On Tuesday, state CFO Jimmy Patronis showcased the fledgling Florida Blockchain Task Force as he begins his search to name three appointees to it.
The state CFO’s office laid out the responsibilities for the new task force.
“The task force will study if and how state, county, and municipal governments can benefit from a transition to a blockchain-based system for recordkeeping, data security, financial transactions, and service delivery and identify ways to improve government interaction with businesses and the public,” Patronis’ office noted. “The main focus of the task force is to identify the economic growth and development opportunities presented by blockchain technology. Appointees will assess the existing blockchain industry in the state and identify innovative and successful blockchain applications currently used by industry and other governments to determine viability for state level, as well as review workforce needs, and academic programs required to build blockchain technology expertise across all relevant industries.”
Patronis weighed in on what the new task force will examine.
“I’m proud that the Blockchain Task Force is established within the Florida Department of Financial Services,” Patronis said. “We will work to explore and develop a master plan for fostering the expansion of blockchain in our state and innovation will keep us at the forefront of this growing technological industry.”
According to his office, Patronis must “appoint three members from the public or private sector with knowledge and experience in blockchain technology” and is taking applications from now until Sept. 3.
After eight years in the Florida House and serving on the state Public Service Commission (PSC), Patronis was named to his current post in the summer of 2017 by then Gov. Rick Scott after Jeff Atwater resigned the position to take a job at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Back in November, Patronis beat former state Sen. Jeremy Ring to win a term in his own right.
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