Florida Senate - 2021                                    SB 1312
       
       
        
       By Senator Bradley
       
       
       
       
       
       5-01783-21                                            20211312__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to a zoological and aquarium grant
    3         program; creating s. 288.1259, F.S.; authorizing the
    4         Department of Economic Opportunity to establish a
    5         grant program for the support of zoos and aquariums
    6         located within the state; providing eligibility
    7         requirements; authorizing the use of grant funds for
    8         certain purposes; requiring the department to adopt
    9         rules; providing that the department has final grant
   10         approval authority; providing an effective date.
   11          
   12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   13  
   14         Section 1. Section 288.1259, Florida Statutes, is created
   15  to read:
   16         288.1259 Zoological and aquarium grant program.—
   17         (1) The department is authorized to establish a grant
   18  program for the support of zoos and aquariums located within the
   19  state. To be eligible for grant funding under this section, the
   20  facility must be accredited by the Association of Zoos and
   21  Aquariums. Grant funds awarded to a facility may be used for
   22  capital expenditures, operational support, and educational,
   23  conservation, and research initiatives.
   24         (2) The department shall adopt rules establishing grant
   25  application requirements, a timeline for submission of grant
   26  applications, a timeline for announcement of awards, and any
   27  procedures necessary for the prudent administration of the grant
   28  program.
   29         (3) The department has final approval authority for grants
   30  made under this section.
   31         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.