Voters passed Amendment 10 proposing four changes to state and local government structure and operation.

The first proposal changes the regular sessions for the Legislature from March to January on even-numbered years.

The measure also created the Office of Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism within the Department of Law Enforcement and requires the Legislature to provide for a Department of Veterans Affairs within the executive branch.

The last proposal passed by the measure ensures elections for the county offices of sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.

The changes relating to the election of county officers will take effect January 5, 2021, except for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties which will take in January 7, 2025.

Voters approved Amendment 12, titled Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers.

The amendment expands restrictions on lobbying for compensation by former public officers, former justices, and judges.

Effective December 31, 2022 the measure bans state and local officials from lobbying for a period of six years after leaving public office.

The prohibition includes individuals serving as a statewide elected officer, member of the Legislature, a county commissioner, school superintendent or board member, elected municipal officer, and the agency head of an executive branch department of the state government.

The measure also prohibits abuse of a public position to obtain a personal benefit.

The Legislature will establish penalties for violations of the prohibition against abuse of a public position to take effect December 31, 2020.

A special runoff election will be held on November 6 to fill the remainder of Susan Valdes’s term on the Hillsborough County School Board.

Her resignation for the District 1 seat is effective in November.

Former Hillsborough County School District administrator Bill Person will face construction industry executive Steve Cona III in the special runoff election.

The winner will complete the remainder of Valdes’s four-year term.

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust selected Jose J. Arrojo as its new executive director.

Arrojo is currently a Chief Assistant State Attorney and will be the third director of the commission since it was created in 1996.

Arrojo, will assume the post when Joseph Centorino steps down at the end of August.

The Board of Governors for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation unanimously approved a new policy requiring lobbyist registration.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis asked the board last month to create a registration and disclosure process at the corporation similar to executive branch requirements.

Effective September 1, lobbyists will be required to register by a new online system before communicating with a member of the board or an employee of the corporation outside of a public meeting.

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission voted to place a six-year revolving door restriction directly on the November general election ballot.

Proposal 6007 would also ban state and local officials from lobbying the Legislature, executive branch, and the federal government while in office.  If approved by 60 percent of voters, the lobbying ban will take effect December 31, 2022.

The proposal would also prohibit public officials from abusing their position to obtain a disproportionate benefit.

The Commission on Ethics will be responsible for defining the term disproportionate benefit, prescribing the requisite intent for finding a violation, and enforcing the prohibition against the abuse of a public position.

The new ethics rule will take effect December 31, 2020, if passed by 60 percent of voters.

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is one step closer to placing an ethics proposal on the November ballot.

Proposal 39, creating an extended waiting period for state and local officials seeking to lobby after leaving office, was approved as amended.

The proposal prohibits state and local officials from lobbying their former departments, agencies, or governing bodies for six years after leaving office. Such persons would also be prohibited from lobbying any federal agency or any state or local body or agency during their respective terms of office.

Upon approval, the measure advanced, along with seven other proposals, to the Style and Drafting Committee. The committee has the authority to revise and combine proposals prior to a final vote by the full commission.

To be placed on the November 6 ballot, the proposal will need support from at least 22 commission members.

Once every 20 years, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convenes for the purpose of reviewing the state’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The CRC travels around the state for approximately one year to identify issues, perform research, and propose constitutional amendments.

This year, the CRC is considering 37 amendments, including one related to ethics reform. The proposal, known as P-39, establishes a revolving door provision prohibiting lawmakers from lobbying local, state, and federal officials during their terms of office and prohibiting them from lobbying the Legislature and state agencies for six years after leaving office.

Similar waiting periods would apply to appointed officials as well as officials locally elected. Current law imposes a two-year waiting period and applies only to legislators and state officers or employees.

P-39 will be considered by the full CRC this week.

The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, March 11 after extending its annual session for several days to pass a state budget.

Lawmakers approved an $88.7 billion budget with $21 billion allocated for public schools.

Some of the funds were reserved for school resource officers and mental health counselors in response to last month’s mass shooting in Parkland.

The city commission adopted changes to Tallahassee’s ethics rules, taking aim at improper interactions between elected officials and those seeking official action.

Changes to the ordinance include a ban on city officials soliciting gifts from vendors and lobbyists and a prohibition on city officials accepting gifts totaling more than $100 in a calendar year.

These changes are effective upon final passage.

Changes to registration and training requirements are now effective for Miami lobbyists.

Following the passage of Ordinance 13718, lobbyists must now register within five business days of being retained as a lobbyist by a principal and prior to engaging in any type of lobbying activities.

Lobbyists must also complete an ethics training course within 60 days of registering, and if registration is renewed continuously thereafter, a refresher course is required once every two years.

Additional changes include the requirement to report travel and lodging provided to public officials and a fine of $50 per day for failure to file an annual report. The previous fine was a one-time $25 penalty.

Florida legislators have proposed several bills that would reform how lobbyists do business in the state.

House Bill 7003 makes changes to the Florida Code of Ethics and would develop a system track and publish lobbyists registrations.

House Bill 7005 requires a person who wishes to lobby a local governmental entity to electronically register as a lobbyist with the Commission of Ethics.

The legislative session began Tuesday, January 9.

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives.

A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1.

Rep. Neil Combee resigned the position after being appointed Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

With the legislature’s 2018 session scheduled through March 9, the seat will remain empty for the duration of the session.

Photo of former Rep. Neil Combee

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives.

A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1.

Rep. Neil Combee resigned the position after being appointed Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

With the legislature’s 2018 session scheduled through March 9, the seat will remain empty for the duration of the session.

Photo of former Rep. Neil Combee