What Does Body Corporate Mean?

Full question:

What is a 'body corporate' as used in the Florida Constitution?

Answer:

Generally, it means an artificial person, recognized as an entity by the state for the purpose of being empowered to carry out acts necessary to its existence. It comprises of a collection or succession of individuals who (in the view of law) have existence, rights, and duties distinct from their existence, rights, and duties as individuals. It is a group of persons incorporated to carry out a specific enterprise

The term is referenced in a few places, such as below:

The state board of education shall be a body corporate and have such supervision of the system of free public education as is provided by law. The state board of education shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor to staggered 4-year terms, subject to confirmation by the senate. The state board of education shall appoint the commissioner of education.

The state board of education shall be a body corporate and have such supervision of the system of free public education as is provided by law. The state board of education shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor to staggered 4-year terms, subject to confirmation by the senate. The state board of education shall appoint the commissioner of education.

The state board shall be a body corporate and shall have all the powers provided herein in addition to all other constitutional and statutory powers related to the purposes of this subsection (a)(2) heretofore or hereafter conferred by law upon the state board, or its predecessor created by the Constitution of 1885, as amended.


Please see:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Constitution

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

The Florida Constitution outlines the structure of state government, individual rights, and the responsibilities of various entities. It includes provisions on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as specific rights such as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms. Additionally, it addresses the establishment of bodies corporate, like the state board of education, which oversees public education in Florida.