The Florida Senate

288.12265  Welcome centers.--

(1)  Effective July 1, 1999, responsibility for the welcome centers is assigned to the Florida Commission on Tourism which shall contract with the commission's direct-support organization to employ all welcome center staff. On or before June 30, 1999, all welcome center staff shall be offered employment through the direct-support organization at the same salary such staff received through the Department of Transportation, prior to July 1, 1999, but with the same benefits provided by the direct-support organization to the organization's employees. Welcome center employees shall have until January 1, 2000, to choose to be employed by the direct-support organization or to remain employed by the state. Those employees who choose to remain employed by the state may continue to be assigned by the Department of Transportation to the welcome centers until June 30, 2001. Upon vacating a career service position by a career service employee, the position shall be abolished. The agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Florida Commission on Tourism concerning the funding of positions in the welcome centers shall continue until all welcome center employees are employed by the direct-support organization, or until those employees choosing to remain employed by the state have found other state employment, or until June 30, 2001, whichever occurs first.

(2)  Effective July 1, 1999, the Florida Commission on Tourism, through its direct-support organization, shall administer and operate the welcome centers. Pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation, the commission shall be responsible for routine repair, replacement, or improvement and the day-to-day management of interior areas occupied by the welcome centers. All other repairs, replacements, or improvements to the welcome centers shall be the responsibility of the Department of Transportation.

History.--s. 4, ch. 96-320; s. 19, ch. 99-251.

Note.--Former s. 335.166.