Bill > H0217

Introduced Session

An act relating to film, television, and digital media project rebate program; creating s. 288.1259, F.S.; providing definitions; creating the Targeted High Wage Production Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity under the supervision of the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment; providing the purpose of the program; requiring that film, television, and digital media projects being produced in the state meet specified criteria in order to be eligible for a rebate under the program; authorizing applicants to receive rebates up to a specified amount; providing that an applicant is eligible to receive a bonus under certain circumstances; requiring an applicant to make certain good faith efforts; requiring the commissioner to accept applications for the program during certain application periods; providing requirements for the department relating to earmarking and setting aside rebate funds; providing that a project may be offered a partial rebate in certain circumstances; providing procedures and requirements for the application process; requiring the commissioner to review program applications and take specified action within a reasonable period of time; requiring the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council to determine a hb0217-00 HB 217 score for each qualified project using specified criteria; requiring the commissioner to determine the priority order and scoring system of such specified criteria with assistance from the council and certain other persons; providing requirements for such specified criteria; requiring the commissioner to take certain actions relating to the certification or rejection of qualified projects in a timely manner; requiring the department to earmark and set aside certain funds, if such funds are available; requiring the commissioner to develop a process to verify the actual qualified expenditures and rebate bonus eligibility of a certified project after the project's work in the state is complete; providing requirements for the verification process; requiring a certified public accountant to complete a compliance audit to substantiate each qualified expenditure and submit an audit report to the commissioner; requiring the commissioner to review the compliance audit report and provide certain information to the department; requiring that the rebate be issued within a reasonable period of time after approval of the final rebate amount by the department; requiring a certified project to include a marketing component and promote the state as a destination for certain purposes; hb0217-00 HB 217 requiring a certified project to allow certain persons to visit the production site upon request of the commissioner; requiring a certified project to provide photos of the production to the commissioner for certain promotion purposes; requiring the department to disqualify a certified project from the program under certain circumstances; providing for liability of and imposing civil penalties on an applicant that submits fraudulent information; providing for rulemaking; requiring the commissioner to provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on a specified date; providing that certain appropriated funds are not subject to reversion except upon expiration of the program; providing for the expiration of the program; providing that the program shall be funded in a certain manner, subject to legislative appropriation; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Dana Trabulsy (R)*,  Vance Aloupis (R),  Kristen Arrington (D),  Webster Barnaby (R),  Christopher Benjamin (D),  Demi Busatta Cabrera (R),  Mike Caruso (R),  Linda Chaney (R),  Mike Gottlieb (D),  Michael Grieco (D),  Fred Hawkins (R),  Christine Hunschofsky (D),  Dotie Joseph (D),  Sam Killebrew (R),  Andrew Learned (D),  Patt Maney (R),  Jim Mooney (R),  Daisy Morales (D),  Anika Omphroy (D),  Rene Plasencia (R),  Michelle Salzman (R),  David Silvers (D),  Kelly Skidmore (D),  David Smith (R),  Allison Tant (D),  Jackeline Toledo (R),  Susan L. Valdés (R),  Marie Woodson (D), 

Died in Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee (on 03/14/2022)

Official Document