The Florida Senate

229.006  Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force.--

(1)  In order to accomplish a smooth transition from the elected State Board of Education to the appointed Florida Board of Education, there shall be established the Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force. The task force shall be comprised of:

(a)  Five members appointed by the Governor;

(b)  Three members appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(c)  Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The transition task force shall make recommendations to the Legislature for an orderly phase-in for a seamless education continuum and a coordinated kindergarten through graduate school budget in accordance with the policies and guiding principles of s. 229.002.

(2)(a)  The members of the transition task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(b)  The task force shall be housed in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budgeting, and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budgeting shall contract with or employ an executive director for the task force and shall provide the commission with staff and a budget sufficient to accomplish quality work in a timely manner.

(3)  The transition task force may procure information and assistance from any officer or agency of the state or any subdivision thereof. All such officials and agencies shall give the task force all relevant information and assistance on any matter within their knowledge or control. The transition task force may utilize consultants, studies, and other methods of gathering information to assist in developing its recommendations.

(4)  Having completed its recommendations to the Legislature, the transition task force shall redirect its focus to provide guidance and monitoring of the implementation process pursuant to s. 229.0072 and to regularly report to the Governor, the Legislature, the Secretary of the Florida Board of Education, and the public on the progress of the reorganization implementation process. If any implementation activity is determined by a majority vote of the task force to be inconsistent with the intent of this act, the chair of the task force shall report such activity directly to the State Board of Education, and the State Board of Education shall act immediately to resolve the dispute.

(5)  By March 1, 2003, the transition task force shall have completed its duties and shall make its final report to the Governor, the Florida Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leaders of each chamber. The final report shall include, but is not limited to:

(a)  A summary of the work and recommendations of the task force and the status of full implementation of the K-20 education system.

(b)  The status of all pending and completed actions on orders and rules, all enforcement matters, and all delegations, interagency agreements, and contracts with federal, state, regional, and local governments and private entities.

(c)  Identification of any remaining or potential duplication in the administration of state education laws and rules, with specific recommendations to eliminate such duplication and promote more efficient administration.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2000-321; s. 11, ch. 2001-61; s. 7, ch. 2001-170.