HISTORICAL RESOURCES

F.S. Ch. 267
in effect

F.S. 267.11 Designation of archaeological sites.

The division may publicly designate an archaeological site of significance to the scientific study or public representation of the state’s historical, prehistoric, or aboriginal past as a “state archaeological landmark.” In addition, the division may publicly designate an interrelated grouping of significant archaeological sites as a “state archaeological landmark zone.” However, no site or grouping of sites shall be so designated without the express written consent of the private owner thereof. Upon designation of an archaeological site, the owners and occupants of each designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone shall be given written notification of such designation by the division. Once so designated, no person may conduct field investigation activities without first securing a permit from the division.

F.S. 267.011 Short title.

This act shall be known as the “Florida Historical Resources Act.”

F.S. 267.12 Research permits; procedure.

(1) As used in this section and s. 267.13, the term “water authority” means an independent special district created by special act whose purpose is to control and conserve freshwater resources. The term does not include any water management district created pursuant to s. 373.069. (2) The division may issue permits for excavation and surface reconnaissance on land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone to institutions that the division deems to be properly qualified to conduct such activity, subject to such rules and regulations as the division may prescribe, provided such activity is undertaken by reputable museums, universities, colleges, or other historical, scientific, or educational institutions or societies that possess or will secure the archaeological expertise for the performance of systematic archaeological field research, comprehensive analysis, and interpretation in the form of publishable reports and monographs, such reports to be submitted to the division. (3) Those state institutions considered by the division permanently to possess the required archaeological expertise to conduct the archaeological activities allowed under the permit may be designated as accredited institutions which will be allowed to conduct archaeological field activities on land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone without obtaining an individual permit for each project, except that those accredited institutions will be required to give prior written notice of all anticipated archaeological field activities on land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone to the division, together with such information as may reasonably be required by the division to ensure the proper preservation, protection, and excavation of the archaeological resources. However, archaeological activity may not be commenced by the accredited institution until the division has determined that the planned project will be in conformity with the guidelines, regulations, and criteria adopted pursuant to ss. 267.11-267.14. Such determination will be made by the division and notification to the institution given within 15 days after receipt of the prior notification by the division. (4) All specimens collected under a permit issued by the division or under the procedures adopted for accredited institutions shall belong to the state with the title thereto vested in the division for the purpose of administration and protection. The division may arrange for the disposition of the specimens so collected by accredited state institutions at those institutions and for the temporary or permanent loan of such specimens at permitholding institutions for the purpose of further scientific study, interpretative displays, and curatorial responsibilities.

F.S. 267.13 Prohibited practices; penalties.

(1)(a) Any person who by means other than excavation conducts archaeological field investigations on, or removes or attempts to remove or defaces, destroys, or otherwise alters any archaeological site or specimen located upon, land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone, except in the course of activities pursued under the authority of a permit or under procedures relating to accredited institutions granted by the division, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, and, in addition, shall forfeit to the state all specimens, objects, and materials collected, together with all photographs and records relating to such material. (b) Any person who by means of excavation conducts archaeological field investigations on, or removes or attempts to remove or defaces, destroys, or otherwise alters any archaeological site or specimen located upon, land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone, except in the course of activities pursued under the authority of a permit or under procedures relating to accredited institutions granted by the division, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, and any vehicle or equipment of any person used in connection with the violation is subject to forfeiture to the state if it is determined by any court of law that the vehicle or equipment was involved in the violation. Such person shall forfeit to the state all specimens, objects, and materials collected or excavated, together with all photographs and records relating to such material. The court may also order the defendant to make restitution to the state for the archaeological or commercial value and cost of restoration and repair as defined in subsection (4). (c) Any person who offers for sale or exchange any object with knowledge that it has previously been collected or excavated in violation of any of the terms of ss. 267.11-267.14, or who procures, counsels, solicits, or employs any other person to violate any prohibition contained in ss. 267.11-267.14 or to sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange any archaeological resource excavated or removed from land owned or controlled by the state, land owned by a water authority, or land within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone, except with the express consent of the division, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, and any vehicle or equipment of any person used in connection with the violation is subject to forfeiture to the state if it is determined by any court of law that such vehicle or equipment was involved in the violation. All specimens, objects, and material collected or excavated, together with all photographs and records relating to such material, shall be forfeited to the state. The court may also order the defendant to make restitution to the state for the archaeological or commercial value and cost of restoration and repair as defined in subsection (4). (2)(a) The division may institute an administrative proceeding to impose an administrative fine of not more than $500 a day on any person or business organization that, without written permission of the division, explores for, salvages, or excavates treasure trove, artifacts, sunken or abandoned ships, or other objects having historical or archaeological value located upon land owned or controlled by the state, including state sovereignty submerged land, or land owned by a water authority. (b) The division shall institute an administrative proceeding by serving written notice of a violation by certified mail upon the alleged violator. The notice shall specify the law or rule allegedly violated and the facts upon which the allegation is based. The notice shall also specify the amount of the administrative fine sought by the division. The fine is not due until after service of notice and an administrative hearing. However, the alleged violator has 20 days after service of notice to request an administrative hearing. Failure to respond within that time constitutes a waiver, and the fine becomes due without a hearing. (c) The division may enter its judgment for the amount of the administrative penalty imposed in a court of competent jurisdiction, pursuant to s. 120.69. The judgment may be enforced as any other judgment. (d) The division may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief against any person or business organization that explores for, salvages, or excavates treasure trove, artifacts, sunken or abandoned ships, or other objects having historical or archaeological value located upon land owned or controlled by the state, including state sovereignty submerged land, or land owned by a water authority without the written permission of the division. (e) The division shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. (3) Any person who: (a) Reproduces, retouches, reworks, or forges any archaeological or historical object originating from an archaeological site as designated by ss. 267.11-267.14 and deriving its principal value from its antiquity or makes any such object, whether a copy or not; or (b) Falsely labels, describes, identifies, or offers for sale or exchange any object with intent to represent the same to be an original and genuine archaeological or historical specimen, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (4) DETERMINATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR COMMERCIAL VALUE AND COST OF RESTORATION AND REPAIR. — (a) Archaeological value. — For purposes of this section, the archaeological value of any archaeological resource involved in a violation of the prohibitions in ss. 267.11-267.14 or conditions of a permit issued pursuant to ss. 267.11-267.14 shall be the value of the data associated with the archaeological resource. This value shall be appraised in terms of the costs of the retrieval of the scientific information which would have been obtainable prior to the violation. These costs may include, but need not be limited to, the cost of preparing a research design, conducting field work, carrying out laboratory analysis, and preparing reports as would be necessary to realize the information potential. (b) Commercial value. — For purposes of this section, the commercial value of any archaeological resource involved in a violation of the prohibitions in ss. 267.11-267.14 or conditions of a permit issued pursuant to ss. 267.11-267.14 shall be its fair market value. Where the violation has resulted in damage to the archaeological resource, the fair market value should be determined using the condition of the archaeological resource prior to the violation, to the extent that its prior condition can be ascertained. (c) Cost of restoration and repair. — For purposes of this section, the cost of restoration and repair of archaeological resources damaged as a result of a violation of prohibitions or conditions pursuant to this section shall be the sum of the costs already incurred for emergency restoration or repair work, plus those costs projected to be necessary to complete restoration and repair, which may include, but need not be limited to, the costs of the following: 1. Reconstruction of the archaeological resource. 2. Stabilization of the archaeological resource. 3. Ground contour reconstruction and surface stabilization. 4. Research necessary to carry out reconstruction or stabilization. 5. Physical barriers or other protective devices, necessitated by the disturbance of the archaeological resource, to protect it from further disturbance. 6. Examination and analysis of the archaeological resource, including recording remaining archaeological information, where necessitated by disturbance, in order to salvage remaining values which cannot be otherwise conserved. 7. Reinterment of human remains in accordance with religious custom and state, local, or tribal law, where appropriate, as determined by the land manager. 8. Preparation of reports relating to any of the activities described in this paragraph.

F.S. 267.14 Legislative intent.

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state to preserve archaeological sites and objects of antiquity for the public benefit and to limit exploration, excavation, and collection of such matters to qualified persons and educational institutions possessing the requisite skills and purpose to add to the general store of knowledge concerning history, archaeology, and anthropology. It is further declared to be the public policy of the state to provide public outreach and assistance to local governments in identifying, evaluating, developing, and preserving the archaeology in their local areas through the establishment of a network of regional public archaeology centers. It is further declared to be the public policy of the state that field investigation activities on privately owned lands should be discouraged except in accordance with both the provisions and spirit of ss. 267.11-267.145; and persons having knowledge of the location of archaeological sites are encouraged to communicate such information to the division.

F.S. 267.17 Citizen support organizations; use of state administrative services and property; audit.

(1) CITIZEN SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS. — The division may support the establishment of citizen support organizations to provide assistance, funding, and promotional support for the archaeology, museum, folklife, and historic preservation programs of the division. For the purposes of this section, a “citizen support organization” shall mean an organization which is: (a) A Florida corporation not for profit incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State; (b) Organized and operated to conduct programs and activities; raise funds; request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of money; acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer, in its own name, securities, funds, objects of value, or other property, real or personal; and make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect benefit of the division or individual program units of the division; (c) Determined by the division to be consistent with the goals of the division and in the best interests of the state; and (d) Approved in writing by the division to operate for the direct or indirect benefit of the division; such approval shall be given in a letter of agreement from the division. (2) USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND PROPERTY. — (a) The division may fix and collect charges for the rental of facilities and properties managed by the division and may permit, without charge, appropriate use of administrative services, property, and facilities of the division by a citizen support organization, subject to the provisions of this section. Such use must be directly in keeping with the approved purposes of the citizen support organization and may not be made at times or places that would unreasonably interfere with opportunities for the general public to use such facilities for established purposes. Any moneys received from rentals of facilities and properties managed by the division may be held in the operating trust fund of the division or in a separate depository account in the name of the citizen support organization and subject to the provisions of the letter of agreement with the division. (b) The division may prescribe by rule any condition with which a citizen support organization shall comply in order to use division administrative services, property, or facilities. (c) The division shall not permit the use of any administrative services, property, or facilities of the state by a citizen support organization which does not provide equal membership and employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin. (3) ANNUAL AUDIT. — Each citizen support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981. The identity of donors who desire to remain anonymous shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report.

F.S. 267.21 Historic Cemeteries Program.

(1) The Historic Cemeteries Program is created within the division. The State Historic Preservation Officer shall serve as the director of the program and shall, subject to legislative appropriation, employ three full-time employees to operate the program. The program shall have the following duties and responsibilities: (a) Serve as the organizational center for recording and updating in the Florida Master Site File records of cemeteries in this state established at least 50 years ago. (b) Develop guidelines for use by state agencies, local governments, and developers in the identification, location, and maintenance of abandoned and historic cemeteries. (c) Serve as an interagency governmental liaison to municipalities, planning departments, colleges and universities, and community organizations to facilitate collaboration and the sharing of information relating to abandoned and historic cemeteries. (d) Coordinate with the University of South Florida’s Black Cemetery Network to facilitate the inclusion of abandoned African-American cemeteries in the Black Cemetery Network. (e) Research, identify, and record abandoned cemeteries, with an emphasis on abandoned African-American cemeteries. (f) When abandoned cemeteries are located, provide notification and guidance to relevant persons and assist with efforts to identify relatives and descendants, funeral directors, religious organizations, qualified nonprofit organizations, and property owners. (g) Assist constituents, descendant communities, state and federal agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders with inquiries relating to abandoned cemeteries. (h) In coordination with the Department of Education, develop a curriculum relating to abandoned and historic cemeteries, with a focus on citizenship, social responsibility, and history. (i) Establish a priority for the placement of historical markers for erased, forgotten, lost, or abandoned African-American cemeteries. (2) The Historic Cemeteries Program shall, subject to legislative appropriation, provide grants to the following entities: (a) Research institutions, colleges and universities, and qualified nonprofit organizations, for the purpose of conducting genealogical and historical research necessary to identify and contact the relatives and descendants of persons buried in abandoned African-American cemeteries. (b) Local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations, for the purposes of repairing, restoring, and maintaining abandoned African-American cemeteries. (3) The division may adopt rules to implement this section.

F.S. 267.021 Definitions.

For the purpose of this act, the term: (1) “Agency” means any state, county, or municipal officer, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other separate unit of government created or established by law. (2) “Division” means the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State. (3) “Florida history museum” means a public or private nonprofit institution which is established permanently in this state for the purpose of promoting and encouraging knowledge and appreciation of Florida history through the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of artifacts and other historical properties related to Florida history and the primary role of which is to collect and care for artifacts and other objects of intrinsic historical or archaeological value and exhibit them regularly through a facility or facilities owned or operated by the institution. (4) “Historic property” or “historic resource” means any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, object, or other real or personal property of historical, architectural, or archaeological value, and folklife resources. These properties or resources may include, but are not limited to, monuments, memorials, Indian habitations, ceremonial sites, abandoned settlements, sunken or abandoned ships, engineering works, treasure trove, artifacts, or other objects with intrinsic historical or archaeological value, or any part thereof, relating to the history, government, and culture of the state. (5) “Historical museum” means a department or agency of state or local government or a public or private nonprofit organization located in Florida and operating on a permanent basis for the primary purpose of sponsoring, producing, and exhibiting educational programs that are related to the historical resources of Florida. (6) “National Register of Historic Places” means the list of historic properties significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture, maintained by the Secretary of the Interior, as established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. (7) “Official Florida Historical Marker” means any marker, plaque, or similar device awarded, approved, or administered by the Division of Historical Resources for the purpose of recognizing and informing the general public about historic properties, persons, events, and other topics relating to the history and culture of the state. (8) “Preservation” or “historic preservation” means the identification, evaluation, recordation, documentation, analysis, recovery, interpretation, curation, acquisition, protection, management, rehabilitation, restoration, stabilization, maintenance, or reconstruction of historic properties.

F.S. 267.22 Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council.

(1) The Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council, an advisory council as defined in s. 20.03(7), is created within the division and shall consist of nine members appointed by the Secretary of State after considering the recommendations of the director of the division. The council must be composed of an inclusive group of members who are regionally distributed and representative of communities throughout this state. Members shall serve 4-year terms; however, for the purpose of providing staggered terms, four of the appointees initially shall be appointed to 2-year terms and the remaining five shall be appointed to 4-year terms. All subsequent appointments shall be for 4-year terms. As soon as practicable after July 1, 2023, the council shall meet to elect a chair from its membership. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the council shall operate in a manner consistent with s. 20.052. (2) The council shall provide guidance and recommendations to the division regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Historic Cemeteries Program created under s. 267.21. (3) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but may receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.

F.S. 267.031 Division of Historical Resources; powers and duties.

(1) The division has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon it. (2) The division may make and enter into all contracts and agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations, corporations and individuals, or federal agencies as it may determine are necessary, expedient, or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its powers under this chapter. (3) The division may accept gifts, grants, bequests, loans, and endowments for purposes not inconsistent with its responsibilities under this chapter. The division may also establish an endowment that is consistent with the responsibilities of this chapter. (4) All law enforcement agencies and offices are authorized and directed to assist the division in carrying out its duties under this chapter. (5) It is the responsibility of the division to: (a) Cooperate with federal and state agencies, local governments, and private organizations and individuals to direct and conduct a comprehensive statewide survey of historic resources and to maintain an inventory of such resources. (b) Develop a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan. (c) Identify and nominate through the State Historic Preservation Officer eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places and otherwise administer applications for listing historic properties in the National Register. (d) Cooperate with federal and state agencies, local governments, and organizations and individuals to ensure that historic resources are taken into consideration at all levels of planning and development. (e) Advise and assist, as appropriate, federal and state agencies and local governments in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities and programs. (f) Provide public information, education, and technical assistance relating to historic preservation programs. (g) Cooperate with local governments and organizations and individuals in the development of local historic preservation programs, including the Main Street Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, or any similar programs that may be developed by the division. (h) Carry out on behalf of the state the programs of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and to establish, maintain, and administer a state historic preservation program meeting the requirements of an approved program and fulfilling the responsibilities of state historic preservation programs as provided in s. 101(b) of that act. (i) Take such other actions necessary or appropriate to locate, acquire, protect, preserve, operate, interpret, and promote the location, acquisition, protection, preservation, operation, and interpretation of historic resources to foster an appreciation of Florida history and culture. Prior to the acquisition, preservation, interpretation, or operation of a historic property by a state agency, the division shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the proposed undertaking and shall determine that there exists historical authenticity and a feasible means of providing for the preservation, interpretation, and operation of such property. Expenditures by the division to protect or preserve historic properties leased by the division from the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may be exempt from the competitive bid requirements of chapters 255 and 287. (j) Cooperate and coordinate with the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection in the operation and management of historic properties or resources subject to review under s. 267.061(2) by the Division of Historical Resources. (k) Establish professional standards for the preservation, exclusive of acquisition, of historic resources in state ownership or control. (l) Establish guidelines for state agency responsibilities under s. 267.061(2). (m) Establish and maintain a central inventory of historic properties for the state which shall consist of all such properties as may be reported to the division. This inventory shall be known as the Florida Master Site File. (n) Protect and administer historical resources abandoned on state-owned lands or on state-owned sovereignty submerged lands. The division may issue permits for survey and exploration activities to identify historical resources and may issue permits for excavation and salvage activities to recover historical resources. The division may issue permits for archaeological excavation for scientific or educational purposes on state-owned lands or on state-owned sovereignty submerged lands. The division may also issue permits for exploration and salvage of historic shipwreck sites by commercial salvors on state-owned sovereignty submerged lands. The division shall adopt rules to administer the issuance of permits for all such activities. In addition, the division shall adopt rules to administer the transfer of objects recovered by commercial salvors under permit in exchange for recovery services provided to the state. (o) Advise and assist, as appropriate, federal and state agencies, local governments, and organizations and individuals in the recognition, protection, and preservation of the archaeological sites and artifacts of this state, directly and through a memorandum of agreement with a network of public archaeology centers as described in s. 267.145. (6) The division may enter into a memorandum of agreement with the University of West Florida to coordinate the establishment and operation of a network of regional public archaeology centers to provide public outreach and assistance to local governments in identifying, evaluating, developing, and preserving the archaeology in their local areas and in assisting the division in its archaeological responsibilities as outlined in this chapter and the memorandum of agreement. (7) The division shall employ a State Archaeologist, and such other archaeologists as deemed necessary, who shall possess such qualifications as the division may prescribe. The State Archaeologist shall serve at the pleasure of the division director and shall have his or her duties prescribed by the division director. (8) The division shall employ a State Historic Preservation Officer, qualified by special training or experience in the field of historic preservation, and such other specialists in the field of historic preservation as deemed necessary, who shall possess such qualifications as the division may prescribe. The State Historic Preservation Officer shall be designated as such by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of State, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of State. The State Historic Preservation Officer shall conduct relations with representatives of the Federal Government and the respective states concerning matters of historic preservation, and shall perform such other duties as prescribed by the Secretary of State.

F.S. 267.061 Historic properties; state policy, responsibilities.

(1) STATE POLICY RELATIVE TO HISTORIC PROPERTIES. — (a) The rich and unique heritage of historic properties in this state, representing more than 10,000 years of human presence, is an important legacy to be valued and conserved for present and future generations. The destruction of these nonrenewable historical resources will engender a significant loss to the state’s quality of life, economy, and cultural environment. It is therefore declared to be state policy to: 1. Provide leadership in the preservation of the state’s historic resources; 2. Administer state-owned or state-controlled historic resources in a spirit of stewardship and trusteeship; 3. Contribute to the preservation of non-state-owned historic resources and to give encouragement to organizations and individuals undertaking preservation by private means; 4. Foster conditions, using measures that include financial and technical assistance, for a harmonious coexistence of society and state historic resources; 5. Encourage the public and private preservation and utilization of elements of the state’s historically built environment; and 6. Assist local governments to expand and accelerate their historic preservation programs and activities. (b) It is further declared to be the public policy of the state that all treasure trove, artifacts, and such objects having intrinsic or historical and archaeological value which have been abandoned on state-owned lands or state-owned sovereignty submerged lands shall belong to the state with the title thereto vested in the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State for the purposes of administration and protection. (2) RESPONSIBILITIES OF STATE AGENCIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. — (a) Each state agency of the executive branch having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed state or state-assisted undertaking shall, in accordance with state policy and prior to the approval of expenditure of any state funds on the undertaking, consider the effect of the undertaking on any historic property that is included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places. Each such agency shall afford the division a reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to such an undertaking. (b) Each state agency of the executive branch shall initiate measures in consultation with the division to assure that where, as a result of state action or assistance carried out by such agency, a historic property is to be demolished or substantially altered in a way which adversely affects the character, form, integrity, or other qualities which contribute to historical, architectural, or archaeological value of the property, timely steps are taken to determine that no feasible and prudent alternative to the proposed demolition or alteration exists, and, where no such alternative is determined to exist, to assure that timely steps are taken either to avoid or mitigate the adverse effects, or to undertake an appropriate archaeological salvage excavation or other recovery action to document the property as it existed prior to demolition or alteration. (c) In consultation with the division, each state agency of the executive branch shall establish a program to locate, inventory, and evaluate all historic properties under the agency’s ownership or control that appear to qualify for the National Register. Each such agency shall exercise caution to assure that any such historic property is not inadvertently transferred, sold, demolished, substantially altered, or allowed to deteriorate significantly. (d) Each state agency of the executive branch shall assume responsibility for the preservation of historic resources which are owned or controlled by such agency. Prior to acquiring, constructing, or leasing buildings for the purpose of carrying out agency responsibilities, the agency shall use, to the maximum extent feasible, historic properties available to the agency. Each agency shall undertake, consistent with the preservation of such properties, the mission of the agency, and the professional standards established pursuant to s. 267.031(5)(k), any preservation actions necessary to carry out the intent of this paragraph. (e) Each state agency of the executive branch, in seeking to acquire additional space through new construction or lease, shall give preference to the acquisition or use of historic properties when such acquisition or use is determined to be feasible and prudent compared with available alternatives. The acquisition or use of historic properties is considered feasible and prudent if the cost of purchase or lease, the cost of rehabilitation, remodeling, or altering the building to meet compliance standards and the agency’s needs, and the projected costs of maintaining the building and providing utilities and other services is less than or equal to the same costs for available alternatives. The agency shall request the division to assist in determining if the acquisition or use of a historic property is feasible and prudent. Within 60 days after making a determination that additional space is needed, the agency shall request the division to assist in identifying buildings within the appropriate geographic area that are historic properties suitable for acquisition or lease by the agency, whether or not such properties are in need of repair, alteration, or addition. (f) Consistent with the agency’s mission and authority, all state agencies of the executive branch shall carry out agency programs and projects, including those under which any state assistance is provided, in a manner which is generally sensitive to the preservation of historic properties and shall give consideration to programs and projects which will further the purposes of this section. (3) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES. — The Department of Management Services, in consultation with the division, shall adopt rules for the renovation of historic properties which are owned or leased by the state. Such rules shall be based on national guidelines for historic renovation, including the standards and guidelines for rehabilitation adopted by the United States Secretary of the Interior.

F.S. 267.062 Naming of state buildings and other facilities.

(1) Except as specifically provided by law, no state building, road, bridge, park, recreational complex, or other similar facility shall be named for any living person. (2) The division shall, after consulting with the Florida Historical Commission, recommend several persons whose contributions to the state have been of such significance that the division may recommend that state buildings and facilities be named for them. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) or s. 1013.79(11), any state building, road, bridge, park, recreational complex, or other similar facility of a state university may be named for a living person by the university board of trustees in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board of Governors of the State University System.

F.S. 267.071 Historical museums.

It is the duty of the division to: (1) Promote and encourage throughout the state knowledge and appreciation of Florida history by encouraging the people of the state to engage in the preservation and care of artifacts, museum items, treasure trove, and other historical properties; the collection, research, fabrication, exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of historical materials; the publicizing of the state’s history through media of public information; and other activities in historical and allied fields. (2) Encourage, promote, maintain, and operate historical museums, including the Museum of Florida History, mobile museums, and other Florida history museums. (3) Plan and develop, in cooperation with other state agencies and with municipalities, programs to promote and encourage the teaching of Florida’s history and heritage in Florida schools and other educational institutions and other such educational programs as may be appropriate. (4)(a) Establish professional standards for the preservation, exclusive of acquisition, of each of the collections under state ownership or control. (b) Take such other actions as are necessary or appropriate to locate, acquire, preserve, operate, interpret, and promote the location, acquisition, protection, preservation, operation, and interpretation of historical artifacts and resources to foster an appreciation of Florida history and culture.

F.S. 267.074 State Historical Marker Program.

The division shall coordinate and direct the State Historical Marker Program, which shall be a program of popular history and heritage designed to inform the general public about persons, events, structures, and other topics relating to the history and culture of the state; encourage interest in preserving the historical resources of the state and its localities; promote a sense of community and place among Florida citizens; and provide for the enjoyment and edification of tourists. (1) The division shall encourage the initiation of proposals for Official Florida Historical Markers from departments or agencies of the state; units of county, municipal, or other local governments; corporations, partnerships, or other organizations, whether public or private and whether or not for profit; or any individual. Markers may be installed to recognize historic properties, as well as individuals, events, and other topics significant in Florida or American history, architecture, archaeology, or culture. (2) By means of appropriate variations in marker design, the division shall distinguish the following categories of Official Florida Historical Markers: (a) Florida Heritage Landmark markers, which shall be used to identify and interpret Heritage Landmark properties. (b) State Historic Highway markers, which shall be used to identify state historic highways, as provided in general law. (c) Florida Heritage markers, which shall be used to identify and interpret people, events, and places, including buildings and archaeological sites, which do not meet the criteria for a Florida Heritage Landmark, and other subjects relating to Florida history and culture. (d) Other special series of markers which the division may establish to facilitate guiding the general public to places of historic interest and to facilitate identification and interpretation of topics of statewide interest, including, but not limited to, historic and scenic trails, byways, and greenways and anniversaries or other occasions of special significance to the history and culture of Florida. The division may exercise the right of trademark over the terms “Florida Heritage” or “Heritage Florida” pursuant to s. 286.031. (3) The division shall establish and maintain a central register of all markers installed in each category set out in subsection (2). In addition, the division shall establish and maintain the Florida Register of Heritage Landmarks, a central register of historic properties, which generally shall consist of properties more than 50 years of age deemed worthy of preservation for their exceptional historical significance to the state as a whole or a region of the state and their architectural or archaeological integrity. (a) The division shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 that prescribe criteria and a process for the identification, evaluation, and designation of Heritage Landmark properties, as well as for withdrawal of designation. (b) The division may waive the age requirement of 50 years for properties of overwhelming state or national importance; however, it is the intent of the Legislature that exceptions shall rarely be given. (c) The division shall undertake a program to identify and nominate properties eligible for designation as Heritage Landmarks. (d) Designation of private property as a Heritage Landmark does not prohibit under Florida law or regulation any actions which may otherwise be taken by the property owner with respect to the property. (4)(a) The division is authorized and empowered to erect and maintain appropriate signs or markers indicating sites of historic interest and value upon public property as well as upon private property where permission is obtained. (b) The Department of Transportation or the governing body of each county or municipality is authorized to permit and assist the division in erecting and maintaining said historic signs or markers within the right-of-way of any state highway, county road, or municipal street, or any other property under its jurisdiction and control, under such conditions and limitations as may be appropriate. The division is hereby vested with the exclusive authority and power to erect and maintain said historic signs or markers within the right-of-way of any state highway. (5) The division shall designate an approved marker as an Official Florida Historical Marker. To ensure a degree of uniformity and quality of historical markers, monuments, plaques, medallions, and similar devices in this state, and to avoid any confusion with or misrepresentation of an Official Florida Historical Marker, no such marker or reasonable facsimile thereof may be fabricated with any emblem, design, or logo signifying another organization. No other emblem, design, or marker size may be used in addition to or instead of those offered by the division for an Official Florida Historical Marker. Emblems, designs, or logos offered by the division are property of the state and may not be used for commercial advertising or copied for the use of any other agency, association, corporation, or individual without the express consent and authorization of the division. (6) The division may establish a reasonable fee to recover its costs arising from review of a proposal for a historical marker, monument, plaque, medallion, or similar device. Any fee established shall be payable by the applicant for the marker, monument, plaque, medallion, or similar device. (7) Funds for the creation and placement of an Official Florida Historical Marker shall be provided by the agency, organization, individual, or other entity proposing the marker. The division may erect Official Florida Historical Markers at its own expense and may make competitive grants from the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund, pursuant to s. 267.0617, to assist in funding the costs of Official Florida Historical Markers. All Official Florida Historical Markers shall be considered property of the state. (8) The division shall seek cooperation from local volunteers throughout the state and, where appropriate, shall encourage the establishment of citizen support organizations, pursuant to s. 267.17, to assist in maintaining Official Florida Historical Markers and facilitating public access to places marked.

F.S. 267.075 The Grove Advisory Council; creation; membership; purposes.

(1) The Call/Collins House, commonly known as “The Grove,” located in Tallahassee, Leon County, shall be utilized as a house museum of history for the educational benefit of the citizens of this state. The utilization of The Grove as a museum of history shall emphasize the lives and accomplishments of The Grove’s first owner, Richard Keith Call, Florida’s last Territorial Governor, and LeRoy Collins, Florida’s 33rd Governor, who, with his wife, Mary Call Darby Collins, were the last owners of The Grove. The faithful restoration and maintenance of The Grove undertaken by LeRoy Collins and Mary Call Darby Collins during the nearly six decades of Collins family ownership and stewardship which has preserved the original plan of construction and design of The Grove shall be continued as provided for in this section. (2) There is created within the Department of State The Grove Advisory Council for the purpose of advising the Division of Historical Resources on the operation, maintenance, preservation, and protection of the Call/Collins House, commonly known as “The Grove,” its grounds, cemetery, and all structures thereon; the furniture and furnishings located therein; any changes in the architecture, structure, furnishings, or landscaping deemed necessary or desirable by the council; and the design and development of interpretive programs and exhibits in connection therewith. (3)(a) The Grove Advisory Council shall be composed of eight members, as follows: 1. Five members shall be private citizens appointed by the Secretary of State. 2. One member shall be the Secretary of Management Services or his or her designee. 3. One member shall be the director of the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State. 4. At least one member shall be a direct descendant of Mary Call Darby Collins appointed by the Secretary of State with the advice of the oldest living generation of lineal descendants of Mary Call Darby Collins. Of the citizen members, at least one member shall have professional curatorial and museum expertise, one member shall have professional architectural expertise in the preservation of historic buildings, and one member shall have professional landscape expertise. The five citizen members of the council appointed by the Secretary of State and the member of the council who is a direct descendant of Mary Call Darby Collins appointed by the Secretary of State shall be appointed for staggered 4-year terms. The Secretary of State shall fill the remainder of unexpired terms for the five citizen members of the council and the member of the council who is a direct descendant of Mary Call Darby Collins. (b) The council shall annually elect a chair from among the five citizen members of the council appointed by the Secretary of State and the member of the council who is a direct descendant of Mary Call Darby Collins appointed by the Secretary of State. The chair shall serve for a term of 1 year. Meetings of the council shall be held at the call of the chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the Secretary of State, or at such times as may be prescribed by rules of the council. The council shall meet at least twice annually. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (c) The council shall obtain clerical, expert, technical, or other services from the Division of Historical Resources. The Department of Management Services shall provide reasonable assistance to the Department of State in carrying out the purposes of this section. (d) Members of the council shall serve without compensation or honorarium but shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. All expenses of the council shall be paid from appropriations to be made by the Legislature to the Department of State. All vouchers shall be approved by the Division of Historical Resources before being submitted to the Chief Financial Officer for payment. (4)(a) The Division of Historical Resources, with the advice and assistance of the council, shall maintain the structure, style, character, and landscaping of The Grove, its grounds, its private family cemetery, and all structures thereon consistent with the character, plan, and design of The Grove at the time the state takes physical possession of The Grove and its surrounding property from Mary Call Darby Collins. It shall preserve and protect the antique furnishings and other articles of furniture, fixtures, and decorative objects and articles used or displayed in the premises. (b) The Division of Historical Resources shall catalog and maintain a descriptive, photographic inventory of the furnishings, fixtures, and decorative objects and articles used or displayed in the premises. (c) The Division of Historical Resources may receive, on behalf of the state, contributions, bequests, and gifts of money, furniture, works of art, memorabilia, or other property consistent with the use of The Grove as described in this section. Title to all property which is received in this manner shall vest in the state and shall be held in trust by the Division of Historical Resources solely to further the purposes of this section. No furniture, furnishings, fixtures, or decorative objects acquired from the Collins family or any of its members shall be used for any purpose except as a permanent part of The Grove’s furniture, furnishings, fixtures, or decorative objects, and any such item not so utilized shall forthwith revert to the Collins family member or members from whom it was acquired. No gifts, contributions, or bequests shall be accepted for The Grove without the advice and recommendation of the council.

F.S. 267.076 Confidentiality of certain donor information related to publicly owned house museums designated as National Historic Landmarks.

Information that would identify a donor or prospective donor to a publicly owned house museum designated by the United States Department of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark who desires to remain anonymous is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

F.S. 267.081 Publications.

(1) It is the duty of the division to: (a) Promote and encourage the writing of Florida history. (b) Collect, edit, publish, and print pamphlets, papers, manuscripts, documents, books, monographs, and other materials relating to Florida history. The division may establish a reasonable charge for such publications. (c) Cooperate with and coordinate research and publication activities of other agencies, organizations, historical commissions and societies, corporations, and individuals, which relate to historical matters. (d) Hold any moneys received from the sale of publications by the division in the operating trust fund of the division or in a separate depository account in the name of a citizen support organization formed pursuant to s. 267.17 and subject to the provision of a letter of agreement with the division. (2) The division may exercise the right of trademark and service mark over the terms “Florida History & the Arts” or “Florida History and the Arts” pursuant to s. 286.031.

F.S. 267.115 Objects of historical or archaeological value.

The division shall acquire, maintain, preserve, interpret, exhibit, and make available for study objects which have intrinsic historical or archaeological value relating to the history, government, or culture of the state. Such objects may include tangible personal property of historical or archaeological value. Objects acquired under this section belong to the state, and title to such objects is vested in the division. (1) Notwithstanding s. 273.02, the division shall maintain an adequate record of all objects in its custody which have a historical or archaeological value. Once each year, on July 1 or as soon thereafter as practicable, the division shall take a complete inventory of all such objects in its custody the value or cost of which is $1,000 or more and a sample inventory of such objects the value or cost of which is less than $1,000. Each inventory shall be compared with the property record, and all discrepancies shall be traced and reconciled. Objects of historical or archaeological value are not required to be identified by marking or other physical alteration of the objects. (2) The division may arrange for the temporary or permanent loan of any object which has historical or archaeological value in its custody. Such loans shall be for the purpose of assisting historical, archaeological, or other studies; providing objects relating to interpretive exhibits and other educational programs which promote knowledge and appreciation of Florida history and the programs of the division; or assisting the division in carrying out its responsibility to ensure proper curation of the objects. (3) The division may determine from time to time that an object which is in its custody and which is owned by the state has no further use or value for the research, exhibit, or educational programs of the division, or that such an object will receive more appropriate maintenance and preservation by another agency, institution, or organization, and may loan, exchange, sell, or otherwise transfer ownership and custody of such object to another agency, institution, or organization for the purpose of ensuring the continued maintenance and preservation of such object, or for the purpose of acquiring another object which better serves the interests of the state and is more appropriate for promoting knowledge and appreciation of Florida history and the programs of the division. (4) For the purpose of the exchange, sale, or other transfer of objects of historical or archaeological value, the division is exempt from chapter 273. (5) All moneys received from the sale of an object which has historical or archaeological value pursuant to subsection (3) shall be deposited in the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund and shall be used exclusively for the acquisition of additional historical and archaeological objects or the preservation and maintenance of any such objects in the custody of the division. (6) The division shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 that prescribe criteria for the inventory and for the loan, exchange, sale, transfer, or other disposal of state-owned objects of historical or archaeological value. (7) Any custodian as defined in s. 273.01(1) who violates any provision of this section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (8) Notwithstanding any provision of s. 287.022 or s. 287.025(1)(e), the division may enter into contracts to insure museum collections, artifacts, relics, and fine arts to which it holds title. (9) The division may implement a program to administer finds of isolated historic artifacts from state-owned river bottoms whereby the division may transfer ownership of such artifacts to the finder in exchange for information about the artifacts and the circumstances and location of their discovery.

F.S. 267.135 Location of archaeological sites.

Any information identifying the location of an archaeological site held by the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, if the Division of Historical Resources finds that disclosure of such information will create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction at such site.

F.S. 267.145 Florida network of public archaeology centers.

(1) The Department of State shall create, through a memorandum of agreement, a Florida network of public archaeology centers to help stem the rapid deterioration of this state’s buried past and to expand public interest in archaeology. The network of public archaeology centers shall work in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the division through the cooperative memorandum of agreement. (2) The network of public archaeology centers shall be administered through a public archaeology center at the University of West Florida. Additional centers shall be established throughout the state with each center located in an existing facility, free of charge, of a state university with a local archaeological program, a regional historic preservation office, the facility of a nonprofit organization that is involved in the archaeology of the region, or other locations as set forth in the memorandum of agreement.

F.S. 267.172 Tallahassee; Florida Keys; contracts for historic preservation.

In order to continue the work performed by the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board of Trustees and the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board of Trustees, the Department of State may contract with not-for-profit corporations established for the purpose of advancing historic preservation in these areas to manage the various state-owned properties presently managed by the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board of Trustees and the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board of Trustees. The contract, which shall at a minimum contain those requirements provided in s. 267.17, for citizen support organizations, including the use of public property and the performance of an annual audit, shall provide that the not-for-profit corporations may use all proceeds derived from the management of state-owned buildings and for the purpose of advancing historic preservation in their areas.

F.S. 267.173 Historic preservation in West Florida; goals; contracts for historic preservation; powers and duties.

(1) It is the goal of the state to continue to ensure long-term preservation and interpretation of state-owned historic properties while facilitating an educational program at the University of West Florida that will be responsive to the state’s needs for professionals in historic preservation, archaeology, cultural resource management, and museum administration and will help meet needs of West Florida communities through educational internships and practicums. (2) Upon agreement by all parties to the contracts for the management of the various state-owned properties managed by the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board of Trustees prior to July 1, 2001, all existing management contracts shall be rescinded upon execution of a contract between the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the University of West Florida for the management of those properties. The University of West Florida shall provide for the management of these state-owned properties and may contract for such management with its direct-support organization as described in s. 267.1732. Any contract for the management of the properties shall provide that the University of West Florida or its direct-support organization shall use all proceeds derived from the management of the state-owned properties for the purposes of advancing historic preservation, historic preservation research, and historic preservation education. (3) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may transfer ownership and responsibility to any artifacts, documents, equipment, and other forms of tangible personal property to the University of West Florida to assist the university in the transition of the management of the state-owned properties. (4)(a) The University of West Florida is the governing body for the management and maintenance of state-owned properties contracted by this section and shall exercise those powers provided through the contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund as well as performing all lawful acts necessary, convenient, and incident to the effectuating of the contract, its management and function, and the purposes under this section and s. 267.1732. The University of West Florida may contract with its direct-support organization described in s. 267.1732 to perform all acts that are lawful and permitted for not-for-profit corporations under chapter 617 in assisting the university in carrying out its responsibilities for historic preservation, historic preservation research, and historic preservation education. (b) The university or its direct-support organization, if permitted in its contract with the university, shall have the power to engage in any lawful business or activity to establish, maintain, and operate the state-owned facilities and properties governed by this section, including, but not limited to: 1. The renting or leasing for revenue of any land, improved or restored real estate, or personal property directly related to carrying out the purposes for historic preservation, historic preservation research, and historic preservation education under terms and conditions of the contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and deemed by the university to be in the best interest of the state. 2. The selling of craft products created through the operation and demonstration of historical museums, craft shops, and other facilities. 3. The limited selling of merchandise relating to Florida history and archaeology. (c) The university or its direct-support organization, if permitted in the contract with the university, shall have the authority to: 1. Enter into agreements to accept credit card payments as compensation, and establish accounts in credit card banks for the deposit of credit card sales invoices. 2. Fix and collect charges for admission to any of the state-owned facilities governed by this section. 3. Permit the acceptance of tour vouchers issued by tour organizations or travel agents for payment of admissions. 4. Adopt and enforce reasonable policies to govern the conduct of the visiting public. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 287.057, the University of West Florida or its direct-support organization may enter into contracts or agreements with or without competitive bidding, in its discretion, for the protection, enhancement, or preservation of historic properties. (6) Notwithstanding s. 273.055, the University of West Florida may exchange, sell, or otherwise transfer any artifact, document, equipment and other form of tangible personal property if its direct-support organization recommends such exchange, sale, or transfer to the president of the university and if it is determined that the object is no longer appropriate for the purpose of advancing historic preservation. However, any artifact, document, or other form of tangible personal property that has intrinsic historical or archaeological value relating to the history, government, or culture of the state may not be exchanged, sold, or otherwise transferred without prior authorization from the Department of State. (7) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the University of West Florida and its direct-support organization are eligible to match state funds in the University Major Gifts Program established pursuant to s. 1011.94 and in the Alec P. Courtelis University Facility Enhancement Challenge Grant Program established pursuant to s. 1013.79.

F.S. 267.0612 Florida Historical Commission; creation; membership; powers and duties.

In order to enhance public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of the state’s historic and archaeological sites and properties, there is created within the Department of State the “Florida Historical Commission.” The commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the director of the Division of Historical Resources to assist the director in carrying out the purposes, duties, and responsibilities of the division, as specified in this chapter. (1)(a)1. The commission shall be composed of 11 members. Seven members shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of State, two members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of the seven members appointed by the Governor, one member must be a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history; one member must be a professional historian in the field of American history; one member must be a professional architectural historian; one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the field of prehistory; and one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the historic period. The remaining two members appointed by the Governor and the two members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, must be representatives of the general public with demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida’s historical and archaeological heritage. At least one member of the commission shall be a resident of a county that has a population of 75,000 or fewer. 2. After June 30, 2008, terms of appointment shall begin on January 1 of the year of appointment. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the initial members of the commission shall be the members of the Historic Preservation Advisory Council and the National Register of Historic Places Review Board, serving on January 1, 2002, who may serve the remainder of their respective terms. New appointments to the commission shall not be made until the retirement, resignation, removal, or expiration of the terms of the initial members results in fewer than 11 members remaining. As vacancies occur, the first appointments shall be the five professionally designated members appointed by the Governor. The President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor, respectively, shall then alternate appointments until the commission is composed as required herein. (2) Commission members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be appointed for 2-year terms. Additionally, these commission members shall serve as the legislative historic preservation advisory body to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate with respect to the collection and preservation of the historic records of both houses of the Legislature. Commission members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed to 4-year terms. A member whose term has expired shall continue to serve on the commission until such time as a replacement is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term and by the original appointing authority. (3) The Governor shall designate a member of the commission as the commission’s presiding officer to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the Governor. Each year the commission shall select an assistant presiding officer from its membership. (4) The commission shall meet upon the call of the presiding officer or Secretary of State, which shall occur at least quarterly. Members shall serve without pay, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses in carrying out their official duties, as provided in s. 112.061. (5) All action taken by the commission shall be by majority vote of those members present. The director of the division or the director’s designee shall serve without voting rights as secretary to the commission. The division shall provide necessary staff assistance to the commission. (6) It shall be the responsibility of the commission to provide assistance, advice, and recommendations to the division in: (a) Establishing priorities for the identification, acquisition, protection, and preservation of historic and archaeological sites and properties. (b) Establishing criteria for use in assessing the significance of historic and archaeological sites and properties. (c) Evaluating proposals for awards of special category historic preservation grants-in-aid administered by the division. Pursuant thereto, the commission shall review and evaluate proposals for special category grants and shall make recommendations, including a priority ranking, reflecting such evaluation. In making such evaluation and recommendations, the commission shall, at a minimum, consider the purpose, economic and other public benefit, location, compatibility with statewide historic preservation priorities, and cost of each proposal for special category grant assistance. (d) Providing an active outreach program to encourage public understanding of and involvement in the preservation of the state’s historic and archaeological sites and properties. (e) Identifying and expressing public goals for historic preservation and gathering public ideas necessary for the formulation of alternative policies. (f) Recommending rules relating to the historic preservation programs administered by the division pursuant to this chapter. (7) It shall be the additional responsibility of the commission to provide such other assistance and advice to the division as required by this chapter and as may be required from time to time in matters pertaining to the protection and preservation of the state’s historic and archaeological sites and properties. (8) The five members appointed by the Governor from the professions designated in paragraph (1)(a) shall sit as Florida’s National Register Review Board and shall perform the duties of that board established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. If a vacancy exists in one of the five designated seats, the division director shall assign another member of the Florida Historical Commission to serve until the vacancy is filled. (9) The commission shall provide recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the design and placement of monuments authorized by general law to be placed on the premises of the Capitol Complex pursuant to s. 265.111.

F.S. 267.0617 Historic Preservation Grant Program.

(1) There is hereby created within the division the Historic Preservation Grant Program, which shall make grants of moneys appropriated by the Legislature, moneys deposited pursuant to s. 550.0351(2), and moneys contributed for that purpose from any other source. The program funds shall be used by the division for the purpose of financing grants in furtherance of the purposes of this section. (2) The division is authorized to conduct and carry out a program of historic preservation grants-in-aid, including matching grants, to any department or agency of the state; any unit of county, municipal, or other local government; any corporation, partnership, or other organization, whether public or private or whether or not for profit; or any individual for projects having as their purpose the identification, acquisition, protection, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, or construction of historic sites and properties, or Florida history, or the planning of such activities. Funds appropriated from general revenue for the historic preservation grants-in-aid program shall not be provided for a project owned by private individuals or owned by for-profit corporations. All moneys received from any source as appropriations, deposits, or contributions to this program shall be paid and credited to the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund. (3) All grants of state funds to assist in the preservation of historic properties shall be made from the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund and may be awarded only pursuant to applications for such assistance made to the Division of Historical Resources. The Florida Historical Commission shall review each application for a special category historic preservation grant-in-aid. Special category historic preservation grants-in-aid are those reviewed and recommended by the Secretary of State for submission for legislative funding consideration. Grant review panels appointed by the Secretary of State and chaired by a member of the Florida Historical Commission or a designee appointed by the commission’s presiding officer shall review each application for other historic preservation grants-in-aid. The reviewing body shall submit annually to the Secretary of State for approval lists of all applications that are recommended by the reviewing body for the award of grants, arranged in order of priority. (4) The Division of Historical Resources may accept and administer moneys appropriated to it for the purpose of providing grants for the projects approved by the Secretary of State. (5) The Division of Historical Resources shall adopt rules prescribing the criteria to be applied by the Florida Historical Commission and the grant review panels in recommending applications for the award of grants and rules providing for the administration of the other provisions of this section.

F.S. 267.0625 Abrogation of offensive and derogatory geographic place names.

(1) The Legislature finds that certain place names for geographic sites are offensive or derogatory to the state’s people, history, and heritage. The state encourages tolerance and understanding between all of its residents and these geographic place names are a barrier to that effort. The Legislature finds that these offensive or derogatory place names should be replaced by names that reflect the state’s people, history, and heritage without resorting to offensive stereotypes, slurs, names, words, or phrases. (2) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Commission” means the Florida Historical Commission within the Department of State. (b) “Geographic site” means a location or publicly owned structure in this state, and includes, but is not limited to, rivers and other navigable waters of the state, geographic features, and parks, or state or local roads, bridges, and publicly owned buildings. (c) “Offensive or derogatory place names” means a place name that is a racial, ethnic, or religious slur. (3)(a) By October 1, 2004, each state agency or political subdivision that owns or manages public land, waters, or structures in this state shall identify any geographic sites under its jurisdiction which contain offensive or derogatory place names as defined in subsection (2) and shall file a report identifying those names with the division. A political subdivision shall also include a recommended replacement name for each identified offensive or derogatory place name. (b) The division shall compile the reports required to be filed pursuant to this section and provide a copy to the commission. The commission shall advise the division in its review of recommended place names and in the development of alternative names to replace offensive or derogatory place names with place names that reflect the state’s diversity and culture. (c) By March 1, 2005, the division shall choose a new name for each geographic site reported by an agency or political subdivision. (4) The division shall: (a) Notify each entity that has reported an offensive or derogatory place name pursuant to subsection (3) of the alternative name selected by the division; each agency or political subdivision shall ensure that whenever it updates a map or recorded plat, or replaces a sign, interpretive marker, or any other marker because of wear or vandalism, the new name is used. (b) Notify the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Management Services, and any other entity that compiles information for or develops maps or markers for the state of the name change so that it may be reflected on subsequent editions of any maps, informational literature, or markers produced by those entities. (c) Place a formal request with the United States Board on Geographic Names to render a decision on each proposed name change so that each new name will be reflected on all maps of the United States Board on Geographic Names. (d) Report to the Governor and the Legislature by no later than July 1, 2005, regarding implementation of the provisions of this section by the department. The report shall identify at least the following: 1. Each offensive or derogatory place name identified by an agency or political subdivision. 2. The replacement name selected by the department. 3. Whether any markers and maps have been changed to reflect the name changes. 4. The date that requests to change names were filed with the United States Board of Geographic Names and whether those changes have been made. 5. Any other relevant information that the department finds appropriate.

F.S. 267.0721 Museum of Florida History and programs; other historical museums.

(1) The division is authorized to operate the Museum of Florida History and other historical museums. (2) The division shall establish and administer a museum store for the Museum of Florida History to provide information and materials relating to Florida history, museum exhibits, collections, and programs to the public and may operate additional stores associated with the museum. The stores may produce, acquire, and sell craft products, clearly marked replicas and reproductions of artifacts, documents, and other merchandise relating to historical and cultural resources and may make a reasonable charge for such merchandise. All proceeds received from sales must be deposited into the Grants and Donations Trust Fund, or funds in excess of the amount required to pay employees involved in the direct management of the museum store may be deposited into a bank account of a citizen support organization created pursuant to s. 267.17, or created before July 1, 2021, pursuant to s. 265.703, and may be used only to support operations of the museum stores and the programs of the Museum of Florida History or other museums operated by the division. The museum stores may enter into agreements and accept credit card payments as compensation for goods and products sold. The division may establish accounts in credit card banks for the deposit of credit card sales invoices and to pay discounts and service charges in connection with the use of credit cards. (3) The division shall support the establishment and operation of a nonprofit organization or association established pursuant to s. 267.17, or established before July 1, 2021, pursuant to s. 265.703, to promote and encourage knowledge and appreciation of Florida history and the programs of the Museum of Florida History and other museums operated by the division and to cooperate with historical societies and other organizations to provide funding and promotional support for the programs of the museum. Such organization or association may, with the consent of the division, operate the museum store or conduct special events and programs in the museum. All proceeds must be used to support the programs of the Museum of Florida History and other museums operated by the division. (4) The division shall deposit grant funding, gifts, and donations for the purpose of assisting the Museum of Florida History and its programs in the Grants and Donations Trust Fund to be used exclusively for the benefit of programs of the museum and in a manner consistent with any terms or conditions agreed to by the division in accepting such grants, gifts, and donations.

F.S. 267.0722 Florida Museum of Black History.

(1) There is created within the division the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force for the purpose of providing recommendations to the division for the planning, construction, operation, and administration of a Florida Museum of Black History. The museum shall be a multipurpose facility capable of generating self-sustaining revenues, with archival research and storage facilities, meeting rooms, full service banquet facilities that include a kitchen capable of serving at least 250 people at a single event, and a performing arts theater that shall be made available for private events. (2) The task force shall be composed of nine members. Three members shall be appointed by the Governor, three members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At least three of the appointed members must have 5 or more years of experience in one of the following areas: tenured faculty in history at a Florida public or private university; historical research and publication; archival design or preservation; multipurpose public building design or construction; the hospitality and service industry; business; finance; marketing; law; or education. All appointments shall be made no later than July 31, 2023. (3) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation or honorarium but shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. (4) The division shall provide the task force with staff and expend funds as necessary to assist the task force in the performance of its duties. (5) The task force shall develop the following: (a) Plans for the location, design, and construction of the museum and all necessary facilities. (b) Recommendations for the operation and administration of the museum upon completion of construction. (c) A marketing plan that may be executed by the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to promote the museum. (d) A transition plan under which the museum will become financially self-sufficient. (e) Recommendations for archival and artifact acquisition, preservation, and research; exhibits; installations; and educational materials that complement and support required instruction provided in public schools in accordance with s. 1003.42(2)(h). The recommendations must include materials relating to: 1. The role of African-American participation in defending and preserving Florida and the United States, including, by way of example and without limitation, the contributions of the residents of Fort Mose, the Tuskegee Airmen, and all African-American veterans. 2. The history of slavery in the state. 3. The history of segregation in the state. 4. Notable African Americans in this state. 5. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, including the founding of Bethune Cookman University. 6. The history of historically black colleges and universities in this state. 7. The inherent worth and dignity of human life, with a focus on the prevention of genocide. (6) Before July 1, 2024, the task force shall submit a report detailing its plans and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Upon submission of the report, the task force shall expire. (7) After receiving the report of the task force, the Legislature may consider legislation pertaining to the commissioning, construction, operation, and administration of the museum.

F.S. 267.0723 Property loaned to or abandoned at museums; obligations to lenders; notice; loan termination; acquisition of title; liens; conservation or disposal.

(1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. — The people of Florida benefit from having property of artistic, historic, cultural, or scientific value loaned to museums in this state. Loans of such property are made to these museums for study or display in furtherance of their educational purposes. However, problems arise in relation to loans for indefinite or long terms when museums and lenders fail to maintain contact. Museums routinely store and care for loaned property long after loan periods have expired or should reasonably be deemed expired. In such circumstances, museums have limited rights to the use and treatment of unclaimed loan property, while at the same time they bear substantial unreimbursed expenses, including, but not limited to, costs related to storage, recordkeeping, climate control, security, periodic inspection, insurance, conservation, and general overhead. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to establish uniform procedures governing the disposition of unclaimed property on loan to museums in the state and, more particularly, to encourage museums and their lenders to exercise due diligence in monitoring loans, to allocate fairly responsibilities between lenders and borrowing museums, to establish procedures for lenders to preserve their interests in property loaned to museums for indefinite or long terms, and to resolve expeditiously the title to unclaimed loans left in the custody of museums. (2) DEFINITIONS. — (a) “Abandoned property” means property left at or delivered to a museum with no loan, deed of gift, or donation paperwork. (b) “Lender” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust estate, or other organization or entity whose name appears in the records of the museum as the entity legally entitled to control property on loan to the museum. (c) “Loans,” “loaned,” or “on loan” refers to property in possession of the museum not accompanied by a transfer of title to the property or accompanied by evidence that the lender intended to retain title to the property and to return to take physical possession of the property in the future. (d) “Museum” means a public or private not-for-profit agency or institution located in Florida and organized on a permanent basis for primarily educational, scientific, or aesthetic purposes, which owns or utilizes tangible objects, cares for them, and exhibits them to the public on a regular basis. (e) “Property” means all tangible objects in the custody of a museum which have intrinsic historical, artistic, scientific, or cultural value. (f) “Records” or “museum records” means documents created or held by a museum in its regular course of business. (g) “Unclaimed property” means property which is on loan to the museum and in regard to which the lender, or anyone acting legitimately on the lender’s behalf, has not contacted the museum for at least 25 years from the date of the beginning of the loan, if the loan was for an indefinite or undetermined period, or for at least 5 years after the date upon which the loan for a definite period expired. (3) OBLIGATIONS OF MUSEUMS TO LENDERS. — (a) For property loaned to a museum after the effective date of this act, the museum shall: 1. Make and retain a written record containing, at a minimum, the lender’s name, address, and telephone number, a description of the property loaned in sufficient detail for clear identification, including a description of the general condition of the property at the time of the loan, the beginning date of the loan, and the expiration date of the loan. 2. Provide the lender with a signed receipt or loan agreement containing, at a minimum, the record set forth in subparagraph 1. 3. Provide the lender with a copy of this act upon the lender’s request. (b) Regardless of the date of a loan of property, the museum shall: 1. Update its records if a lender informs the museum of a change of address or change in ownership of property loaned, or if the lender and museum negotiate a change in the duration of the loan. 2. When renewing or updating the records of an existing loan, provide the lender with a copy of this act upon the lender’s request. (c) A museum shall give a lender prompt notice of any known injury to or loss of property on loan. (4) LENDER’S NOTICE. — (a) It is the responsibility of the owner of property on loan to a museum to notify the museum promptly in writing of any change in the lender’s address or change in ownership of the property. Failure to notify the museum of these changes may result in the owner’s loss of rights to the property. (b) It is the responsibility of a successor of a lender to document passage of rights of control of the property in the custody of a museum. 1. Unless there is evidence of bad faith or gross negligence, no museum shall be prejudiced by reason of any failure to deal with the true owner of any loaned property. 2. In cases of disputed ownership of loaned property, a museum shall not be held liable for its refusal to surrender loaned property in its possession except in reliance upon a court order or judgment. (5) TERMINATION OF LOANS. — (a) A museum may terminate a loan for unclaimed property in its possession by making a good faith and reasonable search for the identity and last known address of the lender from the museum records and other records reasonably available to museum staff. If the museum is able to identify the lender and the lender’s last known address, the museum shall give notice to the lender that the loan is terminated pursuant to paragraph (b). If the identity or last known address of the lender remains unknown after a good faith and reasonable search, the museum shall give notice by publication pursuant to paragraph (c). (b) A museum shall provide notice of termination of a loan of unclaimed property by sending a letter by certified mail to the lender at the lender’s last known address giving notice of termination of the loan, which shall include the date of notice of termination, the name of the lender, a description of the property sufficient in detail for ready identification, the beginning date of the loan, if known, the termination date of the loan, if applicable, the name and address of the appropriate museum official to be contacted regarding the loan, and a statement that within 90 days of the date of the notice of termination, the lender is required to remove the property from the museum or contact the designated official in the museum to preserve the lender’s interests in the property. Failure to provide such notice will result in the loss of all rights in the property pursuant to subsection (6). (c) If the museum is unable to identify sufficient information to send notice pursuant to paragraph (b), or if a signed return receipt of a notice sent by certified mail pursuant to paragraph (b) is not received by the museum within 30 days after the notice is mailed, the museum shall publish the notice of termination of loan containing all the information available to the museum provided in paragraph (b) on its website and in a publication of general physical or online circulation in the county in which the museum is located and the county of the lender’s last known address, if known. (6) MUSEUM GAINING TITLE TO LOANED PROPERTY; CONDITIONS. — As of the effective date of this act, a museum acquires title to unclaimed property under any of the following circumstances: (a) For property for which a museum provides notice to a lender in accordance with paragraph (5)(b) and a signed receipt is received, if the lender of the property does not contact the museum within 90 days after the date notice was received. (b) For property for which notice by publication is made pursuant to paragraph (5)(c), if the lender or anyone claiming a legal interest in the property does not contact the museum within 90 days after the date of the publication. (7) CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS. — Notwithstanding the provisions of this act, a lender and museum can bind themselves to different loan provisions by written contract. (8) EFFECT ON OTHER RIGHTS. — (a) Property on loan to a museum shall not escheat to the state under any state escheat law but shall pass to the museum under the provisions of subsection (6). (b) Property interests other than those specifically addressed in this act are not altered by this act. (9) TITLE OF PROPERTY ACQUIRED FROM A MUSEUM. — A museum which acquires title to property under this act passes good title to another when transferring such property with the intent to pass title. (10) MUSEUM LIEN FOR EXPENSES OF EXPIRED LOANS. — As of the effective date of this act, a museum shall have a lien for expenses for reasonable care of loaned property unclaimed after the expiration date of the loan. (11) CONSERVATION OR DISPOSAL OF LOANED PROPERTY. — Unless there is a written loan agreement to the contrary, a museum may apply conservation measures to or dispose of a loaned property without a lender’s permission if: (a) Immediate action is required to protect the property on loan or to protect other property in the custody of the museum, or because the property on loan has become a hazard to the health and safety of the public or the museum’s staff and: 1. The museum is unable to reach the lender at the lender’s last address of record, so that the museum and the lender can promptly agree upon a solution; or 2. The lender will not agree to the protective measures the museum recommends yet is unwilling or unable to terminate the loan and retrieve the property. (b) In the case of a lender who cannot be contacted in person, the museum publishes a notice of its intent to apply conservation measures or dispose of the property on loan in a publication of general circulation in the county in which the museum is located and the county of the lender’s last known address, if known, and there is no response for 60 days. Such a notice shall also contain the lender’s name, the lender’s address, if known, the date of the loan, and the name, address, and telephone number of the appropriate museum office to be contacted for information regarding the property on loan. (12) LIABILITY. — If a museum applies conservation measures to or disposes of a property pursuant to subsection (11), the museum shall have a lien on the property and on the proceeds from any disposition thereof for the costs incurred by the museum, and the museum shall not be liable for injury to or loss of the property if: (a) The museum had a reasonable belief at the time the action was taken that the action was necessary to protect the property on loan or other property in the custody of the museum, or that the property on loan constituted a hazard to the health and safety of the public or the museum’s staff. (b) The museum exercised reasonable care in the choice and application of conservation measures. (13) DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED PROPERTY. — A museum may keep, transfer, sell, or dispose of abandoned property.

F.S. 267.0724 Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network.

Subject to the appropriation of funds by the Legislature, the Department of State shall, in accordance with s. 267.071, partner with the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network to preserve the history, culture, and contributions of Florida’s black and African-American residents. Such preservation efforts must include, but are not limited to, providing funding to support member museums and affiliates and institutions served; supporting galleries and archives; providing funding in the areas of technology, equipment acquisition, content and exhibit development, fabrication, and installation; preserving documents and artifacts; providing professional and resource development services, including conducting conferences and workshops; and providing funding for training and technical assistance. The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network shall submit a list of member museums to the department, and the department shall independently verify that such museums are members of the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network. The department and the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network shall determine other eligible expenditures related to the partnership’s stated mission and goals, which may include providing funding for an internship, field training sessions, virtual communication methods to maintain connectivity among the museums, traveling exhibits, and living history presentations.

F.S. 267.0731 Great Floridians Program.

The division shall establish and administer a program, to be entitled the Great Floridians Program, which shall be designed to recognize and record the achievements of Floridians, living and deceased, who have made major contributions to the progress and welfare of this state. (1)(a) The division shall nominate present or former citizens of this state, living or deceased, who during their lives have made major contributions to the progress of the nation or this state and its citizens. Nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary of State who shall select from those nominated not less than two persons each year who shall be honored with the designation “Great Floridian,” provided no person whose contributions have been through elected or appointed public service shall be selected while holding any such office. (b) To enhance public participation and involvement in the identification of any person worthy of being nominated as a Great Floridian, the division shall seek advice and assistance from persons qualified through the demonstration of special interest, experience, or education in the dissemination of knowledge about the state’s history. (2) Upon designation of a person as a Great Floridian by the Secretary of State, the division shall undertake appropriate activities intended to achieve wide public knowledge of the person designated. (a) The division may seek to initiate production of a film or videotape depicting the life and contributions of the designee to this state and to the nation. If technology surpasses the use of film or videotape, another medium of equal quality may be used. 1. The Department of State shall be the repository of the original negative, the original master tape, and all cuttings, of any film or videotape produced under the authority of this paragraph. The division also may exercise the right of trademark over the terms “Great Floridian” or “Great Floridians” pursuant to s. 286.031. 2. The division shall arrange for the distribution of copies of all films to the general public, public television stations, educational institutions, and others and may establish a reasonable charge to recover costs associated with production and to provide a source of revenue to assist with reproduction, marketing, and distribution of Great Floridians films. Proceeds from such charges shall be deposited into the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund. (b) Deceased persons designated as Great Floridians typically shall be recognized by markers affixed to properties significantly associated with the major contributions of the designee. Such markers shall be erected pursuant to the provisions of s. 267.074.

F.S. 267.0743 State Historical Marker Council.

In order to enhance public participation and involvement in the identification and interpretation of subjects relating to the history and culture of Florida, there is created the “State Historical Marker Council.” (1) The council shall consist of three members who represent different areas of the state, are appointed by the Secretary of State, and are qualified through the demonstration of special interest, experience, or education in interpretation of the state’s history and historical properties. Each member shall have professional training and experience in one or more of the following fields: history, historic preservation, architecture, architectural history, or archaeology. (2) Members shall be appointed for 2-year terms, except for an appointment to fill an unexpired term, in which event the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term only. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms on the council. (3) The director of the division or his or her designee shall serve without voting rights as secretary to the council. The division shall provide necessary staff assistance to the council. (4) The council shall meet at the request of the division or at the request of a majority of its membership to carry out its responsibilities, however, the council need not convene a meeting but may give advice by means of written or telephonic communication. Members shall serve without pay, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses in carrying out their official duties, as provided in s. 112.061. (5) It shall be the responsibility of the council to provide assistance, advice, and recommendations to the division in evaluating proposals for Official Florida Historical Markers and identifying goals for the State Historical Marker Program. The process of evaluation shall seek to establish the significance of the subject proposed for a marker, but neither the division nor the council shall make proposal or evaluation requirements so complex or onerous as to preclude private citizens from directly submitting proposals without professional assistance.

F.S. 267.1732 Direct-support organization.

(1) The University of West Florida shall authorize a direct-support organization to assist the university in carrying out its dual historic preservation and historic preservation education purposes and responsibilities for the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and West Florida by raising money; submitting requests for and receiving grants from the Federal Government, the state or its political subdivisions, private foundations, and individuals; receiving, holding, investing, and administering property; and making expenditures to or for the benefit of the university. The sole purpose for the direct-support organization is to support the historic preservation efforts and the historic preservation education programs and initiatives of the university. Such a direct-support organization is an organization that is: (a) Incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State as a Florida corporation not for profit; (b) Organized and operated to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of the university; and (c) Approved by the university to be operating for the benefit of and in a manner consistent with the goals of the university and in the best interest of the state. (2) The number of the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall be determined by the president of the university. However, the current members of the board of directors of the direct-support organization for the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board of Trustees shall be members of the board of directors of the direct-support organization for the university for the duration of their appointed terms. Additional members or members to fill vacancies shall be appointed by the president of the university in consultation with the board of directors of the direct-support organization. Membership on the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall include the professional expertise to ensure the university meeting its dual purposes of historic preservation and historic preservation education to include, but not be limited to, a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history, a professional historian in the field of American history, and a professional archaeologist. All board members must have demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida’s historical and archaeological heritage. Membership on the board of directors must be representative of the areas of West Florida served by the direct-support organization and the university in its preservation efforts. The president of the university, or the president’s designee, shall serve as a member of the board of directors. (3) The direct-support organization shall operate under written contract with the university. The contract must provide for: (a) Approval of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the direct-support organization by the university. (b) Submission of an annual budget for the approval of the university. The budget must comply with rules adopted by the university. (c) Certification by the university that the direct-support organization is complying with the terms of the contract and in a manner consistent with the historic preservation goals and purposes of the university and in the best interest of the state. Such certification must be made annually by the university and reported in the official minutes of a meeting of the university. (d) The reversion to the university, or the state if the university ceases to exist, of moneys and property held in trust by the direct-support organization for the benefit of the university if the direct-support organization is no longer approved to operate for the university, or the university ceases to exist. (e) The fiscal year of the direct-support organization, which must begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the following year. (f) The disclosure of material provisions of the contract and the distinction between the University of West Florida and the direct-support organization to donors of gifts, contributions, or bequests, as well as on all promotional and fundraising publications. (4) The university may authorize a direct-support organization to use its property (except money), facilities, and personal services, subject to the provisions of this section and s. 1004.28. A direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin may not use the property, facilities, or personal services of the university. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “personal services” includes full-time personnel and part-time personnel as well as payroll processing. (5) The university shall establish policies and may adopt rules pursuant to s. 1004.28 prescribing the procedures by which the direct-support organization is governed and any conditions with which a direct-support organization must comply to use property, facilities, or personal services of the university. (6) Any moneys may be held in a separate depository account in the name of the direct-support organization and subject to the provisions of the contract with the university. Such moneys may include lease income, admissions income, membership fees, private donations, income derived from fundraising activities, and grants applied for and received by the direct-support organization. (7) The direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.28. (8) The identity of a donor or prospective donor of property to a direct-support organization who desires to remain anonymous, and all information identifying such donor or prospective donor, is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution; and that anonymity must be maintained in the auditor’s report. The university and the Auditor General shall have access to all records of the direct-support organization at any time it is requested. (9) Provisions governing direct-support organizations in s. 1004.28 and not provided in this section shall apply to the direct-support organization.

F.S. 267.1735 Historic preservation in St. Augustine; goals; contracts for historic preservation; powers and duties.

(1) The goal for contracting with the University of Florida is to ensure long-term preservation and interpretation of state-owned historic properties in St. Augustine while facilitating an educational program at the University of Florida that will be responsive to the state’s needs for professionals in historic preservation, archaeology, cultural resource management, cultural tourism, and museum administration and will help meet needs of St. Augustine and the state through educational internships and practicums. (2)(a) Upon agreement by all parties to the contracts for the management of the various state-owned properties presently subleased to and managed by the City of St. Augustine and by the University of Florida to assume the management of those properties, all existing management contracts shall be rescinded upon execution of a contract between the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the University of Florida for the management of those properties. (b) The contract shall provide that the University of Florida shall use all proceeds derived from the management of these state-owned properties for the purpose of advancing historic preservation. (3) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund may transfer ownership and responsibility of any artifacts, documents, equipment, and other forms of tangible personal property to the University of Florida to assist the university in the transition of the management of the state-owned properties. All records, property, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, or other funds associated with the state-owned properties shall be transferred to the University of Florida to be used for its historic preservation activities and responsibilities as provided in the contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. The transfer of segregated funds must be made in such a manner that the relation between program and revenue source as provided by law is retained. (4)(a) The University of Florida is the governing body for the management and maintenance of state-owned properties contracted by this section and shall exercise those powers delegated to it by contract as well as perform all lawful acts necessary, convenient, and incident to the effectuating of its function and purpose under this section and s. 267.1736. The University of Florida may contract with its direct-support organization described in s. 267.1736 to perform all acts that are lawful and permitted for not-for-profit corporations under chapter 617 in assisting the university in carrying out its historic preservation and historic preservation education responsibilities. (b) The university or its direct-support organization, if permitted in its contract with the university, shall have the power to engage in any lawful business or activity to establish, maintain, and operate the state-owned facilities and properties under contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, including, but not limited to: 1. The renting or leasing for revenue of any land, improved or restored real estate, or personal property directly related to carrying out the purposes for historic preservation under terms and conditions of the contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and deemed by the university to be in the best interest of the state. 2. The selling of craft products created through the operation and demonstration of historical museums, craft shops, and other facilities. 3. The limited selling of merchandise relating to the historical and antiquarian period of St. Augustine and its surrounding territory and the historical period of East Florida from the Apalachicola River to the eastern boundaries of the state. (c) The university or its direct-support organization, if permitted in its contract with the university, shall have the authority to: 1. Enter into agreements to accept credit card payments as compensation and establish accounts in credit card banks for the deposit of credit card sales invoices. 2. Fix and collect charges for admission to any of the state-owned facilities under contract with the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. 3. Permit the acceptance of tour vouchers issued by tour organizations or travel agents for payment of admissions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 287.057, the University of Florida or its direct-support organization may enter into contracts or agreements with or without competitive bidding, in its discretion, for the protection or preservation of historic properties. (6) Notwithstanding s. 273.055, the University of Florida may exchange, sell, or otherwise transfer any artifact, document, equipment, and other form of tangible personal property if its direct-support organization recommends such exchange, sale, or transfer to the president of the university and if it is determined that the object is no longer appropriate for the purpose of advancing historic preservation. However, any artifacts, documents, or other forms of tangible personal property that have intrinsic historical or archaeological value relating to the history, government, or culture of the state may not be exchanged, sold, or otherwise transferred without prior authorization from the Department of State. (7) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the University of Florida and its direct-support organization are eligible to match state funds in the University Major Gifts Program established in s. 1011.94.

F.S. 267.1736 Direct-support organization.

(1) The University of Florida shall authorize a direct-support organization to assist the university in carrying out its dual historic preservation and historic preservation education purposes and responsibilities for the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and the state under s. 267.1735 by raising money; submitting requests for and receiving grants from the Federal Government, the state or its political subdivisions, private foundations, and individuals; receiving, holding, investing, and administering property; and making expenditures to or for the benefit of the university. The sole purpose for the direct-support organization is to support the historic preservation efforts and historic preservation education programs and initiatives of the university. Such a direct-support organization is an organization that is: (a) Incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State as a Florida corporation not for profit; (b) Organized and operated to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of the university; and (c) Approved by the university to be operating for the benefit of and in a manner consistent with the goals of the university and in the best interest of the state. (2) The number of the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall be determined by the president of the university. Membership on the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall include the professional expertise needed to ensure that the university is meeting its dual purposes of historic preservation and historic preservation education. Such membership shall include, but not be limited to, a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history, a professional historian in the field of American history, and a professional archaeologist. All board members must have demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida’s historical and archaeological heritage. Membership on the board of directors must be representative of the areas of the state served by the direct-support organization and the university in its preservation efforts. The president of the university, or the president’s designee, shall serve as a member of the board of directors. (3) The direct-support organization shall operate under written contract with the university. The contract must provide for: (a) Approval of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the direct-support organization by the university. (b) Submission of an annual budget for the approval of the university. The budget must comply with rules adopted by the university. (c) Certification by the university that the direct-support organization is complying with the terms of the contract and in a manner consistent with the historic preservation goals and purposes of the university and in the best interest of the state. Such certification must be made annually by the university and reported in the official minutes of a meeting of the university. (d) The reversion to the university, or the state if the university ceases to exist, of moneys and property held in trust by the direct-support organization for the benefit of the university if the direct-support organization is no longer approved to operate for the university or if the university ceases to exist. (e) The fiscal year of the direct-support organization, which must begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the following year. (f) The disclosure of material provisions of the contract and the distinction between the University of Florida and the direct-support organization to donors of gifts, contributions, or bequests, as well as on all promotional and fundraising publications. (4) The university may authorize a direct-support organization to use its property (except money), facilities, and personal services, subject to the provisions of this section and s. 1004.28. A direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin may not use the property, facilities, or personal services of the university. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “personal services” includes full-time personnel and part-time personnel as well as payroll processing. (5) The university shall establish policies prescribing the procedures by which the direct-support organization is governed and any conditions with which a direct-support organization must comply to use property, facilities, or personal services of the university. (6) Any moneys may be held in a separate depository account in the name of the direct-support organization and subject to the provisions of the contract with the university. Such moneys may include lease income, admissions income, membership fees, private donations, income derived from fundraising activities, and grants applied for and received by the direct-support organization. (7) The direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.28. (8) Provisions governing direct-support organizations in s. 1004.28 and not provided in this section shall apply to the direct-support organization. (9) Any information identifying a donor or prospective donor to the direct-support organization who desires to remain anonymous is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution; and that anonymity must be maintained in the auditor’s report. The university and the Auditor General shall have access to all records of the direct-support organization upon request.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter267/AllFetched: 7/8/2026