SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1650

Public Records/Commission on Ethics
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SPONSOR
Gaetz
FILED BY
Don Gaetz — District 1, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
On the same date that SB 92 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law
DIED IN
Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Public Records/Commission on Ethics; Providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the commission or derived from its investigations; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Makes Ethics Commission investigation records confidential until the case closes.

The bill makes confidential all information the Commission on Ethics receives or develops while investigating claims that someone took a prohibited personnel action against an ethics complainant, as long as the investigation is active.

This exemption is not permanent. It falls under the state's Open Government Sunset Review Act and will automatically repeal on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews it and votes to keep it.

The new confidentiality rule cannot take effect on its own. It is written into a section of law that only exists if SB 92 or similar legislation passes this session and becomes law.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New public-records exemption for ethics investigation files majors. 112.3243

AICreates subsection (5) of s. 112.3243, making all information the Commission on Ethics receives, produces, or derives while investigating a prohibited personnel action against an ethics complainant confidential and exempt from the public records law and the constitutional right of access, for as long as the investigation is active.

“is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution” bill text, line 20 →
§ 2 Exemption automatically expires in 2031 without reenactment moderates. 112.3243

AIThe new confidentiality provision is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act. It stands repealed on October 2, 2031 unless the Legislature reviews it and votes to reenact it before that date.

“shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature” bill text, line 26 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/21/2026
On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability,...
1/16/2026
Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Ethics and...
1/9/2026
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 112.3243
+93 / −0
s. 112.3243
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES