Legislative Ethics

With only two weeks left in the regular legislative session, the House and Senate are poised to pass online voter registration (OVR). An elections bill that would have required secondary addressing for registered voters has been amended to our satisfaction. An ethics bill that strengthens prohibitions against conflicts-of-interest has been amended to our dissatisfaction, casting a shadow over its eventual passage.

With only 3 weeks remaining in the regular Florida legislative session, both houses seem likely to pass online voter registration, although Governor Scott announced his opposition. An ethics bill is also moving forward. Common Cause joins a coalition opposing a broad public records exemption to content produced by body cameras worn by law enforcement officers.

At almost half-way through the Florida Legislative session, an important ethics bill passed the Senate Ethics & Elections Committee. The same committee also amended our on line voter registration bill onto a elections administrative package supported by the Supervisors of Elections. However, an announcement that the House Governmental Operations Committee will hold no further meetings, puts the on line voter registration bill in jeopardy.

Update from the Florida Legislature, including progress of on line voter registration in the Senate, ethics and lobbying reform.