(1) As used in this section, the term “travel expenses” means the actual, necessary, and reasonable costs of transportation, meals, lodging, and incidental expenses normally incurred by an employee of the Office of Film and Entertainment, which costs are defined and prescribed by rules adopted by the department, subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 112.061, the department shall adopt rules by which it may make expenditures by reimbursement to: the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, security staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the Commissioner of Film and Entertainment, or staff of the Office of Film and Entertainment for travel expenses or entertainment expenses incurred by such individuals solely and exclusively in connection with the performance of the statutory duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment. The rules are subject to approval by the Chief Financial Officer before adoption. The rules shall require the submission of paid receipts, or other proof of expenditure prescribed by the Chief Financial Officer, with any claim for reimbursement.

(3) The Office of Film and Entertainment shall include in the annual report for the entertainment industry financial incentive program required under s. 288.1254(10) a report of the office’s expenditures for the previous fiscal year. The report must consist of a summary of all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred within the United States and all travel, entertainment, and incidental expenses incurred outside the United States, as well as a summary of all successful projects that developed from such travel.

(4) The Office of Film and Entertainment and its employees and representatives, when authorized, may accept and use complimentary travel, accommodations, meeting space, meals, equipment, transportation, and any other goods or services necessary for or beneficial to the performance of the office’s duties and purposes, so long as such acceptance or use is not in conflict with part III of chapter 112. The department shall, by rule, develop internal controls to ensure that such goods or services accepted or used pursuant to this subsection are limited to those that will assist solely and exclusively in the furtherance of the office’s goals and are in compliance with part III of chapter 112.

(5) Any claim submitted under this section is not required to be sworn to before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths, but any claim authorized or required to be made under any provision of this section shall contain a statement that the expenses were actually incurred as necessary travel or entertainment expenses in the performance of official duties of the Office of Film and Entertainment and shall be verified by written declaration that it is true and correct as to every material matter. Any person who willfully makes and subscribes to any claim which he or she does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter or who willfully aids or assists in, procures, or counsels or advises with respect to, the preparation or presentation of a claim pursuant to this section that is fraudulent or false as to any material matter, whether such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present the claim, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Whoever receives a reimbursement by means of a false claim is civilly liable, in the amount of the overpayment, for the reimbursement of the public fund from which the claim was paid.

History.—s. 5, ch. 99-251; s. 7, ch. 2001-106; s. 343, ch. 2003-261; s. 27, ch. 2010-147; s. 169, ch. 2011-142; s. 23, ch. 2013-39; s. 25, ch. 2013-42.