The Florida Senate

¹364.511  Powers of the Board of Directors of the Florida Distance Learning Network.--

(1)  In order to enable it to carry out the purposes of ss. 364.506-364.514, the Board of Directors of the Florida Distance Learning Network has the power of a body corporate and shall have the power to:

(a)  Secure and administer funding for programs and activities of the Florida Distance Learning Network, from federal, state, local, and private sources and from fees derived from services and materials. The board of directors shall also have the power to solicit, receive, hold, invest, and administer any grant, payment, or gift of funds or property and make expenditures consistent with the powers set forth in ss. 364.506-364.514.

(b)  Make and enter into contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions.

(c)  Sue and be sued, and appear and defend in all actions and proceedings, in its corporate name to the same extent as a natural person.

(d)  Adopt, use, and alter a common corporate seal.

(e)  Elect or appoint such officers and agents as its affairs require and allow them reasonable compensation.

(f)  Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, not inconsistent with ss. 364.506-364.514, for the administration of the affairs of the Florida Distance Learning Network, and the exercise of its corporate powers.

(g)  In formal agreement with distance learning providers, acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses and other rights or interests thereunder or therein.

(h)  Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted in ss. 364.506-364.514.

(i)  In conjunction with distance learning providers, recommend to the Legislature policy regarding distance learning program funding and the protection of intellectual property rights.

(j)  Coordinate a marketing program statewide, nationally, and internationally, as deemed appropriate.

(k)  The Department of Management Services shall manage the state's satellite transponder resources and enter into lease agreements to maximize the use of available transponder time. All net revenue realized through the leasing of available transponder time, after deducting the costs of performing the management function, shall be recycled to support the Florida Distance Learning Network.

(l)  Promote the development of multimedia courses and educational programs to be delivered through distance learning.

(m)  Provide incentives for development of multimedia courses and programs to be delivered through distance learning.

(2)  Under no circumstances may the credit of the state be pledged on behalf of the Florida Distance Learning Network.

(3)  Nothing in ss. 364.506-364.514 shall be construed to abrogate, supersede, alter, or amend the powers and duties of any state agency, district school boards, community college boards of trustees, the State Board of Community Colleges, or the Board of Regents.

History.--s. 31, ch. 95-403; s. 21, ch. 97-296.

¹Note.--Section 5, ch. 97-296, provides that:

"(1)  The administrative rules of the Department of Management Services that are in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this act shall not be affected by this act and shall remain in effect until specifically changed in a manner provided by law.

"(2)  This section shall take effect [June 1, 1997]."