FL H7067

Enterprise Zone Program Overhaul: Replaces the state-designated enterprise zone framework with a locally driven certification model, where local governments adopt resolutions creating enterprise zones and submit applications to DEO for certification by June 30 annually; certified zones must provide mandatory exemptions for at least 24 consecutive months from business taxes, impact fees, building permit fees, sign/tree ordinance fees, and special assessments, along with a citation moratorium for new and expanding businesses.

Economic Development Incentive Reform (s. 288.061): Beginning January 1, 2016, establishes a standardized application and evaluation process for all incentive programs, including financial analysis of applicants, a 10-year maximum contract term (with exceptions for agreements totaling $20 million or more), a $60 million annual cap on total scheduled payments/tax refunds, and a requirement that funds be paid only directly to applicants—not to third parties or escrow accounts.

Tiered Governor and Legislative Approval Process: Implements a uniform three-tier approval structure across the Quick Action Closing Fund, High-Impact Business, and Innovation Incentive programs—awards under $2 million require Governor approval with legislative notification; $2–$7.5 million require 14-day legislative consultation with objection authority; and awards exceeding $7.5 million (or $5 million with a waiver) require Legislative Budget Commission approval. Contract amendments reducing the economic benefit ratio by 0.5 points or more trigger the highest approval tier.

Quick Action Closing Fund Changes (s. 288.1088): Lowers the required economic benefit ratio from 5:1 to 4:1, sets a minimum average wage of 125% of area private sector wage, caps eligibility waivers at two per project with a floor of 2:1 economic benefit ratio, introduces local financial support requirements of 20% (with waiver provisions for rural areas), and imposes a $35 million cap on total scheduled payments in any single fiscal year.

Transportation Concurrency and Impact Fee Relief for Small Businesses: Before July 1, 2018, prohibits local governments from applying transportation concurrency or impact fees on new business developments unless approved by supermajority vote, with exceptions for developments exceeding 6,000 square feet or employing more than 12 full-time employees; provisions expire July 1, 2019, and require certificate of occupancy by that date.

Public-Private Partnership Statute Restructuring (s. 255.065): Transfers and renumbers the P3 statute from chapter 287 to chapter 255, eliminates the Guidelines Task Force, requires design criteria packages for solicitations, mandates that facilities be owned by or conveyed to the responsible public entity, voids any financing provision that could result in loss of fee ownership, and expands eligibility to include Florida College System institutions.

Tax Refund Program Extensions and Modifications: Extends the Qualified Defense Contractor and Space Flight Business Tax Refund Program from June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2017; provides base refunds of $3,000 per job ($6,000 in rural areas of opportunity or certified enterprise zones) with wage-based bonuses up to $2,000; extends claim filing deadlines from 30 to 60 days for the Qualified Target Industry program; and creates a late-documentation cure for businesses that missed 2014 submission deadlines.

Local Financial Support Waiver Framework: Across multiple incentive programs, standardizes local financial support at 20% of total state/local investment, with authority for the department to reduce the requirement to 10% or eliminate it entirely for projects in rural areas of opportunity; waiver requests require a Florida CPA statement of financial constraints, except for fiscally constrained counties.

Startup Florida Initiative (s. 288.913): Creates a new program targeting high-technology startups (under 5 years old, fewer than 10 employees) and second-stage businesses (10–50 employees, $1–$25 million revenue), requiring a statewide strategic plan due to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2016, evaluating best practices, surveying existing support organizations, and directing Enterprise Florida to market startup activities.

Permit Extensions, Appropriations, and Other Provisions: Grants a 2-year extension for building and environmental permits expiring between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2017 (cumulative cap of 4 years); appropriates $20 million from the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund and $3.8 million from the Economic Development Trust Fund for FY 2015-2016 incentive payments; increases the surety bond qualifying threshold from $500,000 to $5 million; and mandates the Professional Golf Hall of Fame undergo annual recertification and Department of Revenue audits every 5 years.