CS/CS/HB 1509 Summary

• County and Municipal Reporting Requirements: Requires agencies receiving county or municipal funds for economic development to submit reports on fund usage; counties and municipalities with revenues over $250,000 must report annually to the Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations about economic development incentives provided to businesses.

• Tax Refund Program for Target Industry Businesses: Increases allowable tax refund amounts ($3,000-$6,000 per job based on location) and adds new $2,000 per-job refunds for high-impact sectors or export-focused businesses; extends certification deadline to June 30, 2020; allows prorated refunds and introduces "economic recovery extensions" for businesses facing economic hardship.

• Economic Development Tax Incentives: Authorizes $125,000 monthly distributions to the National Swimming Center at Cape Coral; allows extension of economic development ad valorem tax exemptions by voter referendum; revises wage requirements and definitions of "jobs" across multiple incentive programs to include temporary employment agency positions and professional employer organization arrangements.

• Environmental Permitting Streamlining: Expands online self-certification for environmental permits; extends expiration dates for development orders and permits issued between September 1, 2008 and January 1, 2012 by two years; allows local governments to petition Governor and Cabinet for environmental permit delegation authority.

• State Property and Infrastructure: Requires annual state agency inventory of surplus real property and Department of Environmental Protection reports; extends fuel tank upgrade deadlines to June 1, 2013 for fuel service stations that changed ownership between January 1, 2008 and June 1, 2010.