The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic
Development
BILL: CS/SB 1524
INTRODUCER: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and Senator Grall
SUBJECT: Department of State
DATE: April 14, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. White McVaney GO Fav/CS
2. Wells Nortelus ATD Pre-meeting
3. RC
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 1524 amends chapters 257, 265, and 267, F.S., which govern the Department of State’s
(DOS) Division of Library and Information Services, Division of Arts and Culture, and Division
of Historical Resources. The bill additionally eliminates the $10 fee required for commissions
issued by the Governor for elected officials and notaries.
The bill grants the Secretary of the DOS the ability to comment on recommended recipients for
grants administered by the above three divisions. The bill also requires that the grants awarded
are expended in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations and are not used
for programs that are harmful to minors. “Harmful to minors” is defined as any reproduction,
imitation, characterization, description, exhibition, presentation, or representation, in any manner
or form, depicting sexual conduct or sexual excitement as those terms are defined in s. 847.001,
F.S.
The bill eliminates the following councils or grants:
• The individual artist fellowship grant program.
• The General Program Support and Specific Cultural Program.
• The state touring grant program.
• The cultural endowment program.
• The Grove Advisory Council.
• The Florida International Archive and Repository for the preservation of those public
records, as defined in s. 119.011, F.S, manuscripts, international judgments involving
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 2
disputes between domestic and foreign businesses, and all other public matters that the
department or the Florida Council of International Development deems relevant to
international issues.
• The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force, which issued its recommendations on
June 28, 2024, and therefore fulfilled its statutory duty.
The bill reconfigures the membership of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and its statutory
duties.
The bill generally eliminates mandatory rulemaking regarding the award of grant funding for
specified grants administered by the Division of Arts and Culture.
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on state revenues and expenditures and local
government. See Section V. Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
II. Present Situation:
Section 20.10, F.S., creates the Department of State (DOS) within the executive branch, headed
by the Secretary of State (Secretary) who serves at the pleasure of the Governor. There are six
divisions within the DOS:
• Division of Elections.
• Division of Historical Resources.
• Division of Corporations.
• Division of Library and Information Services.
• Division of Arts and Culture.
• Division of Administration.
1
The Division of Historical Resources, Division of Arts and Culture, and Division of Library and
Information Services administer grants pursuant to ch. 265, F.S., and promote programs having
substantial cultural, artistic, and indirect economic significance that emphasize American
creativity.
2
The remainder of the present situation relative to each section of the bill is discussed in the
Effect of Proposed Changes section of this bill analysis. Generally, there will be a heading or
subheading, a discussion of the present situation, then a discussion of the effect of the proposed
changes.
1
Section 20.10(2), F.S.
2
Section 15.18, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 3
III. Effect of Proposed Change
Commissions for Elected Officers and Notaries
A "commission" is a written authority from a competent source, given to an officer as a warrant
for the exercise of the powers and duties of the office to which the officer was commissioned.
Public officers, particularly those who receive their office by appointment, are required to be
commissioned by the proper authority, which is usually the Florida Governor.
Sections 1-3 repeal ss. 113.01, 113.02, and 113.03, F.S., respectively, to eliminate the $10 fee
charged on each commission of an elected officer and notary by the governor.
Section 4 amends s. 113.051, F.S., to prohibit a commission from being issued by the governor,
attested to by the Secretary or bearing the state seal until the oath of office is filed.
Sections 5 and 6 amend ss. 117.01 and 117.225, F.S., respectively, to eliminate references to the
$10 fee repealed by section 1 of the bill.
Section 7 amends s. 117.295, F.S, to update cross-reference.
Public Libraries and State Archives
The Division of Library and Information Services (Division), among its many functions, assists
public libraries throughout the state, coordinates with the Division of Blind Services of the
Department of Education to provide library services to the blind and physically handicapped
persons of Florida, maintains a library for state employees, helps state agencies with relevant
research, controls the State Library, and receives materials and funds and coordinates its
distribution for the benefit of Floridians.
3
With regard to its functions and duties pertaining to funding, the Division:
• May give aid and assistance—financial, advisory, or otherwise—to all school, state
institutional, academic, free, and public libraries and to all Florida communities that propose
to establish libraries, as to the best means of establishing and administering libraries,
selecting and cataloging books, and other facets of library management;
4
• Must establish operating standards under which libraries will be eligible to receive state
moneys;
5
and
• May accept, receive, administer, and expend any moneys, materials, or any other aid granted,
appropriated, or made available by the United States or any of its agencies for the purpose of
giving aid to libraries and providing educational library services in Florida.
6
3
Section 257.04, F.S.
4
Id.
5
Section 257.15, F.S.
6
Section 257.12, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 4
State Librarian and Library Council
The Secretary appoints the State Librarian, who serves as the director of the Division. The State
Librarian manages the Division’s programs.
7
The nine members of the State Library Council, all
appointed by the Secretary, advise and assist the Division on its programs and activities.
8
Sections 8 and 10, amend ss. 257.031 and 257.031, F.S., respectively, relating to the education
qualifications for the State Librarian and administrative heads of libraries that receive an
operating grant,
9
require graduation from programs accredited by “a national library professional
association,” rather than a program accredited by the American Library Association.
Sections 8 and 10 amend the education qualifications for the State Librarian and administrative
heads of libraries receiving an operating grant so that they only need to complete a program
accredited by “a national library professional association,” as opposed to the American Library
Association. No accreditation program other than the American Library Association appears to
exist.
Section 9 amends s. 257.12, F.S., to require the State Library Council to develop
recommendations for providing available federal funds to public libraries. The Secretary may
then “review and identify the funding recommendation list to identify whether federal grant
funds” are expended in compliance with laws and not used to support programs that are
appropriate for all ages.
The State and International Archives
The Florida State Archives (Archives), established pursuant to s. 257.35, F.S., is responsible for
the preservation of those public records,
10
manuscripts, and other archival material that have
been determined by the Division (1) to have sufficient historical or other value to warrant their
continued preservation; and (2) have been accepted by the Division for deposit. The Archive
conducts, promotes, and encourages research in Florida history, government, and culture.
11
The
Florida International Archive and Repository (Repository), by comparison, preserves materials,
including public records, relevant to international issues. To the extent practical, the Repository
assists state and local public entities and individuals engaged in international related activities—
including research and business.
12
Section 13 repeals s. 257.34, F.S., which created the Repository, thereby eliminating the
Repository.
It is unclear what will happen to the documents and information stored by the Florida
International Archive and Repository eliminated in section 13, if and how the files will be
7
Section 257.031(1), F.S.
8
Section 257.02, F.S.
9
Discussed further infra.
10
Defined in s. 119.011(12), F.S., as “all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound
recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of
transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any
agency.”
11
Section 257.35, F.S.
12
Section 257.34, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 5
transported to a new storage institution before the International Repository closes, and whether
the Florida State Archives or other agency will absorb the responsibilities and expectations of the
International Repository.
Division of Library and Information Services Grants
Section 257.14, F.S., explicitly grants the Division authority to adopt administrative rules. The
Division administers numerous grants with guidelines containing formation on eligibility
requirements, application review procedures, evaluation and funding criteria, grant
administration procedures if applicable, and application forms, in rules.
State Aid to Libraries Grant Programs
The State Aid to Libraries grant program encompasses three statutorily designated grants—
operating, equalization, and multicounty library grants. An Operating Grant is an annual grant
provided to single library administrative units in an amount equal to no more than 25% of all
local funds expended by the relevant political subdivision for the operation and maintenance of
the library during the second preceding fiscal year.
13
An Equalization Grant is available to
counties that qualify for an operating grant and have limited tax resources.
14
The equalization
formula, set forth in statute, was structured to provide an effective supplement to local funds for
libraries serving counties with limited local tax resources, especially to those that choose to
support their library at exceptionally high levels when compared to local resources and the
investment of other counties.
15
A Multicounty Library Grant is available to the administrative
unit of a multicounty library that serves a population of 50,000 or more and serves two or more
counties, at least one of which qualifies for an equalization grant.
16
Grants are prorated among eligible libraries if the appropriation by the Legislature does not fully
fund the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program.
17
Library Cooperative Grants
Library cooperatives are any combination of academic, school, special, state institutional, and
public libraries that form a nonprofit “for the purpose of sharing library resources.” The Library
Cooperative Grant supports libraries participating in library cooperatives.
18
In order to receive a
Library Cooperative Grant, cooperatives must obtain 10 percent matching cash funds, be a
nonprofit organization consisting of more than one type of library, headed and administered by a
full-time librarian, and in good standing with the DOS.
19
Public Library Construction Grants
13
Division of Library & Information Services, Florida Dep’t of State, State Aid to Libraries Grant Guidelines, 18-21,
available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15322 (last visited Nov. 14, 2024) [hereinafter State Aid
to Libraries Grant Guidelines].
14
State Aid to Libraries Grant Guidelines, at 4.
15
Id. at 2; s. 257.18, F.S.
16
Section 257.172, F.S.
17
State Aid to Libraries Grant Guidelines, at 3.
18
Section 257.41(1), F.S.
19
Section 257.42, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 6
Public Library Construction Grants give a maximum of $500,00 matching funds to a county,
municipality, special district, or special tax district for the remodeling or construction of a free,
publicly-available library.
20
Applications are scored on a scale of a maximum of 100 points, with
different points allocated based on the type of building, project narrative and library function in
the community, building uses and needs, and community need.
21
Effects of Proposed Changes
Sections 11, 12, and 14 amend ss. 257.191, 257.23, and 257.42, F.S., respectively, relating to the
library construction grants, the applicants of such grants, and the library cooperative grants,
respectively, to allow the Secretary to identify whether the grants awarded or expended pursuant
to those programs comply with law or are appropriate for all ages.
Memorials, Museums, and Arts and Culture
The Division of Arts and Culture (Division) is Florida’s designated state arts agency and
oversees programs relating to memorials, museums, and arts and culture. To encourage access to
cultural opportunities, the Division provides funding, programs, and resources, including grants
for programs and projects in arts in education, local arts agencies, state service organizations,
museums, theater, dance, folk arts, literature, media arts, multidisciplinary, music, sponsor or
presenter, and visual arts.
22
The Secretary currently serves as the “chief cultural officer of the state;” section 16, however,
amends s. 265.284, F.S., to change the title to the “chief arts and culture officer.”
Florida Council on Arts and Culture
The Florida Council on Arts and Culture (FCOAC) is a 15-member panel consisting of:
• Seven members appointed by the Governor for 4-year terms;
• Four members appointed by the President of the Senate for 2-year terms; and
• Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for 2-year terms.
Appointments must “recognize the need for geographical representation,” and should be
individuals with:
a substantial history of community service in the performing or visual arts,
which includes, but is not limited to, theater, dance, folk arts, music,
architecture, photography, literature, and media arts, or in the areas of
science, history, or children’s museums. In addition, it is desirable that
members have successfully served on boards of cultural institutions such as
museums and performing arts centers or are recognized as patrons of the
arts.
[23]
20
See ss. 288.0656 and 288.06561, F.S.
22
Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, Mission, https://DoS.fl.gov/cultural/about-us/mission/ (last
visited Mar. 30, 2025).
23
Section 265.285(1)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 7
Section 17 amends s. 265.285, F.S., to provide that members of the FCOAC cannot receive any
financial compensation as an employee or officer of an entity that receives grant funding (unless
the entity is a state college or university).
The section also adds a general requirement that the appointed FCOAC representatives
demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of the arts, culture, museums, folklore, and cultural
heritage conditions. Additionally, five of the Governor’s appointments must now qualify as
follows:
• A licensed architect with expertise in cultural facilities;
• A member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida;
• A professional public folklorist;
• A university-affiliated public folklorist; and
• A practicing or former professional artist.
24
Sections 17 and 19 amend ss. 265.285 and 265.2865, F.S., respectively, to modify the duties of
the FCOAC.
Section 17 changes the FCOAC’s duty to “encourage arts and cultural development within
communities” rather than “assist in the freedom of artistic expression that is essential for the
well-being of the arts.”
Section 17 also eliminates the FCOAC’s involvement in the nomination for the Poet Laureate, an
honorary position within the DOS; and duty to promote poetry throughout the state.
25
This is
replaced with a duty to promote and assist Division programs, “such as the Major John Leroy
Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program, the Arts and Culture recognition award program, and
the apprenticeship program.” The Major John Leory Haynes Florida Veteran's History Program
is a Florida Folklife Program within the Division created to “collect and preserve the stories and
experiences of Florida's veterans and the State of Florida's military contributions throughout the
nation's history.”
26
The Division’s folklorists seek out and identify those veterans willing to
share their stories via interview or written submission.
27
The “Arts and Culture recognition
award program and the apprenticeship program,” also added to the bill, do not currently exist in
statute and are not created in the bill.
Currently, the FCOAC accepts nominations for persons to be recommended to the Secretary to
be named as a members of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. The Florida Artist Hall of Fame
recognizes and honors “those persons, living or dead, who have made significant contributions to
the arts in this state, either as performing artists, or practicing artists in individual disciplines.”
28
Currently, the Secretary names up to four members to the Florida Artists Hall of Fame annually
from a list of nominations considered and recommended by the FCOAC.
29
Section 19 amends
24
The Governor can meet these specific appointment responsibilities within the existing number of appointments he or she
has and still have remaining seats to appoint.
25
See ss. 265.285 and 265.2863, F.S.
26
Section 265.8021(2), F.S.
27
Section 265.8021(3), F.S.
28
Section 265.2865(1), F.S.
29
Section 265.2865(3) and (4), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 8
s. 265.2865, F.S., to decrease the number of annual nominations from four to three, and to make
their nominations permissive rather than required. Consequently, the Secretary “may” (as
opposed to shall) annually request an appropriation to carry out the section. This permits the
DOS to effectively discontinue the activity if DOS does not accept any further applications.
Florida Folklife Council
The Florida Folklife Council advises and assists the Division and the State Folklorist to
encourage statewide public interest in folk arts and folklore; promote Florida folk artists,
performers, festivals, folklife projects, and folk resources; recommend projects; and develop
proposals for grant applications to support the Florida folklife program.
30
Currently, the
Secretary appoints the seven members of the Florida Folklife Council.
Section 22 amends s. 265.803, F.S., to make the Florida Folklife Council a sub-council within
the FCOAC. As a consequence, the seven members of the council will come from the
membership of the FCOAC. Appointed members currently provide a “geographical, ethnic, and
professional representation.” This section changes “ethnic” to “cultural and traditional.”
Citizen Support Organizations
Section 265.703, F.S., permits the Division to establish citizen support organizations to provide
assistance, funding, and promotional support for the cultural, arts, historical, and museum
programs. Citizen support organizations, in this instance, are nonprofit corporations organized
under the provisions of ch. 617, F.S., approved by the Division in writing, operated for the direct
or indirect benefit of the Division, and organized to perform specific tasks in the best interests of
the state.
Section 21 amends s. 265.703, F.S., to permit citizen support organizations to support
international and intergovernmental programs as well as the currently permitted support for
cultural, historical, and museum programs.
Grants, generally
The Florida Arts and Culture Act (Act) is set forth in ss. 265.281-265.709, F.S., to provide state
support for, and to gain national and international recognition of, the efforts, works, and
performances of Florida artists, art agencies, museums, and nonprofit organizations.
31
The
Division must administer and oversee all programs authorized by the Act and may adopt rules to
do so.
32
This includes:
• Arts and culture grants to support science museums, youth and children’s museums,
historical museums, local arts agencies, Florida artists, state service organizations, and
organizations that have cultural program activities;
33
• An endowment to provide matching funds to local sponsoring organizations that engage in
programs directly related to cultural activities;
34
and
30
Section 265.803, F.S.
31
Section 265.282, F.S.
32
Section 265.284(3)(j), F.S.
33
Section 265.286, F.S.
34
Sections 265.601-265.606, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 9
• Grants to counties, municipalities, and qualifying nonprofit corporations for the acquisition,
renovation, or construction of cultural facilities.
35
Generally, eligibility for grants administered by the Division requires the applicant:
36
• Be in good standing with the Division and the DOS at the time of the application;
• Be a public entity or a Florida non-profit, tax exempt corporation that is registered and in
active status with Florida’s Division of Corporations;
• Have at least one year of experience in arts and cultural programming; and
• Be registered as a vendor with the Department of Financial Services to whom they provide
their most recent Federal 990 form.
Section 265.284, F.S., explicitly requires the DOS to adopt rules. Each program must be
governed by guidelines, adopted as rules, which contain information on eligibility requirements,
application review procedures, evaluation and funding criteria, applicable grant administration
procedures, and application forms.
Sections 18 and 19, for grants administered by the Division of Arts and Culture, eliminates
review panels that evaluate grant applications or the grants themselves and empowers the
Secretary to review and make comments on the recommended list of grants determined by
review panels and the FCOAC.
Members of review panels are appointed by the Secretary and seven of the members of the
FCOAC are appointed by the Governor.
Similar review panels and bodies, however, continue to exist for the grants administered by the
DOS’s other divisions—the Division of Library and Information Services and Division of
Historical Resources.
Arts and Culture Grants
Section 265.286, F.S., is the art and cultural grants statute and directs the Division of Arts and
Culture to adopt rules establishing eligibility requirements, procedures, and panel review
processes, including criteria for reviewing grant applications.
37
The arts and cultural grants
statute, in part, speaks to four grant programs: the General Program Support, the Specific
Cultural Program, the state touring program, and individual artist fellowship program grants.
General Program Support and Specific Culture Program Grants
Section 265.286, F.S., creates:
38
• The General Program Support Grant program, which provides funding to directly support
arts and cultural programming, including museums and local arts organizations, in statutorily
35
Section 265.701(1), F.S.
36
Division of Arts & Culture, Florida Dep’t of State, General Program Support Grant Guidelines, 5, available at
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15677 (last visited Nov. 13, 2024) [hereinafter General Program
Support Grant Guidelines].
37
Section 265.286(6), F.S.
38
Section 265.286(3) and (5), F.S.; see rule 1T-1.036(2), F.A.C. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 10
authorized disciplines that “include, but are not limited to, music, dance, theater, creative
writing, literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, folk arts, photography, crafts, media arts,
visual arts, programs of museums, and other such allied, major art forms;”
39
and
• The Specific Cultural Program Grant, which provides up to $25,000 to fund a specific
cultural project, program, exhibition, or series that furthers the state’s cultural objectives, has
four permissible proposal types established in rule:
o Arts in Education projects that promote arts and culture in education;
o Discipline-Based cultural or artistic projects that further the state’s cultural objectives
through a pre-approved list of disciplines;
o Underserved Cultural Community Development projects that assist with the development
of underserved cultural organizations; or
o Artist Projects that provide public benefit through the creation or presentation of new
artistic work.
40
The review process for both the General Program Support and Specific Cultural Program grants
involves four steps of review, beginning with Division staff who determine eligibility before
passing eligible applications to review panels.
41
After the staff’s eligibility determination, review panels provide the first substantive review of
applications; the panels are made up of an unspecified number of volunteer professionals
appointed by the Secretary of State for one-year terms. Panels “consist of practicing artists or
other professionals actively involved in the specific discipline or program for which the panel
has been appointed.” Statute directs the Division to adopt rules establishing scoring criteria for
the review panels. The panels must provide a forum for public comments before voting on an
application. The panel then forwards its recommendations to the FCOAC.
The FCOAC has the power to amend and recalculate the review panels’ recommendations and
must provide a forum for public comments before voting on any application. The FCOAC
reviews the review panel’s recommendations before merging the recommendations and ranking
them in a list provided to the Secretary.
42
The Secretary reviews and approves (but cannot
change) the ranked lists from the FCOAC and includes those lists in the DOS’s legislative
budget request submitted to the Legislature.
43
State Touring Program Grants
State Touring Program Grants are “used to provide performances, activities, and exhibitions by
Florida artists to communities,”
44
with a “selection procedure that ensures the maximum
39
Sections 265.286(5)(b) and 265.283(1), F.S.
40
Division of Arts & Culture, Florida Dep’t of State, Specific Cultural Project Grant Guidelines, 6, available at
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15678 (last visited Mar. 31, 2024) [hereinafter Specific Cultural
Project Grant Guidelines].
41
General Program Support Grant Guidelines, 23-26; Specific Cultural Project Grant Guidelines, 30-33.
42
Section 265.286, F.S.; General Program Support Grant Guidelines at 25; Specific Cultural Project Grant Guidelines at 32.
43
Section 265.286(3), F.S.
44
Section 265.283(16), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 11
opportunity for Florida artists and cultural groups.”
45
The program
46
creates an Artist Roster of
approved artists chosen by the Secretary, as recommended by the FCOAC and a
multidisciplinary panel which selects artists based on criteria set forth in the guidelines required
by s. 265.286, F.S., and incorporated in Rule 1T-1.037(2). The program further provides
Presenter Fee Support to any not-for-profit organization or unit of city, county, or state
government in Florida, including school boards, to host an artist on the Artist Roster.
47
The State
Touring Presenter Guidelines,
48
incorporated by the relevant administrative rule,
49
provide for
how much financial support an applicant may qualify, but not criteria or scoring on how
applicants are ranked.
The reviewing process for the State Touring Roster Guidelines is essentially identical to that for
General Program Support and Specific Cultural Program grants; the primary difference being
that panel members are explicitly described in rule as a “multidisciplinary panel.”
50
Individual Artist Fellowship Program
The Division is statutorily charged with administering an individual artist fellowship program
with a “selection procedure that identifies individual artists of exceptional talent and
demonstrated ability.” The selection procedure, adopted in rule, “identifies individual artists of
exceptional talent and demonstrated ability.”
51
Applicants are scored by a review panel based on
artistic excellence, tradition and authenticity, and community impact and engagement.
52
The
Division distributes grant funding as provided by rule, which provides that the Individual Artist
Fellowship Program “fosters the development of individual artists.”
53
Funding is limited to
Florida residents practicing in pre-determined disciplines. Fellowships are in the amount of
$2,500 or $5,000, in order of score, until funds are depleted.
54
Grant recipients are required to
submit a grant report that details expenditures and activities during the grant period.
55
45
Section 265.286(5)(c), F.S.
46
Rule 1T-1.037(1), F.A.C.
47
Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Dep’t of State, State Touring Artist Roster Guidelines,
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01033 (last visited Nov. 14, 2024) [hereinafter State Touring Artist
Roster Guidelines].
48
Division of Arts and Culture, Florida Dep’t of State, State Touring Presenter Guidelines,
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01034 (last visited Nov. 14, 2024) [hereinafter State Touring
Presenter Guidelines].
49
Rule 1T-1.037(3), F.A.C.
50
State Touring Artist Roster Guidelines; State Touring Presenter Guidelines.
51
Section 265.286(5)(d), F.S.; Rule 1T-1.038(1), F.A.C.
52
Rule 1T-1.038(4), F.A.C.
53
Section 265.286(5)(d), F.S.; Rule 1T-1.038(1), F.A.C.
54
Rule 1T-1.038(2), (3), and (6), F.A.C.
55
Rule 1T-1.038(8), F.A.C. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 12
Effects of Proposed Changes
Consolidation of Art and Culture Grants
Section 18 amends s. 265.286, F.S., relating to art and cultural grants, to consolidate the General
Program Support, Specific Cultural Program, individual fellowship, and touring grant programs
into one larger program. This consolidation also eliminates each grant’s described purposes,
award eligibility, and criteria for award.
Section 15 also deletes a definition of “state touring program grants.” This provides the Division
broader discretion in administering grants supplementing financial support for artistic and
cultural activities that are appropriate for all age groups. Programs receiving funds cannot be
harmful to minors. The changes additionally require the FCOAC to consider whether
applications are for programs that are harmful to minors when advising the secretary about grant
awards.
Section 15 and 18 delete the Division’s required administration of the underserved arts
community assistance program grant, defined as a grant used by qualified organizations under
the Rural Economic Development Initiative, pursuant to ss. 288.0656 and 288.06561, for the
purpose of economic and organizational development for underserved cultural organizations. It is
unclear, however, if this grant is currently being administered.
Section 18 allows the Secretary to re-distribute grant monies returned to applicants on his or her
list. Previously, the applicants had to be “approved,” but this requirement is eliminated in the
bill. The bill additionally provides provisions that prohibit an applicant seeking a
recommendation from a reviewer from having have a substantial interest in any of its requested
recommendations.
Review Panels for Art and Culture Grants
Review panels currently serve in almost all grant application review processes as the first body
that provides a substantive review of the applications. They utilize grading rubrics and scoring
requirements set forth by statute or rule. Sections 15, 17, and 18 delete references to and the
definition of “panels” for Arts and Culture Grants. Section 18, specifically, amends s. 265.286,
F.S., to delete the use of qualified review panels in the process of determining the award of Art
and Culture Grants and instead provides for “reviewers” the Secretary may appoint. While these
reviewers appear to serve a similar purpose as the previously required review panels, the bill
eliminates:
• Required qualifications and standards for panel members or reviewers, such as the
requirement for panelist to come from relevant disciplines;
• Statutory language mandating the Division to create rules providing rubrics and scoring the
panel or reviewers must us; and
• One year term limits.
The bill still requires the Division to administer awards to “activities and programs that meet the
professional standards or standards of authenticity of significant merit.”
BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 13
2025-2026 General Appropriations Funding List
Effective upon the bill becoming law, section 18 requires the Secretary to request, and the
council to submit, an updated list of activities and programs that comply with the updated grant
requirements as provided in the bill. After reviewing and making comments to the grant awardee
recommendations, the secretary must submit a recommended list to the Legislature for funding
consideration in the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025-2026. The FCOAC and
Secretary may provide another list for programs and activities that support America250 and
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This subsection
expires on July 1, 2026.
Rural Communities
As further discussed infra, many of the grant programs eliminated (or combined into one grant)
by sections 15 and 18 are ones that specifically target, or provide special consideration and
allowances for, rural communities.
Cultural Facilities Grants
56
The Cultural Facilities Grants program coordinates support and funding of renovation, new
construction, or acquisition of “cultural facilities.”
57
Eligible applicants must use or plan to use
the facility to conduct arts and cultural programming and have unrestricted use of the land and
buildings associated with the project, appropriate matching funds, and the support of local
officials.
Section 20 amends s. 265.701, F.S., to discontinue the use of grant funds to acquire a cultural
facility. The entities may still use the funds to renovate or construct a facility. Additionally, the
section removes the requirement that unfunded grant applications that are approved and
recommended by the Secretary be retained on the projects list for a year. The changes
additionally require the Secretary to consider whether the program applying for grant money is
appropriate for all ages and complies with federal, state, and local laws. It appears this empowers
the Secretary to change the list recommended by the FCOAC.
Effective upon the bill becoming law, the Secretary shall request, and the council shall submit,
an updated list of activities and programs that comply with the requirements of this section. After
reviewing and making comments, the secretary shall submit a recommended list to the
Legislature for funding consideration in the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025-
2026. The FCOAC and Secretary may provide another list for programs and activities that
support America250 and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. This subsection expires on July 1, 2026.
56
Numerous states have similar grant or funding programs or mechanisms, including but not limited to Massachusetts
(MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 23G, § 42), Ohio (OHIO REV. CODE ANN. §§ 154.23, 123.201, and 3381.07 (West 2025)), Vermont
(VT. STAT. ANN. tit. 24, § 5604), Washington (WASH. REV. CODE § 23.63A.750), Nevada (NEV. REV. STAT. § 268.450), New
Jersey (N.J. STAT. ANN. § 34:1B-389 (West 2025)), and New Hampshire (N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 19-A:13).
57
Note that cultural facilities are not defined in statute, regulation, or materials referenced and incorporated into regulation. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 14
Historical Resources
The Division of Historical Resources (Division), led by a director who serves at the pleasure of
the Secretary, is charged with encouraging the 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.
58
This includes cooperating
with federal and state agencies, local governments, and private entities to accomplish its duties.
The Division, in relevant part:
• Accepts and administers funding received by public and private sources and advances these
funds and other grants on a quarterly basis;
• Enters into agreements for awarding grants or other contracts with any person, firm,
performing arts company, educational institution, arts organization, corporation, or
governmental agency as may be necessary or advisable;
• Consults with and advises individuals, groups, or public entities with the acquisition,
acceptance, display, and care of fine art;
• Sponsors performances and exhibits;
• Promotes and encourages the study and appreciation of arts and culture; and
• Advertises arts and cultural programs available throughout the state.
59
The Florida Historical Resources Act
60
was established to preserve archaeological sites and
objects of antiquity for the public benefit.
61
The Act recognizes Florida’s historic properties as an
important legacy to be valued and conserved for present and future generations. Accordingly, it
is Florida’s policy to lead, assist, administer, and encourage public entities and private citizens to
preserve the state’s historic environment and resources.
62
The Division director is advised by the Florida Historical Commission, which, in addition to
several other advising roles, is specifically charged with advising and providing
recommendations on awards of special category historic preservation grant-in-aid administered
by the Division.
63
Seven members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor in
consultation with the Secretary of State; two are appointed by the President of the Senate; and
two are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
64
Sections 267.031, 267.0617, and 267.21, F.S., allows the Division to adopt rules pursuant to the
Administrative Procedures Act. Each program must be governed by guidelines which contain
information on eligibility requirements, application review procedures, evaluation and funding
criteria, grant administration procedures if applicable, and application forms.
58
Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, About, https://dos.fl.gov/historical/about/ (last visited
Mar. 25, 2025). See also, s. 267.031, F.S.
59
Section 265.284, F.S.
60
Sections 267.011-267.1736, F.S.
61
Section 267.14, F.S.
62
Section 267.061(2)(a), F.S.
63
Section 267.0612(6)(c), F.S.
64
Section 267.0612(1)(a)1., F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 15
The Grove Advisory Council
The Call/Collins House, commonly known as “The Grove,” is a museum located in Tallahassee
used to educate the public on the lives and accomplishments of The Grove’s first owner and
builders of the estate, Richard Keith Call, Florida’s last Territorial Governor; as well as LeRoy
Collins, Florida’s 33rd Governor, who, with his wife, Mary Call Darby Collins (a descendant of
Call’s), were the last private owners of The Grove. The Grove is now listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
65
The Grove Advisory Council advises the Division on the operation, maintenance, preservation,
and protection of the Grove’s house, grounds, cemeteries, and all other structures thereon; the
furniture and furnishing located therein; any changes in the architecture, structure, furnishings,
and landscaping; and the design and development of interpretive programs and exhibits in
connection therewith.
66
Five members of the council are appointed by the Secretary; the
remainder of the council membership is made up of the Secretary of Management Services, or
his or her designee; the director of the Division; and a direct descendent of Mary Call Darby
Collins. The members appointed by the Secretary consist of individuals with curatorial and
museum expertise, professional architectural historic preservation expertise, and professional
landscaping experience. Council members serve without compensation but receive per diem for
travel expenses, and the council receives clerical support from the Division.
67
Section 25 repeals s. 267.075, F.S., to eliminate the Grove Advisory Council.
Florida Museum of Black History Task Force
In 2023, the Legislature created the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force to advise the
Division on the planning, construction, operation, and administration of the yet established
Florida Museum of Black History. The Florida Museum of Black History is a yet to be
established museum that is supposed to be a self-sustaining museum that functions on the
revenues of the museum and meeting rooms, banquet facilities, and performing arts theater
therein.
68
After its tenth meeting on June 28, 2024, the Task Force issued its final report, thereby
completing the purpose of the Task Force.
69
Section 25 repeals s. 267.0722, F.S., to eliminate the Florida Museum of Black History Task
Force.
The Historic Preservation Grant Program
The Division administers the Historic Preservation Grant Program pursuant to s. 267.0617, F.S.,
which authorizes grants of moneys appropriated by the Legislature and other contributions for
65
Section 267.075(1), F.S.; Dep’t of State, Richard Kieth Call, https://DoS.fl.gov/florida-facts/florida-history/florida-
governors/richard-keith-
call/#:~:text=Call%20led%20the%20Florida%20militia,and%20the%20national%20business%20depression (last visited
Mar. 19, 2025).
66
Section 267.075(2), F.S.
67
Section 267.075(3), F.S.
68
Section 267.0722, F.S.
69
Id.; Division of Historical Resource, Dep’t of State, The Florida Museum of Black History Task Force,
https://DoS.fl.gov/historical/museums/blackhistorytaskforce/ (last visited Mar. 18, 2025). BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 16
the purpose of historic preservation.
70
The Division adopts rules setting forth the criteria applied
by the Florida Historical Commission and grant review panels in reviewing and recommending
grant application.
71
Grant review panels are appointed by the Secretary and chaired by a member
or designee of the Florida Historical Commission. Grant money is appropriated from the
Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund.
72
There are two relevant types of Historic Preservation Programs:
• Small Matching Grants, which provide matching funding to assist local, regional, and state-
wide efforts to preserve significant historic and archaeological resources and promote
knowledge and appreciation of the history of Florida.
73
• Special Category Grants, which provide funding to assist major local, regional, and state-
wide efforts to preserve significant historic and archaeological resources, to assist major
archaeological excavations or research projects, and assist in the development and fabrication
of major museum exhibits that will promote knowledge and appreciation of the history of
Florida.
74
Section 23 amends s. 267.0612, F.S., to consolidate the grant review processes for the special
category historic preservation grants-in-aid under the Historic Preservation Grant Program
provisions of s. 267.617, F.S. This does not represent a change in law.
Section 24 amends s. 267.0617, F.S, relating to the Historic Preservation Grant Program, to
remove reference to the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund, which is the current fund for
all money received and paid by the Historic Preservation Grant Program. This section
additionally allows the Secretary to review and provide comments on the recommended list of
grants-in-aid recipients. Funds awarded must be expended in compliance with law and regulation
and cannot be used for activities or programs that are appropriate for all ages.
Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Program
The Division administers the Historic Cemeteries Program, directed by the State Historic
Preservation Officer, and addresses historic and abandoned cemeteries throughout the state—
including coordinating with the University of South Florida's Black Cemetery Network to
facilitate the inclusion of abandoned African-American cemeteries in the Black Cemetery
Network.
75
Subject to legislative appropriations, the Historic Cemeteries Program provides
grants to research institutions, colleges and universities, non-profits, and local governments to
assist efforts to protect, preserve, repair, and restore abandoned African-American cemeteries in
the State of Florida.
76
Members of the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council serve as
the application review panel for the Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Grant program.
The Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council consists of nine members, all appointed by
the Secretary.
77
70
Section 267.0617, F.S.
71
Section 267.0617(5), F.S.
72
Section 267.0617(3), F.S.
73
Section 267.0617(2), F.S.; Rule 1A-39.001(3)(a), F.A.C.
74
Section 267.0617(3), F.S.; Rule 1A-39.001(3)(b), F.A.C.
75
Section 267.21(1), F.S.
76
Section 267.21, F.S.; Rule 1A-39.001(3)(C), F.A.C.
77
Section 267.22, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 17
Sections 27 and 28 amend ss. 267.21 and 267.22, F.S., respectively, which in relevant part
address the abandoned African-American cemeteries grant program and corresponding task
force.
As to the abandoned African-American cemeteries grant program, section 27 allows the
Secretary to review recommended grant recipients and provide comments on whether the grant
awardee program is harmful to minors and complies with federal, state, and local laws; and
section 28 makes a conforming change.
Section 27 requires the council to review each application and submit a list to the Secretary of
recommended awardees. The recommended list, with any comments made by the Secretary, is
submitted as a part of the DOS legislative funding request.
Section 28 amends s. 267.22, F.S., relating to the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory
Council, to codify the review requirements currently promulgated by the DOS in their
guidelines. Section 28 also reorganizes the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council
(Advisory Council) as a sub-council within the Florida Historical Commission, who may become
members of the Advisory Council; and provides that the Advisory Council only needs five
members (as opposed to the current nine required) who would now be appointed by the Florida
Historical Commission (as opposed to the Secretary). Terms are shortened from four to two
years. Current members of the Advisory Council may serve out the rest of their turn.
Effective Date
Section 29 provides that the bill takes effect upon becoming law.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
Not applicable. The bill does not require counties or municipalities to take an action
requiring the expenditure of funds, reduce the authority that counties or municipalities
have to raise revenue in the aggregate, or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with
counties or municipalities.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None identified.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None identified.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None identified. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 18
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
Single Subject
Article III, section 6 of the State Constitution requires every law to “embrace but one
subject and matter properly connected therewith.” The purpose of this requirement is to
prevent logrolling, which combines multiple unrelated measures in one bill in order to
secure passage of a measure that is unlikely to pass on its own merits.
78
The Florida
Supreme Court has held that the single subject clause contains three requirements: first,
each law must embrace only one subject; second, the law may include any matter that
properly connected with the subject; and third, the subject must be briefly expressed in
the title.
79
The subject matter to consider when determining whether a bill embraces a
single subject is the bill title’s subject, and the test is whether the bill is designed to
accomplish separate objectives with no natural or logical connection to each other.
80
The bill relates to fees paid for commissions issued by the Governor, in addition to the
DOS grants administered by, and officers and bodies existing in, the Division of Library
and Information Services, Division of Arts and Culture, and Divisions of Historical
Resources. While the Secretary is required to attest to these commissions and is
appointed by the Governor, this may not be sufficient to establish a natural or logical
connection to the rest of the bill to meet the single subject requirement in the State
Constitution.
Agency Action and Rulemaking
Constitutional law holds state and agency action to an arbitrary and capricious standard.
81
Arbitrary and capricious means “founded on prejudice or preference rather than on reason
or fact.”
82
Agency action passes the arbitrary and capricious standard “only if it rests on a
consideration of the relevant factors,” but is unlawful if it “entirely failed to consider an
important aspect of the problem.”
83
A rule is arbitrary if it is not supported by logic or the
necessary facts; a rule is capricious if it is adopted without thought or reason or is
irrational.
84
Overall, the bill decreases the DOS’ required rulemaking and eliminates or reduces
current statutory criteria for the DOS’ award of state funds. These changes may allow the
DOS to award grants in an arbitrary fashion, should the DOS make such awards without a
clear standard outlined in rule or statutory guidelines.
Accordingly, while the present bill eliminates required rule making, this may
constitutionally be problematic because it may lead to arbitrary and capricious decisions.
78
Santos v. State, 380 So.2d 1284 (Fla. 1980).
79
Franklin v. State, 887 So. 1063, 1072 (Fla. 2004).
80
See Ex parte Knight, 41 So. 786 (Fla. 1906); Brd. of Public Instruction of Broward Cnty. v. Doran, 224 So.2d 693 (Fla.
1969).
81
FLA. CONST., Art. IX, s. 9; U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, s. 1.
82
ARBITRARY, Black's Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019).
83
Bidi Vapor LLC v. U.S. Food & Drug Admin., 47 F.4th 1191, 1202 (11th Cir. 2022)
84
Section 120.52(8), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 19
Review panels currently serve in almost all grant application review processes as the first
body providing substantive review. They utilize grading rubrics and scoring requirements
set forth by statute or the DOS in statutorily required rules. The bill not only substitutes
these review panels but also eliminates the statutory requirement to adopt rules to
establish a scoring system formula for such determinations. This may also result in grant
applicants not knowing the criteria considered in the review of their applications, which
could raise constitutional due process concerns.
In particular, section 18, amending s. 265.286, F.S., lists criteria that the Division may
consider in awarding grants, namely including allowable and nonallowable costs,
program quality, artistic quality, potential public exposure and benefit, professional
excellence, fiscal stability, state or regional impact, but the permitted criteria is relatively
broad and subject to personal interpretation.
85
However, these permitted criteria may not
provide enough guidance to be implemented without rule, and are ultimately permissible
rather than required criteria. This may result in arbitrary and capricious grant awards by
the DOS.
Excess Delegation of Authority to Determine or Override Appropriations
The Legislature is the sole branch of government with the inherent power to create
laws.
86
The State Constitution vests the “power of the purse” in the Legislature by
granting it exclusive and plenary power to raise and appropriate state funds. The power to
appropriate funds, therefore, rests with the Legislature alone.
87
On lines 224-231, the Secretary is granted authority to “review the funding
recommendation list to identify whether federal grant funds awarded under this section
(to libraries) are expended in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and
regulations and are used only for activities and programs that are not harmful to minors.”
Lines 272-276, 306-309, 332-335, 482-485, 648-651, 789-792, and 931-934 grant similar
authority to the Secretary for the various grants funded by state funds and administered
by the DOS. The placement of this language is consistently in provisions regarding the
recommended lists prior to submission to the Legislature.
The Legislature may not delegate to the secretary the power to effectively veto or
withhold the grants. However, the use of the terms “awarded” and “expended” may
suggest that the Secretary can change the grants the Legislature already “approved” for
funding. If this language does apply to the list of grantees selected as a part of the
85
The bill provides that “The division may adopt rules establishing [e]ligibility criteria for the award of grants, which may
include, but need not be limited to, application requirements, allowable and nonallowable costs, program quality, artistic
quality, creativity, potential public exposure and benefit, the ability to properly administer grant funds, professional
excellence, fiscal stability, state or regional impact and economic development, matching requirements, and other
requirements to further the purposes of this act.”
86
FLA. CONST. art., III, s. 1. See also FLA. CONST. art. II, s. 3.
87
FLA. CONST. art. VII, s. 1(c, d); Graham v. Haridopolos, 75 So. 3d 315, 318 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011), approved, 108 So. 3d
597 (Fla. 2013); Chiles v. Child. A, B, C, D, E, & F, 589 So. 2d 260, 267 (Fla. 1991) (explicitly providing that the Legislature
and not the executive branch is entrusted with appropriating state funds). BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 20
Legislature’s decision on appropriations, these provisions empowering the Secretary may
be violative of the Legislature’s power to appropriate (subject only to gubernatorial veto).
In addition, if the provisions are applied to deny a legislative appropriation, the grant
applicant must be given some level of due process to appeal the Secretary’s decision.
This is particularly important when the Legislature has taken action to fund a particular
applicant, notwithstanding whether a state or local law applies. No such process is
established or discussed in the bill.
Lines 585-598 and 667-680, relating to arts and cultural grants, require the FCOAC to
submit an updated list to the legislature for FY 2025-26 that comply with the
requirements of this act. This may be problematic to the extent that the Legislature bases
its funding decisions on the originally submitted list and the Secretary attempts to fund
the grants based on a newly submitted list that was not contemplated by the Legislature
during the appropriations process. Under ch. 216, F.S., the Secretary had the opportunity
to submit such a list in the agency legislative budget request. Moreover, the DOS
continues to have the authority to amend its legislative budget request. Thus, this
language, in practical terms, merely grants the FCOAC the additional opportunity to
submit a specific list.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None identified.
B. Private Sector Impact:
It is difficult to identify how the private sector may be impacted. Many administrative
rules that will no longer be required provide ways for grant applicants to demonstrate
return on investment. It is unclear how, without such rules, the DOS will continue to
monitor the return on investment.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The fiscal impact of a majority of the bill on state and local governments is indeterminate
at this time. Fees collected by the DOS for commissions under 113.01, F.S., for Fiscal
Year 2024-2025 were $22,765 and were deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
88
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
At lines 226-227, the bill allows the Secretary to “review and identify the funding
recommendations on the list to identify…”
89
This appears to be a drafting error. Moreover, it is
unclear to whom the identifications are sent to, how they are sent, and the results of such
identifications.
88
Email from Katherine Woodby, Legislative Analyst, Dep’t of State, to Mackensee White, Attorney, the Florida Senate
(Apr. 2, 2025) (on file with the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability).
89
(Emphasis added.) BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 21
At lines 379-384, the language appears to require each appointed member to be a public
representative with demonstrated interest in all five areas of arts, culture, museums, folklore, and
cultural heritage traditions. The Legislature may want to change the ‘and’ to an ‘or’ so
qualifications for the FCOAC members are public representatives with demonstrated interests in
any of the areas of interest.
Section 17 (lines 431-437) amends the FCOAC’s duties to include promotion of the Arts and
Culture Recognition award and apprenticeship programs. These programs do not exist in statute.
The Legislature may wish to codify the Arts and Culture Recognition award and apprenticeship
programs and provide the DOS the statutory authority to administer these programs. This would
provide a statutory basis for the FCOAC’s promotion of the programs.
Throughout the various grant program implementing statutes, the bill permits, rather than
mandates, the DOS to adopt administrative rules to implement the application and review
process. With this change, and assuming the DOS repeals any rules that are merely permissive, it
is unclear how reviewers’ recommendations and Council recommendations will be made and
applied consistently across the applicants.
VII. Related Issues:
Effect on Rural Communities
Most of the specific statutory language requiring, referencing, or mandating rules that provide
special considerations or focuses on rural communities for the purpose of grants administered by
the Division of Arts and Culture are eliminated in the bill.
The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) recognizes that rural communities and
regions continue to face extraordinary challenges in their efforts to significantly improve their
economies, specifically in terms of personal income, job creation, average wages, and strong tax
bases. Among other things, REDI is responsible for coordinating and focusing the efforts and
resources of state and regional agencies on the problems that affect the fiscal, economic, and
community viability of Florida's economically distressed rural communities.
Section 22 amends s. 265.283, F.S., to delete the definitions for the state touring grant and
underserved arts community assistance program grants. This presumably ends the state touring
program and underserved arts community assistance program grants.
Both the General Program Support and Specific Cultural Program grants give areas involved in
the REDI either a complete waiver of matching fund requirements (General Program Support
grant), or a decrease in the percentage of the matching required (Specific Cultural Program
grants).
90
These two grants are eliminated by the bill.
90
General Program Support Grant Guidelines at 17; Specific Cultural Grant Guidelines at 7. BILL: CS/SB 1524 Page 22
The state touring program grants and underserved community
91
grants mainly support rural
communities. For touring grants in particular, underpopulated counties can request twice as
much fee support as other counties, and underpopulated counties are given priority.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill repeals the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 113.01, 113.02, 113.03, 257.34,
and 267.0722.
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 113.051, 117.01,
117.225, 117.295, 257.031, 257.12, 257.17, 257.191, 257.23, 257.42, 265.283, 265.284, 265.285,
265.286, 265.2865, 265.701, 265.703, 265.803, 267.0612, 267.0617, 267.075, 267.21, and
267.22.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability on April 1, 2025:
• Amends language giving the Secretary of DOS the authority to alter lists of
recommended grant awardees given to the Legislature to instead provide comments
on the list;
• Uses and defines “harmful to minors” to replace “appropriate for all ages” language;
and
• Adds sections amending or repealing ss. 113.01, 113.02, 113.03, 113.051, 177.01,
177.225, and 177.295, F.S., to eliminate a $10 fee on commissions issued by the
Governor.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
91
Underpopulated counties refer to counties with a population of 75,000 or less in the 2010 Census. Currently, 31 Florida
counties qualify as an underpopulated county. These counties are Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie,
Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty,
Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.