FL S2630

Commission on Ethics authorized to initiate investigations on its own volition of alleged ethics code violations and breaches of public trust, in addition to investigating sworn complaints from other persons.

Executive director of the commission may file a written complaint under oath or affirmation to trigger a commission meeting to determine whether to initiate a preliminary investigation, requiring an affirmative vote of six of nine commission members to proceed.

Alleged violators must be notified within 5 days after the commission approves a preliminary investigation initiated by the executive director (compared to 5 days after receipt of a complaint from other persons).

Civil penalties for ethics violations increased from $10,000 to $50,000 for public officers, from $10,000 to $25,000 for employees and certain other persons, and from $10,000 to $15,000 for former public officers and employees.

Effective date July 1, 2010.