(1) CITIZEN SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.—The Department of State may authorize the establishment of citizen support organizations to provide assistance, funding, and promotional support for the intergovernmental programs of the department. For the purposes of this section, “citizen support organization” means an organization which:(a) Is a Florida corporation not for profit incorporated under chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
(b) Is organized and operated to conduct programs and activities; raise funds; request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of money; acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer, in its own name, securities, funds, or real or personal property; and make expenditures for the benefit of the intergovernmental programs of the department; except that such organization may not receive funds from the department by grant or gift unless specifically authorized by the Legislature. If the citizen support organization by contract provides fiscal and administrative services to the department for a grant or program that benefits the intergovernmental programs of the department, the organization may be reimbursed or compensated for such services by the department if the services are a direct benefit to the intergovernmental programs of the department.
(c) The department has determined to be consistent with the goals of the intergovernmental programs of the department and in the best interests of the state.
(d) Is approved in writing by the department to operate for the benefit of the intergovernmental programs of the department. Such approval must be stated in a letter of agreement from the Secretary of State.
(2) USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND PROPERTY.—(a) The department may permit a citizen support organization to use department property, facilities, and personnel free of charge. A citizen support organization may use department property, facilities, and personnel if such use is consistent with the approved purpose of that citizen support organization and if such use does not unreasonably interfere with the general public’s use of department property, facilities, and personnel for established purposes.
(b) The department may prescribe conditions upon the use by a citizen support organization of department property, facilities, or personnel.
(c) The department may not permit the use of any property, facilities, or personnel of the state by a citizen support organization that does not provide equal membership and employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or age.
(3) ANNUAL AUDIT.—Each citizen support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981. (4) FUTURE REPEAL.—This section is repealed October 1, 2025, unless reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.
