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The Florida Senate

2005 Florida Statutes

Section 288.1253, Florida Statutes 2005

288.1253  Travel and entertainment expenses.--

(1)  As used in this section:

(a)  "Business client" means any person, other than a state official or state employee, who receives the services of representatives of the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with the performance of its statutory duties, including persons or representatives of entertainment industry companies considering location, relocation, or expansion of an entertainment industry business within the state.

(b)  "Entertainment expenses" means the actual, necessary, and reasonable costs of providing hospitality for business clients or guests, which costs are defined and prescribed by rules adopted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer.

(c)  "Guest" means a person, other than a state official or state employee, authorized by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development to receive the hospitality of the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with the performance of its statutory duties.

(d)  "Travel expenses" means the actual, necessary, and reasonable costs of transportation, meals, lodging, and incidental expenses normally incurred by a traveler, which costs are defined and prescribed by rules adopted by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 112.061, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall adopt rules by which it may make expenditures by advancement or reimbursement, or a combination thereof, to:

(a)  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, security staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, or staff of the Office of Film and Entertainment for travel expenses or entertainment expenses incurred by such individuals solely and exclusively in connection with the performance of the statutory duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(b)  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, security staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, or staff of the Office of Film and Entertainment for travel expenses or entertainment expenses incurred by such individuals on behalf of guests, business clients, or authorized persons as defined in s. 112.061(2)(e) solely and exclusively in connection with the performance of the statutory duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment.

(c)  Third-party vendors for the travel or entertainment expenses of guests, business clients, or authorized persons as defined in s. 112.061(2)(e) incurred solely and exclusively while such persons are participating in activities or events carried out by the Office of Film and Entertainment in connection with that office's statutory duties.

The rules shall be subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer prior to promulgation. The rules shall require the submission of paid receipts, or other proof of expenditure prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer, with any claim for reimbursement and shall require, as a condition for any advancement of funds, an agreement to submit paid receipts or other proof of expenditure and to refund any unused portion of the advancement within 15 days after the expense is incurred or, if the advancement is made in connection with travel, within 10 working days after the traveler's return to headquarters. However, with respect to an advancement of funds made solely for travel expenses, the rules may allow paid receipts or other proof of expenditure to be submitted, and any unused portion of the advancement to be refunded, within 10 working days after the traveler's return to headquarters. Operational or promotional advancements, as defined in s. 288.35(4), obtained pursuant to this section shall not be commingled with any other state funds.

(3)  The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall prepare an annual report of the expenditures of the Office of Film and Entertainment and provide such report to the Legislature no later than December 30 of each year for the expenditures of the previous fiscal year. The report shall consist of a summary of all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred within the United States and all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred outside the United States, as well as a summary of all successful projects that developed from such travel.

(4)  The Office of Film and Entertainment and its employees and representatives, when authorized, may accept and use complimentary travel, accommodations, meeting space, meals, equipment, transportation, and any other goods or services necessary for or beneficial to the performance of the office's duties and purposes, so long as such acceptance or use is not in conflict with part III of chapter 112. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall, by rule, develop internal controls to ensure that such goods or services accepted or used pursuant to this subsection are limited to those that will assist solely and exclusively in the furtherance of the office's goals and are in compliance with part III of chapter 112.

(5)  Any claim submitted under this section shall not be required to be sworn to before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths, but any claim authorized or required to be made under any provision of this section shall contain a statement that the expenses were actually incurred as necessary travel or entertainment expenses in the performance of official duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment and shall be verified by written declaration that it is true and correct as to every material matter. Any person who willfully makes and subscribes to any claim which he or she does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter or who willfully aids or assists in, procures, or counsels or advises with respect to, the preparation or presentation of a claim pursuant to this section that is fraudulent or false as to any material matter, whether or not such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present the claim, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 Whoever receives an advancement or reimbursement by means of a false claim is civilly liable, in the amount of the overpayment, for the reimbursement of the public fund from which the claim was paid.

History.--s. 5, ch. 99-251; s. 7, ch. 2001-106; s. 343, ch. 2003-261.