HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 629 Florida Women's Historical Marker Initiative
SPONSOR(S): Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee, Basabe and
others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 716
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & 12 Y, 0 N Poreda Miller
Government Operations Subcommittee
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations
Subcommittee
3) State Affairs Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The Division of Historical Resources (Division) in the Department of State is responsible for preserving and
promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division also is charged with
encouraging identification, evaluation, protection, preservation, collection, conservation, and interpretation of
information about Florida’s historic sites and properties or objects related to Florida’s history and culture.
The Florida Historical Marker Program is designed to raise public awareness of Florida’s rich cultural history
and to enhance the enjoyment of the state’s historic sites by citizens and tourists. The Division is responsible
for administering all aspects of the Florida Historic Marker Program, including the application process,
selection and designation of properties, persons or events to be marked, and the placement and maintenance
of the markers. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 markers throughout the state.
The bill establishes The Florida Women's Historical Marker Initiative within the Division to recognize the
contributions of 100 women, living or deceased, to the history of Florida with the placement of historical
markers by the Florida Historical Marker Program. These markers must be placed throughout the state within
the next 10 years with 10 markers be placed each year. The first 10 markers must be placed by December 31,
2025, and the final marker must be placed by December 31, 2035.
The bill also creates The Women's Historical Marker Selection Committee to select those women who will be
recognized by the initiative.
The bill may have an indeterminate but negative impact on the budget of the Division. See Financial
Comments.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0629a.CRG
DATE: 2/1/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Department of State
The Department of State (DOS)1 is comprised of six divisions: Elections, Historical Resources,
Corporations, Library and Information Services, Arts and Culture, and Administration. 2
The Secretary of State (Secretary) is the agency head of DOS, appointed by and serving at the
pleasure of the Governor, confirmed by the Senate, and acts as the custodian of state records.3 As the
chief administrator of the Division of Historical Resources (Division) and the divisions of Arts and
Culture and of Library and Information Services, the Secretary also serves as Florida’s Chief Arts and
Culture Officer.4
Division of Historical Resources
The Division is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk
culture resources. The Division is also charged with encouraging identification, evaluation, protection,
preservation, collection, conservation, and interpretation of information about Florida’s historic sites and
properties or objects related to Florida’s history and culture. 5 Some of the Division’s responsibilities
include:
Developing a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan;
Directing and conducting a comprehensive statewide survey, and maintaining an inventory, of
historic resources;
Cooperating with governmental agencies, private organizations, and individuals to ensure that
historic resources are taken into consideration at all levels of planning and development;
Providing public information, education, and technical assistance relating to historic preservation
programs; and
Taking necessary or appropriate action to locate, acquire, protect, preserve, operate, interpret,
and promote historic resources to foster an appreciation of Florida history and culture.6
The Division also is responsible for encouraging, promoting, maintaining, and operating Florida history
museums, providing support and working to promote the use of resources for educational and cultural
purposes.7 The Division directly oversees the following museums:
The Museum of Florida History, which is the state’s official history museum and showcases
Florida’s diverse history from prehistoric times to the present day;8
Mission San Luis, a living history museum showcasing the life of the Apalachee Indians and
Spanish settlers and hosting workshops such as pottery and blacksmithing; 9
1 S. 20.10, F.S.
2 S. 20.10(2), F.S.
3 S. 20.10(1), F.S.
4 S. 15.18, F.S.
5 S. 267.031, F.S.
6 S. 267.031(5)(a), (b), (d), (f), and (i), F.S.
7 S. 267.071(2), F.S.
8 See Florida Department of State, Museum of Florida History, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/explore/exhibits/ (last
visited January 25, 2024).
9 See Florida Department of State, Mission San Luis, available at https://missionsanluis.org/learn/ (last visited January 25, 2024).
STORAGE NAME: h0629a.CRG PAGE: 2
DATE: 2/1/2024
The Knott House Museum, showcasing the history of Tallahassee and its role in the Civil War,
including the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on the steps of the Knott House in
1865;10 and
The Grove Museum, the mission of which is to preserve and interpret the Call-Collins House, its
surrounding area and historical collections, to further public dialogue about civil rights and
American history.11
Currently, the Division provides support for the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force
(Task Force), including staffing and necessary expenditures. The purpose of the Task Force is
to provide recommendations to the Division for the planning, location, construction, operation,
and administration of a Florida Museum of Black History.12
Other museums recognized by the state include:
Certain state railroad museums;13
The Florida Museum of Transportation and History;14
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art;15
The Ringling Museum of the Circus;16
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum;17
The Florida Agricultural Museum;18 and
The Florida Museum of Natural History.19
Florida Heritage Trails
In order to raise awareness of the state's cultural and historical resources, in 1991 the Division started
the Florida Heritage Trails series with the publication of the first edition of the Florida Black Heritage
Trail. Each volume identifies historical sites throughout Florida that are related to the volume topic and
offers profiles and biographical sketches of significant individuals. 20 Subsequently, additional titles have
been released including the Woman’s Heritage Trail21, which was published in 2001. The most recent
titles, the Florida Seminole Wars Heritage Trail22 and the Florida Historic Golf Trail,23, were published in
2015.
Florida Historical Marker Program
The Florida Historical Marker Program is designed to raise public awareness of Florida’s rich cultural
history and to enhance the enjoyment of the state’s historic sites by citizens and tourists.24 The Division
is responsible for administering all aspects of the Florida Historic Marker Program, including the
application process, selection and designation of properties, persons or events to be marked, and the
10 See Florida Department of State, About the Knott House, available at https://museumoffloridahistory.com/visit/knott-house-
museum/about-the-knott-house/ (last visited January 25, 2024).
11 See Florida Department of State, The Gove Museum, available at https://thegrovemuseum.com/ (last visited January 25, 2024). The
Grove was the home to several generations of the Call and Collins families, including former Governor LeRoy Collins. The Grove
Advisory Council advises the division on the operation, maintenance, and preservation of the museum. S. 267.075, F.S.
12 S. 267.0722, F.S.
13 See s. 15.045, F.S.
14 S. 15.046, F.S.
15 See ss. 265.27, F.S., and 1004.45, F.S.
16 S. 1004.45, F.S.
17 S. 272.129, F.S. The Florida Historic Capitol Museum Council provides guidance and support to the museum director and support
staff. S. 272.131, F.S.
18 See s. 570.69, F.S.
19 S. 1004.56, F.S.
20 Florida Department of State, Florida Heritage Trails, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails/ (last
visited January 25, 2024).
21 Florida Department of State, Florida Women’s Heritage Trail, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-
trails/womens-heritage-trail/ (last visited January 25, 2024).
22 Florida Department of State, Seminole Wars Heritage Trail, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-
trails/seminole-wars-heritage-trail/ (last visited January 26, 2024).
23 Florida Department of State, Florida Historic Golf Trail, available at http://www.floridahistoricgolftrail.co m/ (last visited January
25, 2024).
24 S. 267.074, F.S. & Rule 1A-48.002(3), F.A.C.
STORAGE NAME: h0629a.CRG PAGE: 3
DATE: 2/1/2024
placement and maintenance of the markers.25 Currently, there are approximately 1,100 markers
throughout the state.26 Each marker is cast aluminum with a text area of 30 inches high by 42 inches
wide, with lettering and the Florida Heritage emblem in white against a dark blue background. Each
marker weighs approximately 95 pounds, including a 7-foot concrete post coated with brushed
aluminum.27
Anyone may apply for a Florida Historical Marker. Submitted applications are reviewed by the State
Historical Marker Council.28 If an application is approved, the applicant is responsible to obtain
funding29 for the cost of manufacturing and installing the marker. Current costs for a Florida Historical
Marker are $2,540 for a single-sided marker and $2,920 for a double-sided marker.30
These markers tell stories of the places and people who created Florida, by identifying places such as
churches, schools, archaeological sites, battlefields, and homes that represent Florida’s past.31 There
are distinct categories of Official Florida Historical Markers:
“Florida Heritage Landmark” markers identify and interpret heritage landmark properties and
recognize the resources of the state that are usually more than fifty years old, are of exceptional
significance in the areas of architecture, archaeology, and history, and where the properties
largely and visibly retain the distinctive physical characteristics that were present during the
historical period for which the property is being recognized. 32
“Florida Heritage” markers identify people, events and places, including buildings, structures,
objects and archaeological sites that do not meet the criteria for Florida Heritage Landmark
designation but are still of local, regional, or statewide historic significance relating to Florida
history, culture, and ethnic heritage.33
A “Special Marker” is established by the Division to guide the public to places of historic or
cultural interest and to facilitate the identification and interpretation of various topics, including
historic and scenic trails, byways, greenways, and occasions of special significance to the
history and culture of Florida.34
“Historic Highway” markers identify state historic highways.35
State Historical Marker Council
Although the Division administers the Florida Historical Marker Program, the State Historical Marker
Council was created to provide assistance, advice, and recommendations to the division in evaluating
proposals for Official Florida Historical Markers and identifying goals for the State Historical Marker
Program.36 The council consists of three members who represent different areas of the state and are
appointed by the Secretary of State to 2-year terms.37 The qualifications for membership are through
the demonstration of special interest, experience, or education in interpretation of the state's history
and historical properties and have professional training and experience in one or more of the following
fields:
History;
25 Id.
26 Florida Department of State, Florida Historical Marker List, https://apps.flheritage.com/markers/ (last visited January 26, 2024).
27 See Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Historical Resources , Historical Marker FAQ,
https://dos.fl.gov/historical/about/division-faqs/marker/ (last visited February 1, 2024).
28 See Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Historical Resources , Review & Approval,
https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/historical-markers/how-to-apply/review-approval/ (last visited February 1, 2024).
29 Applicants may apply for a s mall-matching historic preservation grant from the Division to defray some of the cost of the marker.
However, markers must be approved before you can apply for a matching grant. See Florida Department of State, Florida Division of
Historical Resources, Grants, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/grants/ (last visited February 1, 2024)
30 See Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Historical Resources , Historical Marker FAQ, supra, n. 27.
31 See Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Historical Resources, Historical Markers,
https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/historical-markers/ (last visited January 26, 2024).
32 S. 267.074(2)(a), F.S. & Rule 1A-48.002(3)(a), F.A.C.
33 S. 267.074(2)(c), F.S. & Rule 1A-48.002(3)(b), F.A.C.
34 S. 267.074(2)(d), F.S. & Rule 1A-48.002(3)(d), F.A.C.
35 S. 267.074(2)(b), F.S. & Rule 1A-48.002(3)(c), F.A.C.
36 S. 267.0743, F.S.
37 S. 267.0743(1) & (2), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0629a.CRG PAGE: 4
DATE: 2/1/2024
Historic preservation;
Architecture;
Architectural history; or
Archaeology.38
Florida Commission on the Status of Women
Within the Office of the Attorney General, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women
(Commission) was established to study the changing and developing roles of women in American
society.39 The areas the Commission is directed to study include, but are not limited to:
The socioeconomic factors that influence the status of women;40
The development of individual potential;41
The encouragement of women to utilize their capabilities and assume leadership roles ;42
The coordination of efforts of numerous women's organizations interested in the welfare of
women;43
The identification and recognition of contributions made by women to the community, state, and
nation; and44
The implementation of ideas where working conditions, financial security, and legal status of
both sexes are improved.45
The Commission consists of 22 members who represent rural and urban interests and the ethnic and
cultural diversity of the state's population. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President
of the Senate, the Attorney General, and the Governor each appoint four members, and the Chief
Financial Officer and the Commissioner of Agriculture each appoint three members . All members are
appointed to terms of 4 years and may not serve more than 8 consecutive years on the Commission.46
Effect of the Bill
The bill establishes The Florida Women's Historical Marker Initiative within the Division to recognize the
contributions of 100 women, living or deceased, to the history of this state with the placement of
historical markers by the Florida Historical Marker Program.
The bill also creates The Women's Historical Marker Selection Committee to select those women who
will be recognized by the initiative. Membership shall consist of the following:
Three members appointed by the Governor, two of whom must be noted Florida historians;
One member appointed by the President of the Senate;
One member appointed by the Speaker of the House;
38 S. 267.0743(1), F.S.
39 S. 14.24(1), F.S.
40 S. 14.24(4)(a), F.S.
41 S. 14.24(4)(b ), F.S.
42 S. 14.24(4)(c), F.S.
43 S. 14.24(4)(d ), F.S.
44 S. 14.24(4)(e), F.S.
45 S. 14.24(4)(f), F.S.
46 S. 14.24(1), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0629a.CRG PAGE: 5
DATE: 2/1/2024
One member appointed by the Secretary of State;
A member of the Florida