CS/HB 7021 Summary

• Expands ethics training requirements to include governing board members of special districts and water management districts, effective January 1, 2018, requiring 4 hours annually covering state constitution, ethics code, and public records/meetings laws.

• Establishes mandatory financial disclosure requirements for elected mayors and governing body members of municipalities with $10 million or more in total revenue for 3 consecutive fiscal years.

• Creates Local Government Lobbyist Registration System effective October 1, 2018, requiring lobbyists to register with the Commission on Ethics before lobbying governmental entities; preempts local lobbyist registration requirements and establishes registration fees not to exceed $20 per principal.

• Prohibits special district and school district governing board members from voting on matters creating special private gain or loss, and restricts all local officers and board members from participating in conflicted matters without disclosure.

• Deems contractual relationships held by business entities as held by public officers or employees when the officer holds a material interest in or manages such entities, strengthening conflict of interest standards.