Senate Bill 0368

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    Florida Senate - 2000                                   SB 368

    By the Committee on Ethics and Elections; and Senators
    Saunders, Rossin, Hargrett, Sebesta and Kirkpatrick




    313-109C-00

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to ethics; amending s. 112.312,

  3         F.S.; redefining the term "gift"; amending s.

  4         112.313, F.S.; extending the prohibition

  5         against the use of certain confidential public

  6         information to former officers, employees, and

  7         local government attorneys; amending s.

  8         112.3144, F.S.; transferring filing

  9         administration from the Secretary of State to

10         the Commission on Ethics; modifying the filing

11         location for officers from the Secretary of

12         State to the commission; establishing an

13         automatic fine system for delinquent filers and

14         nonfilers; requiring former officers and

15         employees to file a final disclosure of

16         financial interests no later than 60 days

17         following departure, with certain exceptions;

18         requiring the Commission on Ethics to adopt

19         rules and forms relating to filing amended full

20         and public disclosure of financial interests;

21         amending s. 112.3145, F.S.; redefining the term

22         "local officer"; revising the reporting

23         requirements for limited statutory disclosure

24         of financial interests; transferring filing

25         administration from the Secretary of State to

26         the Commission on Ethics; modifying the filing

27         location for state officers and specified state

28         employees from the Secretary of State to the

29         commission; modifying certification

30         requirements of supervisors of elections with

31         regard to delinquent filers and nonfilers;

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  1         establishing an automatic fine system for

  2         delinquent filers and nonfilers; requiring

  3         former officers and employees to file a final

  4         statement of financial interests within 60 days

  5         after leaving office or employment, with

  6         certain exceptions; modifying reporting dates

  7         for filing quarterly reports of the names of

  8         clients represented before certain agencies for

  9         a fee; requiring the Commission on Ethics to

10         adopt rules and forms relating to amended

11         financial disclosure filings; amending s.

12         112.3148, F.S.; redefining the term "reporting

13         individual"; establishing a reimbursement

14         deadline with regard to the valuation of gifts

15         received by reporting individuals; clarifying

16         that the gifts law applies to candidates;

17         extending the gifts law to include

18         nonincumbents elected to office for the period

19         immediately following election but before

20         officially taking office; transferring the

21         filing administration for gift disclosure from

22         the Secretary of State to the Commission on

23         Ethics; amending s. 112.3149, F.S.;

24         transferring filing administration for

25         honoraria disclosure from the Department of

26         State to the Commission on Ethics; repealing s.

27         112.3151, F.S., which authorizes the Commission

28         on Ethics to grant extensions of time for

29         filing certain disclosure statements; amending

30         s. 112.317, F.S.; authorizing the Commission on

31         Ethics to recommend how restitution may be

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  1         paid; entitling the Attorney General to

  2         reimbursement of fees and costs associated with

  3         collecting civil and restitution penalties

  4         imposed for ethics violations; removing a

  5         criminal penalty related to the disclosure of

  6         confidential information brought before the

  7         commission; amending s. 112.324, F.S.;

  8         clarifying that the proper sanction authority

  9         in the case of a current state legislator who

10         commits an act in violation of the Ethics Code

11         prior to joining the Legislature is vested in

12         the house in which the legislator serves;

13         amending s. 914.21, F.S.; redefining the terms

14         "official proceeding" and "official

15         investigation"; extending the witness-tampering

16         laws to include Commission on Ethics

17         investigations and proceedings; repealing s.

18         112.322(9), F.S., which requires the Commission

19         on Ethics to report certain delinquent

20         financial disclosure filers to the Department

21         of Community Affairs; amending s. 440.442,

22         F.S.; transferring the filing location for

23         public financial reporting by judges of

24         compensation claims from the Secretary of State

25         to the Commission on Ethics; clarifying that

26         the Code of Judicial Conduct governs the

27         reporting of gifts for judges of compensation

28         claims; repealing ss. 839.08, 839.09, 839.091,

29         and 839.10, F.S., which provide criminal

30         penalties for offenses by public officers and

31         employees relating to the purchase of supplies

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  1         or materials and the bidding for public work;

  2         creating s. 112.3232, F.S.; authorizing the

  3         Commission on Ethics to seek immunity for

  4         certain witnesses; appropriating funds to the

  5         Commission on Ethics; providing an effective

  6         date.

  7

  8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  9

10         Section 1.  Subsection (12) of section 112.312, Florida

11  Statutes, is amended to read:

12         112.312  Definitions.--As used in this part and for

13  purposes of the provisions of s. 8, Art. II of the State

14  Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:

15         (12)(a)  "Gift," for purposes of ethics in government

16  and financial disclosure required by law, means that which is

17  accepted by a donee or by another on the donee's behalf, or

18  that which is paid or given to another for or on behalf of a

19  donee, directly, indirectly, or in trust for the donee's

20  benefit or by any other means, for which equal or greater

21  consideration is not given within 90 days, including:

22         1.  Real property.

23         2.  The use of real property.

24         3.  Tangible or intangible personal property.

25         4.  The use of tangible or intangible personal

26  property.

27         5.  A preferential rate or terms on a debt, loan,

28  goods, or services, which rate is below the customary rate and

29  is not either a government rate available to all other

30  similarly situated government employees or officials or a rate

31  which is available to similarly situated members of the public

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  1  by virtue of occupation, affiliation, age, religion, sex, or

  2  national origin.

  3         6.  Forgiveness of an indebtedness.

  4         7.  Transportation, other than that provided to a

  5  public officer or employee by an agency in relation to

  6  officially approved governmental business, lodging, or

  7  parking.

  8         8.  Food or beverage.

  9         9.  Membership dues.

10         10.  Entrance fees, admission fees, or tickets to

11  events, performances, or facilities.

12         11.  Plants, flowers, or floral arrangements.

13         12.  Services provided by persons pursuant to a

14  professional license or certificate.

15         13.  Other personal services for which a fee is

16  normally charged by the person providing the services.

17         14.  Any other similar service or thing having an

18  attributable value not already provided for in this section.

19         (b)  "Gift" does not include:

20         1.  Salary, benefits, services, fees, commissions,

21  gifts, or expenses associated primarily with the donee's

22  employment, business, or service as an officer or director of

23  a corporation or organization.

24         2.  Contributions or expenditures reported pursuant to

25  chapter 106, campaign-related personal services provided

26  without compensation by individuals volunteering their time,

27  or any other contribution or expenditure by a political party.

28         3.  An honorarium or an expense related to an

29  honorarium event paid to a person or the person's spouse.

30

31

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  1         4.  An award, plaque, certificate, or similar

  2  personalized item given in recognition of the donee's public,

  3  civic, charitable, or professional service.

  4         5.  An honorary membership in a service or fraternal

  5  organization presented merely as a courtesy by such

  6  organization.

  7         6.  The use of a public facility or public property,

  8  made available by a governmental agency, for a public purpose.

  9         7.  Transportation provided to a public officer or

10  employee by an agency in relation to officially approved

11  governmental business.

12         8.  Gifts provided directly or indirectly by a state,

13  regional, or national organization which promotes the exchange

14  of ideas between, or the professional development of,

15  governmental officials or employees, and whose membership is

16  primarily composed of elected or appointed public officials or

17  staff, to members of that organization or officials or staff

18  of a governmental agency that is a member of that

19  organization.

20         (c)  For the purposes of paragraph (a), "intangible

21  personal property" means property as defined in s.

22  192.001(11)(b).

23         (d)  For the purposes of paragraph (a), the term

24  "consideration" does not include a promise to pay or otherwise

25  provide something of value unless the promise is in writing

26  and enforceable through the courts.

27         Section 2.  Subsection (8) of section 112.313, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended to read:

29         112.313  Standards of conduct for public officers,

30  employees of agencies, and local government attorneys.--

31

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  1         (8)  DISCLOSURE OR USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.--A

  2  current or former No public officer, employee of an agency, or

  3  local government attorney may not shall disclose or use

  4  information unavailable not available to members of the

  5  general public and gained by reason of his or her official

  6  position, except for information relating exclusively to

  7  governmental practices or procedures, for his or her personal

  8  gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any

  9  other person or business entity.

10         Section 3.  Section 112.3144, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         112.3144  Full and public disclosure of financial

13  interests.--

14         (1)  Each public officer or employee who is required,

15  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution, to file a

16  full and public disclosure of financial interests for any

17  calendar or fiscal year shall file the disclosure with the

18  Florida Commission on Ethics.

19         (2)(1)  A No person who is required, pursuant to s. 8,

20  Art. II of the State Constitution, to file a full and public

21  disclosure of financial interests and who has filed a full and

22  public disclosure of financial interests for any calendar or

23  fiscal year shall not be required to file a statement of

24  financial interests pursuant to s. 112.3145(2) and (3) for the

25  same year or for any part thereof notwithstanding any

26  requirement of this part, except that a candidate for office

27  shall file a copy of his or her disclosure with the officer

28  before whom he or she qualifies.

29         (3)(2)  For purposes of full and public disclosure

30  under s. 8(a), Art. II of the State Constitution, the

31  following items, if not held for investment purposes and if

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  1  valued at over $1,000 in the aggregate, may be reported in a

  2  lump sum and identified as "household goods and personal

  3  effects":

  4         (a)  Jewelry;

  5         (b)  Collections of stamps, guns, and numismatic

  6  properties;

  7         (c)  Art objects;

  8         (d)  Household equipment and furnishings;

  9         (e)  Clothing;

10         (f)  Other household items; and

11         (g)  Vehicles for personal use.

12         (4)(3)  Forms for compliance with the full and public

13  disclosure requirements of s. 8, Art. II of the State

14  Constitution, and a current list of persons required to file

15  full and public disclosure by s. 8, Art. II of the State

16  Constitution, or other state law, shall be created provided by

17  the Commission on Ethics. The commission to the Secretary of

18  State, who shall give notice of disclosure deadlines and

19  delinquencies and distribute forms in the following manner:

20         (a)  Not later than May 1 of each year, the commission

21  on Ethics shall prepare a current list of the names and

22  addresses of and the offices held by every person required to

23  file full and public disclosure annually by s. 8, Art. II of

24  the State Constitution, or other state law, and shall provide

25  the Secretary of State with the mailing list. In compiling the

26  list, the commission shall be assisted by each unit of

27  government in providing at the request of the commission the

28  name, address, and name of the office held by each public

29  official within the respective unit of government.

30         (b)  Not later than 30 days before July 1 of each year,

31  the commission Secretary of State shall mail a copy of the

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  1  form prescribed for compliance with full and public disclosure

  2  and a notice of the filing deadline to each person on the

  3  mailing list.

  4         (c)  Not later than 30 days after July 1 of each year,

  5  the commission Secretary of State shall determine which

  6  persons on the mailing list have failed to file full and

  7  public disclosure and shall send delinquency notices by

  8  certified mail to such persons. Each notice must shall state

  9  that a grace period is in effect until September 1 of the

10  current year and that, if the statement is not filed by

11  September 1 of the current year, a $25 fine for each day late

12  will be imposed, up to a maximum penalty of $1,500; and that,

13  if upon the filing of a sworn complaint the commission finds

14  that the person has failed to timely file the statement within

15  60 days after September 1 of the current year, such person

16  will also be subject to the penalties provided in s. 112.317

17  the Secretary of State is required by law to notify the

18  Commission on Ethics of the delinquency.

19         (d)  Statements must be filed not later than 5 p.m. of

20  the due date. However, any statement that is postmarked by the

21  United States Postal Service by midnight of the due date is

22  deemed to have been filed in a timely manner, and a

23  certificate of mailing obtained from and dated by the United

24  States Postal Service at the time of the mailing, or a receipt

25  from an established courier company which bears a date on or

26  before the due date, constitutes proof of mailing in a timely

27  manner.

28         (d)  Not later than 30 days following September 1 of

29  each year, the Secretary of State shall certify to the

30  Commission on Ethics a list of the names and addresses of and

31  the offices held by all persons on the mailing list who have

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  1  failed to timely file full and public disclosure.  The

  2  certification shall be on a form prescribed by the commission

  3  and shall indicate whether the Secretary of State has provided

  4  the disclosure forms and notice as required by this section to

  5  all persons named on the delinquency list.

  6         (e)  Any person who is required to file full and public

  7  disclosure of financial interests and whose name is on the

  8  commission's mailing list but who fails to timely file is

  9  assessed a fine of $25 per day for each day late up to a

10  maximum of $1,500; however this $1,500 limitation on automatic

11  fines does not limit the civil penalty that may be imposed if

12  the statement is filed more than 60 days after the deadline

13  and a complaint is filed, as provided in s. 112.324. The

14  commission shall provide by rule a procedure by which each

15  person whose name is on the mailing list and who is determined

16  to have not filed in a timely manner will be notified of

17  assessed fines. The rule must provide for the following:

18         1.  The amount of the fine due is based upon the

19  earliest of the following:

20         a.  When a statement is actually received by the

21  office.

22         b.  When the statement is postmarked.

23         c.  When the certificate of mailing is dated.

24         d.  When the receipt from an established courier

25  company is dated.

26         2.  Upon receipt of the disclosure statement or upon

27  accrual of the maximum penalty, whichever occurs first, the

28  commission shall determine the amount of the fine which is due

29  and shall notify the delinquent person. The notice must

30  include an explanation of the appeal procedure under

31  subparagraph 3. Such fine must be paid within 30 days after

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  1  the notice of payment due is transmitted, unless appeal is

  2  made to the commission pursuant to subparagraph 3. The moneys

  3  shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

  4         3.  Any reporting person may appeal or dispute a fine,

  5  based upon unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to

  6  file on the designated due date, and may request and is

  7  entitled to a hearing before the commission, which may waive

  8  the fine in whole or in part for good cause shown. Any such

  9  request must be made within 30 days after the notice of

10  payment due is transmitted. In such a case, the reporting

11  person must, within the 30-day period, notify the person

12  designated to review the timeliness of reports in writing of

13  his or her intention to bring the matter before the

14  commission.

15         (f)(e)  Any person subject to the annual filing of full

16  and public disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the State

17  Constitution, or other state law, whose name is not on the

18  commission's mailing list of persons required to file full and

19  public disclosure is provided to the Secretary of State shall

20  not subject to the fines or penalties provided in this part be

21  deemed delinquent for failure to file full and public

22  disclosure in any year in which the omission occurred, but

23  nevertheless is required to file the disclosure statement.

24         (g)(f)  The notification requirements and fines of this

25  subsection do not apply to candidates or to the first filing

26  required of any person appointed to elective constitutional

27  office or other position required to file full and public

28  disclosure, unless the person's name is on the commission's

29  notification list and the person received notification from

30  the commission.  The appointing official shall notify such

31  newly appointed person of the obligation to file full and

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  1  public disclosure by July 1. The notification requirements and

  2  fines of this subsection do not apply to the final filing

  3  provided for in subsection (5).

  4         (h)  Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120, any

  5  fine imposed under this subsection which is not waived by

  6  final order of the commission and which remains unpaid more

  7  than 60 days after the notice of payment due or more than 60

  8  days after the commission renders a final order on the appeal

  9  must be submitted to the Department of Banking and Finance as

10  a claim, debt, or other obligation owed to the state, and the

11  department shall assign the collection of such fine to a

12  collection agent as provided in s. 17.20.

13         (5)  Each person required to file full and public

14  disclosure of financial interests shall file a final

15  disclosure statement within 60 days after leaving his or her

16  public position for the period between January 1 of the year

17  in which the person leaves office and the last day of office

18  or employment, unless within the 60-day period the person

19  takes another public position requiring financial disclosure

20  under s. 8 of Art. II of the State Constitution, or is

21  otherwise required to file full and public disclosure for the

22  final disclosure period.

23         (6)  The commission shall adopt rules and forms

24  specifying how a person who is required to file full and

25  public disclosure of financial interests may amend his or her

26  disclosure statement to report information that was not

27  included on the form as originally filed. If the amendment is

28  the subject of a complaint filed under this part, the

29  commission and the proper disciplinary official or body shall

30  consider as a mitigating factor when considering appropriate

31  disciplinary action the fact that the amendment was filed

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  1  before any complaint or other inquiry or proceeding, while

  2  recognizing that the public was deprived of access to

  3  information to which it was entitled.

  4         Section 4.  Section 112.3145, Florida Statutes, is

  5  amended to read:

  6         112.3145  Disclosure of financial interests and clients

  7  represented before agencies.--

  8         (1)  For purposes of this section, unless the context

  9  otherwise requires, the term:

10         (a)  "Local officer" means:

11         1.  Every person who is elected to office in any

12  political subdivision of the state, and every person who is

13  appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term in such an

14  elective office.

15         2.  Any appointed member of any of the following

16  boards, councils, commissions, authorities, or other bodies of

17  any county, municipality, school district, independent special

18  district, or other political subdivision of the state:

19         a.  The governing body of the political subdivision, if

20  appointed;

21         b.  An expressway authority or transportation authority

22  established by general law;

23         c.  A community college or junior college district

24  board of trustees;

25         d.  A board having the power to enforce local code

26  provisions;

27         e.  A planning or zoning board, board of adjustment,

28  board of appeals, or other board having the power to

29  recommend, create, or modify land planning or zoning within

30  the political subdivision, except for citizen advisory

31  committees, technical coordinating committees, and such other

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  1  groups who only have the power to make recommendations to

  2  planning or zoning boards;

  3         f.  A pension board or retirement board having the

  4  power to invest pension or retirement funds or the power to

  5  make a binding determination of one's entitlement to or amount

  6  of a pension or other retirement benefit; or

  7         g.  Any other appointed member of a local government

  8  board who is required to file a statement of financial

  9  interests by the appointing authority or the enabling

10  legislation, ordinance, or resolution creating the board. a

11  board; commission; authority, including any expressway

12  authority or transportation authority established by general

13  law; community college district board of trustees; or council

14  of any political subdivision of the state, excluding any

15  member of an advisory body. A governmental body with

16  land-planning, zoning, or natural resources responsibilities

17  shall not be considered an advisory body.

18         3.  Any person holding one or more of the following

19  positions: mayor; county or city manager; chief administrative

20  employee of a county, municipality, or other political

21  subdivision; county or municipal attorney; chief county or

22  municipal building inspector; county or municipal water

23  resources coordinator; county or municipal pollution control

24  director; county or municipal environmental control director;

25  county or municipal administrator, with power to grant or deny

26  a land development permit; chief of police; fire chief;

27  municipal clerk; district school superintendent; community

28  college president; district medical examiner; or purchasing

29  agent having the authority to make any purchase exceeding the

30  threshold amount provided for in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY ONE,

31

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  1  on behalf of any political subdivision of the state or any

  2  entity thereof.

  3         (b)  "Specified state employee" means:

  4         1.  Public counsel created by chapter 350, an assistant

  5  state attorney, an assistant public defender, a full-time

  6  state employee who serves as counsel or assistant counsel to

  7  any state agency, a judge of compensation claims, an

  8  administrative law judge, or a hearing officer.

  9         2.  Any person employed in the office of the Governor

10  or in the office of any member of the Cabinet if that person

11  is exempt from the Career Service System, except persons

12  employed in clerical, secretarial, or similar positions.

13         3.  Each appointed secretary, assistant secretary,

14  deputy secretary, executive director, assistant executive

15  director, or deputy executive director of each state

16  department, commission, board, or council; unless otherwise

17  provided, the division director, assistant division director,

18  deputy director, bureau chief, and assistant bureau chief of

19  any state department or division; or any person having the

20  power normally conferred upon such persons, by whatever title.

21         4.  The superintendent or institute director of a state

22  mental health institute established for training and research

23  in the mental health field or the superintendent or director

24  of any major state institution or facility established for

25  corrections, training, treatment, or rehabilitation.

26         5.  Business managers, purchasing agents having the

27  power to make any purchase exceeding the threshold amount

28  provided for in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY ONE, finance and

29  accounting directors, personnel officers, or grants

30  coordinators for any state agency.

31

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  1         6.  Any person, other than a legislative assistant

  2  exempted by the presiding officer of the house by which the

  3  legislative assistant is employed, who is employed in the

  4  legislative branch of government, except persons employed in

  5  maintenance, clerical, secretarial, or similar positions.

  6         7.  Each employee of the Commission on Ethics.

  7         (c)  "State officer" means:

  8         1.  Any elected public officer, excluding those elected

  9  to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, not

10  covered elsewhere in this part and any person who is appointed

11  to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term in such an elective

12  office.

13         2.  An appointed member of each board, commission,

14  authority, or council having statewide jurisdiction, excluding

15  a member of an advisory body.

16         3.  A member of the Board of Regents, the Chancellor

17  and Vice Chancellors of the State University System, and the

18  president of a state university.

19         (2)(a)  A person seeking nomination or election to a

20  state or local elective office shall file a statement of

21  financial interests together with, and at the same time he or

22  she files, qualifying papers.

23         (b)  Each state or local officer and each specified

24  state employee shall file a statement of financial interests

25  no later than July 1 of each year. Each former state or local

26  officer or specified state employee shall file a final

27  financial disclosure statement within 60 days after leaving

28  his or her public position for the period between January 1 of

29  the year in which the person leaves and the last day of office

30  or employment, unless within this 60-day period the person

31  takes another public position requiring disclosure under this

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  1  section or s. 8 of Art. II of the State Constitution or is

  2  otherwise required to file full and public disclosure for the

  3  final reporting period. Each state or local officer who is

  4  appointed and each specified state employee who is employed

  5  shall file a statement of financial interests within 30 days

  6  from the date of appointment or, in the case of a specified

  7  state employee, from the date on which the employment begins,

  8  except that any person whose appointment is subject to

  9  confirmation by the Senate shall file prior to confirmation

10  hearings or within 30 days from the date of appointment,

11  whichever comes first.

12         (c)  State officers, persons qualifying for a state

13  office, and specified state employees shall file their

14  statements of financial interests with the Commission on

15  Ethics Secretary of State. Local officers shall file their

16  statements of financial interests with the supervisor of

17  elections of the county in which they permanently reside.

18  Local officers who do not permanently reside in any county in

19  the state shall file their statements of financial interests

20  with the supervisor of elections of the county in which their

21  agency maintains its headquarters. Persons seeking to qualify

22  as candidates for local public office shall file their

23  statements of financial interests with the officer before whom

24  they qualify.

25         (3)  The statement of financial interests for state

26  officers, specified state employees, local officers, and

27  persons seeking to qualify as candidates for state or local

28  office shall be filed even if the reporting person holds no

29  financial interests requiring disclosure, in which case the

30  statement shall be marked "not applicable."  Otherwise, the

31  statement of financial interests shall include:

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  1         (a)  All sources of income in excess of $2,500 5

  2  percent of the gross income received during the disclosure

  3  period by the person in his or her own name or by any other

  4  person for his or her use or benefit, excluding public salary.

  5  However, this shall not be construed to require disclosure of

  6  a business partner's sources of income.  The person reporting

  7  shall list such sources in descending order of value with the

  8  largest source first.

  9         (b)  All sources of income to a business entity in

10  excess of 10 percent of the gross income of a business entity

11  in which the reporting person held a material interest and

12  from which he or she received gross income in excess of $5,000

13  during the disclosure period an amount which was in excess of

14  10 percent of his or her gross income during the disclosure

15  period and which exceeds $1,500.  The period for computing the

16  gross income of the business entity is the fiscal year of the

17  business entity which ended on, or immediately prior to, the

18  end of the disclosure period of the person reporting.

19         (c)  The location or description of real property in

20  this state, except for residences and vacation homes, owned

21  directly or indirectly by the person reporting, when such

22  person owns in excess of 5 percent of the value of such real

23  property, and a general description of any intangible personal

24  property worth in excess of $10,000 10 percent of such

25  person's total assets.  For the purposes of this paragraph,

26  indirect ownership does not include ownership by a spouse or

27  minor child.

28         (d)  Every liability in excess of $10,000 which in sum

29  equals more than the reporting person's net worth.

30         (4)  Each elected constitutional officer, state

31  officer, local officer, and specified state employee shall

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  1  file a quarterly report of the names of clients represented

  2  for a fee or commission, except for appearances in ministerial

  3  matters, before agencies at his or her level of government.

  4  For the purposes of this part, agencies of government shall be

  5  classified as state-level agencies or agencies below state

  6  level.  Each local officer shall file such report with the

  7  supervisor of elections of the county in which the officer is

  8  principally employed or is a resident.  Each state officer,

  9  elected constitutional officer, and specified state employee

10  shall file such report with the commission Secretary of State.

11  The report shall be filed only when a reportable

12  representation is made during the calendar quarter and shall

13  be filed no later than the last day of each calendar quarter,

14  for the previous calendar 15 days after the last day of the

15  quarter.  Representation before any agency shall be deemed to

16  include representation by such officer or specified state

17  employee or by any partner or associate of the professional

18  firm of which he or she is a member and of which he or she has

19  actual knowledge.  For the purposes of this subsection, the

20  term "representation before any agency" does not include

21  appearances before any court or Chief Judges of Compensation

22  Claims or judges of compensation claims or representations on

23  behalf of one's agency in one's official capacity.  Such term

24  does not include the preparation and filing of forms and

25  applications merely for the purpose of obtaining or

26  transferring a license based on a quota or a franchise of such

27  agency or a license or operation permit to engage in a

28  profession, business, or occupation, so long as the issuance

29  or granting of such license, permit, or transfer does not

30  require substantial discretion, a variance, a special

31

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  1  consideration, or a certificate of public convenience and

  2  necessity.

  3         (5)  Each elected constitutional officer and each

  4  candidate for such office, any other public officer required

  5  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution to file a

  6  full and public disclosure of his or her financial interests,

  7  and each state officer, local officer, specified state

  8  employee, and candidate for elective public office who is or

  9  was during the disclosure period an officer, director,

10  partner, proprietor, or agent, other than a resident agent

11  solely for service of process, of, or owns or owned during the

12  disclosure period a material interest in, any business entity

13  which is granted a privilege to operate in this state shall

14  disclose such facts as a part of the disclosure form filed

15  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or this

16  section, as applicable. The statement shall give the name,

17  address, and principal business activity of the business

18  entity and shall state the position held with such business

19  entity or the fact that a material interest is owned and the

20  nature of that interest.

21         (6)  Forms for compliance with the disclosure

22  requirements of this section and a current list of persons

23  subject to disclosure shall be created provided by the

24  commission on Ethics to the Secretary of State and provided to

25  each supervisor of elections. The commission and each

26  supervisor of elections, who shall give notice of disclosure

27  deadlines and delinquencies and distribute forms in the

28  following manner:

29         (a)1.  Not later than May 1 of each year, the

30  commission on Ethics shall prepare a current list of the names

31  and addresses of, and the offices or positions held by, every

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  1  state officer, local officer, and specified employee. In

  2  compiling the list, the commission shall be assisted by each

  3  unit of government in providing, at the request of the

  4  commission, the name, address, and name of agency of, and the

  5  office or position held by, each state officer, local officer,

  6  or specified state employee within the respective unit of

  7  government.

  8         2.  Not later than May 15 of each year, the commission

  9  shall provide the Secretary of State with a current mailing

10  list of all state officers and specified employees and shall

11  provide each supervisor of elections with a current mailing

12  list of all local officers required to file with such

13  supervisor of elections.

14         (b)  Not later than 30 days before July 1 of each year,

15  the commission Secretary of State and each supervisor of

16  elections, as appropriate, shall mail a copy of the form

17  prescribed for compliance with subsection (3) and a notice of

18  all applicable disclosure forms and filing deadlines to each

19  person required to file a statement of financial interests.

20         (c)  Not later than 30 days after July 1 of each year,

21  the commission Secretary of State and each supervisor of

22  elections shall determine which persons required to file a

23  statement of financial interests in their respective offices

24  have failed to do so and shall send delinquency notices by

25  certified mail to such persons.  Each notice shall state that

26  a grace period is in effect until September 1 of the current

27  year; that no investigative or disciplinary action based upon

28  the delinquency will be taken by the agency head or commission

29  on Ethics if the statement is filed by September 1 of the

30  current year; that, if the statement is not filed by September

31  1 of the current year, a fine of $25 for each day late will be

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  1  imposed, up to a maximum penalty of $1,500; for notices sent

  2  by a supervisor of elections, that he or she is required by

  3  law to notify the commission on Ethics of the delinquency; and

  4  that, if upon the filing of a sworn complaint the commission

  5  finds that the person has failed to timely file the statement

  6  within 60 days after by September 1 of the current year, such

  7  person will also shall be subject to the penalties provided in

  8  s. 112.317.

  9         (d)  No later than November 15 of each year Not later

10  than 30 days following September 1 of each year, the Secretary

11  of State and the supervisor of elections in each county shall

12  certify to the commission on Ethics a list of the names and

13  addresses of, and the offices or positions held by, all

14  persons who have failed to timely file the required statements

15  of financial interests.  The certification must include the

16  earliest of the dates described in subparagraph (f)1. The

17  certification shall be on a form prescribed by the commission

18  and shall indicate whether the supervisor of elections

19  respective certifying official has provided the disclosure

20  forms and notice as required by this subsection to all persons

21  named on the delinquency list.

22         (e)  Statements must be filed not later than 5 p.m. of

23  the due date. However, any statement that is postmarked by the

24  United States Postal Service by midnight of the due date is

25  deemed to have been filed in a timely manner, and a

26  certificate of mailing obtained from and dated by the United

27  States Postal Service at the time of the mailing, or a receipt

28  from an established courier company which bears a date on or

29  before the due date, constitutes proof of mailing in a timely

30  manner.

31

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  1         (f)  Any person who is required to file a statement of

  2  financial interests and whose name is on the commission's

  3  mailing list but who fails to timely file is to be assessed a

  4  fine of $25 per day for each day late up to a maximum of

  5  $1,500; however, this $1,500 limitation on automatic fines

  6  does not limit the civil penalty that may be imposed if the

  7  statement is filed more than 60 days after the deadline and a

  8  complaint is filed, as provided in s. 112.324. The commission

  9  shall provide by rule a procedure by which each person whose

10  name is on the mailing list and who is determined to have not

11  filed in a timely manner is to be notified of assessed fines.

12  The rule must provide that:

13         1.  The amount of the fine due is based upon the

14  earliest of the following:

15         a.  When a statement is actually received by the

16  office.

17         b.  When the statement is postmarked.

18         c.  When the certificate of mailing is dated.

19         d.  When the receipt from an established courier

20  company is dated.

21         2.  For a specified state employee or a state officer,

22  upon receipt of the disclosure statement by the commission or

23  upon accrual of the maximum penalty, whichever occurs first,

24  and for a local officer upon receipt by the commission of the

25  certification from the local officer's supervisor of elections

26  pursuant to paragraph (d), the commission shall determine the

27  amount of the fine which is due and shall notify the

28  delinquent person. The notice must include an explanation of

29  the appeal procedure under subparagraph 3. The fine must be

30  paid within 30 days after the notice of payment due is

31  transmitted, unless appeal is made to the commission pursuant

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  1  to subparagraph 3. The moneys are to be deposited into the

  2  General Revenue Fund.

  3         3.  Any reporting person may appeal or dispute a fine,

  4  based upon unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to

  5  file on the designated due date, and may request and is

  6  entitled to a hearing before the commission, which may waive

  7  the fine in whole or in part for good cause shown. Any such

  8  request must be made within 30 days after the notice of

  9  payment due is transmitted. In such a case, the reporting

10  person must, within the 30-day period, notify the person

11  designated to review the timeliness of reports in writing of

12  his or her intention to bring the matter before the

13  commission.

14         (g)(e)  Any state officer, local officer, or specified

15  employee whose name is not on the mailing list of persons

16  required to file statements of financial interests provided to

17  the Secretary of State or supervisor of elections is not

18  subject to the penalties provided in s. 112.317 or the fine

19  provided in this section for failure to timely file a

20  statement of financial interests in any year in which the

21  omission occurred, but nevertheless is required to file the

22  disclosure statement.

23         (h)(f)  The notification requirements and fines of this

24  subsection do not apply to candidates or to the first or final

25  filing required of any state officer, specified employee, or

26  local officer as provided in paragraph (2)(b).

27         (i)  Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120, any

28  fine imposed under this subsection which is not waived by

29  final order of the commission and which remains unpaid more

30  than 60 days after the notice of payment due or more than 60

31  days after the commission renders a final order on the appeal

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  1  must be submitted to the Department of Banking and Finance as

  2  a claim, debt, or other obligation owed to the state, and the

  3  department shall assign the collection of such a fine to a

  4  collection agent as provided in s. 17.20.

  5         (7)  The appointing official or body shall notify each

  6  newly appointed local officer, state officer, or specified

  7  state employee, not later than the date of appointment, of the

  8  officer's or employee's duty to comply with the disclosure

  9  requirements of this section. The agency head of each

10  employing agency shall notify each newly employed local

11  officer or specified state employee, not later than the day of

12  employment, of the officer's or employee's duty to comply with

13  the disclosure requirements of this section. The appointing

14  official or body or employing agency head may designate a

15  person to be responsible for the notification requirements of

16  this section.

17         (8)  A public officer who has filed a disclosure for

18  any calendar or fiscal year shall not be required to file a

19  second disclosure for the same year or any part thereof,

20  notwithstanding any requirement of this act, except that any

21  public officer who qualifies as a candidate for public office

22  shall file a copy of the disclosure with the officer before

23  whom he or she qualifies as a candidate at the time of

24  qualification.

25         (9)  The commission shall adopt rules and forms

26  specifying how a state officer, local officer, or specified

27  state employee may amend his or her statement of financial

28  interests to report information that was not included on the

29  form as originally filed. If the amendment is the subject of a

30  complaint filed under this part, the commission and the proper

31  disciplinary official or body shall consider as a mitigating

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  1  factor when considering appropriate disciplinary action the

  2  fact that the amendment was filed before any complaint or

  3  other inquiry or proceeding, while recognizing that the public

  4  was deprived of access to information to which it was

  5  entitled.

  6         Section 5.  Section 112.3148, Florida Statutes, is

  7  amended to read:

  8         112.3148  Reporting and prohibited receipt of gifts by

  9  individuals filing full or limited public disclosure of

10  financial interests and by procurement employees.--

11         (1)  The provisions of this section do not apply to

12  gifts solicited or accepted by a reporting individual or

13  procurement employee from a relative.

14         (2)  As used in this section:

15         (a)  "Immediate family" means any parent, spouse,

16  child, or sibling.

17         (b)1.  "Lobbyist" means any natural person who, for

18  compensation, seeks, or sought during the preceding 12 months,

19  to influence the governmental decisionmaking of a reporting

20  individual or procurement employee or his or her agency or

21  seeks, or sought during the preceding 12 months, to encourage

22  the passage, defeat, or modification of any proposal or

23  recommendation by the reporting individual or procurement

24  employee or his or her agency.

25         2.  With respect to an agency that has established by

26  rule, ordinance, or law a registration process for persons

27  seeking to influence decisionmaking or to encourage the

28  passage, defeat, or modification of any proposal or

29  recommendation by such agency or an employee or official of

30  the agency, the term "lobbyist" includes only a person who is

31  required to be registered as a lobbyist in accordance with

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  1  such rule, ordinance, or law or who was during the preceding

  2  12 months required to be registered as a lobbyist in

  3  accordance with such rule, ordinance, or law. At a minimum,

  4  such a registration system must require the registration of,

  5  or must designate, persons as "lobbyists" who engage in the

  6  same activities as require registration to lobby the

  7  Legislature pursuant to s. 11.045.

  8         (c)  "Person" includes individuals, firms,

  9  associations, joint ventures, partnerships, estates, trusts,

10  business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and

11  all other groups or combinations.

12         (d)  "Reporting individual" means any individual,

13  including a candidate, who is required by law, pursuant to s.

14  8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3145, to file

15  full or limited public disclosure of his or her financial

16  interests or any individual who has been elected to, but has

17  yet to officially assume the responsibilities of, public

18  office. For purposes of implementing this section, the

19  "agency" of a reporting individual who is not an officer or

20  employee in public service is the agency to which the

21  candidate seeks election, or in the case of an individual

22  elected to but yet to formally take office, the agency in

23  which the individual has been elected to serve.

24         (e)  "Procurement employee" means any employee of an

25  officer, department, board, commission, or council of the

26  executive branch or judicial branch of state government who

27  participates through decision, approval, disapproval,

28  recommendation, preparation of any part of a purchase request,

29  influencing the content of any specification or procurement

30  standard, rendering of advice, investigation, or auditing or

31  in any other advisory capacity in the procurement of

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  1  contractual services or commodities as defined in s. 287.012,

  2  if the cost of such services or commodities exceeds $1,000 in

  3  any year.

  4         (3)  A reporting individual or procurement employee is

  5  prohibited from soliciting any gift from a political committee

  6  or committee of continuous existence, as defined in s.

  7  106.011, or from a lobbyist who lobbies the reporting

  8  individual's or procurement employee's agency, or the partner,

  9  firm, employer, or principal of such lobbyist, where such gift

10  is for the personal benefit of the reporting individual or

11  procurement employee, another reporting individual or

12  procurement employee, or any member of the immediate family of

13  a reporting individual or procurement employee.

14         (4)  A reporting individual or procurement employee or

15  any other person on his or her behalf is prohibited from

16  knowingly accepting, directly or indirectly, a gift from a

17  political committee or committee of continuous existence, as

18  defined in s. 106.011, or from a lobbyist who lobbies the

19  reporting individual's or procurement employee's agency, or

20  directly or indirectly on behalf of the partner, firm,

21  employer, or principal of a lobbyist, if he or she knows or

22  reasonably believes that the gift has a value in excess of

23  $100; however, such a gift may be accepted by such person on

24  behalf of a governmental entity or a charitable organization.

25  If the gift is accepted on behalf of a governmental entity or

26  charitable organization, the person receiving the gift shall

27  not maintain custody of the gift for any period of time beyond

28  that reasonably necessary to arrange for the transfer of

29  custody and ownership of the gift.

30         (5)(a)  A political committee or a committee of

31  continuous existence, as defined in s. 106.011; a lobbyist who

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  1  lobbies a reporting individual's or procurement employee's

  2  agency; the partner, firm, employer, or principal of a

  3  lobbyist; or another on behalf of the lobbyist or partner,

  4  firm, principal, or employer of the lobbyist is prohibited

  5  from giving, either directly or indirectly, a gift that has a

  6  value in excess of $100 to the reporting individual or

  7  procurement employee or any other person on his or her behalf;

  8  however, such person may give a gift having a value in excess

  9  of $100 to a reporting individual or procurement employee if

10  the gift is intended to be transferred to a governmental

11  entity or a charitable organization.

12         (b)  However, a person who is regulated by this

13  subsection, who is not regulated by subsection (6), and who

14  makes, or directs another to make, an individual gift having a

15  value in excess of $25, but not in excess of $100, other than

16  a gift which the donor knows will be accepted on behalf of a

17  governmental entity or charitable organization, must file a

18  report on the last day of each calendar quarter, for the

19  previous calendar quarter in which a reportable gift is made.

20  The report shall be filed with the Commission on Ethics

21  Secretary of State, except with respect to gifts to reporting

22  individuals of the legislative branch, in which case the

23  report shall be filed with the Division of Legislative

24  Information Services in the Office of Legislative Services.

25  The report must contain a description of each gift, the

26  monetary value thereof, the name and address of the person

27  making such gift, the name and address of the recipient of the

28  gift, and the date such gift is given.  In addition, when a

29  gift is made which requires the filing of a report under this

30  subsection, the donor must notify the intended recipient at

31  the time the gift is made that the donor, or another on his or

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  1  her behalf, will report the gift under this subsection.  Under

  2  this paragraph, a gift need not be reported by more than one

  3  person or entity.

  4         (6)(a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection

  5  (5), an entity of the legislative or judicial branch, a

  6  department or commission of the executive branch, a water

  7  management district created pursuant to s. 373.069, Tri-County

  8  Commuter Rail Authority, a county, a municipality, an airport

  9  authority, or a school board may give, either directly or

10  indirectly, a gift having a value in excess of $100 to any

11  reporting individual or procurement employee if a public

12  purpose can be shown for the gift; and a direct-support

13  organization specifically authorized by law to support a

14  governmental entity may give such a gift to a reporting

15  individual or procurement employee who is an officer or

16  employee of such governmental entity.

17         (b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4),

18  a reporting individual or procurement employee may accept a

19  gift having a value in excess of $100 from an entity of the

20  legislative or judicial branch, a department or commission of

21  the executive branch, a water management district created

22  pursuant to s. 373.069, Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority, a

23  county, a municipality, an airport authority, or a school

24  board if a public purpose can be shown for the gift; and a

25  reporting individual or procurement employee who is an officer

26  or employee of a governmental entity supported by a

27  direct-support organization specifically authorized by law to

28  support such governmental entity may accept such a gift from

29  such direct-support organization.

30         (c)  No later than March 1 of each year, each

31  governmental entity or direct-support organization

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  1  specifically authorized by law to support a governmental

  2  entity which has given a gift to a reporting individual or

  3  procurement employee under paragraph (a) shall provide the

  4  reporting individual or procurement employee with a statement

  5  of each gift having a value in excess of $100 given to such

  6  reporting individual or procurement employee by the

  7  governmental entity or direct-support organization during the

  8  preceding calendar year.  Such report shall contain a

  9  description of each gift, the date on which the gift was

10  given, and the value of the total gifts given by the

11  governmental entity or direct-support organization to the

12  reporting individual or procurement employee during the

13  calendar year for which the report is made.  A governmental

14  entity may provide a single report to the reporting individual

15  or procurement employee of gifts provided by the governmental

16  entity and any direct-support organization specifically

17  authorized by law to support such governmental entity.

18         (d)  No later than July 1 of each year, each reporting

19  individual or procurement employee shall file a statement

20  listing each gift having a value in excess of $100 received by

21  the reporting individual or procurement employee, either

22  directly or indirectly, from a governmental entity or a

23  direct-support organization specifically authorized by law to

24  support a governmental entity.  The statement shall list the

25  name of the person providing the gift, a description of the

26  gift, the date or dates on which the gift was given, and the

27  value of the total gifts given during the calendar year for

28  which the report is made.  The reporting individual or

29  procurement employee shall attach to such statement any report

30  received by him or her in accordance with paragraph (c), which

31  report shall become a public record when filed with the

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  1  statement of the reporting individual or procurement employee.

  2  The reporting individual or procurement employee may explain

  3  any differences between the report of the reporting individual

  4  or procurement employee and the attached reports.  The annual

  5  report filed by a reporting individual shall be filed with the

  6  financial disclosure statement required by either s. 8, Art.

  7  II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3145, as applicable to

  8  the reporting individual.  The annual report filed by a

  9  procurement employee shall be filed with the Commission on

10  Ethics Department of State.

11         (7)(a)  The value of a gift provided to a reporting

12  individual or procurement employee shall be based on its fair

13  market value determined using actual cost to the donor, less

14  taxes and gratuities, except as otherwise provided in this

15  subsection, and, with respect to personal services provided by

16  the donor, the reasonable and customary charge regularly

17  charged for such service in the community in which the service

18  is provided shall be used.  If additional expenses are

19  required as a condition precedent to eligibility of the donor

20  to purchase or provide a gift and such expenses are primarily

21  for the benefit of the donor or are of a charitable nature,

22  such expenses shall not be included in determining the value

23  of the gift.

24         (b)  Compensation provided by the donee to the donor,

25  if provided within 90 days of receipt, shall be deducted from

26  the value of the gift in determining the value of the gift.

27         (c)  If the actual gift value attributable to

28  individual participants at an event cannot be determined, the

29  total costs shall be prorated among all invited persons,

30  whether or not they are reporting individuals or procurement

31  employees.

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  1         (d)  Transportation shall be valued on a round-trip

  2  basis unless only one-way transportation is provided.

  3  Round-trip transportation expenses shall be considered a

  4  single gift. Transportation provided in a private conveyance

  5  shall be given the same value as transportation provided in a

  6  comparable commercial conveyance.

  7         (e)  Lodging provided on consecutive days shall be

  8  considered a single gift.  Lodging in a private residence

  9  shall be valued at the per diem rate provided in s.

10  112.061(6)(a)1. less the meal allowance rate provided in s.

11  112.061(6)(b).

12         (f)  Food and beverages which are not consumed at a

13  single sitting or meal and which are provided on the same

14  calendar day shall be considered a single gift, and the total

15  value of all food and beverages provided on that date shall be

16  considered the value of the gift.  Food and beverage consumed

17  at a single sitting or meal shall be considered a single gift

18  and the value of the food and beverage provided at that

19  sitting or meal shall be considered the value of the gift.

20         (g)  Membership dues paid to the same organization

21  during any 12-month period shall be considered a single gift.

22         (h)  Entrance fees, admission fees, or tickets shall be

23  valued on the face value of the ticket or fee, or on a daily

24  or per event basis, whichever is greater.

25         (i)  Except as otherwise specified in this section, a

26  gift shall be valued on a per occurrence basis.

27         (j)  The value of a gift provided to several

28  individuals may be attributed on a pro rata basis among all of

29  the individuals. If the gift is food, beverage, entertainment,

30  or similar items, provided at a function for more than 10

31  people, the value of the gift to each individual shall be the

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  1  total value of the items provided divided by the number of

  2  persons invited to the function, unless the items are

  3  purchased on a per person basis, in which case the value of

  4  the gift to each person is the per person cost.

  5         (k)  The value of a gift of an admission ticket shall

  6  not include that portion of the cost which represents a

  7  charitable contribution, if the gift is provided by the

  8  charitable organization.

  9         (8)(a)  Each reporting individual or procurement

10  employee shall file a statement with the Commission on Ethics

11  Secretary of State on the last day of each calendar quarter,

12  for the previous calendar quarter, containing a list of gifts

13  which he or she believes to be in excess of $100 in value, if

14  any, accepted by him or her, for which compensation was not

15  provided by the donee to the donor within 90 days of receipt

16  of the gift to reduce the value to $100 or less, except the

17  following:

18         1.  Gifts from relatives.

19         2.  Gifts prohibited by subsection (4) or s.

20  112.313(4).

21         3.  Gifts otherwise required to be disclosed by this

22  section.

23         (b)  The statement shall include:

24         1.  A description of the gift, the monetary value of

25  the gift, the name and address of the person making the gift,

26  and the dates thereof.  If any of these facts, other than the

27  gift description, are unknown or not applicable, the report

28  shall so state.

29         2.  A copy of any receipt for such gift provided to the

30  reporting individual or procurement employee by the donor.

31

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  1         (c)  The statement may include an explanation of any

  2  differences between the reporting individual's or procurement

  3  employee's statement and the receipt provided by the donor.

  4         (d)  The reporting individual's or procurement

  5  employee's statement shall be sworn to by such person as being

  6  a true, accurate, and total listing of all such gifts.

  7         (e)  If a reporting individual or procurement employee

  8  has not received any gifts described in paragraph (a) during a

  9  calendar quarter, he or she is not required to file a

10  statement under this subsection for that calendar quarter.

11         (9)  A person, other than a lobbyist regulated under s.

12  11.045, who violates the provisions of subsection (5) commits

13  a noncriminal infraction, punishable by a fine of not more

14  than $5,000 and by a prohibition on lobbying, or employing a

15  lobbyist to lobby, before the agency of the reporting

16  individual or procurement employee to which the gift was given

17  in violation of subsection (5), for a period of not more than

18  24 months.  The state attorney, or an agency, if otherwise

19  authorized, may initiate an action to impose or recover a fine

20  authorized under this section or to impose or enforce a

21  limitation on lobbying provided in this section.

22         (10)  A member of the Legislature may request an

23  advisory opinion from the general counsel of the house of

24  which he or she is a member as to the application of this

25  section to a specific situation.  The general counsel shall

26  issue the opinion within 10 days after receiving the request.

27  The member of the Legislature may reasonably rely on such

28  opinion.

29         Section 6.  Subsection (6) of section 112.3149, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         112.3149  Solicitation and disclosure of honoraria.--

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  1         (6)  A reporting individual or procurement employee who

  2  receives payment or provision of expenses related to any

  3  honorarium event from a person who is prohibited by subsection

  4  (4) from paying an honorarium to a reporting individual or

  5  procurement employee shall publicly disclose on an annual

  6  statement the name, address, and affiliation of the person

  7  paying or providing the expenses; the amount of the honorarium

  8  expenses; the date of the honorarium event; a description of

  9  the expenses paid or provided on each day of the honorarium

10  event; and the total value of the expenses provided to the

11  reporting individual or procurement employee in connection

12  with the honorarium event.  The annual statement of honorarium

13  expenses shall be filed by July 1 of each year for such

14  expenses received during the previous calendar year. The

15  reporting individual or procurement employee shall attach to

16  the annual statement a copy of each statement received by him

17  or her in accordance with subsection (5) regarding honorarium

18  expenses paid or provided during the calendar year for which

19  the annual statement is filed.  Such attached statement shall

20  become a public record upon the filing of the annual report.

21  The annual statement of a reporting individual shall be filed

22  with the financial disclosure statement required by either s.

23  8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s. 112.3145, as

24  applicable to the reporting individual. The annual statement

25  of a procurement employee shall be filed with the Commission

26  on Ethics Department of State.

27         Section 7.  Section 112.3151, Florida Statutes, is

28  repealed.

29         Section 8.  Subsections (1), (2), (6), (7), and (8) of

30  section 112.317, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31         112.317  Penalties.--

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  1         (1)  Violation of any provision of this part,

  2  including, but not limited to, any failure to file any

  3  disclosures required by this part or violation of any standard

  4  of conduct imposed by this part, or violation of any provision

  5  of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution, in addition to any

  6  criminal penalty or other civil penalty involved, shall,

  7  pursuant to applicable constitutional and statutory

  8  procedures, constitute grounds for, and may be punished by,

  9  one or more of the following:

10         (a)  In the case of a public officer:

11         1.  Impeachment.

12         2.  Removal from office.

13         3.  Suspension from office.

14         4.  Public censure and reprimand.

15         5.  Forfeiture of no more than one-third salary per

16  month for no more than 12 months.

17         6.  A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.

18         7.  Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received

19  because of the violation committed. The commission may

20  recommend that the restitution penalty be paid to the agency

21  of which the public officer was a member or to the General

22  Revenue Fund of the state.

23         (b)  In the case of an employee or a person designated

24  as a public officer by this part who otherwise would be deemed

25  to be an employee:

26         1.  Dismissal from employment.

27         2.  Suspension from employment for not more than 90

28  days without pay.

29         3.  Demotion.

30         4.  Reduction in salary level.

31

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  1         5.  Forfeiture of no more than one-third salary per

  2  month for no more than 12 months.

  3         6.  A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.

  4         7.  Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received

  5  because of the violation committed. The commission may

  6  recommend that the restitution penalty be paid to the agency

  7  by which such employee was employed or by which such officer

  8  was deemed to be an employee or to the General Revenue Fund of

  9  the state.

10         8.  Public censure and reprimand.

11         (c)  In the case of a candidate who violates the

12  provisions of this part or s. 8(a) and (h), Art. II of the

13  State Constitution:

14         1.  Disqualification from being on the ballot.

15         2.  Public censure.

16         3.  Reprimand.

17         4.  A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.

18         (d)  In the case of a former public officer or employee

19  who has violated a provision applicable to former officers or

20  employees or whose violation occurred prior to such officer's

21  or employee's leaving public office or employment:

22         1.  Public censure and reprimand.

23         2.  A civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.

24         3.  Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received

25  because of the violation committed. The commission may

26  recommend that the restitution penalty be paid to the agency

27  of such public officer or employee or the General Revenue Fund

28  of the state.

29         (2)  In any case in which the commission finds a

30  violation of this part or of s. 8, Art. II of the State

31  Constitution and the proper disciplinary official or body

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  1  under s. 112.324 imposes recommends a civil penalty or

  2  restitution penalty, the Attorney General shall bring a civil

  3  action to recover such penalty.  No defense may be raised in

  4  the civil action to enforce the civil penalty or order of

  5  restitution that could have been raised by judicial review of

  6  the administrative findings and recommendations of the

  7  commission by certiorari to the district court of appeal. The

  8  Attorney General shall be entitled to collect any costs,

  9  attorney's fees, expert witness fees, or other costs of

10  collection incurred in bringing such actions.

11         (6)  Any person who willfully discloses, or permits to

12  be disclosed, his or her intention to file a complaint, the

13  existence or contents of a complaint which has been filed with

14  the commission, or any document, action, or proceeding in

15  connection with a confidential preliminary investigation of

16  the commission, before such complaint, document, action, or

17  proceeding becomes a public record as provided herein commits

18  a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in

19  s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

20         (6)(7)  In any case in which the commission finds

21  probable cause to believe that a complainant has committed

22  perjury in regard to any document filed with, or any testimony

23  given before, the commission, it shall refer such evidence to

24  the appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution and

25  taxation of costs.

26         (7)(8)  In any case in which the commission determines

27  that a person has filed a complaint against a public officer

28  or employee with a malicious intent to injure the reputation

29  of such officer or employee by filing the complaint with

30  knowledge that the complaint contains one or more false

31  allegations or with reckless disregard for whether the

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  1  complaint contains false allegations of fact material to a

  2  violation of this part, the complainant shall be liable for

  3  costs plus reasonable attorney's fees incurred in the defense

  4  of the person complained against, including the costs and

  5  reasonable attorney's fees incurred in proving entitlement to

  6  and the amount of costs and fees. If the complainant fails to

  7  pay such costs and fees voluntarily within 30 days following

  8  such finding by the commission, the commission shall forward

  9  such information to the Department of Legal Affairs, which

10  shall bring a civil action in a court of competent

11  jurisdiction to recover the amount of such costs and fees

12  awarded by the commission.

13         Section 9.  Subsection (3) of section 112.324, Florida

14  Statutes, is amended to read:

15         112.324  Procedures on complaints of violations.--

16         (3)  If, in cases pertaining to current members of the

17  Legislature, upon completion of a full and final investigation

18  by the commission, the commission finds that there has been a

19  violation of this part or of any provision of s. 8, Art. II of

20  the State Constitution, irrespective of whether the violative

21  act or omission occurred before or during the current member's

22  term of office, the commission shall forward a copy of the

23  complaint and its findings by certified mail to the President

24  of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

25  whichever is applicable, who shall refer the complaint to the

26  appropriate committee for investigation and action which shall

27  be governed by the rules of its respective house.  It shall be

28  the duty of the committee to report its final action upon the

29  complaint to the commission within 90 days of the date of

30  transmittal to the respective house.  Upon request of the

31  committee, the commission shall submit a recommendation as to

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  1  what penalty, if any, should be imposed.  In the case of a

  2  member of the Legislature, the house in which the member

  3  serves shall have the power to invoke the penalty provisions

  4  of this part.

  5         Section 10.  Section 914.21, Florida Statutes, is

  6  amended to read:

  7         914.21  Definitions.--As used in ss. 914.22-914.24, the

  8  term:

  9         (1)  "Bodily injury" means:

10         (a)  A cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement;

11         (b)  Physical pain;

12         (c)  Illness;

13         (d)  Impairment of the function of a bodily member,

14  organ, or mental faculty; or

15         (e)  Any other injury to the body, no matter how

16  temporary.

17         (2)  "Misleading conduct" means:

18         (a)  Knowingly making a false statement;

19         (b)  Intentionally omitting information from a

20  statement and thereby causing a portion of such statement to

21  be misleading, or intentionally concealing a material fact and

22  thereby creating a false impression by such statement;

23         (c)  With intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or

24  inviting reliance on a writing or recording that is false,

25  forged, altered, or otherwise lacking in authenticity;

26         (d)  With intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or

27  inviting reliance on a sample, specimen, map, photograph,

28  boundary mark, or other object that is misleading in a

29  material respect; or

30         (e)  Knowingly using a trick, scheme, or device with

31  intent to mislead.

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  1         (3)  "Official investigation" means any investigation

  2  instituted by a law enforcement agency or prosecuting officer

  3  of the state or a political subdivision of the state, or any

  4  investigation conducted by the Florida Commission on Ethics.

  5         (4)  "Official proceeding" means:

  6         (a)  A proceeding before a judge or court or a grand

  7  jury;

  8         (b)  A proceeding before the Legislature; or

  9         (c)  A proceeding before a federal agency which is

10  authorized by law.

11         (d)  A proceeding before the Florida Commission on

12  Ethics.

13         (5)  "Physical force" means physical action against

14  another and includes confinement.

15         Section 11.  Subsection (9) of section 112.322, Florida

16  Statutes, is repealed.

17         Section 12.  Subsection (6) of section 440.442, Florida

18  Statutes, is amended to read:

19         440.442  Code of Judicial Conduct.--The Chief Judge,

20  and judges of compensation claims shall observe and abide by

21  the Code of Judicial Conduct as provided in this section. Any

22  material violation of a provision of the Code of Judicial

23  Conduct shall constitute either malfeasance or misfeasance in

24  office and shall be grounds for suspension and removal of such

25  Chief Judge, or judge of compensation claims by the Governor.

26         (6)  FISCAL MATTERS OF JUDGES.--Fiscal matters of a

27  judge should be conducted in a manner that will not give the

28  appearance of influence or impropriety. A judge should

29  regularly file public reports as required by s. 8, Art. II of

30  the State Constitution, and should publicly report gifts.

31

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  1         (a)  Compensation for quasi-judicial and extrajudicial

  2  services and reimbursement of expenses.--A judge may receive

  3  compensation and reimbursement of expenses for the

  4  quasi-judicial and extrajudicial activities permitted by this

  5  section, if the source of such payments does not give the

  6  appearance of influencing the judge in his or her judicial

  7  duties or otherwise give the impression of impropriety subject

  8  to the following restrictions:

  9         1.  Compensation:  Compensation should not exceed a

10  reasonable amount nor should it exceed what a person who is

11  not a judge would receive for the same activity.

12         2.  Expense reimbursement:  Expense reimbursement

13  should be limited to the actual cost of travel, food, and

14  lodging reasonably incurred by the judge and, where

15  appropriate to the occasion, to his or her spouse. Any payment

16  in excess of such an amount is compensation.

17         (b)  Public financial reporting.--

18         1.  Income and assets:  A judge shall file such public

19  reports as may be required by law for all public officials to

20  comply fully with the provisions of s. 8, Art. II of the State

21  Constitution. The form for public financial disclosure shall

22  be that recommended or adopted by the Florida Commission on

23  Ethics for use by all public officials. The form shall be

24  filed in the office of the Commission on Ethics Secretary of

25  State on the date prescribed by law.

26         2.  Gifts:  A judge shall file a public report of all

27  gifts which are required to be disclosed under Canon 5D(5)(h)

28  s. 112 [Canon 5C(4)(c) of the Code of Judicial Conduct]. The

29  report of gifts received in the preceding calendar year shall

30  be filed in the office of the Commission on Ethics Secretary

31  of State on or before July 1 of each year.

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  1         Section 13.  Sections 839.08, 839.09, 839.091, and

  2  839.10, Florida Statutes, are repealed.

  3         Section 14.  Section 112.3232, Florida Statutes, is

  4  created to read:

  5         112.3232  Compelled testimony.--If any person called to

  6  testify in a commission proceeding refuses to testify because

  7  of a claim of possible self-incrimination, the commission,

  8  after consultation with the appropriate state attorney, may

  9  apply to the chief judge of the appropriate judicial circuit

10  for a judicial grant of immunity ordering the testimony of

11  such person notwithstanding his or her objection, but in such

12  case any testimony or other information compelled under the

13  order, or any information directly or indirectly derived from

14  such testimony or other information, may not be used against

15  the witness in any criminal prosecution or commission

16  proceeding.

17         Section 15.  The sum of $193,950 is appropriated from

18  the General Revenue Fund to the Commission on Ethics to

19  administer the responsibilities imposed upon it by this act.

20         Section 16.  This act shall take effect January 1,

21  2001.

22

23            *****************************************

24                          SENATE SUMMARY

25    Revises reporting requirements for disclosure of
      financial interests under the code of ethics for public
26    officers and employees. Revises some fines and transfers
      the administration of specific sections of the code of
27    ethics from the Secretary of State to the Commission on
      Ethics. Provides an appropriation.
28

29

30

31

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