The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Fiscal Policy
BILL: SB 6-C
INTRODUCER: Senator Calatayud
SUBJECT: Security Grants
DATE: November 2, 2023 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Nobles Yeatman FP Favorable
I. Summary:
In 2023, the Florida Legislature created the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (Program) within
the Division of Emergency Management (division). The Program’s purpose is to award grants to
increase security and safety for nonprofit entities at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes
and that were deemed eligible for, but did not receive, funding from the federal Nonprofit
Security Grant Program within the federal fiscal year.
The bill amends provisions governing the Program to:
Clarify that schools and museums can apply for a grant;
Clarify that grants can be used to purchase and install materials for door hardening;
Remove the prohibition on receiving both a state and federal grant;
Direct the division to establish eligibility criteria based on the federal grant program;
Prioritize applications for houses of worship or facilities that are frequented by children or
students on a daily basis;
Require the division to provide an annual list each June 1 to the Legislature of grants
awarded; and
Require the division to adopt rules to administer the Program by December 31, 2023, and
authorize the division to adopt emergency rules to implement the Program.
The bill appropriates $10 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the
division for the purpose of implementing the program.
The bill appropriates $5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the
Department of Education as fixed capital outlay to provide grants to full-time Jewish day schools
and Jewish preschools for hardening security measures.
The bill appropriates $20 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund to the
Department of Education to provide grants to full-time Jewish day schools and Jewish
preschools for nonhardening security measures.
BILL: SB 6-C Page 2
The bill is effective upon becoming a law.
II. Present Situation:
Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the United States Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), a
program implemented to allow the DHS and the FEMA to help strengthen the nation’s
communities against extremist attacks.1
The NSGP also provides funding support for target hardening and physical security
enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent of the
NSGP is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with the broader state and local efforts and
to promote preparedness activities among state and local governments and agencies, emphasizing
coordination with public and private community representatives.2
Funding allocated under the NSGP is further broken down by two categories: Urban Area (UA)
and State (NSGP-S). Funds allocated to UA are awarded to nonprofit organizations located
within one of the Urban Area Security Initiative designated high-risk urban areas. The NSGP-S
funding is for nonprofit organizations located outside of the high-risk urban areas.3
The designated State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply for the
NSGP funds. The SAA applies to the FEMA for available funding on behalf of the eligible
nonprofit organizations and provides funds to the nonprofit organizations as subrecipients. For
federal fiscal year 2023, the DHS is provided $305 million for the NSGP. Florida’s allocation is
$3.4 million for the NSGP-S grants and $11.5 million for the UA grants. Up to 5 percent of the
grants may be used for administration.4
Florida Division of Emergency Management
The Division of Emergency Management (division) is responsible for “maintaining a
comprehensive statewide program of emergency management.”5 Among its duties, the division
is responsible for preparing a state comprehensive emergency management plan that is integrated
with the emergency plans and programs of the Federal Government and cooperating with various
partners in emergency management.6 The division is the designated SAA for Florida for the
federal NSGP.
1
FEMA, Nonprofit Security Grant Program, available at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security (last
visited October 26, 2023). FEMA, FY 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Fact Sheet, February 7, 2023, available at
https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security/fy-23-fact-sheet (last visited October 31, 2023).
2
Id.
3
Id.
4
Id.
5
Section 252.35(1), F.S.
6
Section 252.35, F.S.
BILL: SB 6-C Page 3
The division regularly publishes an application guide for organizations to use for a variety of
federal emergency grants, including the NSGP.7 The application guide provides important
program information, including identification of key differences from the prior year’s
application, deadlines, funding restrictions, and permitted grant activities.8
For the federal fiscal year 2023 application, the DHS has identified the protection of soft targets
or crowded places as a national priority with three second-tier priorities of:
Effective planning;
Training and awareness campaigns; and
Exercises.9
More specific needs and goals are detailed within each of the priorities. Eligible nonprofit
organizations, as defined by the NSGP, apply through an application released by the division.10
Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program
In 2023, the Florida Legislature created the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (Program) within
the division.11 The Program provides grant awards to eligible nonprofit organizations, including
houses of worship and community centers, which are at high risk for violent attacks or hate
crimes who were deemed eligible for, but did not receive, funding from the federal NSGP within
the federal fiscal year.12
The grants may be used to increase safety and security, including, but not limited to, the
purchase and installation of:
Security infrastructure;
Perimeter lighting;
Door hardening;
Security camera systems;
Perimeter fencing;
Barriers and bollards;13
Blast-resistant film; and
7
Florida Division of Emergency Management, available at https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/preparedness/grants-unit/
(last visited October 26, 2023). The division website includes information about the FY 2023 application process,
identification of key changes in the process, a list of frequently asked questions, an application guide, and self-assessment
guide.
8
Florida Division of Emergency Management, Preparedness Bureau, Nonprofit Security Grant Program – FY 2023
Application Guide (March 2023), pg. 5, available at https://portal.floridadisaster.org/preparedness/External/Grants-
Unit/Nonprofit%20Security%20Grant%20Program/FY23/2023%20Florida%20NSGP%20Application%20Guide%2003.03.2
3%20-%20FINAL.pdf (last visited October 26, 2023).
9
Id.
10
Supra note 20 at 6-7. Eligible entities are those entities who are described under section 502(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of that same code; can demonstrate through the application that the
organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack; and is located within one of the Urban Area Security
Initiative designated areas. For FY 2023, those areas are Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami/Fort Lauderdale.
11
Chapter 2023-180, Laws of Florida.
12
Section 252.3712(2), F.S.
13
A bollard is a short sturdy post that is often used to protect the perimeter of a store and ensure the safety of the patrons. See
Julia Donigian, What are bollards and why do we need them?, available at https://www.mccue.com/blog/what-is-a-safety-
bollard (last visited October 30, 2023).
BILL: SB 6-C Page 4
Shatter-resistant glass for windows.14
Grant funds may also be used to hire security personnel and train security personnel and staff on
threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid.
The minimum grant that may be awarded is $10,000 and the maximum grant award is $150,000;
however, the total amount available in any given year is contingent upon the funding
appropriated to the Program.15 The Program was not funded in Fiscal Year 2023-2024. The
division must adopt rules to administer the Program, including providing criteria for awarding
grant funds to:
An owner of a facility for hardening security measures;
An owner or renter of a facility for nonhardening security measures; and
An owner or renter of a facility that has been operational for a period of at least 6 months or
that has received a number of threats based on need.16
The division has not yet publicly noticed rulemaking for the program. The division is authorized
to use up to 3 percent of any appropriation for the administration of the Program.17
The Program will be automatically repealed on January 1, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.18
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 amends the provisions governing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in s. 252.3712,
F.S., to:
Add schools and museums to the list of eligible nonprofit organizations;
Clarify that materials for door hardening are an acceptable use of awarded funds;
Change the eligibility requirement to provide that an applicant must only meet the federal
NSGP eligibility criteria rather than requiring the applicant to meet the federal NSGP
eligibility requirements, but not receive federal NSGP funding within the federal fiscal year;
Prioritize applicants that are houses of worship or whose facilities are frequented by children
or students on a daily basis; and
Require the division to submit a list of grants awarded to the President of the Senate and
Speaker of the House by June 1, 2024, and annually thereafter.
Section 2 requires the division to adopt administrative rules to administer the Program by
December 31, 2023, and authorizes the division to adopt emergency rules to implement the
Program.
Section 3 appropriates $10 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the
2023-2024 fiscal year to the division to implement the Program. The grants must be awarded no
14
Section 252.3712(1), F.S.
15
Section 252.3712(3), F.S.
16
Section 252.3712(5), F.S.
17
Section 252.3712(4), F.S.
18
Section 252.3712(6), F.S.
BILL: SB 6-C Page 5
later than March 1, 2024, and the unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year reverts and is
appropriated for the same purpose for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Section 4 appropriates $5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the
2023-2024 fiscal year to the Department of Education as fixed capital outlay to provide grants to
full-time Jewish day schools and Jewish preschools for hardening security measures. The grants
must be awarded no later than March 1, 2024. Hardening security measures include the purchase
and installation of security infrastructure, perimeter lighting, materials for door hardening,
security camera systems, perimeter fencing, barriers and bollards, and blast-resistant film and
shatter-resistant glass for windows.
Section 5 appropriates $20 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the
2023-2024 fiscal year to the Department of Education to provide grants to full-time Jewish day
schools and Jewish preschools for nonhardening security measures. The grants must be awarded
no later than March 1, 2024, and the unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year reverts and
is appropriated for the same purpose for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Nonhardening security
measures include hiring security personnel and providing training for security personnel and staff
on threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid.
Section 6 provides that the bill takes effect upon becoming a law.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
BILL: SB 6-C Page 6
B. Private Sector Impact:
Nonprofit organizations, including schools and museums, at high risk for violent attacks
or hate crimes, Jewish day schools, and Jewish preschools will be able to apply for
funding for the purchase and installation of security infrastructure or the addition or
training of security personnel or staff. Nonprofit organizations that receive a federal
NSGP grant may also be eligible to apply for and receive state funding for a similar
grant.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill appropriates:
$10 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the 2023-2024
fiscal year to the division to implement the Program; the unexpended balance at the
end of the fiscal year reverts and is appropriated for the same purpose for the 2024-
2025 fiscal year;
$5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the 2023-2024
fiscal year to the Department of Education as fixed capital outlay to provide grants to
full-time Jewish day schools and Jewish preschools for hardening security measures;
and
$20 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the 2023-2024
fiscal year to the Department of Education to provide grants to full-time Jewish day
schools and Jewish preschools for nonhardening security measures; the unexpended
balance at the end of the fiscal year reverts and is appropriated for the same purpose
for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill amends section 252.3712 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
BILL: SB 6-C Page 7
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.