Bill Amendment: FL S0600 | 2017 | Regular Session
NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List
Bill Title: Rural Economic Development Initiative
Status: 2017-05-05 - Died in Rules [S0600 Detail]
Download: Florida-2017-S0600-Senate_Committee_Amendment_919530.html
Bill Title: Rural Economic Development Initiative
Status: 2017-05-05 - Died in Rules [S0600 Detail]
Download: Florida-2017-S0600-Senate_Committee_Amendment_919530.html
Florida Senate - 2017 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 600
Ì919530ÉÎ919530
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
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The Committee on Agriculture (Grimsley) recommended the
following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete lines 20 - 269
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes, is amended
6 to read:
7 288.0656 Rural Economic Development Initiative.—
8 (1)(a) Recognizing that rural communities and regions
9 continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to
10 significantly improve their quality of life and economies,
11 specifically in terms of personal income, education,
12 infrastructure, access to healthcare, and job creation, average
13 wages, and strong tax bases, it is the intent of the Legislature
14 to encourage and facilitate:
15 (a) Job creation through the location and expansion of
16 major economic development projects of significant scale in such
17 rural communities.
18 (b) Improved community infrastructure, including, but not
19 limited to, roads, utilities, water and sewer, and
20 communications.
21 (c) The development and expansion of a skilled workforce.
22 (d) Improved access to healthcare.
23 (2)(b) The Rural Economic Development Initiative, known as
24 “REDI,” is created within the Department of Economic
25 Opportunity, and the participation of state and regional
26 agencies in this initiative is authorized.
27 (3)(2) As used in this section, the term:
28 (a) “Catalyst project” means a business locating or
29 expanding in a rural area of opportunity to serve as an economic
30 generator of regional significance for the growth of a regional
31 target industry cluster. The project must provide capital
32 investment on a scale significant enough to affect the entire
33 region and result in the development of high-wage and high-skill
34 jobs.
35 (b) “Catalyst site” means a parcel or parcels of land
36 within a rural area of opportunity that has been prioritized as
37 a geographic site for economic development through partnerships
38 with state, regional, and local organizations. The site must be
39 reviewed by REDI and approved by the department for the purposes
40 of locating a catalyst project.
41 (c) “Economic distress” means conditions affecting the
42 fiscal and economic viability of a rural community, including
43 such factors as low per capita income, low per capita taxable
44 values, high unemployment, high underemployment, low weekly
45 earned wages compared to the state average, low housing values
46 compared to the state average, high percentages of the
47 population receiving public assistance, high poverty levels
48 compared to the state average, and a lack of year-round stable
49 employment opportunities.
50 (d) “Rural area of opportunity” means a rural community, or
51 a region composed of rural communities, designated by the
52 Governor, which has been adversely affected by an extraordinary
53 economic event, severe or chronic economic distress, and faces
54 competitive disadvantages such as low labor force participation,
55 low educational attainment levels, high unemployment, “D” or “F”
56 district grades pursuant to s. 1008.34, high infant mortality
57 rates, and high diabetes and obesity rates, and which or a
58 natural disaster or that presents a unique economic development
59 opportunity of regional impact.
60 (e) “Rural community” means:
61 1. A county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.
62 2. A county with a population of 125,000 or fewer which is
63 contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.
64 3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph
65 1. or subparagraph 2.
66 4. An unincorporated federal enterprise community or an
67 incorporated rural city with a population of 25,000 or fewer and
68 an employment base focused on traditional agricultural or
69 resource-based industries, located in a county not defined as
70 rural, which has at least three or more of the economic distress
71 factors identified in paragraph (c) and verified by the
72 department.
73
74 For purposes of this paragraph, population shall be determined
75 in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to
76 s. 186.901.
77 (4)(3) REDI is shall be responsible for coordinating and
78 focusing the efforts and resources of state and regional
79 agencies on the challenges of the state’s rural areas of
80 opportunity and economically distressed rural communities. REDI
81 shall work problems which affect the fiscal, economic, and
82 community viability of Florida’s economically distressed rural
83 communities, working with local governments, community-based
84 organizations, and private organizations that have an interest
85 in the renewed prosperity and competitiveness of growth and
86 development of these communities to find ways to balance
87 environmental and growth management issues with local needs.
88 (5)(4) REDI shall review and evaluate the impact of
89 statutes and rules on rural communities and shall work to
90 minimize any adverse impact and undertake outreach and capacity
91 building efforts to improve rural communities’ ability to
92 compete in a global economy.
93 (6)(5) REDI shall facilitate better access to state
94 resources by promoting direct access and referrals to
95 appropriate state and regional agencies and statewide
96 organizations. REDI may undertake outreach, capacity-building,
97 and other advocacy efforts to improve conditions in rural
98 communities. These activities may include sponsorship of
99 conferences and achievement awards.
100 (7)(a) REDI shall consist of the following members:
101 1. The executive director of the Department of Economic
102 Opportunity or his or her designee, who shall serve as the
103 chair.
104 2. The Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee.
105 3. The Secretary of Environmental Protection or his or her
106 designee.
107 4. The Commissioner of Agriculture or his or her designee.
108 5. The State Surgeon General or his or her designee.
109 6. The Commissioner of Education or his or her designee.
110 7. The chair of the board of directors of CareerSource
111 Florida, Inc., or his or her designee.
112 8. The chair of the board of the regional economic
113 development organization for each of the rural areas of
114 opportunity or his or her designee.
115 9. Five members from the private sector, three of whom
116 shall be appointed by the executive director of the Department
117 of Economic Opportunity, one of whom shall be appointed by the
118 President of the Senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by
119 the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
120 (b) In making their appointments, the executive director,
121 the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
122 Representatives shall ensure that the appointments reflect the
123 diversity of Florida’s business community and are representative
124 of the economic development goals in subsection (1).
125 (c) The executive director, the President of the Senate,
126 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall consider
127 appointees who reflect the state’s racial, ethnic, and gender
128 diversity, and who are from rural communities.
129 (d) Each appointed member shall be appointed to a 2-year
130 term.
131 (e) Initial appointments shall be made by July 1, 2017.
132 Member terms shall expire on June 30.
133 (f) A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of an
134 unexpired term and filled in the same manner as the original
135 appointment.
136 (g) An appointed member may be removed by the appointing
137 officer for cause. Absence of a member from three consecutive
138 meetings results in automatic removal.
139 (h) The chair may request the head of any state agency or
140 organization to serve on an ad hoc committee as needed to
141 address issues or projects relating to rural areas of
142 opportunity and economically distressed rural communities. The
143 chair shall consider requesting the following individuals to
144 serve on an ad hoc committee:
145 1. The executive director of the Fish and Wildlife
146 Conservation Commission or his or her designee.
147 2. The Secretary of State or his or her designee.
148 3. The Secretary of Children and Families or his or her
149 designee.
150 4. The Secretary of Corrections or his or her designee.
151 5. The Secretary of Juvenile Justice or his or her
152 designee.
153 6. The Secretary of Health Care Administration or his or
154 her designee.
155 7. A board member of the Florida Regional Councils
156 Association or his or her designee.
157 (6)(a) By August 1 of each year, the head of each of the
158 following agencies and organizations shall designate a deputy
159 secretary or higher-level staff person from within the agency or
160 organization to serve as the REDI representative for the agency
161 or organization:
162 1. The Department of Transportation.
163 2. The Department of Environmental Protection.
164 3. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
165 4. The Department of State.
166 5. The Department of Health.
167 6. The Department of Children and Families.
168 7. The Department of Corrections.
169 8. The Department of Education.
170 9. The Department of Juvenile Justice.
171 10. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
172 11. Each water management district.
173 12. Enterprise Florida, Inc.
174 13. CareerSource Florida, Inc.
175 14. VISIT Florida.
176 15. The Florida Regional Planning Council Association.
177 16. The Agency for Health Care Administration.
178 17. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
179
180 An alternate for each designee shall also be chosen, and the
181 names of the designees and alternates shall be sent to the
182 executive director of the department.
183 (i)(b) Each REDI member from a state agency or organization
184 representative must have comprehensive knowledge of his or her
185 agency’s functions, both regulatory and service in nature, and
186 of the state’s economic goals, policies, and programs. This
187 person shall be the primary point of contact for his or her
188 agency with REDI on issues and projects relating to rural areas
189 of opportunity and economically distressed rural communities and
190 with regard to expediting project review, shall ensure a prompt
191 effective response to problems arising with regard to rural
192 issues, and shall work closely with the other REDI members
193 representatives in the identification of opportunities for
194 preferential awards of program funds and allowances and waiver
195 of program requirements when necessary to encourage and
196 facilitate long-term private capital investment and job
197 creation. The member shall also ensure that each district office
198 or facility of his or her agency or organization is informed
199 about REDI and shall provide assistance throughout the agency in
200 the implementation of REDI activities.
201 (c) The REDI representatives shall work with REDI in the
202 review and evaluation of statutes and rules for adverse impact
203 on rural communities and the development of alternative
204 proposals to mitigate that impact.
205 (d) Each REDI representative shall be responsible for
206 ensuring that each district office or facility of his or her
207 agency is informed about the Rural Economic Development
208 Initiative and for providing assistance throughout the agency in
209 the implementation of REDI activities.
210 (8)(7)(a) REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three
211 rural areas of opportunity. The Governor may by executive order
212 designate up to three rural areas of opportunity which will
213 establish these areas as priority assignments for REDI. as well
214 as to allow The Governor may, acting through REDI, to waive
215 criteria, requirements, or similar provisions of any economic
216 development incentive. Such incentives shall include, but are
217 not limited to, the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program
218 under s. 288.106, the Quick Response Training Program under s.
219 288.047, the Quick Response Training Program for participants in
220 the welfare transition program under s. 288.047(8),
221 transportation projects under s. 339.2821, the brownfield
222 redevelopment bonus refund under s. 288.107, and the rural job
223 tax credit program under ss. 212.098 and 220.1895.
224 (b) Designation as a rural area of opportunity under this
225 subsection shall be contingent upon the execution of a
226 memorandum of agreement among the department; the governing body
227 of the county; and the governing bodies of any municipalities to
228 be included within a rural area of opportunity. Such agreement
229 shall specify the terms and conditions of the designation,
230 including, but not limited to, the duties and responsibilities
231 of the county and any participating municipalities to take
232 actions designed to facilitate the retention and expansion of
233 existing businesses in the area, as well as the recruitment of
234 new businesses to the area.
235 (c) Each rural area of opportunity may designate catalyst
236 projects, provided that each catalyst project is specifically
237 recommended by REDI, identified as a catalyst project by
238 Enterprise Florida, Inc., and confirmed as a catalyst project by
239
240 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
241 And the title is amended as follows:
242 Delete lines 3 - 12
243 and insert:
244 Initiative; amending s. 288.0656, F.S.; revising
245 legislative intent relating to the Rural Economic
246 Development Initiative; redefining the term “rural
247 area of opportunity”; revising the duties,
248 responsibilities, and membership of the Rural Economic
249 Development Initiative; deleting a provision limiting
250 the number of rural areas of opportunity that may be
251 designated; deleting a provision listing the economic
252 development incentives for which the Governor may
253 waive criteria requirements or similar provisions;
254 deleting a requirement that certain catalyst projects
255 be identified as catalyst projects by Enterprise
256 Florida, Inc.; revising reporting requirements;
257 amending
