On April 3, 2020, a request for an expedited advisory opinion was received by the Commission on Ethics. In this request, the requestor seeks guidance as to the restrictions contained in Section 112.3215, Florida Statutes, and related law, as to ...

 

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

The Florida Commission on Ethics announces a telephone conference call to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Friday, April 10, 2020, 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: The meeting may be accessed by calling [phone] and using Conference ID 995672. Due to social distancing requirements responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to this meeting will be by telemeeting only.

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: On April 3, 2020, a request for an expedited advisory opinion was received by the Commission on Ethics. In this request, the requestor seeks guidance as to the restrictions contained in Section 112.3215, Florida Statutes, and related law, as to public service announcements provided by the principals of lobbyists, and in which public officers appear.

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WEFLARE: The Florida Commission on Ethics is statutorily allowed to issue advisory opinions concerning provisions in Chapter 112, Florida Statutes (the Code of Ethics). A request for an expedited advisory opinion concerning matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the expenditure law (subsection 112.3215(6), Florida Statutes), and related law was received on April 3, 2020. The opinion is of a time sensitive and urgent nature.

On March 1, 2020, prior to the receipt of the opinion request, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-51 which, in part, declared a public health emergency pursuant to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, on March 9, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52 and officially declared that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida. In addition, as of March 16, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended the cancellation of any meeting or event that would require the attendance of more than 10 people. Given the recently declared state of emergency, and the time sensitive nature of the opinion request, the Commission believes that an emergency meeting under subsection 120.525(3), Florida Statutes, is warranted.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: Given the recently declared state of emergency in the State of Florida, and the recent guidance from the CDC, and considering the content of the advisory opinion request, which was requested on an expedited basis, the Commission finds that an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare necessitates immediate action on the advisory opinion. Notice of this emergency meeting is hereby published in the Florida Administrative Register. In addition, notice of the Commission's emergency meeting was posted on the Commission's official website. The media was also notified pursuant to subsection 28-102.003(2), F.A.C.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Christopher "Chris" Anderson, Executive Director and General Counsel, Florida Commission on Ethics, [phone]. The agenda will be available on the Commission's website (www.ethics.state.fl.us).

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 2 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Lynn Blais, Chief Administrator, Florida Commission on Ethics, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing, he/she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence from which the appeal is to be issued.

For more information, you may contact: Christopher "Chris" Anderson, Executive Director and General Counsel, Florida Commission on Ethics, [phone].