Florida Statutes Title XIV. Taxation and Finance § 216.231. Release of certain classified appropriations

(1)(a) Any appropriation to the Executive Office of the Governor which is classified as an emergency, as defined in s. 252.34, may be released only with the approval of the Governor. The state agency, or the judicial branch, desiring the use of the emergency appropriation shall submit to the Executive Office of the Governor application in writing setting forth the facts from which the alleged need arises. The Executive Office of the Governor shall, at a public hearing, review such application promptly and approve or disapprove the applications as the circumstances may warrant. All actions of the Executive Office of the Governor shall be reported to the legislative appropriations committees, and the committees may advise the Executive Office of the Governor relative to the release of such funds.

(b) The release of appropriated funds classified as “emergency” shall be approved only if an act or circumstance caused by an act of God, civil disturbance, natural disaster, or other circumstance of an emergency nature threatens, endangers, or damages the property, safety, health, or welfare of the state or its residents, which condition has not been provided for in appropriation acts of the Legislature. Funds allocated for this purpose may be used to pay overtime pay to personnel of agencies called upon to perform extra duty because of any civil disturbance or other emergency as defined in s. 252.34 and to provide the required state match for federal grants under the federal Disaster Relief Act.