SB 716 — Florida Women’s Historical Marker Initiative

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 716 By the Appropriations Committee on Transportation,Governmental Tourism,Oversight and EconomicAccountability; Development;

theand CommitteeSenator onRodriguez Governmental585-02363-24 Oversight2024716c1 andA Accountability;bill to be entitled An act relating to the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Initiative;

and Senators Rodriguez and Stewart 606-03109-24 2024716c2 A bill to be entitled An act relating to the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Initiative;

establishing the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Selection Committee;

authorizing a position and providing an appropriation;

WHEREAS, the significant contributions of Florida women are noticeably absent from the more than 1,200 historical markers in Florida which honor historic places, people, and events, with fewer than 20 women recognized, and WHEREAS, Florida is home to world-renowned women scientists, writers, educators, pilots, oceanographers, designers, conservationists, and athletes, most of whom have not been honored with a historical marker, and WHEREAS, inspired by the achievements of the women who have gone before them, the women and girls of Florida, through the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Initiative, will see themselves reflected in the state’s history and gain Page 1 of 4 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 716 606-03109-24585-02363-24 2024716c22024716c1 themselves reflected in the state’s history and gain encouragement in the development and fulfillment of their own aspirations, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

(3)(a) The Florida Women’s Historical Marker Selection Committee, an advisory committee as defined in s.

20.03(5),20.03(5) is created within the division.

The purpose of the committee is to provide guidance and recommendations to the Secretary of State regarding the women who have made significant historical contributions to this state and who should be recognized by the initiative.

Page(b) 2The ofcommittee 4must CODING:recommend at least 25 women for recognition each fiscal year.

(c) From the women recommended by the committee, the Page 2 of 4 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 716 606-03109-24585-02363-24 2024716c22024716c1 (b)Secretary Theof committeeState mustshall recommendselect at100 least 25 women forto recognitionbe eachrecognized fiscalunder year.this initiative.

(c) From the women recommended by the committee, the Secretary of State shall select 100 women to be recognized under this initiative.

(5)(a) For a woman to be recommended by the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Committee, she must have been born in, resided in, or been employed in this state and must have significantly Pagecontributed 3to the State of 4Florida, CODING:her county, or her specific community.

(b) A woman recognized for a specific contribution or Page 3 of 4 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for CS for SB 716 606-03109-24585-02363-24 2024716c22024716c1 contributedachievement tomay thebe Stateliving, ofbut Floridasuch contribution or herachievement countymust orhave specificoccurred communitymore withinthan this30 state.years before such recognition.

(b) A woman recognized for a specific contribution or achievement may be living, but such contribution or achievement must have occurred more than 30 years before such recognition.

For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, one full-time equivalent position with associated salary rate of 40,352 is authorized, and the sum of $123,000 in recurring funds and $5,067 in nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund is appropriated to the Department of State, to implement and administer the Florida Women’s Historical Marker Initiative as created by this act.

Section 4.