SB 572 — Ethics for Public Officers and Employees

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 5.

However, expenditures made from the petty cashPage fund3 providedof by11 s.CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 cash fund provided by s.

The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by or to the committee or candidate, which relate to the conduct of Pageany 5political ofcampaign. 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 any political campaign.

106.021(3) for goods and services such as communications media placement or procurementPage services,4 campaign signs, insurance, and other expenditures that include multiple components as part of the11 expenditure.CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, and other expenditures that include multiple components as part of the expenditure.

Section 4.3.

PageHowever, 6if ofthe 21contribution CODING:is $100 or less or is from a relative, as defined in s.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is from a relative, as defined in s.

Each loan for campaign purposes from any person or political committee within the reporting period, together with thePage full5 name, address, and occupation, and principal place of business,11 ifCODING: any, of the lender and endorser, if any, and the date and amount of such loans.

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 the full name, address, and occupation, and principal place of business, if any, of the lender and endorser, if any, and the date and amount of such loans.

The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by or to the reporting individual which relate to the conduct of Pageany 7political ofcampaign. 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 any political campaign.

Section 5.4.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.312, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, section 348.0305, Florida Statutes, is reenactedPage to6 read:of 11 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 reenacted to read:

(c) “Lobbyist” means a person who is employed and receives payment, or who contracts for economic consideration, to lobby Pageor 8a person who is principally employed for governmental affairs by another person or entity to lobby on behalf of 21such CODING:person or entity.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 or a person who is principally employed for governmental affairs by another person or entity to lobby on behalf of such person or entity.

Is an expert witness who is retained or employed by an employer,Page principal,7 orof client11 toCODING: provide only scientific, technical, or other specialized information provided in agenda materials or testimony only in public hearings, provided the expert identifies such employer, principal, or client at such hearing.

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 employer, principal, or client to provide only scientific, technical, or other specialized information provided in agenda materials or testimony only in public hearings, provided the expert identifies such employer, principal, or client at such hearing.

(c) A person may not be appointed or serve as an officer if Pagethat 9person has in the previous 4 years done business, or been an employee of 21a CODING:person or entity that has done business, with the agency or the former Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 that person has in the previous 4 years done business, or been an employee of a person or entity that has done business, with the agency or the former Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority.

(b)Page Have8 an employment or contractual relationship with a business entity in connection with a contract in which the officer, employee, or consultant personally and substantially participated through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, rendering of advice,11 orCODING: investigation while he or she was an officer, employee, or consultant of the agency.

When an agency employee’s position is eliminated and his or her former duties are performed by the business entity, this paragraph does not prohibit him or her from employment or a contractual relationship with the business entity if the employee’s participation in the contract was limited to recommendation, rendering of advice, or investigation and if the executive director of the agency determines that the best interests of the agency will be served thereby and provides prior written approval for the particular employee.

(c) Have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with a business entity in connection with any contract for contractual services which was within his or her responsibility Page 10 of 21 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 First585-02216-26 Engrossed2026572c1 2026572e1(b) Have an employment or contractual relationship with a business entity in connection with a contract in which the officer, employee, or consultant personally and substantially participated through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, rendering of advice, or investigation while he or she was an officer, employee, or consultant.consultant of the agency.

When an agency employee’s position is eliminated and his or her former duties are performed by the business entity, this paragraph does not prohibit him or her from employment or a contractual relationship with the business entity if the employee’s participation in the contract was limited to recommendation, rendering of advice, or investigation and if the executive director of the agency determines that the best interests of the agency will be served thereby and provides prior written approval for the particular employee.

(c) Have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with a business entity in connection with any contract for contractual services which was within his or her responsibility while an officer, employee, or consultant.

(a) Every relationship that may create a conflict between his or her private interests and the performance of his or her dutiesPage to9 the agency or that would impede the full and faithful discharge of his11 orCODING: her duties to the agency.

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 duties to the agency or that would impede the full and faithful discharge of his or her duties to the agency.

(5) The disclosures required under subsection (4) must be filed with the agency general counsel in the manner specified by Pagethe 11general ofcounsel. 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 the general counsel.

(8) The state code of ethics shall apply to officers, employees,Page and10 consultants of the11 agency,CODING: and this section shall be enforced by the Commission on Ethics as part of the state code of ethics.

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 572 585-02216-26 2026572c1 employees, and consultants of the agency, and this section shall be enforced by the Commission on Ethics as part of the state code of ethics.

Section 6.5.

PageThe 12term of“gift” 21has CODING:the same meaning as in s.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 The term “gift” has the same meaning as in s.

Section 7.6.

ForThis the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act toshall sectiontake 112.3135,effect FloridaJuly Statutes,1, in2026. a reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 28.35, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

28.35Page Florida11 Clerks of Court11 OperationsCODING: Corporation.— (1) (b)1.

The executive council shall be composed of eight clerks of the court elected by the clerks of the courts for a term of 2 years, with two clerks from counties with a population of fewer than 100,000, two clerks from counties with a population of at least 100,000 but fewer than 500,000, two clerks from counties with a population of at least 500,000 but fewer than 1 million, and two clerks from counties with a population of 1 million or more.

The executive council shall also include, as ex officio members, a designee of the President of the Senate and a designee of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall designate one additional member to represent the state courts system.

2.

Members of the executive council of the corporation are subject to ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2).

For purposes of applying ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2) to activities of executive council members, members shall be considered public officers and the corporation shall be considered the members’ agency.

Section 8.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a Page 13 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section 288.012, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

288.012 State of Florida international offices;

direct- support organization.—The Legislature finds that the expansion of international trade and tourism is vital to the overall health and growth of the economy of this state.

This expansion is hampered by the lack of technical and business assistance, financial assistance, and information services for businesses in this state.

The Legislature finds that these businesses could be assisted by providing these services at State of Florida international offices.

The Legislature further finds that the accessibility and provision of services at these offices can be enhanced through cooperative agreements or strategic alliances between private businesses and state, local, and international governmental entities.

(6) (d) The senior managers and members of the board of directors of the organization are subject to ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2).

For purposes of applying ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2) to activities of the president and staff, those persons shall be considered public officers or employees and the corporation shall be considered their agency.

The exemption set forth in s.

112.313(12) for advisory boards applies to the members of board of directors.

Further, each member of the board of directors who is not otherwise required to file financial disclosures pursuant to s.

8, Art.

II of the State Constitution or s.

112.3144, shall file disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s.

112.3145.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 Section 9.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 288.8014, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

288.8014 Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.;

organization;

board of directors.— (4) The Legislature determines that it is in the public interest for the members of the board of directors to be subject to the requirements of ss.

112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143, notwithstanding the fact that the board members are not public officers or employees.

For purposes of those sections, the board members shall be considered to be public officers or employees.

In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s.

112.313(9), a person appointed to the board of directors must agree to refrain from having any direct interest in any contract, franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit arising from an award by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., during the term of his or her appointment and for 6 years after the termination of such appointment.

It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

775.082 or s.

775.083, for a person to accept appointment to the board of directors in violation of this subsection or to accept a direct interest in any contract, franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., to an awardee within 6 years after the termination of his or her service on the board.

Further, each member of the board of directors who is not otherwise required to file financial disclosure under s.

8, Art.

II of the State Constitution or s.

112.3144 shall file disclosure of financial interests under s.

112.3145.

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 Section 10.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 288.9604, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

288.9604 Creation of the corporation.— (3)(a)1.

A director may not receive compensation for his or her services, but is entitled to necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties.

Each appointed director shall hold office until his or her successor has been appointed.

2.

Directors are subject to ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2).

For purposes of applying ss.

112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15);

112.3135;

and 112.3143(2) to activities of directors, directors are considered public officers and the corporation is considered their agency.

Section 11.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section 295.21, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.— (4) GOVERNANCE.— (d) The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest for the members of the board of directors to be subject to the requirements of ss.

112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143.

Notwithstanding the fact that they are not public officers or employees, for purposes of ss.

112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143, the board members shall be considered to be public officers or employees.

In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s.

112.313(9), a person appointed to the board of directors may not Page 16 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 have direct interest in a contract, franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit arising from an award by the corporation during the appointment term and for 2 years after the termination of such appointment.

A person who accepts appointment to the board of directors in violation of this subsection, or accepts a direct interest in a contract, franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted by the corporation to an awardee within 2 years after the termination of his or her service on the board, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

775.082 or s.

775.083.

Further, each member of the board of directors who is not otherwise required to file financial disclosure under s.

8, Art.

II of the State Constitution or s.

112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under s.

112.3145.

Section 12.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, paragraph (m) of subsection (5) of section 627.311, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

627.311 Joint underwriters and joint reinsurers;

public records and public meetings exemptions.— (5) (m) Senior managers and officers, as defined in the plan of operation, and members of the board of governors are subject to the provisions of ss.

112.313, 112.3135, 112.3143, 112.3145, 112.316, and 112.317.

Senior managers, officers, and board members are also required to file such disclosures with the Commission on Ethics and the Office of Insurance Regulation.

The executive director of the plan or his or her designee shall Page 17 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 notify each newly appointed and existing appointed member of the board of governors, senior manager, and officer of his or her duty to comply with the reporting requirements of s.

112.3145.

At least quarterly, the executive director of the plan or his or her designee shall submit to the Commission on Ethics a list of names of the senior managers, officers, and members of the board of governors who are subject to the public disclosure requirements under s.

112.3145.

Notwithstanding s.

112.313, an employee, officer, owner, or director of an insurance agency, insurance company, or other insurance entity may be a member of the board of governors unless such employee, officer, owner, or director of an insurance agency, insurance company, other insurance entity, or an affiliate provides policy issuance, policy administration, underwriting, claims handling, or payroll audit services.

Notwithstanding s.

112.3143, such board member may not participate in or vote on a matter if the insurance agency, insurance company, or other insurance entity would obtain a special or unique benefit that would not apply to other similarly situated insurance entities.

Section 13.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (24) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

1002.33 Charter schools.— (24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.— (a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in a charter school operated by a private entity.

As used in this subsection, the term:

1.

“Charter school personnel” means a president, Page 18 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority and in whom is vested the authority, or to whom the authority has been delegated, to appoint, employ, promote, or advance individuals or to recommend individuals for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement in connection with employment in a charter school, including the authority as a member of a governing body of a charter school to vote on the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of individuals.

2.

“Relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.

(b) Charter school personnel may not appoint, employ, promote, or advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a position in the charter school in which the personnel are serving or over which the personnel exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative.

An individual may not be appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in or to a position in a charter school if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement has been advocated by charter school personnel who serve in or exercise jurisdiction or control over the charter school and who is a relative of the individual or if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement is made by the governing board of Page 19 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 which a relative of the individual is a member.

(c) The approval of budgets does not constitute “jurisdiction or control” for the purposes of this subsection.

Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality or other public entity are subject to s.

112.3135.

Section 14.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (9) of section 1002.83, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

1002.83 Early learning coalitions.— (9) Each member of an early learning coalition is subject to ss.

112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143.

For purposes of s.

112.3143(3)(a), each voting member is a local public officer who must abstain from voting when a voting conflict exists.

Section 15.

For the purpose of incorporating the amendment made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 1012.23, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

1012.23 School district personnel policies.— (2) Neither the district school superintendent nor a district school board member may appoint or employ a relative, as defined in s.

112.3135, to work under the direct supervision of that district school board member or district school superintendent.

The limitations of this subsection do not apply to employees appointed or employed before the election or appointment of a school board member or district school superintendent.

The Commission on Ethics shall accept and investigate any alleged violations of this section pursuant to Page 20 of 21 CODING:

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CS for SB 572 First Engrossed 2026572e1 the procedures contained in ss.

112.322-112.3241.

Section 16.

This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

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