The number of bills we are tracking that will either create new open government exemptions or extend current exemptions during the 2020 legislative session. Official portal of the state of florida, divided into sections dealing with government, business, tourism, and services for residents. These statutes establish a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities. This includes generating revenues money coming into the state from various sources and approving expenditures the money spent on governmental functions and servicing state debt. This years edition of the government in the sunshine manual incorporates laws, judicial decisions. Confidentiality of certain donor information related to publicly owned house museums designated as national historic landmarks. This website is designed to help government agencies, the media and private citizens understand florida s open government and public records laws.
Government in the sunshine state government in the sunshine. To view past editions of the florida handbook, visit the florida state university digital library. Does the sunshine law apply to communications between board members who are not present in the same room. Aug 15, 2018 the florida sunshine law, also known as the governmentinthesunshine law, aims to inform the public in a clear manner about the requirements and exemptions to the states open government laws. The quick links box features other publications such as the journal, committee reports, and laws. It is one of a number of freedom of information acts, intended to create greater transparency in government.
Public education in florida glossary of education terms. Attorney general opinion regarding enforcement over sunshine violations 62 kb pdf dated april 25, 2019. Florida sunshine laws for homeowners associations legal. Florida s government in the sunshine law was enacted in 1967. During 20 2014, the florida legislature passed new ethics legislation designed to grow the professionalism of floridas public servants and foster transparency and public trust. The law is equally applicable to elected and appointed boards, and. The cmc has an extensive collection of sunshine state books.
Welcome to the public records and government in the. Florida has 1,159 exemptions to our open government. For general information concerning access to government meetings see the access to government meetings section of this guide the florida constitution and the florida sunshine law provide the public with a right of access to the meetings of a large number of government bodies at the state and local level. Sunshine law governance a message from the elc elc. This research guide covers florida general and solo practice issues, including. Welcome to the florida house of representatives official website. Public records and government in the sunshine learner course guide. Does the sunshine law apply to telephone, electronic, or written communications between board members. The contents of this book reflect the views and opinions of its contributors and do not, in any way, reflect the views and opinions of the florida house of representatives, its members, or its staff. Enacted in 1967 found in chapter 286, florida statutes establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of boards, commissions and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or. Florida is proud to lead the nation in providing public access to government meetings and records. Figures given are the most recent as of june 2015, with school years noted in the text or footnotes. The sunshine manual provides public officials, citizen activists, and journalists with uptodate information, including recent case law and attorney general opinions. You can find information about what is happening in the house and the legislature.
Jan 03, 2019 florida statutes 1941 scanned images of many of the florida statutes beginning in 1941. All meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal. The 2020 government in the sunshine manual is now available. This 4hour video series is a must for anyone in public service. Florida lawmakers pass 12 new exemptions to sunshine laws. The government in the sunshine manual is prepared on an annual basis by the florida attorney generals office to serve as a guide to those seeking to become familiar with the requirements of the open government laws. In the area of enforcement, the sunshine amendment requires that there be an independent. The principle of open government is one that must guide everything done in government for its public. Executive branch agencyspecific exemptions from inspection or copying of public records.
Today, governor ron desantis hosted a conference call with members of the reopen florida task force executive committee to discuss the reopening of floridas economy. Florida s first successful constitutional initiative resulted in the adoption of the sunshine amendment in 1976, providing additional constitutional guarantees concerning ethics in government. It is intended for both governmental agencies and the citizens they serve. Floridas first successful constitutional initiative resulted in the adoption of the sunshine amendment in 1976, providing additional constitutional guarantees concerning ethics in government. Some florida lawmakers received better grades this year when it came to transparency in government, but erosion of the states famed sunshine laws continued with more exemptions passed. A pocket guide to florida s governmentin the sunshine laws. Legislative claim bill manual pdf florida senate rules and manual pdf. This statute does not apply to community associations, although the statutes applicable to condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners. The attorney generals mediation program assists in. In florida, as in other states, lawmakers and public officials are elected in part to manage the states finances.
Governmentin thesunshine manual florida attorney general. The government in the sunshine law applies to any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision. Public records prepared by the office of the attorney general the capitol tallahassee, florida 323991050 850 2450140. Government in the sunshine state government in the. Are nonprofits exempt from sunshine laws sunshine laws govern public access to governmental records. Floridas governmentinthesunshine law jackson health.
Adapted from the government in the sunshine manual. Florida sunshine laws for homeowners associations legal beagle. Florida government efficiency task force legislative employment legistore links. The city of sunrise is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. Join our mailing list today to get the latest open government news from faf. David colburn, a celebrated author on florida politics, race, and ethnicity has published nine books and has written over a hundred essays for the orlando sentinel newspaper on. The statistics on this page are mainly from government sources, including the u. Census bureau and the national center for education statistics. The 2015 edition of the government in the sunshine manual vol.
Public records prepared by the office of the attorney general the capitol tallahassee, florida. This volume covers laws enacted in the years from 1971 through 20. The manual is a comprehensive guide to florida s open meetings and public records laws, and is published by the first amendment foundation each year in cooperation with the attorney generals office. The law is equally applicable to elected and appointed boards, and applies to any gathering of two. Examples include personnel, accounting and general administration. Public records are works made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, which includes the work of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and each agency or department created thereunder. The first amendment foundation counts on the support of our members and donors to preserve sunshine in florida. Below are common senate administrative publications and select house publications, including directories and a guide to florida government. Survey on floridas governmentinthesunshine law summary.
At the federal level, the freedom of information act details access, and each state also has its own set of rules. Index to laws of florida special and local laws 1971 to 20. Explore the state government of florida and learn how its three branches are modeled after the federal government in this. Manuals for security or firesafety personnel, emergency equipment. Florida s government in the sunshine law on the functioning of school boards and boards of trustees in the state and is considering ways to improve the operation and effectiveness of these boards. Government in the sunshine law florida department of law. Whenever possible, sunshine health adopts preventive and clinical practice guidelines that are published by nationally recognized organizations or government institutions as well as statewide collaborative andor a consensus of healthcare professionals in the applicable field. The attorney generals office is committed tomaintaining and building upon this tradition of openness. General records schedules set retention requirements for records documenting administrative and program functions common to several or all government agencies. A pocket guide to florida s government in the sunshine laws. It applies to any gathering of two or more members of the same board to discuss some matter which will foreseeably come before that board for action. Freedom of information legislation florida wikipedia.
Practice guidelines florida medicaid sunshine health. The florida sunshine law, also known as the government in the sunshine law, aims to inform the public in a clear manner about the requirements and exemptions to the states open government laws. Government in the sunshine law florida state association of. Notices of meetings and hearings must advise that a record is required to appeal. Probably the most comprehensive guide to understanding the requirements and exemptions to florida s open government laws is the government in the sunshine manual compiled by the attorney generals office. Sunshine amendment and code of ethics naples, florida. Yes, i would like to receive emails from the first amendment foundation. Public records and government in the sunshine learner course. Online government in the sunshine manual office of the attorney general. Today, the sunshine law regarding open government can be found in chapter 286 of the florida statutes. For decades, florida s sunshine manual has assisted the public, journalists and governmental agencies in understanding the requirements and exemptions of state open government laws. Part i government in the sunshine law florida attorney general.
Government in the sunshine alachua county, florida. Health insurance coverage for persons retired under stateadministered retirement systems before january 1, 1976, and for spouses. Not all individual records are covered by these general records schedules. The public records act, chapter 119 of the florida statutes f. Florida s government in the sunshine law, commonly referred to as the sunshine law, provides a right of access to governmental proceedings of public boards or commissions at both the state and local levels. Public records and government in the sunshine learner course guide powered by doh office of general counsel. A pocket guide to floridas public records act the following open government online resources are available at frequently asked questions government in the sunshine manual sunshine law sunshine law court cases training citizen guide to public records and the sunshine law in florida. Florida s government in the sunshine manual and public records law manual questions and answers on section 286. Charley wells, a strong dissenting voice in the court s 4 3 decision that mandated a statewide manual recount, gives an unprecedented playbyplay of those tumultuous days. Governmentinthesunshine manual first amendment foundation. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of ten books, including environmental concern in florida and the nation upf, 1991, the florida voter, and almanac of florida. Sunshine training for law enforcement, local government and citizens. Florida law basic resources florida general and solo. The councils focus will be on the identification of specific components of the sunshine.
The florida sunshine law the main provision of the sunshine law, section 286. Florida s government in the sunshine law, commonly referred to as the sunshine law, provides a right of access to governmental proceedings of public boards. The sunshine amendment, adopted by florida voters through a constitutional initiative in 1976 as article ii, section 8, florida constitution, contains standards of ethical conduct and disclosures applicable to public officers and employees. Open meetings laws in florida digital media law project. The manual is updated each year and is available for purchase through the first amendment foundation in tallahassee. Search function, site map, directory, faq for new users. Public records and government in the sunshine learner course guide fy 20142015. Governmentinthesunshine manual the manual is a comprehensive guide to floridas open meetings and public records laws, and is published by the first amendment foundation each year in cooperation with the attorney generals office. Lance dehavensmith is professor of public administration and associate director of the florida institute of government at florida state university. This website is designed to help government agencies, the media and private citizens understand floridas open government and public records laws. Feb 24, 2020 the sunshine state young readers award program is sponsored by fame and the florida department of education for students in grades38. The open government laws in florida are focused on three areas. The commission will still abide by certain notetaking procedures during those closed portions of sessions in order to preserve the record of the commission.
The statute thus applies to public collegial bodies within this state, at the local as well as state level. Florida law basic resources research guides florida state. Cmc sunshine state books university of central florida. Gore presents the unique, candid, and compelling perspective of the florida supreme court chief justice who stood at the center of the storm. Florida s government in the sunshine law sets forth certain requirements for public records and open meeting laws pertaining to governmental proceedings of public boards or commissions. Online sunshine is your free source for florida state government. Colburn and lance dehavensmith and was published in 1999. Florida s sunshine law is the oldest statelevel open government laws in the country, and also one of the strongest in terms of enforcement visit any agency or municipalitys webpage, and youll see a disclaimer at the bottom warning that any communication you send is considered a public record. The government in the sunshine manual is prepared on an annual basis by the florida attorney generals officeto serve as a guide to those seeking to become familiar with the requirements of the open government laws. Every year, the attorney generals office publishes a manual that is available free of charge to residents to help them understand these laws.