The bill amends Florida Statutes concerning impact fees by introducing new definitions and requirements to enhance the methodology and transparency of impact fee assessments. It defines "plan-based methodology" as a study approach that utilizes the most recent localized data to project growth and its capacity impacts over a ten-year period, mandating that certain interlocal agreements employ this methodology. The term "extraordinary circumstances" is established to describe measurable effects of development that require mitigation beyond current impact fee amounts. Additionally, any study justifying an increase in impact fees must be based on this plan-based methodology and include a declaration detailing the intended use of the increased fees. The bill also restricts local governments from using outdated data and prohibits deductions from previous impact fees in new assessments.

In a separate provision, the bill CS/HB 1139 amends laws regarding the use of proceeds from local government infrastructure surtaxes, allowing counties and charter counties to use these funds for various purposes, including energy efficiency improvements and landfill closures, contingent upon local government ordinances approved by referendum. It clarifies the definition of "infrastructure" to encompass public facilities and emergency shelters, and allows local governments to allocate up to 15 percent of surtax proceeds for economic development projects. The bill specifies that the ballot statement for the surtax must indicate this allocation intention and outlines the distribution of surtax revenues shared with eligible charter schools based on enrollment. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1139 Filed: 163.3177, 163.3180, 163.31801, 212.055
H 1139 c1: 163.3177, 163.3180, 212.055