Florida Senate - 2019                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SPB 7040
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì590054ÈÎ590054                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: FAV            .                                
                  02/13/2019           .                                
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       The Committee on Ethics and Elections (Baxley) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Section 112.31446, Florida Statutes, is created
    6  to read:
    7         112.31446Electronic filing system for financial
    8  disclosure.—
    9         (1)As used in this section, the term:
   10         (a) “Disclosure of financial interests” or “disclosure”
   11  includes a full and public disclosure of financial interests and
   12  a final full and public disclosure of financial interests, and
   13  any amendments thereto.
   14         (b) “Electronic filing system” means an Internet-based
   15  system for receiving, reporting, and publishing disclosures of
   16  financial interests, statements of financial interests, or any
   17  other form that is required under s. 112.3144 or s. 112.3145.
   18         (c) “Statement of financial interests” or “statement”
   19  includes a statement of financial interests and a final
   20  statement of financial interests, and any amendments thereto.
   21         (2)By January 1, 2022, the commission shall procure and
   22  test an electronic filing system. At a minimum, the electronic
   23  filing system must:
   24         (a)Provide access through the Internet for the completion
   25  and submission of disclosures of financial interests, statements
   26  of financial interests, or any other form that is required under
   27  s. 112.3144 or s. 112.3145.
   28         (b)Upload submitted information to the commission using
   29  software that is approved by the commission.
   30         (c)Allow for a procedure to make filings available in a
   31  searchable format that is accessible by an individual using
   32  standard Internet-browsing software.
   33         (d)Issue a verification or receipt that the commission has
   34  received the submitted disclosure or statement.
   35         (e)Provide security that prevents unauthorized access to
   36  the electronic filing system’s functions or data.
   37         (f)Provide a method for an attorney or a certified public
   38  accountant licensed in this state to complete the disclosure or
   39  statement and certify that he or she prepared the disclosure or
   40  statement in accordance with s. 112.3144 or s. 112.3145 and the
   41  instructions for completing the disclosure or statement, and
   42  that, upon his or her reasonable knowledge and belief, the
   43  information on the disclosure or statement is true and correct.
   44         (3)Each unit of government shall provide an e-mail address
   45  to any of its officers, members, or employees who must file a
   46  disclosure of financial interests or a statement of financial
   47  interests, and provide such e-mail addresses to the commission
   48  by February 1 of each year. A person required to file a
   49  disclosure of financial interests or statement of financial
   50  interests must inform the commission immediately of any change
   51  in his or her e-mail address.
   52         (4)The commission shall provide each person required to
   53  file a disclosure of financial interests or statement of
   54  financial interests a secure log-in to the electronic filing
   55  system. Such person is responsible for protecting his or her
   56  secure log-in credentials from disclosure and is responsible for
   57  all filings submitted to the commission with such credentials,
   58  unless the person has notified the commission that his or her
   59  credentials have been compromised.
   60         (5)If the Governor declares the electronic filing system
   61  to be inoperable, the commission must accept submissions of
   62  disclosures of financial interests or statements of financial
   63  interests required under s. 112.3144 or s. 112.3145,
   64  respectively, through other methods as specified by order of the
   65  Governor.
   66         Section 2. Effective January 1, 2020, subsection (10) of
   67  section 112.312, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   68         112.312 Definitions.—As used in this part and for purposes
   69  of the provisions of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution,
   70  unless the context otherwise requires:
   71         (10) “Disclosure period” means the calendar taxable year,
   72  if disclosure is required for the entire year, or the portion of
   73  a calendar year ending with the last day of the period for which
   74  disclosure is required for the person or business entity,
   75  whether based on a calendar or fiscal year, immediately
   76  preceding the date on which, or the last day of the period
   77  during which, the financial disclosure statement required by
   78  this part is required to be filed.
   79         Section 3. Section 112.3144, Florida Statutes, is amended
   80  to read:
   81         112.3144 Full and public disclosure of financial
   82  interests.—
   83         (1) An officer who is required by s. 8, Art. II of the
   84  State Constitution to file a full and public disclosure of his
   85  or her financial interests for any calendar or fiscal year, or
   86  any other person required by law to file a disclosure under this
   87  section, shall file that disclosure with the Florida Commission
   88  on Ethics. Additionally, beginning January 1, 2015, an officer
   89  who is required to complete annual ethics training pursuant to
   90  s. 112.3142 must certify on his or her full and public
   91  disclosure of financial interests that he or she has completed
   92  the required training.
   93         (2) Beginning January 1, 2022, a full and public disclosure
   94  of financial interests and a final full and public disclosure of
   95  financial interests, and amendments thereto, or any other form
   96  required by this section, must be filed electronically through
   97  an electronic filing system created and maintained by the
   98  commission as provided in s. 112.31446.
   99         (3) A person who is required, pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of
  100  the State Constitution, to file a full and public disclosure of
  101  financial interests and who has filed a full and public
  102  disclosure of financial interests for any calendar or fiscal
  103  year shall not be required to file a statement of financial
  104  interests pursuant to s. 112.3145(2) and (3) for the same year
  105  or for any part thereof notwithstanding any requirement of this
  106  part. Until the electronic filing system required by subsection
  107  (2) is implemented, if an incumbent in an elective office has
  108  filed the full and public disclosure of financial interests to
  109  qualify for election to the same office or if a candidate for
  110  office holds another office subject to the annual filing
  111  requirement, the qualifying officer shall forward an electronic
  112  copy of the full and public disclosure of financial interests to
  113  the commission no later than July 1. The electronic copy of the
  114  full and public disclosure of financial interests satisfies the
  115  annual disclosure requirement of this section. A candidate who
  116  does not qualify until after the annual full and public
  117  disclosure of financial interests has been filed pursuant to
  118  this section shall file a copy of his or her disclosure with the
  119  officer before whom he or she qualifies.
  120         (4)(3) For purposes of full and public disclosure under s.
  121  8(a), Art. II of the State Constitution, the following items, if
  122  not held for investment purposes and if valued at over $1,000 in
  123  the aggregate, may be reported in a lump sum and identified as
  124  “household goods and personal effects”:
  125         (a) Jewelry;
  126         (b) Collections of stamps, guns, and numismatic properties;
  127         (c) Art objects;
  128         (d) Household equipment and furnishings;
  129         (e) Clothing;
  130         (f) Other household items; and
  131         (g) Vehicles for personal use.
  132         (5)(a)(4)(a) With respect to reporting, on forms prescribed
  133  under this section, assets valued in excess of $1,000 which the
  134  reporting individual holds jointly with another person, the
  135  amount reported shall be based on the reporting individual’s
  136  legal percentage of ownership in the property. However, assets
  137  that are held jointly, with right of survivorship, must be
  138  reported at 100 percent of the value of the asset. For purposes
  139  of this subsection, a reporting individual is deemed to own a
  140  percentage of a partnership which is equal to the reporting
  141  individual’s interest in the capital or equity of the
  142  partnership.
  143         (b)1. With respect to reporting, on forms prescribed under
  144  this section, liabilities valued in excess of $1,000 on forms
  145  prescribed under this section for which the reporting individual
  146  is jointly and severally liable, the amount reported shall be
  147  based on the reporting individual’s percentage of liability
  148  rather than the total amount of the liability. However,
  149  liability for a debt that is secured by property owned by the
  150  reporting individual but that is held jointly, with right of
  151  survivorship, must be reported at 100 percent of the total
  152  amount owed.
  153         2. A separate section of the form shall be created to
  154  provide for the reporting of the amounts of joint and several
  155  liability of the reporting individual not otherwise reported in
  156  subparagraph 1.
  157         (c)With respect to reporting income, on forms prescribed
  158  under this section, each separate source and amount of income
  159  which exceeds $1,000 must be identified. For purposes of
  160  reporting income, a person required to file a full and public
  161  disclosure of financial interests may not provide, and the
  162  commission may not accept, a federal income tax return or a copy
  163  thereof.
  164         (6)The commission may not request, and a public officer,
  165  candidate, or any other person may not provide, in any filing or
  166  submission, a federal income tax return or a copy thereof; a
  167  social security number; a bank, mortgage, or brokerage account
  168  number; a debit, charge, or credit card number; a personal
  169  identification number; a taxpayer identification number; or any
  170  other personal or account information that is legally protected
  171  from disclosure under state or federal law. Once the electronic
  172  filing system is implemented, if a public officer, candidate, or
  173  other person voluntarily provides such information, the
  174  information is not subject to any confidentiality or public
  175  records exemptions found in s. 119.071. The commission shall
  176  redact a filer’s social security number; bank, mortgage, or
  177  brokerage account number; debit, charge, or credit card number;
  178  or any other personal or account information that is legally
  179  protected from disclosure under state or federal law upon
  180  written notification from the filer of its inadvertent
  181  inclusion. Such notice must specify the information
  182  inadvertently included and the specific section or sections of
  183  the disclosure in which it was included.
  184         (7)(5)Until the electronic filing system required by
  185  subsection (2) is implemented, forms for compliance with the
  186  full and public disclosure requirements of s. 8, Art. II of the
  187  State Constitution shall be prescribed created by the commission
  188  on Ethics. The commission shall give notice of disclosure
  189  deadlines and delinquencies and distribute forms in the
  190  following manner:
  191         (a) Not later than May 1 of each year, the commission shall
  192  prepare a current list of the names, e-mail addresses, and
  193  physical addresses of and the offices held by every person
  194  required to file full and public disclosure annually by s. 8,
  195  Art. II of the State Constitution, or other state law. In
  196  compiling the list, the commission shall be assisted by Each
  197  unit of government shall assist the commission in compiling the
  198  list by in providing to the commission not later than February 1
  199  of each year at the request of the commission the name, e-mail
  200  address, physical address, and name of the office held by such
  201  person each public official within the respective unit of
  202  government as of December 31 of the preceding year.
  203         (b) Not later than June 1 30 days before July 1 of each
  204  year, the commission shall distribute mail a copy of the form
  205  prescribed for compliance with full and public disclosure and a
  206  notice of the filing deadline to each person on the mailing
  207  list. Beginning January 1, 2022, notice required under this
  208  paragraph must be delivered by e-mail or other electronic means.
  209         (c) Not later than August 1 30 days after July 1 of each
  210  year, the commission shall determine which persons on the
  211  mailing list have failed to file full and public disclosure and
  212  shall send delinquency notices by certified mail to such
  213  persons. Each notice must shall state that a grace period is in
  214  effect until September 1 of the current year. Beginning January
  215  1, 2022, notice required under this paragraph must be delivered
  216  by e-mail or other electronic means and must be redelivered on a
  217  weekly basis so long as a person remains delinquent.
  218         (d) Disclosures Statements must be received by the
  219  commission filed not later than 5 p.m. of the due date. However,
  220  any disclosure statement that is postmarked by the United States
  221  Postal Service by midnight of the due date is deemed to have
  222  been filed in a timely manner, and a certificate of mailing
  223  obtained from and dated by the United States Postal Service at
  224  the time of the mailing, or a receipt from an established
  225  courier company which bears a date on or before the due date,
  226  constitutes proof of mailing in a timely manner. Beginning
  227  January 1, 2022, upon request of the filer, the commission must
  228  provide verification to the filer that the commission has
  229  received the submitted disclosure.
  230         (e) Beginning January 1, 2022, a written declaration, as
  231  provided for under s. 92.525(2), accompanied by an electronic
  232  signature satisfies the requirement that the disclosure be
  233  sworn.
  234         (f) Any person who is required to file full and public
  235  disclosure of financial interests and whose name is on the
  236  commission’s mailing list, and to whom notice has been sent, but
  237  who fails to timely file is assessed a fine of $25 per day for
  238  each day late up to a maximum of $1,500; however this $1,500
  239  limitation on automatic fines does not limit the civil penalty
  240  that may be imposed if the statement is filed more than 60 days
  241  after the deadline and a complaint is filed, as provided in s.
  242  112.324. The commission must provide by rule the grounds for
  243  waiving the fine and the procedures by which each person whose
  244  name is on the mailing list and who is determined to have not
  245  filed in a timely manner will be notified of assessed fines and
  246  may appeal. The rule must provide for and make specific the
  247  following:
  248         1. The amount of the fine due is based upon the earliest of
  249  the following:
  250         a. When a statement is actually received by the office.
  251         b. When the statement is postmarked.
  252         c. When the certificate of mailing is dated.
  253         d. When the receipt from an established courier company is
  254  dated.
  255         2. Upon receipt of the disclosure statement or upon accrual
  256  of the maximum penalty, whichever occurs first, the commission
  257  shall determine the amount of the fine which is due and shall
  258  notify the delinquent person. The notice must include an
  259  explanation of the appeal procedure under subparagraph 3. Such
  260  fine must be paid within 30 days after the notice of payment due
  261  is transmitted, unless appeal is made to the commission pursuant
  262  to subparagraph 3. The moneys shall be deposited into the
  263  General Revenue Fund.
  264         3. Any reporting person may appeal or dispute a fine, based
  265  upon unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to file on
  266  the designated due date, and may request and is entitled to a
  267  hearing before the commission, which may waive the fine in whole
  268  or in part for good cause shown. Any such request must be in
  269  writing and received by the commission made within 30 days after
  270  the notice of payment due is transmitted. In such a case, the
  271  reporting person must, within the 30-day period, notify the
  272  person designated to review the timeliness of reports in writing
  273  of his or her intention to bring the matter before the
  274  commission. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “unusual
  275  circumstances” does not include the failure to monitor an e-mail
  276  account or failure to receive notice if the person has not
  277  notified the commission of a change in his or her e-mail
  278  address.
  279         (g)(f) Any person subject to the annual filing of full and
  280  public disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution,
  281  or other state law, whose name is not on the commission’s
  282  mailing list of persons required to file full and public
  283  disclosure is not subject to the fines or penalties provided in
  284  this part for failure to file full and public disclosure in any
  285  year in which the omission occurred, but nevertheless is
  286  required to file the disclosure statement.
  287         (h)(g) The notification requirements and fines of this
  288  subsection do not apply to candidates or to the first filing
  289  required of any person appointed to elective constitutional
  290  office or other position required to file full and public
  291  disclosure, unless the person’s name is on the commission’s
  292  notification list and the person received notification from the
  293  commission. The appointing official shall notify such newly
  294  appointed person of the obligation to file full and public
  295  disclosure by July 1. The notification requirements and fines of
  296  this subsection do not apply to the final filing provided for in
  297  subsection (9) (7).
  298         (i)(h) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120, any
  299  fine imposed under this subsection which is not waived by final
  300  order of the commission and which remains unpaid more than 60
  301  days after the notice of payment due or more than 60 days after
  302  the commission renders a final order on the appeal must be
  303  submitted to the Department of Financial Services as a claim,
  304  debt, or other obligation owed to the state, and the department
  305  shall assign the collection of such fine to a collection agent
  306  as provided in s. 17.20.
  307         (8)(6) If a person holding public office or public
  308  employment fails or refuses to file a full and public disclosure
  309  of financial interests for any year in which the person received
  310  notice from the commission regarding the failure to file and has
  311  accrued the maximum automatic fine authorized under this
  312  section, regardless of whether the fine imposed was paid or
  313  collected, the commission shall initiate an investigation and
  314  conduct a public hearing without receipt of a complaint to
  315  determine whether the person’s failure to file is willful. Such
  316  investigation and hearing must be conducted in accordance with
  317  s. 112.324. Except as provided in s. 112.324(4), if the
  318  commission determines that the person willfully failed to file a
  319  full and public disclosure of financial interests, the
  320  commission shall enter an order recommending that the officer or
  321  employee be removed from his or her public office or public
  322  employment. The commission shall forward its recommendations as
  323  provided in s. 112.324.
  324         (9)(7) Each person required to file full and public
  325  disclosure of financial interests shall file a final disclosure
  326  statement within 60 days after leaving his or her public
  327  position for the period between January 1 of the year in which
  328  the person leaves and the last day of office or employment,
  329  unless within the 60-day period the person takes another public
  330  position requiring financial disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of
  331  the State Constitution, or is otherwise required to file full
  332  and public disclosure for the final disclosure period. The head
  333  of the agency of each person required to file full and public
  334  disclosure for the final disclosure period shall notify such
  335  persons of their obligation to file the final disclosure and may
  336  designate a person to be responsible for the notification
  337  requirements of this subsection.
  338         (10)(a)(8)(a) The commission shall treat an amendment to a
  339  amended full and public disclosure of financial interests which
  340  is filed before September 1 of the year in which the disclosure
  341  is due as part of the original filing, regardless of whether a
  342  complaint has been filed. If a complaint alleges only an
  343  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis error or omission,
  344  the commission may not take any action on the complaint other
  345  than notifying the filer of the complaint. The filer must be
  346  given 30 days to file an amendment to the amended full and
  347  public disclosure of financial interests correcting any errors.
  348  If the filer does not file an amendment to the amended full and
  349  public disclosure of financial interests within 30 days after
  350  the commission sends notice of the complaint, the commission may
  351  continue with proceedings pursuant to s. 112.324.
  352         (b) For purposes of the final full and public disclosure of
  353  financial interests, the commission shall treat an amendment to
  354  a new final full and public disclosure of financial interests as
  355  part of the original filing if filed within 60 days after the
  356  original filing, regardless of whether a complaint has been
  357  filed. If, more than 60 days after a final full and public
  358  disclosure of financial interests is filed, a complaint is filed
  359  alleging a complete omission of any information required to be
  360  disclosed by this section, the commission may immediately follow
  361  the complaint procedures in s. 112.324. However, if the
  362  complaint alleges an immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis
  363  error or omission, the commission may not take any action on the
  364  complaint, other than notifying the filer of the complaint. The
  365  filer must be given 30 days to file an amendment to the a new
  366  final full and public disclosure of financial interests
  367  correcting any errors. If the filer does not file an amendment
  368  to the a new final full and public disclosure of financial
  369  interests within 30 days after the commission sends notice of
  370  the complaint, the commission may continue with proceedings
  371  pursuant to s. 112.324.
  372         (c) For purposes of this section, an error or omission is
  373  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis if the original
  374  filing provided sufficient information for the public to
  375  identify potential conflicts of interest. However, failure to
  376  certify completion of annual ethics training required under s.
  377  112.3142 does not constitute an immaterial, inconsequential, or
  378  de minimis error or omission.
  379         (11)(a)(9)(a) An individual required to file a disclosure
  380  pursuant to this section may have the disclosure prepared by an
  381  attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar or by a certified
  382  public accountant licensed under chapter 473. After preparing a
  383  disclosure form, the attorney or certified public accountant
  384  must sign the form indicating that he or she prepared the form
  385  in accordance with this section and the instructions for
  386  completing and filing the disclosure forms and that, upon his or
  387  her reasonable knowledge and belief, the disclosure is true and
  388  correct. If a complaint is filed alleging a failure to disclose
  389  information required by this section, the commission shall
  390  determine whether the information was disclosed to the attorney
  391  or certified public accountant. The failure of the attorney or
  392  certified public accountant to accurately transcribe information
  393  provided by the individual required to file is not a violation
  394  of this section.
  395         (b) An elected officer or candidate who chooses to use an
  396  attorney or a certified public accountant to prepare his or her
  397  disclosure may pay for the services of the attorney or certified
  398  public accountant from funds in an office account created
  399  pursuant to s. 106.141 or, during a year that the individual
  400  qualifies for election to public office, the candidate’s
  401  campaign depository pursuant to s. 106.021.
  402         (12)(10) The commission shall adopt rules and forms
  403  specifying how a person who is required to file full and public
  404  disclosure of financial interests may amend his or her
  405  disclosure statement to report information that was not included
  406  on the form as originally filed. If the amendment is the subject
  407  of a complaint filed under this part, the commission and the
  408  proper disciplinary official or body shall consider as a
  409  mitigating factor when considering appropriate disciplinary
  410  action the fact that the amendment was filed before any
  411  complaint or other inquiry or proceeding, while recognizing that
  412  the public was deprived of access to information to which it was
  413  entitled.
  414         (13)The provisions of this section constitute a revision
  415  to the schedule included in s. 8(i), Art. II of the State
  416  Constitution.
  417         Section 4. Section 112.3145, Florida Statutes, is amended
  418  to read:
  419         112.3145 Disclosure of financial interests and clients
  420  represented before agencies.—
  421         (1) For purposes of this section, unless the context
  422  otherwise requires, the term:
  423         (a) “Local officer” means:
  424         1. Every person who is elected to office in any political
  425  subdivision of the state, and every person who is appointed to
  426  fill a vacancy for an unexpired term in such an elective office.
  427         2. Any appointed member of any of the following boards,
  428  councils, commissions, authorities, or other bodies of any
  429  county, municipality, school district, independent special
  430  district, or other political subdivision of the state:
  431         a. The governing body of the political subdivision, if
  432  appointed;
  433         b. A community college or junior college district board of
  434  trustees;
  435         c. A board having the power to enforce local code
  436  provisions;
  437         d. A planning or zoning board, board of adjustment, board
  438  of appeals, community redevelopment agency board, or other board
  439  having the power to recommend, create, or modify land planning
  440  or zoning within the political subdivision, except for citizen
  441  advisory committees, technical coordinating committees, and such
  442  other groups who only have the power to make recommendations to
  443  planning or zoning boards;
  444         e. A pension board or retirement board having the power to
  445  invest pension or retirement funds or the power to make a
  446  binding determination of one’s entitlement to or amount of a
  447  pension or other retirement benefit; or
  448         f. Any other appointed member of a local government board
  449  who is required to file a statement of financial interests by
  450  the appointing authority or the enabling legislation, ordinance,
  451  or resolution creating the board.
  452         3. Any person holding one or more of the following
  453  positions: mayor; county or city manager; chief administrative
  454  employee of a county, municipality, or other political
  455  subdivision; county or municipal attorney; finance director of a
  456  county, municipality, or other political subdivision; chief
  457  county or municipal building code inspector; county or municipal
  458  water resources coordinator; county or municipal pollution
  459  control director; county or municipal environmental control
  460  director; county or municipal administrator, with power to grant
  461  or deny a land development permit; chief of police; fire chief;
  462  municipal clerk; district school superintendent; community
  463  college president; district medical examiner; or purchasing
  464  agent having the authority to make any purchase exceeding the
  465  threshold amount provided for in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO
  466  ONE, on behalf of any political subdivision of the state or any
  467  entity thereof.
  468         (b) “Specified state employee” means:
  469         1. Public counsel created by chapter 350, an assistant
  470  state attorney, an assistant public defender, a criminal
  471  conflict and civil regional counsel, an assistant criminal
  472  conflict and civil regional counsel, a full-time state employee
  473  who serves as counsel or assistant counsel to any state agency,
  474  the Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims, a judge of
  475  compensation claims, an administrative law judge, or a hearing
  476  officer.
  477         2. Any person employed in the office of the Governor or in
  478  the office of any member of the Cabinet if that person is exempt
  479  from the Career Service System, except persons employed in
  480  clerical, secretarial, or similar positions.
  481         3. The State Surgeon General or each appointed secretary,
  482  assistant secretary, deputy secretary, executive director,
  483  assistant executive director, or deputy executive director of
  484  each state department, commission, board, or council; unless
  485  otherwise provided, the division director, assistant division
  486  director, deputy director, and bureau chief, and assistant
  487  bureau chief of any state department or division; or any person
  488  having the power normally conferred upon such persons, by
  489  whatever title.
  490         4. The superintendent or institute director of a state
  491  mental health institute established for training and research in
  492  the mental health field or the warden or director of any major
  493  state institution or facility established for corrections,
  494  training, treatment, or rehabilitation.
  495         5. Business managers, purchasing agents having the power to
  496  make any purchase exceeding the threshold amount provided for in
  497  s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO ONE, finance and accounting
  498  directors, personnel officers, or grants coordinators for any
  499  state agency.
  500         6. Any person, other than a legislative assistant exempted
  501  by the presiding officer of the house by which the legislative
  502  assistant is employed, who is employed in the legislative branch
  503  of government, except persons employed in maintenance, clerical,
  504  secretarial, or similar positions.
  505         7. Each employee of the Commission on Ethics.
  506         (c) “State officer” means:
  507         1. Any elected public officer, excluding those elected to
  508  the United States Senate and House of Representatives, not
  509  covered elsewhere in this part and any person who is appointed
  510  to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term in such an elective
  511  office.
  512         2. An appointed member of each board, commission,
  513  authority, or council having statewide jurisdiction, excluding a
  514  member of an advisory body.
  515         3. A member of the Board of Governors of the State
  516  University System or a state university board of trustees, the
  517  Chancellor and Vice Chancellors of the State University System,
  518  and the president of a state university.
  519         4. A member of the judicial nominating commission for any
  520  district court of appeal or any judicial circuit.
  521         (2)(a) A person seeking nomination or election to a state
  522  or local elective office shall file a statement of financial
  523  interests together with, and at the same time he or she files,
  524  qualifying papers. Until the electronic filing system is
  525  implemented under paragraph (d), when a candidate has qualified
  526  for office prior to the deadline to file an annual statement of
  527  financial interests, the statement of financial interests that
  528  is filed with the candidate’s qualifying papers shall be deemed
  529  to satisfy the annual disclosure requirement of this section.
  530  The qualifying officer must record that the statement of
  531  financial interests was timely filed. However, if a candidate
  532  does not qualify until after the annual statement of financial
  533  interests has been filed, the candidate may file a copy of his
  534  or her statement with the qualifying officer.
  535         (b) Each state or local officer and each specified state
  536  employee shall file a statement of financial interests no later
  537  than July 1 of each year. Each state officer, local officer, and
  538  specified state employee shall file a final statement of
  539  financial interests within 60 days after leaving his or her
  540  public position for the period between January 1 of the year in
  541  which the person leaves and the last day of office or
  542  employment, unless within the 60-day period the person takes
  543  another public position requiring financial disclosure under
  544  this section or s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or
  545  otherwise is required to file full and public disclosure or a
  546  statement of financial interests for the final disclosure
  547  period. Each state or local officer who is appointed and each
  548  specified state employee who is employed shall file a statement
  549  of financial interests within 30 days from the date of
  550  appointment or, in the case of a specified state employee, from
  551  the date on which the employment begins, except that any person
  552  whose appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate shall
  553  file prior to confirmation hearings or within 30 days from the
  554  date of appointment, whichever comes first.
  555         (c) State officers and specified state employees shall file
  556  their statements of financial interests with the commission on
  557  Ethics. Local officers shall file their statements of financial
  558  interests with the supervisor of elections of the county in
  559  which they permanently reside. Local officers who do not
  560  permanently reside in any county in the state shall file their
  561  statements of financial interests with the supervisor of
  562  elections of the county in which their agency maintains its
  563  headquarters. Persons seeking to qualify as candidates for local
  564  public office shall file their statements of financial interests
  565  with the officer before whom they qualify.
  566         (d)Beginning January 1, 2023, a statement of financial
  567  interests and a final statement of financial interests, and
  568  amendments thereto, or any other form required by this section,
  569  must be filed electronically through an electronic filing system
  570  created and maintained by the commission as provided in s.
  571  112.31446.
  572         (3) The statement of financial interests for state
  573  officers, specified state employees, local officers, and persons
  574  seeking to qualify as candidates for state or local office shall
  575  be filed even if the reporting person holds no financial
  576  interests requiring disclosure in a particular category, in
  577  which case that section of the statement shall be marked “not
  578  applicable.” Otherwise, the statement of financial interests
  579  must shall include the information under paragraph (a) or
  580  paragraph (b). The reporting person shall indicate on the
  581  statement whether he or she is using the reporting method under
  582  paragraph (a) or paragraph (b). However, beginning January 1,
  583  2023, only the reporting method specified under paragraph (b)
  584  may be used. , at the filer’s option, either:
  585         (a) 1. All sources of income in excess of 5 percent of the
  586  gross income received during the disclosure period by the person
  587  in his or her own name or by any other person for his or her use
  588  or benefit, excluding public salary. However, this shall not be
  589  construed to require disclosure of a business partner’s sources
  590  of income. The person reporting shall list such sources in
  591  descending order of value with the largest source first;
  592         2. All sources of income to a business entity in excess of
  593  10 percent of the gross income of a business entity in which the
  594  reporting person held a material interest and from which he or
  595  she received an amount which was in excess of 10 percent of his
  596  or her gross income during the disclosure period and which
  597  exceeds $1,500. The period for computing the gross income of the
  598  business entity is the fiscal year of the business entity which
  599  ended on, or immediately prior to, the end of the disclosure
  600  period of the person reporting;
  601         3. The location or description of real property in this
  602  state, except for residences and vacation homes, owned directly
  603  or indirectly by the person reporting, when such person owns in
  604  excess of 5 percent of the value of such real property, and a
  605  general description of any intangible personal property worth in
  606  excess of 10 percent of such person’s total assets. For the
  607  purposes of this paragraph, indirect ownership does not include
  608  ownership by a spouse or minor child; and
  609         4. Every individual liability that equals more than the
  610  reporting person’s net worth; or
  611         (b)1. All sources of gross income in excess of $2,500
  612  received during the disclosure period by the person in his or
  613  her own name or by any other person for his or her use or
  614  benefit, excluding public salary. However, this shall not be
  615  construed to require disclosure of a business partner’s sources
  616  of income. The person reporting shall list such sources in
  617  descending order of value with the largest source first;
  618         2. All sources of income to a business entity in excess of
  619  10 percent of the gross income of a business entity in which the
  620  reporting person held a material interest and from which he or
  621  she received gross income exceeding $5,000 during the disclosure
  622  period. The period for computing the gross income of the
  623  business entity is the fiscal year of the business entity which
  624  ended on, or immediately prior to, the end of the disclosure
  625  period of the person reporting;
  626         3. The location or description of real property in this
  627  state, except for residence and vacation homes, owned directly
  628  or indirectly by the person reporting, when such person owns in
  629  excess of 5 percent of the value of such real property, and a
  630  general description of any intangible personal property worth in
  631  excess of $10,000. For the purpose of this paragraph, indirect
  632  ownership does not include ownership by a spouse or minor child;
  633  and
  634         4. Every liability in excess of $10,000.
  635  
  636  A person filing a statement of financial interests shall
  637  indicate on the statement whether he or she is using the method
  638  specified in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
  639         (4) The commission may not request, and a local or state
  640  officer or specified state employee may not provide, in any
  641  filing or submission, a federal income tax return or a copy
  642  thereof; a social security number; a bank, mortgage, or
  643  brokerage account number; a debit, charge, or credit card
  644  number; a personal identification number; a taxpayer
  645  identification number; or any other personal or account
  646  information that is legally protected from disclosure under
  647  state or federal law. Once the electronic filing system is
  648  implemented, if a public officer, candidate, or other person
  649  voluntarily provides such information, the information is not
  650  subject to any confidentiality or public records exemptions
  651  found in s. 119.071. The commission shall redact a filer’s
  652  social security number; bank, mortgage, or brokerage account
  653  number; debit, charge, or credit card number; or any other
  654  personal or account information that is legally protected from
  655  disclosure under state or federal law upon written notification
  656  from the filer of its inadvertent inclusion. Such notice must
  657  specify the information inadvertently included and the specific
  658  section or sections of the disclosure in which it was included.
  659         (5)Beginning January 1, 2015, An officer who is required
  660  to complete annual ethics training pursuant to s. 112.3142 must
  661  certify on his or her statement of financial interests that he
  662  or she has completed the required training.
  663         (6)(5) Each elected constitutional officer, state officer,
  664  local officer, and specified state employee shall file a
  665  quarterly report of the names of clients represented for a fee
  666  or commission, except for appearances in ministerial matters,
  667  before agencies at his or her level of government. For the
  668  purposes of this part, agencies of government shall be
  669  classified as state-level agencies or agencies below state
  670  level. Each local officer shall file such report with the
  671  supervisor of elections of the county in which the officer is
  672  principally employed or is a resident. Each state officer,
  673  elected constitutional officer, and specified state employee
  674  shall file such report with the commission. The report shall be
  675  filed only when a reportable representation is made during the
  676  calendar quarter and shall be filed no later than the last day
  677  of each calendar quarter, for the previous calendar quarter.
  678  Representation before any agency shall be deemed to include
  679  representation by such officer or specified state employee or by
  680  any partner or associate of the professional firm of which he or
  681  she is a member and of which he or she has actual knowledge. For
  682  the purposes of this subsection, the term “representation before
  683  any agency” does not include appearances before any court or the
  684  Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims or judges of
  685  compensation claims or representations on behalf of one’s agency
  686  in one’s official capacity. Such term does not include the
  687  preparation and filing of forms and applications merely for the
  688  purpose of obtaining or transferring a license based on a quota
  689  or a franchise of such agency or a license or operation permit
  690  to engage in a profession, business, or occupation, so long as
  691  the issuance or granting of such license, permit, or transfer
  692  does not require substantial discretion, a variance, a special
  693  consideration, or a certificate of public convenience and
  694  necessity.
  695         (7)(6) Each elected constitutional officer and each
  696  candidate for such office, any other public officer required
  697  pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution to file a
  698  full and public disclosure of his or her financial interests,
  699  and each state officer, local officer, specified state employee,
  700  and candidate for elective public office who is or was during
  701  the disclosure period an officer, director, partner, proprietor,
  702  or agent, other than a resident agent solely for service of
  703  process, of, or owns or owned during the disclosure period a
  704  material interest in, any business entity which is granted a
  705  privilege to operate in this state shall disclose such facts as
  706  a part of the disclosure form filed pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of
  707  the State Constitution or this section, as applicable. The
  708  statement shall give the name, address, and principal business
  709  activity of the business entity and shall state the position
  710  held with such business entity or the fact that a material
  711  interest is owned and the nature of that interest.
  712         (8)(7) Forms for compliance with the disclosure
  713  requirements of this section and a current list of persons
  714  subject to disclosure shall be created by the commission and
  715  provided to each supervisor of elections. The commission and
  716  each supervisor of elections shall give notice of disclosure
  717  deadlines and delinquencies and distribute forms in the
  718  following manner:
  719         (a)1. Not later than May 1 of each year, the commission
  720  shall prepare a current list of the names, e-mail addresses, and
  721  physical addresses of, and the offices or positions held by,
  722  every state officer, local officer, and specified employee. In
  723  compiling the list, the commission shall be assisted by Each
  724  unit of government shall assist the commission in compiling the
  725  list by in providing to the commission not later than February 1
  726  of each year , at the request of the commission, the name, e
  727  mail address, physical address, and name of agency of, and the
  728  office or position held by, each state officer, local officer,
  729  or specified state employee within the respective unit of
  730  government as of December 31 of the preceding year.
  731         2. Not later than May 15 of each year, the commission shall
  732  provide each supervisor of elections with a current mailing list
  733  of all local officers required to file with such supervisor of
  734  elections.
  735         (b) Not later than June 1 30 days before July 1 of each
  736  year, the commission and each supervisor of elections, as
  737  appropriate, shall distribute mail a copy of the form prescribed
  738  for compliance with subsection (3) and a notice of all
  739  applicable disclosure forms and filing deadlines to each person
  740  required to file a statement of financial interests. Beginning
  741  January 1, 2023, notice required under this paragraph must be
  742  delivered by e-mail or other electronic means.
  743         (c) Not later than August 1 30 days after July 1 of each
  744  year, the commission and each supervisor of elections shall
  745  determine which persons required to file a statement of
  746  financial interests in their respective offices have failed to
  747  do so and shall send delinquency notices by certified mail,
  748  return receipt requested, to these persons. Each notice must
  749  shall state that a grace period is in effect until September 1
  750  of the current year; that no investigative or disciplinary
  751  action based upon the delinquency will be taken by the agency
  752  head or commission if the statement is filed by September 1 of
  753  the current year; that, if the statement is not filed by
  754  September 1 of the current year, a fine of $25 for each day late
  755  will be imposed, up to a maximum penalty of $1,500; for notices
  756  distributed sent by a supervisor of elections, that he or she is
  757  required by law to notify the commission of the delinquency; and
  758  that, if upon the filing of a sworn complaint the commission
  759  finds that the person has failed to timely file the statement
  760  within 60 days after September 1 of the current year, such
  761  person will also be subject to the penalties provided in s.
  762  112.317. Beginning January 1, 2023, notice required under this
  763  paragraph must be delivered by e-mail or other electronic means
  764  and must be redelivered on a weekly basis so long as a person
  765  remains delinquent.
  766         (d) No later than November 15 of each year, the supervisor
  767  of elections in each county shall certify to the commission a
  768  list of the names and addresses of, and the offices or positions
  769  held by, all persons who have failed to timely file the required
  770  statements of financial interests. The certification must
  771  include the earliest of the dates described in subparagraph
  772  (g)1. (f)1. The certification shall be on a form prescribed by
  773  the commission and shall indicate whether the supervisor of
  774  elections has provided the disclosure forms and notice as
  775  required by this subsection to all persons named on the
  776  delinquency list.
  777         (e) Statements must be received by the commission filed not
  778  later than 5 p.m. of the due date. However, any statement that
  779  is postmarked by the United States Postal Service by midnight of
  780  the due date is deemed to have been filed in a timely manner,
  781  and a certificate of mailing obtained from and dated by the
  782  United States Postal Service at the time of the mailing, or a
  783  receipt from an established courier company which bears a date
  784  on or before the due date, constitutes proof of mailing in a
  785  timely manner. Beginning January 1, 2023, upon request of the
  786  filer, the commission must provide verification to the filer
  787  that the commission has received the submitted statement.
  788         (f) Beginning January 1, 2023, the statement must be
  789  accompanied by a declaration as provided in s. 92.525(2) and an
  790  electronic acknowledgement thereof.
  791         (g) Any person who is required to file a statement of
  792  financial interests and whose name is on the commission’s
  793  mailing list, and to whom notice has been sent, but who fails to
  794  timely file is assessed a fine of $25 per day for each day late
  795  up to a maximum of $1,500; however, this $1,500 limitation on
  796  automatic fines does not limit the civil penalty that may be
  797  imposed if the statement is filed more than 60 days after the
  798  deadline and a complaint is filed, as provided in s. 112.324.
  799  The commission must provide by rule the grounds for waiving the
  800  fine and procedures by which each person whose name is on the
  801  mailing list and who is determined to have not filed in a timely
  802  manner will be notified of assessed fines and may appeal. The
  803  rule must provide for and make specific the following:
  804         1. The amount of the fine due is based upon the earliest of
  805  the following:
  806         a. When a statement is actually received by the office.
  807         b. When the statement is postmarked.
  808         c. When the certificate of mailing is dated.
  809         d. When the receipt from an established courier company is
  810  dated.
  811         2. For a specified state employee or a state officer, upon
  812  receipt of the disclosure statement by the commission or upon
  813  accrual of the maximum penalty, whichever occurs first, and for
  814  a local officer upon receipt by the commission of the
  815  certification from the local officer’s supervisor of elections
  816  pursuant to paragraph (d), the commission shall determine the
  817  amount of the fine which is due and shall notify the delinquent
  818  person. The notice must include an explanation of the appeal
  819  procedure under subparagraph 3. The fine must be paid within 30
  820  days after the notice of payment due is transmitted, unless
  821  appeal is made to the commission pursuant to subparagraph 3. The
  822  moneys are to be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
  823         3. Any reporting person may appeal or dispute a fine, based
  824  upon unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to file on
  825  the designated due date, and may request and is entitled to a
  826  hearing before the commission, which may waive the fine in whole
  827  or in part for good cause shown. Any such request must be in
  828  writing and received by the commission made within 30 days after
  829  the notice of payment due is transmitted. In such a case, the
  830  reporting person must, within the 30-day period, notify the
  831  person designated to review the timeliness of reports in writing
  832  of his or her intention to bring the matter before the
  833  commission. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “unusual
  834  circumstances” does not include the failure to monitor an e-mail
  835  account or failure to receive notice if the person has not
  836  notified the commission of a change in his or her e-mail
  837  address.
  838         (h)(g) Any state officer, local officer, or specified
  839  employee whose name is not on the mailing list of persons
  840  required to file an annual statement of financial interests is
  841  not subject to the penalties provided in s. 112.317 or the fine
  842  provided in this section for failure to timely file a statement
  843  of financial interests in any year in which the omission
  844  occurred, but nevertheless is required to file the disclosure
  845  statement.
  846         (i)(h) The notification requirements and fines of this
  847  subsection do not apply to candidates or to the first or final
  848  filing required of any state officer, specified employee, or
  849  local officer as provided in paragraph (2)(b).
  850         (j)(i) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120, any
  851  fine imposed under this subsection which is not waived by final
  852  order of the commission and which remains unpaid more than 60
  853  days after the notice of payment due or more than 60 days after
  854  the commission renders a final order on the appeal must be
  855  submitted to the Department of Financial Services as a claim,
  856  debt, or other obligation owed to the state, and the department
  857  shall assign the collection of such a fine to a collection agent
  858  as provided in s. 17.20.
  859         (9)(a)(8)(a) The appointing official or body shall notify
  860  each newly appointed local officer, state officer, or specified
  861  state employee, not later than the date of appointment, of the
  862  officer’s or employee’s duty to comply with the disclosure
  863  requirements of this section. The agency head of each employing
  864  agency shall notify each newly employed local officer or
  865  specified state employee, not later than the day of employment,
  866  of the officer’s or employee’s duty to comply with the
  867  disclosure requirements of this section. The appointing official
  868  or body or employing agency head may designate a person to be
  869  responsible for the notification requirements of this paragraph.
  870         (b) The agency head of the agency of each local officer,
  871  state officer, or specified state employee who is required to
  872  file a statement of financial interests for the final disclosure
  873  period shall notify such persons of their obligation to file the
  874  final disclosure and may designate a person to be responsible
  875  for the notification requirements of this paragraph.
  876         (c) If a person holding public office or public employment
  877  fails or refuses to file an annual statement of financial
  878  interests for any year in which the person received notice from
  879  the commission regarding the failure to file and has accrued the
  880  maximum automatic fine authorized under this section, regardless
  881  of whether the fine imposed was paid or collected, the
  882  commission shall initiate an investigation and conduct a public
  883  hearing without receipt of a complaint to determine whether the
  884  person’s failure to file is willful. Such investigation and
  885  hearing must be conducted in accordance with s. 112.324. Except
  886  as provided in s. 112.324(4), if the commission determines that
  887  the person willfully failed to file a statement of financial
  888  interests, the commission shall enter an order recommending that
  889  the officer or employee be removed from his or her public office
  890  or public employment. The commission shall forward its
  891  recommendation as provided in s. 112.324.
  892         (10)(9) A public officer who has filed a disclosure for any
  893  calendar or fiscal year shall not be required to file a second
  894  disclosure for the same year or any part thereof,
  895  notwithstanding any requirement of this act, except that any
  896  public officer who qualifies as a candidate for public office
  897  shall file a copy of the disclosure with the officer before whom
  898  he or she qualifies as a candidate at the time of qualification.
  899         (11)(a)(10)(a) The commission shall treat an amendment to
  900  an amended annual statement of financial interests which is
  901  filed before September 1 of the year in which the statement is
  902  due as part of the original filing, regardless of whether a
  903  complaint has been filed. If a complaint alleges only an
  904  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis error or omission,
  905  the commission may not take any action on the complaint other
  906  than notifying the filer of the complaint. The filer must be
  907  given 30 days to file an amendment to the amended statement of
  908  financial interests correcting any errors. If the filer does not
  909  file an amendment to the amended statement of financial
  910  interests within 30 days after the commission sends notice of
  911  the complaint, the commission may continue with proceedings
  912  pursuant to s. 112.324.
  913         (b) For purposes of the final statement of financial
  914  interests, the commission shall treat an amendment to a new
  915  final statement of financial interests as part of the original
  916  filing, if filed within 60 days of the original filing
  917  regardless of whether a complaint has been filed. If, more than
  918  60 days after a final statement of financial interests is filed,
  919  a complaint is filed alleging a complete omission of any
  920  information required to be disclosed by this section, the
  921  commission may immediately follow the complaint procedures in s.
  922  112.324. However, if the complaint alleges an immaterial,
  923  inconsequential, or de minimis error or omission, the commission
  924  may not take any action on the complaint other than notifying
  925  the filer of the complaint. The filer must be given 30 days to
  926  file an amendment to the a new final statement of financial
  927  interests correcting any errors. If the filer does not file an
  928  amendment to the a new final statement of financial interests
  929  within 30 days after the commission sends notice of the
  930  complaint, the commission may continue with proceedings pursuant
  931  to s. 112.324.
  932         (c) For purposes of this section, an error or omission is
  933  immaterial, inconsequential, or de minimis if the original
  934  filing provided sufficient information for the public to
  935  identify potential conflicts of interest. However, failure to
  936  certify completion of annual ethics training required under s.
  937  112.3142 does not constitute an immaterial, inconsequential, or
  938  de minimis error or omission.
  939         (12)(a)(11)(a) An individual required to file a statement
  940  disclosure pursuant to this section may have the statement
  941  disclosure prepared by an attorney in good standing with The
  942  Florida Bar or by a certified public accountant licensed under
  943  chapter 473. After preparing a statement disclosure form, the
  944  attorney or certified public accountant must sign the form
  945  indicating that he or she prepared the form in accordance with
  946  this section and the instructions for completing and filing the
  947  disclosure forms and that, upon his or her reasonable knowledge
  948  and belief, the disclosure is true and correct. If a complaint
  949  is filed alleging a failure to disclose information required by
  950  this section, the commission shall determine whether the
  951  information was disclosed to the attorney or certified public
  952  accountant. The failure of the attorney or certified public
  953  accountant to accurately transcribe information provided by the
  954  individual who is required to file the statement disclosure does
  955  not constitute a violation of this section.
  956         (b) An elected officer or candidate who chooses to use an
  957  attorney or a certified public accountant to prepare his or her
  958  statement disclosure may pay for the services of the attorney or
  959  certified public accountant from funds in an office account
  960  created pursuant to s. 106.141 or, during a year that the
  961  individual qualifies for election to public office, the
  962  candidate’s campaign depository pursuant to s. 106.021.
  963         (13)(12) The commission shall adopt rules and forms
  964  specifying how a state officer, local officer, or specified
  965  state employee may amend his or her statement of financial
  966  interests to report information that was not included on the
  967  form as originally filed. If the amendment is the subject of a
  968  complaint filed under this part, the commission and the proper
  969  disciplinary official or body shall consider as a mitigating
  970  factor when considering appropriate disciplinary action the fact
  971  that the amendment was filed before any complaint or other
  972  inquiry or proceeding, while recognizing that the public was
  973  deprived of access to information to which it was entitled.
  974         Section 5. Section 112.31455, Florida Statutes, is amended
  975  to read:
  976         112.31455 Collection methods for unpaid automatic fines for
  977  failure to timely file disclosure of financial interests.—
  978         (1) Before referring any unpaid fine accrued pursuant to s.
  979  112.3144(7) or s. 112.3145(8) s. 112.3144(5) or s. 112.3145(7)
  980  to the Department of Financial Services, the commission shall
  981  attempt to determine whether the individual owing such a fine is
  982  a current public officer or current public employee. If so, the
  983  commission may notify the Chief Financial Officer or the
  984  governing body of the appropriate county, municipality, or
  985  special district of the total amount of any fine owed to the
  986  commission by such individual.
  987         (a) After receipt and verification of the notice from the
  988  commission, the Chief Financial Officer or the governing body of
  989  the county, municipality, or special district shall begin
  990  withholding the lesser of 10 percent or the maximum amount
  991  allowed under federal law from any salary-related payment. The
  992  withheld payments shall be remitted to the commission until the
  993  fine is satisfied.
  994         (b) The Chief Financial Officer or the governing body of
  995  the county, municipality, or special district may retain an
  996  amount of each withheld payment, as provided in s. 77.0305, to
  997  cover the administrative costs incurred under this section.
  998         (2) If the commission determines that the individual who is
  999  the subject of an unpaid fine accrued pursuant to s. 112.3144(7)
 1000  or s. 112.3145(8) s. 112.3144(5) or s. 112.3145(7) is no longer
 1001  a public officer or public employee or if the commission is
 1002  unable to determine whether the individual is a current public
 1003  officer or public employee, the commission may, 6 months after
 1004  the order becomes final, seek garnishment of any wages to
 1005  satisfy the amount of the fine, or any unpaid portion thereof,
 1006  pursuant to chapter 77. Upon recording the order imposing the
 1007  fine with the clerk of the circuit court, the order shall be
 1008  deemed a judgment for purposes of garnishment pursuant to
 1009  chapter 77.
 1010         (3) The commission may refer unpaid fines to the
 1011  appropriate collection agency, as directed by the Chief
 1012  Financial Officer, to utilize any collection methods provided by
 1013  law. Except as expressly limited by this section, any other
 1014  collection methods authorized by law are allowed.
 1015         (4) Action may be taken to collect any unpaid fine imposed
 1016  by ss. 112.3144 and 112.3145 within 20 years after the date the
 1017  final order is rendered.
 1018         Section 6. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 1019  act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
 1020  
 1021  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
 1022  And the title is amended as follows:
 1023         Delete everything before the enacting clause
 1024  and insert:
 1025                        A bill to be entitled                      
 1026         An act relating to financial disclosure; creating s.
 1027         112.31446, F.S.; providing definitions; requiring the
 1028         Commission on Ethics to procure and test an electronic
 1029         filing system by a certain date; providing minimum
 1030         requirements for such system; providing duties for
 1031         units of government, the commission, and persons
 1032         required to file specified financial disclosure forms;
 1033         providing for alternative means of filing in the event
 1034         the electronic filing system is inoperable; amending
 1035         s. 112.312, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
 1036         “disclosure period”; amending s. 112.3144, F.S.;
 1037         requiring the electronic filing of full and public
 1038         disclosures of financial interests beginning on a
 1039         specified date; revising requirements with respect to
 1040         reporting income; prohibiting the commission from
 1041         requesting, accepting, or retaining certain
 1042         information; providing for the redaction of protected
 1043         information if certain conditions are met; modifying
 1044         requirements regarding preparation of the list of
 1045         reporting persons; requiring electronic delivery for
 1046         certain notices; requiring the commission to provide
 1047         certain verification to a filer upon request;
 1048         requiring a declaration be submitted with a
 1049         disclosure; specifying that certain actions do not
 1050         constitute an unusual circumstance when appealing or
 1051         disputing a fine; revising a schedule to the State
 1052         Constitution; amending s. 112.3145, F.S.; revising the
 1053         definition of the term “specified state employee”;
 1054         requiring the electronic filing of statements of
 1055         financial interests beginning on a specified date;
 1056         modifying the options for reporting thresholds on a
 1057         statement of financial interests; prohibiting the
 1058         commission from requesting, accepting, or retaining
 1059         certain information; providing for the redaction of
 1060         protected information if certain conditions are met;
 1061         modifying requirements regarding preparation of the
 1062         list of reporting persons; requiring electronic
 1063         delivery for certain notices; requiring the commission
 1064         to provide certain verification to a filer upon
 1065         request; requiring a declaration be submitted with a
 1066         statement; specifying that certain actions do not
 1067         constitute an unusual circumstance when appealing or
 1068         disputing a fine; amending s. 112.31455, F.S.;
 1069         conforming cross-references to changes made by the
 1070         act; providing effective dates.