CS/HB 1305 — Public Records/Officers-Elect
by Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and Rep. Adkins (CS/CS/SB 1464 by Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations; Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; and Senator Gaetz)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
This bill clarifies the application of public records and public meetings requirements to officers-elect.
The bill:
- Provides that it is the policy of the state for officers-elect to apply the public records requirements contained in ch. 119, F.S., upon their election to public office.
- Requires officers-elect to adopt and implement reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the public records requirements in ch. 119, F.S.
- Provides that if an officer-elect uses an online or electronic communication or recordkeeping system, all public records maintained on such system must be preserved to not impair the ability of the public to inspect or copy such records.
- Requiring the officer-elect to deliver transition records to the custodian of records in their respective office upon taking the oath of office.
- Defining “officer-elect” as used in this section to mean the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
The bill also provides that meetings with or attended by any person elected to any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision are subject to the public meetings requirements contained in ch. 286, F.S.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2012.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 115-0