The Florida Senate

267.0612  Historic Preservation Advisory Council; creation; membership; powers and duties.--In order to enhance public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties, there is created within the Department of State the "Historic Preservation Advisory Council."

(1)  The council shall consist of 12 members who represent different areas of the state, are appointed by the Secretary of State, and are qualified, through the demonstration of special interest, experience, or education, in the preservation of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties, as follows:

(a)  At least three members shall have practical experience in the preservation of historic or archaeological sites and properties as demonstrated in one or more of the following fields: architecture, architectural history, historic preservation, history, or archaeology.

(b)  Each of at least three members shall be the president, chief elected officer, or other duly authorized representative of a statewide historic preservation, architectural, historical, or archaeological organization.

(c)  Each of at least three members shall be the president, chief elected officer, or other duly authorized representative of a local historic preservation board, commission, or nonprofit organization.

(2)  Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms, except for an appointment to fill an unexpired term, in which event the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term only. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms on the council.

(3)  Members shall elect a chairperson annually. No member shall be elected to consecutive terms as chairperson.

(4)  The council shall meet at the call of its chairperson, at the request of a majority of its membership, or at the request of the division. Members shall serve without pay, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses in carrying out their official duties, as provided in s. 112.061.

(5)  All action taken by the council shall be by majority vote of those present. The director of the division or the director's designee shall serve without voting rights as secretary to the council. The division shall provide necessary staff assistance to the council.

(6)  It shall be the responsibility of the council to provide assistance, advice, and recommendations to the division in:

(a)  Establishing priorities for the identification, acquisition, protection, and preservation of historic and archaeological sites and properties.

(b)  Establishing criteria for use in assessing the significance of historic and archaeological sites and properties.

(c)  Evaluating proposals for awards of historic preservation grants-in-aid administered by the division. Pursuant thereto, the council shall review and evaluate all proposals for grants-in-aid and shall make recommendations, including a priority ranking, reflecting such evaluation. In making such evaluation and recommendations, the council shall, at a minimum, consider the purpose, economic and other public benefit, location, compatibility with statewide historic preservation priorities, and cost of each proposal for grant assistance.

(d)  Providing an active outreach program to encourage public understanding of and involvement in the preservation of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties.

(e)  Identifying and expressing public goals for historic preservation and gathering public ideas necessary for the formulation of alternative policies.

(f)  Preparing rules relating to the historic preservation programs administered by the division pursuant to this chapter.

(7)  It shall be the additional responsibility of the council to provide such other assistance and advice to the division as may be required from time to time in matters pertaining to the protection and preservation of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 83-103; s. 48, ch. 86-163; s. 1, ch. 87-33; ss. 1, 2, ch. 90-26; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 4, ch. 94-190; s. 855, ch. 95-148.