The Florida Commission on Ethics on Sept. 10 voted to forward a set of legislative recommendations for the 2026 session and to seek discussion with legislative staff about recent statutory changes related to complaint evidence.

Commissioners voted to pursue three substantive proposals carried from prior sessions: (1) amend the gift-law definition of "relative" to add foster parents and foster children so those family-like relationships would be exempt from gift reporting; (2) reintroduce whistleblower-protection language to protect public employees who file ethics complaints (an item with bills filed the prior year but not heard); and (3) seek a one-time waiver mechanism that would relieve first-time filers of automatic collection fines for late Form 1 or Form 6 filings if they file before accrual of the maximum fine.

Commissioners also approved seeking a discussion with Senator Gaetz and Senate ethics staff about the statute’s 2024 changes concerning the evidentiary standard "personal knowledge and information other than hearsay." Several commissioners said the provision was rushed into law late in the previous session and that implementation has raised procedural questions. The commission directed staff to meet with Senator Gaetz’s office to explore possible clarifications; commissioners emphasized those talks would be informational and not a request to file immediate statutory amendments this year.

The commission voted to recommend a public-records confidentiality option (exemption) for commissioners and agency staff in limited circumstances — the motion passed — and it approved several technical changes staff had drafted for legislative consideration (appeal-by-postmark rules, clarification about Form 6 filing for appointees who complete unfinished terms, and a filing-location change for Form 10 honorarium reports).

Why it matters: the proposals affect transparency rules and whistleblower protections that govern how complaints are filed and how public officers disclose personal and financial information. Commissioners said they wanted to preserve the commission’s ability to investigate credible complaints while making practical changes that reduce administrative friction.

Additional governance steps: commissioners designated two members to act as legislative liaisons during session to coordinate with staff and with lawmakers; they also penciled in the ability to convene during session if urgent bills affect the commission’s authority.

Next steps: staff will finalize language, reach out to Senator Gaetz’s office to schedule discussions, and work with the designated liaisons on outreach to legislative staff.