Florida Senate - 2015                              CS for SB 484
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Community Affairs; and Senator Simpson
       
       
       
       
       
       578-02124-15                                           2015484c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to regional planning councils;
    3         amending s. 163.3175, F.S.; deleting obsolete
    4         provisions; amending s. 163.3246, F.S.; removing
    5         restrictions on certain exemptions; amending s.
    6         163.3248, F.S.; removing the requirement that regional
    7         planning councils provide assistance in developing a
    8         plan for a rural land stewardship area; amending s.
    9         186.505, F.S.; removing the power of regional planning
   10         councils to establish and conduct cross-acceptance
   11         negotiation processes; amending s. 186.506, F.S.;
   12         removing the Governor’s authority to revise regional
   13         planning council district boundaries; creating s.
   14         186.512, F.S.; subdividing the state into specified
   15         geographic regions for the purpose of regional
   16         comprehensive planning; amending s. 186.513, F.S.;
   17         deleting the requirement that regional planning
   18         councils make joint reports and recommendations;
   19         amending s. 253.7828, F.S.; conforming provisions to
   20         changes made by the act; amending s. 339.135, F.S.;
   21         deleting obsolete provisions; amending s. 339.155,
   22         F.S.; removing certain duties of regional planning
   23         councils; amending s. 380.06, F.S.; removing the
   24         requirement that certain developers submit biennial
   25         reports to regional planning agencies; amending s.
   26         403.50663, F.S.; removing requirements relating to
   27         certain informational public meetings; amending s.
   28         403.507, F.S.; removing the requirement that regional
   29         planning councils prepare reports addressing the
   30         impact of proposed electrical power plants; amending
   31         s. 403.508, F.S.; removing the requirement that
   32         regional planning councils participate in certain
   33         proceedings; amending s. 403.5115, F.S.; conforming
   34         provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
   35         403.526, F.S.; removing the requirement that regional
   36         planning councils prepare reports addressing the
   37         impact of proposed transmission lines or corridors;
   38         amending s. 403.527, F.S.; removing the requirement
   39         that regional planning councils parties participate in
   40         certain proceedings; amending s. 403.5272, F.S.;
   41         conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
   42         amending s. 403.7264, F.S.; removing the requirement
   43         that regional planning councils assist with amnesty
   44         days for purging small quantities of hazardous wastes;
   45         amending s. 403.941, F.S.; removing the requirement
   46         that regional planning councils prepare reports
   47         addressing the impact of proposed natural gas
   48         transmission lines or corridors; amending s. 403.9411,
   49         F.S.; removing the requirement that regional planning
   50         councils participate in certain proceedings; amending
   51         ss. 419.001 and 985.682, F.S.; removing provisions
   52         relating to the use of a certain dispute resolution
   53         process; repealing s. 186.0201, F.S., relating to
   54         electric substation planning; repealing s. 260.018,
   55         F.S., relating to agency recognition of certain
   56         publicly owned lands and waters; providing an
   57         appropriation; providing an effective date.
   58          
   59  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   60  
   61         Section 1. Subsection (9) of section 163.3175, Florida
   62  Statutes, is amended to read:
   63         163.3175 Legislative findings on compatibility of
   64  development with military installations; exchange of information
   65  between local governments and military installations.—
   66         (9) If a local government, as required under s.
   67  163.3177(6)(a), does not adopt criteria and address
   68  compatibility of lands adjacent to or closely proximate to
   69  existing military installations in its future land use plan
   70  element by June 30, 2012, the local government, the military
   71  installation, the state land planning agency, and other parties
   72  as identified by the regional planning council, including, but
   73  not limited to, private landowner representatives, shall enter
   74  into mediation conducted pursuant to s. 186.509. If the local
   75  government comprehensive plan does not contain criteria
   76  addressing compatibility by December 31, 2013, the agency may
   77  notify the Administration Commission. The Administration
   78  Commission may impose sanctions pursuant to s. 163.3184(8). Any
   79  local government that amended its comprehensive plan to address
   80  military installation compatibility requirements after 2004 and
   81  was found to be in compliance is deemed to be in compliance with
   82  this subsection until the local government conducts its
   83  evaluation and appraisal review pursuant to s. 163.3191 and
   84  determines that amendments are necessary to meet updated general
   85  law requirements.
   86         Section 2. Subsection (11) of section 163.3246, Florida
   87  Statutes, is amended to read:
   88         163.3246 Local government comprehensive planning
   89  certification program.—
   90         (11) If the local government of an area described in
   91  subsection (10) does not request that the state land planning
   92  agency review the developments of regional impact that are
   93  proposed within the certified area, an application for approval
   94  of a development order within the certified area shall be exempt
   95  from review under s. 380.06, subject to the following:
   96         (a) Concurrent with filing an application for development
   97  approval with the local government, a developer proposing a
   98  project that would have been subject to review pursuant to s.
   99  380.06 shall notify in writing the regional planning council
  100  with jurisdiction.
  101         (b) The regional planning council shall coordinate with the
  102  developer and the local government to ensure that all
  103  concurrency requirements as well as federal, state, and local
  104  environmental permit requirements are met.
  105         Section 3. Subsection (4) of section 163.3248, Florida
  106  Statutes, is amended to read:
  107         163.3248 Rural land stewardship areas.—
  108         (4) A local government or one or more property owners may
  109  request assistance and participation in the development of a
  110  plan for the rural land stewardship area from the state land
  111  planning agency, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
  112  Services, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the
  113  Department of Environmental Protection, the appropriate water
  114  management district, the Department of Transportation, the
  115  regional planning council, private land owners, and
  116  stakeholders.
  117         Section 4. Subsection (22) of section 186.505, Florida
  118  Statutes, is amended to read:
  119         186.505 Regional planning councils; powers and duties.—Any
  120  regional planning council created hereunder shall have the
  121  following powers:
  122         (22) To establish and conduct a cross-acceptance
  123  negotiation process with local governments intended to resolve
  124  inconsistencies between applicable local and regional plans,
  125  with participation by local governments being voluntary.
  126         Section 5. Subsection (4) of section 186.506, Florida
  127  Statutes, is amended to read:
  128         186.506 Executive Office of the Governor; powers and
  129  duties.—The Executive Office of the Governor, or its designee,
  130  shall:
  131         (4) Conduct an in-depth analysis of the current boundaries
  132  of comprehensive planning districts to ensure that the regional
  133  planning councils working within them together form a workable
  134  system for effective regional planning, and that each council
  135  can adequately perform the tasks assigned to it by law. The
  136  Executive Office of the Governor shall include in its study the
  137  preferences of local general-purpose governments; the effects of
  138  population migration, transportation networks, population
  139  increases and decreases, economic development centers, trade
  140  areas, natural resource systems, federal program requirements,
  141  designated air quality nonattainment areas, economic
  142  relationships among cities and counties, and media markets; and
  143  other data, projections, or studies that it determines to be of
  144  significance in establishing district boundaries. The Executive
  145  Office of the Governor may recommend to the Legislature make
  146  such changes in the district boundaries of the regional planning
  147  councils as are found to be feasible and desirable, shall
  148  complete a review of existing boundaries by January 1, 1994, and
  149  may revise and update the boundaries from time to time
  150  thereafter.
  151         Section 6. Section 186.512, Florida Statutes, is created to
  152  read:
  153         186.512 Designation of regional planning councils.The
  154  territorial area of the state is subdivided into the following
  155  districts for the purpose of regional comprehensive planning.
  156  The name and geographic area of each respective district shall
  157  accord with the following:
  158         (1) West Florida Regional Planning Council: Bay, Escambia,
  159  Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington Counties.
  160         (2) Apalachee Regional Planning Council: Calhoun, Franklin,
  161  Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla
  162  Counties.
  163         (3) North Central Florida Regional Planning Council:
  164  Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton,
  165  Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Marion, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union
  166  Counties.
  167         (4) Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council: Baker,
  168  Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
  169         (5) East Central Florida Regional Planning Council:
  170  Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia
  171  Counties.
  172         (6) Central Florida Regional Planning Council: DeSoto,
  173  Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Polk Counties.
  174         (7) Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council: Citrus, Hernando,
  175  Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties.
  176         (8) Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council: Charlotte,
  177  Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.
  178         (9) Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council: Indian River,
  179  Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Counties.
  180         (10) South Florida Regional Planning Council: Broward,
  181  Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties.
  182         Section 7. Section 186.513, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  183  read:
  184         186.513 Reports.—Each regional planning council shall
  185  prepare and furnish an annual report on its activities to the
  186  state land planning agency as defined in s. 163.3164 and the
  187  local general-purpose governments within its boundaries and,
  188  upon payment as may be established by the council, to any
  189  interested person. The regional planning councils shall make a
  190  joint report and recommendations to appropriate legislative
  191  committees.
  192         Section 8. Section 253.7828, Florida Statutes, is amended
  193  to read:
  194         253.7828 Impairment of use or conservation by agencies
  195  prohibited.—All agencies of the state, regional planning
  196  councils, water management districts, and local governments
  197  shall recognize the special character of the lands and waters
  198  designated by the state as the Cross Florida Greenways State
  199  Recreation and Conservation Area and shall not take any action
  200  which will impair its use and conservation.
  201         Section 9. Paragraph (j) of subsection (4) of section
  202  339.135, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  203         339.135 Work program; legislative budget request;
  204  definitions; preparation, adoption, execution, and amendment.—
  205         (4) FUNDING AND DEVELOPING A TENTATIVE WORK PROGRAM.—
  206         (j) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and for the 2014-2015
  207  fiscal year only, the department may use up to $15 million of
  208  appropriated funds to pay the costs of strategic and regionally
  209  significant transportation projects. Funds may be used to
  210  provide up to 75 percent of project costs for production-ready
  211  eligible projects. Preference shall be given to projects that
  212  support the state’s economic regions, or that have been
  213  identified as regionally significant in accordance with s.
  214  339.155(4)(c), (d), and (e), and that have an increased level of
  215  nonstate match. This paragraph expires July 1, 2015.
  216         Section 10. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
  217  339.155, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  218         339.155 Transportation planning.—
  219         (4) ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS.—
  220         (b) Each regional planning council, as provided for in s.
  221  186.504, or any successor agency thereto, shall develop, as an
  222  element of its strategic regional policy plan, transportation
  223  goals and policies. The transportation goals and policies must
  224  be prioritized to comply with the prevailing principles provided
  225  in subsection (1) and s. 334.046(1). The transportation goals
  226  and policies shall be consistent, to the maximum extent
  227  feasible, with the goals and policies of the metropolitan
  228  planning organization and the Florida Transportation Plan. The
  229  transportation goals and policies of the regional planning
  230  council will be advisory only and shall be submitted to the
  231  department and any affected metropolitan planning organization
  232  for their consideration and comments. Metropolitan planning
  233  organization plans and other local transportation plans shall be
  234  developed consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with the
  235  regional transportation goals and policies. The regional
  236  planning council shall review urbanized area transportation
  237  plans and any other planning products stipulated in s. 339.175
  238  and provide the department and respective metropolitan planning
  239  organizations with written recommendations, which the department
  240  and the metropolitan planning organizations shall take under
  241  advisement. Further, the regional planning councils shall
  242  directly assist local governments that are not part of a
  243  metropolitan area transportation planning process in the
  244  development of the transportation element of their comprehensive
  245  plans as required by s. 163.3177.
  246         Section 11. Subsection (18) of section 380.06, Florida
  247  Statutes, is amended to read:
  248         380.06 Developments of regional impact.—
  249         (18) BIENNIAL REPORTS.—The developer shall submit a
  250  biennial report on the development of regional impact to the
  251  local government, the regional planning agency, the state land
  252  planning agency, and all affected permit agencies in alternate
  253  years on the date specified in the development order, unless the
  254  development order by its terms requires more frequent
  255  monitoring. If the report is not received, the regional planning
  256  agency or the state land planning agency shall notify the local
  257  government. If the local government does not receive the report
  258  or receives notification that the regional planning agency or
  259  the state land planning agency has not received the report, the
  260  local government shall request in writing that the developer
  261  submit the report within 30 days. The failure to submit the
  262  report after 30 days shall result in the temporary suspension of
  263  the development order by the local government. If no additional
  264  development pursuant to the development order has occurred since
  265  the submission of the previous report, then a letter from the
  266  developer stating that no development has occurred shall satisfy
  267  the requirement for a report. Development orders that require
  268  annual reports may be amended to require biennial reports at the
  269  option of the local government.
  270         Section 12. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 403.50663,
  271  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  272         403.50663 Informational public meetings.—
  273         (2) Informational public meetings shall be held solely at
  274  the option of each local government or regional planning council
  275  if a public meeting is not held by the local government. It is
  276  the legislative intent that local governments or regional
  277  planning councils attempt to hold such public meetings. Parties
  278  to the proceedings under this act shall be encouraged to attend;
  279  however, no party other than the applicant and the department
  280  shall be required to attend such informational public meetings.
  281         (3) A local government or regional planning council that
  282  intends to conduct an informational public meeting must provide
  283  notice of the meeting to all parties not less than 5 days prior
  284  to the meeting and to the general public in accordance with s.
  285  403.5115(5). The expense for such notice is eligible for
  286  reimbursement under s. 403.518(2)(c)1.
  287         Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  288  403.507, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  289         403.507 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, project
  290  analyses, and studies.—
  291         (2)(a) No later than 100 days after the certification
  292  application has been determined complete, the following agencies
  293  shall prepare reports as provided below and shall submit them to
  294  the department and the applicant, unless a final order denying
  295  the determination of need has been issued under s. 403.519:
  296         1. The Department of Economic Opportunity shall prepare a
  297  report containing recommendations which address the impact upon
  298  the public of the proposed electrical power plant, based on the
  299  degree to which the electrical power plant is consistent with
  300  the applicable portions of the state comprehensive plan,
  301  emergency management, and other such matters within its
  302  jurisdiction. The Department of Economic Opportunity may also
  303  comment on the consistency of the proposed electrical power
  304  plant with applicable strategic regional policy plans or local
  305  comprehensive plans and land development regulations.
  306         2. The water management district shall prepare a report as
  307  to matters within its jurisdiction, including but not limited
  308  to, the impact of the proposed electrical power plant on water
  309  resources, regional water supply planning, and district-owned
  310  lands and works.
  311         3. Each local government in whose jurisdiction the proposed
  312  electrical power plant is to be located shall prepare a report
  313  as to the consistency of the proposed electrical power plant
  314  with all applicable local ordinances, regulations, standards, or
  315  criteria that apply to the proposed electrical power plant,
  316  including any applicable local environmental regulations adopted
  317  pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means.
  318         4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
  319  prepare a report as to matters within its jurisdiction.
  320         5. Each regional planning council shall prepare a report
  321  containing recommendations that address the impact upon the
  322  public of the proposed electrical power plant, based on the
  323  degree to which the electrical power plant is consistent with
  324  the applicable provisions of the strategic regional policy plan
  325  adopted pursuant to chapter 186 and other matters within its
  326  jurisdiction.
  327         5.6. The Department of Transportation shall address the
  328  impact of the proposed electrical power plant on matters within
  329  its jurisdiction.
  330         Section 14. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and paragraph
  331  (a) of subsection (4) of section 403.508, Florida Statutes, are
  332  amended to read:
  333         403.508 Land use and certification hearings, parties,
  334  participants.—
  335         (3)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall include:
  336         1. The applicant.
  337         2. The Public Service Commission.
  338         3. The Department of Economic Opportunity.
  339         4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  340         5. The water management district.
  341         6. The department.
  342         7. The regional planning council.
  343         7.8. The local government.
  344         8.9. The Department of Transportation.
  345         (4)(a) The order of presentation at the certification
  346  hearing, unless otherwise changed by the administrative law
  347  judge to ensure the orderly presentation of witnesses and
  348  evidence, shall be:
  349         1. The applicant.
  350         2. The department.
  351         3. State agencies.
  352         4. Regional agencies, including regional planning councils
  353  and water management districts.
  354         5. Local governments.
  355         6. Other parties.
  356         Section 15. Subsection (5) of section 403.5115, Florida
  357  Statutes, is amended to read:
  358         403.5115 Public notice.—
  359         (5) A local government or regional planning council that
  360  proposes to conduct an informational public meeting pursuant to
  361  s. 403.50663 must publish notice of the meeting in a newspaper
  362  of general circulation within the county or counties in which
  363  the proposed electrical power plant will be located no later
  364  than 7 days prior to the meeting. A newspaper of general
  365  circulation shall be the newspaper that has the largest daily
  366  circulation in that county and has its principal office in that
  367  county. If the newspaper with the largest daily circulation has
  368  its principal office outside the county, the notices shall
  369  appear in both the newspaper having the largest circulation in
  370  that county and in a newspaper authorized to publish legal
  371  notices in that county.
  372         Section 16. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  373  403.526, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  374         403.526 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and
  375  project analyses; studies.—
  376         (2)(a) No later than 90 days after the filing of the
  377  application, the following agencies shall prepare reports as
  378  provided below, unless a final order denying the determination
  379  of need has been issued under s. 403.537:
  380         1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact
  381  of each proposed transmission line or corridor as it relates to
  382  matters within its jurisdiction.
  383         2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of
  384  which a proposed transmission line or corridor is to be located
  385  shall prepare a report as to the impact on water resources and
  386  other matters within its jurisdiction.
  387         3. The Department of Economic Opportunity shall prepare a
  388  report containing recommendations which address the impact upon
  389  the public of the proposed transmission line or corridor, based
  390  on the degree to which the proposed transmission line or
  391  corridor is consistent with the applicable portions of the state
  392  comprehensive plan, emergency management, and other matters
  393  within its jurisdiction. The Department of Economic Opportunity
  394  may also comment on the consistency of the proposed transmission
  395  line or corridor with applicable strategic regional policy plans
  396  or local comprehensive plans and land development regulations.
  397         4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
  398  prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed transmission
  399  line or corridor on fish and wildlife resources and other
  400  matters within its jurisdiction.
  401         5. Each local government shall prepare a report as to the
  402  impact of each proposed transmission line or corridor on matters
  403  within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of the
  404  proposed transmission line or corridor with all applicable local
  405  ordinances, regulations, standards, or criteria that apply to
  406  the proposed transmission line or corridor, including local
  407  comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, land development
  408  regulations, and any applicable local environmental regulations
  409  adopted pursuant to s. 403.182 or by other means. A change by
  410  the responsible local government or local agency in local
  411  comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, or other regulations
  412  made after the date required for the filing of the local
  413  government’s report required by this section is not applicable
  414  to the certification of the proposed transmission line or
  415  corridor unless the certification is denied or the application
  416  is withdrawn.
  417         6. Each regional planning council shall present a report
  418  containing recommendations that address the impact upon the
  419  public of the proposed transmission line or corridor based on
  420  the degree to which the transmission line or corridor is
  421  consistent with the applicable provisions of the strategic
  422  regional policy plan adopted under chapter 186 and other impacts
  423  of each proposed transmission line or corridor on matters within
  424  its jurisdiction.
  425         6.7. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a
  426  report as to the impact of the proposed transmission line or
  427  corridor on state roads, railroads, airports, aeronautics,
  428  seaports, and other matters within its jurisdiction.
  429         7.8. The commission shall prepare a report containing its
  430  determination under s. 403.537, and the report may include the
  431  comments from the commission with respect to any other subject
  432  within its jurisdiction.
  433         8.9. Any other agency, if requested by the department,
  434  shall also perform studies or prepare reports as to subjects
  435  within the jurisdiction of the agency which may potentially be
  436  affected by the proposed transmission line.
  437         Section 17. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and paragraph
  438  (a) of subsection (3) of section 403.527, Florida Statutes, are
  439  amended to read:
  440         403.527 Certification hearing, parties, participants.—
  441         (2)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall be:
  442         1. The applicant.
  443         2. The department.
  444         3. The commission.
  445         4. The Department of Economic Opportunity.
  446         5. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  447         6. The Department of Transportation.
  448         7. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of
  449  which the proposed transmission line or corridor is to be
  450  located.
  451         8. The local government.
  452         9. The regional planning council.
  453         (3)(a) The order of presentation at the certification
  454  hearing, unless otherwise changed by the administrative law
  455  judge to ensure the orderly presentation of witnesses and
  456  evidence, shall be:
  457         1. The applicant.
  458         2. The department.
  459         3. State agencies.
  460         4. Regional agencies, including regional planning councils
  461  and water management districts.
  462         5. Local governments.
  463         6. Other parties.
  464         Section 18. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 403.5272,
  465  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  466         403.5272 Informational public meetings.—
  467         (2) Informational public meetings shall be held solely at
  468  the option of each local government or regional planning
  469  council. It is the legislative intent that local governments or
  470  regional planning councils attempt to hold such public meetings.
  471  Parties to the proceedings under this act shall be encouraged to
  472  attend; however, a party other than the applicant and the
  473  department is not required to attend the informational public
  474  meetings.
  475         (3) A local government or regional planning council that
  476  intends to conduct an informational public meeting must provide
  477  notice of the meeting, with notice sent to all parties listed in
  478  s. 403.527(2)(a), not less than 15 days before the meeting and
  479  to the general public in accordance with s. 403.5363(4).
  480         Section 19. Subsection (4) of section 403.7264, Florida
  481  Statutes, is amended to read:
  482         403.7264 Amnesty days for purging small quantities of
  483  hazardous wastes.—Amnesty days are authorized by the state for
  484  the purpose of purging small quantities of hazardous waste, free
  485  of charge, from the possession of homeowners, farmers, schools,
  486  state agencies, and small businesses. These entities have no
  487  appropriate economically feasible mechanism for disposing of
  488  their hazardous wastes at the present time. In order to raise
  489  public awareness on this issue, provide an educational process,
  490  accommodate those entities which have a need to dispose of small
  491  quantities of hazardous waste, and preserve the waters of the
  492  state, amnesty days shall be carried out in the following
  493  manner:
  494         (4) Regional planning councils shall assist the department
  495  in site selection, public awareness, and program coordination.
  496  However, the department shall retain full responsibility for the
  497  state amnesty days program.
  498         Section 20. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  499  403.941, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  500         403.941 Preliminary statements of issues, reports, and
  501  studies.—
  502         (2)(a) The affected agencies shall prepare reports as
  503  provided in this paragraph and shall submit them to the
  504  department and the applicant within 60 days after the
  505  application is determined sufficient:
  506         1. The department shall prepare a report as to the impact
  507  of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor
  508  as it relates to matters within its jurisdiction.
  509         2. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of
  510  which a proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor
  511  is to be located shall prepare a report as to the impact on
  512  water resources and other matters within its jurisdiction.
  513         3. The Department of Economic Opportunity shall prepare a
  514  report containing recommendations which address the impact upon
  515  the public of the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or
  516  corridor, based on the degree to which the proposed natural gas
  517  transmission pipeline or corridor is consistent with the
  518  applicable portions of the state comprehensive plan and other
  519  matters within its jurisdiction. The Department of Economic
  520  Opportunity may also comment on the consistency of the proposed
  521  natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor with applicable
  522  strategic regional policy plans or local comprehensive plans and
  523  land development regulations.
  524         4. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
  525  prepare a report as to the impact of each proposed natural gas
  526  transmission pipeline or corridor on fish and wildlife resources
  527  and other matters within its jurisdiction.
  528         5. Each local government in which the natural gas
  529  transmission pipeline or natural gas transmission pipeline
  530  corridor will be located shall prepare a report as to the impact
  531  of each proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor
  532  on matters within its jurisdiction, including the consistency of
  533  the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor with
  534  all applicable local ordinances, regulations, standards, or
  535  criteria that apply to the proposed natural gas transmission
  536  pipeline or corridor, including local comprehensive plans,
  537  zoning regulations, land development regulations, and any
  538  applicable local environmental regulations adopted pursuant to
  539  s. 403.182 or by other means. No change by the responsible local
  540  government or local agency in local comprehensive plans, zoning
  541  ordinances, or other regulations made after the date required
  542  for the filing of the local government’s report required by this
  543  section shall be applicable to the certification of the proposed
  544  natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor unless the
  545  certification is denied or the application is withdrawn.
  546         6. Each regional planning council in which the natural gas
  547  transmission pipeline or natural gas transmission pipeline
  548  corridor will be located shall present a report containing
  549  recommendations that address the impact upon the public of the
  550  proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor, based on
  551  the degree to which the natural gas transmission pipeline or
  552  corridor is consistent with the applicable provisions of the
  553  strategic regional policy plan adopted pursuant to chapter 186
  554  and other impacts of each proposed natural gas transmission
  555  pipeline or corridor on matters within its jurisdiction.
  556         6.7. The Department of Transportation shall prepare a
  557  report on the effect of the natural gas transmission pipeline or
  558  natural gas transmission pipeline corridor on matters within its
  559  jurisdiction, including roadway crossings by the pipeline. The
  560  report shall contain at a minimum:
  561         a. A report by the applicant to the department stating that
  562  all requirements of the department’s utilities accommodation
  563  guide have been or will be met in regard to the proposed
  564  pipeline or pipeline corridor; and
  565         b. A statement by the department as to the adequacy of the
  566  report to the department by the applicant.
  567         7.8. The Department of State, Division of Historical
  568  Resources, shall prepare a report on the impact of the natural
  569  gas transmission pipeline or natural gas transmission pipeline
  570  corridor on matters within its jurisdiction.
  571         8.9. The commission shall prepare a report addressing
  572  matters within its jurisdiction. The commission’s report shall
  573  include its determination of need issued pursuant to s.
  574  403.9422.
  575         Section 21. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection
  576  (6) of section 403.9411, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  577         403.9411 Notice; proceedings; parties and participants.—
  578         (4)(a) Parties to the proceeding shall be:
  579         1. The applicant.
  580         2. The department.
  581         3. The commission.
  582         4. The Department of Economic Opportunity.
  583         5. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  584         6. Each water management district in the jurisdiction of
  585  which the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline or corridor
  586  is to be located.
  587         7. The local government.
  588         8. The regional planning council.
  589         8.9. The Department of Transportation.
  590         9.10. The Department of State, Division of Historical
  591  Resources.
  592         (6) The order of presentation at the certification hearing,
  593  unless otherwise changed by the administrative law judge to
  594  ensure the orderly presentation of witnesses and evidence, shall
  595  be:
  596         (a) The applicant.
  597         (b) The department.
  598         (c) State agencies.
  599         (d) Regional agencies, including regional planning councils
  600  and water management districts.
  601         (e) Local governments.
  602         (f) Other parties.
  603         Section 22. Subsection (6) of section 419.001, Florida
  604  Statutes, is amended to read:
  605         419.001 Site selection of community residential homes.—
  606         (6) If agreed to by both the local government and the
  607  sponsoring agency, a conflict may be resolved through informal
  608  mediation. The local government shall arrange for the services
  609  of an independent mediator or may utilize the dispute resolution
  610  process established by a regional planning council pursuant to
  611  s. 186.509. Mediation shall be concluded within 45 days of a
  612  request therefor. The resolution of any issue through the
  613  mediation process shall not alter any person’s right to a
  614  judicial determination of any issue if that person is entitled
  615  to such a determination under statutory or common law.
  616         Section 23. Subsection (4) of section 985.682, Florida
  617  Statutes, is amended to read:
  618         985.682 Siting of facilities; criteria.—
  619         (4) When the department requests such a modification and it
  620  is denied by the local government, the local government or the
  621  department shall initiate the dispute resolution process
  622  established under s. 186.509 to reconcile differences on the
  623  siting of correctional facilities between the department, local
  624  governments, and private citizens. If the regional planning
  625  council has not established a dispute resolution process
  626  pursuant to s. 186.509, The department shall establish, by rule,
  627  procedures for dispute resolution. The dispute resolution
  628  process shall require the parties to commence meetings to
  629  reconcile their differences. If the parties fail to resolve
  630  their differences within 30 days after the denial, the parties
  631  shall engage in voluntary mediation or similar process. If the
  632  parties fail to resolve their differences by mediation within 60
  633  days after the denial, or if no action is taken on the
  634  department’s request within 90 days after the request, the
  635  department must appeal the decision of the local government on
  636  the requested modification of local plans, ordinances, or
  637  regulations to the Governor and Cabinet. Any dispute resolution
  638  process initiated under this section must conform to the time
  639  limitations set forth herein. However, upon agreement of all
  640  parties, the time limits may be extended, but in no event may
  641  the dispute resolution process extend over 180 days.
  642         Section 24. Section 186.0201, Florida Statutes, is
  643  repealed.
  644         Section 25. Section 260.018, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
  645         Section 26. For the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the sum of $2.5
  646  million in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is
  647  appropriated to the regional planning councils, 75 percent of
  648  which must be divided equally among the councils and 25 percent
  649  must be allocated according to population. The funds must be
  650  used to implement the statutory requirements of chapter 163,
  651  Florida Statutes, and the Florida Five-Year Strategic Plan for
  652  Economic Development and to address problems of greater than
  653  local government concern and provide technical assistance to
  654  local governments, economic development organizations, and other
  655  stakeholders.
  656         Section 27. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.