Florida 2024 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1679 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 01/30/2024

                    This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives. 
STORAGE NAME: h1679.CRG 
DATE: 1/30/2024 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS  
 
BILL #: HB 1679    Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network 
SPONSOR(S): McClure 
TIED BILLS:   IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 592 
 
REFERENCE 	ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or 
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF 
1) Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & 
Government Operations Subcommittee 
 	Poreda Miller 
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations 
Subcommittee 
   
3) State Affairs Committee    
SUMMARY ANALYSIS 
Within the Department of State (DOS), the Division of Historical Resources (Division) is responsible for 
preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The division is also 
charged with encouraging identification, evaluation, protection, preservation, collection, conservation, and 
interpretation of information about Florida’s historic sites and properties or objects related to Florida’s history 
and culture. 
 
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) is a professional association 
organized in 2001 by the John Gilmore Riley Center Museum. FAAHPN serves as an informational and 
technical assistance resource in response to a growing interest in preserving Florida’s African American 
culture, that of the African Diaspora, and that of other related ethnically diverse historic resources globally. 
 
The bill requires DOS to contract with FAAHPN, as authorized by and consistent with funding appropriated in 
the General Appropriations Act, and in accordance with the duties of the Division, to preserve Florida Black 
and African American history and culture. The bill specifies the duties of FAAHPN under any such contract 
include:  
 Distributing funds to support member museums and their affiliates and institutions served, together with 
associated galleries and archives; 
 Supporting member museums and affiliates in the areas of technology, equipment, content and exhibit 
creation, and preservation of documents and artifacts; and 
 Providing professional and resource development to member museums and affiliates to enhance 
visitation and viewership of Florida Black History and African American museums. 
 
The bill provides that certain other expenses will be eligible for funding under the contract, including expenses 
for interns, field training and virtual communication, traveling exhibits, and living history presentations. 
 
Other than such funds as may be appropriated by the Legislature, the bill has no fiscal impact on the state, 
local governments, or the private sector. 
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FULL ANALYSIS 
I.  SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS 
 
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 
Background 
 
Department of State 
 
The Department of State (DOS)
1
 is comprised of six divisions: Elections, Historical Resources, 
Corporations, Library and Information Services, Arts and Culture, and Administration.
2
  
The Secretary of State (Secretary) is the agency head of DOS, appointed by and serving at the 
pleasure of the Governor, confirmed by the Senate, and acts as the custodian of state records.
3
 As the 
chief administrator of the Division of Historical Resources (Division), the Division of Arts and Culture, 
and Division of Library and Information Services, the Secretary also serves as Florida’s Chief Arts and 
Culture Officer.
4
 
 
Division of Historical Resources 
 
The Division is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk 
culture resources. The Division is also charged with encouraging identification, evaluation, protection, 
preservation, collection, conservation, and interpretation of information about Florida’s historic sites and 
properties or objects related to Florida’s history and culture.
5
 Some of the Division’s responsibilities 
include:  
 Developing a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan;  
 Directing and conducting a comprehensive statewide survey, and maintaining an inventory, of 
historic resources;  
 Cooperating with governmental agencies, private organizations, and individuals to ensure that 
historic resources are taken into consideration at all levels of planning and development;  
 Providing public information, education, and technical assistance relating to historic preservation 
programs; and  
 Taking necessary or appropriate action to locate, acquire, protect, preserve, operate, interpret, 
and promote historic resources to foster an appreciation of Florida history and culture.
6
 
 
In order to raise awareness of the state's cultural and historical resources, the Division started the 
Florida Heritage Trails series in 1991 with the publication of the first edition of the Florida Black 
Heritage Trail.
7
 Since then, additional titles have been released with the most recent title, the Florida 
Seminole Wars Heritage Trail, published in the summer of 2015. Each volume identifies historical sites 
throughout Florida that are related to the volume topic and offers profiles and biographical sketches of 
significant individuals.
8
 
 
                                                
1
 S. 20.10, F.S. 
2
 S. 20.10(2), F.S. 
3
 S. 20.10(1), F.S. 
4
 S. 15.18, F.S. 
5
 S. 267.031, F.S.  
6
 S. 267.031(5)(a), (b), (d), (f), and (i), F.S.  
7
 Florida Department of State, Florida Heritage Trails, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails/ (Last 
Visited January 25, 2024) 
8
 Id.  STORAGE NAME: h1679.CRG 	PAGE: 3 
DATE: 1/30/2024 
  
The Division also is responsible for encouraging, promoting, maintaining, and operating Florida history 
museums, providing support and working to promote the use of resources for educational and cultural 
purposes.
9
 The Division directly oversees the following museums:  
 The Museum of Florida History, which is the state’s official history museum and showcases 
Florida’s diverse history from prehistoric times to the present day;
10
   
 Mission San Luis, a living history museum showcasing the life of the Apalachee Indians and 
Spanish settlers and hosting workshops such as pottery and blacksmithing;
11
 
 The Knott House Museum, showcasing the history of Tallahassee and its role in the Civil War, 
including the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on the steps of the Knott House in 
1865;
12
 and 
 The Grove Museum, the mission of which is to preserve and interpret the Call-Collins House, its 
surrounding area and historical collections, to further public dialogue about civil rights and 
American history.
13
 
 
Currently, the Division provides support for the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force (Task 
Force), including staffing and necessary expenditures. The purpose of the Task Force is to provide 
recommendations to the Division for the planning, location, construction, operation, and administration 
of a Florida Museum of Black History to showcase the role of African American participation in 
defending and preserving Florida and the nation, the history of slavery in Florida, the history of 
segregation in the state, notable Florida African Americans, including Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the 
history of black colleges and universities in Florida, and the inherent worth and dignity of human life 
with a focus on preventing genocide.
14
 
 
Other museums recognized by the state include: 
 Certain state railroad museums;
15
 
 The Florida Museum of Transportation and History;
16
 
 The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art;
17
  
 The Ringling Museum of the Circus;
18
 
 The Florida Historic Capitol Museum;
19
 
 The Florida Agricultural Museum;
20
 and 
 The Florida Museum of Natural History.
21
 
 
Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network 
 
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) is a professional association 
organized in 2001 by the John Gilmore Riley Center Museum.
22
 FAAHPN serves as an informational 
and technical assistance resource in response to a growing interest in preserving Florida’s African 
American culture, that of the African Diaspora, and that of other related ethnically diverse historic 
                                                
9
 S. 267.071(2), F.S.  
10
 See Florida Department of State, Museum of Florida History, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/explore/exhibits/ (last 
visited January 25, 2024).  
11
 See Florida Department of State, Mission San Luis, available at https://missionsanluis.org/learn/ (last visited January 25, 2024).  
12
 See Florida Department of State, About the Knott House, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/visit/knott-house-
museum/about-the-knott-house/ (last visited January 25, 2024).  
13
 See Florida Department of State, The Gove Museum, available at https://thegrovemuseum.com/ (last visited January 25, 2024). The 
Grove was the home to several generations of the Call and Collins families, including former Governor LeRoy Collins. The Grove 
Advisory Council advises the division on the operation, maintenance, and preservation of the museum. S. 267.075, F.S.  
14
 S. 267.0722, F.S. 
15
 See s. 15.045, F.S.  
16
 S. 15.046, F.S.  
17
 See ss. 265.27, F.S., and 1004.45, F.S.  
18
 S. 1004.45, F.S.  
19
 S. 272.129, F.S. The Florida Historic Capitol Museum Council provides guidance and support to the museum director and support 
staff. S. 272.131, F.S.  
20
 See s. 570.69, F.S.  
21
 S. 1004.56, F.S.  
22
 See “John G. Riley Center & Museum,” available at https://www.rileymuseum.org/ (last visited January 26, 2024).  STORAGE NAME: h1679.CRG 	PAGE: 4 
DATE: 1/30/2024 
  
resources globally.
23
 Working with the Division and Visit Florida,
24
 FAAHPN produced new editions of 
The Florida Black Heritage Trail Guide in 2005 and 2007 that detailed a microcosm of African American 
landmarks and legacies existing in various locations throughout the state of Florida.
25
 FAAHPN also 
provides technical assistance and training to museum and historic preservation professionals to 
enhance content with the creation of living history exhibits and other educational products.
26
 
 
The following chart is the history of funding requests by FAAHPN from the 2017-2018 fiscal year to the 
current fiscal year: 
 
Spending Category 
2017-
2018
27
 
2018-
2019
28
 
2019-
2020
29
 
2020-
2021
30
 
2021-
2022
31
 
2022-
2023
32
 
2023-
2024
33
 
2024-
2025
34
 
Administrative 
Executive Director 
Salary and Benefits 
$44,500 $35,000 $55,000 $73,000 $116,400 $116,400 $116,400 $136,400 
Expense/ 
Equipment/ 
Travel/ Supplies/ 
Other 
$5,000 $15,000 $10,000 $7,250 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $25,000 
Consultants/ 
Contracted 
Services/Study 
$18,000 $25,000 $54,000 $57,750 $56,000 $56,000 $56,000 $60,000 
Operational 
Salary and Benefits 
for others 
$67,500 $0 $86,400 $95,150 $145,600 $145,600 $145,600 $195,600 
Expense/Equipment/ 
Travel/Supplies/ 
Other 
$292,500 $250,000 $247,100 $254,850 $414,400 $414,000 $414,000 $473,000 
Consultants/ 
Contracted 
Services/Study 
$22,500 $150,000 $22,500 $12,000 $57,600 $57,600 $57,600 $60,000 
Total 
                                                
23
 The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, About FAAHPN, http://faahpn.com/about-faahpn/ (last visited 
January 25, 2024). 
24
 Visit Florida is the official state tourism marketing corporation. See “About Visit Florida,” available at 
https://www.visitflorida.com/about-us/ (last visited January 26, 2024). 
25
 See Florida Department of State, The Florida Black Heritage Trail, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-
trails/black-heritage-trail/ (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
26
 The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, supra, n. 24.. 
27
 The Florida House, 2017 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2017&BillNumber=2379&BillId=57497 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
28
 The Florida House, 2018 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2018&BillNumber=2837&BillId=60976 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
29
 The Florida House, 2019 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2019&BillNumber=2049&BillId=63214 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
30
 The Florida House, 2020 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2020&BillNumber=2785&BillId=67486 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
31
 The Florida House, 2021 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2021&BillNumber=2431&BillId=70857 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
32
 The Florida House, 2022 Appropriations Project Bills, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2022&BillNumber=4391&BillId=75141 (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
33
 The Florida House, 2023 Appropriations Project Forms, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/api/document/apr?sessionid=99&name=0402AR.pdf (Last Visited January 25, 2024) 
34
 The Florida House, 2024 Appropriations Project Requests, available at 
https://myfloridahouse.gov/api/document/apr?sessionid=103&name=1443AR.pdf (Last Visited January 25, 2024)  STORAGE NAME: h1679.CRG 	PAGE: 5 
DATE: 1/30/2024 
  
Spending Category 
2017-
2018
27
 
2018-
2019
28
 
2019-
2020
29
 
2020-
2021
30
 
2021-
2022
31
 
2022-
2023
32
 
2023-
2024
33
 
2024-
2025
34
 
State Funds 
Requested 
$450,000 $475,000 $475,000 $500,000 $800,000 $800,000 $800,000 $950,000 
State Funds 
 Received 
$450,000 $450,000 $475,000 $325,000 $720,000 $800,000 $800,000 TBD 
 
Effect of the Bill 
 
The bill requires DOS to contract with FAAHPN, as authorized by and consistent with funding 
appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, and in accordance with the duties of the Division to 
preserve Florida Black and African American history and culture. 
 
The functions of FAAHPN under the contract will include, but are not limited to: 
 Distribution of funding to support member museums and their affiliates and institutions served, 
and the galleries and archives of such museums, affiliates, and institutions; 
 Support to member museums and their affiliates in the areas of technology, equipment 
acquisition, content and exhibit development fabrication and installation, and preservation of 
documents and artifacts; and 
 Provision of professional and resource development services to member museums and their 
affiliates to enhance visitation to and viewership of Florida Black History and African American 
museums, places, and spaces. Such professional and resource development services shall 
include conferences, workshops, and training and tourism and marketing expenditures. 
 
Other expenses as determined by FAAHNP and related to their mission are eligible for funding under 
the contract, including: 
 Intern expenses;  
 Expenses related to field training sessions and virtual communication methods to maintain 
connectivity among the museums;  
 Traveling exhibit expenses; and  
 Expenses for living history presentations. 
 
B. SECTION DIRECTORY: 
Section 1. Creates s. 267.0724, F.S., relating to Florida African American Heritage Preservation 
Network . 
 
Section 2. Provides an effective date of July 1, 2024. 
 
 
II.  FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT 
 
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
See Fiscal Comments. 
 
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: 
 
1. Revenues: 
None. 
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2. Expenditures: 
None. 
 
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR: 
See Fiscal Comments 
 
D. FISCAL COMMENTS: 
The contract between DOS and FAAHPN must be consistent with funding as may be appropriated in 
the General Appropriations Act. 
 
III.  COMMENTS 
 
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: 
 
 1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision: 
Not applicable. The bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take 
action requiring the expenditure of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have to 
raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or 
municipalities. 
 
 2. Other: 
None. 
 
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY: 
C. The bill neither authorizes nor requires executive branch rulemaking. 
 
D. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS: 
None. 
 
IV.  AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES