Section 14B-2.004 - Determination of Funding; Project Review Group/Agency Review(1) Complete applications submitted by eligible ports will be provided to the Secretary of Transportation and the Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity within 60 days of the application deadline for their review pursuant to this section.(2)(a) Upon receipt of the applications the Department of Transportation shall review the projects for consistency with the Florida Transportation Plan provided in Section 339.155, F.S., and the Statewide Seaport and Waterways Systems Plan provided in Section 311.14, F.S. Within forty-five (45) days from receipt of the application, the Department of Transportation will notify the Council whether the project is ineligible for funding due to inconsistency with the above listed plans. Should additional information be requested from one or more applicants to evaluate consistency, the time limit for the review and notice to the Council shall be extended fifteen (15) days following receipt of the requested information.(b) The Department of Economic Opportunity shall review the projects for consistency with the Florida Seaport Mission Plan as provided in Section 311.09(3), F.S., the Port Master Plan as provided in Section 163.3178(2)(k), F.S., and the local government comprehensive plan. The Department of Economic Opportunity will further evaluate the economic benefit of each project based upon the potential for the proposed project to increase or maintain cargo flow, domestic and international commerce, port revenues, and the number of jobs for the port's local community. Within forty-five (45) days from receipt of the applications, the Department of Economic Opportunity shall notify the Council whether the projects are eligible for funding or ineligible due to inconsistency with any of the above listed plans or lack of economic benefit. Should additional information be requested from one or more applicants to evaluate conflicts or economic benefit, the time limit for the review and notice to the Council shall be extended fifteen (15) days following receipt of the requested information.(3) The Council shall review the findings of the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Transportation, and cast a vote to approve or disapprove funding for projects found eligible by the above agencies. Projects found to be inconsistent pursuant to paragraph (2)(a) or (b), or lacking an economic benefit shall not be eligible for program funds. If enough appropriated funds are available to provide program funds to all eligible projects, the Council shall recommend funding for all projects found eligible pursuant to this rule section. If an adequate amount of appropriated funds are not available, the Council shall prioritize appropriated funds to those projects providing the greatest economic benefit.(4) The Council shall submit to the Department of Transportation a list of approved projects for funding. Additionally, the Council shall submit to the department a list of unfunded eligible projects that should receive additional program funds if such funds were made available in the next fiscal year.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 14B-2.004
Rulemaking Authority 311.22 FS. Law Implemented 311.22 FS.
New 4-23-06, Amended by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 249, December 29, 2015 effective 1/12/2016.New 4-23-06, Amended 1-12-16.