SB 1696 Summary

• Deletes the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development's requirement to administer the professional golf hall of fame facility program under s. 288.1168.

• Removes the requirement that Public Service Commission rules for utility recovery of economic development expenses be consistent with criteria from the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development; instead requires the commission to provide proposed rule amendments to the office for review and comment.

• Revises the purposes of the Rural Infrastructure Fund to explicitly include strengthening, diversifying, and enhancing rural economies and communities, and makes technical updates to grant eligibility and award requirements.

• Authorizes staff members of Enterprise Florida, Inc., leased from the Department of Management Services to retain state employee status and Florida Retirement System participation until retirement or lease termination, with all such leases terminating when employees on January 1, 2010, retire or cease service.

• Repeals obsolete provisions including s. 288.038 (Department of Labor and Employment Security agreements with tax collectors), s. 288.1168 (professional golf hall of fame certification), and s. 288.1185 (Recycling Markets Advisory Committee); effective July 1, 2010.