(1) There is created a nonprofit corporation, to be known as Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., which shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617, and which is not a unit or entity of state government. Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., is not subject to control, supervision, or direction by the department in any manner, including, but not limited to, personnel, purchasing, transactions involving real or personal property, and budgetary matters.

(2) Seventy-five percent of all payments to the state pursuant to the settlement agreement shall be transferred immediately by the Chief Financial Officer from the General Revenue Fund to the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund.

(a) Such funds are appropriated to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., and shall be released by the department for deposit into the trust account established by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., pursuant to subsection (3) as follows:

1. Seventy-five percent of the moneys received by the state pursuant to the settlement agreement on or before July 1, 2017, shall be immediately released to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.

2. Seventy-five percent of the moneys received by the state pursuant to the settlement agreement after July 1, 2017, shall be released to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., no later than 30 days after such funds are transferred to the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund.

(b) Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., shall make awards for projects or programs within the geographic boundaries of each disproportionately affected county based on the following minimum allocations:

1. At least 40 percent of the moneys transferred to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., pursuant to subparagraph (a)1., must be allocated equally among the eight disproportionately affected counties based on a minimum allocation of at least 5 percent per county.

2. For each transfer of funds to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., pursuant to subparagraph (a)2., at least 32 percent of the moneys must be allocated equally among the eight disproportionately affected counties based on a minimum allocation of at least 4 percent per county.

(c) Each board of county commissioners shall solicit proposed projects and programs from other elected local governing boards within the county and shall provide Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., with a list of proposed projects and programs located within its county. The submitted list of proposed projects and programs must include projects and programs submitted by other elected local governing boards and projects and programs recommended by the board of county commissioners.

(d) Any remaining funds shall be allocated by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., for administrative costs and to make awards pursuant to s. 288.8017. Administrative costs may not exceed 0.75 percent of the funds released to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.

(3) Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., shall establish a trust account at a federally insured financial institution to hold funds received from the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund and make deposits and payments. Interest earned in the trust account shall be deposited monthly into the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund. Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., may invest surplus funds in the Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund, pursuant to s. 218.407, and interest earned, net of fees, shall be transferred monthly into the Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund. Administrative costs may include payment of travel and per diem expenses of board members, audits, salary or other costs for employed or contracted staff, including required staff under s. 288.8014(9), and other allowable costs. The annual salary for any employee or contracted staff may not exceed $130,000, and associated benefits may not exceed 35 percent of salary.

(4) Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., shall report on June 30 and December 30 of each year to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the established priorities; the project and program selection process, including a list of all submitted projects and programs and reasons for approval or denial; and the status of all approved awards.

(5) The Auditor General shall conduct an operational audit of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., annually. Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., shall provide to the Auditor General any detail or supplemental data required.

History.—s. 54, ch. 2013-39; s. 7, ch. 2014-218; s. 3, ch. 2017-63.