Florida Gaming Control Commission; creation; meetings; membership.

(1) CREATION; MEETINGS.—

(a) There is created within the Department of Legal Affairs, Office of the Attorney General, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission. The commission shall be a separate budget entity, and the commissioners shall serve as the agency head. The commission’s exercise of executive powers in the area of planning, budgeting, personnel management, and purchasing shall be as provided by law.

(b) The commission is not subject to control, supervision, or direction by the Department of Legal Affairs or the Attorney General in the performance of its duties, including, but not limited to, personnel, purchasing transactions involving real or personal property, and budgetary matters.

(c) The commission shall convene at the call of its chair or at the request of a majority of the members of the commission. Meetings may be held via teleconference or other electronic means. Three members of the commission constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of the majority of a quorum is required for any action or recommendation by the commission. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the affirmative vote of three members is required to adopt a proposed rule, including an amendment to or repeal of an existing rule that meets or exceeds any of the criteria in s. 120.54(3)(b)1. or s. 120.541(2)(a). The commission may meet in any city or county of the state.

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—

(a) The commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Governor, and subject to confirmation by the Senate, for terms of 4 years. Members of the commission must be appointed by January 1, 2022. The Governor shall consider appointees who reflect Florida’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Of the initial five members appointed by the Governor, and immediately upon appointment, the Governor shall appoint one of the members as the initial chair and one of the members as the initial vice chair. At the end of the initial chair’s and vice chair’s terms pursuant to subparagraph 1., the commission shall elect one of the members of the commission as chair and one of the members of the commission as vice chair.

1. For the purpose of providing staggered terms, of the initial appointments, two members shall be appointed to 4-year terms, two members shall be appointed to 3-year terms, and one member shall be appointed to a 2-year term.

2. Of the five members, at least one member must have at least 10 years of experience in law enforcement and criminal investigations, at least one member must be a certified public accountant licensed in this state with at least 10 years of experience in accounting and auditing, and at least one member must be an attorney admitted and authorized to practice law in this state for at least the preceding 10 years.

(b) A commissioner shall serve until a successor is appointed, but commissioners may not serve more than 12 years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term. The salary of each commissioner is equal to that paid under state law to a commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission.

(c) The Governor shall have the same power to remove or suspend commissioners as set forth in s. 7, Art. IV of the State Constitution. In addition to such power, the Governor must remove a member who is convicted of or found guilty of or has pled nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction, a misdemeanor that directly relates to gambling, dishonesty, theft, or fraud.

(d) Upon the resignation or removal from office of a member of the commission, the Governor shall appoint a successor pursuant to paragraph (a) who, subject to confirmation by the Senate, shall serve the remainder of the unfinished term.

(3) REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT; PROHIBITIONS.—

(a) A person may not be appointed by the Governor to the commission until a level 2 background screening pursuant to chapter 435 is performed, the results are forwarded to the Governor, and the Governor determines that the person meets all the requirements for appointment under this section. However, a person who is prohibited from being appointed under s. 16.713 may not be appointed by the Governor.

(b) The Governor may not solicit or request any nominations, recommendations, or communications about potential candidates for appointment to the commission from:

1. Any person that holds a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; an officer, official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or an ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such permitholder or licensee;

2. Any officer, official, employee, or other person with duties or responsibilities relating to a gaming operation owned by an Indian tribe that has a valid and active compact with the state; a contractor or subcontractor of such tribe or an entity employed, licensed, or contracted by such tribe; or an ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such entity; or

3. Any registered lobbyist for the executive or legislative branch who represents any person or entity identified in subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2.

(4) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—

(a) To aid the commission in its duties, the commission must appoint a person who is not a member of the commission to serve as the executive director of the commission. A person may not be appointed as executive director until a level 2 background screening pursuant to chapter 435 is performed, the results are forwarded to the commission, and the commission determines that the person meets all the requirements for appointment as the executive director. The executive director shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer all activities necessary to fulfill the commission’s responsibilities. The commission must appoint the executive director by April 1, 2022.

(b) The executive director, with the consent of the commission, shall employ such staff as are necessary to adequately perform the functions of the commission, within budgetary limitations.

(c) The executive director shall maintain headquarters in and reside in Leon County.

(d) The salary of the executive director is equal to that paid under state law to a commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission.

(5) INSPECTOR GENERAL.—The chair of the commission shall appoint an inspector general who shall perform the duties of an inspector general under s. 20.055.

(6) PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING TRUST FUND.—The commission shall administer the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund.