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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to ballot initiatives; creating s.

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106.151, F.S.; prohibiting a state agency or political

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subdivision from making contributions to or being a member

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of an organization that supports or opposes candidates or

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issues; providing penalties; providing an effective date.

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

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     Section 1.  Section 106.151, Florida Statutes, is created to

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read:

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     106.151 Prohibited acts by public entities.--

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     (1) A state agency, political subdivision, or

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instrumentality thereof may not make a contribution to or be a

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member of any organization, including a trade, industry, or

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professional association, political committee, or committee of

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continuous existence, which supports or opposes candidates or

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issues.

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     (2) Any officer or person acting on behalf of a trade,

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industry, or professional association, political committee, or

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committee of continuous existence that supports or opposes

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candidates or issues and accepts a contribution from or includes

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in its membership a state agency, political subdivision, or

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instrumentality thereof commits a misdemeanor of the first

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degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.