HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 1419 Department of Commerce
SPONSOR(S): Commerce Committee, Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee, Tuck
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/CS/SB 1420
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Regulatory Reform & Economic Development 15 Y, 0 N Bauldree Anstead
Subcommittee
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations 12 Y, 0 N, As CS McAuliffe Davis
Subcommittee
3) Commerce Committee 18 Y, 0 N, As CS Bauldree Hamon
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The bill provides for the following changes that all impact the Department of Commerce (Commerce):
 Requires local governments implementing transportation concurrency to credit the fair market value of
any land dedicated and provides that fees may be based on a cumulative analysis of trips from a previous
stage or phase that were not analyzed.
 Revises application of credits against local impacts for Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs).
 Revises review requirements for changes to DRIs and clarifies the application of vested rights in DRIs.
 Provides that if the local government doesn’t hold a second public hearing and adopt a comprehensive
plan amendment within 180 days after Commerce provides comments, the amendment is deemed
withdrawn; and provides that comprehensive plan amendments are deemed withdrawn if the local
government fails to transmit the comprehensive plan amendment to Commerce within 10 working days
after the final adoption hearing.
 Prohibits local governments from requiring certain approvals or fees before allowing the alteration or
removal of a tree on property used for the construction of a critical healthcare facility.
 Removes a requirement that the Florida Sports Foundation must continue amateur sports programs
previously conducted by the Florida Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Amateur Sports.
 Requires Commerce to establish a direct-support organization (DSO); renames the Florida Defense
Support Task Force; provides for organizational composition; revises the mission of the DSO; requires
the DSO to operate under a contract with Commerce; revises the due date for the annual r eport; and
provides a repeal date of October 1, 2029.
 Revises the term “businesses” to include healthcare facilities and allied health care opportunities, and
revises the funding priority purposes to provide that health care facilities, in addition to hosp itals, operated
by nonprofit or local government entities that provide opportunities in health care, are eligible for the
funding under the Incumbent Worker Training Program.
 Specifies that board members of the State Workforce Development Board are voting members of the
board.
 Extends the repayment period of the Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan Program from
five to 10 years and authorizes Commerce to amend existing loans executed before February 1, 2024, in
order to increase the loan term to a total of 10 years from the original date of execution.
 Specifies that a homeowner’s association’s proposed revived declaration of covenants and articles of
incorporation and bylaws must be submitted to Commerce within 60 days after obtaining valid writt en
consent from a majority of the affected parcel owners, or within 60 days after the date the documents are
approved by affected parcel owners by a vote at a meeting.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state or local government expenditu res or state government
revenues. The bill may impact local government revenues. See Fiscal Analysis & Economic Impact Statement.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024, except as otherwise expressly stated in the bill.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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 FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Florida Defense Support Task Force
Present Situation
In 2011,1 the Legislature created the Florida Defense Support Task Force (Task Force) with the
mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations to support the state’s
position in research and development related to or arising out of military missions and contracting, and
to improve the state’s military-friendly environment for servicemembers, military dependents, military
retirees, and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state.2
The task force is comprised of the Governor, or his or her designee, and 12 members comprised of four
members appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of
Representatives, respectively. Task Force members represent defense-related industries or
communities that host military bases and installations.3 With the exception of Legislative members,
Task Force members serve for a term of four years. Vacancies are to be filled for the remainder of the
unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment. Legislative members serve until the
expiration of their legislative term and may be reappointed once. All members are eligible for
reappointment.4 The President and the Speaker each designate one of their appointees to serve as
chair and the chair must rotate each July 1.5 The Secretary of the Department of Commerce, or his or
her designee, serves as the ex officio, nonvoting executive director. 6
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is required to contract with the task force for the
expenditure of appropriated funds, which may be used by the task force for:
 Economic and product research and development;
 Joint planning with host communities to accommodate military missions and prevent base
encroachment;
 Advocacy on the state’s behalf with federal civilian and military officials;
 Assistance to school districts in providing a smooth transition for large numbers of additional
military-related students;
 Job training and placement for military spouses in communities with high proportions of active
duty military personnel; and
 Promotion of the state to military and related contractors and employers. 7
The Task Force must submit an annual progress report and work plan to the Governor, the President,
and the Speaker each February 1.8
1 Chapter 2011-76, s. 38, Laws of Fla.
2 Section 288.987(2), F.S.
3 Section 288.987(3), F.S.
4 Section 288.987(3), F.S.
5 Section 288.987(4), F.S.
6 Section 288.987(5), F.S., actually states that the Secretary of Economic Opportunity serves as the ex officio, nonvoting exec utive
director; however, HB 5 from 2023 (enacted as Chapter 2023-173, Laws of Fla.) changed the name of the Department of Econom ic
Opportunity to the Department of Commerce.
7 Section 288.987(7), F.S.
8 Section 288.987(6), F.S.
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 Effect of the Bill
The bill requires Commerce to establish a direct-support organization (DSO) to support Florida’s
military and defense industries and communities, and renames the Florida Defense Support Task
Force as the DSO. The DSO must operate under a contract with Commerce which must provide that:
 Commerce may review the DSO’s articles of incorporation;
 The DSO must submit an annual budget proposal to Commerce;
 Any DSO funds held in a trust must revert to the state upon the expiration or cancellation of
the contract; and
 The DSO is subject to an annual compliance review by Commerce.
Commerce must determine and annually certify that the DSO is complying with the terms of the
contract and is doing so consistent with the goals and purposes of the organization and in the best
interests of the state.
The bill states that the DSO fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next succeeding
year. By August 15 of each fiscal year, Commerce must submit a proposed operating budget for the
DSO to the Governor, the President, and the Speaker. The DSO must also provide an annual financial
audit.
The bill specifies that, under certain provisions of law, the DSO is not an agency for purposes of leasing
buildings or for bids for printing. However, the DSO must comply with per diem and travel expense
requirements. Commerce may allow the DSO to use the property, facilities, personnel, and services of
Commerce if the DSO provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race,
color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The bill revises the mission of the DSO. In addition to carrying out the provisions of the Task Force
under current law, the DSO must assist with the coordination of economic and workforce development
efforts in military communities and assist in the planning and research and development related to
military missions, businesses, and military families. Additionally, the DSO is organized and operated to:
 Request, receive, hold, invest, and administer property;
 Manage and make expenditures related to its mission and for joint planning with host
communities to accommodate military missions and prevent base encroachment;
 Advocate on the state’s behalf with federal civilian and military officials;
 Promote of the state to military and related contractors and employers; and
 Support economic and product research and development activities of the defense industry.
As necessary and requested by Florida is for Veterans, Inc., the DSO may undertake such activities
that assist the corporation with job training and placement for military spouses in communities with high
proportions of active duty military personnel. Similarly, as necessary and requested by the Department
of Education, school districts, or Florida state colleges and universities, the DSO may undertake
activities that assist in providing a smooth transition for dependents of military personnel and other
military students. The DSO may complement, but not supplant, the activities of other state entities.
Under the bill, the DSO must be governed by a board of directors composed of the Governor, or his or
her designee, four members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives. All appointments in place as of July 1, 2024, must continue in effect
until the expiration of the term. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives must each appoint a current member who will serve as an ex officio, nonvoting
member until the expiration of the member’s legislative term. The member may be reappointed once.
Additionally, the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Adjutant
General of the Florida National Guard, or their designees, must serve as ex officio, nonvoting
members. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each
designate one of their appointees to serve as chair for a 2-year term and the chair must rotate on July 1
of each even-numbered year.
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 The bill specifies that employees and appointed board members, in their capacity of service on the
board, are not public employees for purposes of chapter 110 or chapter, 112, F.S. However, employees
and board members are subject to s. 112.061, F.S., relating to reimbursement for travel and per diem
exempts incurred while performing duties, and the code of ethics under chapter 112, F.S. Otherwise,
each board member must serve without compensation.
In the performance of its duties, the bill authorizes the DSO to make and enter into contracts as
necessary to carry out its mission. A proposed contract with a total cost of $750,000 or more is subject
to the noticing, review, and objection procedures provided in current law. The DSO may not divide one
proposed contract with a total cost of $750,000 or more into multiple contracts to circumvent the
prohibition. If the contract is contrary to legislative policy and intent, the DSO is prohibited from entering
into such contract.
The DSO is also authorized to establish grant programs and administer grant awards to support its
mission. The DSO must publicly adopt guidelines and application procedures, as well as publish such
guidelines, procedures, and awards on its website. The DSO may assist Commerce with any statutorily
established grants or other programs as requested and necessary, but may not administer such grants
on behalf of Commerce.
The bill changes the due date for an annual report from February 1 to November 1, which may be
included in the annual report of Commerce.
Under the bill, unless the section establishing the DSO is reviewed and saved from repeal by the
Legislature, the DSO is repealed on October 1, 2029.
Land Development/State Land Planning Agency
Present Situation
Comprehensive Plans
The Community Planning Act (Act), codified in Part II of Ch. 163, F.S., promotes the establishment and
implementation of comprehensive planning programs to guide and manage a local government’s
development.9 Through the comprehensive planning process, the Legislature intended that local
governments:
 Preserve, promote, protect, and improve public health, safety, comfort, good order,
appearance, convenience, law enforcement and fire prevention, and general welfare;
 Facilitate the adequate and efficient provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools,
parks, recreational facilities, housing, and other requirements and services; and
 Conserve, develop, utilize, and protect natural resources within their jurisdictions. 10
To that end, the Act requires each local government to adopt and maintain a comprehensive plan that
must provide the principles, guidelines, standards, and strategies for the orderly and balanced future
economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal development of the area. 11 Specifically, the
comprehensive plan must:
 Identify programs and activities for ensuring the comprehensive plan’s implementation;
 Establish meaningful and predictable standards for land use and development and meaningful
guidelines for the adoption of detailed land development regulations; 12 and
 Consist of elements set out in statute that must be based upon relevant and appropriate data
and an analysis by the local government that may involve surveys, studies, community goals
and vision, and other data available at the plan’s adoption or amendment. 13
9 S. 163.3161(2), F.S.
10 S. 163.3161(4), F.S.
11 S. 163.3177(1) and (2), F.S.
12 “Land development regulations” means ordinances enacted to regulate any land development aspect, including zoning, rezoning,
subdivision, building construction, and sign regulation. Within one year after submitting a new or revised comprehensive plan , a local
government must adopt or amend and enforce land development regulations that are consistent with the plan. S. 163.3164(26), F.S.
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 Commerce is the state land planning agency that administers these provisions.14 Current law requires
cooperation between Commerce, any ad hoc working groups appointed by Commerce, state and
regional agencies involved in the administration and implementation of the Community Planning Act,
and units of local government in the preparation and adoption of comprehensive plans, or elements or
portions thereof, and of local land development regulations.15
Comprehensive Plan Adoption
Each of Florida’s counties and municipalities has a comprehensive plan.16 However, a newly-
incorporated municipality must follow the state coordinated review process to adopt a comprehensive
plan, which begins with an initial public hearing during which the municipality’s governing body decides
whether to transmit the plan to the reviewing agencies;17 such decision must be by an affirmative vote
of at least a majority of the governing body’s members present at the hearing. 18 The municipality must
then, within 10 working days of the hearing, transmit the proposed comprehensive plan to:
 The reviewing agencies for comment or, if the reviewing agency is the state land planning
agency, for the production of the state land planning agency’s statutorily-required report;19 and
 Any other local government or government agency that filed a written request for a copy of the
plan with the municipality.20
Within 180 days after receipt