FL H0585

Amends Florida's tourist development tax to authorize counties to use revenues for channel, estuary, and lagoon improvements in addition to existing purposes.

Adds a new category allowing counties with at least $10 million in annual tourist development tax revenue to fund public facilities (transportation, sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, potable water, and pedestrian facilities) if recommended by the county tourist development council.

Requires that no more than 70 percent of public facility costs be funded with tourist development tax revenues, with remaining funding sources identified and approved by the county governing board.

Mandates a two-thirds vote by the county governing board and an independent professional analysis demonstrating positive impact on tourist-related businesses before public facilities funding can be approved.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.