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

Gov. Rick Scott announced a special election will be held for House District 114. The special primary is schedule for February 20, 2018 and the special general for May 1, 2018.

Rep. Daisy Baez of Coral Gables resigned the seat as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge after signing a change-of-address voter form stating she lived in District 114, when in fact she still lived in District 112.

Baez is additionally barred from running for office for a one-year probation period.

Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order calling for a special election to replace state Sen. Jeff Clemens.

A special primary will be held on January 30, 2018, with a special general election to follow on April 10. Clemens resigned his Senate District 31 seat on October 27 after reports stated he had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist.

The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Clemens’s term, running through election day in 2020.

City lawmakers have passed an ordinance to limit the influence of independent expenditures in local elections.

By a 6-2 vote, City Council approved a measure to limit contributions from individuals to PACs involved in city elections and to restrict contributions from foreign-owned corporations with U.S.-based subsidiaries.

Supporters of the ordinance hope it will be a model law for other cities to stem the flow of money in politics after Citizens United.

Many believe a legal challenge is likely, but the drafters of the ordinance, a nonprofit group called Free Speech for People, are confident the language is constitutional under current campaign finance jurisprudence.

Gov. Rick Scott has announced a special election to fill an opening in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Alexandra Miller resigned her House District 72 seat to focus on her family and business.

A special primary will be held on December 5, 2017, with the special election to follow on February 13, 2018.

Miller, who was elected this past November, submitted her resignation on August 24.

Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order setting a special election for House District 58. The special primary will be held on October 10, 2017, and the general election will follow on December 19.

Rep. Dan Raulerson announced his retirement, effective August 15, to focus on his health and his business.

Holding the election this year will allow the winner to take his or her seat when the 2018 legislative session begins on January 9.