S 1496

Florida Senate - 2026  SB 1496
By Senator Davis
5-01384B-26  20261496__
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 that each Florida Museum
6of History be owned, managed, and operated by a
7certain entity; creating the Florida Museum of History
8Advisory Committee within the Department of State for
9a certain purpose; requiring the committee to operate
10in a manner consistent with certain provisions;
11providing membership and duties of the committee;
12requiring local entities to perform specified duties;
13requiring specified county commissions and local
14entities to create Florida Museum of History Boards;
15providing for membership and duties of the boards;
16requiring certain entities to develop and execute a
17marketing plan to promote each Florida Museum of
18History; authorizing designated local entities to
19collaborate with certain local organizations and
20bureaus; requiring the Legislature to provide
21specified funds to certain entities to conduct
22financial feasibility studies; providing requirements
23for such studies; requiring that construction of each
24museum be funded by specified appropriations;
25providing requirements for the structures and
26exhibitions of each Florida Museum of History;
27providing an effective date.
28
29WHEREAS, in 2023, the Legislature established the Florida
30Museum of Black History Task Force to identify, evaluate, and
31recommend potential locations for a leading world-class museum
32dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the
33history, culture, and contributions of Black Floridians and
34Black Americans, and
35WHEREAS, the task force received applications from multiple
36jurisdictions and, in April 2024, adopted previously developed
37rankings that narrowed the field from 13 potential sites to 3:
38Eatonville in Orange County, St. Augustine in St. Johns County,
39and Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County, and
40WHEREAS, due to limited resources, incomplete data, and a
41narrowing legislative deadline, the task force reaffirmed these
42rankings without conducting new feasibility, financial, or
43comparative analyses of the three potential sites, and
44WHEREAS, the task force voted on May 21, 2024, to recommend
45St. Augustine in St. Johns County as the site for the future
46Florida Museum of Black History, and
47WHEREAS, on June 30, 2024, the Division of Historical
48Resources, with input from the task force, issued a report
49describing the recommendation as a preliminary roadmap and
50requesting additional legislative funding to support feasibility
51and economic impact studies for each of the three top-ranked
52locations, and
53WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that the task force
54found no location with a clearly superior feasibility or
55sustainability profile, underscoring the need for a
56comprehensive, data-driven study before a final designation, and
57WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that
58comprehensive feasibility and economic impact studies be
59completed and reviewed for the three top-ranked locations, in
60Orange County, St. Augustine in St. Johns County, and Opa-locka
61in Miami-Dade County, before any final site designation,
62construction authorization, or allocation of state funds, and
63WHEREAS, these studies must evaluate visitation potential,
64infrastructure readiness, financial sustainability, and the
65demonstrated capacity of each locality to provide at least a 50
66percent local funding match through public, philanthropic, or
67private sources, and
68WHEREAS, a world-class museum is characterized by its
69extraordinary collection of historical items and a thoughtfully
70curated visitor experience, and
71WHEREAS, these institutions serve as vital repositories of
72our shared heritage, actively shaping our understanding of the
73past, present, and future, and
74WHEREAS, a world-class museum is not defined by a big
75building or a famous name, but is an unparalleled combination of
76an extraordinary and meticulously preserved collection and an
77unforgettable, thoughtfully curated visitor experience that
78transcends mere viewing, inviting deep engagement and
79reflection, and
80WHEREAS, the Florida Museum of History is intended to be
81more than a museum about slavery and the Civil Rights Movement
82in America, and
83WHEREAS, the Florida Museum of History is envisioned as a
84unifying, cultural, and educational institution of statewide
85significance, with the capacity to advance understanding, unity,
86and economic opportunity for residents and visitors alike, and
87WHEREAS, establishing and sustaining the Florida Museum of
88History will require a shared commitment from state, local, and
89private partners, and
90WHEREAS, at least 50 percent of total project funding
91should come from local and regional public, philanthropic, and
92private sources to ensure community ownership and fiscal
93balance, and
94WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that this partnership
95structure, balancing state investment with strong local
96commitment, is essential to ensure that the museum’s
97establishment is both equitable and fiscally responsible, and
98WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that the
99Florida Museum of History operate as a statewide institution
100with collaborative governance that reflects Florida’s geographic
101and cultural diversity and fosters partnerships among local
102governments, educational institutions, and cultural
103organizations throughout this state, and
104WHEREAS, the Legislature reaffirms its commitment to
105supporting a museum that honors the history and achievements of
106Black Floridians, advances public understanding, stimulates
107tourism and economic opportunity, and stands as a lasting symbol
108of unity and progress for future generations, NOW, THEREFORE,
109
110Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
111
112Section 1. (1)The Department of State may partner with
113the county commissions of Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade
114Counties and each local entity designated by the commissions to
115design, construct, operate, and manage Florida Museums of
116History in Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade Counties. Once
117constructed, each Florida Museum of History must be owned,
118managed, and operated by the local entity designated by the
119respective county commission.
120(2)(a)The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, a
121committee as defined in s. 20.03, Florida Statutes, is created
122within the Department of State to guide and assist with
123planning, designing, and constructing each Florida Museum of
124History. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
125committee shall operate in a manner consistent with s. 20.052,
126Florida Statutes.
127(b)The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee shall
128consist of the following members, who must have expertise in
129Florida history, Black History, curation, architecture, and
130museum 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
134Representatives.
1354.One member appointed by the Secretary of the Department
136of State.
1375.The executive director of the Florida Tourism Industry
138Marketing Corporation.
1396.The chair and vice chair of the Florida Legislative
140Black Caucus, who are not required to have expertise in Florida
141history, Black History, curation, architecture, and museum
142design. The chair and vice chair of the Florida Legislative
143Black Caucus, in lieu of serving on the Florida Museum of
144History Advisory Committee, may each appoint one person who has
145expertise in Black History, Florida history, curation,
146architecture, and museum design to serve on the Florida Museum
147of History Advisory Committee.
148(c)The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, in
149partnership with each designated local entity, shall provide
150guidance and direction in choosing the architects, museum
151designers, curators, and other contractors to design, construct,
152operate, and manage each Florida Museum of History. To that end,
153such local entities shall:
1541.Procure architectural design services.
1552.Procure construction management services based upon the
156final architectural designs and construction budgets.
1573.Provide recommendations for the operation and
158administration of the museums.
1594.Ensure that each museum is operated as a hybrid model by
160a nonprofit entity in combination with the respective county
161commission, which may include a state agency, a local
162governmental 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
166Detroit, Michigan.
167c.Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.
168d.Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts +
169Culture in Charlotte, North Carolina.
170e.John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota.
171f.Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum in
172Tallahassee.
173g.Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.
174h.National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
175i.Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in Miami.
1766. Develop a collections management policy to care for,
177preserve, and curate the museums’ collections, as well as
178collections that may be loaned to the museums.
1797. Develop and maintain curatorial policies and practices
180consistent with generally accepted professional museum
181standards, including collections management, exhibition
182development, research, and interpretation. Qualified
183professionals shall make curatorial decisions in accordance with
184such standards and applicable law. Oversight by governing bodies
185shall apply only to matters of fiscal accountability, public
186transparency, and compliance with state requirements. Such
187oversight shall not extend to the review, approval, or direction
188of specific curatorial content, exhibitions, or interpretive
189materials.
190(d)The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee shall
191make recommendations that include educational materials relating
192to the role of African-American participation in defending and
193preserving this state and the United States, including the
194contributions of the residents of Fort Mose, the Tuskegee
195Airmen, and African-American veterans.
196(3)(a) Each county commission, in partnership with the
197designated local entity, must create a Florida Museum of History
198Board for each museum in Orange, St. Johns, and Miami-Dade
199Counties. Each county commission, in partnership with the
200designated local entity, shall appoint no more than 11 members
201to the board governing that museum. Each member must have
202experience in at least one of the following areas:
2031.Florida history or Black history.
2042.Museum curation.
2053.Architecture.
2064.Museum design.
2075.Philanthropy.
208(b)Each Florida Museum of History Board shall appoint an
209operating board of directors consisting of scholarly experts and
210other key stakeholders representing community organizations to
211provide program support for each museum.
212(4)Each Florida Museum of History Board, in consultation
213with the respective county commission, shall:
214(a)Develop a plan for the museum to acquire archival
215materials and artifacts.
216(b)Develop plans for permanent and temporary exhibitions
217in consultation with colleagues from other institutions and
218external content experts.
219(c)Develop programs and educational materials, including
220topics that support the mission of the Florida Museum of
221History, in consultation with the Department of Education and
222other external stakeholders.
223(d)Provide educational materials that complement and
224support required history instruction provided in public schools
225in accordance with s. 1003.42(2)(h), Florida Statutes.
226(e)Create a transition plan for the museum to become
227financially self-sufficient.
228(5)The Florida Museum of History Advisory Committee, in
229partnership with the designated local entities, the Florida
230Tourism Marketing Corporation, and the local visitor and
231convention bureaus, shall develop and execute a marketing plan
232to promote each Florida Museum of History. The designated local
233entities may collaborate with local destination marketing
234organizations or convention and visitors bureaus.
235Section 2. (1)The Legislature shall provide at least $1
236million each to the county commissions of Orange, St. Johns, and
237Miami-Dade Counties to conduct a financial feasibility study for
238each respective Florida Museum of History location. In each such
239location, the financial feasibility study shall:
240(a)Evaluate the visitation potential, infrastructure
241readiness, and financial sustainability of the area.
242(b)Evaluate each location’s capacity to match at least 50
243percent of funding provided by the Legislature using public,
244philanthropic, or private sources.
245(c) Assess the likelihood that the location will become
246financially self-sufficient within 3 years after the museum’s
247opening, without additional financial support from the
248Legislature.
249(d) Be used to determine the appropriate size and the
250square footage of the museums for each respective location based
251on tourism markets, funding capacity, funding availability,
252operational sustainability, and ensure adequate capacity for
253robust programming and future expansion.
254(2)(a)The construction of each Florida Museum of History
255shall be funded by both local and state appropriations.
256(b)The Legislature shall appropriate no more than $75
257million for the construction of the Florida Museums of History.
258Each location may qualify for up to one-third of the funds
259provided by the state.
260(c)Each county commission, in partnership with its
261designated local entity, shall match at least 50 percent of
262funding provided by the Legislature using public, philanthropic,
263or private sources.
264(d)Estimates for recurring operational costs shall be
265developed during the building design, site development, and
266construction process.
267(e) In addition to receiving funds as set forth in
268paragraph (a), the Florida Museum of History Board shall seek to
269raise private funds, gifts, donations, and solicit grants, to
270augment any recurring funding received. The museum shall earn
271revenue from general admission fees, ticketed programming and
272events, retail partnerships, and facility rentals. An endowment
273shall be created to support the acquisition, research, and care
274of collections obtained from across the network of museums that
275exist in this state.
276Section 3. (1)The Florida Museum of History is intended
277to be a leading world-class cultural arts and history museum,
278and must consist of:
279(a)At least 10,000 square feet of exhibition space capable
280of supporting all the functions of a leading world-class museum,
281including collections care and storage, exhibits, programs,
282large public events, large rental events, and a repository for
283genealogical and archival materials with appropriate space for
284public research.
285(b)An archival and storage facility for items donated to
286the Florida Museum of History at each location, as well as
287historical documents and items and educational materials.
288(2)Each Florida Museum of History Board must ensure that
289at least 33 percent of the museum’s exhibition space is
290dedicated to the history of this state, including:
291(a)The history and impact of tourism, including
292attractions, historical sites, and tourist destinations such as
293Disney World, Silver Springs, Universal Studios, and this
294state’s beaches.
295(b)The history and presence of the United States military,
296including military bases and installations in the state.
297(c)The history and impact of agriculture on the state’s
298economy.
299(d)The history of space exploration and the impact of the
300National Aeronautics and Space Administration and related
301activities on this state.
302(3)Each Florida Museum of History Board must consider
303creating exhibition halls and spaces for:
304(a)Florida’s African American museums.
305(b)Florida’s Hispanic museums.
306(c)Florida’s Jewish Holocaust museums.
307(d)African Americans in the military.
308(e)African Americans and women in aviation.
309(f)African Americans and women in space.
310(g)The history of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement in
311this state and the United States.
312(h)An exhibition hall of life-sized statues or a statue
313garden of significant individuals in the history of this state
314and the United States.
315(i)A library and archives of this state’s Governors to
316include 3D-printed life-sized statues of the Governors.
317(j)A Presidential Hall of Statues.
318(k)The history of the Civil War in this state.
319(l)The history of reconstruction in this state.
320(m)The impact of Henry Morrison Flagler in this state.
321(n)A portrait gallery featuring portraits of historical
322and significant individuals who have impacted Florida.
323(o)The history of Black towns, cities, and settlements in
324this state.
325(p)The history of the migration of the citizens of the
326Caribbean to this state, including Cubans, Haitians, and
327Jamaicans.
328(q)A portrait gallery and archives of Black and Hispanic
329elected officials in this state.
330(r)The history of Historically Black Colleges and
331Universities in this state, including the life of Mary McCleod
332Bethune and Bethune Cookman University, and the United States.
333(s)A gallery of Black art that includes paintings,
334posters, prints, glass works, quilts, and figurines.
335(t)The history of Orange County, St. Johns County, or
336Miami-Dade County.
337(u)The history of the Town of Eatonville and author Zora
338Neale Hurston.
339(v)Historically significant and influential persons,
340including artists, musicians, poets, and athletes, and
341historical events, including Black History events in this state
342and the United States.
343(w)The history of Black entrepreneurs, scientists,
344inventors and inventions in this state and the United States.
345(x)The history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the history of
346the Tuskegee Airmen in this state.
347(y)The history of baseball in this state, including the
348major leagues, the Negro Baseball League, the minor leagues, and
349spring training.
350(z)The impact of Cuban immigrants in this state.
351Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.