FL H1289

Creates the Northwest Florida Rural Inland Affected Counties Recovery Fund within the Department of Economic Opportunity to support economic recovery in seven rural inland counties affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster (Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, and Washington counties).

Appropriates 5% of all payments received by the state under the BP Settlement Agreement after July 1, 2018, annually to the fund on a permanent, non-reverting basis.

Authorizes the Department of Economic Opportunity to award grants to organizations and local governments for infrastructure projects, feasibility studies, workforce programs, tourism marketing, and economic development assistance in the eligible counties.

Establishes prioritization criteria for awards including maximum estimated economic benefits, household income increases, leveraging of educational and military assets, local government partnerships, environmental benefits, and recommendations from county commissions.

Requires the department to review and certify applications in consultation with Enterprise Florida Inc., the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; effective July 1, 2018.