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Committee backs broad rural prosperity package establishing Office of Rural Prosperity
Summary
House Bill 1427, a comprehensive package designed to invest in rural Florida — including an Office of Rural Prosperity, grants for growth-impeded counties, arterial road modernization, and rural health and housing initiatives — was presented by Representative Griffiths and reported favorably after extensive public support from rural stakeholders.
Representative Brad Griffiths, co-sponsor Representative Abbott and other committee members presented House Bill 1427 as a “very comprehensive piece of legislation” aimed at bringing generational change to rural Florida. “This bill establishes the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce,” Griffiths told the committee, and it would create grant programs, a rural resource directory, and other programs targeting infrastructure, housing, education and healthcare in rural counties.
The sponsor described a renaissance grant program that would offer $1,000,000 block grants to counties identified as growth-impeded and a Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program within the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to improve two-lane arterial roads in rural areas. The bill also would expand flexibility in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program for rental housing financed with U.S. Department of Agriculture loans and create two Department of Health grant programs to support telehealth, staffing shortages and mobile health units.
More than two dozen stakeholders from economic development organizations, hospitals, chambers of commerce, county commissioners and regional planning councils offered public testimony in strong support. Richard Williamson (Opportunity Florida) told the committee the bill provides “an entire toolbox” for rural communities that are losing labor force participation. Daryl Register, chairman of the Florida Rural Economic Development Association and executive director of the Baker County Chamber, said the bill would help rural counties attract capital investment, housing and workforce development. Russell Melody, chairman of the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners and the Small County Coalition, also testified in support.
Committee members praised the bill’s breadth. Representative Chambliss and others emphasized rural agriculture, workforce and infrastructure needs; Ranking Member Khonschovsky highlighted the bill’s focus on health-care access. No amendments were offered. Representative Griffiths closed and asked for favorable support; the clerk called the roll and the committee chair announced the bill passes and is reported favorably.
Votes at a glance: HB 1427 — reported favorably by roll call. The committee hearing record contains multiple supporting witness appearances from county economic development groups, healthcare systems, educational consortia, and industry organizations.
