FL S1640

Transfers the Office of Film and Entertainment from the Department of Economic Opportunity to Enterprise Florida, Inc., renaming it the Division of Film and Entertainment and requiring Enterprise Florida to conduct a national search for a film commissioner.

Revises the 5-year strategic plan requirements for the Division to include discussion of organizational structure, coordination with local offices and film commissions, recruitment strategies, budget projections, and performance standards, with annual review and approval by Enterprise Florida's board of directors.

Increases tax credit allocations for the entertainment industry financial incentive program by adding $50 million per fiscal year for fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, and $50 million per fiscal year for fiscal years 2016-2017 through 2019-2020, while extending the program's repeal date from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2020.

Modifies tax credit eligibility requirements, including changing residency percentages for production crew from 60-75 percent to 70-80 percent, reducing the application timeline from 180 days to 150 days before principal photography, and adding new incentive categories for employment of students, veterans, and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Establishes new county-based incentives by setting aside 20 percent of general production queue tax credits for underutilized counties with less than $500,000 in qualified expenditures in the prior 2 fiscal years, and eliminates previous regional tax credit distribution requirements.