1. Open Government Overview
Florida’s Public Records and Sunshine Laws

2. Open Government Overview
PUBLIC RECORDS LAW
THE SUNSHINE LAW
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

3. Florida’s Public Records Law

4. Right of access to records unless exempt
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

5. THE TERM “PUBLIC RECORDS” MEANS:
All records
Made or received pursuant to
law or ordinance or
in connection with the transaction of official business
By any agency
Which are used to perpetuate, communicate, or formalize knowledge.
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

6. PROVIDING PUBLIC RECORDS
Public records cannot be withheld
Purpose doesn’t matter
Vague or broad requests are OK
Doesn’t have to be written and no ID is necessary
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

7. PROVIDING PUBLIC RECORDS
No specific time limit
No “standing” requests
No need to answer questions about the public records
No need to create a new record
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

8. Public records must be retained in accordance with retention schedules
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

9. PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE
• Civil action
• Criminal penalties
• Attorney’s fees
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

10. Florida’s Sunshine Law

11. SCOPE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW
The Sunshine Law applies to:
Any gathering of two or more members of the same board to discuss some matter which will foreseeably come before that board for action
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

12. SCOPE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW
The Sunshine Law applies to:
The Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

13. SCOPE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW
Basic requirements:
Open to the public
Reasonable notice
Minutes
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

14. SCOPE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW
Council members may not engage in private discussions with each other about Council business
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

15. SCOPE OF THE SUNSHINE LAW
Communicating through another person
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

16. COUNCIL MEETINGS
May not ban nondisruptive videotaping, tape recording, or photography at public meetings.
Must allow the public an opportunity to be heard
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

17. PENALTIES • Civil action • Criminal penalties
• Suspension or removal from office
• Attorney’s fees
4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council

18. 4/24/2018
For the Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council