House Bill hb0733

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                 HB 733

        By Representatives Wiles and Justice






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to lighthouses; directing the

  3         Department of Community Affairs and the

  4         Department of State to conduct a study of

  5         lighthouses in the state; providing

  6         requirements of the study; providing for

  7         planning and funding responsibilities;

  8         directing each department to make a budget

  9         request for funding purposes; providing an

10         effective date.

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12         WHEREAS, Florida is a maritime state and has depended

13  on the sea for commerce and transportation throughout its

14  history, and

15         WHEREAS, lighthouses have facilitated that maritime

16  development, saving many lives and vessels, and

17         WHEREAS, many historic lighthouses in this state are in

18  poor and unstable condition, and

19         WHEREAS, it is declared to be the public policy of the

20  state to identify historic lighthouses, assess their

21  condition, stabilize them, and make them available to the

22  public in recognition of the history and heritage of Florida,

23  NOW, THEREFORE,

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25  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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27         Section 1.  (1)  The Coastal Management Program of the

28  Department of Community Affairs and the Division of Historical

29  Resources of the Department of State shall undertake a study

30  of the lighthouses in the state. The study must determine the

31  location, ownership, condition, and historical significance of

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                 HB 733

    589-167-01






  1  all lighthouses in the state and ensure that all historically

  2  significant lighthouses are nominated for inclusion on the

  3  National Register of Historic Places. The study must assess

  4  the condition and restoration needs of historic lighthouses

  5  and develop plans for appropriate future public access and

  6  use. The Coastal Management Program and the Division of

  7  Historical Resources shall take a leadership role in

  8  implementing plans to stabilize lighthouses and associated

  9  structures and to preserve and protect them from future

10  deterioration. When possible, the lighthouses and associated

11  buildings should be made available to the public for

12  educational and recreational purposes. The Department of

13  Community Affairs should consider these responsibilities to be

14  a priority of the Florida Coastal Management Program and

15  implementation of this act should be a priority in the use of

16  coastal management funds.

17         (2)  The Department of Community Affairs and the

18  Department of State shall request in their annual legislative

19  budget requests funding necessary to carry out the duties and

20  responsibilities specified in this act. Funds for the

21  rehabilitation of lighthouses should be allocated through

22  matching grants-in-aid to state and local government agencies

23  and to nonprofit organizations. The Department of Community

24  Affairs may assist the Division of Historical Resources in

25  projects to accomplish lighthouse identification, assessment,

26  restoration, and interpretation.

27         Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

28  law.

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2001                 HB 733

    589-167-01






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  2                          HOUSE SUMMARY

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      Directs the Department of Community Affairs and the
  4    Department of State to conduct a study of lighthouses in
      the state and plan for the funding, restoration, and
  5    public access and use of the facilities.

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