Purpose


Rulemaking is needed to reflect a recent statutory change to Section 112.3215(8)(d), Florida Statutes, by Chapter 2023-49, Laws of Florida. This change modified how the Commission on Ethics may dispose of complaints or investigations resulting from complaints or random audits of lobbying reports. It specifies these types of proceedings may be dismissed at any stage of disposition if the Commission determines that proceeding further will not serve the public interest. Currently, Rule 34-12.750(3) requires these matters to proceed to a probable cause hearing, and states dismissal can be predicated only upon a finding of no probable cause. The Rule needs to be updated to account for the dismissals now allowed by Section 112.3215(8)(d).