A bill that would end two of Florida's economic development agencies, Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, passed a Florida House Committee Wednesday.

The bill, PCB CCS 17-01, would eliminate Florida's two major economic development agencies, Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida. 

It would also repeal several major tax credit programs used by businesses across Florida, including the Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program, the entertainment industry tax credit, several programs for small businesses, and other economic, trade and jobs programs. 

Supporters and critics of the bill packed the Florida House Careers and Competition Subcommittee Wednesday. 

Critics like independent businesses said taking agencies like Visit Florida away will make it harder for them, while supporters said it's a waste of taxpayer money.

.@Paul_Renner on axing @VISITFLORIDA: "When taxpayers see a million dollars going to multi-million dollar celebrities, it doesn't sit well."

— Troy Kinsey (@TroyKinsey) February 8, 2017

Scott disagrees and he is calling for more money to be placed into the agencies.

“When the House wants to stop Enterprise Florida, they’re hurting our poorest communities, they’re hurting our rural communities,” Scott said Tuesday. “When they want to say that we don’t need to do anymore marketing for Visit Florida, what they are saying is we don’t need any more jobs in tourism.”

Jason Steele with a Melbourne law firm is a member of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors.

“I’ve been involved in politics for over 45 years and this is the most insane piece of legislation I’ve ever heard of in my entire life,” said Steele, who was a state representative in the 1980s.

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran says there is no proof the agencies actually help.

“We were elected to do what is right and clean up government, put an end to the waste of taxpayer money, and end the culture of corruption,” Corcoran said in a statement to the Associated Press.

.@TWResorts' Keith Overton to FL House cmte: "I fear that if you eliminate @VISITFLORIDA...the independent hotelier's voice will be lost."

— Troy Kinsey (@TroyKinsey) February 8, 2017

The two agencies have been under extreme scrutiny lately for their spending, including a Visit Florida deal paying rapper Pitbull $1 million to promote Florida.

Steele says while the agencies have their faults, they should not be eliminated.

“If you want to play Russian roulette with the economy of the state of Florida, then eliminate Enterprise Florida and eliminate Visit Florida,” Steele said.

Critics of the agencies say that taxpayer money could better be used for schools or transportation, and not on companies and music stars.

Film Florida, the group that promotes Florida as a location for film and television productions, said it finds the bill and Wednesday's vote disappointing.

The agency has been fighting to reinvigorate the film tax credit incentive program, which was drained and has been left with no money. Several major productions have left florida or refused to produce in the state because they can get incentives in other states.

As a result, Florida workers are forced to leave the state to find work.

Film Florida issued this statement on Facebook Wednesday: 

"We believe a statement was made by the throngs of people in the room voicing opposition, the amount of calls made and e-mails sent to committee members voicing opposition and the number of committee members who voted against this bill. Before this bill becomes law, it must still go before the entire Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate and the Governor. hank you all for your efforts and please stay engaged by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the next Call to Action."

The bill has an uncertain future in the Florida Senate, where lawmakers are skeptical.

Programs to be eliminated

If passed, this bill would eliminate the following programs and agencies. The list is in the Florida House bill analysis.

  • Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI)
  • Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation (VISIT FLORIDA) and related programs and funds
  • Office of Film & Entertainment and entertainment industry tax programs
  • The Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program
  • The Capital investment tax credit
  • The Florida Small Business Development Center Network
  • Florida’s international offices and International Trade and Promotion Fund
  • Cooperative advertising matching grants program
  • Quick-response training programs
  • Qualified defense contractor and space flight business tax refund programs
  • Qualified target industry businesses tax refund programs
  • Brownfield redevelopment bonus refunds
  • The High-impact business program
  • The Economic Gardening Business Loan and Technical Assistance Pilot Programs
  • The Quick Action Closing Fund
  • The Innovation Incentive Program
  • Professional sports franchise, spring training franchise, and related sports development programs
  • The International Game Fish Association World Center facility
  • The Florida Small Business Technology Growth Program
  • The Florida Opportunity Fund
  • The Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research
  • The Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund
  • The New Markets Development Program Act
  • The Microfinance Guarantee Program
  • Economic development transportation projects (Road Fund)
  • The State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund
  • Tourism Promotional Trust Fund
  • The Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund