HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 1679 Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network
SPONSOR(S): McClure, Rayner and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 592
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & 11 Y, 0 N Poreda Miller
Government Operations Subcommittee
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations 12 Y, 0 N McAuliffe Davis
Subcommittee
3) State Affairs Committee 16 Y, 0 N Poreda Williamson
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The Division of Historical Resources (Division) within the Department of State (DOS) is responsible for
preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division is also
charged with the protection, preservation, and collection of information about Florida’s historic sites, properties,
or objects related to Florida’s history and culture.
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) is a professional association
organized in 2001 by the John Gilmore Riley Center Museum. FAAHPN serves as an informational and
technical assistance resource in response to a growing interest in preserving Florida’s African American
culture, that of the African Diaspora, and that of other related ethnically diverse historic resources globally.
The bill requires DOS to contract with FAAHPN, as authorized by and consistent with funding appropriated in
the General Appropriations Act, to preserve Florida Black and African American history and culture. The bill
provides that the functions to be provided by FAAHPN under such contract include, but are not limited to:
Distributing funds to support member museums and their affiliates and institutions served, and the
galleries and archives of such museums, affiliates, and institutions.
Supporting member museums and their affiliates in the areas of technology, equipment acquisition,
content and exhibit development fabrication and installation, and preservation of documents and
artifacts.
Providing professional and resource development services to member museums and their affiliates to
enhance visitation to and viewership of Florida Black History and African American museums, places,
and spaces.
The bill provides that certain other expenses are eligible for funding under the contract, including expenses for
interns, field training and virtual communication, traveling exhibits, and living history presentations.
Other than such funds as may be appropriated by the Legislature, the bill has no fiscal impact on the state or
local governments.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
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 of Arts and Culture, and Division of
Library and Information Services, the Secretary also serves as Florida’s Chief Arts and Culture Officer.4
Division of Historical Resources
The Division of Historical Resources (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.
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
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
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 February 15, 2024).
9 See Florida Department of State, Mission San Luis, available at https://missionsanluis.org/learn/ (last visited February 15, 2024).
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 February 15, 2024).
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The Grove Museum, the mission of which is to preserve and interpret the Call-Collins House,
and its surrounding area and historical collections, and to further public dialogue about civil
rights and American history.11
Other museums recognized by the state include certain state railroad museums, 12 the Florida Museum
of Transportation and History,13 the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art,14 the Ringling Museum of
the Circus,15 the Florida Historic Capitol Museum,16 the Florida Agricultural Museum,17 and the Florida
Museum of Natural History.18
Currently, the Division also 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 to showcase the role of African American participation in
defending and preserving Florida and the nation; the history of slavery in Florida; the history of
segregation in the state; notable Florida African Americans, including Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune; the
history of black colleges and universities in Florida; and the inherent worth and dignity of human life
with a focus on preventing genocide.19
Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) is a professional association
organized in 2001 by the John Gilmore Riley Center Museum. 20 FAAHPN serves as an informational
and technical assistance resource in response to a growing interest in preserving Florida’s African
American culture, that of the African Diaspora, and that of other related ethnically diverse historic
resources globally.21 Working with the Division and Visit Florida,22 FAAHPN produced new editions of
The Florida Black Heritage Trail Guide23 in 2005 and 2007 that detailed a microcosm of African
American landmarks and legacies existing in various locations throughout the state of Florida.24
FAAHPN also provides technical assistance and training to museum and historic preservation
professionals to enhance content with the creation of living history exhibits and other educational
products.25
The following chart is the history of funding requests and funding received by FAAHPN from the 2017-
2018 Fiscal Year to the current fiscal year:
11 See Florida Department of State, The Gove Museum, available at https://thegrovemuseum.com/ (last visited February 15, 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 See s. 15.045, F.S.
13 S. 15.046, F.S.
14 See ss. 265.27, F.S., and 1004.45, F.S.
15 S. 1004.45, F.S.
16 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.
17 See s. 570.69, F.S.
18 S. 1004.56, F.S.
19 S. 267.0722, F.S.
20 See “John G. Riley Center & Museum,” available at https://www.rileymuseum.org/ (last visited February 15, 2024).
21 The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, About FAAHPN, http://faahpn.com/about-faahpn/ (last visited
February 15, 2024).
22 Visit Florida is the official state tourism marketing corporation. See “About Visit Florida,” available at
https://www.visitflorida.com/about-us/ (last visited February 15, 2024).
23 In order to raise awareness of the state's cultural and historical resources, the Division started the Florida Heritage Trails series in
1991 with the publication of the first edition of the Florida Black Heritage Trail. See Florida Department of State, Florida Heritage
Trails, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails/ (last visited February 15, 2024)
24 See Florida Department of State, The Florida Black Heritage Trail, available at https://dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-
trails/black-heritage-trail/ (last visited February 15, 2024)
25 The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, supra, n. 24.
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Spending 2017- 2018- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023-
Category 201826 201927 202028 202129 202230 202331 202432
Salary and
$112,000 $35,000 $141,400 $168,150 $262,000 $262,000 $262,000
Benefits
Expense/
Equipment/
$297,500 $265,000 $257,100 $262,100 $424,400 $424,400 $424,400
Travel/ Supplies/
Other
Consultants/
Contracted $40,500 $175,000 $76,500 $69,750 $113,600 $113,600 $113,600
Services/Study
Total
State Funds
$450,000 $475,000 $475,000 $500,000 $800,000 $800,000 $800,000
Requested
State Funds
$450,000 $450,000 $475,000 $325,000 $720,000 $800,000 $800,000
Received
Effect of the Bill
The bill requires DOS to contract with FAAHPN, as authorized by and consistent with funding
appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, and in accordance with the duties of the Division to
preserve Florida Black and African American history and culture. The bill provides that the functions to
be provided by FAAHPN under the contract include, but are not limited to:
Distribution of funding to support member museums and their affiliates and institutions served,
and the galleries and archives of such museums, affiliates, and institutions.
Support to member museums and their affiliates in the areas of technology, equipment
acquisition, content and exhibit development fabrication and installation, and preservation of
documents and artifacts.
Provision of professional and resource development services to member museums and their
affiliates to enhance visitation to and viewership of Florida Black History and African American
museums, places, and spaces. Such professional and resource development services include
conferences, workshops, and training and tourism and marketing expenditures.
The bill also provides that other expenses as determined by FAAHNP and related to its mission are
eligible for funding under the contract, including:
Intern expenses.
Expenses related to field training sessions and virtual communication methods to maintain
connectivity among the museums.
26 The Florida House, 2017 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2017&BillNu mber=2379&BillId=57497 (last visited February 15, 2024)
27 The Florida House, 2018 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=project bills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2018&BillNu mber=2837&BillId=60976 (last visited February 15, 2024)
28 The Florida House, 2019 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2019&BillNu mber=2049&BillId=63214 (last visited February 15, 2024)
29 The Florida House, 2020 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2020&BillNu mber=2785&BillId=67486 (last visited February 15, 2024)
30 The Florida House, 2021 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2021&BillNu mber=2431&BillId=70857 (last visited February 15, 2024)
31 The Florida House, 2022 Appropriations Project Bills, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=projectbills&DocumentType=MemberBudgetRequests&Ses
sion=2022&BillNu mber=4391&BillId=75141 (last visited February 15, 2024)
32 The Florida House, 2023 Appropriations Project Forms, available at
https://myfloridahouse.gov/api/document/apr?sessionid=99&name=0402AR.pdf (last visited February 15, 2024)
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Traveling exhibit expenses.
Expenses for living history presentations.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1. Creates s. 267.0724, F.S., relating to FAAHNP.
Section 2. Provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The contract between DOS and FAAHPN must be consistent with funding as may be appropriated
in the General Appropriations Act.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to affect county or municipal governments.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
The bill neither authorizes nor requires executive branch rulemaking.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.
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