The Florida Senate

570.952  Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority.--

(1)  There is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority which shall be governed by this section and s. 570.903.

(2)  The authority shall be composed of 23 members appointed by the commissioner.

(a)  Members shall include:

1.  One citizen-at-large, who shall represent the views of the general public toward agriculture and equine activities in the state.

2.  One representative from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

3.  One representative from Enterprise Florida, Inc.

4.  One representative from the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways Management.

5.  One member of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce.

6.  One public/private partnership expert.

7.  One member of a private environmental organization.

8.  One fruit and vegetable grower.

9.  One citrus grower.

10.  One commercial feed producer.

11.  One livestock/cattle breeder.

12.  One quarter horse breeder.

13.  One thoroughbred horse breeder.

14.  One standardbred horse breeder.

15.  One Arabian horse breeder.

16.  One color breeds horse breeder.

17.  One licensed veterinarian.

18.  One Paso Fino horse breeder.

19.  One ornamental or nursery stock grower.

20.  One representative from the horse show industry.

21.  One representative from the horse sport industry.

22.  One representative from the horse trailriders industry.

23.  One representative from the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County.

(b)  With the exception of department employees and the citizen-at-large, each member shall be selected from two or three nominees submitted by recognized statewide organizations representing each interest or trade enumerated in this section. In the absence of nominations, the commissioner shall appoint persons who otherwise meet the qualifications for nomination and appointment to the authority.

(c)  Initially, 12 members shall be appointed for 4-year terms and 11 members shall be appointed for 2-year terms. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years from the date of appointment, except that a vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term.

(d)  Any member of the authority who fails to attend three consecutive authority meetings without good cause shall be deemed to have resigned from the authority. The commissioner shall appoint a person representing the same interest or trade as the resigning member.

(3)  The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority shall have the power and duty to:

(a)  Appoint, with approval from the commissioner, an executive director for the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(b)  Establish rules of procedure for conducting its meetings and approving matters before the authority that are consistent with s. 570.903.

(c)  Develop, document, and implement strategies for the planning, construction, and operation of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(d)  Advise and consult with the commissioner on matters related to the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.

(e)  Consider all matters submitted to the authority by the commissioner.

(4)  The authority shall meet at least semiannually and elect a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary for 1-year terms.

(a)  The authority shall meet at the call of its chairperson, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the commissioner, or at such times as may be prescribed by its rules of procedure.

(b)  The department shall be responsible for providing administrative and staff support services relating to the meetings of the authority and shall provide suitable space in the offices of the department for the meetings and the storage of records of the authority.

(c)  In conducting its meetings, the authority shall use accepted rules of procedure. The secretary shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of each meeting, which record shall show the names of the members present and the actions taken. These records shall be kept on file with the department, and such records and other documents regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the authority shall be subject to inspection by members of the authority.

(5)  The commissioner shall submit information annually to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate reporting the activities of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority and the progress of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, including, but not limited to, pertinent planning, budgeting, and operational information concerning the authority.

History.--s. 2, ch. 94-301; s. 8, ch. 95-220; s. 7, ch. 98-396; s. 9, ch. 99-391.