The Florida Senate

288.053  Florida Film and Television Investment Board; creation; purpose; membership.--

(1)  There is hereby created within the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development a body politic and corporate known as the Florida Film and Television Investment Board, hereinafter referred to as the "board." The board is constituted as a public instrumentality and shall be deemed to be performing an essential governmental function.

(2)  The purpose of the board shall be to promote, stimulate, develop, and advance the growth of Florida's share of feature film and television production, and thereby enhance the economic welfare of Florida and its citizens; to encourage and assist feature film and television producers and distributors to select Florida as a production location through investments, grants, or technical assistance; to provide the maximum opportunities for film and television employment and related services for citizens of the state; to improve the standard of living of the citizens of this state; to cooperate and act in conjunction with other organizations, both public and private, in the attraction and development of film and television production in this state; to establish business relationships with the private sector for the investment and financing of film and television production in this state; and to stimulate and assist in the expansion of the motion picture, film, television, and video industry in this state.

(3)  The board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor, five of whom shall be experienced in film and television production financing or investing.

(4)  In order to assure that the board has the requisite film and television experience, all members need not be residents of the state; however, at least one member must reside in Florida.

(5)  Members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of 4 years except that, in making the initial appointments, the Governor shall appoint one member to serve a term of 1 year, two members to serve terms of 2 years, two members to serve terms of 3 years, and two members to serve terms of 4 years.

(6)  The board shall not meet less than once each quarter of the calendar year, but may meet more often as set by the board.

(7)  Any member who fails to attend three consecutive board meetings may be replaced by the Governor.

(8)  Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the board shall be appointed in a like manner as the initial appointment and shall serve for only the unexpired term. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment.

(9)  The Governor shall appoint the chairperson, who shall be a member of the board. The members shall annually elect one of the members to serve as vice chairperson and shall designate a secretary-treasurer, who need not be a member of the board. The secretary-treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of the board and shall be the custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the board, of the minute books of the board, and of its official seal. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

(10)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061.

(11)  Each member of the board shall file full and public disclosure of financial interests at the times and places and in the same manner required of elected constitutional officers under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution and any law implementing s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution.

(12)  The board may consider applications for film and television projects in which board members have an interest, except that such interested board member or members shall abstain from voting on such matters.

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-201; s. 19, ch. 95-143; s. 38, ch. 96-320.