The Florida Senate

364.509  The Florida Distance Learning Network; creation; membership; organization; meetings.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a coordinated system for cost-efficient advanced telecommunications services and distance education to:

(a)  Increase student access to education.

(b)  Maximize the use of advanced telecommunications services and their application to provide affordable distance education.

(c)  Promote interagency cooperation and promote partnerships.

(d)  Secure any available federal or private funds and other resources in support of advanced telecommunications services and distance education.

(e)  Coordinate all advanced telecommunications services and distance education resources to maximize return on investment with the goal of creating a financially independent, self-supporting, statewide resource for advanced telecommunications services and distance education.

(2)  The Florida Distance Learning Network is hereby created for all the purposes created by the provisions of this chapter or laws amendatory hereof.

(3)  The Florida Distance Learning Network is established with the necessary powers to exercise responsibility for statewide leadership in coordinating, enhancing, and serving as a resource center for advanced telecommunications services and distance learning in all public education delivery systems. The Florida Distance Learning Network shall be governed by a board of directors which shall consist of the following members:

(a)  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee.

(b)  The Chancellor of the State University System or the chancellor's designee.

(c)  The executive director of the State Community College System or the executive director's designee.

(d)  The Secretary of Management Services or the secretary's designee, who shall represent the interests of all state agencies.

(e)  The President of the Independent Colleges and universities of Florida or the President's designee.

(f)  The Public Counsel or the Public Counsel's designee.

(g)  A member of the Senate and a representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate and serve at the pleasure of the President.

(h)  A member of the House of Representatives and a representative of the Communications Workers of America who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker.

(i)  Four members of the private sector representing the cable telecommunications industry, the local exchange telecommunications industry, and the interexchange industry, two of whom shall be appointed by the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association and two of whom shall be appointed by the Florida Telephone Association.

(j)  Two members from the health care community to be appointed by the Governor, one member from a teaching hospital and the other member from a rural hospital.

(k)  The State Librarian or the State Librarian's designee.

(4)(a)  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee shall serve as the initial chairperson of the board of directors to serve a term of 4 years. Thereafter, the board of directors shall biennially elect the chairperson from its membership. The board of directors shall designate a secretary-treasurer, who need not be a member of the board of directors. The secretary-treasurer shall keep a record of the proceedings of the board of directors and shall be the custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the board of directors, and the minutes of the board of directors.

(b)  The board of directors shall meet within 30 days after July 1, 1995, and shall continue to meet at least 4 times each year, upon the call of the chairperson, or at the request of a majority of the membership. The board of directors shall take official action only by consensus.

(c)  Members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses.

History.--s. 31, ch. 95-403; s. 15, ch. 97-96.