FL S0306

Authorizes counties to impose an additional tourist development tax (up to 1%) to pay debt service on bonds for professional sports facility renovations exceeding $300 million, requiring at least 50% private funding and voter approval via referendum.

Creates a new Sports Development Program under section 288.11625 allowing the Department of Economic Opportunity to screen and recommend applicants for state funding of sports facility projects, with annual distributions capped at $13 million total and eligibility based on project costs ($1-3 million annually depending on total project cost).

Requires applicants to provide independent certified public accountant analysis demonstrating new incremental state sales tax revenue generated by facilities, with reimbursement obligations if actual revenues fall short of projections.

Establishes mandatory 5-year program reviews, allows the Auditor General to conduct audits, and permits beneficiaries to repay state funds if they relocate before agreements expire.

Amends local government half-cent sales tax provisions to allow counties to use up to $3 million annually for sports development reimbursements and authorizes municipalities to reimburse the state per sports development contracts.