Florida Senate - 2015                              CS for SB 586
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation;
       and Senator Dean
       
       
       
       
       592-01699-15                                           2015586c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the implementation of the water and
    3         land conservation constitutional amendment; amending
    4         s. 201.15, F.S.; revising and deleting distributions
    5         of the tax; providing that specified distributions to
    6         the Land Acquisition Trust Fund are not subject to the
    7         service charge under s. 215.20, F.S.; revising the
    8         purposes for which distributions may be used;
    9         repealing s. 161.05301, F.S., relating to beach
   10         erosion control project staffing; repealing s.
   11         161.091(3), F.S., relating to funding for the state’s
   12         beach management plan; repealing s. 375.045, F.S.,
   13         relating to the Florida Preservation 2000 Trust Fund;
   14         amending s. 375.075, F.S.; requiring specified public
   15         recreation projects to have been selected through the
   16         Department of Environmental Protection’s competitive
   17         selection process prior to the release of funds;
   18         conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
   19         amending ss. 201.0205, 215.618, 215.619, 259.032,
   20         259.1051, 339.0801, 339.55, 341.303, 343.58, 369.252,
   21         379.214, 379.362, 403.8911, 420.5092, and 420.9073,
   22         F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the
   23         act; reenacting ss. 201.031(2), 339.2818(6),
   24         339.2819(5), 339.61(3), 341.051(6), 373.470(4)(e), and
   25         420.9079(1), F.S., to incorporate the amendment made
   26         by this act to s. 201.15, F.S., in references thereto;
   27         providing an effective date.
   28          
   29  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   30  
   31         Section 1. Section 201.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   32  read:
   33         201.15 Distribution of taxes collected.—All taxes collected
   34  under this chapter, except taxes distributed to the Land
   35  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2), are
   36  subject to the service charge imposed in s. 215.20(1). Before
   37  distribution pursuant to under this section, the Department of
   38  Revenue shall deduct amounts necessary to pay the costs of the
   39  collection and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter.
   40  The Such costs and the service charge may not be levied against
   41  any portion of taxes pledged to debt service on bonds to the
   42  extent that the costs and service charge are required to pay any
   43  amounts relating to the bonds. After distributions are made
   44  pursuant to subsection (1), All of the costs of the collection
   45  and enforcement of the tax levied by this chapter and the
   46  service charge shall be available and transferred to the extent
   47  necessary to pay debt service and any other amounts payable with
   48  respect to bonds authorized before January 1, 2015, secured by
   49  revenues distributed pursuant to this section subsection (1).
   50  All taxes remaining after deduction of costs and the service
   51  charge shall be distributed as follows:
   52         (1) All of the remaining taxes collected under this chapter
   53  are pledged and shall be first made available to make payments
   54  on bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619, as
   55  provided under paragraphs (3)(a) and (b), or on any other bonds
   56  authorized to be issued on a parity basis with such bonds.
   57  Amounts necessary to make such payments shall be deposited in
   58  the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
   59         (2) From taxes remaining after the payments required
   60  pursuant to subsection (1), an amount equal to 33 percent of all
   61  taxes collected after first deducting the costs of collection,
   62  minus amounts paid pursuant to subsection (1), shall be
   63  deposited in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
   64         (3) Amounts on deposit in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
   65  Sixty-three and thirty-one hundredths percent of the remaining
   66  taxes shall be used in for the following order purposes:
   67         (a) Payment of Amounts necessary to pay the debt service
   68  on, or funding of fund debt service reserve funds, rebate
   69  obligations, or other amounts payable with respect to
   70  Preservation 2000 bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051 and
   71  Florida Forever bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618, shall be
   72  paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Land
   73  Acquisition Trust Fund to be used for such purposes. The amount
   74  used for such purposes transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust
   75  Fund may not exceed $300 million in each fiscal year 1999-2000
   76  and thereafter for Preservation 2000 bonds and bonds issued to
   77  refund Preservation 2000 bonds, and $300 million in fiscal year
   78  2000-2001 and thereafter for Florida Forever bonds. The annual
   79  amount transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for
   80  Florida Forever bonds may not exceed $30 million in the first
   81  fiscal year in which bonds are issued. The limitation on the
   82  amount transferred shall be increased by an additional $30
   83  million in each subsequent fiscal year, but may not exceed a
   84  total of $300 million in any fiscal year for all bonds issued.
   85  It is the intent of the Legislature that all bonds issued to
   86  fund the Florida Forever Act be retired by December 31, 2040.
   87  Except for bonds issued to refund previously issued bonds, no
   88  series of bonds may be issued pursuant to this paragraph unless
   89  such bonds are approved and the debt service for the remainder
   90  of the fiscal year in which the bonds are issued is specifically
   91  appropriated in the General Appropriations Act. For purposes of
   92  refunding Preservation 2000 bonds, amounts designated within
   93  this section for Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever bonds may
   94  be transferred between the two programs to the extent provided
   95  for in the documents authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The
   96  Preservation 2000 bonds and Florida Forever bonds are equally
   97  and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the Land
   98  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this section, except as
   99  specifically provided otherwise by the documents authorizing the
  100  issuance of the bonds. Moneys transferred to the Land
  101  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to this paragraph, or earnings
  102  thereon, may not be used or made available to pay debt service
  103  on the Save Our Coast revenue bonds.
  104         (b) Payment Moneys shall be paid into the State Treasury to
  105  the credit of the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund in amounts
  106  necessary to pay debt service, provide reserves, and pay rebate
  107  obligations and other amounts due with respect to bonds issued
  108  pursuant to under s. 215.619. Taxes distributed under paragraph
  109  (a) and this paragraph must be collectively distributed on a pro
  110  rata basis when the available moneys under this subsection are
  111  not sufficient to cover the amounts required under paragraph (a)
  112  and this paragraph.
  113  
  114  Bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.618 or s. 215.619 are equally
  115  and ratably secured by moneys distributable to the Land
  116  Acquisition Trust Fund.
  117         (4)(c) After the required distributions to the Land
  118  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) and
  119  deduction of the service charge imposed pursuant to s. 215.20(1)
  120  payments under paragraphs (a) and (b), the remainder shall be
  121  distributed as follows paid into the State Treasury to the
  122  credit of:
  123         (a)1.The State Transportation Trust Fund in the Department
  124  of Transportation in the amount of The lesser of 24.18442 38.2
  125  percent of the remainder or $541.75 million in each fiscal year
  126  shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the State
  127  Transportation Trust Fund. Out Of such funds, the first $50
  128  million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year; $65 million for the 2013
  129  2014 fiscal year; and $75 million for each the 2014-2015 fiscal
  130  year and all subsequent years, shall be transferred to the State
  131  Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund within the
  132  Department of Economic Opportunity. Notwithstanding any other
  133  law, the remaining amount credited to the State Transportation
  134  Trust Fund shall remainder is to be used for the following
  135  specified purposes, notwithstanding any other law to the
  136  contrary:
  137         1.a.For the purposes of Capital funding for the New Starts
  138  Transit Program, authorized by Title 49, U.S.C. s. 5309 and
  139  specified in s. 341.051, in the amount of 10 percent of the
  140  these funds;
  141         2.b.For the purposes of The Small County Outreach Program
  142  specified in s. 339.2818, in the amount of 10 5 percent of the
  143  these funds. Effective July 1, 2014, the percentage allocated
  144  under this sub-subparagraph shall be increased to 10 percent;
  145         3.c.For the purposes of The Strategic Intermodal System
  146  specified in ss. 339.61, 339.62, 339.63, and 339.64, in the
  147  amount of 75 percent of the these funds after deduction of the
  148  payments required pursuant to subparagraphs 1. and 2. allocating
  149  for the New Starts Transit Program described in sub-subparagraph
  150  a. and the Small County Outreach Program described in sub
  151  subparagraph b.; and
  152         4.d.For the purposes of The Transportation Regional
  153  Incentive Program specified in s. 339.2819, in the amount of 25
  154  percent of the these funds after deduction of the payments
  155  required pursuant to subparagraphs 1. and 2. allocating for the
  156  New Starts Transit Program described in sub-subparagraph a. and
  157  the Small County Outreach Program described in sub-subparagraph
  158  b. Effective July 1, 2014, The first $60 million of the funds
  159  allocated pursuant to this subparagraph sub-subparagraph shall
  160  be allocated annually to the Florida Rail Enterprise for the
  161  purposes established in s. 341.303(5).
  162         (b)2.The Grants and Donations Trust Fund in the Department
  163  of Economic Opportunity in the amount of The lesser of .1456 .23
  164  percent of the remainder or $3.25 million in each fiscal year
  165  shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the
  166  Grants and Donations Trust Fund in the Department of Economic
  167  Opportunity to fund technical assistance to local governments.
  168         3. The Ecosystem Management and Restoration Trust Fund in
  169  the amount of the lesser of 2.12 percent of the remainder or $30
  170  million in each fiscal year, to be used for the preservation and
  171  repair of the state’s beaches as provided in ss. 161.091
  172  161.212.
  173         4. General Inspection Trust Fund in the amount of the
  174  lesser of .02 percent of the remainder or $300,000 in each
  175  fiscal year to be used to fund oyster management and restoration
  176  programs as provided in s. 379.362(3).
  177  
  178  Moneys distributed pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) this
  179  paragraph may not be pledged for debt service unless such pledge
  180  is approved by referendum of the voters.
  181         (d)After the required payments under paragraphs (a), (b),
  182  and (c), the remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to
  183  the credit of the General Revenue Fund to be used and expended
  184  for the purposes for which the General Revenue Fund was created
  185  and exists by law.
  186         (2) The lesser of 7.56 percent of the remaining taxes or
  187  $84.9 million in each fiscal year shall be distributed as
  188  follows:
  189         (a) Six million and three hundred thousand dollars shall be
  190  paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General
  191  Revenue Fund.
  192         (b) The remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to
  193  the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Sums deposited in
  194  the fund pursuant to this subsection may be used for any purpose
  195  for which funds deposited in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund may
  196  lawfully be used.
  197         (3)(a) The lesser of 1.94 percent of the remaining taxes or
  198  $26 million in each fiscal year shall be distributed in the
  199  following order:
  200         1. Amounts necessary to pay debt service or to fund debt
  201  service reserve funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts
  202  payable with respect to bonds issued before February 1, 2009,
  203  pursuant to this subsection shall be paid into the State
  204  Treasury to the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
  205         2. Eleven million dollars shall be paid into the State
  206  Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
  207         3. The remainder shall be paid into the State Treasury to
  208  the credit of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
  209         (b) Moneys deposited in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
  210  pursuant to this subsection shall be used to acquire coastal
  211  lands or to pay debt service on bonds issued to acquire coastal
  212  lands and to develop and manage lands acquired with moneys from
  213  the trust fund.
  214         (4) The lesser of 4.2 percent of the remaining taxes or
  215  $60.5 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State
  216  Treasury to the credit of the Water Management Lands Trust Fund.
  217  Sums deposited in that fund may be used for any purpose
  218  authorized in s. 373.59. An amount equal to the amounts
  219  necessary to pay debt service or to fund debt service reserve
  220  funds, rebate obligations, or other amounts payable with respect
  221  to bonds authorized pursuant to s. 215.619(1)(a)2. and the
  222  proviso associated with Specific Appropriation 1626A of the
  223  2014-2015 General Appropriations Act shall be transferred
  224  annually from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund to the
  225  General Revenue Fund.
  226         (5) Of the remaining taxes, 3.52 percent shall be paid into
  227  the State Treasury to the credit of the Conservation and
  228  Recreation Lands Trust Fund to carry out the purposes set forth
  229  in s. 259.032. Eleven and fifteen hundredths percent of the
  230  amount credited to the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust
  231  Fund pursuant to this subsection shall be transferred to the
  232  State Game Trust Fund and used for land management activities.
  233         (6) The lesser of 2.28 percent of the remaining taxes or
  234  $34.1 million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State
  235  Treasury to the credit of the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund
  236  to carry out the purposes set forth in ss. 369.22 and 369.252.
  237         (7) The lesser of .5 percent of the remaining taxes or $9.3
  238  million in each fiscal year shall be paid into the State
  239  Treasury to the credit of the State Game Trust Fund to be used
  240  exclusively for the purpose of implementing the Lake Restoration
  241  2020 Program.
  242         (8) One-half of one percent of the remaining taxes shall be
  243  paid into the State Treasury and divided equally to the credit
  244  of the Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality
  245  Assurance Trust Fund to address water quality impacts associated
  246  with nonagricultural nonpoint sources and to the credit of the
  247  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services General
  248  Inspection Trust Fund to address water quality impacts
  249  associated with agricultural nonpoint sources, respectively.
  250  These funds shall be used for research, development,
  251  demonstration, and implementation of suitable best management
  252  practices or other measures used to achieve water quality
  253  standards in surface waters and water segments identified
  254  pursuant to ss. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Pub. L. No. 92
  255  500, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq. Implementation of best
  256  management practices and other measures may include cost-share
  257  grants, technical assistance, implementation tracking, and
  258  conservation leases or other agreements for water quality
  259  improvement. The Department of Environmental Protection and the
  260  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may adopt rules
  261  governing the distribution of funds for implementation of best
  262  management practices. The unobligated balance of funds received
  263  from the distribution of taxes collected under this chapter to
  264  address water quality impacts associated with nonagricultural
  265  nonpoint sources must be excluded when calculating the
  266  unobligated balance of the Water Quality Assurance Trust Fund as
  267  it relates to the determination of the applicable excise tax
  268  rate.
  269         (c)(9) Seven and fifty-three hundredths percent of the
  270  remainder remaining taxes in each fiscal year shall be paid into
  271  the State Treasury to the credit of the State Housing Trust
  272  Fund. Out Of such funds, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year,
  273  the first $35 million shall be transferred annually, subject to
  274  any distribution required pursuant to under subsection (5) (15),
  275  to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund
  276  within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The remainder
  277  shall be used as follows:
  278         1.(a) Half of that amount shall be used for the purposes
  279  for which the State Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by
  280  law.
  281         2.(b) Half of that amount shall be paid into the State
  282  Treasury to the credit of the Local Government Housing Trust
  283  Fund and used for the purposes for which the Local Government
  284  Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law.
  285         (d)(10) Eight and sixty-six hundredths percent of the
  286  remainder remaining taxes in each fiscal year shall be paid into
  287  the State Treasury to the credit of the State Housing Trust
  288  Fund. Out Of such funds, beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year,
  289  the first $40 million shall be transferred annually, subject to
  290  any distribution required pursuant to under subsection (5) (15),
  291  to the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund
  292  within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The remainder
  293  shall be used as follows:
  294         1.(a) Twelve and one-half percent of that amount shall be
  295  deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund and be expended by
  296  the Department of Economic Opportunity and by the Florida
  297  Housing Finance Corporation for the purposes for which the State
  298  Housing Trust Fund was created and exists by law.
  299         2.(b) Eighty-seven and one-half percent of that amount
  300  shall be distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
  301  and used for the purposes for which the Local Government Housing
  302  Trust Fund was created and exists by law. Funds from this
  303  category may also be used to provide for state and local
  304  services to assist the homeless.
  305         (e)The sum of $1.16 million in each fiscal year shall be
  306  paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Internal
  307  Improvement Trust Fund for the purpose of making payment in lieu
  308  of taxes under s. 259.032(12)(b).
  309         (11) The distribution of proceeds deposited into the Water
  310  Management Lands Trust Fund and the Conservation and Recreation
  311  Lands Trust Fund, pursuant to subsections (4) and (5), may not
  312  be used for land acquisition but may be used for preacquisition
  313  costs associated with land purchases. The Legislature intends
  314  that the Florida Forever program supplant the acquisition
  315  programs formerly authorized under ss. 259.032 and 373.59.
  316         (12) Amounts distributed pursuant to subsections (5), (6),
  317  (7), and (8) are subject to the payment of debt service on
  318  outstanding Conservation and Recreation Lands revenue bonds.
  319         (13) In each fiscal year that the remaining taxes exceed
  320  collections in the prior fiscal year, the stated maximum dollar
  321  amounts provided in subsections (2), (4), (6), and (7) shall
  322  each be increased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the
  323  increase in the remaining taxes collected under this chapter
  324  multiplied by the applicable percentage provided in those
  325  subsections.
  326         (14) If the payment requirements in any year for bonds
  327  outstanding on July 1, 2007, or bonds issued to refund such
  328  bonds, exceed the limitations of this section, distributions to
  329  the trust fund from which the bond payments are made must be
  330  increased to the lesser of the amount needed to pay bond
  331  obligations or the limit of the applicable percentage
  332  distribution provided in subsections (1)-(10).
  333         (5)(15) Distributions to the State Housing Trust Fund
  334  pursuant to paragraphs (4)(c) and (d) subsections (9) and (10)
  335  must be sufficient to cover amounts required to be transferred
  336  to the Florida Affordable Housing Guarantee Program’s annual
  337  debt service reserve and guarantee fund pursuant to s.
  338  420.5092(6)(a) and (b) up to the amount required to be
  339  transferred to such reserve and fund based on the percentage
  340  distribution of documentary stamp tax revenues to the State
  341  Housing Trust Fund which is in effect in the 2004-2005 fiscal
  342  year.
  343         (16) If amounts necessary to pay debt service or any other
  344  amounts payable with respect to Preservation 2000 bonds, Florida
  345  Forever bonds, or Everglades Restoration bonds authorized before
  346  January 1, 2015, exceed the amounts distributable pursuant to
  347  subsection (1), all moneys distributable pursuant to this
  348  section are available for such obligations and transferred in
  349  the amounts necessary to pay such obligations when due. However,
  350  amounts distributable pursuant to subsection (2), subsection
  351  (3), subsection (4), subsection (5), paragraph (9)(a), or
  352  paragraph (10)(a) are not available to pay such obligations to
  353  the extent that such moneys are necessary to pay debt service on
  354  bonds secured by revenues pursuant to those provisions.
  355         (6)(17) After the distributions provided in the preceding
  356  subsections, any remaining taxes shall be paid into the State
  357  Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
  358         Section 2. Section 161.05301, Florida Statutes, is
  359  repealed.
  360         Section 3. Subsection (3) of section 161.091, Florida
  361  Statutes, is repealed.
  362         Section 4. Section 375.045, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
  363         Section 5. Subsection (1) and paragraph (c) of subsection
  364  (2) of section 375.075, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  365         375.075 Outdoor recreation; financial assistance to local
  366  governments.—
  367         (1) The Department of Environmental Protection may is
  368  authorized to establish the Florida Recreation Development
  369  Assistance Program to provide grants to qualified local
  370  governmental entities to acquire or develop land for public
  371  outdoor recreation purposes. To the extent not needed for debt
  372  service on bonds issued pursuant to s. 375.051, each year The
  373  department shall annually develop and plan a program which shall
  374  be based upon funding of not less than 5 percent of the money
  375  credited to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to s.
  376  201.15(2) and (3) in that year. The department shall develop and
  377  plan a program which shall be based upon the cumulative total
  378  funding provided from this section and from the Florida Forever
  379  Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(d).
  380         (2)
  381         (c) Funds may not be released under No release of funds
  382  from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, or from the Florida
  383  Forever Trust Fund beginning in fiscal year 2001-2002, for this
  384  program may be made for these public recreation projects until
  385  the projects have been selected through the competitive
  386  selection process provided for in this section.
  387         Section 6. Section 201.0205, Florida Statutes, is amended
  388  to read:
  389         201.0205 Counties that have implemented ch. 83-220;
  390  inapplicability of 10-cent tax increase by s. 2, ch. 92-317,
  391  Laws of Florida.—The 10-cent tax increase in the documentary
  392  stamp tax levied by s. 2, chapter 92-317, does not apply to
  393  deeds and other taxable instruments relating to real property
  394  located in any county that has implemented the provisions of
  395  chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by chapters 84-270,
  396  86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida. Each such county and each
  397  eligible jurisdiction within such county may shall not be
  398  eligible to participate in programs funded pursuant to s.
  399  201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9). However, each such county and each
  400  eligible jurisdiction within such county may shall be eligible
  401  to participate in programs funded pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s.
  402  201.15(10).
  403         Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
  404  (3) of section 215.618, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  405         215.618 Bonds for acquisition and improvement of land,
  406  water areas, and related property interests and resources.—
  407         (1)(a) The issuance of Florida Forever bonds, not to exceed
  408  $5.3 billion, to finance or refinance the cost of acquisition
  409  and improvement of land, water areas, and related property
  410  interests and resources, in urban and rural settings, for the
  411  purposes of restoration, conservation, recreation, water
  412  resource development, or historical preservation, and for
  413  capital improvements to lands and water areas that accomplish
  414  environmental restoration, enhance public access and
  415  recreational enjoyment, promote long-term management goals, and
  416  facilitate water resource development is hereby authorized,
  417  subject to the provisions of s. 259.105 and pursuant to s.
  418  11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution. Florida Forever bonds
  419  may also be issued to refund Preservation 2000 bonds issued
  420  pursuant to s. 375.051. The $5.3 billion limitation on the
  421  issuance of Florida Forever bonds does not apply to refunding
  422  bonds. The duration of each series of Florida Forever bonds
  423  issued may not exceed 20 annual maturities. Preservation 2000
  424  bonds and Florida Forever bonds shall be equally and ratably
  425  secured by moneys distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust
  426  Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(1)(a), except to the extent
  427  specifically provided otherwise by the documents authorizing the
  428  issuance of the bonds.
  429         (3) Bonds issued pursuant to this section are shall be
  430  payable from taxes distributable to the Land Acquisition Trust
  431  Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(1)(a). Bonds issued pursuant to this
  432  section do shall not constitute a general obligation of, or a
  433  pledge of the full faith and credit of, the state.
  434         Section 8. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 215.619,
  435  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  436         215.619 Bonds for Everglades restoration.—
  437         (2) The state covenants with the holders of Everglades
  438  restoration bonds that it will not take any action that will
  439  materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders so
  440  long as the bonds are outstanding, including, but not limited
  441  to, a reduction in the portion of documentary stamp taxes
  442  distributable pursuant to under s. 201.15(1) for payment of debt
  443  service on Preservation 2000 bonds, Florida Forever bonds, or
  444  Everglades restoration bonds.
  445         (3) Everglades restoration bonds are payable from, and
  446  secured by a first lien on, taxes distributable pursuant to
  447  under s. 201.15(1)(b) and do not constitute a general obligation
  448  of, or a pledge of the full faith and credit of, the state.
  449  Everglades restoration bonds shall be secured on a parity basis
  450  with bonds secured by moneys distributable pursuant to under s.
  451  201.15(1)(a).
  452         Section 9. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  453  259.032, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  454         259.032 Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund;
  455  purpose.—
  456         (2)(a) The Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund is
  457  established within the Department of Environmental Protection.
  458  The fund shall be used as a nonlapsing, revolving fund
  459  exclusively for the purposes of this section. The Department of
  460  Revenue fund shall credit the fund each month be credited with
  461  the proceeds from the following excise taxes:
  462         1. The excise taxes on documents as provided in s. 201.15;
  463  and
  464         2. The excise tax on the severance of phosphate rock as
  465  provided in s. 211.3103.
  466  
  467  The Department of Revenue shall credit to the fund each month
  468  the proceeds from such taxes as provided in this paragraph.
  469         Section 10. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 259.1051,
  470  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  471         259.1051 Florida Forever Trust Fund.—
  472         (1) There is created The Florida Forever Trust Fund is
  473  created to carry out the purposes of ss. 259.032, 259.105,
  474  259.1052, and 375.031. The Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be
  475  held and administered by the department of Environmental
  476  Protection. Proceeds from the sale of bonds, except proceeds of
  477  refunding bonds, issued pursuant to under s. 215.618 and payable
  478  from moneys transferred to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
  479  pursuant to under s. 201.15(1)(a), not to exceed $5.3 billion,
  480  shall must be deposited into this trust fund to be distributed
  481  and used as provided in s. 259.105(3). The bond resolution
  482  adopted by the governing board of the division of Bond Finance
  483  of the State Board of Administration may provide for additional
  484  provisions that govern the disbursement of the bond proceeds.
  485         (3) The department of Environmental Protection shall ensure
  486  that the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to
  487  under s. 215.618 and payable from moneys transferred to the Land
  488  Acquisition Trust Fund pursuant to under s. 201.15(1)(a) are
  489  shall be administered and expended in a manner that ensures
  490  compliance of each issue of bonds that are issued on the basis
  491  that interest thereon will be excluded from gross income for
  492  federal income tax purposes, with the applicable provisions of
  493  the United States Internal Revenue Code and the regulations
  494  adopted promulgated thereunder, to the extent necessary to
  495  preserve the exclusion of interest on the bonds from gross
  496  income for federal income tax purposes. The department of
  497  Environmental Protection shall administer the use and
  498  disbursement of the proceeds of such bonds or require that such
  499  the use and disbursement thereof be administered in a manner to
  500  implement strategies to maximize any available benefits under
  501  the applicable provisions of the United States Internal Revenue
  502  Code or regulations adopted promulgated thereunder, if
  503  consistent to the extent not inconsistent with the purposes
  504  identified in s. 259.105(3).
  505         Section 11. Subsection (4) of section 339.0801, Florida
  506  Statutes, is amended to read:
  507         339.0801 Allocation of increased revenues derived from
  508  amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) by ch. 2012-128.—Funds that result
  509  from increased revenues to the State Transportation Trust Fund
  510  derived from the amendments to s. 319.32(5)(a) made by this act
  511  must be used annually, first as set forth in subsection (1) and
  512  then as set forth in subsections (2)-(5), notwithstanding any
  513  other provision of law:
  514         (4) Beginning in the 2013-2014 fiscal year and annually
  515  thereafter, $10 million shall be allocated to the Small County
  516  Outreach Program, to be used as specified in s. 339.2818. These
  517  funds are in addition to the funds provided for the program
  518  pursuant to s. 201.15 in s. 201.15(1)(c)1.b.
  519         Section 12. Subsection (9) of section 339.55, Florida
  520  Statutes, is amended to read:
  521         339.55 State-funded infrastructure bank.—
  522         (9) Funds paid into the State Transportation Trust Fund
  523  pursuant to s. 201.15 s. 201.15(1)(c) for the purposes of the
  524  State Infrastructure Bank are hereby annually appropriated for
  525  expenditure to support that program.
  526         Section 13. Subsection (5) of section 341.303, Florida
  527  Statutes, is amended to read:
  528         341.303 Funding authorization and appropriations;
  529  eligibility and participation.—
  530         (5) FUND PARTICIPATION; FLORIDA RAIL ENTERPRISE.—
  531         (a) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is
  532  authorized to use funds provided pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(a)4.
  533  under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to fund:
  534         (a) Up to 50 percent of the nonfederal share of the costs
  535  of any eligible passenger rail capital improvement project.
  536         (b) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is
  537  authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to
  538  fund Up to 100 percent of planning and development costs related
  539  to the provision of a passenger rail system, including, but not
  540  limited to, preliminary engineering, revenue studies,
  541  environmental impact studies, financial advisory services,
  542  engineering design, and other appropriate professional services.
  543         (c) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is
  544  authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to
  545  fund The high-speed rail system.
  546         (d) The department, through the Florida Rail Enterprise, is
  547  authorized to use funds provided under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d. to
  548  fund Projects necessary to identify or address anticipated
  549  impacts of increased freight rail traffic resulting from the
  550  implementation of passenger rail systems as provided in s.
  551  341.302(3)(b).
  552         Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
  553  343.58, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  554         343.58 County funding for the South Florida Regional
  555  Transportation Authority.—
  556         (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
  557  contrary and effective July 1, 2010, until as provided in
  558  paragraph (d), the department shall transfer annually from the
  559  State Transportation Trust Fund to the South Florida Regional
  560  Transportation Authority the amounts specified in subparagraph
  561  (a)1. or subparagraph (a)2.
  562         (b) Funding required by this subsection may not be provided
  563  from the funds dedicated to the Florida Rail Enterprise pursuant
  564  to s. 201.15(4)(a)4 under s. 201.15(1)(c)1.d.
  565         Section 15. Section 369.252, Florida Statutes, is amended
  566  to read:
  567         369.252 Invasive plant control on public lands.—The Fish
  568  and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall establish a program
  569  that will accomplish all of the following to:
  570         (1) Achieve eradication or maintenance control of invasive
  571  exotic plants on public lands when the scientific data indicate
  572  that they are detrimental to the state’s natural environment or
  573  when the Commissioner of Agriculture finds that such plants or
  574  specific populations thereof are a threat to the agricultural
  575  productivity of the state.;
  576         (2) Assist state and local government agencies in the
  577  development and implementation of coordinated management plans
  578  for the eradication or maintenance control of invasive exotic
  579  plant species on public lands.;
  580         (3) Contract, or enter into agreements, with entities in
  581  the State University System or other governmental or private
  582  sector entities for research concerning control agents;
  583  production and growth of biological control agents; and
  584  development of workable methods for the eradication or
  585  maintenance control of invasive exotic plants on public lands.;
  586  and
  587         (4) Use funds in the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund as
  588  authorized by the Legislature for carrying out activities under
  589  this section on public lands. A minimum of 20 percent of the
  590  amount credited to the Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund
  591  pursuant to s. 201.15(6) shall be used for the purpose of
  592  controlling nonnative, upland, invasive plant species on public
  593  lands.
  594         Section 16. Subsection (2) of section 379.214, Florida
  595  Statutes, is amended to read:
  596         379.214 Invasive Plant Control Trust Fund.—
  597         (2) Funds to be credited to and uses of the trust fund
  598  shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of ss.
  599  201.15, 206.606, 328.76, 369.20, 369.22, 369.252, and 379.502.
  600         Section 17. Subsection (3) of section 379.362, Florida
  601  Statutes, is amended to read:
  602         379.362 Wholesale and retail saltwater products dealers;
  603  regulation.—
  604         (3) OYSTER MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION PROGRAMS.—The
  605  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall use or
  606  distribute funds paid into the State Treasury to the credit of
  607  the General Inspection Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15, less
  608  reasonable costs of administration, to fund the following oyster
  609  management and restoration programs in Apalachicola Bay and
  610  other oyster harvest areas in the state:
  611         (a) The relaying and transplanting of live oysters.
  612         (b) Shell planting to construct or rehabilitate oyster
  613  bars.
  614         (c) Education programs for licensed oyster harvesters on
  615  oyster biology, aquaculture, boating and water safety,
  616  sanitation, resource conservation, small business management,
  617  and other relevant subjects.
  618         (d) Research directed toward the enhancement of oyster
  619  production in the bay and the water management needs of the bay.
  620         Section 18. Section 403.8911, Florida Statutes, is amended
  621  to read:
  622         403.8911 Annual appropriation from the Water Protection and
  623  Sustainability Program Trust Fund.—
  624         (1) Funds paid into the Water Protection and Sustainability
  625  Program Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15 are hereby annually
  626  appropriated for expenditure for the purposes for which the
  627  Water Protection and Sustainability Program trust fund is
  628  established.
  629         (2) If the Water Protection and Sustainability Program
  630  trust fund is not created, such funds are hereby annually
  631  appropriated for expenditure from the Ecosystem Management and
  632  Restoration Trust Fund solely for the purposes established in s.
  633  403.890.
  634         Section 19. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 420.5092,
  635  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  636         420.5092 Florida Affordable Housing Guarantee Program.—
  637         (5) Pursuant to s. 16, Art. VII of the State Constitution,
  638  the corporation may issue, in accordance with s. 420.509,
  639  revenue bonds of the corporation to establish the guarantee
  640  fund. The Such revenue bonds are shall be primarily payable from
  641  and secured by annual debt service reserves, from interest
  642  earned on funds on deposit in the guarantee fund, from fees,
  643  charges, and reimbursements established by the corporation for
  644  the issuance of affordable housing guarantees, and from any
  645  other revenue sources received by the corporation and deposited
  646  by the corporation into the guarantee fund for the issuance of
  647  affordable housing guarantees. If To the extent such primary
  648  revenue sources are considered insufficient by the corporation,
  649  pursuant to the certification provided in subsection (6), to
  650  fully fund the annual debt service reserve, the certified
  651  deficiency in such reserve is also shall be additionally payable
  652  from the first proceeds of the documentary stamp tax moneys
  653  deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s.
  654  201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the
  655  ensuing state fiscal year.
  656         (6)(a) If the primary revenue sources to be used for
  657  repayment of revenue bonds used to establish the guarantee fund
  658  are insufficient for such repayment, the annual principal and
  659  interest due on each series of revenue bonds is shall be payable
  660  from funds in the annual debt service reserve. The corporation
  661  shall, before June 1 of each year, perform a financial audit to
  662  determine whether at the end of the state fiscal year there will
  663  be on deposit in the guarantee fund an annual debt service
  664  reserve from interest earned pursuant to the investment of the
  665  guarantee fund, fees, charges, and reimbursements received from
  666  issued affordable housing guarantees and other revenue sources
  667  available to the corporation. Based upon the findings in such
  668  guarantee fund financial audit, the corporation shall certify to
  669  the Chief Financial Officer the amount of any projected
  670  deficiency in the annual debt service reserve for any series of
  671  outstanding bonds as of the end of the state fiscal year and the
  672  amount necessary to maintain such annual debt service reserve.
  673  Upon receipt of such certification, the Chief Financial Officer
  674  shall transfer to the annual debt service reserve, from the
  675  first available taxes distributed to the State Housing Trust
  676  Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and
  677  (10)(a) during the ensuing state fiscal year, the amount
  678  certified as necessary to maintain the annual debt service
  679  reserve.
  680         (b) If the claims payment obligations under affordable
  681  housing guarantees from amounts on deposit in the guarantee fund
  682  would cause the claims paying rating assigned to the guarantee
  683  fund to be less than the third-highest rating classification of
  684  any nationally recognized rating service, which classifications
  685  being consistent with s. 215.84(3) and rules adopted thereto by
  686  the State Board of Administration, the corporation shall certify
  687  to the Chief Financial Officer the amount of such claims payment
  688  obligations. Upon receipt of such certification, the Chief
  689  Financial Officer shall transfer to the guarantee fund, from the
  690  first available taxes distributed to the State Housing Trust
  691  Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s. 201.15(9)(a) and
  692  (10)(a) during the ensuing state fiscal year, the amount
  693  certified as necessary to meet such obligations, such transfer
  694  to be subordinate to any transfer referenced in paragraph (a)
  695  and not to exceed 50 percent of the amounts distributed to the
  696  State Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) and (d) s.
  697  201.15(9)(a) and (10)(a) during the preceding state fiscal year.
  698         Section 20. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
  699  420.9073, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  700         420.9073 Local housing distributions.—
  701         (1) Distributions calculated in this section shall be
  702  disbursed on a quarterly or more frequent basis by the
  703  corporation pursuant to s. 420.9072, subject to availability of
  704  funds. Each county’s share of the funds to be distributed from
  705  the portion of the funds in the Local Government Housing Trust
  706  Fund received pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) shall be
  707  calculated by the corporation for each fiscal year as follows:
  708         (a) Each county other than a county that has implemented
  709  the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by
  710  chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida, shall
  711  receive the guaranteed amount for each fiscal year.
  712         (b) Each county other than a county that has implemented
  713  the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida, as amended by
  714  chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of Florida, may
  715  receive an additional share calculated as follows:
  716         1. Multiply each county’s percentage of the total state
  717  population excluding the population of any county that has
  718  implemented the provisions of chapter 83-220, Laws of Florida,
  719  as amended by chapters 84-270, 86-152, and 89-252, Laws of
  720  Florida, by the total funds to be distributed.
  721         2. If the result in subparagraph 1. is less than the
  722  guaranteed amount as determined in subsection (3), that county’s
  723  additional share shall be zero.
  724         3. For each county in which the result in subparagraph 1.
  725  is greater than the guaranteed amount as determined in
  726  subsection (3), the amount calculated in subparagraph 1. shall
  727  be reduced by the guaranteed amount. The result for each such
  728  county shall be expressed as a percentage of the amounts so
  729  determined for all counties. Each such county shall receive an
  730  additional share equal to such percentage multiplied by the
  731  total funds received by the Local Government Housing Trust Fund
  732  pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) reduced by the
  733  guaranteed amount paid to all counties.
  734         (2) Distributions calculated in this section shall be
  735  disbursed on a quarterly or more frequent basis by the
  736  corporation pursuant to s. 420.9072, subject to availability of
  737  funds. Each county’s share of the funds to be distributed from
  738  the portion of the funds in the Local Government Housing Trust
  739  Fund received pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) shall be
  740  calculated by the corporation for each fiscal year as follows:
  741         (a) Each county shall receive the guaranteed amount for
  742  each fiscal year.
  743         (b) Each county may receive an additional share calculated
  744  as follows:
  745         1. Multiply each county’s percentage of the total state
  746  population, by the total funds to be distributed.
  747         2. If the result in subparagraph 1. is less than the
  748  guaranteed amount as determined in subsection (3), that county’s
  749  additional share shall be zero.
  750         3. For each county in which the result in subparagraph 1.
  751  is greater than the guaranteed amount, the amount calculated in
  752  subparagraph 1. shall be reduced by the guaranteed amount. The
  753  result for each such county shall be expressed as a percentage
  754  of the amounts so determined for all counties. Each such county
  755  shall receive an additional share equal to this percentage
  756  multiplied by the total funds received by the Local Government
  757  Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) as
  758  reduced by the guaranteed amount paid to all counties.
  759         (3) Calculation of guaranteed amounts:
  760         (a) The guaranteed amount under subsection (1) shall be
  761  calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $350,000 by
  762  a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of funds
  763  distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant
  764  to s. 201.15(4)(c) s. 201.15(9) and the denominator of which is
  765  the total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
  766  Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
  767         (b) The guaranteed amount under subsection (2) shall be
  768  calculated for each state fiscal year by multiplying $350,000 by
  769  a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of funds
  770  distributed to the Local Government Housing Trust Fund pursuant
  771  to s. 201.15(4)(d) s. 201.15(10) and the denominator of which is
  772  the total amount of funds distributed to the Local Government
  773  Housing Trust Fund pursuant to s. 201.15.
  774         Section 21. Subsection (2) of s. 201.031, subsection (6) of
  775  s. 339.2818, subsection (5) of s. 339.2819, subsection (3) of s.
  776  339.61, subsection (6) of s. 341.051, paragraph (e) of
  777  subsection (4) of s. 373.470, and subsection (1) of s. 420.9079,
  778  Florida Statutes, are reenacted for the purpose of incorporating
  779  the amendment made by this act to s. 201.15, Florida Statutes,
  780  in references thereto.
  781         Section 22. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.