CS/SB 572 full text · Session Watch

ENROLLED

2026 Legislature CS for SB 572, 2nd Engrossed 2026572er

2 An act relating to ethics for public officers and

3 employees; amending s. 112.312, F.S.; revising the

4 definition of the term “relative” to include foster

5 parents and foster children; amending s. 112.3135,

6 F.S.; providing that specified provisions do not

7 prohibit a board, council, commission, or collegial

8 body from appointing, employing, promoting, or

9 advancing elected public officials who are related to

10 a leadership position on the same board, council,

11 commission, or collegial body; reenacting ss.

12 106.07(4)(a), 106.0702(4)(a), 348.0305, and 1001.421,

13 F.S., relating to a campaign treasurer’s reports of

14 campaign contributions; reports of campaign

15 contributions to candidates for a position on a

16 political party executive committee; ethical

17 requirements for officers, employees, and consultants

18 for the Greater Miami Expressway Agency; and gifts to

19 district school board members, respectively, to

20 incorporate the amendment made to s. 112.312, F.S., in

21 references thereto; reenacting ss. 28.35(1)(b),

22 288.012(6)(d), 288.8014(4), 288.9604(3)(a),

23 295.21(4)(d), 627.311(5)(m), 1002.33(24), 1002.83(9),

24 and 1012.23(2), F.S., relating to the executive

25 council of the Florida Clerks of Court Operations

26 Corporation; the senior managers and members of the

27 board of directors of the direct-support organization

28 of the State of Florida international offices; members

29 of the board of directors of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.;

30 the directors of the Florida Development Finance

31 Corporation; the board of directors of Florida Is For

32 Veterans, Inc.; senior managers and officers of joint

33 underwriters and joint insurers; charter school

34 personnel in schools operated by municipalities or

35 other public entities; members of early learning

36 coalitions; and prohibiting district school

37 superintendents and district school board members from

38 appointing or employing a relative, respectively, to

39 incorporate the amendment made to s. 112.3135, F.S.,

40 in references thereto; providing an effective date.

42 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

44 Section 1. Subsection (21) of section 112.312, Florida

45 Statutes, is amended to read:

46 112.312 Definitions.—As used in this part and for purposes

47 of the provisions of s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution,

48 unless the context otherwise requires:

49 (21) “Relative,” unless otherwise specified in this part,

50 means an individual who is related to a public officer or

51 employee as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister,

52 uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father

53 in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in

54 law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson,

55 stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half

56 sister, grandparent, great grandparent, grandchild, great

57 grandchild, step grandparent, step great grandparent, step

58 grandchild, or step great grandchild ; an individual who, while

59 the public officer or employee was a minor, was his or her

60 legally recognized foster parent in the jurisdiction where the

61 relationship occurred or an individual who is a current or

62 former legally recognized foster child of the public officer or

63 employee in the jurisdiction where the relationship occurs or

64 occurred; a , person who is engaged to be married to the public

65 officer or employee or who otherwise holds himself or herself

66 out as or is generally known as the person whom the public

67 officer or employee intends to marry or with whom the public

68 officer or employee intends to form a household ; , or any other

69 natural person having the same legal residence as the public

70 officer or employee.

71 Section 2. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (2) of

72 section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, to read:

73 112.3135 Restriction on employment of relatives.—

74 (2)

75 (c) This subsection does not prohibit the board, council,

76 commission, or collegial body on which an elected public

77 official serves from appointing, employing, promoting, or

78 advancing a relative who is an elected public official serving

79 on the same board, council, commission, or collegial body to a

80 leadership position thereof.

81 Section 3. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

82 made by this act to section 112.312, Florida Statutes, in a

83 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

84 106.07, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

85 106.07 Reports; certification and filing.—

86 (4)(a) Except for daily reports, to which only the

87 contributions provisions below apply, and except as provided in

88 paragraph (b), each report required by this section must

89 contain:

90 1. The full name, address, and occupation, if any, of each

91 person who has made one or more contributions to or for such

92 committee or candidate within the reporting period, together

93 with the amount and date of such contributions. For

94 corporations, the report must provide as clear a description as

95 practicable of the principal type of business conducted by the

96 corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is

97 from a relative, as defined in s. 112.312, provided that the

98 relationship is reported, the occupation of the contributor or

99 the principal type of business need not be listed.

100 2. The name and address of each political committee from

101 which the reporting committee or the candidate received, or to

102 which the reporting committee or candidate made, any transfer of

103 funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers.

104 3. Each loan for campaign purposes to or from any person or

105 political committee within the reporting period, together with

106 the full names, addresses, and occupations, and principal places

107 of business, if any, of the lender and endorsers, if any, and

108 the date and amount of such loans.

109 4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or

110 other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1.

111 through 3.

112 5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and

113 other receipts by or for such committee or candidate during the

114 reporting period. The reporting forms shall be designed to

115 elicit separate totals for in-kind contributions, loans, and

116 other receipts.

117 6. The full name and address of each person to whom

118 expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the committee or

119 candidate within the reporting period; the amount, date, and

120 purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address of,

121 and office sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such

122 expenditure was made. However, expenditures made from the petty

123 cash fund provided by s. 106.12 need not be reported

124 individually.

125 7. The full name and address of each person to whom an

126 expenditure for personal services, salary, or reimbursement for

127 authorized expenses as provided in s. 106.021(3) has been made

128 and which is not otherwise reported, including the amount, date,

129 and purpose of such expenditure. However, expenditures made from

130 the petty cash fund provided for in s. 106.12 need not be

131 reported individually. Receipts for reimbursement for authorized

132 expenditures shall be retained by the treasurer along with the

133 records for the campaign account.

134 8. The total amount withdrawn and the total amount spent

135 for petty cash purposes pursuant to this chapter during the

136 reporting period.

137 9. The total sum of expenditures made by such committee or

138 candidate during the reporting period.

139 10. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by

140 or to the committee or candidate, which relate to the conduct of

141 any political campaign.

142 11. Transaction information for each credit card purchase.

143 Receipts for each credit card purchase shall be retained by the

144 treasurer with the records for the campaign account.

145 12. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing

146 accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the

147 financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of

148 deposit are located.

149 13. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly

150 through a campaign treasurer pursuant to s. 106.021(3) for goods

151 and services such as communications media placement or

152 procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, and other

153 expenditures that include multiple components as part of the

154 expenditure. The primary purpose of an expenditure shall be that

155 purpose, including integral and directly related components,

156 that comprises 80 percent of such expenditure.

157 Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

158 made by this act to section 112.312, Florida Statutes, in a

159 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

160 106.0702, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

161 106.0702 Reporting; political party executive committee

162 candidates.—

163 (4)(a) Each report required by this section must contain:

164 1. The full name, address, and occupation of each person

165 who has made one or more contributions to or for the reporting

166 individual within the reporting period, together with the amount

167 and date of such contributions. For corporations, the report

168 must provide as clear a description as practicable of the

169 principal type of business conducted by the corporations.

170 However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is from a

171 relative, as defined in s. 112.312, provided that the

172 relationship is reported, the occupation of the contributor or

173 the principal type of business need not be listed.

174 2. The name and address of each political committee from

175 which the reporting individual has received, or to which the

176 reporting individual has made, any transfer of funds within the

177 reporting period, together with the amounts and dates of all

178 transfers.

179 3. Each loan for campaign purposes from any person or

180 political committee within the reporting period, together with

181 the full name, address, and occupation, and principal place of

182 business, if any, of the lender and endorser, if any, and the

183 date and amount of such loans.

184 4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or

185 other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1.-3.

186 5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and

187 other receipts by or for such reporting individual during the

188 reporting period. The reporting forms shall be designed to

189 elicit separate totals for in-kind contributions, loans, and

190 other receipts.

191 6. The full name and address of each person to whom

192 expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the reporting

193 individual within the reporting period; the amount, date, and

194 purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address of,

195 and office sought by, each reporting individual on whose behalf

196 such expenditure was made.

197 7. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by

198 or to the reporting individual which relate to the conduct of

199 any political campaign.

200 8. Transaction information for each credit card purchase.

201 Receipts for each credit card purchase shall be retained by the

202 reporting individual.

203 9. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing

204 accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the

205 financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of

206 deposit are located.

207 Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

208 made by this act to section 112.312, Florida Statutes, in a

209 reference thereto, section 348.0305, Florida Statutes, is

210 reenacted to read:

211 348.0305 Ethics requirements.—

212 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the

213 contrary, members and employees of the agency are subject to

214 part III of chapter 112. As used in this section, the term:

215 (a) “Agency” means the Greater Miami Expressway Agency.

216 (b) “Lobby” means to seek to influence the agency, on

217 behalf of another person, with respect to a decision of the

218 agency in an area of policy or procurement or to attempt to

219 obtain the goodwill of an officer, employee, or consultant of

220 the agency. The term does not include representing a client in

221 any stage of applying for or seeking approval of any

222 administrative action, or opposition to such action, provided

223 such action does not require legislative discretion and is

224 subject to judicial review by petitioning for writ of

225 certiorari.

226 (c) “Lobbyist” means a person who is employed and receives

227 payment, or who contracts for economic consideration, to lobby

228 or a person who is principally employed for governmental affairs

229 by another person or entity to lobby on behalf of such person or

230 entity. The term does not include a person who:

231 1. Represents a client in a judicial proceeding or in a

232 formal administrative proceeding before the agency.

233 2. Is an officer or employee of any governmental entity

234 acting in the normal course of his or her duties.

235 3. Consults under contract with the agency and communicates

236 with the agency regarding issues related to the scope of

237 services in his or her contract.

238 4. Is an expert witness who is retained or employed by an

239 employer, principal, or client to provide only scientific,

240 technical, or other specialized information provided in agenda

241 materials or testimony only in public hearings, provided the

242 expert identifies such employer, principal, or client at such

243 hearing.

244 5. Seeks to procure a contract that is less than $20,000 or

245 a contract pursuant to s. 287.056.

246 (d) “Officer” means a member of the governing body of the

247 agency.

248 (e) “Principal” has the same meaning as in s. 112.3215.

249 (f) “Relative” has the same meaning as in s. 112.312.

250 (2)(a) A lobbyist may not be appointed or serve as a member

251 of the governing body of the agency.

252 (b) A person may not be appointed or serve as an officer if

253 that person currently represents or has in the previous 4 years

254 lobbied the agency or the former Miami-Dade County Expressway

255 Authority.

256 (c) A person may not be appointed or serve as an officer if

257 that person has in the previous 4 years done business, or been

258 an employee of a person or entity that has done business, with

259 the agency or the former Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority.

260 (d) A person may not be appointed or serve as an officer if

261 that person has in the previous 2 years been an employee of the

262 agency.

263 (3) An officer, employee, or consultant of the agency or of

264 the former Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority may not, for a

265 period of 4 years after vacation of his or her position with the

266 agency:

267 (a) Lobby the agency.

268 (b) Have an employment or contractual relationship with a

269 business entity in connection with a contract in which the

270 officer, employee, or consultant personally and substantially

271 participated through decision, approval, disapproval,

272 recommendation, rendering of advice, or investigation while he

273 or she was an officer, employee, or consultant of the agency.

274 When an agency employee’s position is eliminated and his or her

275 former duties are performed by the business entity, this

276 paragraph does not prohibit him or her from employment or a

277 contractual relationship with the business entity if the

278 employee’s participation in the contract was limited to

279 recommendation, rendering of advice, or investigation and if the

280 executive director of the agency determines that the best

281 interests of the agency will be served thereby and provides

282 prior written approval for the particular employee.

283 (c) Have or hold any employment or contractual relationship

284 with a business entity in connection with any contract for

285 contractual services which was within his or her responsibility

286 while an officer, employee, or consultant. If an agency

287 employee’s position is eliminated and his or her former duties

288 are performed by the business entity, this paragraph may be

289 waived by the executive director of the agency through prior

290 written approval for the particular employee if the executive

291 director determines that the best interests of the agency will

292 be served thereby.

293 (4) Each officer, employee, and consultant of the agency

294 must promptly disclose:

295 (a) Every relationship that may create a conflict between

296 his or her private interests and the performance of his or her

297 duties to the agency or that would impede the full and faithful

298 discharge of his or her duties to the agency.

299 (b) Any relative and any employment or contractual

300 relationship of such relative which, if held by the officer,

301 employee, or consultant, would violate any provision of s.

302 112.313.

303 (c) Any relative who is a lobbyist and such lobbyist’s

304 principal.

305 (d) Any direct or indirect interest in real property and

306 such interest of any relative if such property is located within

307 one-half mile of any actual or prospective agency project. The

308 executive director of the agency shall provide a corridor map

309 and a property ownership list reflecting the ownership of all

310 real property within the disclosure area, or an alignment map

311 with a list of associated owners, to all officers, employees,

312 and consultants.

313 (5) The disclosures required under subsection (4) must be

314 filed with the agency general counsel in the manner specified by

315 the general counsel. When the disclosure is filed by the general

316 counsel, a copy must be provided to the executive director of

317 the agency.

318 (6) A violation of this section shall be considered a

319 violation of the violator’s official, employment, or contractual

320 duties to the agency.

321 (7) Officers, employees, and consultants of the agency

322 shall be adequately informed and trained on the provisions of

323 this section and the state code of ethics and shall receive

324 ongoing ethics training.

325 (8) The state code of ethics shall apply to officers,

326 employees, and consultants of the agency, and this section shall

327 be enforced by the Commission on Ethics as part of the state

328 code of ethics.

329 (9) For purposes of this section, “consultant” does not

330 include firms or individuals retained by the agency to provide

331 architectural, engineering, landscape architecture, or

332 registered surveying and mapping services as described in s.

333 287.055.

334 Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

335 made by this act to section 112.312, Florida Statutes, in a

336 reference thereto, section 1001.421, Florida Statutes, is

337 reenacted to read:

338 1001.421 Gifts.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law

339 to the contrary, district school board members and their

340 relatives, as defined in s. 112.312(21), may not directly or

341 indirectly solicit any gift, or directly or indirectly accept

342 any gift in excess of $50, from any person, vendor, potential

343 vendor, or other entity doing business with the school district.

344 The term “gift” has the same meaning as in s. 112.312(12).

345 Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

346 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

347 reference thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section

348 28.35, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

349 28.35 Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation.—

350 (1)

351 (b)1. The executive council shall be composed of eight

352 clerks of the court elected by the clerks of the courts for a

353 term of 2 years, with two clerks from counties with a population

354 of fewer than 100,000, two clerks from counties with a

355 population of at least 100,000 but fewer than 500,000, two

356 clerks from counties with a population of at least 500,000 but

357 fewer than 1 million, and two clerks from counties with a

358 population of 1 million or more. The executive council shall

359 also include, as ex officio members, a designee of the President

360 of the Senate and a designee of the Speaker of the House of

361 Representatives. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall

362 designate one additional member to represent the state courts

363 system.

364 2. Members of the executive council of the corporation are

365 subject to ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135;

366 and 112.3143(2). For purposes of applying ss. 112.313(1)-(8),

367 (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135; and 112.3143(2) to activities of

368 executive council members, members shall be considered public

369 officers and the corporation shall be considered the members’

370 agency.

371 Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

372 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

373 reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section

374 288.012, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

375 288.012 State of Florida international offices; direct

376 support organization.—The Legislature finds that the expansion

377 of international trade and tourism is vital to the overall

378 health and growth of the economy of this state. This expansion

379 is hampered by the lack of technical and business assistance,

380 financial assistance, and information services for businesses in

381 this state. The Legislature finds that these businesses could be

382 assisted by providing these services at State of Florida

383 international offices. The Legislature further finds that the

384 accessibility and provision of services at these offices can be

385 enhanced through cooperative agreements or strategic alliances

386 between private businesses and state, local, and international

387 governmental entities.

388 (6)

389 (d) The senior managers and members of the board of

390 directors of the organization are subject to ss. 112.313(1)-(8),

391 (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135; and 112.3143(2). For purposes of

392 applying ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135; and

393 112.3143(2) to activities of the president and staff, those

394 persons shall be considered public officers or employees and the

395 corporation shall be considered their agency. The exemption set

396 forth in s. 112.313(12) for advisory boards applies to the

397 members of board of directors. Further, each member of the board

398 of directors who is not otherwise required to file financial

399 disclosures pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution

400 or s. 112.3144, shall file disclosure of financial interests

401 pursuant to s. 112.3145.

402 Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

403 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

404 reference thereto, subsection (4) of section 288.8014, Florida

405 Statutes, is reenacted to read:

406 288.8014 Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.; organization; board of

407 directors.—

408 (4) The Legislature determines that it is in the public

409 interest for the members of the board of directors to be subject

410 to the requirements of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143,

411 notwithstanding the fact that the board members are not public

412 officers or employees. For purposes of those sections, the board

413 members shall be considered to be public officers or employees.

414 In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s. 112.313(9),

415 a person appointed to the board of directors must agree to

416 refrain from having any direct interest in any contract,

417 franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit arising

418 from an award by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., during the term of

419 his or her appointment and for 6 years after the termination of

420 such appointment. It is a misdemeanor of the first degree,

421 punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for a person

422 to accept appointment to the board of directors in violation of

423 this subsection or to accept a direct interest in any contract,

424 franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted

425 by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., to an awardee within 6 years after

426 the termination of his or her service on the board. Further,

427 each member of the board of directors who is not otherwise

428 required to file financial disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the

429 State Constitution or s. 112.3144 shall file disclosure of

430 financial interests under s. 112.3145.

431 Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

432 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

433 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

434 288.9604, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

435 288.9604 Creation of the corporation.—

436 (3)(a)1. A director may not receive compensation for his or

437 her services, but is entitled to necessary expenses, including

438 travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties.

439 Each appointed director shall hold office until his or her

440 successor has been appointed.

441 2. Directors are subject to ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12),

442 and (15); 112.3135; and 112.3143(2). For purposes of applying

443 ss. 112.313(1)-(8), (10), (12), and (15); 112.3135; and

444 112.3143(2) to activities of directors, directors are considered

445 public officers and the corporation is considered their agency.

446 Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

447 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

448 reference thereto, paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section

449 295.21, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

450 295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.—

451 (4) GOVERNANCE.—

452 (d) The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest

453 for the members of the board of directors to be subject to the

454 requirements of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143.

455 Notwithstanding the fact that they are not public officers or

456 employees, for purposes of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143,

457 the board members shall be considered to be public officers or

458 employees. In addition to the postemployment restrictions of s.

459 112.313(9), a person appointed to the board of directors may not

460 have direct interest in a contract, franchise, privilege,

461 project, program, or other benefit arising from an award by the

462 corporation during the appointment term and for 2 years after

463 the termination of such appointment. A person who accepts

464 appointment to the board of directors in violation of this

465 subsection, or accepts a direct interest in a contract,

466 franchise, privilege, project, program, or other benefit granted

467 by the corporation to an awardee within 2 years after the

468 termination of his or her service on the board, commits a

469 misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.

470 775.082 or s. 775.083. Further, each member of the board of

471 directors who is not otherwise required to file financial

472 disclosure under s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or s.

473 112.3144 shall file a statement of financial interests under s.

474 112.3145.

475 Section 12. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

476 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

477 reference thereto, paragraph (m) of subsection (5) of section

478 627.311, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:

479 627.311 Joint underwriters and joint reinsurers; public

480 records and public meetings exemptions.—

481 (5)

482 (m) Senior managers and officers, as defined in the plan of

483 operation, and members of the board of governors are subject to

484 the provisions of ss. 112.313, 112.3135, 112.3143, 112.3145,

485 112.316, and 112.317. Senior managers, officers, and board

486 members are also required to file such disclosures with the

487 Commission on Ethics and the Office of Insurance Regulation. The

488 executive director of the plan or his or her designee shall

489 notify each newly appointed and existing appointed member of the

490 board of governors, senior manager, and officer of his or her

491 duty to comply with the reporting requirements of s. 112.3145.

492 At least quarterly, the executive director of the plan or his or

493 her designee shall submit to the Commission on Ethics a list of

494 names of the senior managers, officers, and members of the board

495 of governors who are subject to the public disclosure

496 requirements under s. 112.3145. Notwithstanding s. 112.313, an

497 employee, officer, owner, or director of an insurance agency,

498 insurance company, or other insurance entity may be a member of

499 the board of governors unless such employee, officer, owner, or

500 director of an insurance agency, insurance company, other

501 insurance entity, or an affiliate provides policy issuance,

502 policy administration, underwriting, claims handling, or payroll

503 audit services. Notwithstanding s. 112.3143, such board member

504 may not participate in or vote on a matter if the insurance

505 agency, insurance company, or other insurance entity would

506 obtain a special or unique benefit that would not apply to other

507 similarly situated insurance entities.

508 Section 13. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

509 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

510 reference thereto, subsection (24) of section 1002.33, Florida

511 Statutes, is reenacted to read:

512 1002.33 Charter schools.—

513 (24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.—

514 (a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in

515 a charter school operated by a private entity. As used in this

516 subsection, the term:

517 1. “Charter school personnel” means a president,

518 chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent,

519 governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any

520 other person employed by the charter school who has equivalent

521 decisionmaking authority and in whom is vested the authority, or

522 to whom the authority has been delegated, to appoint, employ,

523 promote, or advance individuals or to recommend individuals for

524 appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement in connection

525 with employment in a charter school, including the authority as

526 a member of a governing body of a charter school to vote on the

527 appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of

528 individuals.

529 2. “Relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother,

530 sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife,

531 father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,

532 brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson,

533 stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half

534 sister.

535 (b) Charter school personnel may not appoint, employ,

536 promote, or advance, or advocate for appointment, employment,

537 promotion, or advancement, in or to a position in the charter

538 school in which the personnel are serving or over which the

539 personnel exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who

540 is a relative. An individual may not be appointed, employed,

541 promoted, or advanced in or to a position in a charter school if

542 such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement has been

543 advocated by charter school personnel who serve in or exercise

544 jurisdiction or control over the charter school and who is a

545 relative of the individual or if such appointment, employment,

546 promotion, or advancement is made by the governing board of

547 which a relative of the individual is a member.

548 (c) The approval of budgets does not constitute

549 “jurisdiction or control” for the purposes of this subsection.

551 Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality

552 or other public entity are subject to s. 112.3135.

553 Section 14. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

554 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

555 reference thereto, subsection (9) of section 1002.83, Florida

556 Statutes, is reenacted to read:

557 1002.83 Early learning coalitions.—

558 (9) Each member of an early learning coalition is subject

559 to ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143. For purposes of s.

560 112.3143(3)(a), each voting member is a local public officer who

561 must abstain from voting when a voting conflict exists.

562 Section 15. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment

563 made by this act to section 112.3135, Florida Statutes, in a

564 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 1012.23, Florida

565 Statutes, is reenacted to read:

566 1012.23 School district personnel policies.—

567 (2) Neither the district school superintendent nor a

568 district school board member may appoint or employ a relative,

569 as defined in s. 112.3135, to work under the direct supervision

570 of that district school board member or district school

571 superintendent. The limitations of this subsection do not apply

572 to employees appointed or employed before the election or

573 appointment of a school board member or district school

574 superintendent. The Commission on Ethics shall accept and

575 investigate any alleged violations of this section pursuant to

576 the procedures contained in ss. 112.322-112.3241.

577 Section 16. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.