(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Local government” means:
1. A county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision in this state; and
2. Any department, agency, board, bureau, district, commission, authority, or similar body of a county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision of this state.
(b) “Public funds” means all moneys under the jurisdiction or control of the local government.
(2) A local government or a person acting on behalf of local government may not expend or authorize the expenditure of, and a person or group may not accept, public funds for a political advertisement or any other communication sent to electors concerning an issue, referendum, or amendment, including any state question, that is subject to a vote of the electors. This subsection applies to a communication initiated by a local government or a person acting on behalf of a local government, irrespective of whether the communication is limited to factual information or advocates for the passage or defeat of an issue, referendum, or amendment. This subsection does not preclude a local government or a person acting on behalf of a local government from reporting on official actions of the local government’s governing body in an accurate, fair, and impartial manner; posting factual information on a government website or in printed materials; hosting and providing information at a public forum; providing factual information in response to an inquiry; or providing information as otherwise authorized or required by law.
(3) With the exception of the prohibitions specified in subsection (2), this section does not preclude an elected official of the local government from expressing an opinion on any issue at any time.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2009-125; s. 2, ch. 2022-56.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title IX - Electors and Elections
Chapter 106 - Campaign Financing
106.021 - Campaign Treasurers; Deputies; Primary and Secondary Depositories.
106.022 - Appointment of a Registered Agent; Duties.
106.023 - Statement of Candidate.
106.025 - Campaign Fund Raisers.
106.03 - Registration of Political Committees and Electioneering Communications Organizations.
106.05 - Deposit of Contributions; Statement of Campaign Treasurer.
106.055 - Valuation of In-Kind Contributions.
106.06 - Treasurer to Keep Records; Inspections.
106.07 - Reports; Certification and Filing.
106.0702 - Reporting; Political Party Executive Committee Candidates.
106.0705 - Electronic Filing of Campaign Treasurer’s Reports.
106.0706 - Electronic Filing of Campaign Finance Reports; Public Records Exemption.
106.071 - Independent Expenditures; Electioneering Communications; Reports; Disclaimers.
106.072 - Social Media Deplatforming of Political Candidates.
106.08 - Contributions; Limitations On.
106.09 - Cash Contributions and Contribution by Cashier’s Checks.
106.11 - Expenses of and Expenditures by Candidates and Political Committees.
106.113 - Expenditures by Local Governments.
106.12 - Petty Cash Funds Allowed.
106.125 - Credit Cards; Conditions on Use.
106.14 - Utilities; Deposits; Prior Authorization.
106.1405 - Use of Campaign Funds.
106.141 - Disposition of Surplus Funds by Candidates.
106.143 - Political Advertisements Circulated Prior to Election; Requirements.
106.1435 - Usage and Removal of Political Campaign Advertisements.
106.1437 - Miscellaneous Advertisements.
106.1439 - Electioneering Communications; Disclaimers.
106.1475 - Text Message and Telephone Solicitation; Registered Agent Requirements; Penalty.
106.15 - Certain Acts Prohibited.
106.16 - Limitation on Certain Rates and Charges.
106.161 - Air Time Available at the Lowest Unit Rate.
106.165 - Use of Closed Captioning and Descriptive Narrative in All Television Broadcasts.
106.17 - Polls and Surveys Relating to Candidacies.
106.18 - When a Candidate’s Name to Be Omitted From Ballot.
106.19 - Violations by Candidates, Persons Connected With Campaigns, and Political Committees.
106.191 - Signatures Gathered for Initiative Petition; Effect of Ch. 97-13.
106.21 - Certificates of Election Not to Be Issued Upon Conviction.
106.22 - Duties of the Division of Elections.
106.23 - Powers of the Division of Elections.
106.24 - Florida Elections Commission; Membership; Powers; Duties.
106.25 - Reports of Alleged Violations to Florida Elections Commission; Disposition of Findings.
106.26 - Powers of Commission; Rights and Responsibilities of Parties; Findings by Commission.
106.27 - Determinations by Commission; Legal Disposition.
106.28 - Limitation of Actions.
106.32 - Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
106.33 - Election Campaign Financing; Eligibility.
106.35 - Distribution of Funds.