Bill > S0406

This bill establishes an Economic Development Programs Evaluation to be conducted by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), requiring them to analyze various economic development incentives and programs on a recurring schedule, assessing their economic benefits, job creation, and impact on the state's economy. It also mandates the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to submit an annual report on the business climate and economic development, incorporating reports from other programs, and requires the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to certify cigarette tax amounts until June 30, 2033. The bill introduces a sales tax exemption for clothing, school supplies, and personal computers during a specific weekend in August, with certain exclusions, and amends provisions related to tax credits for enterprise zones, including a limit per eligible location. Furthermore, it modifies reporting requirements for various economic development programs, including those for spaceflight projects, international offices, and rural economic development, and establishes a new process for the DEO to review and evaluate economic development incentive applications based on projected economic benefits. The bill also creates a new section for return on investment reporting for economic development programs, requiring the DEO to publish detailed project information and performance data online, and establishes a certification process for applicants seeking state funding for spring training franchise facilities, outlining specific criteria and funding limits. Additionally, it amends definitions for "jobs" in economic development contexts, revises criteria for brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds, and adjusts reporting timelines and content for several economic development initiatives, including those related to the entertainment industry, black business loans, and innovation incentives, while also modifying tax credit limits for qualified investments and updating reporting requirements for enterprise zone development agencies and Space Florida.