The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development on May 20 reported favorably Committee Substitute (CS) for Senate Bill 600 and CS for Senate Bill 602, companion measures that would codify a statewide office of manufacturing in the Department of Commerce, authorize workforce-development grants and create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign with an administrative fee.

Sponsor remarks said the measure would formalize the existing chief manufacturing officer role at the Department of Commerce, support workforce development through grants and organize a voluntary promotional campaign, with biannual reporting requirements for accountability. An amendment (strike-all) adopted in committee clarified the amendment does not create a new chief manufacturing officer position, described the promotional campaign as voluntary, organized the campaign under Chapter 288 and stated grant awards are made at the department’s sole direction.

Chris Dawson, representing Florida Makes, told the committee the Department of Commerce reports 72,127 manufacturing companies in Florida and that “80 percent of those have 20 employees or less,” and said the grant program would target those small firms. Other organizations waived in support, including the Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Companion bill CS for SB 602 would let the department adopt rules setting fees to administer the voluntary promotional campaign; an adopted amendment limited the fee to no more than $100. Sponsor remarks said the fee-and-campaign model was based on the existing Fresh From Florida program.

The committee moved both bills by roll call. For SB 600 the committee chair announced, “By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 600 is reported favorably.” The committee recorded a similar favorable report for CS for SB 602.

What the bills do
- SB 600 (as amended): Codifies the statewide office of manufacturing within the Department of Commerce; authorizes workforce-development grants; establishes a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign and requires biannual reporting. The strike-all amendment clarifies existing position status, makes the promotional campaign voluntary, places the campaign under Chapter 288 and makes grant awards discretionary with the department.
- SB 602 (as amended): Allows the Department of Commerce to establish fees by rule to administer the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign; amendment caps the administrative fee at $100.

Support and testimony
- Chris Dawson (Florida Makes) provided employment-size statistics and endorsed the bill’s small-manufacturer focus. Cameron Fink (Associated Industries of Florida), Kylie Enzueto (Florida Makes) and Colton Maddell (Florida Chamber of Commerce) waived into the record in support.

Votes and next steps
- The committee reported CS for SB 600 and CS for SB 602 favorably to the next stage of the Senate process.

Ending
The sponsor asked for favorable support. Committee members recorded affirmative votes on both bills; the bills will move forward in the Senate process for additional consideration and floor action as scheduled by Senate leaders.