Public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects.

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Coastal resiliency project” means:

1. Planning, contracting, and executing a project to address flooding and sea level rise in a coastal or inland community in this state under s. 380.093(5);

2. Public infrastructure repair and upgrades to seawalls and stormwater drainage; and

3. Resiliency measures designed to withstand extreme weather, mitigate flooding, and prevent coastal erosion, including:

a. Acquisition of at-risk coastal and flood-prone properties;

b. Acquisition of properties in areas at high risk of flooding;

c. Infrastructure hardening and development of natural barriers;

d. Construction of large-scale seawalls, levees, and elevated flood barriers; or

e. Expansion and restoration of natural protective systems.

(b) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Protection.

(c) “Public-private partnership” means a coastal resiliency project entered into by a local government under s. 255.065.

(2) To encourage investment from the private sector in coastal resiliency projects, the department may:

(a) Enter into long-term revenue-sharing agreements.

(b) Provide expedited permitting for construction.

(c) Seek comments from local governments and the public during project planning and execution and incorporate actions responsive to such comments into the project.

(d) Engage in-state vocational schools and apprenticeship programs to train workers in specialized resiliency construction.

(3) The department shall publish on its website biennial progress reports for each coastal resiliency project funded through a public-private partnership, including project milestones, expenditures, and public benefits. The department shall also create and maintain on its website an online dashboard for real-time updates on project execution.