FL S1176

Exempts from public records disclosure all information obtained by a property appraiser's office during an investigation of an exemption claim until the office concludes its investigation.

Exemption ends when the appraiser's office either provides written certified mail notice that it will proceed with removal of the exemption and inform the person of back taxes and penalties owed, or concludes the investigation and decides not to proceed with removal.

Exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and automatically repeals on October 2, 2024, unless reenacted by the Legislature.

Bill states public necessity for the exemption, citing risks that persons under investigation could obstruct investigations, solicit representation before wrongdoing is determined, or have damaging public perception created before findings are made.

Effective date is July 1, 2019.