House Sovereign Immunity Bill Not Considered
and
Financial Disclosure Bills Pass House and Senate Committees
Sovereign Immunity
In yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting, CS/HB 401 (Beltran) was “temporarily postponed.” Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Leek announced at the beginning of the meeting that HB 401 would not be considered at this meeting. Bills are often postponed in committee for various reasons, but this could be a sign that the bill is in jeopardy. This is more proof that your advocacy efforts make a difference in this process.

The League will keep you updated on future developments.
Financial Disclosures
CS/SB 774 (Brodeur), relating to Financial Disclosures, passed the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Tuesday. The bill was amended to remove city and county managers from the requirement to file a Form 6. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 8-2, with Senators Tina Polsky and Bobby Powell voting No.

Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer, Bartow, and Councilwoman Mindy Gibson, Satellite Beach, testified in opposition to the bill.

Click here to watch the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee hearing on CS/SB 774. Discussion of the bill begins at approximately 4:27.
 
CS/HB 37 (Roach) is the House Financial Disclosure bill. The bill passed the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee by a vote of 16-1, with Representative Gottlieb voting No. CS/HB 37 includes language requiring the Form 6 requirement for city managers.

An amendment was filed by Rep. Dan Daley that would have added the following to the Form 6 requirement, but the amendment was not considered:

  • Statewide boards and commissions
  • State University System leaders (including University Presidents)
  • State agency secretaries and senior-level staff
  • State employees with purchasing authority over $35,000
 
Click here to watch the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts Subcommittee hearing on CS/HB 37. Discussion of the bill begins at approximately 19:56.

Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert, Auburndale, testified in opposition to the bill.
Thank you for your advocacy efforts!