Florida Senate - 2021                             CS for SB 7076
       
       
        
       By the Committees on Appropriations; and Regulated Industries
       
       
       
       
       
       576-04244A-21                                         20217076c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to gaming enforcement; amending s.
    3         16.56, F.S.; expanding the authority of the Office of
    4         Statewide Prosecution within the Department of Legal
    5         Affairs to investigate and prosecute the offenses of
    6         certain crimes; creating s. 16.71, F.S.; creating the
    7         Florida Gaming Control Commission within the Office of
    8         the Attorney General; providing for membership of the
    9         commission; authorizing the Governor to remove members
   10         of the commission under certain circumstances;
   11         providing rights for certain employees of the
   12         commission; providing requirements and prohibitions
   13         relating to commission members and employees;
   14         providing civil penalties; providing requirements and
   15         powers for employees serving as law enforcement
   16         officers for the commission; providing powers and
   17         duties of the commission; providing requirements for
   18         hearings relating to the commission; authorizing the
   19         commission to submit certain written recommendations
   20         to the Governor and the Legislature upon certain
   21         findings; requiring the commission to annually develop
   22         a budget request; requiring the department to submit
   23         the budget request to the Governor for transmittal to
   24         the Legislature; authorizing the commission to
   25         contract or consult with certain agencies; requiring
   26         the commission to provide an annual report to the
   27         Governor and the Legislature; specifying content
   28         required for the report; creating s. 16.712, F.S.;
   29         requiring a person to submit to certain background
   30         screening requirements before serving on or being
   31         employed with the commission; providing procedures and
   32         conditions for the retention of fingerprints; creating
   33         s. 16.715, F.S.; providing construction; providing
   34         standards of conduct for commissioners and employees
   35         of the commission; requiring commissioners and
   36         employees of the commission to complete specified
   37         annual training; requiring the Commission on Ethics to
   38         accept and investigate any alleged violations of the
   39         standards of conduct for commissioners and employees;
   40         providing requirements for such investigations;
   41         authorizing a commissioner or an employee of the
   42         commission to request an advisory opinion from the
   43         Commission on Ethics; defining the term “ex parte
   44         communication”; providing requirements relating to ex
   45         parte communications; providing civil penalties;
   46         amending s. 285.710, F.S.; revising the definition of
   47         the term “state compliance agency”; designating the
   48         Florida Gaming Control Commission as the state
   49         compliance agency having authority to carry out
   50         certain responsibilities; transferring all powers,
   51         duties, functions, records, offices, personnel,
   52         associated administrative support positions, property,
   53         pending issues, existing contracts, administrative
   54         authority, administrative rules, and unexpended
   55         balances of appropriations, allocations, and other
   56         funds of the Department of Business and Professional
   57         Regulation related to certain responsibilities to the
   58         commission by a type two transfer, effective on a
   59         specified date; requiring the Department of Legal
   60         Affairs to provide administrative support to the
   61         commission until such transfer is complete; amending
   62         s. 932.701, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
   63         “contraband article”; providing a directive to the
   64         Division of Law Revision; providing effective dates.
   65          
   66  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   67  
   68         Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
   69  16.56, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   70         16.56 Office of Statewide Prosecution.—
   71         (1) There is created in the Department of Legal Affairs an
   72  Office of Statewide Prosecution. The office shall be a separate
   73  “budget entity” as that term is defined in chapter 216. The
   74  office may:
   75         (a) Investigate and prosecute the offenses of:
   76         1. Bribery, burglary, criminal usury, extortion, gambling,
   77  kidnapping, larceny, murder, prostitution, perjury, robbery,
   78  carjacking, home-invasion robbery, and patient brokering;
   79         2. Any crime involving narcotic or other dangerous drugs;
   80         3. Any violation of the Florida RICO (Racketeer Influenced
   81  and Corrupt Organization) Act, including any offense listed in
   82  the definition of racketeering activity in s. 895.02(8)(a),
   83  providing such listed offense is investigated in connection with
   84  a violation of s. 895.03 and is charged in a separate count of
   85  an information or indictment containing a count charging a
   86  violation of s. 895.03, the prosecution of which listed offense
   87  may continue independently if the prosecution of the violation
   88  of s. 895.03 is terminated for any reason;
   89         4. Any violation of the Florida Anti-Fencing Act;
   90         5. Any violation of the Florida Antitrust Act of 1980, as
   91  amended;
   92         6. Any crime involving, or resulting in, fraud or deceit
   93  upon any person;
   94         7. Any violation of s. 847.0135, relating to computer
   95  pornography and child exploitation prevention, or any offense
   96  related to a violation of s. 847.0135 or any violation of
   97  chapter 827 where the crime is facilitated by or connected to
   98  the use of the Internet or any device capable of electronic data
   99  storage or transmission;
  100         8. Any violation of chapter 815;
  101         9. Any criminal violation of part I of chapter 499;
  102         10. Any violation of the Florida Motor Fuel Tax Relief Act
  103  of 2004;
  104         11. Any criminal violation of s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201;
  105         12. Any crime involving voter registration, voting, or
  106  candidate or issue petition activities;
  107         13. Any criminal violation of the Florida Money Laundering
  108  Act;
  109         14. Any criminal violation of the Florida Securities and
  110  Investor Protection Act; or
  111         15. Any violation of chapter 787, as well as any and all
  112  offenses related to a violation of chapter 787; or
  113         16.Any violation of chapter 24, chapter 285, chapter 546,
  114  chapter 550, chapter 551, or chapter 849, including violations
  115  referred by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
  116  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the
  117  Department of the Lottery, the Florida Gaming Control
  118  Commission, or the Seminole Tribe of Florida;
  119  
  120  or any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit any of the
  121  crimes specifically enumerated above. The office shall have such
  122  power only when any such offense is occurring, or has occurred,
  123  in two or more judicial circuits as part of a related
  124  transaction, or when any such offense is connected with an
  125  organized criminal conspiracy affecting two or more judicial
  126  circuits. Informations or indictments charging such offenses
  127  shall contain general allegations stating the judicial circuits
  128  and counties in which crimes are alleged to have occurred or the
  129  judicial circuits and counties in which crimes affecting such
  130  circuits or counties are alleged to have been connected with an
  131  organized criminal conspiracy.
  132         Section 2. Section 16.71, Florida Statutes, is created to
  133  read:
  134         16.71Florida Gaming Control Commission.—
  135         (1)(a)There is created within the Department of Legal
  136  Affairs, Office of the Attorney General, a Florida Gaming
  137  Control Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission.
  138  The commission shall be a separate budget entity and the agency
  139  head for all purposes. The Florida Gaming Control Commission is
  140  a criminal justice agency as defined in s. 119.011.
  141         (b)The commission is not subject to control, supervision,
  142  or direction by the Department of Legal Affairs or the Attorney
  143  General in the performance of its duties, including, but not
  144  limited to, personnel, purchasing transactions involving real or
  145  personal property, and budgetary matters.
  146         (2)(a)The commission shall consist of five members
  147  appointed by the Governor, and subject to confirmation by the
  148  Senate, for terms of 4 years. Members of the commission must be
  149  appointed by January 1, 2022.
  150         1.For the purpose of providing staggered terms, of the
  151  initial appointments, 2 members shall be appointed to 4-year
  152  terms, 2 members shall be appointed to 3-year terms, and 1
  153  member shall be appointed to a 2-year term.
  154         2.Of the five members at least one member must have at
  155  least 10 years of experience in law enforcement and criminal
  156  investigations, at least one member must be a certified public
  157  accountant licensed in this state with at least 10 years of
  158  experience in accounting and auditing, and at least one member
  159  must be an attorney admitted and authorized to practice law in
  160  this state for the preceding 10 years.
  161         3.Of the five members, each appellate district shall have
  162  one member appointed from the district to the commission who is
  163  a resident of the district at the time of the original
  164  appointment.
  165         4.A person may not be appointed by the Governor to the
  166  commission until after a background investigation of the person
  167  is conducted by the Department of Law Enforcement and the
  168  investigation is forwarded to the Governor.
  169         5.A person who holds any office in a political party, who
  170  has been convicted of a felony, or who has been convicted of a
  171  misdemeanor related to gambling within the previous 10 years may
  172  not apply to the Governor for appointment.
  173         6.The Governor may not solicit or request any nominations,
  174  recommendations or communications about potential candidates for
  175  appointment to the commission from:
  176         a.Any person that holds a permit or license issued under
  177  chapter 550, or a license issued under chapter 551 or chapter
  178  849; an officer, official, or employee of such permitholder or
  179  licensee; or an ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s.
  180  550.002(37), of such permitholder or licensee;
  181         b.Any officer, official, employee, or other person with
  182  duties or responsibilities relating to a gaming operation owned
  183  by an Indian tribe that has a valid and active compact with the
  184  state; be a contractor or subcontractor of such tribe or an
  185  entity employed, licensed, or contracted by such tribe; or be an
  186  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  187  entity; or
  188         c.Any registered lobbyist for the executive or legislative
  189  branch that represents any person or entity identified in sub
  190  subparagraph a. and sub-subparagraph b.
  191         (b)1.The Governor may remove a member for cause,
  192  including, but not limited to, circumstances in which the member
  193  commits gross misconduct or malfeasance in office, substantially
  194  neglects or is unable to discharge their duties as a member, or
  195  is convicted of or found guilty of or has plead nolo contendere
  196  to, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction, a felony or
  197  misdemeanor that directly relates to gambling, dishonesty,
  198  theft, or fraud.
  199         2.The Governor may remove a member without cause subject
  200  to approval by a majority of the Senate. Upon the resignation or
  201  removal from office of a member, the Governor shall appoint a
  202  successor pursuant to paragraph (a) who, subject to confirmation
  203  by the Senate, shall serve the remainder of the unfinished term.
  204         (c)A commissioner shall serve until a successor is
  205  appointed, but commissioners may not serve more than 12 years.
  206  Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term.
  207  The salary of each commissioner is equal to that paid under
  208  state law to a commissioner on the Florida Public Service
  209  Commission. The commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair.
  210         (d)To aid the commission in its duties, the commission
  211  must appoint a person who is not a member of the commission to
  212  serve as the executive director of the commission. The executive
  213  director shall supervise, direct, coordinate, and administer all
  214  activities necessary to fulfill the commission’s
  215  responsibilities. The commission must appoint the executive
  216  director by July 1, 2022. The executive director, with the
  217  consent of the commission, shall employ such staff as are
  218  necessary to adequately perform the functions of the commission,
  219  within budgetary limitations. All employees, except the
  220  executive director and attorneys, are subject to part II of
  221  chapter 110. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure
  222  of the commission and be subject to part III of chapter 110.
  223  Attorneys employed by the commission shall be subject to part V
  224  of chapter 110. The executive director shall maintain
  225  headquarters in and reside in Leon County. The salary of the
  226  executive director is equal to that paid under state law to a
  227  commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission.
  228         (e)1.A person may not, for the 2 years immediately
  229  preceding the date of appointment to or employment with the
  230  commission and while appointed to or employed with the
  231  commission:
  232         a.Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a
  233  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
  234  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
  235  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  236  permitholder or licensee;
  237         b.Be an officer, official, employee, or other person with
  238  duties or responsibilities relating to a gaming operation owned
  239  by an Indian tribe that has a valid and active compact with the
  240  state; be a contractor or subcontractor of such tribe or an
  241  entity employed, licensed, or contracted by such tribe; or be an
  242  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  243  entity; or
  244         c.Be a registered lobbyist for the executive or
  245  legislative branch, except while a commissioner when officially
  246  representing the commission.
  247         2.A person is ineligible for appointment to or employment
  248  with the commission if, within the 2 years immediately preceding
  249  such appointment or employment, they violated subparagraph 1. or
  250  solicited or accepted employment with, acquired any direct or
  251  indirect interest in, or had any direct or indirect business
  252  association, partnership, or financial relationship with, or is
  253  a relative of, any person or entity who is an applicant,
  254  licensee, or registrant with the Division of Pari-mutuel
  255  Wagering or the commission.
  256  
  257  For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “relative” means a
  258  spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother,
  259  brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, father-in
  260  law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law,
  261  sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter,
  262  stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.
  263         (f)A commissioner may not, for the 2 years immediately
  264  following the date of resignation or termination from the
  265  commission:
  266         1.Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a
  267  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
  268  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
  269  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  270  permitholder or licensee;
  271         2.Appear before the commission representing any client or
  272  any industry regulated by the commission;
  273         3.Accept employment by or compensation from a business
  274  entity which, directly or indirectly, owns or controls a person
  275  regulated by the commission, from a person regulated by the
  276  commission, from a business entity which, directly or
  277  indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of a person regulated
  278  by the commission, or from a business entity or trade
  279  association that has been a party to a commission proceeding
  280  within the 2 years preceding the member’s resignation or
  281  termination of service on the commission; or
  282         4.Lobby the Governor or any agency of the state, members
  283  or employees of the Legislature, or any county or municipal
  284  government or governmental agency.
  285         (g)A person employed by the commission may not, for the 2
  286  years immediately following the date of termination or
  287  resignation from employment with the commission:
  288         1.Hold a permit or license issued under chapter 550, or a
  289  license issued under chapter 551 or chapter 849; be an officer,
  290  official, or employee of such permitholder or licensee; or be an
  291  ultimate equitable owner, as defined in s. 550.002(37), of such
  292  permitholder or licensee;
  293         2.Appear before the commission representing any client
  294  regulated by the commission on any matter which was pending at
  295  the time of termination or resignation and in which such former
  296  employee had participated; or
  297         3.Lobby the Governor or any agency of the state, members
  298  or employees of the Legislature, or any county or municipal
  299  government or governmental agency.
  300         (h)Any person violating paragraph (f) or paragraph (g)
  301  shall be subject to the penalties for violations of standards of
  302  conduct for public officers, employees of agencies, and local
  303  government attorneys provided in s. 112.317 and a civil penalty
  304  of an amount equal to the compensation which the person receives
  305  for the prohibited conduct.
  306         (i)A person is ineligible for appointment to the
  307  commission if he or she has:
  308         1.Been convicted of or found guilty of or pled nolo
  309  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction,
  310  a felony or misdemeanor that directly relates to gambling,
  311  dishonesty, theft, or fraud within the 10 years immediately
  312  preceding such appointment;
  313         2.Been convicted of or found guilty of or pled nolo
  314  contendere to, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction,
  315  a crime listed s. 775.21(4)(a)1. or s. 776.08; or
  316         3.Had a license or permit issued under chapter 550,
  317  chapter 551, or chapter 849 or a gaming license issued by any
  318  other jurisdiction denied, suspended, or revoked.
  319         (j)1.A person is ineligible for employment with the
  320  commission if he or she has been convicted of a felony within 5
  321  years of the date of application; convicted of a misdemeanor
  322  within 5 years of the date of application which the commission
  323  determines bears a close relationship to the duties and
  324  responsibilities of the position for which employment is sought;
  325  or dismissed from prior employment for gross misconduct or
  326  incompetence or intentionally making a false statement
  327  concerning a material fact in connection with the application
  328  for employment to the commission.
  329         2.If an employee of the commission is charged with a
  330  felony while employed by the commission, the commission shall
  331  suspend the employee, with or without pay, and terminate
  332  employment with the commission upon conviction. If an employee
  333  of the commission is charged with a misdemeanor while employed
  334  by the commission, the commission shall suspend the employee,
  335  with or without pay, and may terminate employment with the
  336  commission upon conviction if the commission determines that the
  337  offense bears a close relationship to the duties and
  338  responsibilities of the position held with the commission.
  339         (k)A commissioner or an employee of the commission must
  340  notify the commission within 3 calendar days of arrest for any
  341  offense.
  342         (l)A commissioner or an employee must immediately provide
  343  detailed written notice of the circumstances to the commission
  344  if the member or employee is indicted, charged with, convicted
  345  of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeits bail for:
  346         1.A misdemeanor involving gambling, dishonesty, theft, or
  347  fraud;
  348         2.A violation of any law in any state, or a law of the
  349  United States or any other jurisdiction, involving gambling,
  350  dishonesty, theft, or fraud which substantially corresponds to a
  351  misdemeanor in this state; or
  352         3.A felony under the laws of this or any other state, the
  353  United States, or any other jurisdiction.
  354         (m)1.All employees authorized by the commission shall have
  355  access to, and shall have the right to inspect, premises
  356  licensed by the Department of Business and Professional
  357  Regulation, to collect taxes and remit them to the officer
  358  entitled to them, and to examine the books and records of all
  359  persons subject to chapter 24, chapter 285, chapter 546, chapter
  360  550, chapter 551, or chapter 849. The authorized employees shall
  361  require of each such person strict compliance with the laws of
  362  this state relating to the license or permit of the licensee.
  363         2.Each employee serving as a law enforcement officer for
  364  the commission must meet the qualifications for employment or
  365  appointment as a law enforcement officer set forth under s.
  366  943.13 and must be certified as a law enforcement officer by the
  367  Department of Law Enforcement under chapter 943. Upon
  368  certification, each law enforcement officer is subject to and
  369  has the same authority as provided for law enforcement officers
  370  generally in chapter 901 and has statewide jurisdiction. Each
  371  officer also has arrest authority as provided for state law
  372  enforcement officers in s. 901.15. Each officer possesses the
  373  full law enforcement powers granted to other peace officers of
  374  this state, including the authority to make arrests, carry
  375  firearms, serve court process, and seize contraband and the
  376  proceeds of illegal activities.
  377         a.The primary responsibility of each officer appointed
  378  under this paragraph is to investigate, enforce, and prosecute,
  379  throughout the state, violations and violators of chapter 24,
  380  chapter 285, chapter 546, chapter 550, chapter 551, or chapter
  381  849, and the rules adopted thereunder, as well as other state
  382  laws that the commission or all state law enforcement officers
  383  are specifically authorized to enforce.
  384         b.The secondary responsibility of each officer appointed
  385  under this paragraph is to enforce all other state laws,
  386  provided that the enforcement is incidental to exercising the
  387  officer’s primary responsibility and the officer exercises the
  388  powers of a deputy sheriff, only after consultation or
  389  coordination with the appropriate local sheriff’s office or
  390  municipal police department or when the commission participates
  391  in the Florida Mutual Aid Plan during a declared state
  392  emergency.
  393         (3)(a)The commission and its law enforcement officers are
  394  specifically authorized to seize any contraband in accordance
  395  with the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. For purposes of this
  396  section, the term “contraband” has the same meaning as the term
  397  “contraband article” in s. 932.701(2)(a)2.
  398         (b)The commission is specifically authorized to store and
  399  test any contraband that is seized in accordance with the
  400  Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act and may authorize any of its
  401  staff to implement this provision.
  402         (c)The commission may adopt rules to implement this
  403  provision.
  404         (d)This subsection does not limit the authority of any
  405  other person authorized by law to seize contraband.
  406         (4)The commission shall convene at the call of its chair
  407  or at the request of a majority of the members of the
  408  commission. The presence of three members is required to
  409  constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of the majority of
  410  the members present is required for any action or recommendation
  411  by the commission. The commission may meet in any city or county
  412  of the state. The commission shall do all of the following:
  413         (a)Exercise all of the regulatory and executive powers of
  414  the state with respect to gambling, including, without
  415  limitation thereto, pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot
  416  machine facilities, oversight of gaming compacts executed by the
  417  state pursuant to the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and
  418  any other forms of gambling authorized by the State Constitution
  419  or law, excluding games authorized by s. 15, Art. X of the State
  420  Constitution.
  421         (b)Establish procedures consistent with chapter 120 to
  422  ensure adequate due process in the exercise of its regulatory
  423  and executive functions.
  424         (c)Ensure that the laws of this state are not interpreted
  425  in any manner that expands the activities authorized in chapter
  426  24, chapter 285, chapter 546, chapter 550, chapter 551, or
  427  chapter 849.
  428         (d)Review any matter within the scope of the jurisdiction
  429  of the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering.
  430         (e)Review the regulation of licensees, permitholders, or
  431  persons regulated by the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering and
  432  the procedures used by the division to implement and enforce the
  433  law.
  434         (f)Review the procedures of the Division of Pari-mutuel
  435  Wagering which are used to qualify applicants applying for a
  436  license, permit, or registration.
  437         (g)Refer criminal violations of chapter 24, chapter 285,
  438  chapter 546, chapter 550, chapter 551, or chapter 849 to the
  439  appropriate state attorney or to the Office of Statewide
  440  Prosecution, as applicable.
  441         (h)Exercise all other powers and perform any other duties
  442  prescribed by the Legislature.
  443         (i)The commission may adopt rules to implement this
  444  section.
  445  
  446  The commission may subpoena witnesses and compel their
  447  attendance and testimony, administer oaths and affirmations,
  448  take evidence, and require by subpoena the production of any
  449  books, papers, records, or other items relevant to the
  450  performance of the duties of the commission or to the exercise
  451  of its powers.
  452         (5)Hearings shall be held before the commission, except
  453  that the chair may direct that any hearing be held before one
  454  member of the commission or a panel of less than the full
  455  commission. The commission shall adopt rules to provide for the
  456  filing of a report when hearings are held by a single
  457  commissioner or a panel, which rules shall prescribe the time
  458  for filing the report and the contents of the report. The chair
  459  may schedule hearings to determine whether enforcement of the
  460  gaming laws of this state is sufficient to protect residents
  461  from abuse and misinterpretation of the law or create expansion
  462  of gaming or gambling in this state.
  463         (6)The commission may submit written recommendations to
  464  enhance the enforcement of gaming laws of the state to the
  465  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  466  House of Representatives.
  467         (7)The commission shall make an annual report to the
  468  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
  469  House of Representatives. The report shall, at a minimum,
  470  include all of the following:
  471         (a)Recent events in the gaming industry, including pending
  472  litigation, pending facility license applications, and new and
  473  pending rules.
  474         (b)Actions of the commission relative to the
  475  implementation and administration of this section.
  476         (c)The state revenues and expenses associated with each
  477  form of authorized gaming. Revenues and expenses associated with
  478  pari-mutuel wagering shall be further delineated by the class of
  479  license.
  480         (d)The performance of each pari-mutuel wagering licensee,
  481  cardroom licensee, and slot licensee.
  482         (e)A summary of disciplinary actions taken by the
  483  commission.
  484         (f) The receipts and disbursements of the commission.
  485         (g)A summary of actions taken and investigations conducted
  486  by the commission.
  487         (h)Any additional information and recommendations that the
  488  commission considers useful or that the Governor, the President
  489  of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  490  requests.
  491         (8)The commission’s exercise of executive powers in the
  492  area of planning, budgeting, personnel management, and
  493  purchasing shall be as provided by law.
  494         (9)The commission shall develop a budget request pursuant
  495  to chapter 216 annually. The budget is not subject to change by
  496  the Department of Legal Affairs or the Attorney General, but it
  497  shall be submitted by the Department of Legal Affairs to the
  498  Governor for transmittal to the Legislature.
  499         (10)The commission is authorized to contract or consult
  500  with appropriate agencies of state government for such
  501  professional assistance as may be needed in the discharge of its
  502  duties.
  503         (11)All rules adopted pursuant to chapters 24, 285, 546,
  504  550, 551, and 849 prior to the effective date of this act are
  505  preserved and remain in full force and effect.
  506         (12)The commission shall exercise all of its regulatory
  507  and executive powers and shall apply, construe, and interpret
  508  all laws and administrative rules in a manner consistent with
  509  the gaming compact ratified, approved, and described in s.
  510  285.710(3).
  511         (13)The commission shall confirm, prior to the issuance of
  512  an operating license, annually that each permitholder has
  513  submitted proof with their annual application for a license, in
  514  such a form as the commission may require; that the permitholder
  515  continues to possess the qualifications prescribed by chapter
  516  550; and that the permit has not been disapproved by voters in
  517  an election.
  518         Section 3. Section 16.712, Florida Statutes, is created to
  519  read:
  520         16.712Florida Gaming Control Commission background
  521  screening provisions.—
  522         (1)Prior to serving as a commissioner on the Florida
  523  Gaming Control Commission or becoming an employee of the
  524  commission, a person must have his or her fingerprints taken by
  525  a vendor approved by the Department of Law Enforcement. The set
  526  of fingerprints must be electronically sent to the Department of
  527  Law Enforcement for state processing, and the Department of Law
  528  Enforcement must forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau
  529  of Investigation for national processing. Persons who are
  530  foreign nationals must submit such documents as necessary to
  531  allow the commission to conduct criminal history records checks
  532  in the person’s home country.
  533         (2)All fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law
  534  Enforcement as required under subsection (1) must be retained by
  535  the Department of Law Enforcement as provided under s.
  536  943.05(2)(g) and (h) and (3) and enrolled in the national
  537  retained print arrest notification program at the Federal Bureau
  538  of Investigation when the Department of Law Enforcement begins
  539  participation in the program. The commission must notify the
  540  Department of Law Enforcement when any person whose fingerprints
  541  have been retained is no longer a commissioner or employee of
  542  the commission.
  543         (3)The costs of fingerprint processing, including the cost
  544  for retaining fingerprints, shall be borne by the commission.
  545         Section 4. Section 16.715, Florida Statutes, is created to
  546  read:
  547         16.715Florida Gaming Control Commission standards of
  548  conduct; ex parte communications.—
  549         (1)STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.—
  550         (a)In addition to the provisions of part III of chapter
  551  112, which are applicable to commissioners on and employees with
  552  the Florida Gaming Control Commission by virtue of their being
  553  public officers and public employees, the conduct of
  554  commissioners and employees shall be governed by the standards
  555  of conduct provided in this subsection. Nothing shall prohibit
  556  the standards of conduct from being more restrictive than part
  557  III of chapter 112. Further, this subsection may not be
  558  construed to contravene the restrictions of part III of chapter
  559  112. In the event of a conflict between this subsection and part
  560  III of chapter 112, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
  561         (b)1.A commissioner or employee of the commission may not
  562  accept anything from any business entity which, either directly
  563  or indirectly, owns or controls any person regulated by the
  564  commission or from any business entity which, either directly or
  565  indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of any person
  566  regulated by the commission.
  567         2.A commissioner or an employee may attend conferences,
  568  along with associated meals and events that are generally
  569  available to all conference participants without payment of any
  570  fees in addition to the conference fee. Additionally, while
  571  attending a conference, a commissioner or an employee may attend
  572  meetings, meals, or events that are not sponsored, in whole or
  573  in part, by any representative of any person regulated by the
  574  commission and that are limited to commissioners or employees
  575  only, committee members, or speakers if the commissioner or
  576  employee is a member of a committee of the association of
  577  regulatory agencies that organized the conference or is a
  578  speaker at the conference. It is not a violation of this
  579  subparagraph for a commissioner or an employee to attend a
  580  conference for which conference participants who are employed by
  581  a person regulated by the commission have paid a higher
  582  conference registration fee than the commissioner or employee,
  583  or to attend a meal or event that is generally available to all
  584  conference participants without payment of any fees in addition
  585  to the conference fee and that is sponsored, in whole or in
  586  part, by a person regulated by the commission.
  587         3.If, during the course of an investigation by the
  588  Commission on Ethics into an alleged violation of this
  589  subparagraph, allegations are made as to the identity of the
  590  person giving or providing the prohibited gift, that person must
  591  be given notice and an opportunity to participate in the
  592  investigation and relevant proceedings to present a defense.
  593         4.If the Commission on Ethics determines that the person
  594  gave or provided a prohibited gift, the person may not appear
  595  before the commission or otherwise represent anyone before the
  596  commission for a period of 2 years.
  597         5.While employed, and for 2 years after service as a
  598  commissioner or for 2 years after employment with the
  599  commission, a commissioner or an employee may not accept any
  600  form of employment with or engage in any business activity with
  601  any business entity which, either directly or indirectly, owns
  602  or controls any person regulated by the commission; any person
  603  regulated by the commission; or any business entity which,
  604  either directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or subsidiary of
  605  any person regulated by the commission.
  606         6.While employed, and for 2 years after service as a
  607  commissioner or for 2 years after employment with the
  608  commission, a commissioner, an employee, or a relative living in
  609  the same household as a commissioner or an employee may not have
  610  any financial interest, other than shares in a mutual fund, in
  611  any person regulated by the commission; in any business entity
  612  which, either directly or indirectly, owns or controls any
  613  person regulated by the commission; or in any business entity
  614  which, either directly or indirectly, is an affiliate or a
  615  subsidiary of any person regulated by the commission. If a
  616  commissioner, an employee, or a relative living in the same
  617  household as a commissioner or an employee acquires any
  618  financial interest prohibited by this subsection during the
  619  commissioner’s term of office or the employee’s employment with
  620  the commission as a result of events or actions beyond the
  621  commissioner’s, the employee’s, or the relative’s control, they
  622  shall immediately sell such financial interest. For the purposes
  623  of this subsection, the term “relative” has the same meaning as
  624  provided in s. 16.71(2)(e).
  625         7.A commissioner or an employee may not accept anything
  626  from a party in a proceeding currently pending before the
  627  commission. If, during the course of an investigation by the
  628  Commission on Ethics into an alleged violation of this
  629  subparagraph, allegations are made as to the identity of the
  630  person giving or providing the prohibited gift, that person must
  631  be given notice and an opportunity to participate in the
  632  investigation and relevant proceedings to present a defense. If
  633  the Commission on Ethics determines that the person gave or
  634  provided a prohibited gift, the person may not appear before the
  635  commission or otherwise represent anyone before the commission
  636  for a period of 2 years.
  637         8.A commissioner may not serve as the representative of
  638  any political party or on any executive committee or other
  639  governing body of a political party; serve as an executive
  640  officer or employee of any political party, committee,
  641  organization, or association; receive remuneration for
  642  activities on behalf of any candidate for public office; engage
  643  on behalf of any candidate for public office in the solicitation
  644  of votes or other activities on behalf of such candidacy; or
  645  become a candidate for election to any public office without
  646  first resigning from office.
  647         9.A commissioner, during his or her term of office, may
  648  not make any public comment regarding the merits of any
  649  proceeding under ss. 120.569 and 120.57 currently pending before
  650  the commission.
  651         10.A commissioner or an employee may not act in an
  652  unprofessional manner at any time during the performance of
  653  official duties.
  654         11.A commissioner or an employee must avoid impropriety in
  655  all activities and must act at all times in a manner that
  656  promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of
  657  the commission.
  658         12.A commissioner or an employee may not directly or
  659  indirectly, through staff or other means, solicit anything of
  660  value from any person regulated by the commission, or from any
  661  business entity that, whether directly or indirectly, is an
  662  affiliate or subsidiary of any person regulated by the
  663  commission, or from any party appearing in a proceeding
  664  considered by the commission in the last 2 years.
  665         13.A commissioner or an employee may not personally
  666  represent another person or entity for compensation before the
  667  commission for a period of 2 years following the commissioner’s
  668  end of service or a period of 2 years following employment
  669  unless employed by another agency of state government.
  670         14.A commissioner may not lobby the Governor or any agency
  671  of the state, members or employees of the Legislature, or any
  672  county or municipal government or governmental agency except to
  673  represent the commission and department in an official capacity.
  674         (c)A commissioner or an employee of the commission must
  675  annually complete at least 4 hours of ethics training that
  676  addresses, at a minimum, s. 8, Art. II of the State
  677  Constitution, the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and
  678  Employees, and the public records and public meetings laws of
  679  this state. This requirement may be satisfied by completion of a
  680  continuing legal education class or other continuing
  681  professional education class, seminar, or presentation, if the
  682  required subjects are covered.
  683         (d)The Commission on Ethics shall accept and investigate
  684  any alleged violations of this subsection pursuant to the
  685  procedures contained in ss. 112.322-112.3241. The Commission on
  686  Ethics shall provide the Governor, the President of the Senate,
  687  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives with a report of
  688  its findings and recommendations. The Governor is authorized to
  689  enforce the findings and recommendations of the Commission on
  690  Ethics, pursuant to part III of chapter 112. A commissioner or
  691  an employee of the commission may request an advisory opinion
  692  from the Commission on Ethics, pursuant to s. 112.322(3)(a),
  693  regarding the standards of conduct or prohibitions set forth in
  694  this section or s. 16.71.
  695         (e)A commissioner, an employee of the commission, or a
  696  relative living in the same household as a commissioner or an
  697  employee may not place a wager in any facility licensed by the
  698  commission or any facility in the state operated by an Indian
  699  tribe that has a valid and active compact with the state.
  700         (2)EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.—
  701         (a)As used in this section, the term “ex parte
  702  communication” means any communication that:
  703         1.If it is a written or printed communication or is a
  704  communication in electronic form, is not served on all parties
  705  to a proceeding; or
  706         2.If it is an oral communication, is made without adequate
  707  notice to the parties and without an opportunity for the parties
  708  to be present and heard.
  709         (b)A commissioner may not initiate or consider ex parte
  710  communications concerning the merits, threat, or offer of reward
  711  in any proceeding that is currently pending before the
  712  commission or that he or she knows or reasonably expects will be
  713  filed with the commission within 180 days after the date of any
  714  such communication. An individual may not discuss ex parte with
  715  a commissioner the merits of any issue that he or she knows will
  716  be filed with the commission within 180 days. This paragraph
  717  does not apply to commission staff.
  718         (c)If a commissioner knowingly receives an ex parte
  719  communication relative to a proceeding other than as set forth
  720  in paragraph (a), to which the commissioner is assigned, the
  721  commissioner must place on the record of the proceeding copies
  722  of all written communications received, all written responses to
  723  the communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of
  724  all oral communications received and all oral responses made,
  725  and shall give written notice to all parties to the
  726  communication that such matters have been placed on the record.
  727  Any party who desires to respond to an ex parte communication
  728  may do so. The response must be received by the commission
  729  within 10 days after receiving notice that the ex parte
  730  communication has been placed on the record. The commissioner
  731  may, if deemed by such commissioner to be necessary to eliminate
  732  the effect of an ex parte communication, withdraw from the
  733  proceeding, in which case the chair shall substitute another
  734  commissioner for the proceeding.
  735         (d)Any individual who makes an ex parte communication
  736  shall submit to the commission a written statement describing
  737  the nature of such communication, to include the name of the
  738  person making the communication, the name of the commissioner or
  739  commissioners receiving the communication, copies of all written
  740  communications made, all written responses to such
  741  communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of all
  742  oral communications received and all oral responses made. The
  743  commission shall place on the record of a proceeding all such
  744  communications.
  745         (e)Any commissioner who knowingly fails to place on the
  746  record any such communications, in violation of this subsection,
  747  within 15 days of the date of such communication is subject to
  748  removal and may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed
  749  $5,000.
  750         (f)1.It shall be the duty of the Commission on Ethics to
  751  receive and investigate sworn complaints of violations of this
  752  subsection pursuant to the procedures contained in ss. 112.322
  753  112.3241.
  754         2.If the Commission on Ethics finds that there has been a
  755  violation of this subsection by a commissioner, it shall provide
  756  the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
  757  the House of Representatives with a report of its findings and
  758  recommendations. The Governor is authorized to enforce the
  759  findings and recommendations of the Commission on Ethics,
  760  pursuant to part III of chapter 112 and to remove from office a
  761  commissioner who is found by the Commission on Ethics to have
  762  willfully and knowingly violated this subsection. The Governor
  763  shall remove from office a commissioner who is found by the
  764  Commission on Ethics to have willfully and knowingly violated
  765  this subsection after a previous finding by the Commission on
  766  Ethics that the commissioner willfully and knowingly violated
  767  this subsection in a separate matter.
  768         3.If a commissioner fails or refuses to pay the Commission
  769  on Ethics any civil penalties assessed pursuant to this
  770  subsection, the Commission on Ethics may bring an action in any
  771  circuit court to enforce such penalty.
  772         4.If, during the course of an investigation by the
  773  Commission on Ethics into an alleged violation of this
  774  subsection, allegations are made as to the identity of the
  775  person who participated in the ex parte communication, that
  776  person must be given notice and an opportunity to participate in
  777  the investigation and relevant proceedings to present a defense.
  778  If the Commission on Ethics determines that the person
  779  participated in the ex parte communication, the person may not
  780  appear before the commission or otherwise represent anyone
  781  before the commission for a period of 2 years.
  782         Section 5. Effective July 1, 2022, paragraph (f) of
  783  subsection (1) and subsection (7) of section 285.710, Florida
  784  Statutes, are amended to read:
  785         285.710 Compact authorization.—
  786         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  787         (f) “State compliance agency” means the Florida Gaming
  788  Control Commission Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering of the
  789  Department of Business and Professional Regulation which is
  790  designated as the state agency having the authority to carry out
  791  the state’s oversight responsibilities under the compact.
  792         (7) The Florida Gaming Control Commission The Division of
  793  Pari-mutuel Wagering of the Department of Business and
  794  Professional Regulation is designated as the state compliance
  795  agency having the authority to carry out the state’s oversight
  796  responsibilities under the compact authorized by this section.
  797         Section 6. (1)Effective July 1, 2022, all powers, duties,
  798  functions, records, offices, personnel, associated
  799  administrative support positions, property, pending issues,
  800  existing contracts, administrative authority, administrative
  801  rules, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations,
  802  and other funds in the Department of Business and Professional
  803  Regulation related to the oversight responsibilities by the
  804  state compliance agency for authorized gaming compacts under s.
  805  285.710, Florida Statutes, the regulation of pari-mutuel
  806  wagering under chapter 550, Florida Statutes, the regulation of
  807  slot machines and slot machine gaming under chapter 551, Florida
  808  Statutes, and the regulation of cardrooms under s. 849.086,
  809  Florida Statutes, are transferred by a type two transfer, as
  810  defined in s. 20.06(2), Florida Statutes, to the Florida Gaming
  811  Control Commission within the Department of Legal Affairs,
  812  Office of the Attorney General.
  813         (2) Notwithstanding chapter 60L-34, Florida Administrative
  814  Code, or any law to the contrary, employees who are transferred
  815  from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to
  816  the Florida Gaming Control Commission within the Department of
  817  Legal Affairs, Office of the Attorney General to fill positions
  818  transferred by this act, retain and transfer any accrued annual
  819  leave, sick leave, and regular and special compensatory leave
  820  balances.
  821         (3) The Department of Legal Affairs shall provide
  822  administrative support to the Florida Gaming Control Commission
  823  until the transfer in subsection (1) is complete.
  824         Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  825  932.701, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  826         932.701 Short title; definitions.—
  827         (2) As used in the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act:
  828         (a) “Contraband article” means:
  829         1. Any controlled substance as defined in chapter 893 or
  830  any substance, device, paraphernalia, or currency or other means
  831  of exchange that was used, was attempted to be used, or was
  832  intended to be used in violation of any provision of chapter
  833  893, if the totality of the facts presented by the state is
  834  clearly sufficient to meet the state’s burden of establishing
  835  probable cause to believe that a nexus exists between the
  836  article seized and the narcotics activity, whether or not the
  837  use of the contraband article can be traced to a specific
  838  narcotics transaction.
  839         2. Any equipment, gambling device, apparatus, material of
  840  gaming, proceeds, substituted proceeds, real or personal
  841  property, Internet domain name, gambling paraphernalia, lottery
  842  tickets, money, currency, or other means of exchange which was
  843  obtained, received, used, was attempted to be used, or intended
  844  to be used in violation of the gambling laws of the state,
  845  including any violation of chapter 24, chapter 285, chapter 546,
  846  chapter 550, chapter 551, or chapter 849.
  847         3. Any equipment, liquid or solid, which was being used, is
  848  being used, was attempted to be used, or intended to be used in
  849  violation of the beverage or tobacco laws of the state.
  850         4. Any motor fuel upon which the motor fuel tax has not
  851  been paid as required by law.
  852         5. Any personal property, including, but not limited to,
  853  any vessel, aircraft, item, object, tool, substance, device,
  854  weapon, machine, vehicle of any kind, money, securities, books,
  855  records, research, negotiable instruments, or currency, which
  856  was used or was attempted to be used as an instrumentality in
  857  the commission of, or in aiding or abetting in the commission
  858  of, any felony, whether or not comprising an element of the
  859  felony, or which is acquired by proceeds obtained as a result of
  860  a violation of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
  861         6. Any real property, including any right, title,
  862  leasehold, or other interest in the whole of any lot or tract of
  863  land, which was used, is being used, or was attempted to be used
  864  as an instrumentality in the commission of, or in aiding or
  865  abetting in the commission of, any felony, or which is acquired
  866  by proceeds obtained as a result of a violation of the Florida
  867  Contraband Forfeiture Act.
  868         7. Any personal property, including, but not limited to,
  869  equipment, money, securities, books, records, research,
  870  negotiable instruments, currency, or any vessel, aircraft, item,
  871  object, tool, substance, device, weapon, machine, or vehicle of
  872  any kind in the possession of or belonging to any person who
  873  takes aquaculture products in violation of s. 812.014(2)(c).
  874         8. Any motor vehicle offered for sale in violation of s.
  875  320.28.
  876         9. Any motor vehicle used during the course of committing
  877  an offense in violation of s. 322.34(9)(a).
  878         10. Any photograph, film, or other recorded image,
  879  including an image recorded on videotape, a compact disc,
  880  digital tape, or fixed disk, that is recorded in violation of s.
  881  810.145 and is possessed for the purpose of amusement,
  882  entertainment, sexual arousal, gratification, or profit, or for
  883  the purpose of degrading or abusing another person.
  884         11. Any real property, including any right, title,
  885  leasehold, or other interest in the whole of any lot or tract of
  886  land, which is acquired by proceeds obtained as a result of
  887  Medicaid fraud under s. 409.920 or s. 409.9201; any personal
  888  property, including, but not limited to, equipment, money,
  889  securities, books, records, research, negotiable instruments, or
  890  currency; or any vessel, aircraft, item, object, tool,
  891  substance, device, weapon, machine, or vehicle of any kind in
  892  the possession of or belonging to any person which is acquired
  893  by proceeds obtained as a result of Medicaid fraud under s.
  894  409.920 or s. 409.9201.
  895         12. Any personal property, including, but not limited to,
  896  any vehicle, item, object, tool, device, weapon, machine, money,
  897  security, book, or record, that is used or attempted to be used
  898  as an instrumentality in the commission of, or in aiding and
  899  abetting in the commission of, a person’s third or subsequent
  900  violation of s. 509.144, whether or not comprising an element of
  901  the offense.
  902         Section 8. The Division of Law Revision shall prepare a
  903  reviser’s bill to conform the Florida Statutes to the transfer
  904  described in section 6 of this act.
  905         Section 9. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
  906  act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2021.