This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h1679z.CRG.docx
DATE: 3/25/2024
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1679 Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network
SPONSOR(S): McClure and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/CS/SB 592
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 112 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Pending
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
HB 1679 passed the House on March 5, 2024, as CS/CS/SB 592.
The Division of Historical Resources (Division) within the Department of State (DOS) is responsible for
preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division is also
charged with the protection, preservation, and collection of information about Florida’s historic sites, 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 partner with FAAHPN, subject to appropriation, to preserve the history, culture, and
contributions of Florida’s black and African-American residents. The bill provides that such preservation efforts
must include, but are not limited to:
Providing funding to support member museums and affiliates.
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.
Providing funding for training and technical assistance.
The bill requires FAAHPN to provide a list of member museums to DOS and requires DOS to independently
verify that such museums are a part of FAAHPN. The bill also requires DOS and FAAHPN to determine other
eligible expenses as related to the partnership’s mission and goals.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on the state or local governments.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2024.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF 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 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 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.
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.
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
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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
S. 267.071(2), F.S.
8
See Florida Department of State, Museum of Florida History, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/explore/exhibits/ (last
visited March 14, 2024).
9
See Florida Department of State, Mission San Luis, available at https://missionsanluis.org/learn/ (last visited March 14, 2024).
10
See Florida Department of State, About the Knott House, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/visit/knott-house-
museum/about-the-knott-house/ (last visited March 14, 2024).
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The Grove Museum, the mission of which is to preserve and interpret the Call-Collins House,
and its surrounding area and historical collections, and to further public dialogue about civil
rights and American history.
11
Other museums recognized by the state include certain state railroad museums,
12
the Florida Museum
of Transportation and History,
13
the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art,
14
the Ringling Museum of
the Circus,
15
the Florida Historic Capitol Museum,
16
the Florida Agricultural Museum,
17
and the Florida
Museum of Natural History.
18
Currently, the Division also 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.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Working with the Division and Visit Florida,
22
FAAHPN produced new editions of
The Florida Black Heritage Trail Guide
23
in 2005 and 2007 that detailed a microcosm of African
American landmarks and legacies existing in various locations throughout the state of Florida.
24
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.
25
The following chart is the history of funding requests and funding received by FAAHPN from the 2017-
2018 Fiscal Year to the current fiscal year:
11
See Florida Department of State, The Gove Museum, available at https://thegrovemuseum.com/ (last visited March 14, 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.
12
See s. 15.045, F.S.
13
S. 15.046, F.S.
14
See ss. 265.27, F.S., and 1004.45, F.S.
15
S. 1004.45, F.S.
16
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.
17
See s. 570.69, F.S.
18
S. 1004.56, F.S.
19
S. 267.0722, F.S.
20
See “John G. Riley Center & Museum,” available at https://www.rileymuseum.org/ (last visited March 14, 2024).
21
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, About FAAHPN, http://faahpn.com/about-faahpn/ (last visited March
14, 2024).
22
Visit Florida is the official state tourism marketing corporation. See “About Visit Florida,” available at
https://www.visitflorida.com/about-us/ (last visited March 14, 2024).
23
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. See Florida Department of State, Florida Heritage
Trails, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails/ (last visited March 14, 2024)
24
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 March 14, 2024)
25
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, supra, n. 24.
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DATE: 3/25/2024
Spending
Category
2017-
2018
26
2018-
2019
27
2019-
2020
28
2020-
2021
29
2021-
2022
30
2022-
2023
31
2023-
2024
32
Salary and
Benefits
$112,000 $35,000 $141,400 $168,150 $262,000 $262,000 $262,000
Expense/
Equipment/
Travel/ Supplies/
Other
$297,500 $265,000 $257,100 $262,100 $424,400 $424,400 $424,400
Consultants/
Contracted
Services/Study
$40,500 $175,000 $76,500 $69,750 $113,600 $113,600 $113,600
Total
State Funds
Requested
$450,000 $475,000 $475,000 $500,000 $800,000 $800,000 $800,000
State Funds
Received
$450,000 $450,000 $475,000 $325,000 $720,000 $800,000 $800,000
Effect of the Bill
The bill requires DOS to partner with FAAHPN, subject to appropriation, to preserve the history, culture,
and contributions of Florida’s black and African-American residents. The bill provides that the
preservation efforts must include, but are not limited to:
Providing funding to support member museums and affiliates.
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.
Providing funding for training and technical assistance.
The bill requires FAAHPN to provide a list of member museums to DOS and requires DOS to
independently verify that such museums are a part of FAAHPN.
The bill also requires DOS and FAAHPN to determine other eligible expenses as related to the
partnership’s mission and goals, which may include providing funding for an internship, field training,
26
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 March 14, 2024)
27
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 March 14, 2024)
28
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 March 14, 2024)
29
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 March 14, 2024)
30
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 March 14, 2024)
31
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 March 14, 2024)
32
The Florida House, 2023 Appropriations Project Forms, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/api/document/apr?sessionid=99&name=0402AR.pdf (last visited March 14, 2024)
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virtual communication methods to maintain connectivity among the museums, traveling exhibits, and
living history presentations.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEM ENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.