and 303
692.204. 304
(10) The department shall, by November 1 of each year, 305
submit an annual report to the Governor, the President of the 306
Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representati ves on the 307
condition of the business climate and economic development in 308
the state. 309
(c) The report must incorporate annual reports of other 310
programs, including: 311
1. A detailed report of the performance of the Black 312
Business Loan Program and a cumulative summary of quarterly 313
report data required under s. 288.714. 314
1.2. The Rural Economic Development Initiative established 315
under s. 288.0656. 316
2.3. A detailed report of the performance of the Florida 317
Development Finance Corporation and a summary of the 318
corporation's report required under s. 288.9610. 319
3.4. Information provided by Space Florida under s. 320
331.3051 and an analysis of the activities and accomplishments 321
of Space Florida. 322
Section 2. Paragraph (b) of subsection (20) and paragraph 323
(b) of subsection (21) of section 187.201, Florida Statutes, are 324
amended to read: 325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 14 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
187.201 State Comprehensive Plan adopted. —The Legislature 326
hereby adopts as the State Comprehensive Plan the following 327
specific goals and policies: 328
(20) GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY. — 329
(b) Policies.— 330
1. Encourage greater cooperation between, among, and 331
within all levels of Florida government through the use of 332
appropriate interlocal agreements and mutual participation for 333
mutual benefit. 334
2. Allow the creation of independent special taxi ng 335
districts which have uniform general law standards and 336
procedures and do not overburden other governments and their 337
taxpayers while preventing the proliferation of independent 338
special taxing districts which do not meet these standards. 339
3. Encourage the use of municipal services taxing units 340
and other dependent special districts to provide needed 341
infrastructure where the fiscal capacity exists to support such 342
an approach. 343
4. Eliminate regulatory activities that are not tied to 344
specific public and natu ral resource protection needs. 345
5. Eliminate needless duplication of, and promote 346
cooperation in, governmental activities between, among, and 347
within state, regional, county, city, and other governmental 348
units. 349
6. Ensure, wherever possible, that the geog raphic 350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 15 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
boundaries of water management districts, regional planning 351
councils, and substate districts of the executive departments 352
shall be coterminous for related state or agency programs and 353
functions and promote interagency agreements in order to reduce 354
the number of districts and councils with jurisdiction in any 355
one county. 356
7. Encourage and provide for the restructuring of city and 357
county political jurisdictions with the goals of greater 358
efficiency and high-quality and more equitable and responsive 359
public service programs. 360
8. Replace multiple, small scale, economically inefficient 361
local public facilities with regional facilities where they are 362
proven to be more economical, particularly in terms of energy 363
efficiency, and yet can retain the quality o f service expected 364
by the public. 365
9. Encourage greater efficiency and economy at all levels 366
of government through adoption and implementation of effective 367
records management, information management, and evaluation 368
procedures. 369
10. Throughout government, establish citizen management 370
efficiency groups and internal management groups to make 371
recommendations for greater operating efficiencies and improved 372
management practices. 373
11. Encourage governments to seek outside contracting on a 374
competitive-bid basis when cost-effective and appropriate. 375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 16 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
12. Discourage undue expansion of state government and 376
make every effort to streamline state government in a cost -377
effective manner. 378
13. Encourage joint venture solutions to mutual problems 379
between levels of governme nt and private enterprise. 380
(21) THE ECONOMY.— 381
(b) Policies.— 382
1. Attract new job-producing industries, corporate 383
headquarters, distribution and service centers, regional 384
offices, and research and development facilities to provide 385
quality employment fo r the residents of Florida. 386
2. Promote entrepreneurship and small and minority-owned 387
business startups and business startups in economically 388
disadvantaged areas startup by providing technical and 389
information resources, facilitating capital formation, and 390
removing regulatory restraints which are unnecessary for the 391
protection of consumers and society. 392
3. Maintain, as one of the state's primary economic 393
assets, the environment, including clean air and water, beaches, 394
forests, historic landmarks, and agric ultural and natural 395
resources. 396
4. Strengthen Florida's position in the world economy 397
through attracting foreign investment and promoting 398
international banking and trade. 399
5. Build on the state's attractiveness to make it a leader 400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 17 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
in the visual and perfo rming arts and in all phases of film, 401
television, and recording production. 402
6. Promote economic development for Florida residents 403
through partnerships among education, business, industry, 404
agriculture, and the arts. 405
7. Provide increased opportunities fo r training Florida's 406
workforce to provide skilled employees for new and expanding 407
business. 408
8. Promote economic self -sufficiency through training and 409
educational programs which result in productive employment. 410
9. Promote cooperative employment arrangem ents between 411
private employers and public sector employment efforts to 412
provide productive, permanent employment opportunities for 413
public assistance recipients through provisions of education 414
opportunities, tax incentives, and employment training. 415
10. Provide for nondiscriminatory employment 416
opportunities. 417
11. Provide quality child day care for public assistance 418
families and others who need it in order to work. 419
12. Encourage the development of a business climate that 420
provides opportunities for the grow th and expansion of existing 421
state industries, particularly those industries which are 422
compatible with Florida's environment. 423
13. Promote coordination among Florida's ports to increase 424
their utilization. 425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 18 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
14. Encourage the full utilization by businesses of the 426
economic development enhancement programs implemented by the 427
Legislature for the purpose of extensively involving private 428
businesses in the development and expansion of permanent job 429
opportunities, especially for the economically disadvantaged, 430
through the utilization of enterprise zones, community 431
development corporations, and other programs designed to enhance 432
economic and employment opportunities. 433
Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (21) of section 434
187.201, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 435
187.201 State Comprehensive Plan adopted. —The Legislature 436
hereby adopts as the State Comprehensive Plan the following 437
specific goals and policies: 438
(21) THE ECONOMY.— 439
(b) Policies.— 440
1. Attract new job-producing industries, corporate 441
headquarters, distribution and service centers, regional 442
offices, and research and development facilities to provide 443
quality employment for the residents of Florida. 444
2. Promote entrepreneurship , and small and minority-owned 445
business startups, and business startups in economically 446
disadvantaged areas startup by providing technical and 447
information resources, facilitating capital formation, and 448
removing regulatory restraints which are unnecessary for the 449
protection of consumers and society. 450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 19 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3. Maintain, as one of the state's primary economic 451
assets, the environment, including clean air and water, beaches, 452
forests, historic landmarks, and agricultural and natural 453
resources. 454
4. Strengthen Florida's position in the world economy 455
through attracting foreign investment and promoting 456
international banking and trade. 457
5. Build on the state's attractiveness to make it a leader 458
in the visual and performing arts and in all phases of film, 459
television, and recording production. 460
6. Promote economic development for Florida re sidents 461
through partnerships among education, business, industry, 462
agriculture, and the arts. 463
7. Provide increased opportunities for training Florida's 464
workforce to provide skilled employees for new and expanding 465
business. 466
8. Promote economic self -sufficiency through training and 467
educational programs which result in productive employment. 468
9. Promote cooperative employment arrangements between 469
private employers and public sector employment efforts to 470
provide productive, permanent employment opportunitie s for 471
public assistance recipients through provisions of education 472
opportunities, tax incentives, and employment training. 473
10. Provide for nondiscriminatory employment 474
opportunities. 475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 20 of 239
F L O R I 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. Provide quality child day care for public assistance 476
families and others who need it in order to work. 477
12. Encourage the development of a business climate that 478
provides opportunities for the growth and expansion of existing 479
state industries, particularly those industries which are 480
compatible with Florida's environment . 481
13. Promote coordination among Florida's ports to increase 482
their utilization. 483
14. Encourage the full utilization by businesses of the 484
economic development enhancement programs implemented by the 485
Legislature for the purpose of extensively involving pr ivate 486
businesses in the development and expansion of permanent job 487
opportunities, especially for the economically disadvantaged, 488
through the utilization of enterprise zones, community 489
development corporations, and other programs designed to enhance 490
economic and employment opportunities. 491
Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 492
120.52, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 493
120.52 Definitions. —As used in this act: 494
(1) "Agency" means the following officers or governmental 495
entities if acting pursuant to powers other than those derived 496
from the constitution: 497
(a) The Governor; each state officer and state department, 498
and each departmental unit described in s. 20.04; the Board of 499
Governors of the State University System; the Commission on 500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 21 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Ethics; the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; a 501
regional water supply authority; a regional planning agency; a 502
multicounty special district, but only if a majority of its 503
governing board is comprised of nonelected persons; educational 504
units; and each entity described in chapters 163, 373, 380, and 505
582 and s. 186.504. 506
507
This definition does not include a municipality or legal entity 508
created solely by a municipality; a legal entity or agency 509
created in whole or in part pursuant to part II of chapter 361; 510
a metropolitan planning organization created pursuant to s. 511
339.175; a separate legal or administrative entity created 512
pursuant to s. 339.175 of which a metropolitan planning 513
organization is a member; an expressway authority pursuant to 514
chapter 348 or any transportation authority or commission under 515
chapter 343 or chapter 349; or a legal or administrative entity 516
created by an interlocal agreement pursuant to s. 163.01(7), 517
unless any party to such agreement is otherwise an agency as 518
defined in this subsecti on. 519
Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 520
made by this act to section 120.52, Florida Statutes, in a 521
reference thereto, paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of section 522
57.111, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 523
57.111 Civil actions and administrative proceedings 524
initiated by state agencies; attorneys' fees and costs. — 525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 22 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(3) As used in this section: 526
(f) The term "state agency" has the meaning described in 527
s. 120.52(1). 528
Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amen dment 529
made by this act to section 120.52, Florida Statutes, in a 530
reference thereto, Subsection (3) of section 216.241, Florida 531
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 532
216.241 Initiation or commencement of new programs; 533
approval; expenditure of certain revenues. — 534
(3) Any revenues generated by any tax or fee imposed by 535
amendment to the State Constitution after October 1, 1999, shall 536
not be expended by any agency, as defined in s. 120.52(1), 537
except pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature. 538
Section 7. Paragraph (r) of subsection (5) of section 539
212.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 540
212.08 Sales, rental, use, consumption, distribution, and 541
storage tax; specified exemptions. —The sale at retail, the 542
rental, the use, the consumption, the distribution, a nd the 543
storage to be used or consumed in this state of the following 544
are hereby specifically exempt from the tax imposed by this 545
chapter. 546
(5) EXEMPTIONS; ACCOUNT OF USE. — 547
(r) Data center property. — 548
1. As used in this paragraph, the term: 549
a. "Critical IT load" means that portion of electric power 550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 23 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
capacity, expressed in terms of megawatts, which is reserved 551
solely for owners or tenants of a data center to operate their 552
computer server equipment. The term does not include any 553
ancillary load for cooling, lighting, common areas, or other 554
equipment. 555
b. "Cumulative capital investment" means the combined 556
total of all expenses incurred by the owners or tenants of a 557
data center after July 1, 2017, in connection with acquiring, 558
constructing, instal ling, equipping, or expanding the data 559
center. However, the term does not include any expenses incurred 560
in the acquisition of improved real property operating as a data 561
center at the time of acquisition or within 6 months before the 562
acquisition. 563
c. "Data center" means a facility that: 564
(I) Consists of one or more contiguous parcels in this 565
state, along with the buildings, substations and other 566
infrastructure, fixtures, and personal property located on the 567
parcels; 568
(II) Is used exclusively to house and operate equipment 569
that receives, stores, aggregates, manages, processes, 570
transforms, retrieves, researches, or transmits data; or that is 571
necessary for the proper operation of equipment that receives, 572
stores, aggregates, manages, processes, transforms, ret rieves, 573
researches, or transmits data; 574
(III) Has a critical IT load of 15 megawatts or higher, 575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 24 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and a critical IT load of 1 megawatt or higher dedicated to each 576
individual owner or tenant within the data center; and 577
(IV) Is constructed on or after July 1, 2017. 578
d. "Data center property" means property used exclusively 579
at a data center to construct, outfit, operate, support, power, 580
cool, dehumidify, secure, or protect a data center and any 581
contiguous dedicated substations. The term includes, but is not 582
limited to, construction materials, component parts, machinery, 583
equipment, computers, servers, installations, redundancies, and 584
operating or enabling software, including any replacements, 585
updates and new versions, and upgrades to or for such property, 586
regardless of whether the property is a fixture or is otherwise 587
affixed to or incorporated into real property. The term also 588
includes electricity used exclusively at a data center. 589
2. Data center property is exempt from the tax imposed by 590
this chapter, except for the tax imposed by s. 212.031. To be 591
eligible for the exemption provided by this paragraph, the data 592
center's owners and tenants must make a cumulative capital 593
investment of $150 million or more for the data center and the 594
data center must have a cri tical IT load of 15 megawatts or 595
higher and a critical IT load of 1 megawatt or higher dedicated 596
to each individual owner or tenant within the data center. Each 597
of these requirements must be satisfied no later than 5 years 598
after the commencement of constru ction of the data center. 599
3.a. To receive the exemption provided by this paragraph, 600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 25 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the person seeking the exemption must apply to the department 601
for a temporary tax exemption certificate. The application must 602
state that a qualifying data center designat ion is being sought 603
and provide information that the requirements of subparagraph 2. 604
will be met. Upon a tentative determination by the department 605
that the data center will meet the requirements of subparagraph 606
2., the department must issue the certificate . 607
b.(I) The certificateholder shall maintain all necessary 608
books and records to support the exemption provided by this 609
paragraph. Upon satisfaction of all requirements of subparagraph 610
2., the certificateholder must deliver the temporary tax 611
certificate to the department together with documentation 612
sufficient to show the satisfaction of the requirements. Such 613
documentation must include written declarations, pursuant to s. 614
92.525, from: 615
(A) A professional engineer, licensed pursuant to chapter 616
471, certifying that the critical IT load requirement set forth 617
in subparagraph 2. has been satisfied at the data center; and 618
(B) A Florida certified public accountant, as defined in 619
s. 473.302, certifying that the cumulative capital investment 620
requirement set fort h in subparagraph 2. has been satisfied for 621
the data center. 622
623
The professional engineer and the Florida certified public 624
accountant may not be professionally related with the data 625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 26 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
center's owners, tenants, or contractors, except that they may 626
be retained by a data center owner to certify that the 627
requirements of subparagraph 2. have been met. 628
(II) If the department determines that the subparagraph 2. 629
requirements have been satisfied, the department must issue a 630
permanent tax exemption certificate. 631
(III) Notwithstanding s. 212.084(4), the permanent tax 632
exemption certificate remains valid and effective for as long as 633
the data center described in the exemption application continues 634
to operate as a data center as defined in subparagraph 1., with 635
review by the department every 5 years to ensure compliance. As 636
part of the review, the certificateholder shall, within 3 months 637
before the end of any 5 -year period, submit a written 638
declaration, pursuant to s. 92.525, certifying that the critical 639
IT load of 15 megawa tts or higher and the critical IT load of 1 640
megawatt or higher dedicated to each individual owner or tenant 641
within the data center required by subparagraph 2. continues to 642
be met. All owners, tenants, contractors, and others purchasing 643
exempt data center p roperty shall maintain all necessary books 644
and records to support the exemption as to those purchases. 645
(IV) Notwithstanding s. 213.053, the department may share 646
information concerning a temporary or permanent data center 647
exemption certificate among all o wners, tenants, contractors, 648
and others purchasing exempt data center property pursuant to 649
such certificate. 650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 27 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
c. If, in an audit conducted by the department, it is 651
determined that the certificateholder or any owners, tenants, 652
contractors, or others purcha sing, renting, or leasing data 653
center property do not meet the criteria of this paragraph, the 654
amount of taxes exempted at the time of purchase, rental, or 655
lease is immediately due and payable to the department from the 656
purchaser, renter, or lessee of thos e particular items, together 657
with the appropriate interest and penalty computed from the date 658
of purchase in the manner prescribed by this chapter. 659
Notwithstanding s. 95.091(3)(a), any tax due as provided in this 660
sub-subparagraph may be assessed by the dep artment within 6 661
years after the date the data center property was purchased. 662
d. Purchasers, lessees, and renters of data center 663
property who qualify for the exemption provided by this 664
paragraph shall obtain from the data center a copy of the tax 665
exemption certificate issued pursuant to sub -subparagraph a. or 666
sub-subparagraph b. Before or at the time of purchase of the 667
item or items eligible for exemption, the purchaser, lessee, or 668
renter shall provide to the seller a copy of the tax exemption 669
certificate and a signed certificate of entitlement. Purchasers, 670
lessees, and renters with self -accrual authority shall maintain 671
all documentation necessary to prove the exempt status of 672
purchases. 673
e. For any purchase, lease, or rental of property that is 674
exempt pursuant to this paragraph, the possession of a copy of a 675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 28 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
tax exemption certificate issued pursuant to sub -subparagraph a. 676
or sub-subparagraph b. and a signed certificate of entitlement 677
relieves the seller of the responsibility of collecting the tax 678
on the sale, lease, or rental of such property, and the 679
department must look solely to the purchaser, renter, or lessee 680
for recovery of the tax if it determines that the purchase, 681
rental, or lease was not entitled to the exemption. 682
4. After June 30, 2027, the de partment may not issue a 683
temporary tax exemption certificate pursuant to this paragraph. 684
Section 8. Paragraph (d) of subsection (21) of section 685
253.025, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 686
253.025 Acquisition of state lands. — 687
(21) 688
(d)1. A conveyance at less than appraised value must state 689
that the land will revert to the board of trustees if the land 690
is not used for its intended purposes as a military installation 691
buffer or if the military installation closes. 692
2. Subparagraph 1. does not apply to the United States 693
Department of Defense, including its subordinate military 694
departments, and the United States Coast Guard if the 695
generalized and overarching intended purpose as a military 696
installation buffer remains in place, even though the specific 697
military purpose, mission, and function in using the conveyed 698
land changes from that presented or proposed at the time of the 699
conveyance. 700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 29 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 701
288.001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 702
288.001 The Florida Small Business Development Center 703
Network.— 704
(4) STATEWIDE ADVISORY BOARD. — 705
(b) The statewide advisory board shall consist of 19 706
members from across the state. At least 12 members must be 707
representatives of the private sector who are knowledgeab le of 708
the needs and challenges of small businesses. The members must 709
represent various segments and industries of the economy in this 710
state and must bring knowledge and skills to the statewide 711
advisory board which would enhance the board's collective 712
knowledge of small business assistance needs and challenges. 713
Minority and gender Representation from economically 714
disadvantaged areas within this state must be considered when 715
making appointments to the board. The board must include the 716
following members: 717
1. Three members appointed from the private sector by the 718
President of the Senate. 719
2. Three members appointed from the private sector by the 720
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 721
3. Three members appointed from the private sector by the 722
Governor. 723
4. Three members appointed from the private sector by the 724
network's statewide director. 725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 30 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5. One member appointed by the host institution. 726
6. The Secretary of Commerce or his or her designee. 727
7. The Chief Financial Officer or his or her designee. 728
8. The President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce or his 729
or her designee. 730
9. The Small Business Development Center Project Officer 731
from the U.S. Small Business Administration at the South Florida 732
District Office or his or her designee. 733
10. The executive di rector of the National Federation of 734
Independent Businesses, Florida, or his or her designee. 735
11. The executive director of the Florida United Business 736
Association or his or her designee. 737
Section 10. Subsection (8) of section 288.0065, Florida 738
Statutes, is amended to read: 739
288.0065 Annual incentives report. —By December 30 of each 740
year, the department shall provide the Governor, the President 741
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a 742
detailed incentives report quantifying the e conomic benefits for 743
all of the economic development incentive programs administered 744
by the department and its public -private partnerships. The 745
annual incentives report must include: 746
(8) A description of the trends relating to business 747
interest in, and usage of, the various incentives, and the 748
number of small minority-owned or woman-owned businesses and 749
businesses in economically disadvantaged areas receiving 750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 31 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
incentives. 751
Section 11. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) and paragraph 752
(a) of subsection (6) o f section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, are 753
amended to read: 754
288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative. — 755
(2) As used in this section, the term: 756
(e) "Rural community" means: 757
1. A county with a population of 85,000 75,000 or fewer. 758
2. A county with a population of less than 135,000 that 759
125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a 760
population of less than 85,000 75,000 or fewer. 761
3. A municipality within a county described in 762
subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. 763
4. An unincorporated fe deral enterprise community or an 764
incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or fewer and 765
an employment base focused on municipalities with at least 20 766
traditional agricultural or resource -based industries, located 767
in a county not defined as rural, which has at least three or 768
more of the economic distress factors identified in paragraph 769
(c) and verified by the department. 770
771
For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined 772
in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to 773
s. 186.901. 774
(6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the 775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 32 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy 776
secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or 777
organization to serve as the REDI representative for the a gency 778
or organization: 779
1. The Department of Transportation. 780
2. The Department of Environmental Protection. 781
3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 782
4. The Department of State. 783
5. The Department of Health. 784
6. The Department of Children and Families. 785
7. The Department of Corrections. 786
8. The Department of Education. 787
9. The Department of Juvenile Justice. 788
10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 789
11. Each water management district. 790
12. CareerSource Florida, Inc . 791
13. VISIT Florida. 792
14. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association. 793
14.15. The Agency for Health Care Administration. 794
15.16. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 795
(IFAS). 796
797
An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and t he 798
names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the 799
Secretary of Commerce. 800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 33 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 12. Section 288.06562, Florida Statutes, is 801
created to read: 802
288.06562 Rural Accelerator Program. — 803
(1) The Rural Accelerator Program is created within the 804
department to facilitate grant funding for a rural community to 805
identify, prepare, and promote a catalyst site for economic 806
development. 807
(2) The department shall accept grant applications from a 808
rural community, as well as any local economic development g roup 809
applying on behalf of a rural community. 810
(3) The department shall collaborate with the Florida 811
Regional Economic Development Association to review grant 812
applications. 813
(4) Funds shall be appropriated from the Rural 814
Infrastructure Fund and distribut ed by the department to rural 815
communities for the purposes of marketing or catalyst site 816
readiness. 817
(a) Marketing expenses may include, but need not be 818
limited to, deploying materials through advertising campaigns, 819
as well as any costs associated with me etings, trade missions, 820
and professional development affiliated with marketing catalyst 821
sites to businesses and catalyst site selectors. 822
(b) Catalyst site readiness expenses may include, but need 823
not be limited to, clearing title, survey, and permitting 824
questions, environmental studies, regulatory compliance, 825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 34 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
planning design, and engineering costs. Such expenses may also 826
include match funding for federal and private grants associated 827
with catalyst site readiness and nonrecurring administrative 828
expenses associated with catalyst site readiness. 829
(5) Grant recipients that incur any expenses in subsection 830
(4) may be reimbursed for such expenses or compensated through a 831
direct payment method. 832
(6) The department may adopt rules to implement this 833
section. 834
(7) As used in this section, the term: 835
(a) "Rural community" has the same meaning as in s. 836
288.0656(1). 837
(b) "Catalyst site" has the same meaning as in s. 838
288.0656(1). 839
Section 13. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 840
288.1229, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 841
288.1229 Promotion and development of sports -related 842
industries and amateur athletics; direct -support organization 843
established; powers and duties. — 844
(2) The Florida Sports Foundation must: 845
(b) Be governed by a board of directors, w hich must 846
consist of up to 15 members appointed by the Governor. In making 847
appointments, the Governor must consider a potential member's 848
background in community service and sports activism in, and 849
financial support of, the sports industry, professional spo rts, 850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 35 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
or organized amateur athletics. Members must be residents of the 851
state and highly knowledgeable about or active in professional 852
or organized amateur sports. 853
1. The board must contain representatives of all 854
geographical regions of the state and must represent ethnic and 855
gender diversity. 856
2. The terms of office of the members shall be 4 years. No 857
member may serve more than two consecutive terms. The Governor 858
may remove any member for cause and shall fill all vacancies 859
that occur. 860
Section 14. Section 288.124, Florida Statutes, is amended 861
to read: 862
288.124 Convention grants program. —The Florida Tourism 863
Industry Marketing Corporation is authorized to establish a 864
convention grants program and, pursuant to that program, to 865
recommend to the department expenditures and contracts with 866
local governments and nonprofit corporations or organizations 867
for the purpose of attracting national conferences and 868
conventions to Florida. Preference shall be given to local 869
governments and nonprofit corporations or organi zations seeking 870
to attract minority conventions to Florida. Minority conventions 871
are events that primarily involve minority persons, as defined 872
in s. 288.703, who are residents or nonresidents of the state. 873
The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporatio n shall 874
establish guidelines governing the award of grants and the 875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 36 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
administration of this program. The department has final 876
approval authority for any grants under this section. The total 877
annual allocation of funds for this program shall not exceed 878
$40,000. 879
Section 15. The Division of Law Revision is directed to 880
rename part IV of chapter 288, Florida Statutes, consisting of 881
ss. 288.7015-288.7103, entitled "Small and Minority Business," 882
as "Small Businesses and Businesses in Economically 883
Disadvantaged Areas." 884
Section 16. Section 288.702, Florida Statutes, is amended 885
to read: 886
288.702 Short title. —This section and ss. 288.703 -288.706 887
may be cited as the "Florida Assistance to Small Businesses and 888
Businesses in Economically Disadvantaged Areas Minority Business 889
Assistance Act." 890
Section 17. Section 288.703, Florida Statutes, is amended 891
to read: 892
288.703 Definitions. —As used in ss. 288.702 -288.706, the 893
term: 894
(1) "Business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 895
area" means a business located in a defined geographic area in 896
this state in which one of the following documented conditions 897
exists: 898
(a) Per capita income in the geographic area is less than 899
80 percent of the state per capita income. 900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 37 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) The unemployment rate in the geographic area h as been 901
greater than the unemployment rate for the state by more than 902
one percent over the previous 24 months from the time the 903
comparison is made "Certified minority business enterprise" 904
means a business which has been certified by the certifying 905
organization or jurisdiction in accordance with s. 287.0943(1) 906
and (2). 907
(2) "Financial institution" means any bank, trust company, 908
insurance company, savings and loan association, credit union, 909
federal lending agency, or foundation. 910
(3) "Minority business ente rprise" means any small 911
business concern as defined in subsection (6) which is organized 912
to engage in commercial transactions, which is domiciled in 913
Florida, and which is at least 51 -percent-owned by minority 914
persons who are members of an insular group tha t is of a 915
particular racial, ethnic, or gender makeup or national origin, 916
which has been subjected historically to disparate treatment due 917
to identification in and with that group resulting in an 918
underrepresentation of commercial enterprises under the grou p's 919
control, and whose management and daily operations are 920
controlled by such persons. A minority business enterprise may 921
primarily involve the practice of a profession. Ownership by a 922
minority person does not include ownership which is the result 923
of a transfer from a nonminority person to a minority person 924
within a related immediate family group if the combined total 925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 38 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
net asset value of all members of such family group exceeds $1 926
million. For purposes of this subsection, the term "related 927
immediate family group" means one or more children under 16 928
years of age and a parent of such children or the spouse of such 929
parent residing in the same house or living unit. 930
(4) "Minority person" means a lawful, permanent resident 931
of Florida who is: 932
(a) An African Amer ican, a person having origins in any of 933
the black racial groups of the African Diaspora, regardless of 934
cultural origin. 935
(b) A Hispanic American, a person of Spanish or Portuguese 936
culture with origins in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South America, 937
Central America, or the Caribbean, regardless of race. 938
(c) An Asian American, a person having origins in any of 939
the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian 940
Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands, including the Hawaiian 941
Islands before 1778. 942
(d) A Native American, a person who has origins in any of 943
the Indian Tribes of North America before 1835, upon 944
presentation of proper documentation thereof as established by 945
rule of the Department of Management Services. 946
(e) An American woman. 947
(3)(5) "Ombudsman" means an office or individual whose 948
responsibilities include coordinating with the Office of 949
Supplier Development Diversity for the interests of and 950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 39 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
providing assistance to small businesses and business 951
enterprises in an economically disadvantaged a reas and minority 952
business enterprises in dealing with governmental agencies and 953
in developing proposals for changes in state agency rules. 954
(4)(6) "Small business" means an independently owned and 955
operated business concern that employs 200 or fewer perma nent 956
full-time employees and that, together with its affiliates, has 957
a net worth of not more than $5 million or any firm based in 958
this state which has a Small Business Administration 8(a) 959
certification. As applicable to sole proprietorships, the $5 960
million net worth requirement shall include both personal and 961
business investments. 962
Section 18. Section 288.705, Florida Statutes, is amended 963
to read: 964
288.705 Statewide contracts register. —All state agencies 965
shall in a timely manner provide the Florida Small Business 966
Development Center Procurement System with all formal 967
solicitations for contractual services, supplies, and 968
commodities. The Small Busines s Development Center shall 969
coordinate with Minority Business Development Centers in 970
economically disadvantaged areas to compile and distribute this 971
information to small and minority businesses and businesses 972
located in economically disadvantaged areas requesting such 973
service for the period of time necessary to familiarize the 974
business with the market represented by state agencies. On or 975
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 40 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
before February 1 of each year, the Small Business Development 976
Center shall report to the department on the use of th e 977
statewide contracts register. The report shall include, but not 978
be limited to, information relating to: 979
(1) The total number of solicitations received from state 980
agencies during the calendar year. 981
(2) The number of solicitations received from each st ate 982
agency during the calendar year. 983
(3) The method of distributing solicitation information to 984
businesses requesting such service. 985
(4) The total number of businesses using the service. 986
(5) The percentage of businesses using the service which 987
are owned and controlled by minorities. 988
(5)(6) The percentage of service -disabled veteran business 989
enterprises using the service. 990
Section 19. Section 288.706, Florida Statutes, is 991
repealed. 992
Section 20. Section 288.7094, Florida Statutes, is 993
repealed. 994
Section 21. Section 288.7102, Florida Statutes, is 995
repealed. 996
Section 22. Section 288.71025, Florida Statutes, is 997
repealed. 998
Section 23. Section 288.7103, Florida Statutes, is 999
repealed. 1000
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 41 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 24. Section 288.714, Florida Statutes, is 1001
repealed. 1002
Section 25. Subsection (1) of section 288.776, Florida 1003
Statutes, is amended to read: 1004
288.776 Board of directors; powers and duties. — 1005
(1)(a) The corporation shall have a board of directors 1006
consisting of 15 members representing all geographic areas of 1007
the state. Minority and gender representation must be considered 1008
when making appointments to the board. The board membership must 1009
include: 1010
1. A representative of the following businesses, all of 1011
which must be registered to do business in this state: a foreign 1012
bank, a state bank, a federal bank, an insurance company 1013
involved in covering trade financing risks, and a small or 1014
medium-sized exporter. 1015
2. The following persons or their designee: the Secretary 1016
of Commerce, the Chief Financial Officer, the S ecretary of 1017
State, and a senior official of the United States Department of 1018
Commerce. 1019
(b) Appointees who are not state or Federal Government 1020
officials shall serve for a term of 3 years and shall be 1021
eligible for reappointment. Nonstate and nonfederal offi cial 1022
vacancies on the board shall be filled by the board within 30 1023
days after the effective date of the vacancy. 1024
Section 26. Section 288.9628, Florida Statutes, is created 1025
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 42 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to read: 1026
288.9628 Research, Innovation, Science, and Engineering 1027
(RISE) Investment Tax Credit Program. — 1028
(1) The Legislature finds that strengthening this state's 1029
early-stage business ecosystem, and supporting cutting -edge 1030
innovation, is essential for fostering innovation and economic 1031
growth. The early-stage business ecosystem, fue led by state 1032
institutions of higher learning and private industry growth, 1033
represents significant opportunities for this state to retain 1034
entrepreneurial talent and provides an overall benefit for 1035
jobseekers, employers, families, communities, and the overall 1036
economy of this state. 1037
(2) There is established within the Department of Commerce 1038
the Research, Innovation, Science, and Engineering (RISE) 1039
Investment Tax Credit Program. The purpose of the RISE program 1040
is to increase venture capital investment in this state. The 1041
department shall coordinate with the board and the State Board 1042
of Administration in reviewing and approving applications for 1043
tax credits under this section. 1044
(3) As used in this section, the term: 1045
(a) "Accredited investor" has the same meanin g as in s. 1046
517.021. 1047
(b) "Advisory affiliate" has the same meaning as in s. 1048
517.12(22)(a). 1049
(c) "Affiliate" has the same meaning as in s. 517.021. 1050
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 43 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(d) "Applicant" means an advisory affiliate, exempt 1051
reporting adviser, or investment adviser who submits or updates 1052
an application on behalf of a qualifying private fund. 1053
(e) "Associated person" has the same meaning as in s. 1054
517.021. 1055
(f) "Company" means any business in this state, or a 1056
business with more than 50 percent of its workforce in this 1057
state, with 500 or fewer employees, and which is engaged in a 1058
project. 1059
(g) "Department" means the Department of Commerce. 1060
(h) "Exempt reporting adviser" has the same meaning as s. 1061
517.12(22)(a). 1062
(i) "Investment adviser" has the same meaning as in s. 1063
517.021. 1064
(j) "Investor" means any person or entity that has made a 1065
capital contribution to a qualifying private fund. 1066
(k) "Private fund adviser" has the same meaning as in s. 1067
517.12(22)(a). 1068
(l) "Project" means research and development that leads 1069
to, or is anticipated to lead to, the creation of new or useful 1070
improvement of technologies, agricultural technologies, devices, 1071
processes, machines, manufacturing, or composition of matter. 1072
The term includes innovative activities of a company or a public 1073
university or college. 1074
(m) "Qualifying investment" has same the meaning as in 17 1075
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 44 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
C.F.R. s. 275.203(l) -1(c)(3). The term includes an investment in 1076
one or more companies or projects. 1077
(n) "Qualifying portfolio company" has the meaning s in 17 1078
C.F.R. s. 275.203(l) -1(c)(4). The term includes a company as 1079
defined in this subsection, at the time of investment. 1080
(o) "Qualifying private fund" has the same meaning as in 1081
s. 517.12(22)(a). The term includes an angel investor group as 1082
defined in s. 517.021. 1083
(p) "Total capital commitment" means the total amount of 1084
cash funding the qualifying private fund intends to raise to 1085
make one or more qualifying investments in one or more 1086
qualifying portfolio companies. 1087
(4)(a)1. The department may grant tax credits under this 1088
section upon the submission of an application by an applicant. 1089
The department must review and approve or deny a completed 1090
application within 60 days of receipt of the application. 1091
2. An applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of 1092
the department within 12 months of submitting the completed 1093
application to the department that the qualifying private fund 1094
has received at least the total capital commitment stated in the 1095
application. 1096
(b) The application must include, at a minimum: 1097
1. The names of any accredit ed investors, advisory 1098
affiliates, affiliates, associated persons, exempt reporting 1099
advisers, investment advisers, or private fund advisers 1100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 45 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
associated with the qualifying private fund, as applicable. 1101
2. The names of any investors in the qualifying privat e 1102
fund, as applicable. 1103
3. The estimated total number of qualifying investments in 1104
qualifying portfolio companies. 1105
4. The total capital commitment of the qualifying private 1106
fund. 1107
(c) An applicant shall update the completed application if 1108
there is a material change that affects the accuracy or 1109
completeness of the information provided in the application. 1110
(5)(a) The amount of tax credits available in a fiscal 1111
year under the RISE program may not exceed $100 million. 1112
(b) The department may not issue tax credits to a 1113
qualifying private fund until the qualifying private fund 1114
demonstrates that it has received its total capital commitment. 1115
(c) The department may not issue more than $10 million in 1116
tax credits to a qualifying private fund in a fiscal year un der 1117
the RISE program. 1118
(6)(a) For purposes of eligibility to receive tax credits 1119
under the RISE program, a qualifying private fund shall submit 1120
documentation to the department which demonstrates to the 1121
reasonable satisfaction of the department that the qu alifying 1122
investment meets the requirements of this section. For purposes 1123
of this section, follow -on capital commitments may be considered 1124
by the department only after the follow -on investment has been 1125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 46 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
deployed. 1126
(b) A qualifying private fund must make one or more 1127
qualified investments in one or more qualifying portfolio 1128
projects to be eligible to receive tax credits under the RISE 1129
program. 1130
(c) Each application submission by a qualifying private 1131
fund that receives tax credits for a qualifying investment i n a 1132
qualifying portfolio company shall include, at a minimum: 1133
1. The amount of cash deployed by the qualifying private 1134
fund to a qualifying investment in a qualifying portfolio 1135
company. 1136
2. The total number of employees employed by the 1137
qualifying portfolio company. 1138
3. The total number of Florida -based full-time equivalent 1139
employees employed by the qualifying portfolio company. 1140
(7)(a) A qualifying private fund may receive tax credits 1141
equivalent to 25 percent of a qualifying investment in a 1142
qualifying portfolio company. 1143
(b) Upon a determination by the department that the 1144
qualifying investment is eligible to receive tax credits under 1145
this section, the department may authorize the Department of 1146
Revenue to issue tax credits to the qualifying private fund . 1147
(c) The Department of Revenue may not issue more than one -1148
fifth of the tax credits authorized for a qualifying investment 1149
in a qualifying portfolio company in a fiscal year. 1150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 47 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(d) Tax credits issued under the RISE program may be 1151
applied against the cor porate income tax liability of the 1152
qualifying private fund. A qualifying private fund may sell or 1153
transfer, in whole or in part, tax credits issued under the RISE 1154
program. An election to sell or transfer any tax credit issued 1155
under the RISE program must be made within 5 years of issuance 1156
of the tax credits to the qualifying private fund, after which 1157
the tax credits expire and may not be used. A qualifying private 1158
fund may not sell or transfer tax credits that have been 1159
authorized by the department but not y et issued by the 1160
Department of Revenue. 1161
(e) The department may revoke or modify a written 1162
determination to grant tax credits under the RISE program if the 1163
department: 1164
1. Learns that an applicant has made a false statement, 1165
representation, or certificat ion in a completed application; 1166
2. If an applicant fails to update its information in a 1167
previously submitted completed application; or 1168
3. An applicant fails to notify the Department of Revenue 1169
of any change in its tax credit claimed. 1170
1171
The department shall immediately notify the Department of 1172
Revenue of the revocation or modification of previously issued 1173
tax credits. 1174
(8)(a) To remain eligible to receive tax credits under the 1175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 48 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
RISE program, a qualifying private fund shall, for each 1176
qualifying investment in a qualifying portfolio company, submit 1177
an annual report to the department for 5 years following the 1178
department's authorization of the issuance of tax credits. 1179
(b) The annual report must contain, at a minimum: 1180
1. A certification that there have been no material 1181
changes to the information contained in the previously submitted 1182
completed application or, if material changes have occurred, a 1183
disclosure stating the material changes. 1184
2. Documentation supporting the total number of full -time 1185
equivalent employees employed by the qualifying portfolio 1186
company. 1187
3. Documentation supporting the total number of Florida -1188
based full-time equivalent employees employed by the qualifying 1189
portfolio company. 1190
4. Documentation supporting that the qualifying private 1191
fund has not exited its position from the qualifying portfolio 1192
company through acquisition by a non -Florida-based company. 1193
(9) For purposes of this section and part III of chapter 1194
692, committed capital invested in a qualifying portfolio 1195
company by a venture capital fund does not constitute ownership 1196
of the qualifying portfolio company. 1197
(10) Beginning on December 30, 2026, the department shall 1198
include in the annual incentives report required by s. 288.0065 1199
the amounts of tax credits granted and issued under the RISE 1200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 49 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
program, the total number of jobs created, and the total number 1201
of jobs created in this state. 1202
(11) The department may adopt rules to implement this 1203
section. 1204
Section 27. Subsection (10) of section 290.0056, Florida 1205
Statutes, is amended to re ad: 1206
290.0056 Enterprise zone development agency. — 1207
(10) Contingent upon approval by the governing body, the 1208
agency may invest in community investment corporations which 1209
conduct, or agree to conduct, loan guarantee programs assisting 1210
minority business enterprises located in the enterprise zone. In 1211
making such investments, the agency shall first attempt to 1212
invest in existing community investment corporations providing 1213
services in the enterprise zone. Such investments shall be made 1214
under conditions required by law and as the agency may require, 1215
including, but not limited to: 1216
(a) The funds invested by the agency shall be used to 1217
provide loan guarantees to individuals for minority business 1218
enterprises located in the enterprise zone. 1219
(b) The community inves tment corporation may not approve 1220
any application for a loan guarantee unless the person applying 1221
for the loan guarantee shows that he or she has applied for the 1222
loan or loan guarantee through normal banking channels and that 1223
the loan or loan guarantee has been refused by at least one bank 1224
or other financial institution. 1225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 50 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 28. Subsection (4) of section 331.302, Florida 1226
Statutes, is amended to read: 1227
331.302 Space Florida; creation; purpose. — 1228
(4)(a) Space Florida is not an agency as defined in s s. 1229
216.011 and 287.012. 1230
(b)1. Space Florida is not an agency as defined in s. 1231
287.055, and is not subject to s. 255.20, if Space Florida 1232
enters into a purchase agreement for professional services or 1233
construction services, or both, with a person who is n ot subject 1234
to s. 287.055, and: 1235
a. The terms in the executed purchase agreement are 1236
acceptable to Space Florida. 1237
b. The person provides an unqualified representation and 1238
warranty to Space Florida pursuant to the agreement that the 1239
payments by the person to Space Florida in return for the 1240
possession and use of the project by the person is not derived, 1241
directly or indirectly, from state or local government funds. 1242
2. For purposes of subparagraph 1., revenue received by 1243
the person as consideration for good s produced and services 1244
provided by the person to governmental entities in the ordinary 1245
course of its operation of the project are not state or local 1246
government funds. 1247
Section 29. Section 331.351, Florida Statutes, is amended 1248
to read: 1249
331.351 Participation by business enterprises in women, 1250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 51 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minorities, and socially and economically disadvantaged areas 1251
business enterprises encouraged.—It is the intent of the 1252
Legislature and the public policy of this state that business 1253
enterprises in women, minorities, and socially and economically 1254
disadvantaged areas business enterprises be encouraged to 1255
participate fully in all phases of economic and community 1256
development. Accordingly, to achieve such purpose, Space Florida 1257
shall, in accordance with applicable state an d federal law, 1258
involve and utilize business enterprises in women, minorities, 1259
and socially and economically disadvantaged areas business 1260
enterprises in all phases of the design, development, 1261
construction, maintenance, and operation of spaceports developed 1262
under this act. 1263
Section 30. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 1264
445.004, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1265
445.004 CareerSource Florida, Inc., and the state board; 1266
creation; purpose; membership; duties and powers. — 1267
(3)(a) Members of the state board described in Pub. L. No. 1268
113-128, Title I, s. 101(b)(1)(C)(iii)(I)(aa) are voting 1269
members. The number of members is determined by the Governor, 1270
who shall consider the importance of minority, gender, and 1271
geographic representation in making appoi ntments to the state 1272
board. When the Governor is in attendance, he or she shall 1273
preside at all meetings of the state board. 1274
Section 31. Subsections (9) through (15) of section 1275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 52 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
445.007, Florida Statutes, are renumbered (8) through (14), 1276
respectively, and subsection (1) and present subsection (8) of 1277
that section are amended, to read: 1278
445.007 Local workforce development boards. — 1279
(1) One local workforce development board shall be 1280
appointed in each designated service delivery area and shall 1281
serve as the local workforce development board pursuant to Pub. 1282
L. No. 113-128. The membership of the local board must be 1283
consistent with Pub. L. No. 113 -128, Title I, s. 107(b). If a 1284
public education or training provider is represented on the 1285
local board, a representa tive of a private education provider 1286
must also be appointed to the local board. The state board may 1287
waive this requirement if requested by a local board if it is 1288
demonstrated that such representatives do not exist in the 1289
region. The importance of minority and gender representation 1290
shall be considered when making appointments to the local board. 1291
The local board, its committees, subcommittees, and 1292
subdivisions, and other units of the workforce system, including 1293
units that may consist in whole or in part of lo cal governmental 1294
units, may use any method of telecommunications to conduct 1295
meetings, including establishing a quorum through 1296
telecommunications, provided that the public is given proper 1297
notice of the telecommunications meeting and reasonable access 1298
to observe and, when appropriate, participate. Local boards are 1299
subject to chapters 119 and 286 and s. 24, Art. I of the State 1300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 53 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Constitution. Each member of a local board who is not otherwise 1301
required to file a full and public disclosure of financial 1302
interests under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 1303
112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under s. 1304
112.3145. The executive director or designated person 1305
responsible for the operational and administrative functions of 1306
the local board who is n ot otherwise required to file a full and 1307
public disclosure of financial interests under s. 8, Art. II of 1308
the State Constitution or s. 112.3144 shall file a statement of 1309
financial interests under s. 112.3145. The local board's 1310
website, or the department's w ebsite if the local board does not 1311
maintain a website, must inform the public that each disclosure 1312
or statement has been filed with the Commission on Ethics and 1313
provide information how each disclosure or statement may be 1314
reviewed. The notice to the public must remain on the website 1315
throughout the term of office or employment of the filer and 1316
until 1 year after the term on the local board or employment 1317
ends. 1318
(8) The importance of minority and gender representation 1319
shall be considered when appointments are made to any committee 1320
established by the local workforce development board. 1321
Section 32. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and subsection 1322
(9) of section 445.08, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1323
445.08 Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Paym ent 1324
Program.— 1325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 54 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(4) The department shall develop an annual plan for the 1326
administration of the program and distribution of bonus 1327
payments. Applicable employing agencies shall assist the 1328
department with the collection of any data necessary to 1329
determine bonus payment amounts and to distribute the bonus 1330
payments, and shall otherwise provide the department with any 1331
information or assistance needed to fulfill the requirements of 1332
this section. At a minimum, the plan must include: 1333
(b) The minimum eligibility requ irements a newly employed 1334
officer must meet to receive and retain a bonus payment, which 1335
must include: 1336
1. Obtaining certification for employment or appointment 1337
as a law enforcement officer pursuant to s. 943.1395. 1338
2. Gaining full-time employment with a Florida criminal 1339
justice agency. 1340
3. Maintaining continuous full-time employment with a 1341
Florida criminal justice agency for at least 2 years from the 1342
date on which the officer obtained certification. The required 1343
2-year employment period may be satisfied by maintaining 1344
employment at one or more employing agencies, but such period 1345
must not contain any break in service longer than 180 15 1346
calendar days. A law enforcement officer must provide 1347
documentation to the department justifying any break in service. 1348
The department shall establish the acceptable circumstances for 1349
any such break in service through its rulemaking authority 1350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 55 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
established in subsection (8). Any break in service does not 1351
count towards satisfying the 2 -year full-time employment 1352
requirement in this subparagraph. 1353
1354
The department may establish other criteria deemed necessary to 1355
determine bonus payment eligibility and distribution. 1356
(9) This section expires July 1, 2025. 1357
Section 33. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 1358
447.203, Florida Sta tutes, is amended to read: 1359
447.203 Definitions. —As used in this part: 1360
(4) "Managerial employees" are those employees who: 1361
(a) Perform jobs that are not of a routine, clerical, or 1362
ministerial nature and require the exercise of independent 1363
judgment in the performance of such jobs and to whom one or more 1364
of the following applies: 1365
1. They formulate or assist in formulating policies which 1366
are applicable to bargaining unit employees. 1367
2. They may reasonably be required on behalf of the 1368
employer to assist in the preparation for the conduct of 1369
collective bargaining negotiations. 1370
3. They have a role in the administration of agreements 1371
resulting from collective bargaining negotiations. 1372
4. They have a significant role in personnel 1373
administration. 1374
5. They have a significant role in employee relations. 1375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 56 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6. They are included in the definition of administrative 1376
personnel contained in s. 1012.01(3). 1377
7. They have a significant role in the preparation or 1378
administration of budgets for any public agency or inst itution 1379
or subdivision thereof. 1380
8. They have a significant and specific role executing 1381
statewide business and economic development projects in support 1382
of business recruitment, retention, and expansion. 1383
1384
However, in determining whether an individual is a managerial 1385
employee pursuant to paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), above, the 1386
commission may consider historic relationships of the employee 1387
to the public employer and to coemployees. 1388
Section 34. A county and municipality may enter into an 1389
agreement to create a regional planning entity pursuant to 1390
chapter 163, Florida Statutes. 1391
Section 35. The Division of Law Revision is directed to 1392
revise the title of chapter 186, Florida Statutes, to read 1393
"State Planning." 1394
Section 36. Sections 186.501, 186.502, 1 86.503, 186.504, 1395
186.505, 186.506, 186.507, 186.508, 186.509, 186.511, 186.512, 1396
186.513, and 186.515, Florida Statutes, are repealed. 1397
Section 37. Subsection (4) of section 120.525, Florida 1398
Statutes, is amended to read: 1399
120.525 Meetings, hearings, and workshops.— 1400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 57 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(4) For purposes of establishing a quorum at meetings of 1401
regional planning councils that cover three or more counties, a 1402
voting member who appears via telephone, real -time 1403
videoconferencing, or similar real -time electronic or video 1404
communication that is broadcast publicly at the meeting location 1405
may be counted toward the quorum requirement if at least one -1406
third of the voting members of the regional planning council are 1407
physically present at the meeting location. A member must 1408
provide oral, written, or electronic notice of his or her intent 1409
to appear via telephone, real -time videoconferencing, or similar 1410
real-time electronic or video communication to the regional 1411
planning council at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting. 1412
Section 38. Subsections (44) through (54) of section 1413
163.3164, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (43) 1414
through (53), respectively, and present subsections (43) and 1415
(47) of that section are amended, to read: 1416
163.3164 Community Planning Act; defin itions.—As used in 1417
this act: 1418
(43) "Regional planning agency" means the council created 1419
pursuant to chapter 186. 1420
(46)(47) "Structure" has the same meaning as in s. 1421
380.031(18) s. 380.031(19). 1422
Section 39. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) and 1423
paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 163.3184, Florida 1424
Statutes, are amended to read: 1425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 58 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
163.3184 Process for adoption of comprehensive plan or 1426
plan amendment.— 1427
(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 1428
(b) "In compliance" means consiste nt with the requirements 1429
of ss. 163.3177, 163.3178, 163.3180, 163.3191, 163.3245, and 1430
163.3248, with the appropriate strategic regional policy plan, 1431
and with the principles for guiding development in designated 1432
areas of critical state concern and with part III of chapter 1433
369, where applicable. 1434
(c) "Reviewing agencies" means: 1435
1. The state land planning agency; 1436
2. The appropriate regional planning council; 1437
2.3. The appropriate water management district; 1438
3.4. The Department of Environmental Protectio n; 1439
4.5. The Department of State; 1440
5.6. The Department of Transportation; 1441
6.7. In the case of plan amendments relating to public 1442
schools, the Department of Education; 1443
7.8. In the case of plans or plan amendments that affect a 1444
military installation listed in s. 163.3175, the commanding 1445
officer of the affected military installation; 1446
8.9. In the case of county plans and plan amendments, the 1447
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Co mmission and the Department of 1448
Agriculture and Consumer Services; and 1449
9.10. In the case of municipal plans and plan amendments, 1450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 59 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the county in which the municipality is located. 1451
(3) EXPEDITED STATE REVIEW PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF 1452
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMEND MENTS.— 1453
(b)1. The local government, after the initial public 1454
hearing held pursuant to subsection (11), shall transmit within 1455
10 working days the amendment or amendments and appropriate 1456
supporting data and analyses to the reviewing agencies. The 1457
local governing body shall also transmit a copy of the 1458
amendments and supporting data and analyses to any other local 1459
government or governmental agency that has filed a written 1460
request with the governing body. 1461
2. The reviewing agencies and any other local governm ent 1462
or governmental agency specified in subparagraph 1. may provide 1463
comments regarding the amendment or amendments to the local 1464
government. State agencies shall only comment on important state 1465
resources and facilities that will be adversely impacted by the 1466
amendment if adopted. Comments provided by state agencies shall 1467
state with specificity how the plan amendment will adversely 1468
impact an important state resource or facility and shall 1469
identify measures the local government may take to eliminate, 1470
reduce, or mitigate the adverse impacts. Such comments, if not 1471
resolved, may result in a challenge by the state land planning 1472
agency to the plan amendment. Agencies and local governments 1473
must transmit their comments to the affected local government 1474
such that they are received by the local government not later 1475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 60 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
than 30 days after the date on which the agency or government 1476
received the amendment or amendments. Reviewing agencies shall 1477
also send a copy of their comments to the state land planning 1478
agency. 1479
3. Comments to the local government from a regional 1480
planning council, county, or municipality shall be limited as 1481
follows: 1482
a. The regional planning council review and comments shall 1483
be limited to adverse effects on regional resources or 1484
facilities identified in the str ategic regional policy plan and 1485
extrajurisdictional impacts that would be inconsistent with the 1486
comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the 1487
region. A regional planning council may not review and comment 1488
on a proposed comprehensive plan a mendment prepared by such 1489
council unless the plan amendment has been changed by the local 1490
government subsequent to the preparation of the plan amendment 1491
by the regional planning council. 1492
a.b. County comments shall be in the context of the 1493
relationship and effect of the proposed plan amendments on the 1494
county plan. 1495
b.c. Municipal comments shall be in the context of the 1496
relationship and effect of the proposed plan amendments on the 1497
municipal plan. 1498
c.d. Military installation comments shall be provided in 1499
accordance with s. 163.3175. 1500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 61 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4. Comments to the local government from state agencies 1501
shall be limited to the following subjects as they relate to 1502
important state resources and facilities that will be adversely 1503
impacted by the amendment if adopted: 1504
a. The Department of Environmental Protection shall limit 1505
its comments to the subjects of air and water pollution; 1506
wetlands and other surface waters of the state; federal and 1507
state-owned lands and interest in lands, including state parks, 1508
greenways and trails, and conservation easements; solid waste; 1509
water and wastewater treatment; and the Everglades ecosystem 1510
restoration. 1511
b. The Department of State shall limit its comments to the 1512
subjects of historic and archaeological resources. 1513
c. The Department of Trans portation shall limit its 1514
comments to issues within the agency's jurisdiction as it 1515
relates to transportation resources and facilities of state 1516
importance. 1517
d. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall 1518
limit its comments to subjects relating to fish and wildlife 1519
habitat and listed species and their habitat. 1520
e. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 1521
shall limit its comments to the subjects of agriculture, 1522
forestry, and aquaculture issues. 1523
f. The Department of Education shall limit its comments to 1524
the subject of public school facilities. 1525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 62 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
g. The appropriate water management district shall limit 1526
its comments to flood protection and floodplain management, 1527
wetlands and other surface waters, and regional water supply. 1528
h. The state land planning agency shall limit its comments 1529
to important state resources and facilities outside the 1530
jurisdiction of other commenting state agencies and may include 1531
comments on countervailing planning policies and objectives 1532
served by the plan amendment tha t should be balanced against 1533
potential adverse impacts to important state resources and 1534
facilities. 1535
Section 40. Subsection (2) of section 163.3245, Florida 1536
Statutes, is amended to read: 1537
163.3245 Sector plans. — 1538
(2) The Upon the request of a local government having 1539
jurisdiction, the applicable regional planning council shall 1540
conduct a scoping meeting with affected local governments and 1541
those agencies identified in s. 163.3184(1)(c) before 1542
preparation of the sector plan. The purpose of this meeting is 1543
to assist the state land planning agency and the local 1544
government in the identification of the relevant planning issues 1545
to be addressed and the data and resources available to assist 1546
in the preparation of the sector plan. If a scoping meeting is 1547
conducted, the regional planning council shall make written 1548
recommendations to the state land planning agency and affected 1549
local governments on the issues requested by the local 1550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 63 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
government. The scoping meeting shall be noticed and open to the 1551
public. If the entire p lanning area proposed for the sector plan 1552
is within the jurisdiction of two or more local governments, 1553
some or all of them may enter into a joint planning agreement 1554
pursuant to s. 163.3171 with respect to the geographic area to 1555
be subject to the sector pla n, the planning issues that will be 1556
emphasized, procedures for intergovernmental coordination to 1557
address extrajurisdictional impacts, supporting application 1558
materials including data and analysis, procedures for public 1559
participation, or other issues. 1560
Section 41. Subsection (5) of section 186.003, Florida 1561
Statutes, is amended to read: 1562
186.003 Definitions; ss. 186.001 -186.031, 186.801-1563
186.901.—As used in ss. 186.001 -186.031 and 186.801-186.901, the 1564
term: 1565
(5) "Regional planning agency" means the regiona l planning 1566
council created pursuant to ss. 186.501 -186.515 to exercise 1567
responsibilities under ss. 186.001 -186.031 and 186.801-186.901 1568
in a particular region of the state. 1569
Section 42. Subsection (7) of section 186.006, Florida 1570
Statutes, is amended to re ad: 1571
186.006 Powers and responsibilities of Executive Office of 1572
the Governor.—For the purpose of establishing consistency and 1573
uniformity in the state and regional planning process and in 1574
order to ensure that the intent of ss. 186.001 -186.031 and 1575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 64 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
186.801-186.901 is accomplished, the Executive Office of the 1576
Governor shall: 1577
(7) Act as the state clearinghouse and designate the 1578
regional planning councils as the regional data clearinghouses . 1579
Section 43. Subsections (7) and (8) of section 186.007, 1580
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1581
186.007 State comprehensive plan; preparation; revision. — 1582
(7) In preparing and revising the state comprehensive 1583
plan, the Executive Office of the Governor shall, to the extent 1584
feasible, consider studies, reports, and plan s of each 1585
department, agency, and institution of state and local 1586
government, each regional planning agency, and the Federal 1587
Government and shall take into account the existing and 1588
prospective resources, capabilities, and needs of state and 1589
local levels of government. 1590
(8) The revision of the state comprehensive plan is a 1591
continuing process. Each section of the plan shall be reviewed 1592
and analyzed biennially by the Executive Office of the Governor 1593
in conjunction with the planning officers of other state 1594
agencies significantly affected by the provisions of the 1595
particular section under review. In conducting this review and 1596
analysis, the Executive Office of the Governor shall review and 1597
consider, with the assistance of the state land planning agency , 1598
any relevant reports, data, or analyses and regional planning 1599
councils, the evaluation and appraisal reports prepared pursuant 1600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 65 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to s. 186.511. Any necessary revisions of the state 1601
comprehensive plan shall be proposed by the Governor in a 1602
written report and be accompan ied by an explanation of the need 1603
for such changes. If the Governor determines that changes are 1604
unnecessary, the written report must explain why changes are 1605
unnecessary. The proposed revisions and accompanying 1606
explanations may be submitted in the report re quired by s. 1607
186.031. Any proposed revisions to the plan shall be submitted 1608
to the Legislature as provided in s. 186.008(2) at least 30 days 1609
prior to the regular legislative session occurring in each even -1610
numbered year. 1611
Section 44. Paragraph (b) of sub section (1) of section 1612
215.559, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1613
215.559 Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program. —A Hurricane 1614
Loss Mitigation Program is established in the Division of 1615
Emergency Management. 1616
(1) The Legislature shall annually appropriate $10 million 1617
of the moneys authorized for appropriation under s. 1618
215.555(7)(c) from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to the 1619
division for the purposes set forth in this section. Of the 1620
amount: 1621
(b) Three million dollars in funds shall be used to 1622
construct or retrofit facilities used as public hurricane 1623
shelters. Each year the division shall prioritize the use of 1624
these funds for projects included in the annual report of the 1625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 66 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Shelter Development Report prepared in accordance with s. 1626
252.385(3). The divisi on must give funding priority to projects 1627
in regional planning council regions in existence on January 1, 1628
2025, that have shelter deficits and to projects that maximize 1629
the use of state funds. 1630
Section 45. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and subsection 1631
(3) of section 252.385, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1632
252.385 Public shelter space; public records exemption. — 1633
(2) 1634
(b) By January 31 of each even -numbered year, the division 1635
shall prepare and submit a statewide emergency shelter plan to 1636
the Governor and Cabinet for approval, subject to the 1637
requirements for approval in s. 1013.37(2). The emergency 1638
shelter plan must project, for each of the next 5 years, the 1639
hurricane shelter needs of the state, including periods of time 1640
during which a concurren t public health emergency may 1641
necessitate more space for each individual to accommodate 1642
physical distancing. In addition to information on the general 1643
shelter needs throughout this state, the plan must identify the 1644
general location and square footage of sp ecial needs shelters, 1645
by regional planning council region in existence on January 1, 1646
2025. The plan must also include information on the availability 1647
of shelters that accept pets. The Department of Health shall 1648
assist the division in determining the estima ted need for 1649
special needs shelter space and the adequacy of facilities to 1650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 67 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
meet the needs of persons with special needs based on 1651
information from the registries of persons with special needs 1652
and other information. 1653
(3) The division shall annually provide to the President 1654
of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 1655
the Governor a list of facilities recommended to be retrofitted 1656
using state funds. State funds should be maximized and targeted 1657
to regional planning council regions in existence on January 1, 1658
2025, with hurricane evacuation shelter deficits. The owner or 1659
lessee of a public hurricane evacuation shelter that is included 1660
on the list of facilities recommended for retrofitting is not 1661
required to perform any recommended improvements. 1662
Section 46. Paragraph (b) of subsection (26) of section 1663
320.08058, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1664
320.08058 Specialty license plates. — 1665
(26) TAMPA BAY ESTUARY LICENSE PLATES. — 1666
(b) The annual use fees shall be distributed to the Tampa 1667
Bay Estuary Program created by s. 163.01. 1668
1. A maximum of 5 percent of such fees may be used for 1669
marketing the plate. 1670
2. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the annual use fee, 1671
not to exceed $50,000, shall be provided to the Tampa Bay 1672
Regional Planning Coun cil for activities of the Agency on Bay 1673
Management implementing the Council/Agency Action Plan for the 1674
restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary, as approved by the Tampa 1675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 68 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Bay Estuary Program Policy Board. 1676
2.3. The remaining proceeds must be used to implement the 1677
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay, 1678
pursuant to priorities approved by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program 1679
Policy Board. 1680
Section 47. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 1681
338.2278, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 91 of chapter 1682
2020-114, Laws of Florida, is amended to read: 1683
338.2278 Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic 1684
Significance Program. — 1685
(3) 1686
(c)1. During the project development phase, the department 1687
shall utilize an inclusive, consensus -building mechanism for 1688
each proposed multiuse corridor identified in subsection (2). 1689
For each multiuse corridor identified in subsection (2), the 1690
department shall convene a corridor task force composed of 1691
appropriate representatives of: 1692
a. The Department of Environmental Protection; 1693
b. The Department of Economic Opportunity; 1694
c. The Department of Education; 1695
d. The Department of Health; 1696
e. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; 1697
f. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; 1698
g. The local water management district or districts; 1699
h. A local government official from each local government 1700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 69 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
within a proposed corridor; 1701
i. Metropolitan planning organizations; 1702
j. Regional planning councils; 1703
j.k. The community, who may be an individual or a member 1704
of a nonprofit community organization, as determined by the 1705
department; and 1706
k.l. Appropriate environmental groups, such as 1000 1707
Friends of Florida, Audubon Florida, the Everglades Foundation, 1708
The Nature Conservancy, the Florida Sierra Club, and the Flori da 1709
Wildlife Corridor, as determined by the department. 1710
2. The secretary of the department shall appoint the 1711
members of the respective corridor task forces by August 1, 1712
2019. 1713
3. Each corridor task force shall coordinate with the 1714
department on pertinent aspects of corridor analysis, including 1715
accommodation or colocation of multiple types of infrastructure, 1716
addressing issues such as those identified in subsection (1), 1717
within or adjacent to the corridor. 1718
4. Each corridor task force shall evaluate the need for, 1719
and the economic and environmental impacts of, hurricane 1720
evacuation impacts of, and land use impacts of, the related 1721
corridor as identified in subsection (2). 1722
5. Each corridor task force shall hold a public meeting in 1723
accordance with chapter 286 in each local government 1724
jurisdiction in which a project within an identified corridor is 1725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 70 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
being considered. 1726
6. To the maximum extent feasible, the department shall 1727
adhere to the recommendations of the task force created for each 1728
corridor in the design of t he multiple modes of transportation 1729
and multiple types of infrastructure associated with the 1730
corridor. The task force for each corridor may consider and 1731
recommend innovative concepts to combine right -of-way 1732
acquisition with the acquisition of lands or ease ments to 1733
facilitate environmental mitigation or ecosystem, wildlife 1734
habitat, or water quality protection or restoration. The 1735
department, in consultation with the Department of Environmental 1736
Protection, may incorporate those features into each corridor 1737
during the project development phase. 1738
7. The Southwest-Central Florida Connector corridor task 1739
force shall: 1740
a. Address the impacts of the construction of a project 1741
within the corridor on panther and other critical wildlife 1742
habitat and evaluate in its final report the need for 1743
acquisition of lands for state conservation or as mitigation for 1744
project construction; and 1745
b. Evaluate wildlife crossing design features to protect 1746
panther and other critical wildlife habitat corridor 1747
connections. 1748
8. The Suncoast Connector corridor task force and the 1749
Northern Turnpike Connector corridor task force shall evaluate 1750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 71 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
design features and the need for acquisition of state 1751
conservation lands that mitigate the impact of project 1752
construction within the respective corridors on : 1753
a. The water quality and quantity of springs, rivers, and 1754
aquifer recharge areas; 1755
b. Agricultural land uses; and 1756
c. Wildlife habitat. 1757
9. Each corridor task force shall issue its evaluations in 1758
a final report that must be submitted to the Governor , the 1759
President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 1760
Representatives by November 15, 2020 October 1, 2020. 1761
10. The department shall provide affected local 1762
governments with a copy of the applicable task force report and 1763
project alignments. Not l ater than December 31, 2023, a local 1764
government that has an interchange within its jurisdiction shall 1765
review the applicable task force report and its local 1766
comprehensive plan as adopted under chapter 163. The local 1767
government review must include considerat ion of whether the area 1768
in and around the interchange contains appropriate land uses and 1769
natural resource protections and whether the comprehensive plan 1770
should be amended to provide such appropriate uses and 1771
protections. 1772
Section 48. Subsection (1) of s ection 369.303, Florida 1773
Statutes, is amended to read: 1774
369.303 Definitions. —As used in this part: 1775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 72 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(1) "Council" means the East Central Florida Regional 1776
Planning Council. 1777
Section 49. Subsection (3) of section 369.307, Florida 1778
Statutes, is amended to read: 1779
369.307 Developments of regional impact in the Wekiva 1780
River Protection Area; land acquisition. — 1781
(3) The Wekiva River Protection Area is hereby declared to 1782
be a natural resource of state and regional importance. The St. 1783
Johns River Water Management District East Central Florida 1784
Regional Planning Council shall adopt policies that as part of 1785
its strategic regional policy plan and regional issues list 1786
which will protect the water quantity, water quality, hydrology, 1787
wetlands, aquatic and wetla nd-dependent wildlife species, 1788
habitat of species designated pursuant to rules 39 -27.003, 39-1789
27.004, and 39-27.005, Florida Administrative Code , and native 1790
vegetation in the Wekiva River Protection Area. The water 1791
management district council shall also cooperate with the 1792
department in the department's implementation of the provisions 1793
of s. 369.305. 1794
Section 50. Section 369.324, Florida Statutes, is 1795
repealed. 1796
Section 51. Subsections (3), (4), (7), (8), and (12) of 1797
section 380.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1798
380.05 Areas of critical state concern. — 1799
(3) Each local government regional planning agency may 1800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 73 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
recommend to the state land planning agency from time to time 1801
areas wholly or partially within its jurisdiction that meet the 1802
criteria for areas of critical state concern as defined in this 1803
section. Each regional planning agency shall solicit from the 1804
local governments within its jurisdiction suggestions as to 1805
areas to be recommended. A local government in an area where 1806
there is no regional planning agency may recommend to the state 1807
land planning agency from time to time areas wholly or partially 1808
within its jurisdiction that meet the criteria for areas of 1809
critical state concern as defined in this section. If the state 1810
land planning agency does not recommend to the commission as an 1811
area of critical state concern an area substantially similar to 1812
one that has been recommended, it shall respond in writing as to 1813
its reasons therefor. 1814
(4) Before Prior to submitting any recommendation to the 1815
commission under subs ection (1), the state land planning agency 1816
shall give notice to any committee appointed pursuant to s. 1817
380.045 and to all local governments and regional planning 1818
agencies that include within their boundaries any part of any 1819
area of critical state concern p roposed to be designated by the 1820
rule, in addition to any notice otherwise required under chapter 1821
120. 1822
(7) The state land planning agency and any applicable 1823
regional planning agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, 1824
provide technical assistance to l ocal governments in the 1825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 74 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
preparation of the land development regulations and local 1826
comprehensive plan for areas of critical state concern. 1827
(8) If any local government fails to submit land 1828
development regulations or a local comprehensive plan, or if the 1829
regulations or plan or plan amendment submitted do not comply 1830
with the principles for guiding development set out in the rule 1831
designating the area of critical state concern, within 120 days 1832
after the adoption of the rule designating an area of critical 1833
state concern, or within 120 days after the issuance of a 1834
recommended order on the compliance of the plan or plan 1835
amendment pursuant to s. 163.3184, or within 120 days after the 1836
effective date of an order rejecting a proposed land development 1837
regulation, the state land planning agency shall submit to the 1838
commission recommended land development regulations and a local 1839
comprehensive plan or portions thereof applicable to that local 1840
government's portion of the area of critical state concern. 1841
Within 45 days followin g receipt of the recommendation from the 1842
agency, the commission shall either reject the recommendation as 1843
tendered or adopt the recommendation with or without 1844
modification, and by rule establish land development regulations 1845
and a local comprehensive plan a pplicable to that local 1846
government's portion of the area of critical state concern. 1847
However, such rule shall not become effective before prior to 1848
legislative review of an area of critical state concern pursuant 1849
to paragraph (1)(c). In the rule, the commiss ion shall specify 1850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 75 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the extent to which its land development regulations, plans, or 1851
plan amendments will supersede, or will be supplementary to, 1852
local land development regulations and plans. Notice of any 1853
proposed rule issued under this section shall be give n to all 1854
local governments and regional planning agencies in the area of 1855
critical state concern, in addition to any other notice required 1856
under chapter 120. The land development regulations and local 1857
comprehensive plan adopted by the commission under this section 1858
may include any type of regulation and plan that could have been 1859
adopted by the local government. Any land development 1860
regulations or local comprehensive plan or plan amendments 1861
adopted by the commission under this section shall be 1862
administered by the local government as part of, or in the 1863
absence of, the local land development regulations and local 1864
comprehensive plan. 1865
(12) Upon the request of a substantially interested person 1866
pursuant to s. 120.54(7), a local government or regional 1867
planning agency within the designated area, or the state land 1868
planning agency, the commission may by rule remove, contract, or 1869
expand any designated boundary. Boundary expansions are subject 1870
to legislative review pursuant to paragraph (1)(c). No boundary 1871
may be modified without a specific finding by the commission 1872
that such changes are consistent with necessary resource 1873
protection. The total boundaries of an entire area of critical 1874
state concern shall not be removed by the commission unless a 1875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 76 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minimum time of 1 year has e lapsed from the adoption of 1876
regulations and a local comprehensive plan pursuant to 1877
subsection (1), subsection (6), subsection (8), or subsection 1878
(10). Before totally removing such boundaries, the commission 1879
shall make findings that the regulations and plan s adopted 1880
pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (6), subsection (8), or 1881
subsection (10) are being effectively implemented by local 1882
governments within the area of critical state concern to protect 1883
the area and that adopted local government comprehensive pl ans 1884
within the area have been conformed to principles for guiding 1885
development for the area. 1886
Section 52. Subsection (2) of section 380.045, Florida 1887
Statutes, is amended to read: 1888
380.045 Resource planning and management committees; 1889
objectives; procedur es.— 1890
(2) The committee must include, but is not limited to, 1891
representation from each of the following: elected officials 1892
from the local governments within the area under study; the 1893
planning office of each of the local governments within the area 1894
under study; the state land planning agency; any other state 1895
agency under chapter 20 a representative of which the Governor 1896
feels is relevant to the compilation of the committee; and a 1897
water management district, if appropriate , and regional planning 1898
council all or part of whose jurisdiction lies within the area 1899
under study. After the appointment of the members, the Governor 1900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 77 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
shall select a chair and vice chair. A staff member of the state 1901
land planning agency shall be appointed by the secretary of such 1902
agency to serve as the secretary of the committee. The state 1903
land planning agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, 1904
provide technical assistance and administrative support to the 1905
committee. Meetings will be called as needed by the chair or on 1906
the demand of three or more members of the committee. The 1907
committee will act on a simple majority of a quorum present and 1908
shall make a report within 6 months to the head of the state 1909
land planning agency. The committee must, from the time of 1910
appointment, remain in existence f or no less than 6 months. 1911
Section 53. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1912
made by this act to section 380.045, Florida Statutes, in a 1913
reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 380.0552, Florida 1914
Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1915
380.0552 Florida Keys Area; protection and designation as area 1916
of critical state concern. — 1917
(6) RESOURCE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. —The 1918
Governor, acting as the chief planning officer of the state, 1919
shall appoint a resource planning and management committee for 1920
the Florida Keys Area with the membership as specified in s. 1921
380.045(2). Meetings shall be called as needed by the chair or 1922
on the demand of three or more members of the committee. The 1923
committee shall: 1924
(a) Serve as a liaison between the state and local 1925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 78 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
governments within Monroe County. 1926
(b) Develop, with local government officials in the 1927
Florida Keys Area, recommendations to the state land planning 1928
agency as to the sufficiency of the Florida Keys Area's 1929
comprehensive plan and land development regulation s. 1930
(c) Recommend to the state land planning agency changes to 1931
state and regional plans and regulatory programs affecting the 1932
Florida Keys Area. 1933
(d) Assist units of local government within the Florida 1934
Keys Area in carrying out the planning functions and other 1935
responsibilities required by this section. 1936
(e) Review, at a minimum, all reports and other materials 1937
provided to it by the state land planning agency or other 1938
governmental agencies. 1939
Section 54. Subsections (3) and (6) of section 403.7225, 1940
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1941
403.7225 Local hazardous waste management assessments. — 1942
(3) Each county or regional planning council shall 1943
coordinate the local hazardous waste management assessments 1944
within its jurisdiction according to guidelines es tablished 1945
under s. 403.7226. If a county declines to perform the local 1946
hazardous waste management assessment, the county shall make 1947
arrangements with the department its regional planning council 1948
to perform the assessment. 1949
(6) Unless performed by the coun ty pursuant to subsection 1950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 79 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(3), the department regional planning councils shall upon 1951
successful arrangements with a county: 1952
(a) Perform local hazardous waste management assessments; 1953
(b) Provide any technical expertise needed by the counties 1954
in developing the assessments. 1955
Section 55. Subsection (2) of section 403.723, Florida 1956
Statutes, is amended to read: 1957
403.723 Siting of hazardous waste facilities. —It is the 1958
intent of the Legislature to facilitate siting of proper 1959
hazardous waste storage facilitie s in each region and any 1960
additional storage, treatment, or disposal facilities as 1961
required. The Legislature recognizes the need for facilitating 1962
disposal of waste produced by small generators, reducing the 1963
volume of wastes generated in the state, reducing the toxicity 1964
of wastes generated in the state, and providing treatment and 1965
disposal facilities in the state. 1966
(2) After each county designates areas for storage 1967
facilities, the department each regional planning council shall 1968
designate one or more sites at which a regional hazardous waste 1969
storage or treatment facility could be constructed. 1970
Section 56. Subsection (27) of section 403.503, Florida 1971
Statutes, is amended to read: 1972
403.503 Definitions relating to Florida E lectrical Power 1973
Plant Siting Act.—As used in this act: 1974
(27) "Regional planning council" means a regional planning 1975
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 80 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
council as defined in s. 186.503(4) in the jurisdiction of which 1976
the electrical power plant is proposed to be located. 1977
Section 57. Subsection (21) of section 403.522, Florida 1978
Statutes, is amended to read: 1979
403.522 Definitions relating to the Florida Electric 1980
Transmission Line Siting Act. —As used in this act: 1981
(21) "Regional planning council" means a regional planning 1982
council as defined i n s. 186.503(4) in the jurisdiction of which 1983
the project is proposed to be located. 1984
Section 58. Paragraphs (b) and (d) of subsection (1) of 1985
section 408.033, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1986
408.033 Local and state health planning. — 1987
(1) LOCAL HEALTH COUNCILS.— 1988
(b) Each local health council may: 1989
1. Develop a district area health plan that permits each 1990
local health council to develop strategies and set priorities 1991
for implementation based on its unique local health needs. 1992
2. Advise the agenc y on health care issues and resource 1993
allocations. 1994
3. Promote public awareness of community health needs, 1995
emphasizing health promotion and cost -effective health service 1996
selection. 1997
4. Collect data and conduct analyses and studies related 1998
to health care needs of the district, including the needs of 1999
medically indigent persons, and assist the agency and other 2000
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 81 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
state agencies in carrying out data collection activities that 2001
relate to the functions in this subsection. 2002
5. Monitor the onsite construction progres s, if any, of 2003
certificate-of-need approved projects and report council 2004
findings to the agency on forms provided by the agency. 2005
6. Advise and assist any regional planning councils within 2006
each district that have elected to address health issues in 2007
their strategic regional policy plans with the development of 2008
the health element of the plans to address the health goals and 2009
policies in the State Comprehensive Plan. 2010
6.7. Advise and assist local governments within each 2011
district on the development of an optiona l health plan element 2012
of the comprehensive plan provided in chapter 163, to assure 2013
compatibility with the health goals and policies in the State 2014
Comprehensive Plan and district health plan. To facilitate the 2015
implementation of this section, the local health council shall 2016
annually provide the local governments in its service area, upon 2017
request, with: 2018
a. A copy and appropriate updates of the district health 2019
plan; 2020
b. A report of nursing home utilization statistics for 2021
facilities within the local government jurisdiction; and 2022
c. Applicable agency rules and calculated need 2023
methodologies for health facilities and services regulated under 2024
s. 408.034 for the district served by the local health council. 2025
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 82 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
7.8. Monitor and evaluate the adequacy, appropriateness, 2026
and effectiveness, within the district, of local, state, 2027
federal, and private funds distributed to meet the needs of the 2028
medically indigent and other underserved population groups. 2029
8.9. In conjunction with the Department of Health, plan 2030
for services at the local level for persons infected with the 2031
human immunodeficiency virus. 2032
9.10. Provide technical assistance to encourage and 2033
support activities by providers, purchasers, consumers, and 2034
local, regional, and state agencies in meeting the health care 2035
goals, objectives, and policies adopted by the local health 2036
council. 2037
10.11. Provide the agency with data required by rule for 2038
the review of certificate -of-need applications and the 2039
projection of need for health facilities in the district. 2040
(d) Each local health council shall enter into a 2041
memorandum of agreement with each regional planning council in 2042
its district that elects to address health issues in its 2043
strategic regional policy plan. In addition, each local health 2044
council shall enter into a memorandum of a greement with each 2045
local government that includes an optional health element in its 2046
comprehensive plan. Each memorandum of agreement must specify 2047
the manner in which each local government , regional planning 2048
council, and local health council will coordinate its activities 2049
to ensure a unified approach to health planning and 2050
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 83 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
implementation efforts. 2051
Section 59. Subsection (1) of section 420.609, Florida 2052
Statutes, is amended to read: 2053
420.609 Affordable Housing Study Commission.—Because the 2054
Legislature firmly supports affordable housing in Florida for 2055
all economic classes: 2056
(1) There is created the Affordable Housing Study 2057
Commission, which shall be composed of 20 21 members to be 2058
appointed by the Governor: 2059
(a) One citizen actively engaged in the residential home 2060
building industry. 2061
(b) One citizen actively engaged in the home mortgage 2062
lending profession. 2063
(c) One citizen actively engaged in the real estate sales 2064
profession. 2065
(d) One citizen actively engaged in a partment development. 2066
(e) One citizen actively engaged in the management and 2067
operation of a rental housing development. 2068
(f) Two citizens who represent very -low-income and low-2069
income persons. 2070
(g) One citizen representing a community -based 2071
organization with experience in housing development. 2072
(h) One citizen representing a community -based 2073
organization with experience in housing development in a 2074
community with a population of less than 50,000 persons. 2075
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 84 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(i) Two citizens who represent elderly persons' ho using 2076
interests. 2077
(j) One representative of regional planning councils. 2078
(j)(k) One representative of the Florida League of Cities. 2079
(k)(l) One representative of the Florida Association of 2080
Counties. 2081
(l)(m) Two citizens representing statewide growth 2082
management organizations. 2083
(m)(n) One citizen of the state to serve as chair of the 2084
commission. 2085
(n)(o) One citizen representing a residential community 2086
developer. 2087
(o)(p) One member who is a resident of the state. 2088
(p)(q) One representative from a local housing authority. 2089
(q)(r) One citizen representing the housing interests of 2090
homeless persons. 2091
Section 60. Subsection (2) of section 17.11, Florida 2092
Statutes, is amended to read: 2093
17.11 To report disbursements made. — 2094
(2) The Chief Financial Officer shall also cause to have 2095
reported from the Florida Accounting Information Resource 2096
Subsystem no less than quarterly the disbursements which 2097
agencies made to small businesses, as defined in the Assistance 2098
to Florida Small Businesses and Businesses in Economically 2099
Disadvantaged Areas Minority Business Assistance Act, and; to 2100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 85 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
certified minority business enterprises in economically 2101
disadvantaged areas in the aggregate; and to certified minority 2102
business enterprises broken down into categories of minority 2103
persons, as well as gender and nationality subgroups . This 2104
information shall be made available to the agencies, the Office 2105
of Supplier Development Diversity, the Governor, the President 2106
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 2107
Each agency shall be responsible for the accuracy of information 2108
entered into the Florida Accounting Information Resource 2109
Subsystem for use in this reporting. 2110
Section 61. Section 24.113, Florida Statutes, is amended 2111
to read: 2112
24.113 Minority Participation by business enterprises in 2113
economically disadvantaged areas .— 2114
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the 2115
department encourage participation by a business enterprise in 2116
an economically disadvantaged area minority business enterprises 2117
as defined in s. 288. 703. Accordingly, 15 percent of the 2118
retailers shall be minority business enterprises in economically 2119
disadvantaged areas as defined in s. 288.703(3); however, no 2120
more than 35 percent of such retailers shall be owned by the 2121
same type of minority person, as defined in s. 288.703(4) . The 2122
department is encouraged to meet the minority business 2123
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area procurement 2124
goals set forth in s. 287.09451 in the procurement of 2125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 86 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
commodities, contractual services, construction, and 2126
architectural and engineering services. This section shall not 2127
preclude or prohibit a minority person from competing for any 2128
other retailing or vending agreement awarded by the department. 2129
(2) The department is directed to undertake training 2130
programs and other educational activities to enable minority 2131
persons to compete for such contracts on an equal basis. 2132
Section 62. Subsection (9) of section 120.65, Florida 2133
Statutes, is amended to read: 2134
120.65 Administrative law judges. — 2135
(9) The division shall be reimbursed for administrative 2136
law judge services and travel expenses by the following 2137
entities: water management districts, regional planning 2138
councils, school districts, community colleges, the Division of 2139
Florida Colleges, state universities, the Board of Governors of 2140
the State University System, the State Board of Education, the 2141
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the Commission 2142
for Independent Education. These entities shall contract with 2143
the division to establish a contract rate for services and 2144
provisions for reimbursement of administrative law judge travel 2145
expenses and video teleconferencing expenses attributable to 2146
hearings conducted on behalf of these entities. The contract 2147
rate must be based on a total -cost-recovery methodology. 2148
Section 63. Paragraph (h) of subsection (6) of section 2149
163.3177, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 87 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
163.3177 Required and optional elements of comprehensive 2151
plan; studies and surveys. — 2152
(6) In addition to the requirements of sub sections (1)-2153
(5), the comprehensive plan shall include the following 2154
elements: 2155
(h)1. An intergovernmental coordination element showing 2156
relationships and stating principles and guidelines to be used 2157
in coordinating the adopted comprehensive plan with the plans of 2158
school boards, regional water supply authorities, and other 2159
units of local government providing services but not having 2160
regulatory authority over the use of land, with the 2161
comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities, the county, 2162
adjacent counties, or the region, with the state comprehensive 2163
plan and with the applicable regional water supply plan approved 2164
pursuant to s. 373.709, as the case may require and as such 2165
adopted plans or plans in preparation may exist. This element of 2166
the local comprehensive plan must demonstrate consideration of 2167
the particular effects of the local plan, when adopted, upon the 2168
development of adjacent municipalities, the county, adjacent 2169
counties, or the region, or upon the state comprehensive plan, 2170
as the case may requir e. 2171
a. The intergovernmental coordination element must provide 2172
procedures for identifying and implementing joint planning 2173
areas, especially for the purpose of annexation, municipal 2174
incorporation, and joint infrastructure service areas. 2175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 88 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
b. The intergovernmental coordination element shall 2176
provide for a dispute resolution process , as established 2177
pursuant to s. 186.509, for bringing intergovernmental disputes 2178
to closure in a timely manner. 2179
c. The intergovernmental coordination element shall 2180
provide for interlocal agreements as established pursuant to s. 2181
333.03(1)(b). 2182
2. The intergovernmental coordination element shall also 2183
state principles and guidelines to be used in coordinating the 2184
adopted comprehensive plan with the plans of school boards and 2185
other units of local government providing facilities and 2186
services but not having regulatory authority over the use of 2187
land. In addition, the intergovernmental coordination element 2188
must describe joint processes for collaborative planning and 2189
decisionmaking on popul ation projections and public school 2190
siting, the location and extension of public facilities subject 2191
to concurrency, and siting facilities with countywide 2192
significance, including locally unwanted land uses whose nature 2193
and identity are established in an agr eement. 2194
3. Within 1 year after adopting their intergovernmental 2195
coordination elements, each county, all the municipalities 2196
within that county, the district school board, and any unit of 2197
local government service providers in that county shall 2198
establish by interlocal or other formal agreement executed by 2199
all affected entities, the joint processes described in this 2200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 89 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
subparagraph consistent with their adopted intergovernmental 2201
coordination elements. The agreement must: 2202
a. Ensure that the local government add resses through 2203
coordination mechanisms the impacts of development proposed in 2204
the local comprehensive plan upon development in adjacent 2205
municipalities, the county, adjacent counties, the region, and 2206
the state. The area of concern for municipalities shall i nclude 2207
adjacent municipalities, the county, and counties adjacent to 2208
the municipality. The area of concern for counties shall include 2209
all municipalities within the county, adjacent counties, and 2210
adjacent municipalities. 2211
b. Ensure coordination in establis hing level of service 2212
standards for public facilities with any state, regional, or 2213
local entity having operational and maintenance responsibility 2214
for such facilities. 2215
Section 64. Subsection (5) of section 163.3178, Florida 2216
Statutes, is amended to read: 2217
163.3178 Coastal management. — 2218
(5) A The appropriate dispute resolution process provided 2219
under s. 186.509 must be used to reconcile inconsistencies 2220
between port master plans and local comprehensive plans. In 2221
recognition of the state's commitment to dee pwater ports, the 2222
state comprehensive plan must include goals, objectives, and 2223
policies that establish a statewide strategy for enhancement of 2224
existing deepwater ports, ensuring that priority is given to 2225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 90 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
water-dependent land uses. As an incentive for promo ting plan 2226
consistency, port facilities as defined in s. 315.02(6) on lands 2227
owned or controlled by a deepwater port as defined in s. 2228
311.09(1), as of the effective date of this act shall not be 2229
subject to development -of-regional-impact review provided the 2230
port either successfully completes an alternative comprehensive 2231
development agreement with a local government pursuant to ss. 2232
163.3220-163.3243 or successfully enters into a development 2233
agreement with the state land planning agency and applicable 2234
local government pursuant to s. 380.032 or, where the port is a 2235
department of a local government, successfully enters into a 2236
development agreement with the state land planning agency 2237
pursuant to s. 380.032. Port facilities as defined in s. 2238
315.02(6) on lands not own ed or controlled by a deepwater port 2239
as defined in s. 311.09(1) as of the effective date of this act 2240
shall not be subject to development -of-regional-impact review 2241
provided the port successfully enters into a development 2242
agreement with the state land planni ng agency and applicable 2243
local government pursuant to s. 380.032 or, where the port is a 2244
department of a local government, successfully enters into a 2245
development agreement with the state land planning agency 2246
pursuant to s. 380.032. 2247
Section 65. Paragrap h (i) of subsection (2) of section 2248
163.568, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2249
163.568 Purposes and powers. — 2250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 91 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2) The authority is granted the authority to exercise all 2251
powers necessary, appurtenant, convenient, or incidental to the 2252
carrying out of the aforesaid purposes, including, but not 2253
limited to, the following rights and powers: 2254
(i) To develop transportation plans, and to coordinate its 2255
planning and programs with those of appropriate municipal, 2256
county, and state agencies and other political su bdivisions of 2257
the state. All transportation plans are subject to review and 2258
approval by the Department of Transportation and by the regional 2259
planning agency, if any, for consistency with programs or 2260
planning for the area and region. 2261
Section 66. Subsect ion (2) of section 164.1031, Florida 2262
Statutes, is amended to read: 2263
164.1031 Definitions. —For purposes of this act: 2264
(2) "Regional governmental entities" includes regional 2265
planning councils, metropolitan planning organizations, water 2266
supply authorities t hat include more than one county, local 2267
health councils, water management districts, and other regional 2268
entities that are authorized and created by general or special 2269
law that have duties or responsibilities extending beyond the 2270
jurisdiction of a single co unty. 2271
Section 67. Subsection (1) of section 186.008, Florida 2272
Statutes, is amended to read: 2273
186.008 State comprehensive plan; revision; 2274
implementation.— 2275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 92 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(1) On or before October 1 of every odd -numbered year, the 2276
Executive Office of the Governor shal l prepare, and the Governor 2277
shall recommend to the Administration Commission, any proposed 2278
revisions to the state comprehensive plan deemed necessary. The 2279
Governor shall transmit his or her recommendations and 2280
explanation as required by s. 186.007(8). Copi es shall also be 2281
provided to each state agency, to each regional planning agency, 2282
to any other unit of government that requests a copy, and to any 2283
member of the public who requests a copy. 2284
Section 68. Section 186.803, Florida Statutes, is amended 2285
to read: 2286
186.803 Use of geographic information by governmental 2287
entities.—When state agencies, water management districts, 2288
regional planning councils, local governments, and other 2289
governmental entities use maps, including geographic information 2290
maps and other graphic information materials, as the source of 2291
data for planning or any other purposes, they must take into 2292
account that the accuracy and reliability of such maps and data 2293
may be limited by various factors, including the scale of the 2294
maps, the timeliness and accuracy of the underlying information, 2295
the availability of more accurate site -specific information, and 2296
the presence or absence of ground truthing or peer review of the 2297
underlying information contained in such maps and other graphic 2298
information. This section does not apply to maps adopted 2299
pursuant to part II of chapter 163. 2300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 93 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 69. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) and subsection 2301
(2) of section 218.32, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2302
218.32 Annual financial reports; local governmental 2303
entities.— 2304
(1) 2305
(c) Each regional planning council created under s. 2306
186.504, each local government finance commission, board, or 2307
council, and each municipal power corporation created as a 2308
separate legal or administrative entity by interlocal agreement 2309
under s. 163.01(7) shall submit to the department a copy of its 2310
audit report and an annual financial report for the previous 2311
fiscal year in a format prescribed by the department. 2312
(2) The department shall annually by December 1 file a 2313
verified report with the Governor, the Legislature, the Auditor 2314
General, and the Special District Accountability Program of the 2315
Department of Commerce showing th e revenues, both locally 2316
derived and derived from intergovernmental transfers, and the 2317
expenditures of each local governmental entity , regional 2318
planning council, local government finance commission, and 2319
municipal power corporation that is required to submi t an annual 2320
financial report. In preparing the verified report, the 2321
department may request additional information from the local 2322
governmental entity. The information requested must be provided 2323
to the department within 45 days after the request. If the loca l 2324
governmental entity does not comply with the request, the 2325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 94 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
department shall notify the Legislative Auditing Committee, 2326
which may take action pursuant to s. 11.40(2). The report must 2327
include, but is not limited to: 2328
(a) The total revenues and expenditures of each local 2329
governmental entity that is a component unit included in the 2330
annual financial report of the reporting entity. 2331
(b) The amount of outstanding long -term debt by each local 2332
governmental entity. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 2333
"long-term debt" means any agreement or series of agreements to 2334
pay money, which, at inception, contemplate terms of payment 2335
exceeding 1 year in duration. 2336
Section 70. Section 255.101, Florida Statutes, is amended 2337
to read: 2338
255.101 Contracts for public constru ction works; 2339
utilization of minority business enterprises in economically 2340
disadvantaged areas.— 2341
(1) All county officials, boards of county commissioners, 2342
school boards, city councils, city commissioners, and all other 2343
public officers of state boards or c ommissions which are charged 2344
with the letting of contracts for public works and for the 2345
construction of public bridges, buildings, and other structures 2346
shall operate in accordance with s. 287.093, except that all 2347
contracts for the construction of state fac ilities should comply 2348
with provisions in s. 287.09451, and rules adopted pursuant 2349
thereto, for the utilization of minority business enterprises in 2350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 95 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
economically disadvantaged areas . When construction is financed , 2351
in whole or in part, from federal funds and where federal 2352
provisions for utilization of minority business enterprises in 2353
economically disadvantaged areas apply, this section shall not 2354
apply. 2355
(2) Counties, municipalities, and special districts as 2356
defined in chapter 189, or other political subdivisi ons of the 2357
state are encouraged to be sensitive to the effect of job -size 2358
barriers on minority businesses. To this end, these governmental 2359
entities are encouraged to competitively award public 2360
construction projects exceeding $100,000. 2361
Section 71. Section 255.102, Florida Statutes, is amended 2362
to read: 2363
255.102 Contractor utilization of minority business 2364
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas .— 2365
(1) Agencies shall consider the use of price preferences, 2366
weighted preference formulas, or other preferences for 2367
construction contracts, as determined appropriate by the Office 2368
of Supplier Development Diversity to increase minority 2369
participation of business enterprises in economically 2370
disadvantaged areas. 2371
(2) The Office of Supplier Development Diversity, in 2372
collaboration with the Board of Governors of the State 2373
University System, shall adopt rules to determine what is a 2374
"good faith effort" for purposes o f contractor compliance with 2375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 96 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minority participation goals established for competitively 2376
awarded building and construction projects. Pro forma efforts 2377
shall not be considered good faith. Factors which shall be 2378
considered by the state agency in determining w hether a 2379
contractor has made good faith efforts shall include, but not be 2380
limited to: 2381
(a) Whether the contractor attended any presolicitation or 2382
prebid meetings that were scheduled by the agency to inform 2383
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 2384
areas of contracting and subcontracting opportunities. 2385
(b) Whether the contractor advertised in general 2386
circulation, trade association, or minority-focus media in 2387
economically disadvantaged areas concerning the subcontracting 2388
opportunities. 2389
(c) Whether the contractor provided written notice to all 2390
relevant subcontractors listed on the minority vendor list for 2391
that locality and statewide as provided by the agency as of the 2392
date of issuance of the invitation to bid, that their interest 2393
in the contract was being solicited in sufficient time to allow 2394
the minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 2395
areas to participate effectively. 2396
(d) Whether the contractor followed up initial 2397
solicitations of interest by contacting minority business 2398
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or , the Office 2399
of Supplier Development Diversity, or minority persons who 2400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 97 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
responded and provided detailed information about prebid 2401
meetings, access to plans, specifications, contractor's project 2402
manager, subcontractor bonding, if any, payment schedule, bid 2403
addenda, and other assistance provided by the contractor to 2404
enhance minority business enterprise participation of business 2405
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . 2406
(e) Whether the contractor s elected portions of the work 2407
to be performed by minority business enterprises in economically 2408
disadvantaged areas in order to increase the likelihood of 2409
meeting the minority business enterprise procurement goals, 2410
including, where appropriate, breaking down contracts into 2411
economically feasible units to facilitate minority business 2412
enterprise participation under reasonable and economical 2413
conditions of performance. 2414
(f) Whether the contractor provided the Office of Supplier 2415
Development Diversity as well as interested minority business 2416
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or minority 2417
persons with adequate information about the plans, 2418
specifications, and requirements of the contract or the 2419
availability of jobs at a time no later than when such 2420
information was provided to other subcontractors. 2421
(g) Whether the contractor negotiated in good faith with 2422
interested minority business enterprises in economically 2423
disadvantaged areas or minority persons, not rejecting such 2424
minority business enterprises or minority persons as unqualified 2425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 98 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
without sound reasons based on a thorough investigation of their 2426
capabilities or imposing implausible conditions of performance 2427
on the contract. 2428
(h) Whether the contractor diligently seeks to replace a 2429
subcontractor of a minority business enterprise in an 2430
economically disadvantaged area subcontractor that is unable to 2431
perform successfully with another minority business enterprise 2432
in an economically disadvantaged area . 2433
(i) Whether the contractor effectively used the services 2434
of available minority community organizations in economically 2435
disadvantaged areas; minority contractors' groups in 2436
economically disadvantaged areas ; local, state, and federal 2437
minority business assistance offices in economically 2438
disadvantaged areas; and other organizations that provide 2439
assistance in the recruitment and placement of minority business 2440
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or minority 2441
persons. 2442
(3) If an agency considers any other criteria in 2443
determining whether a contractor has made a good faith effort, 2444
the agency shall adopt such criteria in accordance with s. 2445
120.54, and, where required by that section, by rule, after May 2446
31, 1994. In adopting such criteria, the agency shall identify 2447
the specific factors in as objective a manner as possible to be 2448
used to assess a contractor's performance against said criteria. 2449
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 287.09451 to the 2450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 99 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
contrary, agencies shall monitor good faith efforts of 2451
contractors in competitively awarded building and c onstruction 2452
projects, in accordance with rules established pursuant to this 2453
section. It is the responsibility of the contractor to exercise 2454
good faith efforts in accordance with rules established pursuant 2455
to this section, and to provide documentation neces sary to 2456
assess efforts to include minority business participation from 2457
economically disadvantaged areas . 2458
Section 72. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 2459
255.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2460
255.20 Local bids and contracts for public c onstruction 2461
works; specification of state -produced lumber.— 2462
(1) A county, municipality, special district as defined in 2463
chapter 189, or other political subdivision of the state seeking 2464
to construct or improve a public building, structure, or other 2465
public construction works must competitively award to an 2466
appropriately licensed contractor each project that is estimated 2467
to cost more than $300,000. For electrical work, the local 2468
government must competitively award to an appropriately licensed 2469
contractor each project that is estimated to cost more than 2470
$75,000. As used in this section, the term "competitively award" 2471
means to award contracts based on the submission of sealed bids, 2472
proposals submitted in response to a request for proposal, 2473
proposals submitted in r esponse to a request for qualifications, 2474
or proposals submitted for competitive negotiation. This 2475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 100 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
subsection expressly allows contracts for construction 2476
management services, design/build contracts, continuation 2477
contracts based on unit prices, and any other contract 2478
arrangement with a private sector contractor permitted by any 2479
applicable municipal or county ordinance, by district 2480
resolution, or by state law. For purposes of this section, cost 2481
includes employee compensation and benefits, except inmate 2482
labor, the cost of equipment and maintenance, insurance costs, 2483
and the cost of direct materials to be used in the construction 2484
of the project, including materials purchased by the local 2485
government, and other direct costs, plus a factor of 20 percent 2486
for management, overhead, and other indirect costs. Subject to 2487
the provisions of subsection (3), the county, municipality, 2488
special district, or other political subdivision may establish, 2489
by municipal or county ordinance or special district resolution, 2490
procedures for conducting the bidding process. 2491
(c) The provisions of this subsection do not apply: 2492
1. If the project is undertaken to replace, reconstruct, 2493
or repair an existing public building, structure, or other 2494
public construction works damaged or destroyed by a su dden 2495
unexpected turn of events such as an act of God, riot, fire, 2496
flood, accident, or other urgent circumstances, and such damage 2497
or destruction creates: 2498
a. An immediate danger to the public health or safety; 2499
b. Other loss to public or private property which requires 2500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 101 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
emergency government action; or 2501
c. An interruption of an essential governmental service. 2502
2. If, after notice by publication in accordance with the 2503
applicable ordinance or resolution, the gover nmental entity does 2504
not receive any responsive bids or proposals. 2505
3. To construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement to 2506
a public electric or gas utility system if such work on the 2507
public utility system is performed by personnel of the system. 2508
4. To construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement by 2509
a utility commission whose major contracts are to construct and 2510
operate a public electric utility system. 2511
5. If the project is undertaken as repair or maintenance 2512
of an existing public facility. For th e purposes of this 2513
paragraph, the term "repair" means a corrective action to 2514
restore an existing public facility to a safe and functional 2515
condition and the term "maintenance" means a preventive or 2516
corrective action to maintain an existing public facility i n an 2517
operational state or to preserve the facility from failure or 2518
decline. Repair or maintenance includes activities that are 2519
necessarily incidental to repairing or maintaining the facility. 2520
Repair or maintenance does not include the construction of any 2521
new building, structure, or other public construction works or 2522
any substantial addition, extension, or upgrade to an existing 2523
public facility. Such additions, extensions, or upgrades shall 2524
be considered substantial if the estimated cost of the 2525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 102 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
additions, extensions, or upgrades included as part of the 2526
repair or maintenance project exceeds the threshold amount in 2527
subsection (1) and exceeds 20 percent of the estimated total 2528
cost of the repair or maintenance project fully accounting for 2529
all costs associated wit h performing and completing the work, 2530
including employee compensation and benefits, equipment cost and 2531
maintenance, insurance costs, and the cost of direct materials 2532
to be used in the construction of the project, including 2533
materials purchased by the local government, and other direct 2534
costs, plus a factor of 20 percent for management, overhead, and 2535
other indirect costs. An addition, extension, or upgrade shall 2536
not be considered substantial if it is undertaken pursuant to 2537
the conditions specified in subparagr aph 1. Repair and 2538
maintenance projects and any related additions, extensions, or 2539
upgrades may not be divided into multiple projects for the 2540
purpose of evading the requirements of this subparagraph. 2541
6. If the project is undertaken exclusively as part of a 2542
public educational program. 2543
7. If the funding source of the project will be diminished 2544
or lost because the time required to competitively award the 2545
project after the funds become available exceeds the time within 2546
which the funding source must be spent. 2547
8. If the local government competitively awarded a project 2548
to a private sector contractor and the contractor abandoned the 2549
project before completion or the local government terminated the 2550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 103 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
contract. 2551
9. If the governing board of the local government comp lies 2552
with all of the requirements of this subparagraph, conducts a 2553
public meeting under s. 286.011 after public notice, and finds 2554
by majority vote of the governing board that it is in the 2555
public's best interest to perform the project using its own 2556
services, employees, and equipment. The public notice must be 2557
published at least 21 days before the date of the public meeting 2558
at which the governing board takes final action. The notice must 2559
identify the project, the components and scope of the work, and 2560
the estimated cost of the project fully accounting for all costs 2561
associated with performing and completing the work, including 2562
employee compensation and benefits, equipment cost and 2563
maintenance, insurance costs, and the cost of direct materials 2564
to be used in the construction of the project, including 2565
materials purchased by the local government, and other direct 2566
costs, plus a factor of 20 percent for management, overhead, and 2567
other indirect costs. The notice must specify that the purpose 2568
for the public meeting is to consider whether it is in the 2569
public's best interest to perform the project using the local 2570
government's own services, employees, and equipment. Upon 2571
publication of the public notice and for 21 days thereafter, the 2572
local government shall make available fo r public inspection, 2573
during normal business hours and at a location specified in the 2574
public notice, a detailed itemization of each component of the 2575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 104 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
estimated cost of the project and documentation explaining the 2576
methodology used to arrive at the estimated c ost. At the public 2577
meeting, any qualified contractor or vendor who could have been 2578
awarded the project had the project been competitively bid shall 2579
be provided with a reasonable opportunity to present evidence to 2580
the governing board regarding the project a nd the accuracy of 2581
the local government's estimated cost of the project. In 2582
deciding whether it is in the public's best interest for the 2583
local government to perform a project using its own services, 2584
employees, and equipment, the governing board must consid er the 2585
estimated cost of the project fully accounting for all costs 2586
associated with performing and completing the work, including 2587
employee compensation and benefits, equipment cost and 2588
maintenance, insurance costs, and the cost of direct materials 2589
to be used in the construction of the project, including 2590
materials purchased by the local government, and other direct 2591
costs, plus a factor of 20 percent for management, overhead, and 2592
other indirect costs, and the accuracy of the estimated cost in 2593
light of any other information that may be presented at the 2594
public meeting and whether the project requires an increase in 2595
the number of government employees or an increase in capital 2596
expenditures for public facilities, equipment, or other capital 2597
assets. The local govern ment may further consider the impact on 2598
local economic development, the impact on small and minority 2599
business owners and business owners in economically 2600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 105 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
disadvantaged areas, the impact on state and local tax revenues, 2601
whether the private sector contractors provide health insurance 2602
and other benefits equivalent to those provided by the local 2603
government, and any other factor relevant to what is in the 2604
public's best interest. A report summarizing completed projects 2605
constructed by the local government pursuant to this subsection 2606
shall be publicly reviewed each year by the governing body of 2607
the local government. The report shall detail the estimated 2608
costs and the actual costs of the projects constructed by the 2609
local government pursuant to this subsection. The rep ort shall 2610
be made available for review by the public. The Auditor General 2611
shall review the report as part of his or her audits of local 2612
governments. 2613
10. If the governing board of the local government 2614
determines upon consideration of specific substantive criteria 2615
that it is in the best interest of the local government to award 2616
the project to an appropriately licensed private sector 2617
contractor pursuant to administrative procedures established by 2618
and expressly set forth in a charter, ordinance, or resolution 2619
of the local government adopted before July 1, 1994. The 2620
criteria and procedures must be set out in the charter, 2621
ordinance, or resolution and must be applied uniformly by the 2622
local government to avoid awarding a project in an arbitrary or 2623
capricious manner. This exception applies only if all of the 2624
following occur: 2625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 106 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
a. The governing board of the local government, after 2626
public notice, conducts a public meeting under s. 286.011 and 2627
finds by a two-thirds vote of the governing board that it is in 2628
the public's best interest to award the project according to the 2629
criteria and procedures established by charter, ordinance, or 2630
resolution. The public notice must be published at least 14 days 2631
before the date of the public meeting at which the governing 2632
board takes final action. The notice must identify the project, 2633
the estimated cost of the project, and specify that the purpose 2634
for the public meeting is to consider whether it is in the 2635
public's best interest to award the project using the criteria 2636
and procedures permit ted by the preexisting charter, ordinance, 2637
or resolution. 2638
b. The project is to be awarded by any method other than a 2639
competitive selection process, and the governing board finds 2640
evidence that: 2641
(I) There is one appropriately licensed contractor who is 2642
uniquely qualified to undertake the project because that 2643
contractor is currently under contract to perform work that is 2644
affiliated with the project; or 2645
(II) The time to competitively award the project will 2646
jeopardize the funding for the project, materiall y increase the 2647
cost of the project, or create an undue hardship on the public 2648
health, safety, or welfare. 2649
c. The project is to be awarded by any method other than a 2650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 107 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
competitive selection process, and the published notice clearly 2651
specifies the ordinance o r resolution by which the private 2652
sector contractor will be selected and the criteria to be 2653
considered. 2654
d. The project is to be awarded by a method other than a 2655
competitive selection process, and the architect or engineer of 2656
record has provided a written recommendation that the project be 2657
awarded to the private sector contractor without competitive 2658
selection, and the consideration by, and the justification of, 2659
the government body are documented, in writing, in the project 2660
file and are presented to the gov erning board prior to the 2661
approval required in this paragraph. 2662
11. To projects subject to chapter 336. 2663
Section 73. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 2664
258.501, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2665
258.501 Myakka River; wild and scenic segme nt.— 2666
(7) MANAGEMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL. — 2667
(a) Upon designation, the department shall create a 2668
permanent council to provide interagency and intergovernmental 2669
coordination in the management of the river. The coordinating 2670
council shall be composed of one representative appointed from 2671
each of the following: the department, the Department of 2672
Transportation, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2673
the Department of Commerce, the Florida Forest Service of the 2674
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Serv ices, the Division of 2675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 108 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Historical Resources of the Department of State, the Tampa Bay 2676
Regional Planning Council, the Southwest Florida Water 2677
Management District, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning 2678
Council, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Charlotte Cou nty, the 2679
City of Sarasota, the City of North Port, agricultural 2680
interests, environmental organizations, and any others deemed 2681
advisable by the department. 2682
Section 74. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 260.0142, 2683
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2684
260.0142 Florida Greenways and Trails Council; 2685
composition; powers and duties. — 2686
(1) There is created within the department the Florida 2687
Greenways and Trails Council which shall advise the department 2688
in the execution of the department's powers and duties under 2689
this chapter. The council shall be composed of 20 21 members, 2690
consisting of: 2691
(a)1. Six members appointed by the Governor, with two 2692
members representing the trail user community, two members 2693
representing the greenway user community, one member from the 2694
board of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, and one 2695
member representing private landowners. 2696
2. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, 2697
with one member representing the trail user community and two 2698
members representing the green way user community. 2699
3. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 2700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 109 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Representatives, with two members representing the trail user 2701
community and one member representing the greenway user 2702
community. 2703
2704
Those eligible to represent the trail user community shall be 2705
chosen from, but not be limited to, paved trail users, hikers, 2706
off-road bicyclists, users of off -highway vehicles, paddlers, 2707
equestrians, disabled outdoor recreational users, and commercial 2708
recreational interests. Those eligible to repre sent the greenway 2709
user community must be chosen from, but not be limited to, 2710
conservation organizations, nature study organizations, and 2711
scientists and university experts. 2712
(b) The 8 9 remaining members include: 2713
1. The Secretary of Environmental Protect ion or a 2714
designee. 2715
2. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife 2716
Conservation Commission or a designee. 2717
3. The Secretary of Transportation or a designee. 2718
4. The Director of the Florida Forest Service of the 2719
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or a designee. 2720
5. The director of the Division of Historical Resources of 2721
the Department of State or a designee. 2722
6. A representative of the water management districts. 2723
Membership on the council must rotate among the five districts. 2724
The districts shall determine the order of rotation. 2725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 110 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
7. A representative of a federal land management agency. 2726
The Secretary of Environmental Protection shall identify the 2727
appropriate federal agency and request designation of a 2728
representative from the agency to ser ve on the council. 2729
8. A representative of the regional planning councils to 2730
be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. 2731
Membership on the council must rotate among the seven regional 2732
planning councils. The regional planning councils shall 2733
determine the order of rotation. 2734
8.9. A representative of local governments to be appointed 2735
by the Secretary of Environmental Protection. Membership must 2736
alternate between a county representative and a municipal 2737
representative. 2738
(3) The term of all appo intees shall be for 2 years unless 2739
otherwise specified. The appointees of the Governor, the 2740
President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 2741
Representatives may be reappointed for no more than four 2742
consecutive terms. The representatives of the wate r management 2743
districts, regional planning councils, and local governments may 2744
be reappointed for no more than two consecutive terms. All other 2745
appointees shall serve until replaced. 2746
Section 75. Subsection (18) of section 287.012, Florida 2747
Statutes, is amended to read: 2748
287.012 Definitions. —As used in this part, the term: 2749
(18) "Minority Business enterprise in an economically 2750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 111 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
disadvantaged area" has the same meaning as provided in s. 2751
288.703. 2752
Section 76. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and paragraph 2753
(b) of subsection (3) of section 287.042, Florida Statutes, are 2754
amended to read: 2755
287.042 Powers, duties, and functions. —The department 2756
shall have the following powers, duties, and functions: 2757
(2)(a) To establish purchasing agreements and procure 2758
state term contracts for commodities and contractual services, 2759
pursuant to s. 287.057, under which state agencies shall, and 2760
eligible users may, make purchases pursuant to s. 287.056. The 2761
department may restrict purchases from some term contracts to 2762
state agencies only for those term contracts where the inclusion 2763
of other governmental entities will have an adverse effect on 2764
competition or to those federal facilities located in this 2765
state. In such planning or purchasing the Office of Supplier 2766
Development Diversity may monitor to ensure that opportunities 2767
are afforded for contracting with minority business enterprises 2768
in economically disadvantaged areas . The department, for state 2769
term contracts, and all agencies, for multiyear contractual 2770
services or term contracts, shall explore reasonable and 2771
economical means to utilize certified minority business 2772
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . Purchases by 2773
any county, municipality, private nonprofit community 2774
transportation coordinator designated pursuant to chap ter 427, 2775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 112 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
while conducting business related solely to the Commission for 2776
the Transportation Disadvantaged, or other local public agency 2777
under the provisions in the state purchasing contracts, and 2778
purchases, from the corporation operating the correctional wo rk 2779
programs, of products or services that are subject to paragraph 2780
(1)(f), are exempt from the competitive solicitation 2781
requirements otherwise applying to their purchases. 2782
(3) To establish a system of coordinated, uniform 2783
procurement policies, procedures , and practices to be used by 2784
agencies in acquiring commodities and contractual services, 2785
which shall include, but not be limited to: 2786
(b)1. Development of procedures for advertising 2787
solicitations. These procedures must provide for electronic 2788
posting of solicitations for at least 10 days before the date 2789
set for receipt of bids, proposals, or replies, unless the 2790
department or other agency determines in writing that a shorter 2791
period of time is necessary to avoid harming the interests of 2792
the state. The Office of Supplier Development Diversity may 2793
consult with the department regarding the development of 2794
solicitation distribution procedures to ensure that maximum 2795
distribution is afforded to certified minority business 2796
enterprises in economically disadvantaged ar eas as defined in s. 2797
288.703. 2798
2. Development of procedures for electronic posting. The 2799
department shall designate a centralized website on the Internet 2800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 113 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
for the department and other agencies to electronically post 2801
solicitations, decisions or intended deci sions, and other 2802
matters relating to procurement. 2803
Section 77. Paragraph (d) of subsection (3) and paragraph 2804
(b) of subsection (4) of section 287.055, Florida Statutes, are 2805
amended to read: 2806
287.055 Acquisition of professional architectural, 2807
engineering, landscape architectural, or surveying and mapping 2808
services; definitions; procedures; contingent fees prohibited; 2809
penalties.— 2810
(3) PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND QUALIFICATION PROCEDURES. — 2811
(d) Each agency shall evaluate professional services, 2812
including capabilities, adequacy of personnel, past record, 2813
experience, whether the firm is a certified minority business 2814
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area as defined by 2815
the Assistance to Florida Small Businesses and Businesses in 2816
Economically Disadvantaged Areas Minority Business Assistance 2817
Act, and other factors determined by the agency to be applicable 2818
to its particular requirements. When securing professional 2819
services, an agency must endeavor to meet the minority business 2820
enterprise in economically disadvantaged area procurement goals 2821
under s. 287.09451. 2822
(4) COMPETITIVE SELECTION. — 2823
(b) The agency shall select in order of preference no 2824
fewer than three firms deemed to be the most highly qualified to 2825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 114 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
perform the required services. In determin ing whether a firm is 2826
qualified, the agency shall consider such factors as the ability 2827
of professional personnel; whether a firm is a certified 2828
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 2829
area; past performance; willingness to meet time a nd budget 2830
requirements; location; recent, current, and projected workloads 2831
of the firms; and the volume of work previously awarded to each 2832
firm by the agency, with the object of effecting an equitable 2833
distribution of contracts among qualified firms, provid ed such 2834
distribution does not violate the principle of selection of the 2835
most highly qualified firms. The agency may request, accept, and 2836
consider proposals for the compensation to be paid under the 2837
contract only during competitive negotiations under subsec tion 2838
(5). 2839
Section 78. Subsections (8), (9), and (12) of section 2840
287.057, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2841
287.057 Procurement of commodities or contractual 2842
services.— 2843
(8)(a) In order to strive to meet the minority business 2844
enterprise procurement goals set forth in s. 287.09451, an 2845
agency may reserve any contract for competitive solicitation 2846
only among certified minority business enterprises in 2847
economically disadvantaged areas . Agencies shall review all 2848
their contracts each fiscal year and shall determine which 2849
contracts may be reserved for solicitation only among certified 2850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 115 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 2851
areas. This reservation may only be used when it is determined, 2852
by reasonable and obj ective means, before the solicitation that 2853
there are capable, qualified certified minority business 2854
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas available to 2855
submit a bid, proposal, or reply on a contract to provide for 2856
effective competition. The Office of Supplier Development 2857
Diversity shall consult with any agency in reaching such 2858
determination when deemed appropriate. 2859
(b) Before a contract may be reserved for solicitation 2860
only among certified minority business enterprises in 2861
economically disadvantag ed areas, the agency head must find that 2862
such a reservation is in the best interests of the state. All 2863
determinations shall be subject to s. 287.09451(5). Once a 2864
decision has been made to reserve a contract, but before sealed 2865
bids, proposals, or replies ar e requested, the agency shall 2866
estimate what it expects the amount of the contract to be, based 2867
on the nature of the services or commodities involved and their 2868
value under prevailing market conditions. If all the sealed 2869
bids, proposals, or replies received are over this estimate, the 2870
agency may reject the bids, proposals, or replies and request 2871
new ones from certified minority business enterprises in 2872
economically disadvantaged areas , or the agency may reject the 2873
bids, proposals, or replies and reopen the bid ding to all 2874
eligible vendors. 2875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 116 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(c) All agencies shall consider the use of price 2876
preferences of up to 10 percent, weighted preference formulas, 2877
or other preferences for vendors as determined appropriate 2878
pursuant to guidelines established in accordance with s. 2879
287.09451(4) to increase the participation of minority business 2880
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . 2881
(d) All agencies shall avoid any undue concentration of 2882
contracts or purchases in categories of commodities or 2883
contractual services in or der to meet the minority business 2884
enterprise purchasing goals in s. 287.09451. 2885
(9) An agency may reserve any contract for competitive 2886
solicitation only among vendors who agree to use certified 2887
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 2888
areas as subcontractors or subvendors. The percentage of funds, 2889
in terms of gross contract amount and revenues, which must be 2890
expended with the subcontractors and subvendors of a certified 2891
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 2892
area, subcontractors and subvendors shall be determined by the 2893
agency before such contracts may be reserved. In order to bid on 2894
a contract so reserved, the vendor shall identify those 2895
certified minority business enterprises in economically 2896
disadvantaged areas which will be utilized as subcontractors or 2897
subvendors by sworn statement. At the time of performance or 2898
project completion, the contractor shall report by sworn 2899
statement the payments and completion of work for all certified 2900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 117 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 2901
areas used in the contract. 2902
(12) If two equal responses to a solicitation or a request 2903
for quote are received and one response is from a certified 2904
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 2905
area, the agency shall enter into a contract with the certified 2906
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 2907
area. 2908
Section 79. Section 287.0931, Florida Statutes, is amended 2909
to read: 2910
287.0931 Minority Business enterprises in economically 2911
disadvantaged areas; participation in bond underwriting. — 2912
(1) Any state or local government agency, or political 2913
subdivision thereof, issuing bonds or other tax -exempt 2914
obligations through one or more underwriters is encouraged to 2915
offer not less than 20 p ercent participation to business 2916
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas minority firms. 2917
(2) To meet such participation requirement, the minority 2918
firm must have full-time employees located in this state and, 2919
must have a permanent place of busines s located in an 2920
economically disadvantaged area in this state, and must be a 2921
firm which is at least 51 -percent-owned by minority persons as 2922
defined in s. 288.703. However, for the purpose of bond 2923
underwriting only, the requirement that the minority person be a 2924
permanent resident of this state does not apply. 2925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 118 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 80. Section 287.094, Florida Statutes, is amended 2926
to read: 2927
287.094 Programs for business enterprises in economically 2928
disadvantaged areas Minority Business enterprise programs ; 2929
penalty for discrimination and false representation. — 2930
(1) It is unlawful for any individual to falsely claim to 2931
be a minority business enterprise in an economically 2932
disadvantaged area for purposes of qualifying for certification 2933
with any governmental certifying orga nization as a minority 2934
business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area in 2935
order to participate under a program of a state agency which is 2936
designed to assist certified minority business enterprises in 2937
economically disadvantaged areas in the receipt of contracts 2938
with the agency for the provision of goods or services. The 2939
certification of any contractor, firm, or individual obtained by 2940
such false representation shall be permanently revoked, and the 2941
entity shall be barred from doing business with stat e government 2942
for a period of 36 months. Any person who violates this section 2943
is guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as 2944
provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 2945
(2) Any contractor, firm, or individual which falsely 2946
represents to an agency or to a contractor, pursuant to a state 2947
contract, that it is a certified minority business enterprise in 2948
an economically disadvantaged area or which represents that it 2949
will use the services or commodities of a certified minority 2950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 119 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area and 2951
subsequently does not do so shall be in breach of contract. Upon 2952
determination that a breach has occurred, all payments under the 2953
contract may be immediately suspended. The contractor or firm 2954
may show that it attempted through reasonable and objective 2955
means and in good faith to comply with the terms of the contract 2956
relating to minority business enterprises in economically 2957
disadvantaged areas but was unable to comply. If the agency 2958
determines that the contractor o r firm did not act in good 2959
faith, all amounts paid to the contractor or firm under the 2960
state contract intended for expenditure with the certified 2961
minority business enterprises in an economically disadvantaged 2962
area shall be forfeited and recoverable by the Department of 2963
Legal Affairs. In addition, the contract may be rescinded and 2964
the agency may return all goods received and recover all amounts 2965
paid under the contract. 2966
(3) Any contractor, firm, or individual shall be barred 2967
from doing business with state g overnment for a period of 36 2968
months, and shall be permanently disqualified from doing 2969
business with state government as a certified minority business 2970
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area , if the office 2971
has determined that the contractor, firm, or individual has not 2972
acted in good faith to fulfill the terms of a contract calling 2973
for it to use the services or commodities of a certified 2974
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 2975
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 120 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
area. If the Department of Legal Affairs, agency fin al order, or 2976
a court of law determines that a person was involved in a 2977
violation of this section, knew about such violation, or 2978
collaborated with a contractor or firm in such violation, the 2979
person, or any contractor or firm the person is employed by or 2980
affiliated with, shall be barred from doing business with state 2981
government for a period of at least 36 months. 2982
(4) No agency shall deny any contractor, firm, or 2983
individual a fair opportunity to compete in the public 2984
procurement of commodities and services b ased on race, national 2985
origin, gender, religion, or physical disability, which for 2986
purposes of this subsection constitutes prohibited 2987
discrimination. Complaints alleging prohibited discrimination by 2988
an agency in its public procurement may be filed with the Office 2989
of Supplier Development Diversity within 60 days after the facts 2990
giving rise to the complaint are known or reasonably should have 2991
been discovered. Any complaint shall be filed in writing and 2992
must set forth the specific facts giving rise to the clai m of 2993
prohibited discrimination. The Office of Supplier Development 2994
Diversity shall, within 10 days, refer the complaint to the 2995
Inspector General for the agency that is the subject of the 2996
complaint, who shall coordinate a prompt investigation and issue 2997
written findings of fact. These findings shall be reviewed by 2998
the Chief Inspector General or his or her designee, who is 2999
authorized to conduct any further investigation deemed necessary 3000
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 121 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
or appropriate. Upon a final determination that an agency has 3001
abused its discretion by engaging in prohibited discrimination, 3002
the Chief Inspector General shall refer any state employee 3003
determined to have participated in the prohibited discrimination 3004
for disciplinary action in accordance with chapter 60K(9), 3005
Florida Administrativ e Code, and subsequently enacted rules, up 3006
to and including termination. 3007
(5) The owner of a minority business enterprise in an 3008
economically disadvantaged area that has been found guilty under 3009
subsection (1) or subsection (3) shall not attempt to circumve nt 3010
this section by creating a new business entity for the purposes 3011
of attempting to transact business in this state. 3012
Section 81. Section 287.0943, Florida Statutes, is amended 3013
to read: 3014
287.0943 Certification of minority business enterprises in 3015
economically disadvantaged areas .— 3016
(1) A business certified by any local governmental 3017
jurisdiction or organization shall be accepted by the Department 3018
of Management Services, Office of Supplier Development 3019
Diversity, as a certified minority business enterprise in an 3020
economically disadvantaged area for purposes of doing business 3021
with state government when the Office of Supplier Development 3022
Diversity determines that the state's minority business 3023
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area certification 3024
criteria are applied in the local certification process. 3025
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 122 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2)(a) The office is hereby directed to convene a 3026
"Minority Business Enterprises in Economically Disadvantaged 3027
Areas Certification Task Force." The task force shall meet as 3028
often as necessary, but no less frequently than annually. 3029
(b) The task force shall be regionally balanced and 3030
comprised of officials representing the department, counties, 3031
municipalities, school boards, special districts, and other 3032
political subdivisions of the s tate who administer programs to 3033
assist business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas 3034
minority businesses in procurement or development in government -3035
sponsored programs. The following organizations may appoint two 3036
members each of the task force w ho fit the description above: 3037
1. The Florida League of Cities, Inc. 3038
2. The Florida Association of Counties. 3039
3. The Florida School Boards Association, Inc. 3040
4. The Association of Special Districts. 3041
5. The Florida Association of Minority Business En terprise 3042
Officials. 3043
5.6. The Florida Association of Government Purchasing 3044
Officials. 3045
In addition, the Office of Supplier Development Diversity shall 3046
appoint seven members consisting of three representatives of 3047
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3048
areas, one of whom should be a woman business owner, two 3049
officials of the office, and two at -large members to ensure 3050
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 123 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
balance. A quorum shall consist of one -third of the current 3051
members, and the task force may take action by major ity vote. 3052
Any vacancy may only be filled by the organization or agency 3053
originally authorized to appoint the position. 3054
(c) The purpose of the task force will be to propose 3055
uniform criteria and procedures by which participating entities 3056
and organizations can qualify businesses to participate in 3057
procurement or contracting programs as certified minority 3058
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas in 3059
accordance with the certification criteria established by law. 3060
(d) A final list of the criteria and procedures proposed 3061
by the task force shall be considered by the secretary. The task 3062
force may seek technical assistance from qualified providers of 3063
technical, business, and managerial expertise to ensure the 3064
reliability of the certification criteria d eveloped. 3065
(e) In assessing the status of ownership and control, 3066
certification criteria shall, at a minimum: 3067
1. Link ownership by a minority person as defined in s. 3068
288.703, or as dictated by the legal obligations of a certifying 3069
organization, to day-to-day control and financial risk by the 3070
qualifying minority owner, and to demonstrated expertise or 3071
licensure of a minority owner in any trade or profession that 3072
the minority business enterprise in an economically 3073
disadvantaged area will offer to the state when certified. 3074
Businesses must comply with all state licensing requirements 3075
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 124 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
before becoming certified as a minority business enterprise in 3076
an economically disadvantaged area . 3077
2. If present ownership was obtained by transfer, require 3078
the minority person on whom eligibility is based to have owned 3079
at least 51 percent of the applicant firm for a minimum of 2 3080
years, when any previous majority ownership interest in the firm 3081
was by a person nonminority who is or was a relative, former 3082
employer, or current emplo yer of the minority person on whom 3083
eligibility is based. This requirement does not apply to 3084
minority persons who are otherwise eligible who take a 51 -3085
percent-or-greater interest in a firm that requires professional 3086
licensure to operate and who will be the qualifying 3087
licenseholder for the firm when certified. A transfer made 3088
within a related immediate family group from one person to 3089
another a nonminority person to a minority person in order to 3090
establish ownership of a business enterprise in an economically 3091
disadvantaged area by a minority person shall be deemed to have 3092
been made solely for purposes of satisfying certification 3093
criteria and shall render such ownership invalid for purposes of 3094
qualifying for such certification if the combined total net 3095
asset value of all members of such family group exceeds $1 3096
million. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "related 3097
immediate family group" means one or more children under 16 3098
years of age and a parent of such children or the spouse of such 3099
parent residing in t he same house or living unit. 3100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 125 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3. Require that prospective certified minority business 3101
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas be currently 3102
performing or seeking to perform a useful business function. A 3103
"useful business function" is defined as a b usiness function 3104
which results in the provision of materials, supplies, 3105
equipment, or services to customers. Acting as a conduit to 3106
transfer funds to a nonminority business that is not in an 3107
economically disadvantaged area does not constitute a useful 3108
business function unless it is done so in a normal industry 3109
practice. As used in this section, the term "acting as a 3110
conduit" means, in part, not acting as a regular dealer by 3111
making sales of material, goods, or supplies from items bought, 3112
kept in stock, and r egularly sold to the public in the usual 3113
course of business. Brokers, manufacturer's representatives, 3114
sales representatives, and nonstocking distributors are 3115
considered as conduits that do not perform a useful business 3116
function, unless normal industry prac tice dictates. 3117
(f) When a business receives payments or awards exceeding 3118
$100,000 in one fiscal year, a review of its certification 3119
status or an audit will be conducted within 2 years. In 3120
addition, random reviews or audits will be conducted as deemed 3121
appropriate by the Office of Supplier Development Diversity. 3122
(g) The certification criteria approved by the task force 3123
and adopted by the Department of Management Services shall be 3124
included in a statewide and interlocal agreement as defined in 3125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 126 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
s. 287.09431 and, in accordance with s. 163.01, shall be 3126
executed according to the terms included therein. 3127
(h) The certification procedures should allow an applicant 3128
seeking certification to designate on the application form the 3129
information the applicant considers to be proprietary, 3130
confidential business information. As used in this paragraph, 3131
"proprietary, confidential business information" includes, but 3132
is not limited to, any information that would be exempt from 3133
public inspection pursuant to the provisions of chapt er 119; 3134
trade secrets; internal auditing controls and reports; contract 3135
costs; or other information the disclosure of which would injure 3136
the affected party in the marketplace or otherwise violate s. 3137
286.041. The executor in receipt of the application shall issue 3138
written and final notice of any information for which 3139
noninspection is requested but not provided for by law. 3140
(i) A business that is certified under the provisions of 3141
the statewide and interlocal agreement shall be deemed a 3142
business certified minority enterprise in an economically 3143
disadvantaged area in all jurisdictions or organizations where 3144
the agreement is in effect, and that business is deemed 3145
available to do business as such within any such jurisdiction or 3146
with any such organization statew ide. All state agencies must 3147
accept minority business enterprises in economically 3148
disadvantaged areas certified in accordance with the statewide 3149
and interlocal agreement of s. 287.09431, and that business 3150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 127 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
shall also be deemed a " certified minority business enterprise 3151
in an economically disadvantaged area " as defined in s. 288.703. 3152
However, any governmental jurisdiction or organization that 3153
administers a minority business purchasing program may reserve 3154
the right to establish further certification procedures 3155
necessary to comply with federal law. 3156
(j) The statewide and interlocal agreement shall be guided 3157
by the terms and conditions found therein and may be amended at 3158
any meeting of the task force and subsequently adopted by the 3159
secretary of the Department of Management Services. The amended 3160
agreement must be enacted, initialed, and legally executed by at 3161
least two-thirds of the certifying entities party to the 3162
existing agreement and adopted by the state as originally 3163
executed in order to bind the certifying en tity. 3164
(k) The task force shall meet for the first time no later 3165
than 45 days after the effective date of this act. 3166
(3)(a) The office shall review and evaluate the 3167
certification programs and procedures of all prospective 3168
executors of the statewide and i nterlocal agreement to determine 3169
if their programs exhibit the capacity to meet the standards of 3170
the agreement. 3171
(b) The evaluations shall, at a minimum, consider: the 3172
certifying entity's capacity to conduct investigations of 3173
applicants seeking certificat ion under the designated criteria; 3174
the ability of the certifying entity to collect the requisite 3175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 128 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
data and to establish adequate protocol to store and exchange 3176
said information among the executors of the agreement and to 3177
provide adequate security to prevent unauthorized access to 3178
information gathered during the certification process; and the 3179
degree to which any legal obligations or supplemental 3180
requirements unique to the certifying entity exceed the capacity 3181
of that entity to conduct certifications. 3182
(c) Any firms certified by organizations or governmental 3183
entities determined not to meet the state certification criteria 3184
shall not be eligible to participate as certified minority 3185
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas in the 3186
Florida Assistance to Small Businesses and Businesses in 3187
Economically Disadvantaged Areas Act minority business 3188
assistance programs of the state . For a period of 1 year from 3189
July 1, 2025 the effective date of this legislation , the 3190
executor of the statewide and interlocal a greement may elect to 3191
accept only minority business enterprises in economically 3192
disadvantaged areas certified pursuant to criteria in place at 3193
the time the agreement was signed. After the 1 -year period, 3194
either party may elect to withdraw from the agreement without 3195
further notice. 3196
(d) Any organizations or governmental entities determined 3197
by the office not to meet the standards of the agreement shall 3198
not be eligible to execute the statewide and interlocal 3199
agreement as a participating organization until appr oved by the 3200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 129 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
office. 3201
(e) Any participating program receiving three or more 3202
challenges to its certification decisions pursuant to subsection 3203
(4) from other organizations that are executors to the statewide 3204
and interlocal agreement, shall be subject to a re view by the 3205
office, as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b), of the 3206
organization's capacity to perform under such agreement and in 3207
accordance with the core criteria established by the task force. 3208
The office shall submit a report to the secretary of the 3209
Department of Management Services regarding the results of the 3210
review. 3211
(f) The office shall maintain a directory of all executors 3212
of the statewide and interlocal agreement. The directory should 3213
be communicated to the general public. 3214
(4) A certification may be challenged by any executor to 3215
the statewide and interlocal agreement upon the grounds of 3216
failure by the certifying organization to adhere to the adopted 3217
criteria or to the certifying organization's rules and 3218
procedures, or on the grounds of a misreprese ntation or fraud by 3219
the certified minority business enterprise. The challenge shall 3220
proceed according to procedures specified in the agreement. 3221
(5)(a) The secretary of the Department of Management 3222
Services shall execute the statewide and interlocal agree ment 3223
established under s. 287.09431 on behalf of the state. The 3224
office shall certify minority business enterprises in 3225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 130 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
economically disadvantaged areas in accordance with the laws of 3226
this state and, by affidavit, shall recertify such minority 3227
business enterprises not less than once each year. 3228
(b) The office shall contract with parties to the 3229
statewide and interlocal agreement to perform onsite visits 3230
associated with state certifications. 3231
(6)(a) The office shall maintain up -to-date records of all 3232
certified minority business enterprises in economically 3233
disadvantaged areas, as defined in s. 288.703, and of 3234
applications for certification that were denied and shall make 3235
this list available to all agencies. The office shall, for 3236
statistical purposes, collect an d track subgroupings of gender 3237
and nationality status for each certified minority business 3238
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area . Agency 3239
spending shall also be tracked for these subgroups. The records 3240
may include information about minority business enterprises in 3241
economically disadvantaged areas that provide legal services, 3242
auditing services, and health services. Agencies shall use this 3243
list in efforts to meet the minority business enterprise in an 3244
economically disadvantaged area procurement goals set forth in 3245
s. 287.09451. 3246
(b) The office shall establish and administer a 3247
computerized data bank to carry out the requirements of 3248
paragraph (a), to be available to all executors of the statewide 3249
and interlocal agreement. Data maintained in the data ba nk shall 3250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 131 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
be sufficient to allow each executor to reasonably monitor 3251
certifications it has issued. 3252
(7) The office shall identify minority business 3253
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas eligible for 3254
certification in all areas of state services an d commodities 3255
purchasing. The office may contract with a private firm or other 3256
agency, if necessary, in seeking to identify minority business 3257
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas for 3258
certification. Agencies may request the office to identify 3259
certifiable minority business enterprises in economically 3260
disadvantaged areas that are in the business of providing a 3261
given service or commodity; the office shall respond to such 3262
requests and seek out such certifiable minority business 3263
enterprises. 3264
(8) The office shall adopt rules necessary to implement 3265
this section. 3266
(9) State agencies shall comply with this act except to 3267
the extent that the requirements of this act are in conflict 3268
with federal law. 3269
(10) Any transfer of ownership or permanent change in t he 3270
management and daily operations of a certified minority business 3271
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area which may 3272
affect certification must be reported to the original certifying 3273
jurisdiction or entity and to the office within 14 days of the 3274
transfer or change taking place. In the event of a transfer of 3275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 132 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
ownership, the transferee seeking to do business with the state 3276
as a certified minority business enterprise in an economically 3277
disadvantaged area is responsible for such reporting. In the 3278
event of a permanent change in the management and daily 3279
operations, owners seeking to do business with the state as a 3280
certified minority business enterprise in an economically 3281
disadvantaged area are responsible for reporting such change to 3282
the office. Any person violating the provisions of this 3283
subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, 3284
punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 3285
(11) To deter fraud in the program, the Auditor General 3286
may review the criteria by which a business became certified as 3287
a certified minority business enterprise in an economically 3288
disadvantaged area. 3289
(12) Any executor of the statewide and interlocal 3290
agreement may revoke the certification or recertification of a 3291
firm doing business as a certified minority business enterprise 3292
in an economically disadvantaged area if the minority business 3293
enterprise does not meet the requirements of the jurisdiction or 3294
certifying entity that certified or recertified the firm as a 3295
certified minority business enterprise in an economically 3296
disadvantaged area, or the requirements of subsection (2), s. 3297
288.703, and any rule of the office or the Department of 3298
Management Services o r if the business acquired certification or 3299
recertification by means of falsely representing any entity as a 3300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 133 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 3301
area for purposes of qualifying for certification or 3302
recertification. 3303
(13) Unless permanently revoked, a certified minority 3304
business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area for 3305
which certification or recertification has been revoked may not 3306
apply or reapply for certification or recertification for a 3307
minimum of 36 months after the date of the notice of revocation. 3308
(14)(a) Except for certification decisions issued by the 3309
Office of Supplier Development Diversity, an executor to the 3310
statewide and interlocal agreement shall, in accordance with its 3311
rules and procedures: 3312
1. Give reasonable notice to affected persons or parties 3313
of its decision to deny certification based on failure to meet 3314
eligibility requirements of the statewide and interlocal 3315
agreement of s. 287.09431, together with a summary of the 3316
grounds therefor. 3317
2. Give affected persons or parties an opportunity, at a 3318
convenient time and place, to present to the agency written or 3319
oral evidence in opposition to the action or of the executor's 3320
refusal to act. 3321
3. Give a written explanation of any subsequent decis ion 3322
of the executor overruling the objections. 3323
(b) An applicant that is denied minority business 3324
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area certification 3325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 134 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
based on failure to meet eligibility requirements of the 3326
statewide and interlocal agreement pu rsuant to s. 287.09431 may 3327
not reapply for certification or recertification until at least 3328
6 months after the date of the notice of the denial of 3329
certification or recertification. 3330
(15) The office shall adopt rules in compliance with this 3331
part. 3332
Section 82. Section 287.09431, Florida Statutes, is 3333
amended to read: 3334
287.09431 Statewide and interlocal agreement on 3335
certification of business concerns for the status of minority 3336
business enterprise in economically disadvantaged areas .—The 3337
statewide and interl ocal agreement on certification of business 3338
concerns for the status of minority business enterprise in 3339
economically disadvantaged areas is hereby enacted and entered 3340
into with all jurisdictions or organizations legally joining 3341
therein. If, within 2 years f rom the date that the certification 3342
core criteria are approved by the Department of Management 3343
Services, the agreement included herein is not executed by a 3344
majority of county and municipal governing bodies that 3345
administer a minority business assistance programs to small 3346
businesses and business in economically disadvantaged areas 3347
program on the effective date of this act, then the Legislature 3348
shall review this agreement. It is the intent of the Legislature 3349
that if the agreement is not executed by a majority of the 3350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 135 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
requisite governing bodies, then a statewide uniform 3351
certification process should be adopted, and that said agreement 3352
should be repealed and replaced by a mandatory state government 3353
certification process. 3354
ARTICLE I 3355
PURPOSE, FINDINGS, AND POLICY. — 3356
(1) The parties to this agreement, desiring by common 3357
action to establish a uniform certification process in order to 3358
reduce the multiplicity of applications by business concerns to 3359
state and local governmental programs for minority business 3360
assistance to small businesses and businesses in economically 3361
disadvantaged areas, declare that it is the policy of each of 3362
them, on the basis of cooperation with one another, to remedy 3363
social and economic disadvantage suffered by certain business 3364
owners groups, resulting in their being historically 3365
underutilized in ownership and control of commercial 3366
enterprises. Thus, the parties seek to address this history by 3367
increasing the participation of small business owners and 3368
business owners in economically disadvantaged area s the 3369
identified groups in opportunities afforded by government 3370
procurement. 3371
(2) The parties find that the State of Florida presently 3372
certifies firms for participation in the Florida Assistance to 3373
Small Businesses and Businesses in Economically Disadvant aged 3374
Areas Act minority business assistance programs of the state . 3375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 136 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
The parties find further that some counties, municipalities, 3376
school boards, special districts, and other divisions of local 3377
government require a separate, yet similar, and in most cases 3378
redundant, certification in order for businesses to participate 3379
in the programs sponsored by each government entity. 3380
(3) The parties find further that this redundant 3381
certification has proven to be unduly burdensome to the 3382
minority-owned firms intended to be nefit from the underlying 3383
purchasing incentives. 3384
(4) The parties agree that: 3385
(a) They will facilitate integrity, stability, and 3386
cooperation in the statewide and interlocal certification 3387
process, and in other elements of programs established to assist 3388
small minority-owned businesses and businesses in economically 3389
disadvantaged areas. 3390
(b) They shall cooperate with agencies, organizations, and 3391
associations interested in certification and other elements of 3392
minority business assistance to small businesses and businesses 3393
in economically disadvantaged areas . 3394
(c) It is the purpose of this agreement to provide for a 3395
uniform process whereby the status of a business concern may be 3396
determined in a singular review of the business information for 3397
these purposes, in order to eliminate any undue expense, delay, 3398
or confusion to the minority-owned businesses in seeking to 3399
participate in the minority business assistance programs of 3400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 137 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
state and local jurisdictions. 3401
ARTICLE II 3402
DEFINITIONS.—As used in this agreement and con tracts made 3403
pursuant to it, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: 3404
(1) "Awarding organization" means any political 3405
subdivision or organization authorized by law, ordinance, or 3406
agreement to enter into contracts and for which the governing 3407
body has entered into this agreement. 3408
(2) "Department" means the Department of Management 3409
Services. 3410
(3) "Minority" means a person who is a lawful, permanent 3411
resident of the state, having origins in one of the minority 3412
groups as described and adopted by the Dep artment of Management 3413
Services, hereby incorporated by reference. 3414
(3)(4) "Minority Business enterprise in an economically 3415
disadvantaged area" means any small business concern as defined 3416
in subsection (5)(6) that meets all of the criteria described 3417
and adopted by the Department of Management Services, hereby 3418
incorporated by reference. 3419
(4)(5) "Participating state or local organization" means 3420
any political subdivision of the state or organization 3421
designated by such that elects to participate in the 3422
certification process pursuant to this agreement, which has been 3423
approved according to s. 287.0943(3) and has legally entered 3424
into this agreement. 3425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 138 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(5)(6) "Small business concern" means an independently 3426
owned and operated business concern which is of a size and type 3427
as described and adopted by vote related to this agreement of 3428
the commission, hereby incorporated by reference. 3429
ARTICLE III 3430
STATEWIDE AND INTERLOCAL CERTIFICATIONS. — 3431
(1) All awarding organizations shall accept a 3432
certification granted by any participating organization which 3433
has been approved according to s. 287.0943(3) and has entered 3434
into this agreement, as valid status of minority business 3435
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area . 3436
(2) A participating organization shall certify a business 3437
concern that meets the definition of minority business 3438
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area in this 3439
agreement, in accordance with the duly adopted elig ibility 3440
criteria. 3441
(3) All participating organizations shall issue notice of 3442
certification decisions granting or denying certification to all 3443
other participating organizations within 14 days of the 3444
decision. Such notice may be made through electronic medi a. 3445
(4) No certification will be granted without an onsite 3446
visit to verify ownership and control of the prospective 3447
minority business enterprise in an economically disadvantaged 3448
area, unless verification can be accomplished by other methods 3449
of adequate verification or assessment of ownership and control. 3450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 139 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(5) The certification of a minority business enterprise in 3451
an economically disadvantaged area pursuant to the terms of this 3452
agreement shall not be suspended, revoked, or otherwise impaired 3453
except on any grounds which would be sufficient for revocation 3454
or suspension of a certification in the jurisdiction of the 3455
participating organization. 3456
(6) The certification determination of a party may be 3457
challenged by any other participating organization by the 3458
issuance of a timely written notice by the challenging 3459
organization to the certifying organization's determination 3460
within 10 days of receiving notice of the certification 3461
decision, stating the grounds therefor. 3462
(7) The sole accepted grounds for challenge shal l be the 3463
failure of the certifying organization to adhere to the adopted 3464
criteria or the certifying organization's rules or procedures, 3465
or the perpetuation of a misrepresentation or fraud by the firm. 3466
(8) The certifying organization shall reexamine its 3467
certification determination and submit written notice to the 3468
applicant and the challenging organization of its findings 3469
within 30 days after the receipt of the notice of challenge. 3470
(9) If the certification determination is affirmed, the 3471
challenging agency may subsequently submit timely written notice 3472
to the firm of its intent to revoke certification of the firm. 3473
ARTICLE IV 3474
APPROVED AND ACCEPTED PROGRAMS. —Nothing in this agreement 3475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 140 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
shall be construed to repeal or otherwise modify any ordinance, 3476
law, or regulation of a party relating to the existing minority 3477
business assistance provisions and procedures by which minority 3478
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas 3479
participate therein. 3480
ARTICLE V 3481
TERM.—The term of the agreement shall be 5 years, a fter 3482
which it may be reexecuted by the parties. 3483
ARTICLE VI 3484
AGREEMENT EVALUATION. —The designated state and local 3485
officials may meet from time to time as a group to evaluate 3486
progress under the agreement, to formulate recommendations for 3487
changes, or to propo se a new agreement. 3488
ARTICLE VII 3489
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.—Nothing in this agreement shall be 3490
construed to prevent or inhibit other arrangements or practices 3491
of any party in order to comply with federal law. 3492
ARTICLE VIII 3493
EFFECT AND WITHDRAWAL. — 3494
(1) This agreement shall become effective when properly 3495
executed by a legal representative of the participating 3496
organization, when enacted into the law of the state and after 3497
an ordinance or other legislation is enacted into law by the 3498
governing body of each participati ng organization. Thereafter it 3499
shall become effective as to any participating organization upon 3500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 141 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the enactment of this agreement by the governing body of that 3501
organization. 3502
(2) Any party may withdraw from this agreement by enacting 3503
legislation repealing t he same, but no such withdrawal shall 3504
take effect until one year after the governing body of the 3505
withdrawing party has given notice in writing of the withdrawal 3506
to the other parties. 3507
(3) No withdrawal shall relieve the withdrawing party of 3508
any obligations imposed upon it by law. 3509
ARTICLE IX 3510
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. — 3511
(1) A participating organization shall not be financially 3512
responsible or liable for the obligations of any other 3513
participating organization related to this agreement. 3514
(2) The provisions o f this agreement shall constitute 3515
neither a waiver of any governmental immunity under Florida law 3516
nor a waiver of any defenses of the parties under Florida law. 3517
The provisions of this agreement are solely for the benefit of 3518
its executors and not intended t o create or grant any rights, 3519
contractual or otherwise, to any person or entity. 3520
ARTICLE X 3521
VENUE AND GOVERNING LAW. —The obligations of the parties to 3522
this agreement are performable only within the county where the 3523
participating organization is located, and statewide for the 3524
Office of Supplier Development Diversity, and venue for any 3525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 142 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
legal action in connection with this agreement shall lie, for 3526
any participating organization except the Office of Supplier 3527
Development Diversity, exclusively in the county where the 3528
participating organization is located. This agreement shall be 3529
governed by and constru ed in accordance with the laws and court 3530
decisions of the state. 3531
ARTICLE XI 3532
CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY. —This agreement shall be 3533
liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. 3534
The provisions of this agreement shall be severable and if any 3535
phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this agreement is 3536
declared to be contrary to the State Constitution or the United 3537
States Constitution, or the application thereof to any 3538
government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the 3539
validity of the remainder of this agreement and the 3540
applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or 3541
circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this agreement 3542
shall be held contrary to the State Constitution, the agreement 3543
shall remain in full force an d effect as to all severable 3544
matters. 3545
Section 83. Section 287.09451, Florida Statutes, is 3546
amended to read: 3547
287.09451 Office of Supplier Development Diversity; 3548
powers, duties, and functions. — 3549
(1) The Legislature finds that there is evidence of a 3550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 143 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
systematic pattern of past and continuing racial discrimination 3551
against minority business enterprises in economically 3552
disadvantaged areas and a disparity in the availability and use 3553
of minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3554
areas in the state procurement system. It is determined to be a 3555
compelling state interest to rectify such discrimination and 3556
disparity. Based upon statistical data profiling this 3557
discrimination, the Legislature has enacted race-conscious and 3558
gender-conscious remedial programs to ensure minority 3559
participation by persons in economically disadvantaged areas in 3560
the economic life of the state, in state contracts for the 3561
purchase of commodities and services, and in construction 3562
contracts. The purpose and intent of this section is to increase 3563
participation by minority business enterprises in economically 3564
disadvantaged areas accomplished by encouraging the use of 3565
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3566
areas and the entry of new and diversified minority business 3567
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas into the 3568
marketplace. 3569
(2) The Office of Supplier Development Diversity is 3570
established within the Department of Commerce Department of 3571
Management Services to assist minority business enterprises in 3572
economically disadvantaged areas in becoming suppliers of 3573
commodities, services, and construction to state government. 3574
(3) The secretary shall appoint an executive director for 3575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 144 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the Office of Supplier Development Diversity, who shall serve at 3576
the pleasure of the secretary. 3577
(4) The Office of Supplier Development Diversity shall 3578
have the following powers, duties, and functions: 3579
(a) To adopt rules to determine what constitutes a "good 3580
faith effort" for purposes of state agency compliance with the 3581
minority business enterprise procurement goals set forth in s. 3582
287.042. Factors which shall be considered by the Minority 3583
Business Enterprise Assistance Office in determining good faith 3584
effort shall include, but not be limited to: 3585
1. Whether the agency scheduled presolicitation or prebid 3586
meetings for the purpose of informing minority business 3587
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas of contracting 3588
and subcontracting opportunities. 3589
2. Whether the contractor advertised in ge neral 3590
circulation, trade association, or minority-focus media in 3591
economically disadvantaged areas concerning the subcontracting 3592
opportunities. 3593
3. Whether the agency effectively used services and 3594
resources of available minority community organizations in 3595
economically disadvantaged areas ; minority contractors' groups 3596
in economically disadvantaged areas ; local, state, and federal 3597
minority business assistance offices in economically 3598
disadvantaged areas; and other organizations that provide 3599
assistance in the recruitment and placement of minority business 3600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 145 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or minority 3601
persons. 3602
4. Whether the agency provided written notice to a 3603
reasonable number of minority business enterprises in 3604
economically disadvantaged areas that their interest in 3605
contracting with the agency was being solicited in sufficient 3606
time to allow the minority business enterprises in economically 3607
disadvantaged areas to participate effectively. 3608
(b) To adopt rules to determine what constitutes a "good 3609
faith effort" for purposes of contractor compliance with 3610
contractual requirements relating to the use of services or 3611
commodities of a minority business enterprise in an economically 3612
disadvantaged area under s. 287.094(2). Factors which shall be 3613
considered by the Office of Supplier Development Diversity in 3614
determining whether a contractor has made good faith efforts 3615
shall include, but not be limited to: 3616
1. Whether the contractor attended any presolicitation or 3617
prebid meetings that were scheduled by the agen cy to inform 3618
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3619
areas of contracting and subcontracting opportunities. 3620
2. Whether the contractor advertised in general 3621
circulation, trade association, or minority-focus media in 3622
economically disadvantaged areas concerning the subcontracting 3623
opportunities. 3624
3. Whether the contractor provided written notice to a 3625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 146 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
reasonable number of specific minority business enterprises in 3626
economically disadvantaged areas that their interest in the 3627
contract was being solicited in sufficient time to allow the 3628
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3629
areas to participate effectively. 3630
4. Whether the contractor followed up initial 3631
solicitations of interest by contacting minority business 3632
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or minority 3633
persons to determine with certainty whether the minority 3634
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or 3635
minority persons were interested. 3636
5. Whether the contractor selected portions of the work to 3637
be performed by minority business enterprises in economically 3638
disadvantaged areas in order to increase the likelihood of 3639
meeting the minority business enterprise in an economically 3640
disadvantaged area procurement goals, including, where 3641
appropriate, breaking down contracts into economically feasible 3642
units to facilitate participation by business enterprises in 3643
economically disadvantaged areas minority business enterprise 3644
participation. 3645
6. Whether the contractor provided interested minority 3646
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or 3647
minority persons with adequate information about the plans, 3648
specifications, and requirements of the contract or the 3649
availability of jobs. 3650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 147 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
7. Whether the contractor negotiated in good faith with 3651
interested minority business enterprises in economically 3652
disadvantaged areas or minority persons, not rejecting such 3653
business enterprises minority business enterprises or minority 3654
persons as unqualified without sound reasons based on a thorough 3655
investigation of their capabilities. 3656
8. Whether the contractor effectively used the services of 3657
available minority community organizations in economically 3658
disadvantaged areas; minority contractors ' groups in 3659
economically disadvantaged areas ; local, state, and federal 3660
minority business assistance offices in economically 3661
disadvantaged areas; and other organizations that provide 3662
assistance in the recruitment and placement of minority business 3663
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or minority 3664
persons. 3665
(c) To adopt rules and do all things necessary or 3666
convenient to guide all state agencies toward making 3667
expenditures for commodities, contractual services, 3668
construction, and architectural and en gineering services with 3669
certified minority business enterprises in economically 3670
disadvantaged areas in accordance with the minority business 3671
enterprise procurement goals set forth in s. 287.042. 3672
(d) To monitor the degree to which agencies procure 3673
services, commodities, and construction from minority business 3674
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas in conjunction 3675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 148 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
with the Department of Financial Services as specified in s. 3676
17.11. 3677
(e) To receive and disseminate information relative to 3678
procurement opportunities, availability of minority business 3679
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas , and technical 3680
assistance. 3681
(f) To advise agencies on methods and techniques for 3682
achieving procurement objectives. 3683
(g) To provide a central minority business enterprise 3684
certification process for business enterprises in economically 3685
disadvantaged areas which includes independent verification of 3686
status as a minority business enterprise in an economically 3687
disadvantaged area. 3688
(h) To develop procedures t o investigate complaints 3689
against minority business enterprises or contractors in 3690
economically disadvantaged areas alleged to violate any 3691
provision related to this section or s. 287.0943, that may 3692
include visits to worksites or business premises, and to ref er 3693
all information on businesses suspected of misrepresenting their 3694
minority status to the Department of Commerce Department of 3695
Management Services for investigation. When an investigation is 3696
completed and there is reason to believe that a violation has 3697
occurred, the matter shall be referred to the office of the 3698
Attorney General, Department of Legal Affairs, for prosecution. 3699
(i) To maintain a directory of all minority business 3700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 149 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas which have been 3701
certified and provide this information to any agency or business 3702
requesting it. 3703
(j) To encourage all firms which do more than $1 million 3704
in business with the state within a 12 -month period to develop, 3705
implement, and submit to this office a minority business 3706
development plan. 3707
(k) To communicate on a monthly basis with the Small 3708
Businesses and Businesses in Economically Disadvantaged Areas 3709
and Minority Business Advisory Council to keep the council 3710
informed on issues relating to minority enterprise procurement. 3711
(l) To serve as an advocate for minority business 3712
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas , and coordinate 3713
with the small and minority business ombudsman, as defined in s. 3714
288.703, which duties shall include: 3715
1. Ensuring that agencies supported by state funding 3716
effectively target the delivery of services and resources, as 3717
related to minority business enterprises in economically 3718
disadvantaged areas. 3719
2. Establishing standards within each industry with which 3720
the state government contracts on how agencies a nd contractors 3721
may provide the maximum practicable opportunity for minority 3722
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . 3723
3. Assisting agencies and contractors by providing 3724
outreach to minority businesses in economically disadvantaged 3725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 150 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
areas, by specifying and monitoring technical and managerial 3726
competence for minority business enterprises in economically 3727
disadvantaged areas, and by consulting in planning of agency 3728
procurement to determine how best to provide opportunities for 3729
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3730
areas. 3731
4. Integrating technical and managerial assistance for 3732
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3733
areas with government contracting opportunities. 3734
(m) To certify minority business enterprises in 3735
economically disadvantaged areas , as defined in s. 288.703, and 3736
as specified in ss. 287.0943 and 287.09431, and shall recertify 3737
such minority businesses at least once every 2 years. Minority 3738
Business enterprises in economically disadvant aged areas must be 3739
recertified at least once every 2 years. Such certifications may 3740
include an electronic signature. 3741
(n)1. To develop procedures to be used by an agency in 3742
identifying commodities, contractual services, architectural and 3743
engineering services, and construction contracts, except those 3744
architectural, engineering, construction, or other related 3745
services or contracts subject to the provisions of chapter 339, 3746
that could be provided by minority business enterprises in 3747
economically disadvantaged a reas. Each agency is encouraged to 3748
spend 21 percent of the moneys actually expended for 3749
construction contracts, 25 percent of the moneys actually 3750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 151 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
expended for architectural and engineering contracts, 24 percent 3751
of the moneys actually expended for commoditi es, and 50.5 3752
percent of the moneys actually expended for contractual services 3753
during the previous fiscal year, except for the state university 3754
construction program which shall be based upon public education 3755
capital outlay projections for the subsequent fis cal year, and 3756
reported to the Legislature pursuant to s. 216.023, for the 3757
purpose of entering into contracts with certified minority 3758
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas as 3759
defined in s. 288.703, or approved joint ventures. However, in 3760
the event of budget reductions pursuant to s. 216.221, the base 3761
amounts may be adjusted to reflect such reductions. The overall 3762
spending goal for each industry category shall be subdivided as 3763
follows: 3764
a. For construction contracts: 4 percent for black 3765
Americans, 6 percent for Hispanic -Americans, and 11 percent for 3766
American women. 3767
b. For architectural and engineering contracts: 9 percent 3768
for Hispanic-Americans, 1 percent for Asian -Americans, and 15 3769
percent for American women. 3770
c. For commodities: 2 perc ent for black Americans, 4 3771
percent for Hispanic -Americans, 0.5 percent for Asian -Americans, 3772
0.5 percent for Native Americans, and 17 percent for American 3773
women. 3774
d. For contractual services: 6 percent for black 3775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 152 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Americans, 7 percent for Hispanic -Americans, 1 percent for 3776
Asian-Americans, 0.5 percent for Native Americans, and 36 3777
percent for American women. 3778
2. For the purposes of commodities contracts for the 3779
purchase of equipment to be used in the construction and 3780
maintenance of state transportation facilit ies involving the 3781
Department of Transportation, the terms " minority business 3782
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area " has and 3783
"minority person" have the same meaning meanings as provided in 3784
s. 288.703. In order to ensure that the goals established under 3785
this paragraph for contracting with certified minority business 3786
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas are met, the 3787
department, with the assistance of the Office of Supplier 3788
Development Diversity, shall make recommendations to the 3789
Legislature on revisions to the goals, based on an updated 3790
statistical analysis, at least once every 5 years. Such 3791
recommendations shall be based on statistical data indicating 3792
the availability of and disparity in the use of minority 3793
businesses in economically disa dvantaged areas contracting with 3794
the state. 3795
3. In determining the base amounts for assessing 3796
compliance with this paragraph, the Office of Supplier 3797
Development Diversity may develop, by rule, guidelines for all 3798
agencies to use in establishing such base a mounts. These rules 3799
must include, but are not limited to, guidelines for calculation 3800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 153 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of base amounts, a deadline for the agencies to submit base 3801
amounts, a deadline for approval of the base amounts by the 3802
Office of Supplier Development Diversity, and procedures for 3803
adjusting the base amounts as a result of budget reductions made 3804
pursuant to s. 216.221. 3805
4. To determine guidelines for the use of price 3806
preferences, weighted preference formulas, or other preferences, 3807
as appropriate to the particular industry or trade, to increase 3808
the participation of minority businesses in economically 3809
disadvantaged areas in state contracting. These guidelines shall 3810
include consideration of: 3811
a. Size and complexity of the project. 3812
b. The concentration of transactions with minority 3813
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas for the 3814
commodity or contractual services in question in prior agency 3815
contracting. 3816
c. The specificity and definition of work allocated to 3817
participating minority business enterprises in economically 3818
disadvantaged areas. 3819
d. The capacity of participating minority business 3820
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas to complete the 3821
tasks identified in the project. 3822
e. The available pool of minority business enterprises in 3823
economically disadvantaged areas as prime contractors, either 3824
alone or as partners in an approved joint venture that serves as 3825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 154 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the prime contractor. 3826
5. To determine guidelines for use of joint ventures to 3827
meet minority business enterprises spending goals. For purposes 3828
of this section, "joint venture" means any association of two or 3829
more business concerns to carry out a single business enterprise 3830
for profit, for which purpose they combine their property, 3831
capital, efforts, skills, and knowledge. The guidelines shall 3832
allow transactions with joint ventures to be eligible for credit 3833
against the minority business enterprise goals of an agency when 3834
the contracting joint venture demonstrates that at least one 3835
partner to the joint venture is a certified minority business 3836
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area as defined in 3837
s. 288.703, and that such partner is responsible for a clearly 3838
defined portion of the work to be performed, and shares in the 3839
ownership, control, management, responsibilities, risks, and 3840
profits of the joint venture. Such demonstration shall be by 3841
verifiable documents and sworn statements and may be reviewed by 3842
the Office of Supplier Development Diversity at or before the 3843
time a contract bid, proposal, or reply is submitted. An agency 3844
may count toward its minority business enterprise goals a 3845
portion of the total dollar amount of a contract equal to the 3846
percentage of the ownership and control held by the qualifying 3847
certified minority business partners in the contracting joint 3848
venture, so long as the joint venture meets the guidelines 3849
adopted by the office. 3850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 155 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(o)1. To establish a system to record and measure the use 3851
of certified minority business enterprises in economically 3852
disadvantaged areas in state contracting. This system shall 3853
maintain information and statistics on the participation of 3854
certified minority business enterprises in economically 3855
disadvantaged areas enterprise participation , awards, dollar 3856
volume of expenditures and age ncy goals, and other appropriate 3857
types of information to analyze progress in the access of 3858
certified minority business enterprises in economically 3859
disadvantaged areas to state contracts and to monitor agency 3860
compliance with this section. Such reporting mus t include, but 3861
is not limited to, the identification of all subcontracts in 3862
state contracting by dollar amount and by number of subcontracts 3863
and the identification of the utilization of certified minority 3864
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas as 3865
prime contractors and subcontractors by dollar amounts of 3866
contracts and subcontracts, number of contracts and 3867
subcontracts, minority status, industry, and any conditions or 3868
circumstances that significantly affected the performance of 3869
subcontractors. Agencies shall report their compliance with the 3870
requirements of this reporting system at least annually and at 3871
the request of the office. All agencies shall cooperate with the 3872
office in establishing this reporting system. Except in 3873
construction contract ing, all agencies shall review contracts 3874
costing in excess of CATEGORY FOUR as defined in s. 287.017 to 3875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 156 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
determine if such contracts could be divided into smaller 3876
contracts to be separately solicited and awarded, and shall, 3877
when economical, offer such small er contracts to encourage 3878
minority participation. 3879
2. To report agency compliance with the provisions of 3880
subparagraph 1. for the preceding fiscal year to the Governor 3881
and Cabinet, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 3882
House of Representative s on or before February 1 of each year. 3883
The report must contain, at a minimum, the following: 3884
a. Total expenditures of each agency by industry. 3885
b. The dollar amount and percentage of contracts awarded 3886
to certified minority business enterprises in economically 3887
disadvantaged areas by each state agency. 3888
c. The dollar amount and percentage of contracts awarded 3889
indirectly to certified minority business enterprises in 3890
economically disadvantaged areas as subcontractors by each state 3891
agency. 3892
d. The total dollar amount and percentage of contracts 3893
awarded to certified minority business enterprises in 3894
economically disadvantaged areas , whether directly or 3895
indirectly, as subcontractors. 3896
e. A statement and assessment of good faith efforts taken 3897
by each state agency. 3898
f. A status report of agency compliance with subsection 3899
(6), as determined by the Minority Business Enterprise office. 3900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 157 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(5)(a) Each agency shall, at the time the specifications 3901
or designs are developed or contract sizing is determin ed for 3902
any proposed procurement costing in excess of CATEGORY FOUR, as 3903
defined in s. 287.017, forward a notice to the Office of 3904
Supplier Development Diversity of the proposed procurement and 3905
any determination on the designs of specifications of the 3906
proposed procurement that impose requirements on prospective 3907
vendors, no later than 30 days prior to the issuance of a 3908
solicitation, except that this provision shall not apply to 3909
emergency acquisitions. The 30 -day notice period shall not toll 3910
the time for any oth er procedural requirements. 3911
(b) If the Office of Supplier Development Diversity 3912
determines that the proposed procurement will not likely allow 3913
opportunities for minority business enterprises in economically 3914
disadvantaged areas, the office may, within 20 days after it 3915
receives the information specified in paragraph (a), propose the 3916
implementation of minority business enterprise in an 3917
economically disadvantaged area utilization provisions or submit 3918
alternative procurement methods that would significantly 3919
increase minority business enterprise contracting opportunities 3920
in economically disadvantaged areas . 3921
(c) Whenever the agency and the Office of Supplier 3922
Development Diversity disagree, the matter shall be submitted 3923
for determination to the head of the agenc y or the senior-level 3924
official designated pursuant to this section as liaison for 3925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 158 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minority business enterprise issues relating to business 3926
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . 3927
(d) If the proposed procurement proceeds to competitive 3928
solicitation, the office is hereby granted standing to protest, 3929
pursuant to this section, in a timely manner, any contract award 3930
during competitive solicitation for contractual services and 3931
construction contracts that fail to include minority business 3932
enterprise participation of business enterprises in economically 3933
disadvantaged areas, if any responsible and responsive vendor 3934
has demonstrated the ability to achieve any level of 3935
participation, or, any contract award for commodities where, a 3936
reasonable and economical o pportunity to reserve a contract, 3937
statewide or district level, for minority participation was not 3938
executed or, an agency failed to adopt an applicable preference 3939
for minority participation. The bond requirement shall be waived 3940
for the office purposes of th is subsection. 3941
(e) An agency may presume that a vendor offering no 3942
minority participation of business enterprises in economically 3943
disadvantaged areas has not made a good faith effort when other 3944
vendors offer such minority participation of firms listed as 3945
relevant to the agency's purchasing needs in the pertinent 3946
locality or statewide to complete the project. 3947
(f) Paragraph (a) will not apply when the Office of 3948
Supplier Development Diversity determines that an agency has 3949
established a work plan to allow a dvance consultation and 3950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 159 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
planning with minority business enterprises in economically 3951
disadvantaged areas and where such plan clearly demonstrates: 3952
1. A high level of advance planning by the agency with 3953
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 3954
areas. 3955
2. A high level of accessibility, knowledge, and 3956
experience by minority business enterprises in economically 3957
disadvantaged areas in the agency's contract decisionmaking 3958
process. 3959
3. A high quality of agency monitoring and enforcemen t of 3960
internal implementation of minority business enterprises in 3961
economically disadvantaged areas utilization provisions. 3962
4. A high quality of agency monitoring and enforcement of 3963
contractor utilization of minority business enterprises in 3964
economically disadvantaged areas, especially tracking 3965
subcontractor data, and ensuring the integrity of subcontractor 3966
reporting. 3967
5. A high quality of agency outreach, agency networking of 3968
major vendors with minority vendors in economically 3969
disadvantaged areas, and innovation in techniques to improve 3970
utilization of minority business enterprises in economically 3971
disadvantaged areas. 3972
6. Substantial commitment, sensitivity, and proactive 3973
attitude by the agency head and among the agency minority 3974
business staff. 3975
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 160 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(6) Each state agency shall coordinate its minority 3976
business enterprise procurement activities with the Office of 3977
Supplier Development Diversity. At a minimum, each agency shall: 3978
(a) Adopt a minority business enterprise utilization plan 3979
for review and approval by the Office of Supplier Development 3980
Diversity which should require meaningful and useful methods to 3981
attain the legislative intent in assisting minority business 3982
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas . 3983
(b) Designate a senior -level employee in the agency as a 3984
minority enterprise assistance officer, responsible for 3985
overseeing the agency's minority business utilization activities 3986
for business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas , 3987
and who is not also charged with purchasing responsibility. A 3988
senior-level agency employee and agency purchasing officials 3989
shall be accountable to the agency head for the agency's 3990
minority business utilization performance. The Office of 3991
Supplier Development Diversity shall advise each agency on 3992
compliance performanc e. 3993
(c) If an agency deviates significantly from its 3994
utilization plan in 2 consecutive or 3 out of 5 total fiscal 3995
years, the Office of Supplier Development Diversity may review 3996
any and all solicitations and contract awards of the agency as 3997
deemed necessary until such time as the agency meets its 3998
utilization plan. 3999
Section 84. Section 287.0947, Florida Statutes, is amended 4000
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 161 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to read: 4001
287.0947 Small Businesses and Businesses in Economically 4002
Disadvantaged Areas Florida Advisory Council on Small and 4003
Minority Business Development ; creation; membership; duties. — 4004
(1) The Secretary of Management Services may create the 4005
Small Businesses and Businesses in Economically Disadvantaged 4006
Areas Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business 4007
Development with the purpose of advising and assisting the 4008
secretary in carrying out the secretary's duties with respect to 4009
minority businesses in economically disadvantaged areas and 4010
economic and business development. It is the intent of the 4011
Legislature that the membership of such council includes include 4012
practitioners, laypersons, financiers, and others with business 4013
development experience who can provide invaluable insight and 4014
expertise for this state in the diversification of its markets 4015
and networking of business opportu nities. The council shall 4016
initially consist of 19 persons, each of whom is or has been 4017
actively engaged in small and minority business development and 4018
business development in economically disadvantaged areas , either 4019
in private industry, in governmental ser vice, or as a scholar of 4020
recognized achievement in the study of such matters. Initially, 4021
the council shall consist of members representing all regions of 4022
the state and shall include at least one member from each group 4023
identified within the definition of "minority person" in s. 4024
288.703(4), considering also gender and nationality subgroups , 4025
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 162 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and shall consist of the following: 4026
(a) Four members consisting of representatives of local 4027
and federal small and minority business and business enterprises 4028
in economically disadvantaged areas assistance programs or 4029
community development programs. 4030
(b) Eight members composed of representatives of the 4031
minority private business sector in economically disadvantaged 4032
areas, including certified minority business enterprises in 4033
economically disadvantaged areas and minority supplier 4034
development councils in economically disadvantaged areas , among 4035
whom at least two shall be women and at least four shall be 4036
minority persons. 4037
(c) Two representatives of local government, one of wh om 4038
shall be a representative of a large local government, and one 4039
of whom shall be a representative of a small local government. 4040
(d) Two representatives from the banking and insurance 4041
industry. 4042
(e) Two members from the private business sector, 4043
representing the construction and commodities industries. 4044
(f) The Secretary of Commerce or his or her designee. 4045
4046
A candidate for appointment may be considered if he or she is 4047
eligible to be certified as an owner of a minority business 4048
enterprise in an economically disadvantaged area , or if 4049
otherwise qualified under the criteria above. Vacancies may be 4050
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 163 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
filled by appointment of the secretary, in the manner of the 4051
original appointment. 4052
(2) Each appointed member shall serve for a term of 2 4053
years from the date of appointment, except that a vacancy shall 4054
be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired 4055
term. The council shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair. 4056
The council shall adopt internal procedures or bylaws necessary 4057
for efficient operations. Members of the council shall serve 4058
without compensation or honorarium but shall be entitled to per 4059
diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061 for the 4060
performance of duties for the council. The executive 4061
administrator of the commission may remo ve a council member for 4062
cause. 4063
(3) Within 30 days after its initial meeting, the council 4064
shall elect from among its members a chair and a vice chair. 4065
(4) The council shall meet at the call of its chair, at 4066
the request of a majority of its membership, a t the request of 4067
the commission or its executive administrator, or at such times 4068
as may be prescribed by rule, but not less than once a year, to 4069
offer its views on issues related to the development of small 4070
businesses and business enterprises in economical ly 4071
disadvantaged areas minority business development of concern to 4072
this state. A majority of the members of the council shall 4073
constitute a quorum. 4074
(5) The powers and duties of the council include, but are 4075
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 164 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
not limited to: researching and reviewing the rol e of small and 4076
minority businesses and business enterprises in economically 4077
disadvantaged areas in the state's economy; reviewing issues and 4078
emerging topics relating to small and minority business economic 4079
development of small businesses and business enter prises in 4080
economically disadvantaged areas ; studying the ability of 4081
financial markets and institutions to meet small business credit 4082
needs and determining the impact of government demands on credit 4083
for small businesses; assessing the implementation of s. 4084
187.201(21), requiring a state economic development 4085
comprehensive plan, as it relates to small and minority 4086
businesses and business enterprises in economically 4087
disadvantaged areas; assessing the reasonableness and 4088
effectiveness of efforts by any state agenc y or by all state 4089
agencies collectively to assist minority business enterprises in 4090
economically disadvantaged areas ; and advising the Governor, the 4091
secretary, and the Legislature on matters relating to the small 4092
and minority business development of small businesses and 4093
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas which 4094
are of importance to the international strategic planning and 4095
activities of this state. 4096
(6) On or before January 1 of each year, the council shall 4097
present an annual report to th e secretary that sets forth in 4098
appropriate detail the business transacted by the council during 4099
the year and any recommendations to the secretary, including 4100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 165 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
those to improve business opportunities for small businesses and 4101
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 4102
areas. 4103
Section 85. Section 288.1167, Florida Statutes, is amended 4104
to read: 4105
288.1167 Sports franchise contract provisions for food and 4106
beverage concession and contract awards to minority business 4107
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas.—Any applicant 4108
who receives funding pursuant to the provisions of s. 212.20 4109
must demonstrate that: 4110
(1) Funds and facilities with respect to food and beverage 4111
and related concessions shall be awarded to minority business 4112
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas as defined in s. 4113
288.703 on the same terms and conditions as the general food and 4114
beverage concessionaire and in accordance with the minority 4115
business enterprise procurement goals set forth in s. 287.09451; 4116
(2) At least 15 percent of a company contracted to manage 4117
a professional sports franchise facility or a spring training 4118
franchise facility is owned by minority business enterprises in 4119
economically disadvantaged areas or by a minority person 4120
residing in an economically d isadvantaged area as those terms 4121
are defined in s. 288.703 ; or 4122
(3) At least 15 percent of all operational service 4123
contracts with a professional sports franchise facility or a 4124
spring training franchise facility are awarded to minority 4125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 166 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas or to a 4126
minority person residing in an economically disadvantaged area 4127
as those terms are defined in s. 288.703 . 4128
Section 86. Subsection (1) of section 288.12266, Florida 4129
Statutes, is amended to r ead: 4130
288.12266 Targeted Marketing Assistance Program. — 4131
(1) The Targeted Marketing Assistance Program is created 4132
to enhance the tourism business marketing of small, minority, 4133
rural, and agritourism businesses , as well as businesses located 4134
in economically disadvantaged areas, in the state. The 4135
department, in conjunction with the Florida Tourism Industry 4136
Marketing Corporation, shall administer the program. The program 4137
shall provide marketing plans, marketing assistance, promotional 4138
support, media developm ent, technical expertise, marketing 4139
advice, technology training, social marketing support, and other 4140
assistance to an eligible entity. 4141
Section 87. Subsection (2) of section 288.7015, Florida 4142
Statutes, is amended to read: 4143
288.7015 Appointment of rules ombudsman; duties.—The 4144
Governor shall appoint a rules ombudsman, as defined in s. 4145
288.703, in the Executive Office of the Governor, for 4146
considering the impact of agency rules on the state's citizens 4147
and businesses. The duties of the rules ombudsman are to : 4148
(2) Review state agency rules that adversely or 4149
disproportionately impact businesses, particularly those 4150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 167 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
relating to small businesses and minority businesses in 4151
economically disadvantaged areas . 4152
Section 88. Section 288.7031, Florida Statutes, is am ended 4153
to read: 4154
288.7031 Application of certain definitions. —The 4155
definitions of "small business," "minority business enterprise," 4156
and "certified minority business enterprise in an economically 4157
disadvantaged area" provided in s. 288.703 apply to the state 4158
and all political subdivisions of the state. 4159
Section 89. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section 4160
288.975, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (f) of 4161
that subsection, and present paragraph (f) of subsection (2), 4162
paragraph (c) of subsection (4), subsections (7), (8), and (9) 4163
of that section are amended, to read: 4164
288.975 Military base reuse plans. — 4165
(2) As used in this section, the term: 4166
(f) "Regional policy plan" means a strategic regional 4167
policy plan that has been adopted by rule by a regional planning 4168
council pursuant to s. 186.508. 4169
(4) 4170
(c) Military base reuse plans shall identify projected 4171
impacts to significant regional resources and natural resources 4172
of regional significance as identified by applicable regional 4173
planning councils in their regional policy plans and the actions 4174
that shall be taken to mitigate such impacts. 4175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 168 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(7) A military base reuse plan shall be consistent with 4176
the comprehensive plan of the host local government and shall 4177
not conflict with the comprehensive plan of any affected local 4178
governments. A military base reuse plan shall be consistent with 4179
the nonprocedural requirements of part II of chapter 163 , and 4180
rules adopted thereunder, applicable regional policy plans, and 4181
the state comprehensive plan. 4182
(8) At the request of a host local government, the 4183
department shall coordinate a presubmission workshop concerning 4184
a military base reuse plan within the boundaries of the host 4185
jurisdiction. Agencies that shall participate in the workshop 4186
shall include any affected loca l governments; the Department of 4187
Environmental Protection; the department; the Department of 4188
Transportation; the Department of Health; the Department of 4189
Children and Families; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the 4190
Department of Agriculture and Consumer S ervices; the Department 4191
of State; the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and any 4192
applicable water management districts and regional planning 4193
councils. The purposes of the workshop shall be to assist the 4194
host local government to understand issues of concern to the 4195
above listed entities pertaining to the military base site and 4196
to identify opportunities for better coordination of planning 4197
and review efforts with the information and analyses generated 4198
by the federal environmental impact statement proces s and the 4199
federal community base reuse planning process. 4200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 169 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(9) If a host local government elects to use the optional 4201
provisions of this act, it shall, no later than 12 months after 4202
notifying the agencies of its intent pursuant to subsection (3) 4203
either: 4204
(a) Send a copy of the proposed military base reuse plan 4205
for review to any affected local governments; the Department of 4206
Environmental Protection; the department; the Department of 4207
Transportation; the Department of Health; the Department of 4208
Children and Families; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the 4209
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the Department 4210
of State; the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and any 4211
applicable water management ; or districts and regional planning 4212
councils, or 4213
(b) Petition the department for an extension of the 4214
deadline for submitting a proposed reuse plan. Such an extension 4215
request must be justified by changes or delays in the closure 4216
process by the federal Department of Defense or for reasons 4217
otherwise deemed to promote the orderly and beneficial planning 4218
of the subject military base reuse. The department may grant 4219
extensions to the required submission date of the reuse plan. 4220
Section 90. Subsections (1) and (4) of section 290.004, 4221
Florida Statutes, are ame nded to read: 4222
290.004 Definitions relating to Florida Enterprise Zone 4223
Act.—As used in ss. 290.001 -290.016: 4224
(1) "Community investment corporation" means a black 4225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 170 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
business investment corporation, a certified development 4226
corporation, a small business inves tment corporation, or other 4227
similar entity incorporated under Florida law that has limited 4228
its investment policy to making investments solely in small 4229
businesses and minority business enterprises in economically 4230
disadvantaged areas. 4231
(4) "Minority Business enterprise in an economically 4232
disadvantaged area" has the same meaning as provided in s. 4233
288.703. 4234
Section 91. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 4235
290.0057, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4236
290.0057 Enterprise zone development plan. — 4237
(1) Any application for designation as a new enterprise 4238
zone must be accompanied by a strategic plan adopted by the 4239
governing body of the municipality or county, or the governing 4240
bodies of the county and one or more municipalities together. At 4241
a minimum, the plan must: 4242
(f) Identify the amount of local and private resources 4243
that will be available in the nominated area and the 4244
private/public partnerships to be used, which may include 4245
participation by, and cooperation with, universities, community 4246
colleges, small business development centers, black business 4247
investment corporations in economically disadvantaged areas , 4248
certified development corporations, and other private and public 4249
entities. 4250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 171 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 92. Subsection (3) of section 320.63, Florida 4251
Statutes, is amended to read: 4252
320.63 Application for license; contents. —Any person 4253
desiring to be licensed pursuant to ss. 320.60 -320.70 shall make 4254
application therefor to the department upon a form containing 4255
such information as the department requires. The department 4256
shall require, with such application or otherwise and from time 4257
to time, all of the following, which information may be 4258
considered by the department in determining the fitness of the 4259
applicant or licensee to engage in the business for which the 4260
applicant or licensee desires to be licensed: 4261
(3) From each manufacturer, distributor, or importer which 4262
utilizes an identical blanket basic agreement for its dealers or 4263
distributors in this state, which agreement comprises all or any 4264
part of the applicant's or licensee's agreements with motor 4265
vehicle dealers in this state, a copy of the written agreement 4266
and all supplements thereto, together with a list of the 4267
applicant's or licensee's authorized dealers or distributors and 4268
their addresses. The applicant or licensee shall further notify 4269
the department immediately of the appointment of any additional 4270
dealer or distributor. The applicant or licensee shall annually 4271
report to the department on its efforts to add new minority 4272
dealer points, including difficult ies encountered under ss. 4273
320.61-320.70. For purposes of this section "minority" shall 4274
have the same meaning as that given it in the definition of 4275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 172 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
"minority person" in s. 288.703. Not later than 60 days before 4276
the date a revision or modification to a franc hise agreement is 4277
offered uniformly to a licensee's motor vehicle dealers in this 4278
state, the licensee shall notify the department of such 4279
revision, modification, or addition to the franchise agreement 4280
on file with the department. In no event may a franchis e 4281
agreement, or any addendum or supplement thereto, be offered to 4282
a motor vehicle dealer in this state until the applicant or 4283
licensee files an affidavit with the department acknowledging 4284
that the terms or provisions of the agreement, or any related 4285
document, are not inconsistent with, prohibited by, or contrary 4286
to the provisions contained in ss. 320.60 -320.70. Any franchise 4287
agreement offered to a motor vehicle dealer in this state shall 4288
provide that all terms and conditions in such agreement 4289
inconsistent with the law and rules of this state are of no 4290
force and effect. 4291
Section 93. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 4292
334.045, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4293
334.045 Transportation performance and productivity 4294
standards; development; measurem ent; application.— 4295
(1) The Florida Transportation Commission shall develop 4296
and adopt measures for evaluating the performance and 4297
productivity of the department. The measures may be both 4298
quantitative and qualitative and must, to the maximum extent 4299
practical, assess those factors that are within the department's 4300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 173 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
control. The measures must, at a minimum, assess performance in 4301
the following areas: 4302
(f) Business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 4303
areas business enterprise and minority business programs . 4304
Section 94. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 4305
335.188, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4306
335.188 Access management standards; access control 4307
classification system; criteria. — 4308
(3) The control classification system shall be developed 4309
consistent with the following: 4310
(b) The access control classification system shall be 4311
developed in cooperation with counties, municipalities, the 4312
state land planning agency, regional planning councils, 4313
metropolitan planning organizations, and other local 4314
governmental entities. 4315
Section 95. Subsection (4) of section 338.227, Florida 4316
Statutes, is amended to read: 4317
338.227 Turnpike revenue bonds. — 4318
(4) The Department of Transportation and the Department of 4319
Management Services shall create and implement an outreach 4320
program designed to enhance the participation of minority 4321
persons and minority business enterprises in economically 4322
disadvantaged areas in all contracts entered into by their 4323
respective departments for services related to the financing of 4324
department projects for the Strategic Intermodal System Plan 4325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 174 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
developed pursuant to s. 339.64. These services shall include, 4326
but are not limited to, bond counsel and bond underwriters. 4327
Section 96. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 4328
339.155, Florida Sta tutes, is amended to read: 4329
339.155 Transportation planning. — 4330
(4) ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS. — 4331
(b) Each regional planning council, as provided for in s. 4332
186.504, or any successor agency thereto, shall develop, as an 4333
element of its strategic regional policy plan, transportation 4334
goals and policies. The transportation goals and policies must 4335
be prioritized to comply with the prevailing principles provided 4336
in subsection (1) and s. 334.046(1). The transportation goals 4337
and policies shall be consist ent, to the maximum extent 4338
feasible, with the goals and policies of the metropolitan 4339
planning organization and the Florida Transportation Plan. The 4340
transportation goals and policies of the regional planning 4341
council will be advisory only and shall be submit ted to the 4342
department and any affected metropolitan planning organization 4343
for their consideration and comments. Metropolitan planning 4344
organization plans and other local transportation plans shall be 4345
developed consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, wit h the 4346
regional transportation goals and policies. 4347
Section 97. Paragraph (g) of subsection (6) of section 4348
339.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4349
339.175 Metropolitan planning organization. — 4350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 175 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(6) POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES. —The powers, 4351
privileges, and authority of an M.P.O. are those specified in 4352
this section or incorporated in an interlocal agreement 4353
authorized under s. 163.01. Each M.P.O. shall perform all acts 4354
required by federal or state laws or rules, now and subsequently 4355
applicable, which are necessary to qualify for federal aid. It 4356
is the intent of this section that each M.P.O. be involved in 4357
the planning and programming of transportation facilities, 4358
including, but not limited to, airports, intercity and high -4359
speed rail lines, seaports, and intermodal facilities, to the 4360
extent permitted by state or federal law. An M.P.O. may not 4361
perform project production or delivery for capital improvement 4362
projects on the State Highway System. 4363
(g) Each M.P.O. shall have an executive or staff d irector 4364
who reports directly to the M.P.O. governing board for all 4365
matters regarding the administration and operation of the M.P.O. 4366
and any additional personnel as deemed necessary. The executive 4367
director and any additional personnel may be employed either by 4368
an M.P.O. or by another governmental entity, such as a county or 4369
, city, or regional planning council, that has a staff services 4370
agreement signed and in effect with the M.P.O. Each M.P.O. may 4371
enter into contracts with local or state agencies, private 4372
planning firms, private engineering firms, or other public or 4373
private entities to accomplish its transportation planning and 4374
programming duties and administrative functions. 4375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 176 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 98. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraph 4376
(c) of subsection (4) of section 339.2821, Florida Statutes, are 4377
amended to read: 4378
339.2821 Economic development transportation projects. — 4379
(3) 4380
(b) The department must ensure that small and minority 4381
businesses and businesses in economically disadvantaged areas 4382
have equal access to participate in transportation projects 4383
funded pursuant to this section. 4384
(4) A contract between the department and a governmental 4385
body for a transportation project must: 4386
(c) Require that the governmental body provide the 4387
department with progress reports. Each progress report must 4388
contain: 4389
1. A narrative description of the work completed and 4390
whether the work is proceeding according to the transportation 4391
project schedule; 4392
2. A description of each change order executed by the 4393
governmental body; 4394
3. A budget summary detailing planned expenditures 4395
compared to actual expenditures; and 4396
4. The identity of each small or minority business or 4397
business in an economically disadvantaged area used as a 4398
contractor or subcontractor. 4399
Section 99. Subsecti ons (3) and (4) of section 339.63, 4400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 177 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 4401
339.63 System facilities designated; additions and 4402
deletions.— 4403
(3) After the initial designation of the Strategic 4404
Intermodal System under subsection (1), the department shall, in 4405
coordination with the metropolitan planning organizations, local 4406
governments, regional planning councils, transportation 4407
providers, and affected public agencies, add facilities to or 4408
delete facilities from the Strategic Intermodal System described 4409
in paragraphs (2)(b) and (c) based upon criteria adopted by the 4410
department. 4411
(4) After the initial designation of the Strategic 4412
Intermodal System under subsection (1), the department shall, in 4413
coordination with the metropolitan planning organizations, local 4414
governments, regional planning councils, transportation 4415
providers, and affected public agencies, add facilities to or 4416
delete facilities from the Strategic Intermodal System described 4417
in paragraph (2)(a) based upon criteria adopted by the 4418
department. However, a n airport that is designated as a reliever 4419
airport to a Strategic Intermodal System airport which has at 4420
least 75,000 itinerant operations per year, has a runway length 4421
of at least 5,500 linear feet, is capable of handling aircraft 4422
weighing at least 60,000 pounds with a dual wheel configuration 4423
which is served by at least one precision instrument approach, 4424
and serves a cluster of aviation -dependent industries, shall be 4425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 178 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
designated as part of the Strategic Intermodal System by the 4426
Secretary of Transportation upon the request of a reliever 4427
airport meeting this criteria. 4428
Section 100. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of 4429
subsection (3) of section 339.64, Florida Statutes, are amended 4430
to read: 4431
339.64 Strategic Intermodal System Plan. — 4432
(1) The department sha ll develop, in cooperation with 4433
metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning councils, 4434
local governments, and other transportation providers, a 4435
Strategic Intermodal System Plan. The plan shall be consistent 4436
with the Florida Transportation Plan de veloped pursuant to s. 4437
339.155 and shall be updated at least once every 5 years, 4438
subsequent to updates of the Florida Transportation Plan. 4439
(3)(a) During the development of updates to the Strategic 4440
Intermodal System Plan, the department shall provide 4441
metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning councils, 4442
local governments, transportation providers, affected public 4443
agencies, and citizens with an opportunity to participate in and 4444
comment on the development of the update. 4445
Section 101. Subsection (1) of section 341.041, Florida 4446
Statutes, is amended to read: 4447
341.041 Transit responsibilities of the department. —The 4448
department shall, within the resources provided pursuant to 4449
chapter 216: 4450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 179 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(1) Develop a statewide plan that provides for public 4451
transit and intercity bus service needs at least 5 years in 4452
advance. The plan shall be developed in a manner that will 4453
assure maximum use of existing facilities, and optimum 4454
integration and coordination of the various modes of 4455
transportation, including both gove rnmentally owned and 4456
privately owned resources, in the most cost -effective manner 4457
possible. The plan shall also incorporate plans adopted by local 4458
and regional planning agencies which are consistent, to the 4459
maximum extent feasible, with adopted strategic policy plans and 4460
approved local government comprehensive plans for the region and 4461
units of local government covered by the plan and shall, insofar 4462
as practical, conform to federal planning requirements. The plan 4463
shall be consistent with the goals of the Flo rida Transportation 4464
Plan developed pursuant to s. 339.155. 4465
Section 102. Paragraph (m) of subsection (3) of section 4466
343.54, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4467
343.54 Powers and duties. — 4468
(3) The authority may exercise all powers necessary, 4469
appurtenant, convenient, or incidental to the carrying out of 4470
the aforesaid purposes, including, but not limited to, the 4471
following rights and powers: 4472
(m) To cooperate with other governmental entities and to 4473
contract with other governmental agencies, including the 4474
Department of Transportation, the Federal Government, regional 4475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 180 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
planning councils, counties, and municipalities. 4476
Section 103. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section 4477
373.309, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4478
373.309 Authority to adopt rules and procedures. — 4479
(1) The department shall adopt, and may from time to time 4480
amend, rules governing the location, construction, repair, and 4481
abandonment of water wells and shall be responsible for the 4482
administration of this part. With respect thereto, the 4483
department shall: 4484
(e) Encourage prevention of potable water well 4485
contamination and promote cost -effective remediation of 4486
contaminated potable water supplies by use of the Water Quality 4487
Assurance Trust Fund as provided in s. 376.307(1)(e) and 4488
establish by rule: 4489
1. Delineation of areas of groundwater contamination for 4490
implementation of well location and construction, testing, 4491
permitting, and clearance requirements as set forth in 4492
subparagraphs 2., 3., 4., 5., and 6. The department shall make 4493
available to water management districts, regional planning 4494
councils, the Department of Health, and county building and 4495
zoning departments, maps or other in formation on areas of 4496
contamination, including areas of ethylene dibromide 4497
contamination. Such maps or other information shall be made 4498
available to property owners, realtors, real estate 4499
associations, property appraisers, and other interested persons 4500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 181 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
upon request and upon payment of appropriate costs. 4501
2. Requirements for testing for suspected contamination in 4502
areas of known contamination, as a prerequisite for clearance of 4503
a water well for drinking purposes. The department is authorized 4504
to establish criteria for acceptance of water quality testing 4505
results from the Department of Health and laboratories certified 4506
by the Department of Health, and is authorized to establish 4507
requirements for sample collection quality assurance. 4508
3. Requirements for mandatory c onnection to available 4509
potable water systems in areas of known contamination, wherein 4510
the department may prohibit the permitting and construction of 4511
new potable water wells. 4512
4. Location and construction standards for public and all 4513
other potable water we lls permitted in areas of contamination. 4514
Such standards shall be designed to minimize the effects of such 4515
contamination. 4516
5. A procedure for permitting all potable water wells in 4517
areas of known contamination. Any new water well that is to be 4518
used for drinking water purposes and that does not meet 4519
construction standards pursuant to subparagraph 4. must be 4520
abandoned and plugged by the owner. Water management districts 4521
shall implement, through delegation from the department, the 4522
permitting and enforcement res ponsibilities of this 4523
subparagraph. 4524
6. A procedure for clearing for use all potable water 4525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 182 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
wells, except wells that serve a public water supply system, in 4526
areas of known contamination. If contaminants are found upon 4527
testing pursuant to subparagraph 2., a well may not be cleared 4528
for use without a filter or other means of preventing the users 4529
of the well from being exposed to deleterious amounts of 4530
contaminants. The Department of Health shall implement the 4531
responsibilities of this subparagraph. 4532
7. Fees to be paid for well construction permits and 4533
clearance for use. The fees shall be based on the actual costs 4534
incurred by the water management districts, the Department of 4535
Health, or other political subdivisions in carrying out the 4536
responsibilities related to p otable water well permitting and 4537
clearance for use. The fees shall provide revenue to cover all 4538
such costs and shall be set according to the following schedule: 4539
a. The well construction permit fee may not exceed $500. 4540
b. The clearance fee may not excee d $50. 4541
8. Procedures for implementing well -location, 4542
construction, testing, permitting, and clearance requirements as 4543
set forth in subparagraphs 2. -6. within areas that research or 4544
monitoring data indicate are vulnerable to contamination with 4545
nitrate, or areas in which the department provides a subsidy for 4546
restoration or replacement of contaminated drinking water 4547
supplies through extending existing water lines or developing 4548
new water supply systems pursuant to s. 376.307(1)(e). The 4549
department shall consul t with the Florida Ground Water 4550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 183 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Association in the process of developing rules pursuant to this 4551
subparagraph. 4552
4553
All fees and funds collected by each delegated entity pursuant 4554
to this part shall be deposited in the appropriate operating 4555
account of that entit y. 4556
Section 104. Section 373.607, Florida Statutes, is amended 4557
to read: 4558
373.607 Minority Business enterprise in economically 4559
disadvantaged areas procurement goals; implementation of 4560
recommendations.—Each water management district, as created in 4561
this chapter, may implement the recommendations from any study 4562
conducted pursuant to chapter 91 -162, Laws of Florida, to 4563
achieve minority business enterprise in economically 4564
disadvantaged areas procurement goals. 4565
Section 105. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section 4566
376.84, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4567
376.84 Brownfield redevelopment economic incentives. —It is 4568
the intent of the Legislature that brownfield redevelopment 4569
activities be viewed as opportunities to significantly improve 4570
the utilization, general condition, and appearance of these 4571
sites. Different standards than those in place for new 4572
development, as allowed under current state and local laws, 4573
should be used to the fullest extent to encourage the 4574
redevelopment of a brownfield. State and l ocal governments are 4575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 184 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
encouraged to offer redevelopment incentives for this purpose, 4576
as an ongoing public investment in infrastructure and services, 4577
to help eliminate the public health and environmental hazards, 4578
and to promote the creation of jobs in these areas. Such 4579
incentives may include financial, regulatory, and technical 4580
assistance to persons and businesses involved in the 4581
redevelopment of the brownfield pursuant to this act. 4582
(1) Financial incentives and local incentives for 4583
redevelopment may include , but not be limited to: 4584
(g) Minority Business enterprise in economically 4585
disadvantaged areas programs as provided in s. 287.0943. 4586
Section 106. Subsection (3) of section 380.055, Florida 4587
Statutes, is amended to read: 4588
380.055 Big Cypress Area. — 4589
(3) DESIGNATION AS AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN. —The 4590
"Big Cypress Area," as defined in this subsection, is hereby 4591
designated as an area of critical state concern. "Big Cypress 4592
Area" means the area generally depicted on the map entitled 4593
"Boundary Map, Big C ypress National Freshwater Reserve, 4594
Florida," numbered BC -91,001 and dated November 1971, which is 4595
on file and available for public inspection in the office of the 4596
National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, 4597
D.C., and in the office of th e Board of Trustees of the Internal 4598
Improvement Trust Fund, which is the area proposed as the 4599
Federal Big Cypress National Freshwater Reserve, Florida, and 4600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 185 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
that area described as follows: Sections 1, 2, 11, 12 and 13 in 4601
Township 49 South, Range 31 East; an d Township 49 South, Range 4602
32 East, less Sections 19, 30 and 31; and Township 49 South, 4603
Range 33 East; and Township 49 South, Range 34 East; and 4604
Sections 1 through 5 and 10 through 14 in Township 50 South, 4605
Range 32 East; and Sections 1 through 18 and 20 th rough 25 in 4606
Township 50 South, Range 33 East; and Township 50 South, Range 4607
34 East, less Section 31; and Sections 1 and 2 in Township 51 4608
South, Range 34 East; All in Collier County, Florida, which 4609
described area shall be known as the "Big Cypress National 4610
Preserve Addition, Florida," together with such contiguous land 4611
and water areas as are ecologically linked with the Everglades 4612
National Park, certain of the estuarine fisheries of South 4613
Florida, or the freshwater aquifer of South Florida, the 4614
definitive boundaries of which shall be set in the following 4615
manner: Within 120 days following the effective date of this 4616
act, the state land planning agency shall recommend definitive 4617
boundaries for the Big Cypress Area to the Administration 4618
Commission, after giving n otice to all local governments and 4619
regional planning agencies which include within their boundaries 4620
any part of the area proposed to be included in the Big Cypress 4621
Area and holding such hearings as the state land planning agency 4622
deems appropriate. Within 4 5 days following receipt of the 4623
recommended boundaries, the Administration Commission shall 4624
adopt, modify, or reject the recommendation and shall by rule 4625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 186 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
establish the boundaries of the area defined as the Big Cypress 4626
Area. 4627
Section 107. Subsections (6) and (9) and paragraph (b) of 4628
subsection (12) of section 380.06, Florida Statutes, are amended 4629
to read: 4630
380.06 Developments of regional impact. — 4631
(6) REPORTS.—Notwithstanding any condition in a 4632
development order for an approved development of regional 4633
impact, the developer is not required to submit an annual or a 4634
biennial report on the development of regional impact to the 4635
local government, the regional planning agency, the state land 4636
planning agency, and all affected permit agencies unless 4637
required to do so by the local government that has jurisdiction 4638
over the development. The penalty for failure to file such a 4639
required report is as prescribed by the local government. 4640
(9) VALIDITY OF COMPREHENSIVE APPLICATION. —Any agreement 4641
previously entered into by a developer, a regional planning 4642
agency, and a local government regarding a development project 4643
that includes two or more developments of regional impact and 4644
was the subject of a comprehensive development -of-regional-4645
impact application remains valid unless it expired on or before 4646
April 6, 2018. 4647
(12) PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS. — 4648
(b) This subsection does not apply to: 4649
1. Amendments to a development order governing an existing 4650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 187 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
development of regional impact. 4651
2. An application for development approval filed with a 4652
concurrent plan amendment application pending as of May 14, 4653
2015, if the applicant elects to have the application reviewed 4654
pursuant to this section as it existed on that date. The 4655
election shall be in writing and filed with the affected local 4656
government, regional planning council, and state land planning 4657
agency before December 31, 2018. 4658
Section 108. Subsection (2) of section 380.061, Florida 4659
Statutes, is amended to read: 4660
380.061 The Florida Quality Developments program. — 4661
(2) Following written notification to the state land 4662
planning agency and the appropriate regional planning agency , a 4663
local government with an approved Florida Quality Development 4664
within its jurisdiction must set a public hearing pursuant to 4665
its local procedures and shall adopt a local development order 4666
to replace and supersede the development order adopted by the 4667
state land planning agency for the Florida Quality Development. 4668
Thereafter, the Florida Quality Development shall follow the 4669
procedures and requirements for developmen ts of regional impact 4670
as specified in this chapter. 4671
Section 109. Paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section 4672
380.0651, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4673
380.0651 Statewide guidelines, standards, and exemptions. — 4674
(2) STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS. —The following developments are 4675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 188 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
exempt from s. 380.06: 4676
(f) Any increase in the seating capacity of an existing 4677
sports facility having a permanent seating capacity of at least 4678
50,000 spectators, provided that such an increase does not 4679
increase permanent seating c apacity by more than 5 percent per 4680
year and does not exceed a total of 10 percent in any 5 -year 4681
period. The sports facility must notify the appropriate local 4682
government within which the facility is located of the increase 4683
at least 6 months before the initi al use of the increased 4684
seating in order to permit the appropriate local government to 4685
develop a traffic management plan for the traffic generated by 4686
the increase. Any traffic management plan must be consistent 4687
with the local comprehensive plan , the regional policy plan, and 4688
the state comprehensive plan. 4689
4690
If a use is exempt from review pursuant to paragraphs (a) -(u), 4691
but will be part of a larger project that is subject to review 4692
pursuant to s. 380.06(12), the impact of the exempt use must be 4693
included in the review of the larger project, unless such exempt 4694
use involves a development that includes a landowner, tenant, or 4695
user that has entered into a funding agreement with the state 4696
land planning agency under the Innovation Incentive Program and 4697
the agreement contemplates a state award of at least $50 4698
million. 4699
Section 110. Subsection (2) of section 380.07, Florida 4700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 189 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Statutes, is amended to read: 4701
380.07 Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission. — 4702
(2) Whenever any local government issues any development 4703
order in any area of critical state concern, or in regard to the 4704
abandonment of any approved development of regional impact, 4705
copies of such orders as prescribed by rule by the state land 4706
planning agency shall be transmitted to the state land planning 4707
agency, the regional planning agency, and the owner or developer 4708
of the property affected by such order. The state land planning 4709
agency shall adopt rules describing development order rendition 4710
and effectiveness in designated areas of critical state concern. 4711
Within 45 days after the order is rendered, the owner, the 4712
developer, or the state land planning agency may appeal the 4713
order to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission by 4714
filing a petition alleging that the development order is not 4715
consistent with this part. 4716
Section 111. Subsection (3) of section 380.507, Florida 4717
Statutes, is amended to read: 4718
380.507 Powers of the trust. —The trust shall have all the 4719
powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and 4720
provisions of this part, includin g: 4721
(3) To provide technical and financial assistance to local 4722
governments, state agencies, water management districts, 4723
regional planning councils, and nonprofit agencies to carry out 4724
projects and activities and develop programs to achieve the 4725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 190 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
purposes of this part. 4726
Section 112. Paragraph (b) of subsection (8) of section 4727
381.986, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4728
381.986 Medical use of marijuana. — 4729
(8) MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT CENTERS. — 4730
(b) An applicant for licensure as a medical marijuana 4731
treatment center shall apply to the department on a form 4732
prescribed by the department and adopted in rule. The department 4733
shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 4734
establishing a procedure for the issuance and biennial renewal 4735
of licenses, including initial application and biennial renewal 4736
fees sufficient to cover the costs of implementing and 4737
administering this section, and establishing supplemental 4738
licensure fees for payment beginning May 1, 2018, sufficient to 4739
cover the costs of administeri ng ss. 381.989 and 1004.4351. The 4740
department shall identify applicants with strong diversity plans 4741
reflecting this state's commitment to diversity and implement 4742
training programs and other educational programs to enable 4743
minority persons and minority business enterprises in 4744
economically disadvantaged areas , as defined in s. 288.703, and 4745
veteran business enterprises, as defined in s. 295.187, to 4746
compete for medical marijuana treatment center licensure and 4747
contracts. Subject to the requirements in subparagraph s (a)2.-4748
4., the department shall issue a license to an applicant if the 4749
applicant meets the requirements of this section and pays the 4750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 191 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
initial application fee. The department shall renew the 4751
licensure of a medical marijuana treatment center biennially if 4752
the licensee meets the requirements of this section and pays the 4753
biennial renewal fee. However, the department may not renew the 4754
license of a medical marijuana treatment center that has not 4755
begun to cultivate, process, and dispense marijuana by the date 4756
that the medical marijuana treatment center is required to renew 4757
its license. An individual may not be an applicant, owner, 4758
officer, board member, or manager on more than one application 4759
for licensure as a medical marijuana treatment center. An 4760
individual or entity may not be awarded more than one license as 4761
a medical marijuana treatment center. An applicant for licensure 4762
as a medical marijuana treatment center must demonstrate: 4763
1. That, for the 5 consecutive years before submitting the 4764
application, the appli cant has been registered to do business in 4765
the state. 4766
2. Possession of a valid certificate of registration 4767
issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 4768
pursuant to s. 581.131. 4769
3. The technical and technological ability to cultivate 4770
and produce marijuana, including, but not limited to, low -THC 4771
cannabis. 4772
4. The ability to secure the premises, resources, and 4773
personnel necessary to operate as a medical marijuana treatment 4774
center. 4775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 192 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5. The ability to maintain accountability of all raw 4776
materials, finished products, and any byproducts to prevent 4777
diversion or unlawful access to or possession of these 4778
substances. 4779
6. An infrastructure reasonably located to dispense 4780
marijuana to registered qualified patients statewide or 4781
regionally as determined by the department. 4782
7. The financial ability to maintain operations for the 4783
duration of the 2-year approval cycle, including the provision 4784
of certified financial statements to the department. 4785
a. Upon approval, the applicant must post a $5 million 4786
performance bond issued by an authorized surety insurance 4787
company rated in one of the three highest rating categories by a 4788
nationally recognized rating service. However, a medical 4789
marijuana treatment center serving at least 1,000 qualified 4790
patients is only required to maintain a $2 million performance 4791
bond. 4792
b. In lieu of the performance bond required under sub -4793
subparagraph a., the applicant may provide an irrevocable letter 4794
of credit payable to the department or provide cash to the 4795
department. If provided with cash under this sub -subparagraph, 4796
the department shall deposit the cash in the Grants and 4797
Donations Trust Fund within the Department of Health, subject to 4798
the same conditions as the bond regarding requirements for the 4799
applicant to forfeit ownership o f the funds. If the funds 4800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 193 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
deposited under this sub -subparagraph generate interest, the 4801
amount of that interest shall be used by the department for the 4802
administration of this section. 4803
8. That all owners, officers, board members, and managers 4804
have passed a background screening pursuant to subsection (9). 4805
9. The employment of a medical director to supervise the 4806
activities of the medical marijuana treatment center. 4807
10. A diversity plan that promotes and ensures the 4808
involvement of minority persons and mino rity business 4809
enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas , as defined in 4810
s. 288.703, or veteran business enterprises, as defined in s. 4811
295.187, in ownership, management, and employment. An applicant 4812
for licensure renewal must show the effectiveness of the 4813
diversity plan by including the following with his or her 4814
application for renewal: 4815
a. Representation of business enterprises in economically 4816
disadvantaged areas minority persons and veterans in the medical 4817
marijuana treatment center's workforce; 4818
b. Efforts to recruit business enterprises in economically 4819
disadvantaged areas minority persons and veterans for 4820
employment; and 4821
c. A record of contracts for services with minority 4822
business enterprises in economically disadvantaged areas and 4823
veteran business enterprises. 4824
Section 113. Subsection (6) of section 403.0752, Florida 4825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 194 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Statutes, is amended to read: 4826
403.0752 Ecosystem management agreements. — 4827
(6) The secretary of the department may form ecosystem 4828
management advisory teams fo r consultation and participation in 4829
the preparation of an ecosystem management agreement. The 4830
secretary shall request the participation of at least the state 4831
and regional and local government entities having regulatory 4832
authority over the activities to be s ubject to the ecosystem 4833
management agreement. Such teams may also include 4834
representatives of other participating or advisory government 4835
agencies, which may include regional planning councils, private 4836
landowners, public landowners and managers, public and p rivate 4837
utilities, corporations, and environmental interests. Team 4838
members shall be selected in a manner that ensures adequate 4839
representation of the diverse interests and perspectives within 4840
the designated ecosystem. Participation by any department of 4841
state government is at the discretion of that agency. 4842
Section 114. Subsection (1) of section 403.50663, Florida 4843
Statutes, is amended to read: 4844
403.50663 Informational public meetings. — 4845
(1) A local government within whose jurisdiction the power 4846
plant is proposed to be sited may hold one informational public 4847
meeting in addition to the hearings specifically authorized by 4848
this act on any matter associated with the electrical power 4849
plant proceeding. Such informational public meetings shall be 4850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 195 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
held by the local government or by the regional planning council 4851
if the local government does not hold such meeting within 70 4852
days after the filing of the application. The purpose of an 4853
informational public meeting is for the local government or 4854
regional planning council to further inform the public about the 4855
proposed electrical power plant or associated facilities, obtain 4856
comments from the public, and formulate its recommendation with 4857
respect to the proposed electrical power plant. 4858
Section 115. Paragraph (a) of subsect ion (2) of section 4859
403.507, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4860
403.507 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, project 4861
analyses, and studies. — 4862
(2)(a) No later than 100 days after the certification 4863
application has been determined complete, the fol lowing agencies 4864
shall prepare reports as provided below and shall submit them to 4865
the department and the applicant, unless a final order denying 4866
the determination of need has been issued under s. 403.519: 4867
1. The Department of Commerce shall prepare a repo rt 4868
containing recommendations which address the impact upon the 4869
public of the proposed electrical power plant, based on the 4870
degree to which the electrical power plant is consistent with 4871
the applicable portions of the state comprehensive plan, 4872
emergency management, and other such matters within its 4873
jurisdiction. The Department of Commerce may also comment on the 4874
consistency of the proposed electrical power plant with 4875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 196 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
applicable strategic regional policy plans or local 4876
comprehensive plans and land development regulations. 4877
2. The water management district shall prepare a report as 4878
to matters within its jurisdiction, including but not limited 4879
to, the impact of the proposed electrical power plant on water 4880
resources, regional water supply planning, and district -owned 4881
lands and works. 4882
3. Each local government in whose jurisdiction the 4883
proposed electrical power plant is to be located shall prepare a 4884
report as to the consistency of the proposed electrical power 4885
plant with all applicable local ordinances, regulatio ns, 4886
standards, or criteria that apply to the proposed electrical 4887
power plant, including any applicable local environmental 4888
regulations adopted pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means. 4889
4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall 4890
prepare a report as to matters within its jurisdiction. 4891
5. The Department of Transportation shall address the 4892
impact of the proposed electrical power plant on matters within 4893
its jurisdiction. 4894
Section 116. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 4895
403.518, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4896
403.518 Fees; disposition. —The department shall charge the 4897
applicant the following fees, as appropriate, which, unless 4898
otherwise specified, shall be paid into the Florida Permit Fee 4899
Trust Fund: 4900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 197 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2) An application fee, whi ch shall not exceed $200,000. 4901
The fee shall be fixed by rule on a sliding scale related to the 4902
size, type, ultimate site capacity, or increase in electrical 4903
generating capacity proposed by the application. 4904
(c)1. Upon written request with proper itemized accounting 4905
within 90 days after final agency action by the board or 4906
department or withdrawal of the application, the agencies that 4907
prepared reports pursuant to s. 403.507 or participated in a 4908
hearing pursuant to s. 403.508 may submit a written request to 4909
the department for reimbursement of expenses incurred during the 4910
certification proceedings. The request shall contain an 4911
accounting of expenses incurred which may include time spent 4912
reviewing the application, preparation of any studies required 4913
of the agencies by this act, agency travel and per diem to 4914
attend any hearing held pursuant to this act, and for any local 4915
government's or regional planning council's provision of notice 4916
of public meetings required as a result of the application for 4917
certification. The department shall review the request and 4918
verify that the expenses are valid. Valid expenses shall be 4919
reimbursed; however, in the event the amount of funds available 4920
for reimbursement is insufficient to provide for full 4921
compensation to the agencies requesti ng reimbursement, 4922
reimbursement shall be on a prorated basis. 4923
2. If the application review is held in abeyance for more 4924
than 1 year, the agencies may submit a request for 4925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 198 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
reimbursement. This time period shall be measured from the date 4926
the applicant has provided written notification to the 4927
department that it desires to have the application review 4928
process placed on hold. The fee disbursement shall be processed 4929
in accordance with subparagraph 1. 4930
Section 117. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 4931
403.526, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4932
403.526 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and 4933
project analyses; studies. — 4934
(2)(a) No later than 90 days after the filing of the 4935
application, the following agencies shall prepare reports as 4936
provided below, unless a final order denying the determination 4937
of need has been issued under s. 403.537: 4938
1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact 4939
of each proposed transmission line or corridor as it relates to 4940
matters within its jurisdiction. 4941
2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 4942
which a proposed transmission line or corridor is to be located 4943
shall prepare a report as to the impact on water resources and 4944
other matters within its jurisdiction. 4945
3. The Department of Commerce sha ll prepare a report 4946
containing recommendations which address the impact upon the 4947
public of the proposed transmission line or corridor, based on 4948
the degree to which the proposed transmission line or corridor 4949
is consistent with the applicable portions of the state 4950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 199 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
comprehensive plan, emergency management, and other matters 4951
within its jurisdiction. The Department of Commerce may also 4952
comment on the consistency of the proposed transmission line or 4953
corridor with applicable strategic regional policy plans or 4954
local comprehensive plans and land development regulations. 4955
4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall 4956
prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed transmission 4957
line or corridor on fish and wildlife resources and other 4958
matters within its ju risdiction. 4959
5. Each local government shall prepare a report as to the 4960
impact of each proposed transmission line or corridor on matters 4961
within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of the 4962
proposed transmission line or corridor with all applicable lo cal 4963
ordinances, regulations, standards, or criteria that apply to 4964
the proposed transmission line or corridor, including local 4965
comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, land development 4966
regulations, and any applicable local environmental regulations 4967
adopted pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means. A change by 4968
the responsible local government or local agency in local 4969
comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, or other regulations 4970
made after the date required for the filing of the local 4971
government's report requir ed by this section is not applicable 4972
to the certification of the proposed transmission line or 4973
corridor unless the certification is denied or the application 4974
is withdrawn. 4975
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 200 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a report 4976
as to the impact of the proposed transmission line or corridor 4977
on state roads, railroads, airports, aeronautics, seaports, and 4978
other matters within its jurisdiction. 4979
7. The commission shall prepare a report containing its 4980
determination under s. 403.537, and the report may incl ude the 4981
comments from the commission with respect to any other subject 4982
within its jurisdiction. 4983
8. Any other agency, if requested by the department, shall 4984
also perform studies or prepare reports as to subjects within 4985
the jurisdiction of the agency which may potentially be affected 4986
by the proposed transmission line. 4987
Section 118. Subsection (1) of section 403.5272, Florida 4988
Statutes, is amended to read: 4989
403.5272 Informational public meetings. — 4990
(1) A local government whose jurisdiction is to be crosse d 4991
by a proposed corridor may hold one informational public meeting 4992
in addition to the hearings specifically authorized by this act 4993
on any matter associated with the transmission line proceeding. 4994
The informational public meeting may be conducted by the loca l 4995
government or the regional planning council and shall be held no 4996
later than 55 days after the application is filed. The purpose 4997
of an informational public meeting is for the local government 4998
or regional planning council to further inform the public about 4999
the transmission line proposed, obtain comments from the public, 5000
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 201 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and formulate its recommendation with respect to the proposed 5001
transmission line. 5002
Section 119. Subsection (4), paragraph (a) of subsection 5003
(5), and paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of sect ion 403.5363, 5004
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 5005
403.5363 Public notices; requirements. — 5006
(4) A local government or regional planning council that 5007
proposes to conduct an informational public meeting pursuant to 5008
s. 403.5272 must publish notice of the meeting in a newspaper of 5009
general circulation within the county or counties in which the 5010
proposed electrical transmission line will be located no later 5011
than 7 days before prior to the meeting. A newspaper of general 5012
circulation shall be the newspaper that has the largest daily 5013
circulation in that county and has its principal office in that 5014
county. If the newspaper with the largest daily circulation has 5015
its principal office outside the county, the notices shall 5016
appear in both the newspaper having the larges t circulation in 5017
that county and in a newspaper authorized to publish legal 5018
notices in that county. 5019
(5)(a) A good faith effort shall be made by the applicant 5020
to provide direct notice of the filing of an application for 5021
certification by United States mail or hand delivery no later 5022
than 45 days after filing of the application to all local 5023
landowners whose property, as noted in the most recent local 5024
government tax records, and residences are located within one -5025
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 202 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
quarter mile of the proposed boundaries of a tra nsmission line 5026
corridor that only includes a transmission line as defined by s. 5027
403.522(21) s. 403.522(22). 5028
(6)(a) A good faith effort shall be made by the proponent 5029
of an alternate corridor that includes a transmission line, as 5030
defined by s. 403.522(21) s. 403.522(22), to provide direct 5031
notice of the filing of an alternate corridor for certification 5032
by United States mail or hand delivery of the filing no later 5033
than 30 days after filing of the alternate corridor to all local 5034
landowners whose property, as noted in the most recent local 5035
government tax records, and residences are located within one -5036
quarter mile of the proposed boundaries of a transmission line 5037
corridor that includes a transmission line as defined by s. 5038
403.522(21) s. 403.522(22). 5039
Section 120. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 5040
403.5365, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5041
403.5365 Fees; disposition. —The department shall charge 5042
the applicant the following fees, as appropriate, which, unless 5043
otherwise specified, shall be paid int o the Florida Permit Fee 5044
Trust Fund: 5045
(1) An application fee. 5046
(d)1. Upon written request with proper itemized accounting 5047
within 90 days after final agency action by the siting board or 5048
the department or the written notification of the withdrawal of 5049
the application, the agencies that prepared reports under s. 5050
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 203 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
403.526 or s. 403.5271 or participated in a hearing under s. 5051
403.527 or s. 403.5271 may submit a written request to the 5052
department for reimbursement of expenses incurred during the 5053
certification proceedings. The request must contain an 5054
accounting of expenses incurred, which may include time spent 5055
reviewing the application, preparation of any studies required 5056
of the agencies by this act, agency travel and per diem to 5057
attend any hearing held under this act, and for the local 5058
government or regional planning council providing additional 5059
notice of the informational public meeting. The department shall 5060
review the request and verify whether a claimed expense is 5061
valid. Valid expenses shall be reimbursed; howev er, if the 5062
amount of funds available for reimbursement is insufficient to 5063
provide for full compensation to the agencies, reimbursement 5064
shall be on a prorated basis. 5065
2. If the application review is held in abeyance for more 5066
than 1 year, the agencies may s ubmit a request for reimbursement 5067
under subparagraph 1. This time period shall be measured from 5068
the date the applicant has provided written notification to the 5069
department that it desires to have the application review 5070
process placed on hold. The fee disbur sement shall be processed 5071
in accordance with subparagraph 1. 5072
Section 121. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1) of 5073
section 403.537, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 5074
403.537 Determination of need for transmission line; 5075
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 204 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
powers and duties.— 5076
(1)(a) Upon request by an applicant or upon its own 5077
motion, the Florida Public Service Commission shall schedule a 5078
public hearing, after notice, to determine the need for a 5079
transmission line regulated by the Florida Electric Transmission 5080
Line Siting Act, ss. 403.52-403.5365. The notice shall be 5081
published at least 21 days before the date set for the hearing 5082
and shall be published by the applicant in at least one -quarter 5083
page size notice in newspapers of general circulation, and by 5084
the commission in the manner specified in chapter 120, by giving 5085
notice to counties and regional planning councils in whose 5086
jurisdiction the transmission line could be placed, and by 5087
giving notice to any persons who have requested to be placed on 5088
the mailing list of the commission fo r this purpose. Within 21 5089
days after receipt of a request for determination by an 5090
applicant, the commission shall set a date for the hearing. The 5091
hearing shall be held pursuant to s. 350.01 within 45 days after 5092
the filing of the request, and a decision sha ll be rendered 5093
within 60 days after such filing. 5094
(d) The determination by the commission of the need for 5095
the transmission line, as defined in s. 403.522(21) s. 5096
403.522(22), is binding on all parties to any certification 5097
proceeding under the Florida Elect ric Transmission Line Siting 5098
Act and is a condition precedent to the conduct of the 5099
certification hearing prescribed therein. An order entered 5100
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 205 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
pursuant to this section constitutes final agency action. 5101
Section 122. Subsection (17) of section 403.704, Florida 5102
Statutes, is amended to read: 5103
403.704 Powers and duties of the department. —The 5104
department shall have responsibility for the implementation and 5105
enforcement of this act. In addition to other powers and duties, 5106
the department shall: 5107
(17) Provide technical assistance to local governments and 5108
regional agencies to ensure consistency between county hazardous 5109
waste management assessments; coordinate the development of such 5110
assessments with the assistance of the appropriate regional 5111
planning councils; and review and make recommendations to the 5112
Legislature relative to the sufficiency of the assessments to 5113
meet state hazardous waste management needs. 5114
Section 123. Subsection (1) of section 403.7226, Florida 5115
Statutes, is amended to read: 5116
403.7226 Technical assistance by the department. —The 5117
department shall: 5118
(1) Provide technical assistance to county governments and 5119
regional planning councils to ensure consistency in implementing 5120
local hazardous waste management assessments as provided in ss. 5121
403.7225, 403.7234, and 403.7236. In order to ensure that each 5122
local assessment is properly implemented and that all 5123
information gathered during the assessment is uniformly compiled 5124
and documented, each county or regional planning council shall 5125
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 206 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
contact the departmen t during the preparation of the local 5126
assessment to receive technical assistance. Each county or 5127
regional planning council shall follow guidelines established by 5128
the department, and adopted by rule as appropriate, in order to 5129
properly implement these asses sments. 5130
Section 124. Subsection (22) of section 403.9403, Florida 5131
Statutes, is amended to read: 5132
403.9403 Definitions. —As used in ss. 403.9401 -403.9425, 5133
the term: 5134
(22) "Regional planning council" means a regional planning 5135
council created pursuant to chapter 186 in the jurisdiction of 5136
which the project is proposed to be located. 5137
Section 125. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 5138
403.941, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5139
403.941 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and 5140
studies.— 5141
(2)(a) The affected agencies shall prepare reports as 5142
provided in this paragraph and shall submit them to the 5143
department and the applicant within 60 days after the 5144
application is determined sufficient: 5145
1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact 5146
of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 5147
as it relates to matters within its jurisdiction. 5148
2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of 5149
which a proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 5150
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 207 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
is to be located shall prepare a report as to the impact on 5151
water resources and other matters within its jurisdiction. 5152
3. The Department of Commerce shall prepare a report 5153
containing recommendations which address the impact upon the 5154
public of the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or 5155
corridor, based on the degree to which the proposed natural gas 5156
transmission pipeline or corridor is consistent with the 5157
applicable portions of the state comprehensive plan and other 5158
matters within its jurisdiction. The Department of Commerce may 5159
also comment on the consistency of the proposed natural gas 5160
transmission pipeline or corridor with applicable strategic 5161
regional policy plans or local comprehensive plans and land 5162
development regulations. 5163
4. The Fish and Wildlife Conserva tion Commission shall 5164
prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed natural gas 5165
transmission pipeline or corridor on fish and wildlife resources 5166
and other matters within its jurisdiction. 5167
5. Each local government in which the natural gas 5168
transmission pipeline or natural gas transmission pipeline 5169
corridor will be located shall prepare a report as to the impact 5170
of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor 5171
on matters within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of 5172
the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor with 5173
all applicable local ordinances, regulations, standards, or 5174
criteria that apply to the proposed natural gas transmission 5175
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 208 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
pipeline or corridor, including local comprehensive plans, 5176
zoning regulations, land de velopment regulations, and any 5177
applicable local environmental regulations adopted pursuant to 5178
s. 403.182 or by other means. No change by the responsible local 5179
government or local agency in local comprehensive plans, zoning 5180
ordinances, or other regulations made after the date required 5181
for the filing of the local government's report required by this 5182
section shall be applicable to the certification of the proposed 5183
natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor unless the 5184
certification is denied or the applicati on is withdrawn. 5185
6. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a report 5186
on the effect of the natural gas transmission pipeline or 5187
natural gas transmission pipeline corridor on matters within its 5188
jurisdiction, including roadway crossings by the pipeli ne. The 5189
report shall contain at a minimum: 5190
a. A report by the applicant to the department stating 5191
that all requirements of the department's utilities 5192
accommodation guide have been or will be met in regard to the 5193
proposed pipeline or pipeline corridor; an d 5194
b. A statement by the department as to the adequacy of the 5195
report to the department by the applicant. 5196
7. The Department of State, Division of Historical 5197
Resources, shall prepare a report on the impact of the natural 5198
gas transmission pipeline or natur al gas transmission pipeline 5199
corridor on matters within its jurisdiction. 5200
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 209 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
8. The commission shall prepare a report addressing 5201
matters within its jurisdiction. The commission's report shall 5202
include its determination of need issued pursuant to s. 5203
403.9422. 5204
Section 126. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 5205
403.9422, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5206
403.9422 Determination of need for natural gas 5207
transmission pipeline; powers and duties. — 5208
(1)(a) Upon request by an applicant or upon its own 5209
motion, the commission shall schedule a public hearing, after 5210
notice, to determine the need for a natural gas transmission 5211
pipeline regulated by ss. 403.9401 -403.9425. Such notice shall 5212
be published at least 45 days before the date set for the 5213
hearing and shall be published in at least one -quarter page size 5214
in newspapers of general circulation and in the Florida 5215
Administrative Register, by giving notice to counties and 5216
regional planning councils in whose jurisdiction the natural gas 5217
transmission pipeline cou ld be placed, and by giving notice to 5218
any persons who have requested to be placed on the mailing list 5219
of the commission for this purpose. Within 21 days after receipt 5220
of a request for determination by an applicant, the commission 5221
shall set a date for the h earing. The hearing shall be held 5222
pursuant to s. 350.01 within 75 days after the filing of the 5223
request, and a decision shall be rendered within 90 days after 5224
such filing. 5225
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 210 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 127. Subsection (4) of section 403.973, Florida 5226
Statutes, is amended to r ead: 5227
403.973 Expedited permitting; amendments to comprehensive 5228
plans.— 5229
(4) The regional teams shall be established through the 5230
execution of a project -specific memorandum of agreement 5231
developed and executed by the applicant and the secretary, with 5232
input solicited from the respective heads of the Department of 5233
Transportation and its district offices, the Department of 5234
Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Fish and Wildlife 5235
Conservation Commission, appropriate regional planning councils, 5236
appropriate water management districts, and voluntarily 5237
participating municipalities and counties. The memorandum of 5238
agreement should also accommodate participation in this 5239
expedited process by other local governments and federal 5240
agencies as circumstances warrant. 5241
Section 128. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 5242
501.171, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5243
501.171 Security of confidential personal information. — 5244
(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 5245
(f) "Governmental entity" means any department, division, 5246
bureau, commission, regional planning agency, board, district, 5247
authority, agency, or other instrumentality of this state that 5248
acquires, maintains, stores, or uses data in electronic form 5249
containing personal information. 5250
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 211 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 129. Section 625.3255, Florida Statutes, is 5251
amended to read: 5252
625.3255 Capital participation instrument. —An insurer may 5253
invest in any capital participation instrument or evidence of 5254
indebtedness issued by the Department of Commerce pursuant to 5255
the Florida Assistance to Small Businesses and Businesses in 5256
Economically Disadvantaged Areas Minority Business Assistance 5257
Act. 5258
Section 130. Subsection (7) of section 627.3511, Florida 5259
Statutes, is amended to read: 5260
627.3511 Depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance 5261
Corporation.— 5262
(7) A minority business, which is at least 51 percent 5263
owned by minority persons as described in s. 288.703, desiring 5264
to operate or become licensed as a property and casualty insurer 5265
may exempt up to $50 of the escrow requirements of the take -out 5266
bonus, as described in this section. Such minority business, 5267
which has applied for a certificate of authority to engage in 5268
business as a property and casualty insurer, may simultaneously 5269
file the business' pr oposed take-out plan, as described in this 5270
section, with the corporation. 5271
Section 131. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 5272
657.042, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5273
657.042 Investment powers and limitations. —A credit union 5274
may invest its funds subject to the following definitions, 5275
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 212 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
restrictions, and limitations: 5276
(4) INVESTMENT SUBJECT TO LIMITATION OF ONE PERCENT OF 5277
CAPITAL OF THE CREDIT UNION. —Up to 1 percent of the capital of 5278
the credit union may be invested in any of the following: 5279
(b) Any capital participation instrument or evidence of 5280
indebtedness issued by the Department of Commerce pursuant to 5281
the Assistance to Florida Small Businesses and Businesses in 5282
Economically Disadvantaged Areas Minority Business Assistance 5283
Act. 5284
Section 132. Paragraph (f) of subsection (4) of section 5285
658.67, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5286
658.67 Investment powers and limitations. —A bank may 5287
invest its funds, and a trust company may invest its corporate 5288
funds, subject to the following definitions , restrictions, and 5289
limitations: 5290
(4) INVESTMENTS SUBJECT TO LIMITATION OF 10 PERCENT OR 5291
LESS OF CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. — 5292
(f) Up to 10 percent of the capital accounts of a bank or 5293
trust company may be invested in any capital participation 5294
instrument or eviden ce of indebtedness issued by the Department 5295
of Commerce pursuant to the Florida Assistance to Small 5296
Businesses and Businesses in Economically Disadvantaged Areas 5297
Minority Business Assistance Act. 5298
Section 133. Subsection (3) of section 957.09, Florida 5299
Statutes, is amended to read: 5300
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 213 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
957.09 Applicability of chapter to other provisions of 5301
law.— 5302
(3) The provisions of law governing the participation of 5303
minority business enterprises in economically disadvantaged 5304
areas apply are applicable to this chapter. 5305
Section 134. Paragraph (d) of subsection (7) of section 5306
1001.706, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5307
1001.706 Powers and duties of the Board of Governors. — 5308
(7) POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO PROPERTY. — 5309
(d) The Board of Governors, or the board's designee, shall 5310
ensure compliance with the provisions of s. 287.09451 for all 5311
procurement and ss. 255.101 and 255.102 for construction 5312
contracts, and rules adopted pursuant thereto, relating to the 5313
utilization of minority business enterprises in economically 5314
disadvantaged areas, except that procurements costing less than 5315
the amount provided for in CATEGORY FIVE as provided in s. 5316
287.017 shall not be subject to s. 287.09451. 5317
Section 135. Subsection (6) of section 1013.30, Florida 5318
Statutes, is amended to read: 5319
1013.30 University campus master plans and campus 5320
development agreements. — 5321
(6) Before a campus master plan is adopted, a copy of the 5322
draft master plan must be sent for review or made available 5323
electronically to the host and any affected local go vernments, 5324
the state land planning agency, the Department of Environmental 5325
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 214 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of 5326
State, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the 5327
applicable water management district and regional planning 5328
council. At the request of a governmental entity, a hard copy of 5329
the draft master plan shall be submitted within 7 business days 5330
of an electronic copy being made available. These agencies must 5331
be given 90 days after receipt of the campus master plans i n 5332
which to conduct their review and provide comments to the 5333
university board of trustees. The commencement of this review 5334
period must be advertised in newspapers of general circulation 5335
within the host local government and any affected local 5336
government to allow for public comment. Following receipt and 5337
consideration of all comments and the holding of an informal 5338
information session and at least two public hearings within the 5339
host jurisdiction, the university board of trustees shall adopt 5340
the campus master pl an. It is the intent of the Legislature that 5341
the university board of trustees comply with the notice 5342
requirements set forth in s. 163.3184(11) to ensure full public 5343
participation in this planning process. The informal public 5344
information session must be hel d before the first public 5345
hearing. The first public hearing shall be held before the draft 5346
master plan is sent to the agencies specified in this 5347
subsection. The second public hearing shall be held in 5348
conjunction with the adoption of the draft master plan b y the 5349
university board of trustees. Campus master plans developed 5350
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 215 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
under this section are not rules and are not subject to chapter 5351
120 except as otherwise provided in this section. 5352
Section 136. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 5353
1013.46, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5354
1013.46 Advertising and awarding contracts; 5355
prequalification of contractor. — 5356
(1) 5357
(c) As an option, any county, municipality, or board may 5358
set aside up to 10 percent of the total amount of funds 5359
allocated for the purpose of entering into construction capital 5360
project contracts with minority business enterprises in 5361
economically disadvant aged areas, as defined in s. 287.094. Such 5362
contracts shall be competitively bid only among such minority 5363
business enterprises. The set -aside shall be used to redress 5364
present effects of past discriminatory practices and shall be 5365
subject to periodic reassess ment to account for changing needs 5366
and circumstances. 5367
Section 137. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section 5368
212.055, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5369
212.055 Discretionary sales surtaxes; legislative intent; 5370
authorization and use of proceeds. —It is the legislative intent 5371
that any authorization for imposition of a discretionary sales 5372
surtax shall be published in the Florida Statutes as a 5373
subsection of this section, irrespective of the duration of the 5374
levy. Each enactment shall specify the types of counties 5375
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 216 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
authorized to levy; the rate or rates which may be imposed; the 5376
maximum length of time the surtax may be imposed, if any; the 5377
procedure which must be followed to secure voter approval, if 5378
required; the purpose for which the proceeds may be expe nded; 5379
and such other requirements as the Legislature may provide. 5380
Taxable transactions and administrative procedures shall be as 5381
provided in s. 212.054. 5382
(2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX. — 5383
(d) The proceeds of the surtax authorized by this 5384
subsection and any accrued interest shall be expended by the 5385
school district, within the county and municipalities within the 5386
county, or, in the case of a negotiated joint county agreement, 5387
within another county, to finance, plan, and construct 5388
infrastructure; to acquire any interest in land for public 5389
recreation, conservation, or protection of natural resources or 5390
to prevent or satisfy private property rights claims resulting 5391
from limitations imposed by the designation of an area of 5392
critical state concern; to provide loans, grants, or rebates to 5393
residential or commercial property owners who make energy 5394
efficiency improvements to their residential or commercial 5395
property, if a local government ordinance authorizing such use 5396
is approved by referendum; or to financ e the closure of county -5397
owned or municipally owned solid waste landfills that have been 5398
closed or are required to be closed by order of the Department 5399
of Environmental Protection. Any use of the proceeds or interest 5400
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 217 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
for purposes of landfill closure before July 1, 1993, is 5401
ratified. The proceeds and any interest may not be used for the 5402
operational expenses of infrastructure, except that a county 5403
that has a population of fewer than 75,000 and that is required 5404
to close a landfill may use the proceeds or intere st for long-5405
term maintenance costs associated with landfill closure. 5406
Counties, as defined in s. 125.011, and charter counties may, in 5407
addition, use the proceeds or interest to retire or service 5408
indebtedness incurred for bonds issued before July 1, 1987, fo r 5409
infrastructure purposes, and for bonds subsequently issued to 5410
refund such bonds. Any use of the proceeds or interest for 5411
purposes of retiring or servicing indebtedness incurred for 5412
refunding bonds before July 1, 1999, is ratified. 5413
1. For the purposes o f this paragraph, the term 5414
"infrastructure" means: 5415
a. Any fixed capital expenditure or fixed capital outlay 5416
associated with the construction, reconstruction, or improvement 5417
of public facilities that have a life expectancy of 5 or more 5418
years, any related land acquisition, land improvement, design, 5419
and engineering costs, and all other professional and related 5420
costs required to bring the public facilities into service. For 5421
purposes of this sub -subparagraph, the term "public facilities" 5422
means facilities as de fined in s. 163.3164(40) s. 163.3164(41), 5423
s. 163.3221(13), or s. 189.012(5), and includes facilities that 5424
are necessary to carry out governmental purposes, including, but 5425
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 218 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
not limited to, fire stations, general governmental office 5426
buildings, and animal shel ters, regardless of whether the 5427
facilities are owned by the local taxing authority or another 5428
governmental entity. 5429
b. A fire department vehicle, an emergency medical service 5430
vehicle, a sheriff's office vehicle, a police department 5431
vehicle, or any other v ehicle, and the equipment necessary to 5432
outfit the vehicle for its official use or equipment that has a 5433
life expectancy of at least 5 years. 5434
c. Any expenditure for the construction, lease, or 5435
maintenance of, or provision of utilities or security for, 5436
facilities, as defined in s. 29.008. 5437
d. Any fixed capital expenditure or fixed capital outlay 5438
associated with the improvement of private facilities that have 5439
a life expectancy of 5 or more years and that the owner agrees 5440
to make available for use on a tempor ary basis as needed by a 5441
local government as a public emergency shelter or a staging area 5442
for emergency response equipment during an emergency officially 5443
declared by the state or by the local government under s. 5444
252.38. Such improvements are limited to tho se necessary to 5445
comply with current standards for public emergency evacuation 5446
shelters. The owner must enter into a written contract with the 5447
local government providing the improvement funding to make the 5448
private facility available to the public for purpos es of 5449
emergency shelter at no cost to the local government for a 5450
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 219 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
minimum of 10 years after completion of the improvement, with 5451
the provision that the obligation will transfer to any 5452
subsequent owner until the end of the minimum period. 5453
e. Any land acquisition expenditure for a residential 5454
housing project in which at least 30 percent of the units are 5455
affordable to individuals or families whose total annual 5456
household income does not exceed 120 percent of the area median 5457
income adjusted for household size, i f the land is owned by a 5458
local government or by a special district that enters into a 5459
written agreement with the local government to provide such 5460
housing. The local government or special district may enter into 5461
a ground lease with a public or private perso n or entity for 5462
nominal or other consideration for the construction of the 5463
residential housing project on land acquired pursuant to this 5464
sub-subparagraph. 5465
f. Instructional technology used solely in a school 5466
district's classrooms. As used in this sub -subparagraph, the 5467
term "instructional technology" means an interactive device that 5468
assists a teacher in instructing a class or a group of students 5469
and includes the necessary hardware and software to operate the 5470
interactive device. The term also includes suppor t systems in 5471
which an interactive device may mount and is not required to be 5472
affixed to the facilities. 5473
2. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "energy 5474
efficiency improvement" means any energy conservation and 5475
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 220 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
efficiency improvement that reduces consumption through 5476
conservation or a more efficient use of electricity, natural 5477
gas, propane, or other forms of energy on the property, 5478
including, but not limited to, air sealing; installation of 5479
insulation; installation of energy -efficient heating, cooli ng, 5480
or ventilation systems; installation of solar panels; building 5481
modifications to increase the use of daylight or shade; 5482
replacement of windows; installation of energy controls or 5483
energy recovery systems; installation of electric vehicle 5484
charging equipment; installation of systems for natural gas fuel 5485
as defined in s. 206.9951; and installation of efficient 5486
lighting equipment. 5487
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, 5488
a local government infrastructure surtax imposed or extended 5489
after July 1, 1998, may allocate up to 15 percent of the surtax 5490
proceeds for deposit into a trust fund within the county's 5491
accounts created for the purpose of funding economic development 5492
projects having a general public purpose of improving local 5493
economies, including the funding of operational costs and 5494
incentives related to economic development. The ballot statement 5495
must indicate the intention to make an allocation under the 5496
authority of this subparagraph. 5497
Section 138. Paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of secti on 5498
212.096, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5499
212.096 Sales, rental, storage, use tax; enterprise zone 5500
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 221 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
jobs credit against sales tax. — 5501
(3) In order to claim this credit, an eligible business 5502
must file under oath with the governing body or enterpris e zone 5503
development agency having jurisdiction over the enterprise zone 5504
where the business is located, as applicable, a statement which 5505
includes: 5506
(g) Whether the business is a small business as defined by 5507
s. 288.703(4) s. 288.703(6). 5508
Section 139. Subsection (6) of section 339.285, Florida 5509
Statutes, is amended to read: 5510
339.285 Enhanced Bridge Program for Sustainable 5511
Transportation.— 5512
(6) Preference shall be given to bridge projects located 5513
on corridors that connect to the Strategic Intermodal System, 5514
created under s. 339.64, and that have been identified as 5515
regionally significant in accordance with s. 339.155(4)(b), (c), 5516
and (d) s. 339.155(4)(c), (d), and (e) . 5517
Section 140. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 373.415, 5518
Florida Statutes, are amended t o read: 5519
373.415 Protection zones; duties of the St. Johns River 5520
Water Management District. — 5521
(1) Not later than November 1, 1988, the St. Johns River 5522
Water Management District shall adopt rules establishing 5523
protection zones adjacent to the watercourses in the Wekiva 5524
River System, as designated in s. 369.303(9) s. 369.303(10). 5525
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 222 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Such protection zones shall be sufficiently wide to prevent harm 5526
to the Wekiva River System, including water quality, water 5527
quantity, hydrology, wetlands, and aquatic and wetland -dependent 5528
wildlife species, caused by any of the activities regulated 5529
under this part. Factors on which the widths of the protection 5530
zones shall be based shall include, but not be limited to: 5531
(a) The biological significance of the wetlands and 5532
uplands adjacent to the designated watercourses in the Wekiva 5533
River System, including the nesting, feeding, breeding, and 5534
resting needs of aquatic species and wetland -dependent wildlife 5535
species. 5536
(b) The sensitivity of these species to disturbance, 5537
including the short-term and long-term adaptability to 5538
disturbance of the more sensitive species, both migratory and 5539
resident. 5540
(c) The susceptibility of these lands to erosion, 5541
including the slope, soils, runoff characteristics, and 5542
vegetative cover. 5543
5544
In addition, the rul es may establish permitting thresholds, 5545
permitting exemptions, or general permits, if such thresholds, 5546
exemptions, or general permits do not allow significant adverse 5547
impacts to the Wekiva River System to occur individually or 5548
cumulatively. 5549
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 120.60, the St. 5550
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 223 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Johns River Water Management District shall not issue any permit 5551
under this part within the Wekiva River Protection Area, as 5552
defined in s. 369.303(8) s. 369.303(9), until the appropriate 5553
local government has provided written notification to the 5554
district that the proposed activity is consistent with the local 5555
comprehensive plan and is in compliance with any land 5556
development regulation in effect in the area where the 5557
development will take place. The di strict may, however, inform 5558
any property owner who makes a request for such information as 5559
to the location of the protection zone or zones on his or her 5560
property. However, if a development proposal is amended as the 5561
result of the review by the district, a permit may be issued 5562
prior to the development proposal being returned, if necessary, 5563
to the local government for additional review. 5564
Section 141. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 5565
376.3072, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5566
376.3072 Florida Petroleum Liability and Restoration 5567
Insurance Program.— 5568
(2)(a) An owner or operator of a petroleum storage system 5569
may become an insured in the restoration insurance program at a 5570
facility if: 5571
1. A site at which an incident has occurred is eligible 5572
for restoration if the insured is a participant in the third -5573
party liability insurance program or otherwise meets applicable 5574
financial responsibility requirements. After July 1, 1993, the 5575
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 224 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
insured must also provide the required excess insurance coverage 5576
or self-insurance for restoration to achieve the financial 5577
responsibility requirements of 40 C.F.R. s. 280.97, subpart H, 5578
not covered by paragraph (d). 5579
2. A site which had a discharge reported before January 1, 5580
1989, for which notice was given pursuant to s. 376.3071(10) and 5581
which is ineligible for the third -party liability insurance 5582
program solely due to that discharge is eligible for 5583
participation in the restoration program for an incident 5584
occurring on or after January 1, 1989, pursuant to subsection 5585
(3). Restoration funding for an eligible contaminated site will 5586
be provided without participation in the third -party liability 5587
insurance program until the site is restored as required by the 5588
department or until the department determines that the site does 5589
not require restoration. 5590
3. Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a site where an 5591
application is filed with the department before January 1, 1995, 5592
where the owner is a small business under s. 288.706(4) s. 5593
288.703(6), a Florida College System institution with less tha n 5594
2,500 FTE, a religious institution as defined by s. 5595
212.08(7)(m), a charitable institution as defined by s. 5596
212.08(7)(p), or a county or municipality with a population of 5597
less than 50,000, is eligible for up to $400,000 of eligible 5598
restoration costs, les s a deductible of $10,000 for small 5599
businesses, eligible Florida College System institutions, and 5600
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 225 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
religious or charitable institutions, and $30,000 for eligible 5601
counties and municipalities, if: 5602
a. Except as provided in sub -subparagraph e., the facility 5603
was in compliance with department rules at the time of the 5604
discharge. 5605
b. The owner or operator has, upon discovery of a 5606
discharge, promptly reported the discharge to the department, 5607
and drained and removed the system from service, if necessary. 5608
c. The owner or operator has not intentionally caused or 5609
concealed a discharge or disabled leak detection equipment. 5610
d. The owner or operator proceeds to complete initial 5611
remedial action as specified in department rules. 5612
e. The owner or operator, if required a nd if it has not 5613
already done so, applies for third -party liability coverage for 5614
the facility within 30 days after receipt of an eligibility 5615
order issued by the department pursuant to this subparagraph. 5616
5617
However, the department may consider in -kind services from 5618
eligible counties and municipalities in lieu of the $30,000 5619
deductible. The cost of conducting initial remedial action as 5620
defined by department rules is an eligible restoration cost 5621
pursuant to this subparagraph. 5622
4.a. By January 1, 1997, facilitie s at sites with existing 5623
contamination must have methods of release detection to be 5624
eligible for restoration insurance coverage for new discharges 5625
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 226 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
subject to department rules for secondary containment. Annual 5626
storage system testing, in conjunction with inv entory control, 5627
shall be considered to be a method of release detection until 5628
the later of December 22, 1998, or 10 years after the date of 5629
installation or the last upgrade. Other methods of release 5630
detection for storage tanks which meet such requirement a re: 5631
(I) Interstitial monitoring of tank and integral piping 5632
secondary containment systems; 5633
(II) Automatic tank gauging systems; or 5634
(III) A statistical inventory reconciliation system with a 5635
tank test every 3 years. 5636
b. For pressurized integral pipin g systems, the owner or 5637
operator must use: 5638
(I) An automatic in -line leak detector with flow 5639
restriction meeting the requirements of department rules used in 5640
conjunction with an annual tightness or pressure test; or 5641
(II) An automatic in -line leak detector with electronic 5642
flow shut-off meeting the requirements of department rules. 5643
c. For suction integral piping systems, the owner or 5644
operator must use: 5645
(I) A single check valve installed directly below the 5646
suction pump if there are no other valves betwe en the dispenser 5647
and the tank; or 5648
(II) An annual tightness test or other approved test. 5649
d. Owners of facilities with existing contamination that 5650
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 227 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
install internal release detection systems pursuant to sub -5651
subparagraph a. shall permanently close their ex ternal 5652
groundwater and vapor monitoring wells pursuant to department 5653
rules by December 31, 1998. Upon installation of the internal 5654
release detection system, such wells must be secured and taken 5655
out of service until permanent closure. 5656
e. Facilities with v apor levels of contamination meeting 5657
the requirements of or below the concentrations specified in the 5658
performance standards for release detection methods specified in 5659
department rules may continue to use vapor monitoring wells for 5660
release detection. 5661
f. The department may approve other methods of release 5662
detection for storage tanks and integral piping which have at 5663
least the same capability to detect a new release as the methods 5664
specified in this subparagraph. 5665
5666
Sites meeting the criteria of this subsection for which a site 5667
rehabilitation completion order was issued before June 1, 2008, 5668
do not qualify for the 2008 increase in site rehabilitation 5669
funding assistance and are bound by the pre -June 1, 2008, 5670
limits. Sites meeting the criteria of this subsection fo r which 5671
a site rehabilitation completion order was not issued before 5672
June 1, 2008, regardless of whether they have previously 5673
transitioned to nonstate -funded cleanup status, may continue 5674
state-funded cleanup pursuant to s. 376.3071(6) until a site 5675
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 228 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
rehabilitation completion order is issued or the increased site 5676
rehabilitation funding assistance limit is reached, whichever 5677
occurs first. 5678
Section 142. Paragraph (k) of subsection (2) of section 5679
377.703, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5680
377.703 Additional functions of the Department of 5681
Agriculture and Consumer Services. — 5682
(2) DUTIES.—The department shall perform the following 5683
functions, unless as otherwise provided, consistent with the 5684
development of a state energy policy: 5685
(k) The department s hall coordinate energy -related 5686
programs of state government, including, but not limited to, the 5687
programs provided in this section. To this end, the department 5688
shall: 5689
1. Provide assistance to other state agencies, counties, 5690
and municipalities, and regional planning agencies to further 5691
and promote their energy planning activities. 5692
2. Require, in cooperation with the Department of 5693
Management Services, all state agencies to operate state -owned 5694
and state-leased buildings in accordance with energy 5695
conservation standards as adopted by the Department of 5696
Management Services. Every 3 months, the Department of 5697
Management Services shall furnish the department data on 5698
agencies' energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases 5699
in a format prescribed by the department. 5700
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 229 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3. Promote the development and use of renewable energy 5701
resources, energy efficiency technologies, and conservation 5702
measures. 5703
4. Promote the recovery of energy from wastes, including, 5704
but not limited to, the use of waste heat, the use of 5705
agricultural products as a source of energy, and recycling of 5706
manufactured products. Such promotion shall be conducted in 5707
conjunction with, and after consultation with, the Department of 5708
Environmental Protection and the Florida Public Service 5709
Commission where electrical generation or natural gas is 5710
involved, and any other relevant federal, state, or local 5711
governmental agency having responsibility for resource recovery 5712
programs. 5713
Section 143. Subsection (3) of section 378.411, Florida 5714
Statutes, is amended to read: 5715
378.411 Certification to receive notices of intent to 5716
mine, to review, and to inspect for compliance. — 5717
(3) In making his or her determination, the secretary 5718
shall consult with the Department of Commerce , the appropriate 5719
regional planning council , and the appropriate water management 5720
district. 5721
Section 144. Subsection (15) of section 380.031, Florida 5722
Statutes, is amended to read: 5723
380.031 Definitions. —As used in this chapter: 5724
(15) "Regional planning agency" means the agency 5725
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 230 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
designated by the state land planning agency to exercise 5726
responsibilities under this chapter in a particular region of 5727
the state. 5728
Section 145. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) and paragraph 5729
(a) of subsection (7) of section 403.5115, Florida Statutes, are 5730
amended to read: 5731
403.5115 Public notice. — 5732
(6)(a) A good faith effort shall be made by the applicant 5733
to provide direct written notice of the filing of an application 5734
for certification by United States mail or hand delivery no 5735
later than 45 days after filing of the app lication to all local 5736
landowners whose property, as noted in the most recent local 5737
government tax records, and residences are located within the 5738
following distances of the proposed project: 5739
1. Three miles of the proposed main site boundaries of the 5740
proposed electrical power plant. 5741
2. One-quarter mile for a transmission line corridor that 5742
only includes a transmission line as defined by s. 403.522(21) 5743
s. 403.522(22). 5744
3. One-quarter mile for all other linear associated 5745
facilities extending away from the main site boundary except for 5746
a transmission line corridor that includes a transmission line 5747
that operates below those defined by s. 403.522(21) s. 5748
403.522(22). 5749
(7)(a) A good faith effort shall be made by the proponent 5750
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 231 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of an alternate corridor that inclu des a transmission line, as 5751
defined by s. 403.522(21) s. 403.522(22), to provide direct 5752
written notice of the filing of an alternate corridor for 5753
certification by United States mail or hand delivery of the 5754
filing no later than 30 days after filing of the a lternate 5755
corridor to all local landowners whose property, as noted in the 5756
most recent local government tax records, and residences, are 5757
located within one-quarter mile of the proposed boundaries of a 5758
transmission line corridor that includes a transmission line as 5759
defined by s. 403.522(21) s. 403.522(22). 5760
Section 146. Subsection (24) of section 409.901, Florida 5761
Statutes, is amended to read: 5762
409.901 Definitions; ss. 409.901 -409.920.—As used in ss. 5763
409.901-409.920, except as otherwise specifically provid ed, the 5764
term: 5765
(24) "Minority physician network" means a network of 5766
primary care physicians with experience managing Medicaid or 5767
Medicare recipients that is predominantly owned by minorities as 5768
defined in s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703, which may have a 5769
collaborative partnership with a public college or university 5770
and a tax-exempt charitable corporation. 5771
Section 147. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 5772
440.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5773
440.45 Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. — 5774
(2) 5775
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 232 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the Governor 5776
shall appoint a judge of compensation claims from a list of 5777
three persons nominated by a statewide nominating commission. 5778
The statewide nominating commission shall be composed of the 5779
following: 5780
1. Six members, at least one of whom must be a member of a 5781
minority group as defined in s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703, one of 5782
each who resides in each of the territorial jurisdictions of the 5783
district courts of appeal, appointed by the Board of Governors 5784
of The Florida Bar from among The Florida Bar members engaged in 5785
the practice of law. Each member shall be appointed for a 4 -year 5786
term; 5787
2. Six electors, at least one of whom must be a member of 5788
a minority group as defined in s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703, one of 5789
each who resides in each of the territorial jurisdictions of the 5790
district courts of appeal, appointed by the Governor. Each 5791
member shall be appointed for a 4 -year term; and 5792
3. Six electors, at least one of whom must be a member of 5793
a minority group as defined in s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703, one of 5794
each who resides in the territorial jurisdictions of the 5795
district courts of appeal, selected and appointed by a majority 5796
vote of the other 10 members of the commission. Each member 5797
shall be appointed for a 4 -year term. 5798
5799
A vacancy occurring on the commission shall be filled by the 5800
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 233 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
original appointing authority for the unexpired balance of the 5801
term. An attorney who appears before any judge of compensation 5802
claims more than four times a year is not eligible to serve on 5803
the statewide nominating commission. The meetings and 5804
determinations of the nominating commission as to the judges of 5805
compensation claims shall be open to the public. 5806
Section 148. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection 5807
(3), and subsection (6) of section 473.3065, Florida Statutes, 5808
are amended to read: 5809
473.3065 Clay Ford Scholarship Program; Certified Public 5810
Accountant Education Minority Assistance Advisory Council. — 5811
(1) The Clay Ford Scholarship Program for Florida 5812
residents is hereby established in the division for the purpose 5813
of providing scholarships to minority persons as defined in s. 5814
760.80(2) s. 288.703 who are students enrolled in their fifth 5815
year of an accounting education program at an institution in 5816
this state approved by the board by rule. A Certified Public 5817
Accountant Education Minority Assistance Advisory Council shall 5818
assist the board in administering the program. 5819
(3) The board shall adopt rules as necessary for 5820
administration of the Clay Ford Scholarship Program, including 5821
rules relating to the following: 5822
(a) Eligibility criteria for receipt of a scholarship, 5823
which, at a minimum, shall include the following factors: 5824
1. Financial need. 5825
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 234 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2. Ethnic, gender, or racial Minority status pursuant to 5826
s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703(4). 5827
3. Scholastic ability and performance. 5828
(6) There is hereby created the Certified Public 5829
Accountant Education Minority Assistance Advisory Council to 5830
assist the board in administering the Clay Ford Scholarship 5831
Program. The council shall be diverse and representati ve of the 5832
gender, ethnic, and racial categories set forth in s. 760.80(2) 5833
s. 288.703(4). 5834
(a) The council shall consist of five licensed Florida -5835
certified public accountants selected by the board, of whom one 5836
shall be a board member who serves as chair of the council, one 5837
shall be a representative of the National Association of Black 5838
Accountants, one shall be a representative of the Cuban American 5839
CPA Association, and two shall be selected at large. At least 5840
one member of the council must be a woman. 5841
(b) The board shall determine the terms for initial 5842
appointments and appointments thereafter. 5843
(c) Any vacancy on the council shall be filled in the 5844
manner provided for the selection of the initial member. Any 5845
member appointed to fill a vacancy of an unexpir ed term shall be 5846
appointed for the remainder of that term. 5847
(d) Three consecutive absences or absences constituting 50 5848
percent or more of the council's meetings within any 12 -month 5849
period shall cause the council membership of the member in 5850
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 235 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
question to become void, and the position shall be considered 5851
vacant. 5852
(e) The members of the council shall serve without 5853
compensation, and any necessary and actual expenses incurred by 5854
a member while engaged in the business of the council shall be 5855
borne by such member or by the organization or agency such 5856
member represents. However, the council member who is a member 5857
of the board shall be compensated in accordance with ss. 5858
455.207(4) and 112.061. 5859
Section 149. Subsection (1) of section 641.217, Florida 5860
Statutes, is amended to read: 5861
641.217 Minority recruitment and retention plans 5862
required.— 5863
(1) Any entity contracting with the Agency for Health Care 5864
Administration to provide health care services to Medicaid 5865
recipients or state employees on a prepaid or fixed -sum basis 5866
must submit to the Agency for Health Care Administration the 5867
entity's plan for recruitment and retention of health care 5868
practitioners who are minority persons as defined in s. 5869
760.80(2) s. 288.703. The plan must demonstrate an ability to 5870
recruit and retain minority persons which shall include, but is 5871
not limited to, the following efforts: 5872
(a) Establishing and maintaining contacts with various 5873
organizations representing the interests and concerns of 5874
minority constituencies to seek advice and assistance . 5875
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 236 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Identifying and recruiting at colleges and 5876
universities which primarily serve minority students. 5877
(c) Reviewing and analyzing the organization's workforce 5878
as to minority representation. 5879
(d) Other factors identified by the Agency for Health Care 5880
Administration by rule. 5881
Section 150. Subsection (1) of section 947.02, Florida 5882
Statutes, is amended to read: 5883
947.02 Florida Commission on Offender Review; members, 5884
appointment.— 5885
(1) Except as provided in s. 947.021, the members of the 5886
Florida Commission on Offender Review shall be appointed by the 5887
Governor and Cabinet from a list of eligible applicants 5888
submitted by a parole qualifications committee. The appointments 5889
of members of the commission shall be certified to the Senate by 5890
the Governor and Cabinet for confirmation, and the membership of 5891
the commission shall include representation from minority 5892
persons as defined in s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703. 5893
Section 151. Section 947.021, Florida Statutes, is amended 5894
to read: 5895
947.021 Florida Commission on Offender Review; expedited 5896
appointments.—Whenever the Legislature decreases the membership 5897
of the commission, all terms of office shall expire, 5898
notwithstanding any law to the contrary. Under such 5899
circumstances, the Governor a nd Cabinet shall expedite the 5900
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 237 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
appointment of commissioners. Notwithstanding the parole 5901
qualifications committee procedure in s. 947.02, members shall 5902
be directly appointed by the Governor and Cabinet. Members 5903
appointed to the commission may be selected fro m incumbents. 5904
Members shall be certified to the Senate by the Governor and 5905
Cabinet for confirmation, and the membership of the commission 5906
shall include representation from minority persons as defined in 5907
s. 760.80(2) s. 288.703. 5908
Section 152. Paragraph ( a) of subsection (4) of section 5909
1004.435, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 5910
1004.435 Cancer control and research. — 5911
(4) FLORIDA CANCER CONTROL AND RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL; 5912
CREATION; COMPOSITION. — 5913
(a) There is created within the H. Lee Moffitt Ca ncer 5914
Center and Research Institute, Inc., the Florida Cancer Control 5915
and Research Advisory Council. The council shall consist of 16 5916
members, which includes the chairperson, all of whom must be 5917
residents of this state. The State Surgeon General or his or he r 5918
designee within the Department of Health shall be one of the 16 5919
members. Members, except those appointed by the Governor, the 5920
Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the President of the 5921
Senate, must be appointed by the chief executive officer of the 5922
institution or organization represented, or his or her designee. 5923
One member must be a representative of the American Cancer 5924
Society; one member must be a representative of the Sylvester 5925
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 238 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami; one 5926
member must be a representative of the University of Florida 5927
Shands Cancer Center; one member must be a representative of the 5928
Florida Nurses Association who specializes in the field of 5929
oncology and is not from an institution or organization already 5930
represented on the council; one member must be a representative 5931
of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association who specializes 5932
in the field of oncology; one member must be a member of the 5933
Florida Medical Association who specializes in the field of 5934
oncology and who represe nts a cancer center not already 5935
represented on the council; one member must be a representative 5936
of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 5937
Inc.; one member must be a representative of the Mayo Clinic in 5938
Jacksonville; one member must be a m ember of the Florida 5939
Hospital Association who specializes in the field of oncology 5940
and who represents a comprehensive cancer center not already 5941
represented on the council; one member must be a representative 5942
of the Association of Community Cancer Centers; one member must 5943
specialize in pediatric oncology research or clinical care 5944
appointed by the Governor; one member must specialize in 5945
oncology clinical care or research appointed by the President of 5946
the Senate; one member must be a current or former cancer 5947
patient or a current or former caregiver to a cancer patient 5948
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one 5949
member must be a member of the House of Representatives 5950
HB 1125 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1125-00
Page 239 of 239
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 5951
one member must be a member of the Senate appointed by the 5952
President of the Senate. At least four of the members must be 5953
individuals who are minority persons as defined by s. 760.80(2) 5954
s. 288.703. 5955
Section 153. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 5956