FL S0224

Establishes the Florida Small Business Development Center Network as the principal business assistance organization serving emerging and established for-profit, privately held businesses in the state.

Creates a 19-member statewide advisory board with at least 12 private sector representatives appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, the network director, and the host institution, plus representatives from Enterprise Florida, the CFO's office, Florida Chamber of Commerce, SBA, NFIB, and Florida United Business Association.

Requires the network to provide support services targeting businesses with fewer than 100 employees, including business planning, financial literacy, market expansion, capital access, and disaster assistance.

Mandates the network match all direct state appropriations with funding (at least 50 percent cash), and distributes half of state appropriations as pay-per-performance incentives based on jobs created and the other half for statewide service, university participation enhancement, and best practices adoption.

Requires quarterly progress updates to the Board of Governors and Department of Economic Opportunity, and annual reporting to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House including performance metrics and the network's economic benefit to the state; effective July 1, 2013.