SB 1956: Florida Public-Private Partnership Act

• Establishes the Florida Public-Private Partnership Act (s. 287.05712, F.S.) to enable private entities to develop and operate public-purpose projects including schools, water/wastewater facilities, technology infrastructure, and government buildings.

• Requires responsible public entities to adopt and publicly disclose guidelines for public-private partnerships, with minimum requirements including competitive selection procedures, cost-benefit analyses, and a mandatory 45-day public notice period for project proposals.

• Exempts public-private partnership procurement from the Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act, allowing entities to consider factors beyond price such as design, experience, local hiring, and non-financial benefits when selecting proposals.

• Authorizes interim and comprehensive agreements between public and private entities; allows private entities to develop, finance, own, and operate projects; and permits collection of user fees, lease payments, and service payments to cover costs.

• Creates a 12-member Public-Private Partnership Advisory Commission to review implementation and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature beginning December 13, 2012; takes effect July 1, 2011.