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CS/HB 411 — Public Records and Public Meetings/Firesafety Systems
by Government Accountability Committee and Rep. Clemons and others (SB 738 by Senator Perry)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Banking and Insurance Committee (BI)
The bill makes confidential and exempt from public records requirements in s. 119.07(1), F.S., and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution firesafety system plans for any state owned or leased buildings and any privately owned or leased property, and information relating to such systems, that are held by a state agency. The bill also makes confidential and exempt from public meeting requirements any portion of a meeting that would reveal a firesafety system plan that is exempt from public records requirements.
The bill specifies that the public record exemptions must be given retroactive application because they are remedial in nature. Thus, records of firesafety system plans and records relating to firesafety systems in existence prior to the effective date of the bill will be protected by the exemptions.
The bill provides a public necessity statement as required by the State Constitution, specifying that as firesafety systems become more integrated with security systems, disclosure of sensitive information relating to the firesafety systems could result in identification of vulnerabilities in the systems and allow a security breach that could damage the systems and disrupt their safe and reliable operation.
The bill provides for repeal of the exemption on October 2, 2023, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 111-0