240.2111  Employee recognition program.--

(1)(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 110.1245, the Board of Regents and each university shall promulgate rules for an employee recognition program which provides for the following components:

1.  A superior accomplishment component to recognize employees who have contributed outstanding and meritorious service in their fields, including those who have made exceptional contributions to efficiency, economy, or other improvement in State University System operations. No cash award under the superior accomplishment component of the program shall exceed $1,000, excluding applicable taxes.

2.  A satisfactory service component to recognize employees who have achieved increments of 5 continuous years of satisfactory service to the Board of Regents, university, or state in appreciation and recognition of such service. No cash award granted under the satisfactory service component shall exceed $50, excluding applicable taxes.

(b)  The Board of Regents and each university are authorized to expend funds for such recognition and awards. Savings bonds may be awarded in lieu of cash awards, provided that their cost does not exceed the limits specified in this subsection. In addition, certificates, pins, plaques, letters of commendation, and other tokens of recognition may be awarded to an employee eligible for recognition under either component of the program, provided that the cost of such award does not exceed $50.

(2)  In addition to the two components specified in subsection (1), the Board of Regents and each university are authorized to incur expenditures not to exceed $50 each to award suitable framed certificates, plaques, or other tokens of recognition to the following individuals:

(a)  Retiring employees whose service with the Board of Regents or university has been satisfactory.

(b)  Any appointed member of a state board or commission whose service to the State University System has been satisfactory, upon the expiration of such board or commission member's final term in such position.