Historic cemeteries bill unanimously passes through House

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A bill sponsored by House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, passed through the House that will codify the 2021 Abandoned African American Cemetery Task Force’s recommendations into law, and creates the Historic Cemeteries Program.

A similar bill is working its way through the Senate, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach.

The bill will create the Historic Cemeteries Program Advisory Council within the Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources to support and facilitate abandoned and historic cemetery education and maintenance. The task force previously expired on March 11, 2022.

The bill designates the state historic preservation officer as the director of the program and requires the state historic preservation officer, subject to legislative appropriation, to employ three full-time employees to operate the program.

It includes a $1 million for research on abandoned cemeteries and for grants to help repair, restore, or maintain African American cemeteries.

According to a press release from Driskell, with the passage of this bill, many Floridians can “finally honor the lives of their ancestors and loved ones with the humanity and respect they’ve always deserved.”

“HB 49 is a continuation of Leader Driskell’s longstanding commitment to addressing abandoned African American cemeteries in the State of Florida,” the press release said.

“I am grateful for the collaboration and hard work of my colleagues to help get this bill ready for a full vote. As we continue our efforts, I remain committed to a Florida where everyone deserves the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe. Together as we honor our past, we can build a better future for our state,” Driskell said.