June 15, 2023
A proviso in Specific Appropriation 1275 of the FY2023-24 General Appropriations Act provides $2,750,000 in nonrecurring General Revenue funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to create a Rapid DNA Technology pilot program within eleven county jails. The department administers the funds and distributes $250,000 to each of eleven named sheriff's offices — Baker, Charlotte, Clay, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Leon, Martin, Manatee, Nassau and Sarasota — to pay for rapid DNA machines, consumables including sample test kits, installation and maintenance of the machines, and any additional expenses necessary to implement the program. Florida built the program from two separate instruments. CS/HB 1105 (2023) created Fla. Stat. s. 943.324, establishing a Rapid DNA Grant Program within the department for county jails and sheriff's offices, but carried no appropriation: s. 943.324(2) provides that grants must be awarded if funds are appropriated for that purpose by law and that total awards may not exceed the amount appropriated. The money came separately, through the General Appropriations Act.