SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-118

No. SB 7008

OGSR/Florida Gaming Control Commission
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SPONSOR
Regulated Industries
EFFECTIVE
6/10/2026
PROVIDED SUMMARY

OGSR/Florida Gaming Control Commission; Amending a provision which provides an exemption from public records and public meeting requirements for exempt or confidential and exempt information obtained by the Florida Gaming Control Commission; deleting the scheduled repeal of the exemption, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Permanently exempts gaming commission closed sessions from public records laws.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission can now hold closed meetings to discuss confidential information without a scheduled expiration date. This change makes the exemption permanent rather than temporary.

Previously, the law required the commission to follow specific procedures for closing meetings, including written declarations and full recordings. These procedural requirements remain in place but are now part of a permanent statute.

The bill removes the automatic repeal date that would have ended the exemption in October 2026. This means the commission's ability to close meetings will not automatically expire unless the Legislature acts to change it.

Public access to records generated during these closed sessions remains restricted until the information is no longer considered confidential or exempt under state law.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Exemption from public records and meetings majors. 16.716(2)

AIMakes the exemption permanent by removing the scheduled repeal date.

“This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and is repealed on October 2, 2026, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reen” bill text, line 61 →
§ 2 Closed session requirements moderates. 16.716(2)(b)

AIRequires the chair to declare necessity in a public record and mandates full recording of closed sessions.

“The chair's declaration of necessity for closure and the specific reasons for such necessity shall be stated in writing in a record that shall be a public record” bill text, line 36 →
§ 3 Attendance restrictions moderates. 16.716(2)(d)

AILimits attendance in closed sessions to commission members, legal staff, and necessary presenters.

“Only members of the commission, Department of Legal Affairs staff, or commission staff supporting the commission's function and other persons whose presence is necessary” bill text, line 46 →
§ 4 Confidentiality of records moderates. 16.716(2)(e)

AIKeeps recordings and minutes of closed sessions confidential until the underlying information loses exempt status.

“A recording of, and any minutes and records generated during, that portion of a commission meeting which is closed to the public pursuant to this subsection are confidential” bill text, line 55 →
TIMELINE
6/12/2026
Chapter No. 2026-118
6/10/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/9/2026
Passed; YEAS 105, NAYS 4
3/9/2026
Read 3rd time
3/9/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time
3/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
2/16/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/10/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
2/10/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
1/29/2026
In Messages
1/29/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 236
1/29/2026
Passed; YEAS 32 NAYS 3 -SJ 235
1/29/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 235
1/29/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 235
1/27/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26
1/27/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
1/27/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 21 NAYS 1
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Now in Rules
1/12/2026
Favorable by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
1/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability,...
11/21/2025
Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules
11/20/2025
Filed
11/18/2025
Submitted as Committee Bill and Reported Favorably by Regulated...
11/10/2025
On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 11/18/25, 1:00 pm, 412...
11/10/2025
Submitted for consideration by Regulated Industries
25 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 16.716
+8 / −44
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →