Subcommittee favors records exemption for city and county administrators, citing safety and recruitment concerns

Representative Gerwig presented House Bill 623 as a public-records exemption for county and city administrators and their deputies. She told the committee that the measure is intended to protect local chief administrators from harassment and threats and to improve the ability of local governments to recruit qualified managers. "These are people who are employed at the highest level of government who don't get to make those decisions, but they do seem to be held accountable for those for implementing that policy in the public space," Gerwig said.

Gerwig and co-sponsors cited multiple incidents that prompted the bill, including threats against an administrator over a proposed park and reports of threats in Charlotte County. Representative Caruso asked whether specific incidents prompted the bill; Gerwig replied that the proposal responds to “several instances,” including threats of violence and harassment. Representative Daley, the ranking member, said: "Nobody should be threatened for doing their job, particularly someone that's serving in a city, you know, city management or county administrator role."

Supporters who submitted or waved in testimony included Jorge Chamizo, Anita Berry (Palm Beach County), Peter Abayo (Florida Association of Counties), and Andrea Knowles Hill (Broward County). Gerwig said the exemption would mirror about 22 other exemptions and would include a 10-year sunset. She and co-sponsor Representative Cassell asked for favorable support; the committee recorded the bill as reported favorably, 15-0.

The committee’s vote moves the bill forward to the next stage with a favorable recommendation.