Florida Senate - 2011                                     SB 520
       
       
       
       By Senator Bennett
       
       
       
       
       21-00507-11                                            2011520__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to state memorials; creating s.
    3         265.003, F.S.; providing legislative intent;
    4         establishing the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame on the
    5         Plaza Level of the Capitol Building; providing for the
    6         Department of Veterans’ Affairs to administer the
    7         Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame; authorizing the
    8         department to establish a nomination and selection
    9         process and an induction ceremony; providing an
   10         effective date.
   11  
   12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   13  
   14         Section 1. Section 265.003, Florida Statutes, is created to
   15  read:
   16         265.003 Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.—
   17         (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize and
   18  honor military veterans who, through their works and lives
   19  during or after military service, have made a significant
   20  contribution to this state.
   21         (2)(a) There is established the Florida Veterans’ Hall of
   22  Fame. The Department of Management Services shall set aside an
   23  area on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building, adjacent to the
   24  Medal of Honor Wall, and shall consult with the Department of
   25  Veterans’ Affairs regarding the design and theme of the area.
   26         (b) The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame shall be
   27  administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs without the
   28  appropriation of state funds.
   29         (c) Each person who is inducted into the Florida Veterans’
   30  Hall of Fame shall have his or her name placed on a plaque
   31  displayed in the designated area of the Capitol.
   32         (3)(a) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall accept
   33  nominations for persons to be considered for induction into the
   34  Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame and shall annually recommend to
   35  the Governor and Cabinet persons for induction.
   36         (b) In making such recommendations, the department shall
   37  give precedence to veterans who were born in Florida or adopted
   38  this state as their home state or base of operation and who have
   39  made a significant contribution to this state in civic,
   40  business, public service, or other pursuits.
   41         (4) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs may establish
   42  selection criteria, specific time periods for the acceptance of
   43  nominations, a process for selecting nominees, and a formal
   44  induction ceremony to coincide with the annual commemoration of
   45  Veterans’ Day.
   46         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.