reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.092 - Preference to certain foreign manufacturers.

287.092 Preference to certain foreign manufacturers.—Any foreign manufacturing company with a factory in the state and employing over 200 employees working in the state shall have preference over any other foreign company when price, quality, and service are the same, regardless of where the product is manufactured.
History.—s. 22, ch. 69-106.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.093 - Minority business enterprises; procurement of personal property and services from funds set aside for such purpose.

287.093 Minority business enterprises; procurement of personal property and services from funds set aside for such purpose.—Any county, municipality, community college, or district school board may set aside up to 10 percent or more of the total amount of funds allocated for the procurement of personal property and services for the purpose of entering into contracts with minority business enterprises. Such contracts shall be competitively solicited only among minority business enterprises. The set-aside shall be used to redress present effects of past discriminatory practices and shall be subject to periodic reassessment to account for changing needs and circumstances.
History.—s. 109, ch. 84-336; s. 26, ch. 94-322; s. 25, ch. 2002-207.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.0931 - Minority business enterprises; participation in bond underwriting.

287.0931 Minority business enterprises; participation in bond underwriting.—
(1) Any state or local government agency, or political subdivision thereof, issuing bonds or other tax-exempt obligations through one or more underwriters is encouraged to offer not less than 20 percent participation to minority firms.
(2) To meet such participation requirement, the minority firm must have full-time employees located in this state, must have a permanent place of business located in this state, and must be a firm which is at least 51-percent-owned by minority persons as defined in s. 288.703. However, for the purpose of bond underwriting only, the requirement that the minority person be a permanent resident of this state does not apply.
History.—s. 12, ch. 94-322; s. 126, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.0935 - Surety bond insurers.

287.0935 Surety bond insurers.—When the contract amount of a project does not exceed $500,000 and when public funds are utilized for the project, a person, the state, or a political subdivision shall not refuse, as surety for the project, bid bonds, performance bonds, labor and materials payment bonds, or any other surety bonds which are issued by a surety company which fulfills each of the following provisions:
(1) The surety company is licensed to do business in the State of Florida;
(2) The surety company holds a certificate of authority authorizing it to write surety bonds in this state;
(3) The surety company has twice the minimum surplus and capital required by the Florida Insurance Code at the time the invitation to bid is issued;
(4) The surety company is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Florida Insurance Code; and
(5) The surety company holds a currently valid certificate of authority issued by the United States Department of the Treasury under 31 U.S.C. ss. 9304-9308.
History.—s. 29, ch. 85-104; s. 10, ch. 91-162.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.095 - Department of Corrections; prison industry programs.

287.095 Department of Corrections; prison industry programs.—
(1) The purchase of raw materials for use by the Department of Corrections in its prison industry programs to manufacture or process products for resale is exempt from the provisions of this part.
(2) The provisions of this part do not apply to any purchases of commodities or contractual services made by any state agency from the department or from the nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 946.
(3) All products offered for purchase to a state agency by the corporation organized under chapter 946 shall be produced in majority part by inmate labor, except for products not made by inmates which products are contractually allied to products made by inmates which are offered by the corporation.
History.—s. 1, ch. 82-76; s. 3, ch. 82-409; s. 3, ch. 83-209; s. 27, ch. 2002-207; s. 7, ch. 2019-167.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.131 - Assistance of Department of Financial Services.

287.131 Assistance of Department of Financial Services.—The Department of Financial Services shall provide the Department of Management Services with technical assistance in all matters pertaining to the purchase of insurance for all agencies, and shall make surveys of the insurance needs of the state and all departments thereof, including the benefits, if any, of self-insurance.
History.—ss. 13, 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 87, ch. 98-279; s. 338, ch. 2003-261.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.132 - Legislative intent with respect to integrity of public contracting and purchasing process.

287.132 Legislative intent with respect to integrity of public contracting and purchasing process.—Recognizing that the preservation of the integrity of the public contracting and purchasing process of the state is vital and is a matter of interest to all the people of the state, the Legislature determines and declares that:
(1) The procedures of public entities for determining with whom they transact business exist to secure for the public the benefits of free, fair, and open competition among those persons whose conduct reflects good citizenship.
(2) The opportunity to bid on public entity contracts or to supply goods and services to public entities or to otherwise transact business with public entities is a privilege, not a right.
(3) In order to preserve the integrity of the public contracting and purchasing process, the privilege of transacting business with public entities should be denied to persons involved in certain crimes.
(4) Persons involved in certain crimes should be denied the privilege of transacting business with public entities and the opportunity of obtaining economic benefit through the transaction of business of any kind with public entities.
To these ends, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide sufficient authority to the state, its departments and agencies, and political subdivisions to ensure the integrity of public contracting and purchasing.
History.—s. 1, ch. 89-114.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part I - Commodities, Insurance, and Contractual Services (Ss. 287.001-287.138) › 287.136 - Audit of executed contract documents.

287.136 Audit of executed contract documents.—
(1) After execution of a contract, the Chief Financial Officer shall perform audits of the executed contract document and contract manager’s records to ensure that adequate internal controls are in place for complying with the terms and conditions of the contract and for the validation and receipt of goods and services.
(a) At the conclusion of the audit, the Chief Financial Officer’s designee shall discuss the audit and potential findings with the official whose office is subject to audit. The final audit report shall be submitted to the agency head.
(b) Within 30 days after receipt of the final audit report, the agency head shall submit to the Chief Financial Officer or designee his or her written statement of explanation or rebuttal concerning findings requiring corrective action, including corrective action to be taken to preclude a recurrence.
(2) Beginning October 1, 2021, and every 3 years thereafter, each agency inspector general shall complete a risk-based compliance audit of all contracts executed by the agency for the preceding 3 fiscal years. The audit must include an evaluation of, and identify any trend in, vendor preference. The audit findings must be submitted to the agency head, the secretary of the Department of Management Services, and the Governor.
History.—s. 9, ch. 2013-154; s. 7, ch. 2021-225.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.14 - Purchase of motor vehicles by state officers and employees.

287.14 Purchase of motor vehicles by state officers and employees.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section has applied and shall continue to apply to state officers and employees of the executive and judicial branches of state government.
(2) The term “motor vehicle” as used in this section includes any automobile or light truck. This definition also includes any airplane or other vehicle designed primarily for transporting persons.
(3) It is unlawful for any state officer or employee to authorize the purchase or continuous lease of any motor vehicle to be paid for out of funds of the state or any department thereof unless funds therefor have been appropriated by the Legislature. This subsection does not apply to motor vehicles needed to meet unforeseen or emergency situations, if approved by the Executive Office of the Governor after consultation with the legislative appropriations committees.
(4) Motor vehicles for which replacement funds have been appropriated may not be retained in service unless they are required to meet emergency or major unforeseen needs. All replaced vehicles which are retained to meet emergency or unforeseen needs shall be reported to the Legislature in subsequent agency budget request documents, detailing the specific justification for the retention of each vehicle.
(5) Motor vehicles shall not be acquired on a deferred payment contract which requires the payment of interest or its equivalent, except when specifically approved by the Executive Office of the Governor after consultation with the legislative appropriations committees as in the best interest of the state.
History.—s. 1, ch. 13810, 1929; CGL 1936 Supp. 1363(1); s. 1, ch. 20716, 1941; s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; ss. 23, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 83-302.
Note.—Former s. 116.12.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.15 - Purchase or lease of motor vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft; prior approval of the Department of Management Services.

287.15 Purchase or lease of motor vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft; prior approval of the Department of Management Services.—No state agency shall purchase, lease, or acquire any motor vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft of any type unless prior approval is first obtained from the Department of Management Services. However, nothing herein shall prohibit the lease for casual use of motor vehicles, or remove the requirement that all purchases be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Management Services.
History.—s. 22, ch. 69-106; s. 260, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 88, ch. 98-279.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.151 - Limitation on classes of motor vehicles procured.

287.151 Limitation on classes of motor vehicles procured.—
(1) All motor vehicles purchased or leased by the state with funds provided in the General Appropriations Act shall be of the subcompact class except vehicles used for law enforcement purposes by law enforcement officers of the state, used as tow vehicles, routinely used to transport more than three adults or bulk materials, or vehicles operated frequently on unpaved roads. All vehicles purchased shall be of the smallest class that can safely and adequately meet the transportation requirements.
(2) No funds in the General Appropriations Act shall be used to purchase any vehicle at prices in excess of the standard prices negotiated by the Department of Management Services.
History.—s. 1, ch. 84-169; s. 21, ch. 88-557; s. 261, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 59, ch. 99-13; s. 46, ch. 99-399.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.155 - Motor vehicles; purchase by Department of Children and Families, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Health, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Department of Corrections.

287.155 Motor vehicles; purchase by Department of Children and Families, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Health, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Department of Corrections.—
(1) The Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Corrections may, subject to the approval of the Department of Management Services, purchase automobiles, trucks, tractors, and other automotive equipment for the use of institutions or developmental disabilities centers under the management of the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, and the Department of Corrections, and for the use of residential facilities managed or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
(2) The Department of Corrections shall, prior to purchasing motor vehicles, seek to procure the motor vehicles from those vehicles renovated pursuant to correctional work programs of the Department of Corrections, and for the use of residential facilities managed or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
(3) The Department of Health is authorized, subject to the approval of the Department of Management Services, to purchase automobiles, trucks, and other automotive equipment for use by county health departments.
History.—s. 12A, ch. 20980, 1941; s. 7, ch. 22071, 1943; s. 6, ch. 22827, 1945; s. 6, ch. 23915, 1947; s. 5, ch. 25370, 1949; s. 6, ch. 26859, s. 2, ch. 26971, 1951; s. 2, ch. 63-204; ss. 2, 3, ch. 67-371; ss. 15, 19, 22, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 77-120; s. 1, ch. 77-300; s. 6, ch. 79-3; s. 262, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 4, ch. 95-430; s. 15, ch. 96-398; s. 12, ch. 96-420; s. 51, ch. 99-8; s. 6, ch. 99-397; s. 5, ch. 2006-227; s. 36, ch. 2007-217; s. 1, ch. 2008-244; s. 53, ch. 2014-19.
Note.—Former s. 116.161.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.175 - Penalties.

287.175 Penalties.—A violation of this part or a rule adopted hereunder, pursuant to applicable constitutional and statutory procedures, constitutes misuse of public position as defined in s. 112.313(6), and is punishable as provided in s. 112.317. The Chief Financial Officer shall report incidents of suspected misuse to the Commission on Ethics, and the commission shall investigate possible violations of this part or rules adopted hereunder when reported by the Chief Financial Officer, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 112.324. Any violation of this part or a rule adopted hereunder shall be presumed to have been committed with wrongful intent, but such presumption is rebuttable. Nothing in this section is intended to deny rights provided to career service employees by s. 110.227.
History.—s. 6, ch. 83-304; s. 13, ch. 94-277; s. 339, ch. 2003-261; s. 20, ch. 2013-36.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.18 - Repair and service of motor vehicles and aircraft.

287.18 Repair and service of motor vehicles and aircraft.—The Secretary of Management Services or his or her designee may require a department or any state agency having facilities for the repair of aircraft or motor vehicles and for the storage and distribution of gasoline and other petroleum products to repair aircraft and motor vehicles and to furnish gasoline and other petroleum products to any other department or agency and shall compensate for the cost of such services and products.
History.—s. 22, ch. 69-106; s. 49, ch. 99-399.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.19 - Transfer of funds.

287.19 Transfer of funds.—All moneys designated for or appropriated to any agency for the use, operation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any state-owned or leased motor vehicles or aircraft shall be transferred to the Department of Management Services as required by the department.
History.—s. 22, ch. 69-106; s. 91, ch. 98-279.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 287 - Procurement of Personal Property and Services › Part II - Means of Transport (Ss. 287.14-287.20) › 287.20 - Applicability of this part.

287.20 Applicability of this part.—The provisions of this part apply to motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft owned, leased, or acquired in any manner by any state agency, or the judicial branch, as defined in s. 216.011.
History.—s. 22, ch. 69-106; s. 7, ch. 83-304; s. 81, ch. 92-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.002 - Public records exemption for certain materials held by the former Enterprise Florida, Inc.

288.002 Public records exemption for certain materials held by the former Enterprise Florida, Inc.—Materials that relate to methods of manufacture or production, potential trade secrets, potentially patentable material, actual trade secrets, business transactions, financial and proprietary information, and agreements or proposals to receive funding that are received, generated, ascertained, or discovered by the former Enterprise Florida, Inc., including its affiliates or subsidiaries and partnership participants, such as private enterprises, educational institutions, and other organizations, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, except that a recipient of the former Enterprise Florida, Inc., research funds shall make available, upon request, the title and description of the research project, the name of the researcher, and the amount and source of funding provided for the project. Effective July 1, 2023, the Department of Commerce is the custodian of any public records made confidential and exempt under this section.
History.—s. 17, ch. 89-381; s. 81, ch. 90-360; s. 13, ch. 93-187; s. 1, ch. 95-230; s. 99, ch. 96-320; s. 147, ch. 96-406; s. 39, ch. 99-251; s. 90, ch. 2023-173.
Note.—Former s. 240.539(7); s. 288.9520.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.007 - Inventory of communities seeking to recruit businesses.

288.007 Inventory of communities seeking to recruit businesses.—By September 30 of each year, a county or municipality that has a population of at least 25,000 or its local economic development organization must submit to the department a brief overview of the strengths, services, and economic development incentives that its community offers. The local government or its local economic development organization also must identify any industries that it is encouraging to locate or relocate to its area. A county or municipality having a population of 25,000 or fewer or its local economic development organization seeking to recruit businesses may submit information as required in this section and may participate in any activity or initiative resulting from the collection, analysis, and reporting of the information to the department pursuant to this section.
History.—s. 29, ch. 2011-142; s. 85, ch. 2023-173.
Note.—Former s. 288.912.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.0071 - Economic incentives to foreign countries of concern prohibited.

288.0071 Economic incentives to foreign countries of concern prohibited.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Controlled by” means having possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a company, whether through ownership of securities, by contract, or otherwise. A person or entity that directly or indirectly has the right to vote 25 percent or more of the voting interests of the company or that is entitled to 25 percent or more of its profits is presumed to control the foreign entity.
(b) “Economic incentive” means all programs administered by, or for which an applicant for the program must seek certification, approval, or other action by, the department under this chapter, chapter 212, or chapter 220; and all local economic development programs, grants, or financial benefits administered by a political subdivision or an agent thereof.
(c) “Foreign country of concern” has the same meaning as in s. 692.201.
(d) “Foreign entity” means an entity that is:
1. Owned or controlled by the government of a foreign country of concern; or
2. A partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country of concern, or a subsidiary of such entity.
(e) “Government entity” means a state agency; a political subdivision; or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any public agency.
(2) A government entity may not knowingly enter into an agreement or contract for an economic incentive with a foreign entity.
(3) Before providing any economic incentive, a government entity must require the recipient or applicant to provide the government entity with an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury attesting that the recipient or applicant is not a foreign entity.
(4) The department shall adopt rules to administer this section, including rules establishing the form for the affidavit required under subsection (3).
History.—s. 2, ch. 2023-33.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.017 - Cooperative advertising matching grants program.

288.017 Cooperative advertising matching grants program.—
(1) The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation is authorized to establish a cooperative advertising matching grants program and, pursuant thereto, to make expenditures and enter into contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations for the purpose of publicizing the tourism advantages of the state. The department, based on recommendations from the corporation, shall have final approval of grants awarded through this program.
(2) The total annual allocation of funds for this grant program may not exceed $40,000. Each grant awarded under the program shall be limited to no more than $2,500 and shall be matched by nonstate dollars. All grants shall be restricted to local governments and nonprofit corporations serving and located in municipalities having a population of 50,000 persons or less or in counties with an unincorporated area having a population of 200,000 persons or less.
(3) The Florida Tourism Marketing Corporation shall conduct an annual competitive selection process for the award of grants under the program. In determining its recommendations for the grant awards, the corporation shall consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for advertising assistance, the feasibility and projected benefit of the applicant’s proposal, the amount of nonstate funds that will be leveraged, and such other criteria as the department deems appropriate. In evaluating grant applications, the department shall consider recommendations from the corporation. The department, however, has final approval authority for any grant under this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 91-218; s. 31, ch. 96-320; s. 131, ch. 2011-142; s. 35, ch. 2023-173.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.019 - Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation processes.

288.019 Rural considerations in grant review and evaluation processes.—Notwithstanding any other law, and to the fullest extent possible, the member agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) as defined in s. 288.0656(6)(a) shall review all grant and loan application evaluation criteria to ensure the fullest access for rural counties as defined in s. 288.0656(2) to resources available throughout the state.
(1) Each REDI agency and organization shall review all evaluation and scoring procedures and develop modifications to those procedures which minimize the impact of a project within a rural area.
(2) Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must provide for an appropriate ranking based on the proportionate impact that projects have on a rural area when compared with similar project impacts on an urban area.
(3) Evaluation criteria and scoring procedures must recognize the disparity of available fiscal resources for an equal level of financial support from an urban county and a rural county.
(a) The evaluation criteria should weight contribution in proportion to the amount of funding available at the local level.
(b) In-kind match should be allowed and applied as financial match when a county is experiencing financial distress through elevated unemployment at a rate in excess of the state’s average by 5 percentage points or because of the loss of its ad valorem base.
(4) For existing programs, the modified evaluation criteria and scoring procedure must be delivered to the department for distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. The REDI agencies and organizations shall review and make comments. Future rules, programs, evaluation criteria, and scoring processes must be brought before a REDI meeting for review, discussion, and recommendation to allow rural counties fuller access to the state’s resources.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2001-201; s. 22, ch. 2009-51; s. 133, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.021 - Economic development liaison.

288.021 Economic development liaison.—
(1) The heads of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection and an additional member appointed by the secretary of the department, the Department of Education, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Revenue, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, each water management district, and each Department of Transportation district office shall designate a high-level staff member from within such agency to serve as the economic development liaison for the agency. This person shall report to the agency head and have general knowledge both of the state’s permitting and other regulatory functions and of the state’s economic goals, policies, and programs. This person shall also be the primary point of contact for the agency with the department on issues and projects important to the economic development of Florida, including its rural areas, to expedite project review, to ensure a prompt, effective response to problems arising with regard to permitting and regulatory functions, and to work closely with the other economic development liaisons to resolve interagency conflicts.
(2) Whenever it is necessary to change the designee, the head of each agency shall notify the Governor in writing of the person designated as the economic development liaison for such agency.
History.—s. 14, ch. 92-277; s. 115, ch. 94-356; s. 33, ch. 96-320; s. 3, ch. 99-244; s. 85, ch. 99-245; s. 50, ch. 2010-5; s. 134, ch. 2011-142; s. 12, ch. 2011-213; s. 34, ch. 2012-96.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.0251 - International development outreach activities in Latin America and Caribbean Basin.

288.0251 International development outreach activities in Latin America and Caribbean Basin.—The department may contract for the implementation of Florida’s international volunteer corps to provide short-term training and technical assistance activities in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. The entity contracted under this section must require that such activities be conducted by qualified volunteers who are citizens of the state. The contracting agency must have a statewide focus and experience in coordinating international volunteer programs.
History.—s. 9, ch. 86-139; s. 82, ch. 90-201; s. 25, ch. 91-5; s. 26, ch. 91-201; s. 5, ch. 91-429; ss. 15, 65, ch. 93-187; s. 34, ch. 96-320; s. 24, ch. 99-251; s. 6, ch. 2004-242; s. 135, ch. 2011-142.
Note.—Former s. 229.6056.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.035 - Economic development activities.

288.035 Economic development activities.—
(1) The Florida Public Service Commission may authorize public utilities to recover reasonable economic development expenses. For purposes of this section, recoverable “economic development expenses” are those expenses described in subsection (2) which are consistent with criteria to be established by rules adopted by the department.
(2) Such rules shall provide that authorized economic development expenses shall be limited to the following:
(a) Expenditures for operational assistance, including the participation in trade shows and prospecting missions with state and local entities.
(b) Expenditures for assisting the state and local governments in the design of strategic plans for economic development activities.
(c) Expenditures for marketing and research services, including assisting local governments in marketing specific sites for business and industry development or recruitment, and assisting local governments in responding to inquiries from business and industry concerning the development of specific sites.
(3) The Florida Public Service Commission shall adopt rules for the recovery of economic development expenses by public utilities, including the sharing of expenses by shareholders.
History.—s. 1, ch. 94-136; s. 35, ch. 96-320; s. 136, ch. 2011-142; s. 13, ch. 2011-213.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.037 - Department of State; agreement with county tax collector.

288.037 Department of State; agreement with county tax collector.—In order to further the economic development goals of the state, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Department of State may enter into an agreement with the county tax collector for the purpose of appointing the county tax collector as the Department of State’s agent to accept applications for licenses or other similar registrations and applications for renewals of licenses or other similar registrations. The agreement must specify the time within which the tax collector must forward any applications and accompanying application fees to the Department of State.
History.—s. 55, ch. 97-278; s. 137, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.041 - Solar energy industry; legislative findings and policy; promotional activities.

288.041 Solar energy industry; legislative findings and policy; promotional activities.—
(1) It is hereby found and declared that:
(a) The solar energy industry in this state has been a leader in the nation in the manufacture, supply, and delivery of solar energy systems.
(b) The use of solar energy in this state has been demonstrated to save conventional energy sources.
(c) The solar energy industry offers the prospect for improved economic welfare of this state through creation of jobs, increased energy security, and enhancing the quality of the environment of this state.
(d) Through helping to provide for a clean environment and healthy economy, the solar energy industry contributes to the continued growth and development of the tourist industry of this state.
(2) It is the policy of this state to promote, stimulate, develop, and advance the growth of the solar energy industry in this state.
(3) By January 15 of each year, the Department of Environmental Protection shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the impact of the solar energy industry on the economy of this state and shall make any recommendations on initiatives to further promote the solar energy industry as the Department of Environmental Protection deems appropriate.
History.—s. 2, ch. 93-249; s. 23, ch. 94-321; s. 36, ch. 96-320; s. 62, ch. 99-13; s. 10, ch. 2004-243; s. 1, ch. 2005-66; s. 138, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.0415 - Solar energy; advancement; economic development strategy.

288.0415 Solar energy; advancement; economic development strategy.—The use of solar energy is a proven, effective means of reducing air pollution, while also creating new jobs, saving energy, lowering consumer utility bills, and stimulating economic development. As such, this state is committed to advancing the use of solar energy in the state. Towards this end, the state shall give priority to removing identified barriers to and providing incentives for increased solar energy development and use. In addition, the state shall capitalize on solar energy as an economic development strategy for job creation, market development, international trade, and other related means of stimulating and enhancing the economy of this state.
History.—s. 22, ch. 94-321.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.046 - Quick-response training; legislative intent.

288.046 Quick-response training; legislative intent.—The Legislature recognizes the importance of providing a skilled workforce for attracting new industries and retaining and expanding existing businesses and industries in this state. It is the intent of the Legislature that a program exist to meet the short-term, immediate, workforce-skill needs of such businesses and industries. It is further the intent of the Legislature that funds provided for the purposes of s. 288.047 be expended on businesses and industries that support the state’s economic development goals, particularly high value-added businesses or businesses that locate in and provide jobs in the state’s distressed urban and rural areas, and that instruction funded pursuant to s. 288.047 lead to permanent, quality employment opportunities.
History.—s. 1, ch. 93-187; s. 77, ch. 2000-165.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.065 - Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.

288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
(1) The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Program is established within the department to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and local financial resources by providing local governments with financial assistance to further promote the economic viability of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives addressing employment opportunities for residents of these communities.
(2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local governments, or economic development organizations substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within counties with populations of 75,000 or fewer, or within any county with a population of 125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer, based on the most recent official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901, including those residing in incorporated areas and those residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of local government, or economic development organizations substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within a rural area of opportunity.
(b) Requests for loans shall be made by application to the department. Loans shall be made pursuant to agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between the applicant and the department. The loans shall be the legal obligations of the applicant.
(c) All repayments of principal and interest shall be returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to other applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity designated by the Governor, and upon approval by the department, repayments of principal and interest may be retained by the applicant if such repayments are dedicated and matched to fund regionally based economic development organizations representing the rural area of opportunity.
(3) The department shall manage the fund, establishing loan practices that must include, but are not limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates, uses of funding, application procedures, and application review procedures. The department shall have final approval authority for any loan under this section.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, funds appropriated for this purpose shall not be subject to reversion.
History.—s. 42, ch. 96-320; s. 18, ch. 97-278; s. 95, ch. 99-251; s. 11, ch. 2001-201; s. 11, ch. 2009-51; s. 141, ch. 2011-142; s. 31, ch. 2014-218.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.06561 - Reduction or waiver of financial match requirements.

288.06561 Reduction or waiver of financial match requirements.—Notwithstanding any other law, the member agencies and organizations of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), as defined in s. 288.0656(6)(a), shall review the financial match requirements for projects in rural areas as defined in s. 288.0656(2).
(1) Each agency and organization shall develop a proposal to waive or reduce the match requirement for rural areas.
(2) Agencies and organizations shall ensure that all proposals are submitted to the department for review by the REDI agencies.
(3) These proposals shall be delivered to the department for distribution to the REDI agencies and organizations. A meeting of REDI agencies and organizations must be called within 30 days after receipt of such proposals for REDI comment and recommendations on each proposal.
(4) Waivers and reductions must be requested by the county or community, and such county or community must have three or more of the factors identified in s. 288.0656(2)(c).
(5) Any other funds available to the project may be used for financial match of federal programs when there is fiscal hardship, and the match requirements may not be waived or reduced.
(6) When match requirements are not reduced or eliminated, donations of land, though usually not recognized as an in-kind match, may be permitted.
(7) To the fullest extent possible, agencies and organizations shall expedite the rule adoption and amendment process if necessary to incorporate the reduction in match by rural areas in fiscal distress.
(8) REDI shall include in its annual report an evaluation on the status of changes to rules, number of awards made with waivers, and recommendations for future changes.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2001-201; s. 14, ch. 2009-51; s. 144, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.0657 - Florida rural economic development strategy grants.

288.0657 Florida rural economic development strategy grants.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “rural community” means:
(a) A county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.
(b) A county with a population of 125,000 or fewer which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or fewer.
(c) A municipality within a county described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
For purposes of this subsection, population shall be determined in accordance with the most recent official estimate pursuant to s. 186.901.
(2) The department may accept and administer moneys appropriated to the department for providing grants to assist rural communities to develop and implement strategic economic development plans.
(3) A rural community, an economic development organization in a rural area, or a regional organization representing at least one rural community or such economic development organizations may apply for such grants.
(4) The department shall establish criteria for reviewing grant applications. These criteria shall include, but are not limited to, the degree of participation and commitment by the local community and the application’s consistency with local comprehensive plans or the application’s proposal to ensure such consistency. The department shall review each application for a grant. The department may approve grants only to the extent that funds are appropriated for such grants by the Legislature.
History.—s. 98, ch. 99-251; s. 15, ch. 2009-51; s. 145, ch. 2011-142.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.0658 - Nature-based recreation; promotion and other assistance by Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

288.0658 Nature-based recreation; promotion and other assistance by Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is directed to assist the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, doing business as VISIT Florida; convention and visitor bureaus; tourist development councils; economic development organizations; and local governments through the provision of marketing advice, technical expertise, promotional support, and product development related to nature-based recreation and sustainable use of natural resources. In carrying out this responsibility, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall focus its efforts on fostering nature-based recreation in rural communities and regions encompassing rural communities. As used in this section, the term “nature-based recreation” means leisure activities related to the state’s lands, waters, and fish and wildlife resources, including, but not limited to, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hunting, backpacking, and nature photography.
History.—s. 100, ch. 99-251; s. 146, ch. 2011-142; s. 41, ch. 2023-173.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.1097 - Qualified job training organizations; certification; duties.

288.1097 Qualified job training organizations; certification; duties.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “qualified job training organization” means an organization that satisfies all of the following:
(a) Is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
(b) Collects Florida state sales tax.
(c) Operates statewide and has more than 100 locations within the state.
(d) Is exempt from income taxation under s. 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) Specializes in the retail sale of donated items.
(f) Provides job training and employment services to individuals who have workplace disadvantages and disabilities.
(g) Uses a majority of its revenues for job training and placement programs that create jobs and foster economic development.
(2) To be eligible for funding, an organization must be certified by the department as meeting the criteria in subsection (1). After certification, the department may release funds to the qualified job training organization pursuant to a contract with the organization. The contract must include the performance conditions that must be met in order to obtain the award or portions of the award, including, but not limited to, net new employment in the state, the methodology for validating performance, the schedule of payments, and sanctions for failure to meet the performance requirements including any provisions for repayment of awards. The contract must also require that salaries paid to officers and employees of the qualified job training organization comply with s. 4958 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(3) A qualified job training organization that is certified must use the proceeds provided solely to encourage and provide economic development through capital construction, improvements, or the purchase of equipment that will result in expanded employment opportunities. Proceeds provided under this section for a qualified job training organization must result, within a 10-year period, in:
(a) The creation of at least 5,000 direct, new jobs.
(b) A minimum of 23,000 new clients served.
(c) The production of a minimum of $24 million in new sales tax revenues from increased sales.
(d) A minimum of $42 million in new salaries.
(e) A minimum of $6 million for job placement services.
(4) The failure to use the proceeds as required constitutes grounds for revoking certification.
(5) Notwithstanding s. 624.4625(1)(b), any member of a qualified job training organization that is both certified under this section and has at least one roadside cleaning service contract with a state agency among its membership may participate in a self-insurance fund authorized under s. 624.4625.
History.—s. 4, ch. 2006-55; s. 40, ch. 2012-96; s. 1, ch. 2016-239.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XIX - Public Business › Chapter 288 - Commercial Development and Capital Improvements › Part I - General Provisions (Ss. 288.0001-288.1258) › 288.111 - Information concerning local manufacturing development programs.

288.111 Information concerning local manufacturing development programs.—The department shall develop materials that identify each local government that establishes a local manufacturing development program under s. 163.3252. The materials, which the department may elect to develop and maintain in electronic format or in any other format deemed by the department to provide public access, must be updated at least annually. State agencies may distribute the materials to prospective, new, expanding, and relocating businesses seeking to conduct business in this state.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2013-224; s. 54, ch. 2023-173.