FEDC Inside Track to Legislative Affairs: 2008 End-of-Session Summary

 

Above: Economic Expansion & Infratructure Council Chairman Representative Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, gestures as he guides his committee in Tallahassee.

 

Florida Economic Development Council

End of Session Report
2008 Florida Regular Legislative Session

 

2008 FEDC Legislative Accomplishments:  Priorities and Results

On behalf of FEDC, Colodny Fass worked with various economic development bills and entities to accomplish FEDC goals and priorities.  The results are listed below, followed by an end-of-Session summary on economic development-related legislation.

 

PRIORITY:  Support funding for Florida’s Economic Development Transportation Fund (Road Fund) at $50 million without offsets for invidual projects.

RESULT:  The Road Fund was increased by $10 million during the 2008 Legislative Session.  In total, the Legislature appropriated $36,750,000 for the Road Fund.  Of that amount, $16,750,000 was allocated to specific projects, leaving $20,000,000 for new projects, thus equaling a $10 million increase from previous years. The funded projects are:

• $15 million for space and aerospace infrastructure (Space Florida)
• $1.3 million for Gateway Redevelopment (Senator Fasano project)
• $300,000 for Beaver Street Enterprises (Senator King project)
• $75,000 for the National Black Caucus of State Legislatures
• $75,000 for Florida Communities Assessment and Economic Development Project

 

PRIORITY:  Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber, support legislation to stabilize the market and provide affordable, available property insurance to Florida business owners and residents. 

RESULT:  House Bill 1001 by Senator Garrett Richter/Senate Bill 1422 by Senator Mike Bennett and spearheaded by the Florida Chamber would have allowed insurance companies to offer non-assessable commercial property insurance, thereby achieving the goal of reducing the risk of assessments for commercial properties (businesses).  Getting more traction than initially expected,  HB 1001 passed the full House, but died in Senate messages.

However, Senate Bill 2860, also known as the “Homeowners Bill of Rights” by Senator Jeff Atwater passed.  A large, omnibus insurance bill targeted to residential property insurance, afforded a business-friendly provision of $250 million for Florida’s successful “Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program” that assists start-up insurance companies with low-interest loans, however, this provision was vetoed because it was funded through revenues generated by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation premium surcharges, rather than Florida’s General Revenue Fund, as it formerly was.  The bill also requires Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation to develop a methodology for mitigation discounts and credits.  Hardening buildings, both commercial and residential is widely acknowledged as the best way to reduce damages and lower premiums against Florida’s inherent weather risks.

 

FEDC-Supported Initiatives

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA FUNDING AND INCENTIVES 

PRIORITY:   Support funding for Florida’s Economic Development Tool Kit, including funding for the Innovation Incentive at $150 million, Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program (QTI) at $19.8 million, Qualified Defense Contractors Tax Refund Program (QDC) at $747,500, Military Base Protection at $3 million, and space, defense and rural infrastructure programs at $4.2 million.

RESULT:  Funding for the Economic Development Tool Kit is $21,762,500, which includes QTI Tax Refund Incentive, QDC Tax Refund Incentive, and the High-Impact Performance Incentive.  Rural infrastructure was funded at $4,700,000, defense infrastructure at $10,600,000 and Military Base Protection at $250,000.  Total funding for space, defense,  and rural infrastructure was $15,300,000.

 

PRIORITY:  Enterprise Florida Inc. (“EFI”) funding and incentives–Support full funding for EFI’s operations and marketing at $15.5 million.

RESULT:  In a tight budget year, EFI’s operating budget suffered a reduction and was funded at $11,900,000 with a $300,000 pass-through for Florida Trade and Exhibition Center. 

 

PRIORITY:   Through formal alliances with the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, and the Florida Chamber, support legislation renewing and enhancing the current Entertainment Incentive at $25 million. 

RESULT:   In a tight budget year, the Legislature funded the Film and Entertainment incentive with $5 million. 

 

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA FUNDING AND INCENTIVES

PRIORITY:   Support funding of Florida’s Quick Action Closing Fund at $45 million.

RESULT:  The Legislature appropriated $26,460,000 for the Quick Action Closing Fund.  However, proviso language was inserted that allocated $5 million of this funding towards a Pasco County economic development project if Pasco contributes a 50 percent match from non-state sources.  In addition to the above mentioned funding, there is language in the Appropriations bill allocating an additional $20 million in non-recurring general revenue to the Quick Action Closing Fund if the provisions of Senate Bill 2778, or similar legislation appropriating General Revenue Funds to the Building Florida’s Future Revolving Trust Fund within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (“OTTED”) for the 2008-2009 fiscal year do not become law.

To the best of our knowledge and research, SB 2778 or any similar language did not pass. Therefore, the Quick Action Closing Fund received $46,460,000 minus the funds allocated in the proviso language to Pasco County.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (“R & D”)

PRIORITY:   Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, and others, endorse the creation of a Florida R&D Tax Credit to improve the state’s business climate for growth-generating R&D activity. 

RESULT:   HB 733/SB 1398 Relating to Tax Credit for Research and Development Expenses, sponsored by State Representative Michael Grant and Senator Steve Oelrich

HB 733 passed the House Economic Development Committee but then died in the House Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council. SB 1398 passed the Senate Commerce Committee but died in its next committee of reference, Finance and Tax.

 

PRIORITY:   Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, and others, support the creation of the Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant program at $5 million annually to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies and create successful start-up companies in Florida.  

RESULT:   HB 593/ SB 1120 Relating to the Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program, sponsored by State Representative Steve Precourt and Senator Don Gaetz

HB 593 passed through the House unanimously, but unfortunately died in Senate Messages.  SB 1120 died in the Higher Education Appropriations Committee and did not make it to the Senate Floor.

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

PRIORITY:   With Workforce Florida leadership, support funding for the Employ Florida Banner Centers at $5 million. 

RESULT:   The Florida Banner Centers were funded at $1.5 million in non-recurring funding.

 

PRIORITY:   With Workforce Florida leadership and formal alliances with the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, and others, support a funding increase for the Quick Response Training Program (QRT) from the current $5 million to a total of $7 million. 

RESULT:   QRT maintained funding at $5 million.  

 

PRIORITY:   With Workforce Florida leadership,  the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, and others, maintain funding for the Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) at $2 million. 

RESULT:   The Incumbent Worker Training Program was maintained at $2 million.

 

PRIORITY:   With Workforce Florida leadership, and formal alliances with the Florida Workforce Development Association, the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, and others, support the creation of a Business Competitiveness Training Fund to align targeted training and recruitment support services for Florida business at $20 million.     

RESULT:   To the best of our knowledge, this language did not pass in any bills and there was no funding in the budget for the creation of the Business Competitiveness Training Fund.

 

End-of-Session Summary

Between the House and the Senate, a total of 2,503 bills were filed for the 2008 Regular Legislative Session. These bills consisted of Concurrent Resolutions, General Bills, Local Bills, Memorials and Joint Resolutions.  

The conclusion of the Session yielded 313 bills that passed both chambers and are on their way to the Governor for approval or veto.  Once the Governor receives the bills, he can either sign them, veto them or let them become law without his signature. Bills that were filed and did not pass either died in Committee, Council, or in Messages.

If a bill died in Messages, that indicates that it passed one Chamber, but was not heard in the other Chamber.  All bills must be passed out of both Chambers in order to proceed to the Governor.

Specifically among this Session’s filed legislation, a number of economic development bills were tracked on behalf of the Florida Economic Development Council by Colodny Fass.  This end-of-Session report will list the final actions for those bills, both passed and failed.  (Click on a bill number to view more information about that particular bill):

SB 2778 Relating to Economic Development
Sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano

SB 2778 would have created a uniform process for the review and certification of economic development incentive projects by Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the OTTED.  The bill would have established the Building Florida’s Future Revolving Loan Guarantee Program within the OTTED and revise the sources of funds that may be used to provide refunds for the Qualified Defense Contractor Tax Refund Program.   Appropriation: $20,060,000.

 

HB 7111 Relating to Economic Development
Sponsored by State Representative Dean Cannon

HB 7111 created the Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council (“SBRAC”); which would provide for a small business advocate; require an SBRAC report in legislative sunset committee recommendations; require agency notification of proposed action affecting small businesses; revise administrative rulemaking provisions concerning small businesses; provide economic development incentive application process; provide certain additional review and action requirements for Rural Economic Development Initiatives (“REDI”) relating to rural communities; delete limitation on characterization as rural area of critical economic concern; authorize rural areas of critical economic concern to designate catalyst project; require assistance with certain comprehensive planning needs; revise REDI reporting requirements; revise application process for certain programs; require consideration of applications for specified programs under specified provision; revise provisions relating to relocation of spring training franchises; require an OTTED plan for retaining spring training; revise provisions relating to the Black Business Loan Program; provide for expanding enterprise zones in rural areas of critical economic concern; revise provisions relating to employee leasing companies; and provide action for negligence in evaluation or rating of business.

These two bills were in place to comprise the Economic Development Package for the 2008 Legislative Session.  The House held multiple committee workshops on policy-driven initiatives to assist with economic development in Florida.  SB 2778 was going to be the final bill, but during the last few days of the Session, the House passed the Senate version out with its changes and the bill ran out of time and died in Senate Messages. This was a large disappointment to all of the Members who had invested a significant amount of time on this legislation throughout the Session. At this point, those legislators already invested plan on working on the bills again next year.

 

HB 747/SB 1626 Relating to Charter County Transit System Surtax
Sponsored by State Representative Dennis Ross and Senator J.D. Alexander

This legislation renamed a surtax as Charter County Transportation System Surtax and expanded eligibility to levy the surtax to all charter counties.

HB 747 made it through its initial committees and councils of reference, but then ran out of time and died in the House Policy and Budget Council. 

SB 1626 passed out of the Senate 37 Y/ 1 N, but died in House Messages.

 

HB 1295/SB 2310 Relating to Stimulating the Economy
Sponsored by State Representative Frank Attkisson and Senator Jeremy Ring

This legislation allows the State Board of Administration to invest a maximum 1.5 percent of the net asset value of the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund in technology and growth investments, as defined by general law.  The bill also creates a $40 million prize (with $20 million contributed by the State of Florida) to encourage the invention of a reusable space vehicle that could be used to replace the Space Shuttle.  However, this bill does not appropriate any State funds for this prize.

SB 2310 passed out of the House 117 Y/ 1N and then out of the Senate 40 Y/ 0 N.  It also was one of the final bills passed during the last day of Session on May 2, 2008.  On May 21st the Governor signed and approved the bill on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.  To read more on the bill and its signing, click here.

 

SB 482/ HB 699 Relating to Affordable Housing
Sponsored by Senator Rudy Garcia and State Representative Gary Aubuchon

This legislation provided for the assessment of property receiving the low-income housing tax credit and specified the criteria to be used in arriving at just valuation of a structural improvement, condominium parcel, or cooperative parcel.  The bill revised purposes for which State Apartment Incentive Loans could be used and revisesd requirements for distribution of funds in the Local Government Housing Trust Fund.

The House and Senate made significant changes throughout the Session on this legislation.  At one point, the House had included language using tourist development tax dollars for affordable housing in Monroe County.  During the last week of the Session, Representative Cannon filed an amendment to strip that portion out of the House bill.  On the final day of Session, the Senate passed out its bill and sent it to the House.  At that point, the House amended the bill and sent it back over to the Senate where time ran out and the bill died in Senate returning Messages.

 

HB 33/SB 576 Relating to Presumption of Correctness for Ad Valorem Tax Assessment
Sponsored by State Representative Jim Frishe and Senator Dennis Jones

This legislation would have provided that presumption of correctness of property appraisers’ ad valorem tax assessment for income-producing property is lost if the assessment is not based on income approach to value.

HB 33 was never heard by any committees of reference and died in the House State Affairs Committee.  SB 676 never was heard either, and died in the Senate Community Affairs Committee.

 

HB 71/SB 190 Relating to Small Business Health Care Insurance Assistance
Sponsored by State Representative Dorothy Hukill and Senator Mike Fasano

This legislation would have created the Small Business Health Care Insurance Assistance Pilot Program as a statewide two-year program to afford a one-time rebate to small businesses that provide comprehensive major medical health insurance coverage for employees.  The bill required employer and employee participation in certain costs and limited authorization to provide rebates under the program pursuant to a specific appropriation.

HB 71 passed the Committee on Health Innovation but then died in the Healthcare Council.  SB 190 died in the Banking and Insurance Committee, its first committee of reference.

 

SB 108/ HB 687 Relating to Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises
Sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano and State Representative Bill Proctor
This legislation creates the Florida Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act.  It provides a selection preference regarding State contracts in favor of certified service-disabled veteran business enterprises and requires that a certification procedure be established by the Department of Management Services and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and reviewed biennially and updated as necessary.

The final version of HB 687 passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor to sign.

 

HB 147/ SB 402 Relating to Expedited Permitting Process for Economic Development Projects
Sponsored by State Representative Robert Schenck and Senator Mike Fasano

This legislation would have designated itself as the “Mike McHugh Act” and require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) and water management districts to adopt programs to expedite processing of permits for certain economic development projects.  The bill also would require municipalities and counties to identify certain businesses by commission resolution and provide a timeframe for permit application approval or denial.

HB 147 passed out of the house 116 Y/ 0 N, but died in Senate Messages.  SB 402 passed two of its four committees of reference, was withdrawn from one and finally died in the Senate General Government Appropriations Committee.

 

HB 217/SB 380 Relating to Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions
Sponsored by State Representative Thad Altman and Senator Mike Fasano

This legislation would have defined a fractional aircraft ownership program and provide exemptions for the sale or use of aircraft for primary use pursuant to fractional aircraft ownership programs, and for parts and labor used in maintenance, repair, and overhaul associated with aircraft sold or used pursuant to such programs. The bill also would provide for a maximum tax on sale or use of fractional aircraft ownership interests.

HB 217 passed out of the house 97 Y/ 22 N and died in Senate messages.  SB 380 died in the Finance and Tax Committee, its second committee of reference.

 

SB 234/ HB 613 Relating to the Governor’s School for Science and Technology
Sponsored by Senator Stephen Wise and State Representative Thad Altman

The bill would have established the Governor’s School for Space Science and Technology within the K-20 public education system to be administered by the Florida Department of Education in order to offer intensive instruction for grade 9-12 students and summer programs for teachers.  The bill would have provided for a School mission, location, and statewide student application; a board of trustees and specified powers and duties thereof.

Neither bill was ever heard in a single committee of reference.

 

HB 293/ SB 850 Relating to Corporate Income Tax Credit
Sponsored by State Representative Will Weatherford and Senator Mike Fasano

This legislation would have created the New Markets Tax Credit Program; provided for the qualification and sale of investments that provide tax credits and nonrefundable, nontransferable tax credits for the taxable year in which the credit allowance date falls; provided for calculating credit amounts and limiting the amounts of these tax credits; provided for carryover and redemption of tax credits; provided for calculation of amount of tax credits available and required calculations to be certified and accompanied by audited financial statements and notarized affidavits; provided for future repeal; provided for authority, duties, and requirements of OTTED, the Florida Department of Revenue (“DOR”), and other related community development entities.

HB 293 passed all committees of reference and the House with a vote of 117 Y/ 2 N.  Its companion, SB 850, made it through two committees of reference.  However, it died in the Finance and Tax Committee because it was not received in time.

 

SB 346/ HB 231 Relating to Sure Futures Scholarship Program and Foundation
Sponsored by Senator Jeremy Ring and State Representative Kevin Ambler

This legislation would have created the Sure Futures Postgraduate Scholarship Program, which would comprise the Sure Futures Foundation and a Foundation Board of Directors to administer the Program.  The bills also would have provided eligibility criteria for participation in the Program by students and sponsors, and would require that a participating student who graduates with an advanced degree remain employed by his or her sponsor in this state for a specified period. Appropriation: $300,000.

HB 231 died in the House Policy and Budget Council and SB 346 died in the Committee on Higher Education Appropriations.

 

SB 428/ HB 959 Relating to Workforce Innovation
Sponsored by Senator Mike Bennett and State Representative Chuck Chestnut

This legislation authorizes the designation of a regional workforce board as a one-stop operator and direct provider of certain services by agreement of the chief elected official and the Governor.  It requires that Workforce Florida, Inc. establish procedures for a regional workforce board to request permission to operate and the criteria for granting such permission.  Additionally, the bills provide for the permission to operate not exceed a certain period.

SB 428 passed and was substituted for HB 959 which passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. This bill is on its way to the Governor.

 

HB 511/ SB 1572 Relating to Enterprise Zones
Sponsored by State Representative Chuck Chestnut and Senator Evelyn Lynn
This legislation would have authorized the City of Ocala to apply to OTTED for designation as an enterprise zone; as well as provided application deadline, geographic area requirements and an effective date.

HB 511 died in the Economic Development Committee, its first committee of reference. SB 1572 passed through several committees, but ended up dying in the Finance and Tax Committee.

 

HB 593/ SB 1120 Relating to Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program
Sponsored by State Representative Steve Precourt and Senator Don Gaetz

This legislation would have created the Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program and provided for its purpose, goals, and program objective.  The bills designate an existing Enterprise Florida, Inc. (“EFI”) committee, or subcommittee thereof, to perform certain activities related to program and provides that committee members serve without compensation and with EFI committee staff support.  The bills provide grant application processing deadlines; guidelines for applicant eligibility and grant award approval, and for a program administrator and responsibilities.  The legislation also establishes a fiduciary entity and designates it to approve awards to qualified applicants.  It requires OPPAGA to conduct a program review and provide a report by time certain; as well as provides recurring appropriation for Program implementation.

HB 593 passed through the House unanimously, but unfortunately died in Senate Messages.  SB 1120 died in the Higher Education Appropriations Committee before reaching the Senate Floor.

 

HB 621/ SB 2560 Relating to Satellite Enterprise Zones
Sponsored by State Representative Bill Galvano and Senator Alex Villalobos

This legislation would have authorized specified municipalities to designate satellite enterprise zones and provided for various applicable responsibilities of OTTED, in addition to providing for non-application of specified requirements to satellite enterprise zones.

HB 621 never was heard in any committees of reference and died in the House Economic Development Committee.  SB 2560 also died in the Commerce Committee, its first committee of reference.

 

HB 733/ SB 1398 Relating to Tax Credit for Research and Development Expenses
Sponsored by State Representative Michael Grant and Senator Steve Oelrich

This legislation would have provided legislative intent regarding State research and development tax credit; defines terms “base amount,” “business enterprise,” and “qualified research expenses”; provides tax credit for businesses having qualified research expenses; provides that the tax credit is 10 percent of excess over base amount and that credit taken in a taxable year may not exceed a specified amount; provided for a maximum credit amount, and that unused credits may be carried forward for up to 10 years following the close of the tax year in which qualified expenses were incurred.  Unused credits could be assigned or sold to another taxpayer.  The bills assigned the DOR to adopt governing rules and guidelines.

HB 733 passed the House Economic Development Committee but then died in the Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council.  SB 1398 passed the Commerce Committee but died in Finance and Tax, its next committee of reference.

 

HB 911/ SB 1706 Relating to Developments of Regional Impact
Sponsored by State Representative Denise Grimsley and Senator Gwen Margolis

This legislation revises criteria for extending application of specified deadline dates and approvals for developments of regional impact; provides an additional statutory exemption for specified developments in counties of specified population. It also provides requirements and limitations.

SB 1706 passed out of the House in its final form 115 Y/ 0 N and subsequently passed out of the Senate 37 Y/ 0 N.  The bill is on the way to the Governor for his signature.

 

SB 928/ HB 7109 Relating to Economic Development
Sponsored by Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla and State Representative Frank Attkisson

Citing this act as the “Small Business Regulatory Advisory Act” this legislation creates the Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council (“Council”) and requires that the Report of the Council be included in recommendations of the Joint Legislative Sunset Committee.  It designates the Florida Small Business Development Center Network as the principal business assistance organization for small businesses in the State of Florida.

HB 7109 passed out of the Senate in its final form 40 Y/ 0 N and subsequently passed out of the House 115 Y/ 1 N.  This bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.

 

SB 930 Relating to Economic Development
Sponsored by Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla

This bill designated the Florida Small Business Development Center Network as the principal business assistance organization for small businesses in the State of Florida, etc.

SB 930 died in the Committee on Governmental Operations and did not have a House companion.

 

HB 1055/ SB 2526 Relating to Space Industry
Sponsored by State Representative Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey

This legislation would have created the “Space Technology Research and Diversification Initiative Act.”  It also would have established the multi-university Space Technology and Research Diversification Initiative within the OTTED and provided for its duties and administration.  The bills would have revised the duties of Space Florida to include supporting development and operation of the initiative.

HB 1055 passed all the way through the House with a 119 Y/ 0 N vote. Unfortunately, it died in Senate Messages.  SB 2526 did not make it to the Senate Floor and died in its final stop, the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee.

 

HB 1229/ SB 2304 Relating to State Economic Development Incentives for the Recreational Marine Industry
Sponsored by State Representative Kelly Skidmore and Senator Mike Bennett

This legislation would have created the Recreational Marine Business Retention Program within EFI and provided goals for the Program, including recruiting new and supporting existing Florida marine businesses and promoting the State’s recreational marine industry through various venues.  The legislation requires EFI, with DEP, to submit a report to the Legislature regarding effect of an expedited permitting process on Program goals, and requires EFI to work with OTTED to provide additional tax incentives for the recreational marine industry.

HB 1229 died in the Economic Development Committee, its first committee of reference. SB 2304 died in its final stop, the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee. 

 

HB 1277/ SB 2736 Relating to Enterprise Zone Jobs Credit Against Sales Tax
Sponsored by State Representative Denise Grimsley and Senator Dave Aronberg

This legislation would have revised the definition of “job” to include employment of employees by specified corporations in an enterprise zone.

HB 1277 died in the House Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council.  Its Senate companion, SB 2736, died in the Commerce Committee.

 

SB 1322 Relating to Economic Development/Local Option Tourist Development Tax
Sponsored by Senator Gary Siplin

This bill would have allowed a county that levies the tax as authorized under the Local Option Tourist Development Act to use the tax proceeds to participate with the State in an economic development project to attract to the county high-technology industries including, but not limited to, information technology and communications, biotechnology, and bio information.

This bill was never heard in any committee and did not have a House companion.

 

SB 1348 Relating to Community Reinvestment Plans/Tax Credits
Sponsored by Senator Gary Siplin

This bill would have authorized a business to develop and implement a community reinvestment plan for tax credit purposes and allowed a credit against the corporate income tax to any business that meets each target set forth in its community reinvestment plan as certified by Rule of the Financial Services Commission.

This bill was never heard in a committee and had no House companion.

 

HB 1355/ SB 2426 Relating to Space Florida
Sponsored by State Representative Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey

This legislation would have designated the Space and Aerospace Development Infrastructure Enhancement Fund in OTTED for use by Space Florida to provide or upgrade space-related infrastructure, partner with applicable businesses on space-related projects, or otherwise provide incentives for space-related ventures, and also may be used as for collateral for bonds.  The legislation would have required the Space Florida Board of Directors and OTTED director to evaluate applicants and make recommendations to the Governor.  The bills also provided for legislative consultation; required the Executive Office of the Governor to recommend projects and funding; specified contract requirements, and provides that funding of contracts would be contingent on appropriation and release of funds.

HB 1355 died in the Economic Development Committee.  SB 2426 died in its final stop, the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee.

 

HB 1357/ SB 2458 Relating to Trust Funds/Creation/Space and Aerospace Development Infrastructure Enhancement Fund/OTTED
Sponsored by State Representative Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey

This legislation would have created the Space and Aerospace Development Infrastructure Fund within OTTED; provided for annual carry forward of funds, and for future review and termination or re-creation of funds.

HB 1357 died in the Economic Development Committee.  SB 2458 died in its final stop, the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee.

 

HB 1373/ SB 2666 Relating to the Qualified Defense Contractor Tax Refund Program (“QDC”)
Sponsored by State Representative Thad Altman and Senator Bill Posey

The legislation includes space flight businesses and space flight contracts under the Program; specifies the methodology and amounts for tax refund payments to qualified defense contractor businesses; revises provisions authorizing qualified applicants to receive refunds of specified taxes; revises application process requirements to include space flight businesses and contracts; provides employment requirements for space flight business contracts; specifies required information for applications for certification under space flight business contracts; includes space flight businesses under provisions authorizing annual claims for refund; revises limitations on payments of tax refunds; revises required reductions of amounts of tax refunds; deletes reporting requirement of tax refunds paid and use of appropriations expended; extends the expiration date.

The Legislature was extremely excited about the ability to pass this bill during this Session. With a deep concern regarding the State’s economic transition from shuttle launching issues, legislators were looking for opportunities to assist Florida’s Space Industry.  HB 1373 passed the House in its final form with a vote of 106 Y/ 0 N and a vote in the Senate of 39 Y/ 0 N.

Signed by the Governor on May 28, HB 1371 made the following changes to the QDC statute:
• provides definitions for the terms “space flight business,” “space flight businesses contract,” “new space flight contract,” and “consolidation of space flight contract;”
• allows local governments to use donated or discounted land and buildings to qualify as local match;
• simplifies the application process;
• removes the annual report requirement to be consistent with annual reporting for all other incentives; and
• delays the sunset provision from 2010 to 2014

 

HB 1505/ SB 2436 Relating to Workforce Development
Sponsored by State Representative Gary Aubuchon and Senator Stephen Wise

This legislation would have created the Florida Business and Workforce Competitiveness Program in the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (“AWI”) and required that funds allocated to program be used by regional workforce boards to award competitive grants to foster economic development by helping workers acquire new skills or upgrade existing skills.  The bills would require Workforce Florida, Inc., to allocate funds from Florida Business and Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to each regional workforce board its share of available funds to use for awarding grants to eligible employers; provide that the Trust Fund is funded by a quarterly employment and training investment assessment imposed on certain employers; provides that unemployment compensation rates would be reduced by the amount to be assessed for investment assessment; requires Workforce Florida, Inc.,to establish guidelines for administration of program and criteria for fund application evaluations; revises unemployment compensation contribution rate provisions to accommodate requirements for funding program.

Both bills died in their first committees of reference, HB 1505 in Economic Development Committee and SB 2436 in the Commerce Committee.

 

HB 1507/ SB 2496 Relating to Trust Funds/Florida Business and Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund/AWI
Sponsored by State Representative Gary Aubuchon and Senator Stephen Wise

The bills would have created the Florida Business and Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund within AWI; provided for sources of funds and purposes; an annual carry forward of funds; and future review and termination or re-creation of the Trust Fund.

Both bills died in their first committees of reference, HB 1507 in Economic Development Committee and SB 2496 in the Commerce Committee.

 

SB 2520 Relating to Conventions and Tourism
Sponsored by Senator Gary Siplin

The bill would have required the Florida Commission on Tourism, the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc., and the OTTED to jointly establish and use African-American businesses in the convention and tourism industry. The bill would have also provided for a committee to enforce the program.  This bill was never heard in any committees and had no House companion.

 

HB 2712 Relating to Building Florida’s Future Revolving Trust Fund/OTTED
Sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano

This bill creates the Building Florida’s Future Revolving Trust Fund within the OTTED and provides the purpose of the Fund, an annual carry forward of its funds, and future review and termination or re-creation of the Trust Fund.

SB 2712 was passed out of the Senate 32Y/ 0 N and was received in House messages. It died in House Messages after an attempt to include it within the Economic Development package. However since this bill did not pass, its language did not pass anywhere else, either.

 

SB 2714 Relating to Economic Development
Sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano

This bill would have established the Building Florida’s Future Revolving Loan Guarantee Program within the OTTED and provided for the Program to provide loan guarantees or credit enhancements to units of local government, or to private entities for use in constructing or modernizing facilities and infrastructure necessary to attract or expand certain industries as part of an economic-development project. Appropriation: $20,000,000.

SB 2714 was placed on the Special Order calendar in the Senate but was not ever heard and died on the Senate Calendar. The language within this bill also was placed within the previously-described Economic Development package that did not make it through the legislative process.

After the close of the Session at 6:02 p.m. on May 2, 2008, the House and Senate released respective end-of-Session summary reports on all bills passed. 

 

House and Senate Reports

The Florida House and Senate have released reports summarizing the 2008 Regular Legislative Session.

To view the 2008 Regular Session Summary of Legislation Passed Report compiled by the Florida Senate, click here.

To view the 2008 Legislative Session End of Session Report compiled by the Florida House of Representatives, click here.

 

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Tracy Mayernick at (850) 445-3000
at Colodny Fass