HB 599

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the Florida Faith-based and Community-
3	based Advisory Council; creating s. 14.31, F.S.; providing
4	legislative findings and intent; creating the Florida
5	Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council within
6	the Executive Office of the Governor for certain purposes;
7	providing for council membership; providing for terms of
8	members; providing for successor appointments; providing
9	for meetings and organization of the council; specifying
10	serving without compensation; providing for per diem and
11	travel expenses; specifying required activities of the
12	council; specifying restricted activities; requiring a
13	report to the Governor and Legislature; providing for
14	future repeal and abolition of the council; providing an
15	effective date.
16
17	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
19	Section 1.  Section 14.31, Florida Statutes, is created to
20	read:
21	14.31  Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory
22	Council.--
23	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.--The Legislature finds that:
24	(a)  Compassionate groups of individuals have selflessly
25	aided this state in serving our most vulnerable residents and
26	our most debilitated neighborhoods.
27	(b)  Inspired by faith and civic commitment, these
28	organizations have accomplished much in changing the lives of
29	thousands and resurrecting neighborhoods torn by the strife of
30	crime and poverty.
31	(c)  It is essential that this state cooperate with these
32	organizations in order to provide an opportunity to participate
33	on an equal basis, regardless of each organization's
34	orientation, whether faith-based or secular.
35	(2)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is therefore the intent of the
36	Legislature to recognize the contributions of these
37	organizations and to encourage opportunities for faith-based and
38	community-based organizations to work cooperatively with
39	government entities in order to deliver services more
40	effectively. The Legislature further intends that the purpose of
41	the council is to advise the Governor and the Legislature on
42	policies, priorities, and objectives for the state's
43	comprehensive effort to enlist, equip, enable, empower, and
44	expand the work of faith-based, volunteer, and other community
45	organizations to the full extent permitted by law.
46	(3)  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL.--
47	(a)  The Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory
48	Council, an advisory council as defined in s. 20.03, is
49	established and assigned to the Executive Office of the
50	Governor. The council shall be administratively housed within
51	the Executive Office of the Governor.
52	(b)  The council shall consist of 25 members. Council
53	members may include, but need not be limited to, representatives
54	from various faiths, faith-based organizations, community-based
55	organizations, foundations, corporations, and municipalities.
56	(c)  The council shall be composed of the following
57	members:
58	1.  Seventeen members appointed by and serving at the
59	pleasure of the Governor.
60	2.  Four members appointed by and serving at the pleasure
61	of the President of the Senate.
62	3.  Four members appointed by and serving at the pleasure
63	of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
64	(d)  Council members shall serve 4-year terms, except that
65	the initial terms shall be staggered as follows:
66	1.  The Governor shall appoint six members for a term of 3
67	years, six members for a term of 2 years, and five members for a
68	term of 1 year.
69	2.  The President of the Senate shall appoint two members
70	for a term of 3 years and two members for a term of 2 years.
71	3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
72	appoint two members for a term of 3 years and two members for a
73	term of 2 years.
74	(e)  A vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the
75	original appointing authority for the unexpired portion of the
76	term.
77	(4)  MEETINGS; ORGANIZATION.--
78	(a)  The first meeting of the council shall be held no
79	later than August 1, 2006. Thereafter, the council shall meet at
80	least once per quarter per calendar year. Meetings may be held
81	via teleconference or other electronic means.
82	(b)  The council shall annually elect from its membership
83	one member to serve as chair of the council and one member to
84	serve as vice chair.
85	(c)  Thirteen members of the council shall constitute a
86	quorum.
87	(d)  Members of the council shall serve without
88	compensation but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel
89	expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.
90	(5)  SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES.--The council shall review and
91	recommend in a report to the Governor, the President of the
92	Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives:
93	(a)  How faith-based and community-based organizations can
94	best compete with other organizations for the delivery of state
95	services, regardless of an organization's orientation, whether
96	faith-based or secular.
97	(b)  How best to develop and coordinate activities of
98	faith-based and community-based programs and initiatives,
99	enhance such efforts in communities, and seek such resources,
100	legislation, and regulatory relief as may be necessary to
101	accomplish these objectives.
102	(c)  How best to ensure that state policy decisions take
103	into account the capacity of faith-based and other community-
104	based initiatives to assist in the achievement of state
105	priorities.
106	(d)  How best to identify and promote best practices across
107	state government relating to the delivery of services by faith-
108	based and other community-based organizations.
109	(e)  How best to coordinate public awareness of faith-based
110	and community nonprofit initiatives, such as demonstration pilot
111	programs or projects, public-private partnerships, volunteerism,
112	and special projects.
113	(f)  How best to encourage private charitable giving to
114	support faith-based and community-based initiatives.
115	(g)  How best to bring concerns, ideas, and policy options
116	to the Governor and Legislature for assisting, strengthening,
117	and replicating successful faith-based and other community-based
118	programs.
119	(h)  How best to develop and implement strategic
120	initiatives to strengthen the institutions of families and
121	communities in this state.
122	(i)  How best to showcase and herald innovative grassroots
123	nonprofit organizations and civic initiatives.
124	(j)  How best to eliminate unnecessary legislative,
125	regulatory, and other bureaucratic barriers that impede
126	effective faith-based and other community-based efforts to
127	address social problems.
128	(k)  How best to monitor implementation of state policy
129	affecting faith-based and other community-based organizations.
130	(l)  How best to ensure that the efforts of faith-based and
131	other community-based organizations meet objective criteria for
132	performance and accountability.
133	(6)  RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES.--The council may not make any
134	recommendation that conflicts with the Establishment Clause of
135	the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or the
136	public funding provision of s. 3, Art. I of the State
137	Constitution.
138	(7)  REPORT.--By February 1 of each year, the council shall
139	prepare a written report for the Governor, the President of the
140	Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
141	containing an accounting of its activities and recommended
142	policies, priorities, and objectives for the state's
143	comprehensive effort to enlist, equip, enable, empower, and
144	expand the work of faith-based, volunteer, and other community-
145	based organizations to the full extent permitted by law.
146	(8)  EXPIRATION.--This section is repealed and the council
147	is abolished June 30, 2011, unless reviewed and saved from
148	repeal by the Legislature.
149	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.