The Florida Senate

943.355  Florida Crime Laboratory Council.--There is created a Florida Crime Laboratory Council within the department.

(1)  The council shall be composed of 10 members, consisting of the agency heads of the existing laboratories specified in s. 943.35(1)(a)-(f), the president of the state attorney's association, the Attorney General or his or her designee, and two members to be appointed by the Governor consisting of a medical examiner and a circuit judge of the criminal court.

(2)  The members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. The other members shall be standing members of the council. However, no member shall serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was eligible for appointment to the council. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring because of death, resignation, or ineligibility for membership shall serve only for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor or until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Any member who, without cause fails to attend two consecutive meetings may be removed by the appointing authority.

(3)  The council shall annually elect its chair and other officers. The council shall meet semiannually or at the call of its chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the department, or at such times as may be prescribed by department rules as recommended by the council. A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum.

(4)  Membership on the council shall not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the council. The Legislature finds that the council serves a state, county, and municipal purpose and that service on the council is consistent with a member's principal service in a public office or employment.

(5)  Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061.

History.--ss. 4, 7, ch. 88-324; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1640, ch. 97-102.