The Florida Senate

1004.63  Florida Institute for Nuclear Detection and Security (FINDS).--

(1)  There is created the Florida Institute for Nuclear Detection and Security at the University of Florida to serve as a design-basis center for research, development, testing, and engineering projects that directly address and satisfy critical nuclear detection and security needs facing the state and the nation. The institute shall be established within the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the university and shall consist of faculty, support staff, and other staff funded by state, federal, and private funds collected for the purposes of the institute. The institute shall be headed by a director who shall be appointed by the Dean of the University of Florida College of Engineering, serving at the pleasure of the Dean, and who shall possess a national reputation in the field of nuclear sciences.

(2)  The institute shall solicit and receive state, federal, and private funds for the purpose of conducting research and development in the area of nuclear security technology. The board shall ensure that the institute maintains accurate records of any funds received by the institute.

(3)  Activities of the institute shall include, but not be limited to, the design and testing of innovative interrogation, detection, and assessment devices for monitoring nuclear material. Application areas shall include, but not be limited to: portal monitoring, wide area search and cargo screening applications; structural monitoring for post-tensioned bridges; biological and agricultural monitoring; and the development of nonproliferation policies.

(4)  The institute shall explore development of devices for identification of isotopes and materials in structural, agricultural, and biological systems of various types.

(5)  Through research and instructional programs, the faculty associated with the institute shall also contribute to the education and training of high-quality scientists and engineers in the application of engineering solutions in homeland security, detection, imaging, and interrogation of systems, and nonproliferation policy.

(6)(a)  The activities of the institute shall be directed by the Florida Institute of Nuclear Detection and Security (FINDS) Board of Advisors, who shall serve without compensation and shall consist of eight members. Members of the board of advisors shall include, but are not limited to, a citizen of the State of Florida with interest in the area of public security; a faculty member from FINDS; a scientist of national reputation in the field of nuclear sciences; a representative of the nuclear energy industry in Florida; a representative of the national nuclear energy industry; a representative of the Federal Government programs in nuclear energy or homeland security; a member of the Florida Senate Committee on Home Defense, Public Security, and Ports or other Senate standing committee of similar jurisdiction; and a member of the Florida House Coordinating Committee on Public Security or other House of Representatives standing committee of similar jurisdiction.

(b)  Appointments for the initial terms shall be as follows:

1.  Two members shall be appointed by the chair of the University of Florida Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences and shall be appointed to a term of 3 years;

2.  Two members shall be appointed by the Dean of the University of Florida College of Engineering and shall be appointed to a term of 2 years;

3.  Two members shall be appointed by the President of the University of Florida and shall be appointed to a term of 3 years; and

4.  Two members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be appointed to a term of 4 years.

(c)  Members may serve one additional 4-year term.

(d)  Board members shall serve without additional compensation or honorarium and are authorized to receive only per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061

(e)  The board may employ a director of the institute who serves at the pleasure of the board. The director of FINDS will be an ex officio member of the board of advisors.

(7)  At the FINDS Board of Advisors' first meeting, the chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Florida will act as chair for the purpose of convening the meeting, establishing the bylaws of the board, and electing the chair of the board.

(8)  FINDS, through its board of advisors, shall submit an annual report on its progress, with recommendations on nuclear security and detection, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. A copy of the report shall also be delivered to the United States National Nuclear Security Administration and the United States Department of Homeland Security. The report must also include financial statements that include an accounting of all state, federal, and private funds that are received by the institute, as well as an accounting of the expenditures of the institute. A copy of the financial statement shall also be provided to the Auditor General.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2004-261.