- October 12, 2024
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A proposal that would require elected municipal officials, along with appointed city and county managers, to provide more-detailed information about their personal finances is headed to the Senate floor.
The Senate Rules Committee on Thursday voted 16-4 to approve a bill (SB 774) that would require numerous local officials each year to submit financial-disclosure reports like those filed by lawmakers, statewide elected officials, county commissioners and school-board members.
“I think all of the decisions by local officials deserve to be put into context, and requiring a financial disclosure can help voters do that,” bill sponsor Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, said.
Brodeur said the bill is opposed mainly by officials who don’t want to fill out the forms, which he acknowledged are “invasive” and “uncomfortable.”
Opponents also have argued that the requirement could limit the number of people in rural areas who want to run for office.
Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, said the change could result in losing “good people” from serving in rural communities.
Most elected city officials currently are required to fill out less-detailed disclosure reports known as Form 1. The more-detailed reports, known as Form 6, require providing information about net worth, assets, liabilities and income.
The Senate approved a similar bill last year, but the House did not take it up. A House version (HB 37) this year has cleared two committees and awaits action by the House State Affairs Committee.
