Bill > S1298

This bill amends Florida Statute 447.308 to make "showing of interest" statements, which are signed by public employees indicating they no longer want to be represented by a certified bargaining agent (a union or similar group that negotiates on behalf of employees), confidential and exempt from public records requirements, meaning they cannot be accessed by the public. This exemption is intended to protect employees from potential negative consequences for expressing their desire to leave a union, similar to how existing law protects those who wish to join one. The bill also includes provisions for future legislative review of this exemption, with a scheduled repeal date of October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature acts to extend it, and specifies how the law will revert if the exemption is not saved. The Legislature has declared this confidentiality a public necessity, arguing that the harm from disclosure outweighs any public benefit.