Senate Bill 3-24, which would create a construction impact relief revolving loan program to help eligible small businesses that suffer demonstrable revenue losses tied to local or state public-works construction, was reported favorably by the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development.

The bill, explained by Senator Smith, would place the program under the Department of Commerce and require applicants to document verifiable revenue loss tied to public-works construction and to accept consultation from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. “Small businesses form the backbone of our local economy ... Blocked entrances, endless construction, limited parking, and reduced foot traffic for months, sometimes years of disruption like this can shut a local business down for good,” Senator Smith said in committee.

Senate staff and sponsors said the measure creates low‑interest, revolving loans rather than grants after concerns about cost. “Originally, when we filed the bill, the bill included low interest loans, and it also included grants. We eliminated the grants because we believe that that would be too costly,” Senator Smith said. The author added the Department of Commerce will administer applications and is delegated rulemaking authority to set application details and eligibility criteria.

Why it matters: Sponsors and several senators said this bill targets small retail and service businesses—particularly restaurants and storefronts—whose operations can be severely reduced by prolonged construction projects. Senator Smith cited an 18‑month sewer project in Orlando’s Lake Ivanhoe business district in 2023 that she said forced at least one business to close and harmed others.

What the bill would do: It would (1) create a revolving loan program at the Department of Commerce; (2) require applicants to submit documentation demonstrating a revenue decline attributable to specific public-works construction (examples listed in the bill and discussed in committee include photos/videos showing blocked parking or entrances and financial statements); (3) require participation in consultation with the Florida Small Business Development Center Network; and (4) remove an earlier proposed hotline in favor of a program web page, per an adopted amendment.

Committee debate and revisions: Committee members pressed on verification and fraud‑risk protections, the appropriate minimum time a business must have been operating to show a revenue trend, and whether sensitive financial materials submitted by applicants would be exposed under public‑records law. Senator Angolia asked how applicants would prove a direct nexus between construction and revenue drops; Senator Smith said the bill requires documentation of reduction in revenue “over time” and delegates specific proof requirements to Commerce rulemaking. Senator Leake and others noted the need to limit unintended consequences—especially the program’s reach to businesses that cannot otherwise obtain credit—and urged clearer public‑records protections for submitted financial statements.

Amendments adopted in committee: A delete‑everything amendment refined language with input from Florida Commerce, removed a proposed department hotline and replaced it with a program webpage, added a litigation‑shield provision for the department related to loan disputes, and narrowed or clarified other program details. An amendment to that amendment removed unnecessary liability language. Sponsors said Commerce notified them that earlier fiscal concerns had been addressed by the adopted amendments.

Outstanding issues and next steps: Senators raised concerns about (1) whether the department should have clearer statutory limits when determining how long a business must have been operating before the construction began, (2) public-records protections for financials submitted with applications, and (3) potential fiscal exposure if the program serves businesses that could obtain credit in the private market. Senator Golian and Senator Bernard said they would vote for the bill but asked for tighter language in later committees. The bill was reported favorably and will continue through the legislative process.

Ending: Sponsor Senator Smith asked for support and said she would work with colleagues to tighten language and consider public-records exemptions for business financials before subsequent committee stops.