The bill CS/CS/HB 991 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the regulatory framework for community redevelopment agencies, economic development initiatives, and several professional licensing sectors. It establishes a termination date for community redevelopment agencies, prohibiting them from initiating new projects or issuing new debt after October 1, 2025, unless specific conditions are met. The bill also creates the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce, which will oversee the Renaissance Grants Program aimed at providing block grants to eligible rural communities. Additionally, it mandates operational audits for community redevelopment agencies and requires annual reporting on grant recipients, while introducing the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program to support smart technology projects in rural areas.
Furthermore, the bill shifts regulatory authority from various boards to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, streamlining processes for licensing and certification across multiple professions, including contractors, appraisers, and engineers. Key changes include the removal of specific continuing education requirements, the introduction of fingerprinting for background checks, and the establishment of new provisions for veterans seeking licensure. The bill also emphasizes the importance of compliance with professional standards and outlines penalties for violations, aiming to enhance accountability and operational efficiency in the regulatory landscape. Overall, the legislation seeks to bolster economic development, particularly in rural areas, while modernizing and clarifying the regulatory processes for various professions in Florida.
Statutes affected: H 991 Filed: 163.3755
H 991 c1: 163.3755
H 991 c2: 163.3755, 20.165, 212.08, 215.55871, 309.01, 310.0015, 310.002, 310.051, 310.061, 310.073, 310.075, 310.081, 310.111, 310.1115, 310.121, 310.131, 310.142, 310.183, 310.185, 319.28, 326.002, 376.303, 403.868, 403.9329, 440.02, 448.26, 468.382, 468.3852, 468.387, 468.392, 468.397, 468.398, 468.431, 468.4336, 468.435, 468.520, 468.522, 468.5245, 468.527, 468.5275, 468.531, 468.532, 468.603, 468.606, 468.607, 468.613, 468.629, 468.631, 468.8312, 468.8315, 468.8415, 468.8417, 469.004, 469.013, 471.003, 471.0035, 471.011, 471.013, 471.017, 471.023, 471.045, 472.003, 472.005, 473.3035, 473.304, 473.305, 473.311, 473.313, 473.319, 473.3205, 473.321, 474.202, 474.2065, 474.211, 474.213, 474.216, 474.217, 474.221, 476.034, 476.154, 476.155, 476.192, 476.214, 476.234, 477.016, 477.018, 477.0212, 477.026, 477.028, 481.207, 481.209, 481.211, 481.217, 481.222, 481.303, 481.306, 481.307, 481.309, 481.310, 481.311, 481.315, 481.317, 481.319, 481.323, 489.103, 489.108, 489.1131, 489.1136, 489.114, 489.118, 489.121, 489.126, 489.127, 489.132, 489.142, 489.1425, 489.1455, 489.146, 489.509, 489.510, 489.514, 489.516, 489.5161, 489.520, 489.523, 489.525, 489.5335, 489.552, 492.102, 492.104, 492.106, 492.107, 492.108, 492.1101, 492.111, 493.6105, 493.6106, 493.6113, 493.6120, 493.6123, 493.6201, 493.6202, 493.6203, 493.6302, 493.6304, 493.631, 493.6402, 493.6403, 493.6406, 514.0315, 514.075, 553.791, 553.998, 569.34, 627.192, 633.216, 713.01, 1006.12, 373.219, 455.213, 471.015, 473.308, 476.188, 499.0121, 499.041, 509.261, 569.006, 569.35, 215.971, 218.67, 288.007, 288.019, 288.065, 288.1226, 339.0801, 339.2817, 339.68, 420.9073, 420.9075, 163.3187, 212.205, 257.191, 257.193, 265.283, 443.191, 571.26, 571.265, 553.79, 475.175, 475.180, 475.182, 475.613, 475.25, 475.612, 475.614, 475.6145, 475.6147, 475.615, 475.617, 475.6171, 475.618, 475.619, 475.6222, 475.624, 475.6245, 475.625, 475.627, 475.628, 475.629, 475.630, 475.631