Governor's Mansion Commission
Governor's Mansion website is located at http://www.floridagovernorsmansion.com/.
Chapter 20, Florida Statutes (F.S.), defines a commission as “…a body created by specific statutory enactment within a department, the office of the Governor, or the Executive Office of the Governor and exercising limited quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial powers, or both, independently of the head of the department or the Governor.” The Governor's Mansion Commission (Commission), created pursuant to section 272.18, F.S., within the Department of Management Services (DMS) is comprised of eight members.
Five of the Commission's eight members are citizens who receive appointment from the governor to serve four-year terms. These members are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. The other three members work within state government. They include the Secretary of DMS or his or her designee, the director of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and an employee of the Department of State (DOS), designated by the Secretary of State, who possesses curator and museum expertise. Additionally, the spouse of the governor is an ex officio member of the Commission. Commission members serve without compensation and may not hold any other public office during his or her tenure. Each member is accountable to the governor for proper performance of his or her responsibilities to the Commission.
Commission members annually elect a chair from among its citizen members. The Commission meets either at the call of the chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the DMS, or as prescribed by rules, which is no less than annually. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum. Commission meetings are open to the public. You may check the Florida Administrative Weekly for public notice of meetings.
The Commission is responsible for preserving the structure, style and character of the Governor’s Mansion and protecting the antique furnishings in the private quarters, as well as the articles of furniture, fixtures and decorative objects displayed in the staterooms. Any major changes in the architecture, furniture, furnishings, fixtures or decorative objects of the mansion, the structures thereon, or the landscaping of the grounds, requires approval by the governor and the Florida Cabinet.
The Commission may receive on behalf of the state, contributions, bequests, gifts and property consistent with its purposes. Title to all property received by the Commission is vested in the state and held in trust by the Commission. All gifts and contributions to the Governor’s Mansion require Commission approval prior to acceptance.
The DMS employs a full-time curator to maintain the inventory and assist the Commission in carrying out its duties. The curator ensures the care and proper maintenance of the antiques and fine furnishings of the mansion, and coordinates mansion tours for the many visitors who come each year. Additionally, the DMS provides clerical, expert, technical and other services to the Commission, as needed. The Commission may also request assistance from both the DEP and the DOS.
For more information regarding the Governor’s Mansion Commission, contact the DMS Division of Real Estate Development and Management at (850) 488-2074.