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    HB 1375  2026
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to the Florida Museum of History;
3authorizing the Department of State to partner with
4certain county commissions and local entities for a
5specified purpose; requiring each Florida Museum of
6History to be owned, managed, and operated by a
7certain entity; establishing the Florida Museum of
8History Advisory Committee; providing membership and
9duties of the committee; requiring each county
10commission and local entity to create a Florida Museum
11of History Board; providing for membership and duties
12of the operating board; requiring that certain
13entities develop and execute a marketing plan to
14promote each Florida Museum of History; requiring
15financial feasibility studies; providing for funding
16from specific sources for certain purposes; providing
17requirements for the Florida Museum of History;
18providing an effective date.
19
20WHEREAS, in 2023, the Legislature established the
21Florida Museum of Black History Task Force to identify,
22evaluate, and recommend potential locations for a leading
23world-class museum dedicated to preserving, interpreting,
24and celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of
25Black Floridians and Black Americans, and
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26WHEREAS, the task force received applications from
27    multiple jurisdictions and, in April 2024, adopted
28    previously developed rankings that narrowed the field from
29    thirteen potential sites to three: Eatonville in Orange
30    County, St. Augustine in St. Johns County, and Opa-locka in
31    Miami-Dade County, and
32WHEREAS, due to limited resources, incomplete data,
33    and a narrowing legislative deadline, the task force
34    reaffirmed these rankings without conducting new
35    feasibility, financial, or comparative analyses of the
36    three potential sites, and
37WHEREAS, the task force voted on May 21, 2024, to
38    recommend St. Augustine in St. Johns County as the site for
39    the future Florida Museum of Black History, and
40WHEREAS, on June 30, 2024, the Division of Historical
41    Resources, with input from the task force, issued a report
42    describing the recommendation as a preliminary roadmap and
43    requesting additional legislative funding to support
44    feasibility and economic impact studies for each of the
45    three top-ranked locations, and
46WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that the task
47    force found no location with a clearly superior feasibility
48    or sustainability profile, underscoring the need for a
49    comprehensive, data-driven study before a final
50    designation, and
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51WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that
52    comprehensive feasibility and economic impact studies be
53    completed and reviewed for the three top-ranked locations
54    in Orange County, St. Augustine in St. Johns County, and
55    Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County before any final site
56    designation, construction authorization, or allocation of
57    state funds, and
58WHEREAS, these studies shall evaluate visitation
59    potential, infrastructure readiness, financial
60    sustainability, and the demonstrated capacity of each
61    locality to provide at least a 50 percent local funding
62    match through public, philanthropic, or private sources,
63    and
64WHEREAS, a world-class museum is characterized by its
65    extraordinary collection of historical items and a
66    thoughtfully curated visitor experience, and
67WHEREAS, these institutions serve as vital
68    repositories of our shared heritage, actively shaping our
69    understanding of the past, present, and future, and
70WHEREAS, a world-class museum is not defined by a big
71    building or a famous name, but is an unparalleled
72    combination of an extraordinary and meticulously preserved
73    collection and an unforgettable, thoughtfully curated
74    visitor experience that transcends mere viewing, inviting
75    deep engagement and reflection, and
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76WHEREAS, the Florida Museum of History is intended to
77     be more than a museum about slavery and the Civil Rights
78     Movement in America, and
79WHEREAS, the Florida Museum of History is envisioned
80     as a unifying, cultural, and educational institution of
81     statewide significance, with the capacity to advance
82     understanding, unity, and economic opportunity for
83     residents and visitors alike, and
84WHEREAS, establishing and sustaining the Florida
85     Museum of History will require a shared commitment from
86     state, local, and private partners, and
87WHEREAS, at least 50 percent of total project funding
88     should come from local and regional public, philanthropic,
89     and private sources to ensure community ownership and
90     fiscal balance, and
91WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that this partnership
92     structure, balancing state investment with strong local
93     commitment, is essential to ensure that the museum's
94     establishment is both equitable and fiscally responsible,
95     and
96WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that the
97     Florida Museum of History operate as a statewide
98     institution with collaborative governance that reflects
99     Florida's geographic and cultural diversity and fosters
100    partnerships among local governments, educational
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101    institutions, and cultural organizations throughout the
102    state, and
103WHEREAS, the Legislature reaffirms its commitment to
104    supporting a museum that honors the history and
105    achievements of Black Floridians, advances public
106    understanding, stimulates tourism and economic opportunity,
107    and stands as a lasting symbol of unity and progress for
108    future generations, NOW, THEREFORE,
109
110    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
111
112Section 1.       (1)     The Department of State may partner with
113    the county commissions of Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade
114    Counties, and each local entity designated by the commissions to
115    design, construct, operate, and manage Florida Museums of
116    History in Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade Counties. Once
117    constructed, each Florida Museum of History must be owned,
118    managed, and operated by the local entity designated by the
119    respective county commission.
120(2)(a)      The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, a
121    committee as defined in s. 20.03, Florida Statutes, is created
122    within the Department of State to guide and assist with
123    planning, designing, and constructing each Florida Museum of
124    History. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
125    committee shall operate in a manner consistent with s. 20.052,
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126    Florida Statutes.
127(b)      The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee shall
128    consist of the following members, who must have expertise in
129    Florida history, Black History, curation, architecture, and
130    museum design:
1311.      One member appointed by the Governor.
1322.      One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
1333.      One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
134    Representatives.
1354.      One member appointed by the Secretary of the Department
136    of State.
1375.      The executive director of the Florida Tourism Industry
138    Marketing Corporation.
1396.      The chair and vice chair of the Florida Legislative
140    Black Caucus, who are not required to have expertise in Florida
141    history, Black History, curation, architecture, and museum
142    design. The chair and vice chair of the Florida Legislative
143    Black Caucus, in lieu of serving on the Florida Museum of
144    History Advisory Committee, may each appoint one person who has
145    expertise in Black History, Florida history, curation,
146    architecture, and museum design to serve on the Florida Museum
147    of History Advisory Committee.
148(c)      The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, in
149    partnership with each designated local entity, shall provide
150    guidance and direction in choosing the architects, museum
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151    designers, curators, and other contractors to design, construct,
152    operate, and manage each Florida Museum of History. To that end,
153    such local entities shall:
1541.      Procure architectural design services.
1552.      Procure construction management services based upon the
156    final architectural designs and construction budgets.
1573.      Provide recommendations for the operation and
158    administration of the museums.
1594.      Ensure that each museum is operated as a hybrid model
160    by a nonprofit entity in combination with the respective county
161    commission, which may include a state agency, a local
162    governmental entity, or a college or university.
1635.      Consider relevant operational models, including the:
164a.      Avron B. Fogelman Sports Museum in Boca Raton.
165b.      Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in
166    Detroit, Michigan.
167c.      Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.
168e.      Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and
169    Culture in Charlotte, North Carolina.
170f.      John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
171g.      Meek-Eaton Black Archives, Research Center and Museum
172    in Tallahassee.
173h.      Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.
174i.      National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
175j.      Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in Miami.
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1766.      Develop a collections management policy to care for,
177    preserve, and curate the museums' collections as well as
178    collections that may be loaned to the museums.
1797.      Develop and maintain curatorial policies and practices
180    consistent with generally accepted professional museum
181    standards, including collections management, exhibition
182    development, research, and interpretation. Qualified
183    professionals shall make curatorial decisions in accordance with
184    such standards and applicable law. Oversight by governing bodies
185    shall apply only to matters of fiscal accountability, public
186    transparency, and compliance with state requirements. Such
187    oversight shall not extend to the review, approval, or direction
188    of specific curatorial content, exhibitions, or interpretive
189    materials.
190(d)      The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee shall
191    make recommendations that include educational materials relating
192    to the role of African American participation in defending and
193    preserving this state and the United States, including the
194    contributions of the residents of Fort Mose, the Tuskegee
195    Airmen, and African-American veterans.
196(3)(a)      Each county commission, in partnership with the
197    designated local entity, must create a Florida Museum of History
198    Board for each museum in Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade
199    Counties. Each county commission, in partnership with the
200    designated local entity, shall appoint no more than 11 members
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201    to the board governing that museum. Each member must have
202    experience in at least one of the following areas:
2031.      Florida History or Black History;
2042.      Museum curation;
2053.      Architecture;
2064.      Museum design; or
2075.      Philanthropy.
208(b)      Each Florida Museum of History Board shall appoint an
209    operating board of directors, consisting of scholarly experts
210    and other key stakeholders representing community organizations,
211    to provide program support for each museum.
212(4)      Each Florida Museum of History Board, in consultation
213    with the respective county commission, shall:
214(a)      Develop a plan for the museum to acquire archival
215    materials and artifacts.
216(b)      Develop plans for permanent and temporary exhibitions
217    in consultation with colleagues from other institutions and
218    external content experts.
219(c)      Develop programs and educational materials, including
220    topics that support the mission of the Florida Museum of
221    History, in consultation with the Department of Education and
222    other external stakeholders.
223(d)      Provide educational materials that complement and
224    support required history instruction provided in public schools
225    in accordance with s. 1003.42(2)(h), Florida Statutes.
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226(e)     Create a transition plan for the museum to become
227    financially self-sufficient.
228(5)     The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, in
229    partnership with the designated local entities, the Florida
230    Tourism Marketing Corporation, and the local visitor and
231    convention bureaus, shall develop and execute a marketing plan
232    to promote each Florida Museum of History. The designated local
233    entities may collaborate with local destination marketing
234    organizations or convention and visitors bureaus.
235Section 2.       (1)     The Legislature shall provide at least $1
236    million each to the county commissions of Orange, St. Johns, and
237    Miami-Dade Counties to conduct a financial feasibility study for
238    each respective Florida Museum of History location. In each such
239    location, the financial feasibility study shall:
240(a)     Evaluate the visitation potential, infrastructure
241    readiness, and financial sustainability of the area.
242(b)     Evaluate each location's capacity to match at least 50
243    percent of funding provided by the Legislature, using public,
244    philanthropic, or private sources.
245(c)     Assess the likelihood that the location will become
246    financially self-sufficient within 3 years after the museum's
247    opening, without additional financial support from the
248    Legislature.
249(d)     Be used to determine the appropriate size and the
250    square footage of the museums for each respective location based
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251    on tourism markets, funding capacity, funding availability,
252    operational sustainability, and ensure adequate capacity for
253    robust programming and future expansion.
254(2)(a)      The construction of each Florida Museum of History
255    shall be funded by both local and state appropriations.
256(b)     The Legislature shall appropriate no more than $75
257    million for the construction of the Florida Museums of History.
258    Each location may qualify for up to one-third of the funds
259    provided by the state.
260(c)     Each county commission, in partnership with its
261    designated local entity, shall match at least 50 percent of
262    funding provided by the Legislature, using public,
263    philanthropic, or private sources.
264(d)     Estimates for recurring operational costs shall be
265    developed during the building design, site development, and
266    construction process.
267(e)     In addition to receiving funds as set forth in
268    paragraph (a), the Florida Museum of History Board shall seek to
269    raise private funds, gifts, donations, and solicit grants, to
270    augment any recurring funding received. The museum shall earn
271    revenue from general admission fees, ticketed programming and
272    events, retail partnerships, and facility rentals. An endowment
273    shall be created to support the acquisition, research, and care
274    of collections obtained from across the network of museums that
275    exist in this state.
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276Section 3.       (1)     The Florida Museum of History is intended
277    to be a leading world-class cultural arts and history museum,
278    and must consist of:
279(a)     At least 10,000 square feet of exhibition space
280    capable of supporting all the functions of a leading world-class
281    museum, including collections care and storage, exhibits,
282    programs, large public events, large rental events, and a
283    repository for genealogical and archival materials with
284    appropriate space for public research.
285(b)     An archival and storage facility for items donated to
286    the Florida Museum of History at each location, as well as
287    historical documents and items and educational materials.
288(2)     Each Florida Museum of History Board must ensure that
289    at least 33 percent of the museum's exhibition space is
290    dedicated to the history of this state, including:
291(a)     The history and impact of tourism, including
292    attractions, historical sites, and tourist destinations such as
293    Disney World, Silver Springs, Universal Studios, and this
294    state's beaches.
295(b)     The history and presence of the United States
296    military, including military bases and installations in the
297    state.
298(c)     The history and impact of agriculture on the state's
299    economy.
300(d)     The history of space exploration and the impact of the
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301    National Aeronautics and Space Administration and related
302    activities on this state.
303(3)     Each Florida Museum of History Board must consider
304    creating exhibition halls and spaces for:
305(a)     Florida's African American museums.
306(b)     Florida's Hispanic museums.
307(c)     Florida's Jewish Holocaust museums.
308(d)     African Americans in the military.
309(e)     African Americans and women in aviation.
310(f)     African Americans and women in space.
311(g)     The history of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement
312    in this state and the United States.
313(h)     An exhibition hall of life-sized statues or a statue
314    garden of significant individuals in the history of this state
315    and the United States.
316(i)     A library and archives of this state's Governors to
317    include 3D-printed life-sized statues of the Governors.
318(j)     A Presidential Hall of Statues.
319(k)     The history of the Civil War in this state.
320(l)     The history of reconstruction in this state.
321(m)     The impact of Henry Morrison Flagler in this state.
322(n)     A portrait gallery featuring portraits of historical
323    and significant individuals who have impacted Florida.
324(o)     The history of Black towns, cities, and settlements in
325    this state.
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326(p)     The history of the migration of the citizens of the
327    Caribbean to this state, including Cubans, Haitians, and
328    Jamaicans.
329(q)     A portrait gallery and archives of Black and Hispanic
330    elected officials in this state.
331(r)     The history of Historically Black Colleges and
332    Universities in this state, including the life of Mary McCleod
333    Bethune and Bethune Cookman University, and the United States.
334(s)     A gallery of Black art that includes paintings,
335    posters, prints, glass works, quilts, and figurines.
336(t)     The history of Orange County, St. Johns County, or
337    Miami-Dade County.
338(u)     The history of the Town of Eatonville and author Zora
339    Neale Hurston.
340(v)     Historically significant and influential persons
341    including artists, musicians, poets, and athletes, and
342    historical events, including Black History events in this state
343    and the United States.
344(w)     The history of Black entrepreneurs, scientists,
345    inventors and inventions in this state and the United States.
346(x)     The history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the history of
347    the Tuskegee Airmen in this state.
348(y)     The history of baseball in this state, including the
349    major leagues, the Negro Baseball League, the minor leagues, and
350    spring training.
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351(z)     The impact of Cuban immigrants in this state.
352Section 4.       This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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