Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that requires the Department of Revenue to report the state sales tax rate and discretionary sales surtax rate as zero for any certified address with a special five-digit zip code in Florida.

Highlights:

• Expands the ways in which fiscally constrained counties located on Florida's coast may spend revenue derived from the tourist development tax (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the spending of such tax revenues on the employment, training, and equipping of certified lifeguards (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the owners of citrus packinghouse and processor equipment to file appraisal applications and establishes relevant deadlines for this process (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the aforementioned authorization shall apply retroactively (Sec. 4).

• Extends the time in which lands taken out of production shall still be considered agricultural lands for assessment purposes from 5 to 10 years after removal (Sec. 5).

• Increases the timeframe in which a property appraiser must provide a petitioner with their submitted evidence from 7 to 15 days prior to a hearing (Sec. 7).

• Increases the maximum permitted filing fee for petitions from $15 to $50 (Sec. 8).

• Amends the timeframe in which a refund of certain overpayments of ad valorem taxes accrue interest (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes petitioners in counties of over 75 thousand people to appear at their hearing virtually upon filing advance written notice and specifies the ways in which counties must accommodate such requests (Sec. 10).

• Requires counties to provide petitioners with information regarding such a virtual option (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes taxpayers receiving final action by the value adjustment board to bring action within 30 days (Sec. 11).

• Specifies that flight simulation devices and related property are considered to be owned by a governmental unit if such devices will revert to that unit upon the expiration of a lease (Sec. 12).

• Authorizes successive owners of certain property receiving a tax exemption to continue receiving such an exemption through ownership changes (Sec. 15).

• Expands the definition of a multifamily project to include property subject to a land use restriction agreement with a housing finance authority and specifies that such properties are eligible for certain tax exemptions (Sec. 15-16).

• Specifies that land leases from nonprofit entities for personal use by low income individuals shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes (Sec. 15-16).

• Establishes a charitable-use ad valorem tax exemption for portions of state-owned property used to continuously provide more than 70 units of affordable housing to low-income individuals that meets certain criteria (Sec. 18-20).

• Authorizes the appraiser to make a final determination regarding eligibility for the aforementioned exemption (Sec. 18-20).

• Requires the appraiser to serve properties which have received such an exemption in the past 10 years but are believed to have been ineligible with a tax lien (Sec. 18-20).

• Establishes a penalty for properties improperly granted an exemption at a value equivalent to all exempted taxes plus a penalty of 50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and interest at a rate of 15% annually (Sec. 18-20).

• Specifies the application process to be considered for such an exemption (Sec. 20).

• Specifies that portions of real property used by a child care facility that has achieved certain certifications shall be considered of educational use if the operator of a facility is responsible for payment of ad valorem taxes in their lease (Sec. 21).

• Requires that the owner of such property disclose to the facility operator the total amount of the benefit derived from the exemption and the method for ensuring that the operator receives the benefit (Sec. 21).

• Specifies that taxes collected are subject to service changes (Sec. 21-23).

• Repeals previously required funding for the State Housing Trust Fund by an amount up to $150 million (Sec. 23). 

• Repeals previously required capital funding for the New Starts Transit Program and reduces overall State Transportation Trust Fund required funding by $106 million (Sec. 23). 

• Repeals previously required funding for the Rail Enterprise in the amount of $60 million (Sec. 23). 

• Requires that counties and municipalities prioritize the timely review, processing, and approval of permit applications for the use of rights-of-way by communications services (Sec. 24).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue to respond to contact from taxpayers and consider supplemental information without commencing an audit so long as the review takes place within 60 days of notice (Sec. 25-51).

• Specifies that taxpayers are entitled to an extension should an audit be commenced within 60 days of notice (Sec. 25).

• Amends a civil penalty for failure to maintain a valid natural gas fuel retailer license to remain in effect through December 31, 2029 (Sec. 31).

• Amends an additional civil penalty for failure to maintain a valid natural gas fuel retailer license to take effect January 1, 2030 (Sec. 31).

• Amends the start dates of various fuel and excise taxes to take effect between 2030 and 2031 and specifies similar extensions for departmental directives and the filing of taxes (Sec. 32).

• Exempts the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Cup Series Championship Race from the imposition of taxes (Sec. 38).

• Exempts admission fees to state parks from the imposition of taxes (Sec. 38).

• Authorizes a governing board or school board to reduce or repeal a surtax it has levied after 4 years under specified circumstances (Sec. 41).

• Repeals specific requirements and applications relating to the Florida mileage to total mileage ratio used to calculate the basis of taxes charged to air carriers (Sec. 42).

• Specifies additional documentation that must be included in a Florida Certificate of Forwarding Agent Address application in the case of a special five-digit zip postal code is assigned (Sec. 43).

• Exempts individuals already registered as dealers who have been granted a certificate of registration for a place of business where their designated address is located from applying to register as a dealer (Sec. 43).

• Requires a forwarding agent to surrender its certificate within 30 days of specified material changes to their operations or address (Sec. 43).

• Specifies that the tax rates for special five-digit zip postal codes are to be recorded as zero (Sec. 43).

• Limits the circumstances under which dealers may collect and record taxes (Sec. 43).

• Establishes a bax-to-school tax holiday during the month of August and exempts certain clothing and education items from the imposition of taxes under specified circumstances (Sec. 45).

• Increases the megawattage required to constitute a data center from 15 to 100 megawatts (Sec. 46). 

• Amends the date after which certain tax exemptions may not be issued to 2037 (Sec. 46).

• Expands the circumstances under which the sale of gold, silver, or platinum bullion is tax exempt (Sec. 46).

• Exempts the following safety devices, under certain circumstances (Sec. 46):

• Batteries;

• Smoke detectors;

• Carbon monoxide alarms;

• Fire extinguishers;

• Portable generators;

• Waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems;

• Portable gas cans;

• Life jackets;

• Sunscreen; and

• Insect repellent.

• Repeals a tax exemption for bookstore operations at postsecondary educational institutions (Sec. 47).

• Specifies aviation fuel as fuel used in intrastate commerce which does not qualify for the proration of tax (Sec. 48).

• Prohibits the issuance of an existing tax credit for contributions to eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations after July 1, 2025 (Sec. 48).

• Authorizes businesses to claim unspent credits as refunds and specifies the manner in which applications will be considered (Sec. 48).

• Exempts from confidentiality certain state tax information regarding tax credits for the purpose of information exchanges between departments (Sec. 54).

• Repeals certain restrictions relating to the deduction of service charges (Sec. 57).

• Repeals an appropriation exemption relating to the Documentary Stamp Clearing Trust Fund (Sec. 58).

• Establishes an allowed tax credit of 100% of eligible contributions made to eligible charitable organizations and specifies the manner in which these credits are to be calculated and applied (Sec. 64).

• Requires the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and OPPAGA to conduct an analysis of the Rural Community Investment Program once every 3 years (Sec. 65).

• Establishes the Rural Community Investment Program and authorizes the program to certify applicants who meet specified criteria relating to economic impact as rural funds (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the program to make tax credits available to individuals who make contributions to rural funds at an amount of 25% of contributions up to an annual sum of $7 million (Sec. 66).

• Requires that the aforementioned credits be issued under specified conditions and be accompanied by certain notifications and certifications (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds collect investor contributions within 90 days of certification and notify the department of completed collection within 95 days (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that fraud, failure to adhere to the specified procedures, or withdrawal from the program shall result in the revocation of credits issued to rural funds (Sec. 66).

• Specifies the ways in which taxpayers may and may not apply earned tax credits (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that earned tax credits are non refundable and non-transferable except under specified conditions (Sec. 66).

• Requires that taxpayers transferring credits in accordance with the specified exceptions receive approval from the department prior to claiming transferred credits and requires that the department respond within 30 days (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the department to recapture credits should rural funds fail to adhere to the following investment schedule (Sec. 66):

• Invest 60% of investment authority in eligible business before its second credit certification date;

• Invest 100% of investment authority in eligible businesses before its third credit certification date, with at least 70% of such eligible investments made in rural communities; and

• Maintain the aforementioned 100% investment rate while enrolled in the program.

• Specifies the manner in which an initial notification and final order to recapture must be issued by the department (Sec. 66).

• Establishes a 6-month period between an initial notification and final order during which a rural fund may come back into compliance and specifies that such a correctional period may only be used once in a 5-year period (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes investigation and prosecution in the event of fraud and establishes liability of an amount equal to double the tax credits fraudulently claimed (Sec. 66).

• Requires the department to offer revoked credits to rural funds which received fewer credits than the amount for which they applied prior to issuance to new applicants (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the department to waive requirements relating to rural communities should the business be located on agricultural lands (Sec. 66).

• Requires that the rural fund verify the eligibility of business prior to making investments and requires that the department make a determination within 15 days (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes rural funds to seek to exit the program 6 years after certification and requires that the department make a determination within 15 days (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds submit to the department a report on or before the 15th business day after the second and third certification dates (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds submit to the department a report on or before the fourth certification date and annually while enrolled in the program and specifies what information is to be included (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that applications shall be considered through December 1, 2029 (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that the aforementioned provisions relating to the department shall expire upon December 31, 2040 (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue and the Department of Commerce to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of implementing provisions related to the Rural Community Investment Program for 6 months upon enactment (Sec. 67).

• Repeals references to the aviation fuel tax (Sec. 68).

• Repeals a commercial rental tax exemption for the Strategic Intermodal System and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise for the purpose of capital improvement (Sec. 68).

• Repeals provisions relating to the annual appropriation of funds to the State Transportation Trust Fund and the Florida Rail Enterprise (Sec. 74-75).

• Repeals a provision exempting leases, rentals, and licenses to use real property granted to agents of the enterprise and the high-speed rail system from taxes (Sec. 76).

• Repeals a prohibition that certain funds may not be provided from those dedicated to the Florida Rail Enterprise (Sec. 77).

• Establishes a Home Away from Home Tax Credit (Sec. 79).

• Requires that the Florida Department of Health make eligible charitable organizations that expend 100% of contributions received on specified housing needs and requires that the aforementioned organizations take certain steps to maintain their eligibility (Sec. 79).

• Prohibits organizations which provide or pay for abortions from being considered under this program (Sec. 79).

• Requires that enrolled organizations submit certain documentation, receipts, notifications, and an annual audit containing specified information to the department (Sec. 79).

• Requires that the department annually redesignate eligible and ineligible organization status based on specified criteria and establishes other departmental duties (Sec. 79).

• Authorizes the department to compel the return of funds from organizations found by departmental procedure to not be in compliance with eligibility provisions (Sec. 79).

• Requires the department to submit certain documentation and a report containing specified information to the Legislature (Sec. 79).

• Establishes a cap for the aforementioned tax credit at the amount of $13 million annually (Sec. 79).

• Specifies the manner in which a taxpayer may apply for the credit and specifies the manner in which the department must consider the application and apply the credit (Sec. 79).

• Specifies that earned tax credits are non-transferable except under specified conditions (Sec. 79).

• Requires that taxpayers transferring credits in accordance with the specified exceptions receive approval from the department prior to claiming transferred credits (Sec. 79).

• Specifies details surrounding the calculation of underpayment of taxes and interest penalties (Sec. 79).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue, the division, and the Department of Health to develop a cooperative agreement to administer the aforementioned provisions and authorizes each to adopt rules and share information as is necessary (Sec. 79.).

• Amends funding for the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program such that allocations are at the discretion of the Legislature (Sec. 80).

• Exempts thoroughbred permit holders in compliance with specified requirements from an otherwise required annual license fee (Sec. 82-83).

• Increases the percentage of surplus State Treasury funds spent on specific healthcare institutions from 13% to 26% and increases the total allowed funding from $30 million to $60 million (Sec. 84).

• Specifies that a Home Away from Home Tax Credit shall not exceed 90% of the tax due on the return on which the credit is taken (Sec. 85).

• Repeals $5 million in spending allocated to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (Sec. 86).

• Increases spending allocated to the Gulfstream park Racing Association from $2 million to $6 million (Sec. 86).

• Increases spending allocated to Tampa Bay Downs, Inc. from $500,000 to $1.5 million (Sec. 86).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of implementing provisions related to the Home Away from Home Tax Credit (Sec. 89).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of repealing tax on rental or license fees (Sec. 92).

• Requires that the Office of Economic and Demographic Research conduct a study of the property tax structure and the expenditure of property tax revenues by recipient local governments and political subdivisions with a focus on the taxation of homestead property and specifies what analysis the study must include (Sec. 97).

• Requires that the office submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature following the completion of the study (Sec. 97).

• Authorizes the office to contract as needed with outside entities and requires the Department of Revenue to support these efforts (Sec. 97).

• Appropriates $1 million to the office in FY 2025-2026 for the purpose of conducting the aforementioned study (Sec. 97).

• Exempts certain hunting, camping, and fishing-related items from certain taxes between September 8 and December 31, 2025 (Sec. 98).

• Appropriates $155,282 in nonrecurring FY 2024-2025 funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue for the purpose of implementing the Home Away From Home Tax Credit (Sec. 99).

• Appropriates $500,000 in FY 2025-2026 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties (Sec. 100).

• Specifies that the aforementioned provisions shall take effect July 1, 2025 unless otherwise specified (Sec. 101).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that requires the Department of Revenue to report the state sales tax rate and discretionary sales surtax rate as zero for any certified address with a special five-digit zip code in Florida.

Highlights:

• Expands the ways in which fiscally constrained counties located on Florida's coast may spend revenue derived from the tourist development tax (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the spending of such tax revenues on the employment, training, and equipping of certified lifeguards (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the owners of citrus packinghouse and processor equipment to file appraisal applications and establishes relevant deadlines for this process (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the aforementioned authorization shall apply retroactively (Sec. 4).

• Extends the time in which lands taken out of production shall still be considered agricultural lands for assessment purposes from 5 to 10 years after removal (Sec. 5).

• Increases the timeframe in which a property appraiser must provide a petitioner with their submitted evidence from 7 to 15 days prior to a hearing (Sec. 7).

• Increases the maximum permitted filing fee for petitions from $15 to $50 (Sec. 8).

• Amends the timeframe in which a refund of certain overpayments of ad valorem taxes accrue interest (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes petitioners in counties of over 75 thousand people to appear at their hearing virtually upon filing advance written notice and specifies the ways in which counties must accommodate such requests (Sec. 10).

• Requires counties to provide petitioners with information regarding such a virtual option (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes taxpayers receiving final action by the value adjustment board to bring action within 30 days (Sec. 11).

• Specifies that flight simulation devices and related property are considered to be owned by a governmental unit if such devices will revert to that unit upon the expiration of a lease (Sec. 12).

• Authorizes successive owners of certain property receiving a tax exemption to continue receiving such an exemption through ownership changes (Sec. 15).

• Expands the definition of a multifamily project to include property subject to a land use restriction agreement with a housing finance authority and specifies that such properties are eligible for certain tax exemptions (Sec. 15-16).

• Specifies that land leases from nonprofit entities for personal use by low income individuals shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes (Sec. 15-16).

• Establishes a charitable-use ad valorem tax exemption for portions of state-owned property used to continuously provide more than 70 units of affordable housing to low-income individuals that meets certain criteria (Sec. 18-20).

• Authorizes the appraiser to make a final determination regarding eligibility for the aforementioned exemption (Sec. 18-20).

• Requires the appraiser to serve properties which have received such an exemption in the past 10 years but are believed to have been ineligible with a tax lien (Sec. 18-20).

• Establishes a penalty for properties improperly granted an exemption at a value equivalent to all exempted taxes plus a penalty of 50% of the unpaid taxes for each year and interest at a rate of 15% annually (Sec. 18-20).

• Specifies the application process to be considered for such an exemption (Sec. 20).

• Specifies that portions of real property used by a child care facility that has achieved certain certifications shall be considered of educational use if the operator of a facility is responsible for payment of ad valorem taxes in their lease (Sec. 21).

• Requires that the owner of such property disclose to the facility operator the total amount of the benefit derived from the exemption and the method for ensuring that the operator receives the benefit (Sec. 21).

• Specifies that taxes collected are subject to service changes (Sec. 21-23).

• Repeals previously required funding for the State Housing Trust Fund by an amount up to $150 million (Sec. 23). 

• Repeals previously required capital funding for the New Starts Transit Program and reduces overall State Transportation Trust Fund required funding by $106 million (Sec. 23). 

• Repeals previously required funding for the Rail Enterprise in the amount of $60 million (Sec. 23). 

• Requires that counties and municipalities prioritize the timely review, processing, and approval of permit applications for the use of rights-of-way by communications services (Sec. 24).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue to respond to contact from taxpayers and consider supplemental information without commencing an audit so long as the review takes place within 60 days of notice (Sec. 25-51).

• Specifies that taxpayers are entitled to an extension should an audit be commenced within 60 days of notice (Sec. 25).

• Amends a civil penalty for failure to maintain a valid natural gas fuel retailer license to remain in effect through December 31, 2029 (Sec. 31).

• Amends an additional civil penalty for failure to maintain a valid natural gas fuel retailer license to take effect January 1, 2030 (Sec. 31).

• Amends the start dates of various fuel and excise taxes to take effect between 2030 and 2031 and specifies similar extensions for departmental directives and the filing of taxes (Sec. 32).

• Exempts the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Cup Series Championship Race from the imposition of taxes (Sec. 38).

• Exempts admission fees to state parks from the imposition of taxes (Sec. 38).

• Authorizes a governing board or school board to reduce or repeal a surtax it has levied after 4 years under specified circumstances (Sec. 41).

• Repeals specific requirements and applications relating to the Florida mileage to total mileage ratio used to calculate the basis of taxes charged to air carriers (Sec. 42).

• Specifies additional documentation that must be included in a Florida Certificate of Forwarding Agent Address application in the case of a special five-digit zip postal code is assigned (Sec. 43).

• Exempts individuals already registered as dealers who have been granted a certificate of registration for a place of business where their designated address is located from applying to register as a dealer (Sec. 43).

• Requires a forwarding agent to surrender its certificate within 30 days of specified material changes to their operations or address (Sec. 43).

• Specifies that the tax rates for special five-digit zip postal codes are to be recorded as zero (Sec. 43).

• Limits the circumstances under which dealers may collect and record taxes (Sec. 43).

• Establishes a bax-to-school tax holiday during the month of August and exempts certain clothing and education items from the imposition of taxes under specified circumstances (Sec. 45).

• Increases the megawattage required to constitute a data center from 15 to 100 megawatts (Sec. 46). 

• Amends the date after which certain tax exemptions may not be issued to 2037 (Sec. 46).

• Expands the circumstances under which the sale of gold, silver, or platinum bullion is tax exempt (Sec. 46).

• Exempts the following safety devices, under certain circumstances (Sec. 46):

• Batteries;

• Smoke detectors;

• Carbon monoxide alarms;

• Fire extinguishers;

• Portable generators;

• Waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems;

• Portable gas cans;

• Life jackets;

• Sunscreen; and

• Insect repellent.

• Repeals a tax exemption for bookstore operations at postsecondary educational institutions (Sec. 47).

• Specifies aviation fuel as fuel used in intrastate commerce which does not qualify for the proration of tax (Sec. 48).

• Prohibits the issuance of an existing tax credit for contributions to eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations after July 1, 2025 (Sec. 48).

• Authorizes businesses to claim unspent credits as refunds and specifies the manner in which applications will be considered (Sec. 48).

• Exempts from confidentiality certain state tax information regarding tax credits for the purpose of information exchanges between departments (Sec. 54).

• Repeals certain restrictions relating to the deduction of service charges (Sec. 57).

• Repeals an appropriation exemption relating to the Documentary Stamp Clearing Trust Fund (Sec. 58).

• Establishes an allowed tax credit of 100% of eligible contributions made to eligible charitable organizations and specifies the manner in which these credits are to be calculated and applied (Sec. 64).

• Requires the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and OPPAGA to conduct an analysis of the Rural Community Investment Program once every 3 years (Sec. 65).

• Establishes the Rural Community Investment Program and authorizes the program to certify applicants who meet specified criteria relating to economic impact as rural funds (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the program to make tax credits available to individuals who make contributions to rural funds at an amount of 25% of contributions up to an annual sum of $7 million (Sec. 66).

• Requires that the aforementioned credits be issued under specified conditions and be accompanied by certain notifications and certifications (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds collect investor contributions within 90 days of certification and notify the department of completed collection within 95 days (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that fraud, failure to adhere to the specified procedures, or withdrawal from the program shall result in the revocation of credits issued to rural funds (Sec. 66).

• Specifies the ways in which taxpayers may and may not apply earned tax credits (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that earned tax credits are non refundable and non-transferable except under specified conditions (Sec. 66).

• Requires that taxpayers transferring credits in accordance with the specified exceptions receive approval from the department prior to claiming transferred credits and requires that the department respond within 30 days (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the department to recapture credits should rural funds fail to adhere to the following investment schedule (Sec. 66):

• Invest 60% of investment authority in eligible business before its second credit certification date;

• Invest 100% of investment authority in eligible businesses before its third credit certification date, with at least 70% of such eligible investments made in rural communities; and

• Maintain the aforementioned 100% investment rate while enrolled in the program.

• Specifies the manner in which an initial notification and final order to recapture must be issued by the department (Sec. 66).

• Establishes a 6-month period between an initial notification and final order during which a rural fund may come back into compliance and specifies that such a correctional period may only be used once in a 5-year period (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes investigation and prosecution in the event of fraud and establishes liability of an amount equal to double the tax credits fraudulently claimed (Sec. 66).

• Requires the department to offer revoked credits to rural funds which received fewer credits than the amount for which they applied prior to issuance to new applicants (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the department to waive requirements relating to rural communities should the business be located on agricultural lands (Sec. 66).

• Requires that the rural fund verify the eligibility of business prior to making investments and requires that the department make a determination within 15 days (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes rural funds to seek to exit the program 6 years after certification and requires that the department make a determination within 15 days (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds submit to the department a report on or before the 15th business day after the second and third certification dates (Sec. 66).

• Requires that rural funds submit to the department a report on or before the fourth certification date and annually while enrolled in the program and specifies what information is to be included (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that applications shall be considered through December 1, 2029 (Sec. 66).

• Specifies that the aforementioned provisions relating to the department shall expire upon December 31, 2040 (Sec. 66).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue and the Department of Commerce to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of implementing provisions related to the Rural Community Investment Program for 6 months upon enactment (Sec. 67).

• Repeals references to the aviation fuel tax (Sec. 68).

• Repeals a commercial rental tax exemption for the Strategic Intermodal System and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise for the purpose of capital improvement (Sec. 68).

• Repeals provisions relating to the annual appropriation of funds to the State Transportation Trust Fund and the Florida Rail Enterprise (Sec. 74-75).

• Repeals a provision exempting leases, rentals, and licenses to use real property granted to agents of the enterprise and the high-speed rail system from taxes (Sec. 76).

• Repeals a prohibition that certain funds may not be provided from those dedicated to the Florida Rail Enterprise (Sec. 77).

• Establishes a Home Away from Home Tax Credit (Sec. 79).

• Requires that the Florida Department of Health make eligible charitable organizations that expend 100% of contributions received on specified housing needs and requires that the aforementioned organizations take certain steps to maintain their eligibility (Sec. 79).

• Prohibits organizations which provide or pay for abortions from being considered under this program (Sec. 79).

• Requires that enrolled organizations submit certain documentation, receipts, notifications, and an annual audit containing specified information to the department (Sec. 79).

• Requires that the department annually redesignate eligible and ineligible organization status based on specified criteria and establishes other departmental duties (Sec. 79).

• Authorizes the department to compel the return of funds from organizations found by departmental procedure to not be in compliance with eligibility provisions (Sec. 79).

• Requires the department to submit certain documentation and a report containing specified information to the Legislature (Sec. 79).

• Establishes a cap for the aforementioned tax credit at the amount of $13 million annually (Sec. 79).

• Specifies the manner in which a taxpayer may apply for the credit and specifies the manner in which the department must consider the application and apply the credit (Sec. 79).

• Specifies that earned tax credits are non-transferable except under specified conditions (Sec. 79).

• Requires that taxpayers transferring credits in accordance with the specified exceptions receive approval from the department prior to claiming transferred credits (Sec. 79).

• Specifies details surrounding the calculation of underpayment of taxes and interest penalties (Sec. 79).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue, the division, and the Department of Health to develop a cooperative agreement to administer the aforementioned provisions and authorizes each to adopt rules and share information as is necessary (Sec. 79.).

• Amends funding for the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program such that allocations are at the discretion of the Legislature (Sec. 80).

• Exempts thoroughbred permit holders in compliance with specified requirements from an otherwise required annual license fee (Sec. 82-83).

• Increases the percentage of surplus State Treasury funds spent on specific healthcare institutions from 13% to 26% and increases the total allowed funding from $30 million to $60 million (Sec. 84).

• Specifies that a Home Away from Home Tax Credit shall not exceed 90% of the tax due on the return on which the credit is taken (Sec. 85).

• Repeals $5 million in spending allocated to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (Sec. 86).

• Increases spending allocated to the Gulfstream park Racing Association from $2 million to $6 million (Sec. 86).

• Increases spending allocated to Tampa Bay Downs, Inc. from $500,000 to $1.5 million (Sec. 86).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of implementing provisions related to the Home Away from Home Tax Credit (Sec. 89).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt existing emergency rules for the purpose of repealing tax on rental or license fees (Sec. 92).

• Requires that the Office of Economic and Demographic Research conduct a study of the property tax structure and the expenditure of property tax revenues by recipient local governments and political subdivisions with a focus on the taxation of homestead property and specifies what analysis the study must include (Sec. 97).

• Requires that the office submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature following the completion of the study (Sec. 97).

• Authorizes the office to contract as needed with outside entities and requires the Department of Revenue to support these efforts (Sec. 97).

• Appropriates $1 million to the office in FY 2025-2026 for the purpose of conducting the aforementioned study (Sec. 97).

• Exempts certain hunting, camping, and fishing-related items from certain taxes between September 8 and December 31, 2025 (Sec. 98).

• Appropriates $155,282 in nonrecurring FY 2024-2025 funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue for the purpose of implementing the Home Away From Home Tax Credit (Sec. 99).

• Appropriates $500,000 in FY 2025-2026 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Revenue to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties (Sec. 100).

• Specifies that the aforementioned provisions shall take effect July 1, 2025 unless otherwise specified (Sec. 101).

Full Bill Text