721.301  Florida Timesharing, Vacation Club, and Hospitality Program.--

(1)(a)  There is established the Florida Timesharing, Vacation Club, and Hospitality Program. The primary purpose of this program is to provide the opportunity for a public-private partnership between the state and the timeshare, vacation club, hospitality, and tourism industries affecting this state.

(b)  In conducting the program, the director, or the director's designee, shall:

1.  Solicit research and educational projects and proposals from the timeshare, vacation club, hospitality, and tourism industries;

2.  Consult with the Florida chapter of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA-Florida), the Chancellor of the State University System, or the chancellor's designee; and

3.  Assist in the preparation of appropriate reports produced by the program partnership.

(c)  The director may designate funds from the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes Trust Fund, not to exceed $50,000 annually, to support the projects and proposals undertaken pursuant to paragraph (b). All state trust funds to be expended pursuant to this section must be matched equally with private moneys and shall comprise no more than half of the total moneys expended annually.

(2)  As the initial focus of the program partnership described in subsection (1), the director shall prepare a report identifying problems and solutions relating to the method by which timeshare periods are assessed for ad valorem real and personal property taxation; the method by which such taxes are collected; and the impact of taxes upon the timeshare, vacation club, hospitality, and tourism industries in this state. Such report shall include recommendations regarding solutions and remedies and shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before January 15, 1996.

(3)  The division is authorized to adopt, amend, and repeal rules prescribing criteria for processing and approval of project applications.