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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to conventions and tourism; requiring the

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Florida Commission on Tourism, the Florida Black Business

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Investment Board, Inc., and the Office of Tourism, Trade,

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and Economic Development to jointly establish and use

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African-American businesses in the convention and tourism

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industry; providing guidelines; providing for a committee

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to enforce the program; providing an effective date.

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

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     Section 1. (1) The Florida Commission on Tourism, the

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Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc, and the Office of

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Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development shall jointly establish

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a cooperative program to use African-American businesses to

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publicize the tourism advantages of this state. The commission

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may contract with its direct-support organization to administer

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the program.

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     (2) A committee shall be formed to enforce fairness in

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African-American participation and use in the convention and

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tourism industry. The committee members shall be appointed by the

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Florida Black Business Investment Board, Inc., and approved by

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the Governor.

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     (3) The Florida Commission on Tourism, the Florida Black

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Business Investment Board, Inc., and the Office of Tourism,

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Trade, and Economic Development shall consider the use of price

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preferences of up to 10 percent, weighted preference formulas, or

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other preferences for vendors that are determined appropriate

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pursuant to guidelines established under s. 287.09451(4), Florida

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Statutes, in order to increase the participation of African-

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American-owned businesses in the convention and tourism industry.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.