FL H0273

Expands eligibility for state agency invoice payment assistance to include special districts located entirely within rural communities and independent special districts providing water and wastewater services in rural areas of opportunity

Requires state agencies to expedite payment requests from qualifying rural counties, municipalities, and special districts to facilitate timely invoice payments and alleviate financial hardships

Amends the definition of "rural community" under the Rural Economic Development Initiative to explicitly include special districts within rural counties (population 75,000 or fewer, or 125,000 or fewer if contiguous to such counties)

Adds independent special districts providing water and wastewater services within rural areas of opportunity to the definition of "rural community"

Effective date: July 1, 2026