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Committee reports favorably on bill to shield appellate court clerks' personal records
Summary
The Judiciary Committee reported favorably on Senate Bill 300, which would extend an existing public-records exemption for trial-court clerks to clerks who serve appellate courts, after brief debate and the withdrawal of one amendment.
At a meeting of the Judiciary Committee, senators reported favorably on Senate Bill 300, a bill by Senator Russon that would create a public-records exemption for the personal information of appellate-court clerks.
Supporters said the change would align protections for appellate clerks with those already granted to trial-court clerks, citing threats, harassment and doxxing of court personnel. Senator Russon, the bill sponsor, said, "This is a public records exemption Senate bill 300 for appellate clerks," explaining the measure extends protections already enacted for trial court clerks.
The bill sponsor moved to withdraw a pending amendment (barcode 158,546); the committee showed the amendment withdrawn and proceeded on the bill as not amended. The committee received one appearance form from Judge Clay Roberts, identified with the Florida Conference of DCA, who waved in support. Senator Lee spoke in debate and said she generally is "not a huge fan of public record exemptions" but supported the bill because clerks have faced harassment and ‘‘didn't sign up for that type of harassment.’’
Lisa, the committee clerk, called the roll on the bill. Recorded votes in the transcript show Senator DeSigli, Senator Hooper, Senator Leake, Senator Osgood, Senator Passadoma, Senator Polsky, Senator Trumbull, Senator Burton and Chair Yarbrough voting yes; Senator Gates voted no. The committee recorded the bill as reported favorably.
The action before the committee was a favorable report (no further amendments adopted). The bill will proceed from committee with the committee's recommendation on record.
