CS for CS for CS for SB 248 - Economic Recovery from Deepwater Horizon Disaster

• Defines eight "Disproportionally Affected Counties" (Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Wakulla) and authorizes the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to waive job and wage eligibility requirements for businesses relocating to these counties between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2014, up to $5 million in incentives per project.

• Removes the requirement that facilities in Disproportionally Affected Counties be in high-impact sectors to qualify for capital investment tax credits and allows up to $6,000 per job in tax refunds for out-of-state target industry businesses relocating to these counties.

• Tolls and extends permits and authorizations (development orders, building permits, environmental permits, and development of regional impact buildout dates) for the duration of an emergency declaration plus 6 additional months, governed by laws in effect when the permit was issued.

• Appropriates $10 million to contract with Florida's Great Northwest, Inc., for economic development programs in affected counties, with funding preference for jurisdictions offering expedited or combined permitting processes.

• Establishes procedures for lease holders of sovereignty submerged lands to seek reimbursement of lease fees from responsible parties or claims processes for economic losses caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with the Chief Financial Officer directed to recover full amounts through all available legal means.