The Florida Senate

337.111  Contracting for monuments and memorials to military veterans at rest areas.--The Department of Transportation is authorized to enter into contract with any not-for-profit group or organization that has been operating for not less than 2 years for the installation of monuments and memorials honoring Florida's military veterans at highway rest areas around the state pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(1)  Proposals for contracts must be approved by a committee composed of the Secretary of Transportation or the secretary's designee, the executive director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the executive director's designee, and three members of the Florida Commission on Veterans' Affairs appointed by the chair of the commission. Appointed members shall be appointed for terms not to exceed 2 years and may be reappointed to the committee. Appointed members' terms expire on January 31 of each even-numbered year.

(2)  Installations may consist of monuments or other memorials, plaques, markers, or retired military equipment that honor the accomplishments of military veterans and the sacrifices made by them and their families.

(3)  The group or organization making the proposal shall be responsible for all costs of the monument and its installation.

(4)  The group or organization making the proposal shall provide a 10-year bond securing the cost of removal of the monument and any modifications made to the site as part of the placement of the monument should the Department of Transportation determine it necessary to remove or relocate the monument. Such removal or relocation shall be approved by the committee described in subsection (1). Prior to expiration, the bond shall be renewed for another 10-year period if the memorial is to remain in place.

History.--s. 3, ch. 2005-43.