FL S0304

Raises civil penalties for ethics violations from $10,000 to $100,000 for public officers, employees, candidates, and former officers; establishes first-degree misdemeanor criminal penalty for knowingly failing to file required disclosures within 90 days of the specified date.

Creates qualified blind trust provisions allowing the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet members to place assets in blind trusts and avoid conflicts of interest if they have no knowledge of or control over trust holdings, subject to Commission on Ethics approval.

Expands voting conflict of interest disclosure requirements for state and local public officers to include disclosure of all interests of principals, relatives, and business associates known to the officer when abstaining from votes or participating in matters with special private gain implications.

Prohibits reporting individuals and procurement employees from soliciting or accepting gifts exceeding $100 in aggregate within a calendar year from vendors doing business with their agencies; requires quarterly reporting of gifts valued at $25 or more.

Modifies ethics complaint procedures to allow Commission on Ethics investigations based on sworn complaints, reliable publicly disseminated information deemed sufficient by seven commission members, or written referrals from specified state officials.