| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame; |
| 3 | creating s. 265.003, F.S.; establishing the Florida |
| 4 | Veterans' Hall of Fame; providing for administration by |
| 5 | the Department of Veterans' Affairs; designating location; |
| 6 | providing procedures for nomination, selection, and |
| 7 | induction; providing an effective date. |
| 8 |
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| 9 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 10 |
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| 11 | Section 1. Section 265.003, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 12 | to read: |
| 13 | 265.003 Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.- |
| 14 | (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize and |
| 15 | honor those military veterans who, through their works and lives |
| 16 | during or after military service, have made a significant |
| 17 | contribution to the State of Florida. |
| 18 | (2) There is established the Florida Veterans' Hall of |
| 19 | Fame. |
| 20 | (a) The Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame is administered by |
| 21 | the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs without |
| 22 | appropriation of state funds. |
| 23 | (b) The Department of Management Services shall set aside |
| 24 | an area on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building adjacent to |
| 25 | the existing Medal of Honor Wall and shall consult with the |
| 26 | Department of Veterans' Affairs regarding the design and theme |
| 27 | of the area. |
| 28 | (c) Each person who is inducted into the Florida Veterans' |
| 29 | Hall of Fame shall have his or her name placed on a plaque |
| 30 | displayed in the designated area of the Capitol Building. |
| 31 | (3)(a) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall annually |
| 32 | accept nominations of persons to be considered for induction |
| 33 | into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame and shall then transmit |
| 34 | its recommendations to the Governor and the Cabinet who will |
| 35 | select the nominees to be inducted. |
| 36 | (b) In making its recommendations to the Governor and the |
| 37 | Cabinet, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall give |
| 38 | preference to veterans who were born in Florida or adopted |
| 39 | Florida as their home state or base of operation and who have |
| 40 | made a significant contribution to the state in civic, business, |
| 41 | public service, or other pursuits. |
| 42 | (4) The Department of Veterans' Affairs may establish |
| 43 | criteria and set specific time periods for acceptance of |
| 44 | nominations and for the process of selection of nominees for |
| 45 | membership and establish a formal induction ceremony to coincide |
| 46 | with the annual commemoration of Veterans' Day. |
| 47 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011. |