Bill > H7007

This bill aims to bolster economic development in Florida by establishing an Economic Development Programs Evaluation process, revising reporting deadlines for the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) on the state's business climate, and providing a sales tax exemption for certain machinery and equipment used by eligible manufacturing businesses (NAICS codes 31, 32, and 33) until April 30, 2017. It also mandates that the DEO analyze each economic development incentive application for its economic benefits and publish information about state investments in economic development programs online. The bill expands the boundaries of enterprise zones that meet specific criteria, guarantees certain federal loans to local governments, and creates Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., a nonprofit corporation to manage a Recovery Fund for counties disproportionately affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster, with funds derived from economic damage recoveries. Additionally, it revises reporting requirements for various economic development programs, clarifies definitions related to jobs, and modifies the structure and operations of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, including the establishment of a statewide advisory board. The bill also adjusts the distribution of certain tax revenues, streamlines reporting for international offices, and enhances the oversight and reporting of economic development incentives to ensure accountability and transparency.