The Florida Senate

288.9412  International Trade and Economic Development Board.--

(1)  There is created within the nonprofit corporate structure of Enterprise Florida, Inc., a nonprofit public-private board known as the Florida International Trade and Economic Development Board the purpose of which shall be to advise and assist in promoting and developing international trade and reverse investment; marketing the state for potential new investment; and creating, expanding, and retaining Florida businesses.

(2)  The International Trade and Economic Development Board shall be governed by a board of directors. The board of directors shall consist of the following members:

(a)  The Lieutenant Governor or the Lieutenant Governor's designee.

(b)  The president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce or the president's designee.

(c)  The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.

(d)  The chairperson of the Florida State Rural Development Council or the chairperson's designee.

(e)  A member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate as an ex officio member of the board and serve at the pleasure of the President.

(f)  A member of the House of Representatives, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as an ex officio member of the board and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(g)  Members to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, consisting of the following:

1.  The chairperson of the World Trade Association of Florida or the chairperson's designee.

2.  Two representatives from the state's deepwater ports, chosen from a list of three names submitted to the Governor by the Florida Ports Council. One representative shall be from the Gulf of Mexico coast ports, and one representative shall be from the Atlantic coast ports.

3.  The chairperson of the Florida Airport Managers Association or the chairperson's designee.

4.  The chairperson of the Florida Custom Brokers and Forwarders Association or the chairperson's designee.

5.  A person having extensive experience in foreign language instruction or international education.

6.  The chairperson of the International Law Section of The Florida Bar or the chairperson's designee.

7.  The chairperson of the Florida International Banking Association or the chairperson's designee.

8.  A representative of a company in this state that is actively engaged in the manufacture of products in this state for sale in foreign markets.

9.  A member of the Florida Citrus Commission experienced in the exportation of citrus products who owns, operates, or is employed by a major company in this state that is actively engaged in the exportation of citrus products from this state to international markets.

10.  A representative of a major multinational company with offices in this state.

11.  The chairperson of the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States or the chairperson's designee.

(h)  Nine to 11 members from the public and private sector, consisting of one member representing a municipal economic development organization, one member representing a county economic development organization, one member representing a regional economic development organization, one member representing an international economic development organization, and one member who, at the time of appointment, is a board member of a community development corporation that meets the requirements of s. 290.035, with the remaining members representing, and being actively involved in, Florida business, who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

(3)  Members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, except that, in making the initial appointments, the Governor shall appoint three to five members for terms of 4 years, three members for terms of 3 years, and three members for terms of 2 years.

(4)  The chair and vice chair of Enterprise Florida, Inc., shall jointly select a list of nominees for appointment to the board from a slate of candidates submitted by Enterprise Florida, Inc. The chair and vice chair of Enterprise Florida, Inc., may request that additional candidates be submitted by Enterprise Florida, Inc., if the chair and vice chair cannot agree on a list of nominees submitted. Appointments to the board of directors shall be made by the Governor from the list of nominees jointly selected by the chair and vice chair of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Appointees shall represent all geographic regions of the state, including both urban and rural regions. The importance of minority and gender representation shall be considered when making nominations for each position on the board of directors.

(5)  The Governor shall appoint the initial 9 to 11 members from the public and private sector to the board within 30 days after receipt of the nominations from the chair and vice chair of Enterprise Florida, Inc.

(6)  A vacancy on the board shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(7)  A member may be removed by the Governor for cause. Absence from three consecutive meetings results in automatic removal.

History.--s. 87, ch. 96-320.