Florida § 252.3655 - Natural hazards risks and mitigation interagency coordinating group.

§ 252.3655. Natural hazards risks and mitigation interagency coordinating group.

(1)(a) An interagency coordinating group is created for the purpose of sharing information on the current and potential risks and impacts of natural hazards throughout this state, coordinating the ongoing efforts of state agencies in addressing and mitigating the risks and impacts of natural hazards, and collaborating on statewide initiatives to address and mitigate the risks and impacts of natural hazards. As used in this section, the term “natural hazards” includes, but is not limited to, extreme heat, drought, wildfire, sea-level change, high tides, storm surge, saltwater intrusion, stormwater runoff, flash floods, inland flooding, and coastal flooding. (b) The agency head, or his or her designated senior manager, from each of the following agencies shall serve on the coordinating group: 1. Chief Resilience Officer of the Statewide Office of Resilience. 2. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 3. Department of Commerce. 4. Department of Environmental Protection. 5. Department of Financial Services. 6. Department of Law Enforcement. 7. Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 8. Department of Military Affairs. 9. Division of Emergency Management. 10. Department of Transportation. 11. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 12. Office of Insurance Regulation. 13. Public Service Commission. 14. Each water management district. (c) The director of the Division of Emergency Management, or his or her designee, shall serve as the administrator of the coordinating group. (d) Each agency representative shall provide information from his or her respective agency, including all relevant reports, on the current and potential risks and impacts of natural hazards to this state, agency resources available, and efforts made by the agency to address and mitigate the risks and impacts of natural hazards. (e)1. The coordinating group shall meet in person or by means of communications media technology as provided in s. 120.54(5)(b)2. at least quarterly to share information, leverage agency resources, coordinate ongoing efforts, and provide information for inclusion in the annual progress report submitted pursuant to subsection (2). Agency heads for the agencies listed in paragraph (b) shall meet in person at least annually to collectively strategize and prioritize state efforts. 2. Information regarding the coordinating group, including meeting agendas and reports, must be posted in a conspicuous location on the division’s website. (2)(a) On behalf of the coordinating group, the division shall prepare an annual progress report on the implementation of the state’s hazard mitigation plan, developed and submitted in accordance with 42 U.S.C. s. 5165 and any implementing regulations, as it relates to natural hazards. At a minimum, the annual progress report must: 1. Assess each agency’s efforts to address and mitigate the risks and impacts of natural hazards; 2. Strategize and prioritize ongoing efforts to address and mitigate the risks and impacts of natural hazards; 3. Provide recommendations regarding statutory changes and funding that may assist in addressing or mitigating the risks and impacts of natural hazards; and 4. Provide recommendations for state and local natural hazard mitigation strategies. (b) By January 1 of each year, the division on behalf of the coordinating group shall submit the annual progress report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.