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Board counsel outlines overhaul of ethics and lobbying policy to align with Florida law
Summary
At a May 8 work session the district's general counsel presented a redraft of policy KCE to align OCPS rules on gifts, lobbying and procurement contacts with Florida statutory language; the presentation removed several district‑created gift rules and clarified lobbyist reporting and no‑contact procurement periods.
At a May 8 work session, general counsel John Palmerini and Associate General Counsel and Ethics Compliance Officer Vivian Kokotis presented a streamlined draft of KCE, the district ethics and lobbying policy, that aligns many provisions with Florida law and reduces district‑specific restrictions the board previously had imposed.
Palmerini told the board the draft removes about seven pages of internal rules that went beyond state requirements and instead reproduces statutory language where appropriate. He said the draft removes a gratuitous‑meals section and eliminates a $5 notation in favor of treating gifts consistent with state law. "Pursuant to Florida law, board members and OCPS employees shall not solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient...based upon the understanding that the vote, official action, or…
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