summary
Introduced
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
In Committee
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to public officers and employees; creating s. 20.71, F.S.; requiring that, beginning on a specified date, secretaries and executive directors of departments, chief administrative officers of certain units of state government, members of commissions and licensing boards, chairs of governing boards or certain chief executives of certain statewide entities, or any persons appointed to hold state office in the executive branch of state government be United States citizens and residents of this state; providing that a specified provision applies to each such office; requiring that, beginning on a specified date, members of the board of trustees for state universities be United States citizens and residents of this state or graduates of the state university that the board oversees; requiring that, beginning on a specified date, members of the Board of Governors of the State University System be United States citizens and either residents of this state or have graduated from a state university; providing that if any such requirements are not met, the office is deemed vacant; amending s. 104.31, F.S.; revising construction of provisions relating to political activities of state, county, and municipal officers and employees; amending s. 110.233, F.S.; prohibiting career service employees from using the influence of their positions for specified purposes; amending s. 112.061, F.S.; prohibiting the authorization or approval of reimbursements for travel expenses to and from the person’s residence and his or her headquarters for specified positions; defining the term “residence”; requiring that the official headquarters for specified positions be the city or town in which the department’s official headquarters is located; prohibiting persons serving in specified positions from being reimbursed for certain travel expenses; creating s. 112.31251, F.S.; defining the term “office” for purposes of s. 5(a), Art. II of the State Constitution; defining the term “employment”; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill introduces several key provisions related to residency, citizenship, and professional conduct for public officials in Florida. Effective October 1, 2025, the bill requires that certain high-level state government officials, including department secretaries, executive directors, and chief administrative officers, must be United States citizens and residents of Florida. Additionally, starting January 6, 2027, members of state university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors must also be U.S. citizens and either state residents or graduates of a state university. If these requirements are not met, the positions will be automatically considered vacant. The bill also modifies rules regarding political activities for state employees, prohibiting them from using their official authority to influence elections or coerce other employees. Furthermore, it restricts travel reimbursements for certain state officials, defining their official headquarters and limiting compensation for travel between their residence and workplace. The bill also provides a comprehensive definition of what constitutes a public "office" for constitutional purposes, detailing specific positions and criteria that determine whether a role is considered an official government position. These changes aim to enhance residency requirements, maintain professional standards, and clarify the nature of public service roles in Florida.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (2)
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government (S), Rules (S)
Last Action
Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 1445 (on 04/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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