The Florida Senate

570.952  Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority.--

(1)  There is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority which shall be governed by this section and s. 570.903

(2)  The authority shall be composed of 21 members appointed by the commissioner.

(a)  Members shall include:

1.  Three citizens-at-large, who shall represent the views of the general public toward agriculture and equine activities in the state.

2.  One representative from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

3.  One representative from Enterprise Florida, Inc.

4.  One representative from the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails.

5.  One member of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce.

6.  Two representatives of the tourism or hospitality industry.

7.  Three representatives of the commercial agriculture industry.

8.  Three representatives from recognized horse breed associations.

9.  One representative of the veterinary industry.

10.  Three representatives from the competitive equine industry.

11.  One representative from the horse pleasure and trail riding industry.

12.  One representative recommended by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County.

(b)  Initially, the commissioner shall appoint 11 members for 4-year terms and 10 members for 2-year terms. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years from the date of appointment, except that a vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term.

(c)  Any member of the authority who fails to attend three consecutive authority meetings without good cause shall be deemed to have resigned from the authority. The commissioner shall appoint a person representing the same interest or trade as the resigning member. Current members shall continue to serve until successors are appointed.

(3)  The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority shall have the power and duty to:

(a)  Appoint, with approval from the commissioner, an executive director for the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(b)  Establish rules of procedure for conducting its meetings and approving matters before the authority that are consistent with s. 570.903

(c)  Develop, document, and implement strategies for the planning, construction, and operation of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(d)  Advise and consult with the commissioner on matters related to the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(e)  Consider all matters submitted to the authority by the commissioner.

(4)  The authority shall meet at least semiannually and elect a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary for 1-year terms.

(a)  The authority shall meet at the call of its chairperson, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the commissioner, or at such times as may be prescribed by its rules of procedure.

(b)  The department shall be responsible for providing administrative and staff support services relating to the meetings of the authority and shall provide suitable space in the offices of the department for the meetings and the storage of records of the authority.

(c)  In conducting its meetings, the authority shall use accepted rules of procedure. The secretary shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of each meeting, which record shall show the names of the members present and the actions taken. These records shall be kept on file with the department, and such records and other documents regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the authority shall be subject to inspection by members of the authority.

(5)  The commissioner shall submit information annually to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate reporting the activities of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority and the progress of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, including, but not limited to, pertinent planning, budgeting, and operational information concerning the authority.

History.--s. 2, ch. 94-301; s. 8, ch. 95-220; s. 7, ch. 98-396; s. 9, ch. 99-391; s. 28, ch. 2000-308.