05 Chapter 106 Campaign Financing~~i
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Room 3~6, R. A. Gray Building
500 S. Bronough St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
Phone: 850-245-6240
Web Site: http://election.myflorida.com
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CHAPTER 106
CAMPAIGN FINANCING
106.011 Definitions.
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.
106.04 Committees of continuous existence.
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. ~
106.0701 Solicitation of contributions on behalf of s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) organizations;
reporting requirements; civil penalty; exemption.
106.0703 Electioneering communications organizations; additional, reporting
requirements.
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. ,
106.075 Elected officials; report of loans made in year preceding election; limitation
on contributions to pay loans.
106.08 Contributions; limitations on.
106.087 Independent expenditures; contribution limits; restrictions on political
parties, political committees, and committees of continuous existence.
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. ~ j
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.
106.147 .Telephone solicitation; disclosure requirements; prohibitions; exemptions;
penalties.
106.1475 Telephone solicitation; registered agent requirements; penalty.
106.15 Certain acts prohibited. i
106.16 Limitation on certain rates and charges.
106.161 Air time available at the lowest unit rate. l
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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.
106.265 Civil penalties.
106.27 .Determinations by .commission; legal disposition.
106.28 Limitation of actions.
106.29 Reports by political parties; restrictions on contributions and expenditures;
penalties.
106.295 Leadership fund.
106.30 Short title.
106.31 Legislative intent.
106.32 lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
106.33 Election campaign financing; eligibility.,
106.34 Expenditure limits.
106.3 5 Distribution of funds.
106.353 Candidates voluntarily abiding by election campaign financing limits but not
requesting public funds; irrevocable statement required; penalty.
106.355 Nonparticipating candidate exceeding limits.
106.36 Penalties; fines.
106.011 Definitions.-As used in.this chapter, the following terms have the
following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1)(a) "Political committee" means:
1. A combination of two or more individuals, or a person other than an individual,
that, in an aggregate amount in excess of $500 during a single calendar. year:
a. Accepts contributions for the purpose of making contributions to .any candidate,
political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party;
b. Accepts contributions for the purpose of expressly advocating.the election or
defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue;
c. Makes expenditures that expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate
or the passage or defeat of an issue; or
d. Makes contributions to a common fund, other than a joint .checking account
between spouses, from which contributions are made to any candidate, political
committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party;
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2. The sponsor of a proposed constitutional amendment by initiative who intends to
seek the signatures of registered electors.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the following. entities are not considered
political committees for purposes of this chapter:
1. Organizations which are certified by the Department of State as committees of
continuous existence pursuant to s. 106.04, national political. parties, and the state and
county executive committees of political parties regulated by chapter 103.
2. Corporations regulated by chapter 607 or chapter 617 or other business entities
formed for purposes other than to support or oppose issues or candidates, if their political
activities are limited to contributions to candidates, political parties, or political
committees or expenditures in support of or opposition to an issue from corporate or
business funds and if no contributions are received by such corporations or business
entities.
3. Electioneering communications organizations as defined in subsection (19);
however, such organizations shall be required to register with and report expenditures
and contributions, including contributions received from committees of continuous
existence, to the Division of Elections in the same manner, at the same time, and subject
to the same penalties as a political committee supporting or opposing an issue or a
legislative candidate, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.
(2) "Committee of continuous existence" means any group, organization,
association, or other such entity which is certified pursuant to the provisions of s. 106.04. ;
(3) "Contribution" means:
(a) A gift, subscription, conveyance, deposit, loan, payment, or distribution of
money or anything of value,. including contributions in kind having an attributable
monetary value in any form, made for the purpose of influencing the results of an election ,
or making an electioneering communication.
(b) A transfer of funds between political committees, between committees of
continuous existence, between electioneering. communications organizations, or between
any combination of these .groups.
(c) The payment, by any person other than a candidate or political committee, of
compensation for the personal services of another person which are rendered to a
candidate or political committee without charge to the candidate or committee for such
services.
(d) The transfer of funds by a campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer
between a primary depository and a separate interest-bearing account or certificate of
deposit, and the term includes any interest earned on such account or certificate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing meanings of "contribution," the word shall not be
construed to include services, including, but not limited to, legal and accounting services,
provided without compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time
on behalf of a candidate or political committee. This definition shall not be construed to
include editorial endorsements.
(4)(a) "Expenditure" means a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance,
transfer of funds by a campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer between a
primary depository and a separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit, or gift
ofmoney or anything of value made for the purpose of influencing the results of an ~,
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election or making an electioneering communication. However, "expenditure" does not
include a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, or gift of money or anything of
value made -for the purpose of influencing the results of an election when made by an
organization, in existence prior to the time, during which a candidate qualifies or an issue
is placed on the ballot for that election, for the purpose of printing or distributing such
organization's. newsletter, containing a statement by ,such .organization in support of or
opposition to a candidate or issue, which newsletter is distributed only to members of
such organization.
(b) As used in this chapter, an "expenditure" for an electioneering communication is
made when the earliest of the following. occurs:
1. A person enters into a contract for applicable goods or services;
2. A person makes payment, in whole or in part, for the production or public
dissemination of applicable goods or services; or
3. The electioneering communication is publicly disseminated.
(5)(a) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure by a person for-the purpose
of expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or the approval or rejection
of an issue, which expenditure is not controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon
consultation with, any candidate, political committee, or agent of such- candidate. or
committee. An expenditure for such purpose by a person having a contract with the
candidate, political committee, or. agent of such candidate or committee in a given
election period shall not be deemed an independent expenditure.
(b) An expenditure for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or defeat of
a candidate which is made by the national, state, or county executive committee of a
political party, including any subordinate committee of a national, state, or county
committee of a political party, or by any political committee or committee of continuous
existence, or any other person, shall not be considered an independent. expenditure if the
committee or person:
1. Communicates with the candidate, the candidate's campaign, or an agent of the
candidate acting on behalf of the candidate, including any pollster, media consultant,
advertising agency, vendor, advisor, or staff member, concerning the preparation of, use
of, or payment for, the specific expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or
2. Makes a payment in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, at the request or
suggestion of, or pursuant to any general or particular understanding with the candidate,
.the candidate's campaign, a political committee supporting the candidate, or an agent of
the candidate relating to the specific expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or
3. Makes a payment for the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole
or in part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic, or other form of campaign material
prepared by the candidate, the candidate's campaign, or an agent. of the candidate,
.including any pollster, media consultant, advertising agency, vendor, advisor, or staff
member; or
4. Makes a payment based on information about the candidate's plans, projects, or
needs communicated to a member of the committee or person by the candidate or an
agent of the candidate, provided the committee or person.uses the information in any
way, in whole or in part, either directly or indirectly, to design, prepare, or pay for the
specific expenditure or advertising campaign at issue; or
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5. After the last day of qualifying for statewide or legislative office, consults about
the candidate's plans, projects, or needs in connection with the candidate's pursuit of
election to office and the information is used in any way to plan, create, design, or
prepare an independent expenditure or advertising campaign, with:
a. Any officer, director, employee, or agent of a national, state, or county executive
committee of a political party that has made or intends to make expenditures in
connection with or contributions to the candidate; or
b. Any person whose professional services have been retained by a national, state,
or county executive committee of a political party that has made or intends to make
expenditures iri connection with or contributions to the candidate; or
6. After the last day of qualifying for statewide or legislative office, retains the
professional services of any person also providing those services to the candidate in
connection with the candidate's pursuit of election to office; or
7. Arranges, coordinates, or directs the expenditure, in any way, with the candidate
or an agent of the candidate.
(6) "Election" means any primary election, special primary election, general
election, special election, or municipal election held in this .state for the purpose of
nominating or electing candidates to public office, choosing delegates to the national
nominating conventions of political parties, or submitting an issue to the electors for their
approval or rejection.
(7) "Issue" means any proposition which is required by the State Constitution, by
law or resolution of the Legislature, or by the charter, ordinance, or resolution of any
political subdivision of this state to be submitted to the electors for their approval or
rejection at an election, or any proposition for which a petition is circulated in order to
have such proposition placed on the ballot at any election.
(8) "Person" means an individual or a corporation, association, fum, partnership,
joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust,
syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term
includes a political party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence.
(9) "Campaign treasurer" means an individual appointed by a candidate or political
committee as provided in this chapter.
(10) "Public office" means any state, county, municipal, or school or other district
office or position which is filled by vote of the electors.-
(11) "Campaign fund raiser" means any affair held to raise funds to be used in a
campaign for public office.
(12) "Division" means the Division of Elections of the Department of State.
(13) "Communications media" means broadcasting stations, newspapers,
magazines, outdoor advertising facilities, printers, direct -mail, advertising agencies, the
Internet, and telephone companies; but with respect to telephones, an expenditure shall be
deemed to be an expenditure for the use of communications media only if made for the
costs of telephones, paid telephonists, or automatic telephone equipment to be used by a
candidate or .apolitical committee to communicate with potential voters but excluding
any costs of telephones incurred by a volunteer for use of telephones by such volunteer;
however, with respect to the Internet, an expenditure shall be deemed an expenditure for
use of communications media only if made for the cost of creating or disseminating a
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message on a computer information system accessible by more than one person but
excluding internal communications of a .campaign or of any group.
(14) "Filing officer" means the person before whom a candidate qualifies, the
agency or officer with whom a political committee registers, or the agency by whom a
committee of continuous existence is certified.
(15) "Unopposed candidate" means a candidate for nomination or election to an
office who, after the last day on which any person, including awrite-in candidate, may
qualify, is without opposition in the election at which the office is to be filled or who is
without such opposition .after such date as a result of any primary election or of
withdrawal by other candidates seeking the same off ce. A candidate is not an unopposed
candidate if there is a vacancy to be filled under s. 100.111(4), if there is a legal
proceeding pending regarding the right to a ballot position for the office sought by the
candidate, or if the candidate is seeking retention as a justice or judge.
(16) "Candidate" means any person to whom any one or more of the following
apply:
(a) Any person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of the
petitioning process.
(b) Any person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate.
(c) Any person who receives contributions or makes expenditures, or consents for
any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bring
about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office.
(d) Any person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository.
(e) Any person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate's oath
as required by law.
However, this definition does not include any candidate for a political party executive
committee.
(17) "Political advertisement" means a paid expression in any communications
media prescribed in subsection (13), whether radio, television, newspaper, magazine,
periodical, campaign literature, direct mail, or display or by means other than the spoken
word in direct conversation, which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a
candidate or the approval or rejection of an issue. However, political advertisement does
not include:
(a) A statement by an organization, in existence prior to the time during .which a
candidate qualifies or an issue is placed on the ballot for that election, in support of or
opposition to a candidate or issue, in that .organization's newsletter, which newsletter is
distributed only to the members of that organization.
(b) Editorial endorsements by any newspaper, radio or television station, or other
recognized news medium.
(18)(a) "Electioneering communication" means a paid expression in any
communications media prescribed in subsection (13) by means other than the spoken
word in direct conversation that:
1. Refers to or depicts a clearly identified candidate for office or contains a clear
reference indicating that an issue is to be voted on at an election, without expressly
advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or the passage or defeat of an issue.
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2. For communications referring to or depicting a clearly identified candidate for
office, is targeted to the relevant electorate. A communication is considered targeted if
1,000 or more persons in the geographic area the candidate would represent if elected
will receive the communication.
3. For communications containing a clear reference indicating that an issue is to be
voted on at an election, is published after the issue is designated a ballot .position or 120
days before the. date of the election on the issue, whichever occurs first.
(b) The term "electioneering communication" does not include:
1. A statement or depiction by an organization, in existence prior to the time during
which a candidate named or depicted qualifies or an issue identified is placed on the
ballot for .that election, made in that organization's newsletter, which newsletter is
distributed only to members of that organization.
2. An editorial endorsement, news story, commentary, or editorial by any
newspaper, radio, television station, or other recognized news medium.
3. A communication that constitutes a public debate or forum that includes at least
two opposing candidates for an office or one advocate. and one opponent of an issue, or
that solely promotes such a debate or forum and is made by or on behalf of the person
sponsoring the debate or forum, provided that:
a. The staging organization is either:
(I) A charitable organization that does not make other electioneering
communications and does not otherwise support or oppose any political candidate or
political party; or
(II) A newspaper, radio station, television station, or other recognized news
medium; and
b. The staging organization does not structure the debate to promote or advance one
candidate or issue position over another.
(c) For purposes of this chapter, an expenditure made for, or in furtherance of, an
electioneering communication shall not be considered a contribution to or on behalf of
any candidate.
(d) For purposes of this chapter, an electioneering communication shall not
constitute an independent expenditure nor be subject to the limitations applicable to
independent expenditures.
(19) "Electioneering communications organization" means any group, other than. a
political party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence, whose
activities are limited to making expenditures for electioneering communications or
accepting contributions for the purpose of making electioneering communications.
History.-s. 1, ch. 73-128; s. 1, ch. 74 200; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 39, ch. 77-175; s. 2, ch. 79-157; ss. 6,
17, ch. 79-365; s. 1, ch. 79-378; s. 22, ch. 81-304; s. 34, ch. 84-302; s. 4, ch. 85-226; s. 2, ch. 89-256; s. 1,
ch. 89-537; s. 24, ch. 90-315; s. 9, ch. 91-107; s. 636, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 97-13; s. 7, ch. 99-355; s. 1, ch.
2002-197; s. 2, ch. 2004-252; s. 1, ch. 2006-300.
106.021 Campaign treasurers;. deputies; primary and secondary
depositories.-
(1)(a) Each candidate for nomination or election to office and each political
committee shall appoint a campaign treasurer. Each person who seeks to qualify for
nomination or election to, or retention, in, office shall appoint a campaign treasurer and
designate a primary campaign depository prior to qualifying for office. Any person who
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seeks to qualify for election or nomination to any office by means of the petitioning
process shall appoint a treasurer and designate a primary depository on or before .the date
he or she obtains the petitions. Each candidate shall at the same time he or she designates
a campaign depository and appoints a treasurer also designate the office for which he or
she is a candidate. If the candidate is .running for an office which will be grouped on the
ballot with two or more similar offices to be filled at the same election, the candidate
must indicate for which group or district office he or she is running. Nothing in this
subsection shall prohibit a candidate, at a later date, from changing the designation of the
office for which he or she is a candidate. However, if a candidate changes the designated
office for which he or she is a candidate, the candidate must notify all contributors in
writing of the intent to seek a different office and offer to return pro rata, upon their
request, those contributions given in support of the original office sought. This
notification shall be given within 15 days after the filing of the change of designation and
shall include a standard form developed by the Division of Elections for requesting the
return of contributions. The notice requirement shall not apply to any change in a
numerical designation resulting solely from redistricting. If, within 30 days after being
notified by the candidate of the intent to seek a different office, the contributor notifies
the candidate in writing that the contributor wishes his or her contribution to be returned,
the candidate shall return the contribution, on a pro rata basis, calculated as of the date
the change of designation is filed. Any contributions not requested to be returned within
the 30-day period may be used by the candidate for the newly designated office. No
person shall accept any contribution or make. any expenditure with a view to bringing
about his or her nomination, .election, or retention in public office, or authorize another to
accept such contributions or make such expenditure on the person's behalf, unless such
person has appointed a campaign treasurer and designated a primary campaign
depository. A candidate for an office voted upon statewide may appoint not more than 15
deputy campaign treasurers, and any other candidate or political committee may appoint
not more than 3 deputy campaign treasurers. The names and addresses of the campaign
treasurer and deputy campaign treasurers so appointed shall be filed with the officer
before whom such candidate is required to qualify or with whom such political
committee is required to register pursuant to s. 106.03.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d), each candidate and each political
committee shall also designate one primary campaign depository for the purpose of
depositing all contributions received, and disbursing all expenditures made, by the
candidate or political committee. The candidate or political committee may also designate
one secondary depository in each county in which an election is held in which the
candidate or committee participates. Secondary depositories shall be for the sole purpose
of depositing contributions and forwarding the deposits to the primary campaign
depository. Any bank, savings and loan association, or credit union authorized to transact.
business in this state maybe designated as a campaign depository. The candidate or
political committee shall file the name and address of each primary and secondary
depository so designated at the same time that, and with the same officer with whom, the
candidate or committee files the name of his, her, or its campaign treasurer pursuant to
paragraph (a). In addition, the campaign treasurer or a deputy campaign treasurer may
deposit any funds which are in the primary campaign depository and which are not then
currently needed for the disbursement of expenditures into a separate interest-bearing
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account in any bank, .savings and loan association, or credit union authorized to transact
business in this state. The separate interest-bearing account shall be designated "name of
candidate or committee) separate. interest-bearing campaign account." In lieu thereof, the
campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer may purchase a certificate of deposit
with such unneeded funds in such bank, savings and loan association, or credit union.
The separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit shall be separate from any
personal or other account or certificate of deposit. Any withdrawal of the principal or
earned interest or any part thereof shall only be made from the separate interest-bearing
account or certificate of deposit for the purpose of transferring funds to the primary
account and shall be reported as a contribution.
(c) Any campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer appointed pursuant to this section
shall, before such appointment may become effective, have accepted appointment to such
position in writing and filed such acceptance with the officer before whom the candidate
is required to qualify or with the officer with whom the political committee is required to
file reports. An individual may be appointed and serve as campaign treasurer of a
candidate and a political committee or two or more candidates and political committees.
A candidate may appoint herself or himself as campaign treasurer.
(d) Any political committee which deposits all contributions received in a national
depository from which the political committee receives funds to contribute to state and
local candidates shall not be required to designate a campaign depository in the state.
(2) A candidate or political committee may remove his, her, or its campaign
treasurer or any deputy treasurer. In .case of the death, resignation, or removal of a
campaign treasurer before compliance with all obligations of a campaign treasurer under
this chapter, the candidate or political committee shall appoint a successor and certify the
name and address of the successor in the manner provided in the case of an original
.appointment. No resignation shall be effective until it has been submitted to the candidate
or committee in writing and a copy thereof has been filed -with the officer before whom
the candidate is required to qualify or the officer with whom the political committee is
required to file reports. No treasurer or deputy treasurer shall be deemed removed by a
candidate or political committee until written notice of such removal has been given to
such treasurer or deputy treasurer and has been filed with the officer before whom such
candidate is required to qualify or with the officer with whom such committee is required
to file reports.
(3) No contribution or expenditure, including contributions or expenditures of a
candidate or of the candidate's family, shall be directly or indirectly made or received in
furtherance of the candidacy of any person for nomination or election to political office in
the state or on behalf of any political committee except through the duly appointed
campaign treasurer of the candidate or political committee, subject to the following
exceptions:
(a) Independent expenditures;
(b) Reimbursements to a candidate or any other individual for expenses incurred in
connection with the campaign or activities of the political committee by a check drawn
upon the campaign account and reported pursuant to s. 106.07(4). After July 1, 2004, the
full name and address of each person to whom the candidate or other individual made
payment for which reimbursement was made by check drawn upon the campaign account
shall be reported pursuant to s. 106.07(4), together with the purpose of such payment;
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(c) Expenditures made indirectly through a treasurer for goods or services, such as
communications media placement or procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, or
other expenditures that include multiple integral components as part of the expenditure
and reported pursuant to s. 106.07(4)(a)13.; or
(d) Expenditures made directly by any political committee or political party
regulated by chapter 103 for obtaining time, ,space, or services in or by any
communications medium for the purpose of jointly. endorsing three or more candidates,
and any. such expenditure shall not be considered a contribution or expenditure to or on
behalf of any such candidates for the purposes of this chapter.
(4) A deputy campaign treasurer may exercise any of the powers and duties of a
campaign treasurer as set forth in this chapter when specifically authorized to do so by
the campaign treasurer and the candidate, in the case of a candidate, or the campaign
treasurer and chair of the political committee, in the case of a political committee.
(5) For purposes of appointing a campaign treasurer and designating a campaign
depository, candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the same
ticket shall be considered a single candidate.
History.-s. 2, ch. 73-128; s. 2, ch. 74-200; s. 1, ch. 75--139; s. 39, ch. 77-175; s. 2, ch. 79-378; s. 56,
ch. 79-400; s. 23, ch. 81-304; s. 35, ch. 84-302; s. 3, ch. 89-256; s. 25, ch. 90-315; s. 10, ch. 91-107; s. 637,
ch. 95-147; s. 9, ch. 97-13; s. 28, ch. 2002-17; s. 14, ch. 2004-252; s. 41, ch. 2007-30; s. 28, ch. 2008-95.
106.022 Appointment of a registered agent; duties.-
(1) Each political committee, committee of continuous existence, or electioneering
communications organization shall have and continuously maintain in this ,state a
registered office and a registered agent and must file with the division a statement of
appointment for the registered office and registered agent. The statement of appointment
must:
(a) Provide the name of the registered agent and the street address and phone
number for. the registered office;
(b) Identify the entity for whom the registered agent serves;
(c) Designate the address the registered agent wishes to use to receive mail;
(d) Include the entity's. undertaking to inform the division of any change in such
designated address;
(e) Provide for the registered agent's acceptance of the appointment, which must
confirm that the registered agent is familiar with and accepts the, obligations of the
position as set forth in this section; and
(f) Contain the signature of the registered agent and the entity engaging the
registered agent.
(2) An entity may change its appointment of registered agent and registered office
under this section by executing a written statement of change that identifies the former
registered agent and registered address and also satisfies all of the requirements of
subsection (1).
(3) A registered agent may resign his or her appointment. as registered agent by
executing a written statement of resignation and filing it with the division. An entity
without a registered agent may not make expenditures or accept contributions until it files
a written statement of change as required in subsection (2).
History.-s. 67, ch. 2005-277; s. 2, ch. 2006-300.
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106.023 Statement of candidate.-
(1) Each candidate must file a statement with the qualifying officer within 10 days
-after filing the appointment of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign
depository, stating that the candidate has read and understands the requirements of this
chapter. Such statement shall be provided by the filing officer and shall be in
substantially the following form:
. STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE
I, ,candidate for the office of ,have received, read, and understand the
requirements of Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.
Willful failure to file this form is a violation of ss. 106.19(1)(c) and 106.25(3), F.S.
(2) The execution and filing of the statement of candidate does not in and of itself
create apresumption-that any violation of this chapter or chapter 104 is a willful
violation.
History.-s. 26, ch. 90-315; s. 638, ch. 95-147; s. 15, ch. 2004-252; s. 15, ch. 2008-4.
106.025. Campaign fond raisers.-
(1)(a) No campaign fund raiser maybe held unless the person for whom such funds
are to be so used is a candidate for public office.
(b) All money and contributions received with respect to such a campaign fund
raiser shall be deemed to be campaign contributions, and shall be accounted for, and
subject to the same restrictions, as other campaign contributions. All expenditures made
with respect to such a campaign fund raiser which are made or reimbursed by a check
drawn on the campaign depository of the candidate for whom the funds are to be used
and shall be deemed to be campaign expenditures to be accounted for, and subject to the
same restrictions, as other campaign expenditures.
(c) Any tickets or advertising for such a campaign. fund raiser shall contain the
following statement: "The purchase of a ticket for, or a contribution to, the campaign
fund raiser is a contribution to the campaign of (name of the candidate for whose benefit
the campaign fund raiser is held)." Such tickets or advertising shall also comply with
other provisions of this chapter relating to political advertising.
(d) Any person or candidate who holds a campaign fund raiser, or consents to a
campaign fund raiser being held, in violation of the provisions of this subsection is guilty
of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) This section shall not apply to any campaign fund raiser held on behalf of a
political party by the state or county executive committee of such party, provided that the
proceeds of such campaign fund raiser are reported pursuant to s. 106.29.. .
History.-s. 40, ch. 77-175; s. 51, ch. 81-259; s. 24, ch. 81-304; s. 27, ch. 83-217; s. 4, ch. 89-256.
106.03 Registration of political committees.-
(1)(a) Each political committee that anticipates receiving contributions or making
expenditures during a calendar year in an aggregate amount exceeding $500 or that is
seeking the signatures of registered electors in support of an initiative shall file a
statement of organization as provided in subsection (3) within 10 days after its
organization or, if later, within 10 days after the date on which it has information that
causes the committee to anticipate that it will receive contributions or make expenditures
33
in excess of $500. If a political committee is organized within 10 days of any election, it
shall immediately file the statement of organization required by this section.
(b) Each electioneering communications organization that anticipates receiving
contributions or making expenditures shall file a statement of organization as provided in
subsection (3) by expedited delivery within 24 hours after its organization or, if later,
within 24 hours after the date on which it has information that causes the organization to
anticipate that it will receive contributions or make expenditures for an electioneering
communication.
(2) The statement of organization shall. include:
(a) The name and street address of the committee;
(b) The names, street addresses, and relationships of affiliated or connected
organizations;
(c) The area, scope, or jurisdiction of the committee;
(d) The name, street address, and position of the custodian of books and accounts;
(e) The name, street address, and position of other principal officers, including
officers and members of the finance committee, if any;
(f) The name, address, office sought, and party affiliation of:
1. Each candidate whom the committee is supporting;
2. Any other individual, if any, whom the committee is supporting for nomination
for election, or election, to any public office whatever;
(g) Any issue or issues such organization is supporting or opposing;
(h) If the committee is supporting the entire ticket of any party, a statement to that
effect and the name of the party;
(i) A statement of whether the committee is a continuing one;
(j) Plans for the disposition of residual funds which will be made in the event of
dissolution;
(k) A listing of all banks, safe-deposit boxes, or other depositories used for
committee funds; and
(1) A statement of the reports required to be filed by the committee with federal
officials, if any, and the names, addresses, and positions of such officials.
(3)(a) Apolitical committee which is organized to support or oppose statewide,
legislative, or multicounty candidates or issues to be voted upon on a statewide or
multicounty basis shall file a statement of organization with the Division of Elections.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a political committee which is organized to
support or oppose candidates or issues to be voted on in a countywide election or
candidates or issues in any election held on less than a countywide basis shall f le a
statement of organization with the supervisor of elections of the county in which such
election is being held.
(c) Apolitical committee which is organized to support or oppose only candidates
for municipal office or issues to be voted on in a municipal election shall file a statement
of organization with the officer before whom municipal candidates qualify.
(d) Any political committee which would be required under this subsection to file a
statement of organization in two or more locations by reason of .the committee's intention
to support or oppose candidates or issues at state or multicounty and local levels of
government need file only with the Division of Elections.
34
(4) Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization
shall be reported to the agency or officer with whom such committee is required to
register pursuant to subsection (3), within 10 days following the change.
(5) Any committee which, after having filed one or more statements of
organization, disbands or determines it will no longer receive contributions or make
expenditures during the calendar year in an aggregate amount exceeding $500 shall so
notify the agency or officer with whom such committee is required to file the statement
of organization.
(6) If the filing officer finds that a political committee has filed its statement of
organization consistent with the requirements of subsection (2), it shall notify the
committee in writing that it has been registered as a political committee. If the filing
officer finds that a political committee's statement of organization does not meet the
requirements of subsection (2), it shall notify the committee of such finding and shall
state in writing the reasons for rejection of the statement of organization.
(7) The Division of Elections shall promulgate rules to prescribe the manner in
which inactive committees may be dissolved and have their registration canceled. Such
rules shall, at a minimum, provide for:
(a) Notice which shall contain the facts and conduct which warrant the intended
action, including but not limited to failure to file reports and limited activity.
(b) Adequate opportunity to respond.
(c) Appeal of the decision to the Florida Elections Commission. Such appeals shall
be exempt from the confidentiality provisions of s. 106.25.
History.-s. 3, ch. 73-128; s. 3, ch. 74-200; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 41, ch. 77-175; s. 18, ch. 79-365; s. 25,
ch. 81-304; s. 1, ch. 82-143; s. 36, ch. 84-302; s. 5, ch. 89-256; s. 27, ch. 90-315; s. 3, ch. 2006-300.
106.04 Coanmittees of continuous existence.-
(1) In order to qualify as a committee of continuous existence for the purposes of ~
this chapter, a group, organization, association, or other such entity which is involved in
making contributions to candidates, political committees, or political parties, shall meet
the following criteria:
(a) It shall be organized and operated in accordance with a written charter or set of
i
bylaws which contains procedures for the election of officers and directors and which
clearly defines membership in the organization; and ~'
(b) At least 25 percent of the income of such organization, excluding interest, must
be derived from dues or assessments payable on a regular basis by its membership
pursuant to provisions contained in the charter or bylaws. Dues maybe collected by a
group, organization, association, or other such entity from its members and forwarded to
the committee of continuous existence. The committee of continuous existence shall ~~
report such dues as if it had received the dues directly from its members, in the manner
prescribed in subsection (4).
(2) Any group, organization, association, or other entity may seek certification from
the Department of State as a committee of continuous existence by filing an application ~,
with the Division of Elections on a form provided by the division. Such application shall
provide the information required of political committees by s. 106.03(2). Each
application shall be accompanied by the name and street address of the principal officer
of the applying entity as of the date of the application; a copy of the charter or bylaws of
35
the organization; a copy of the dues or assessment schedule of the organization, or
formula by which dues or assessments are levied; and a complete financial statement or
annual audit summarizing all income. received, and all expenses incurred, by the
organization during the 12 months preceding the date of application. A membership list
shall be made available for inspection if deemed necessary by the division.
(3) If the Division of Elections finds that an applying organization meets the criteria
for a committee of continuous existence as provided by subsection (1 }, it shall certify
such findings and notify the applying organization of such certification. If it finds that an
applying organization does not meet the criteria for certification, it shall notify the
organization of such findings and shall state the reasons why such criteria are not met.
(4)(a) Each committee of continuous existence shall file an annual report with the
Division of Elections during the month of January. Such annual reports shall contain the
same information and shall be accompanied by the same materials. as original
applications filed pursuant to subsection (2). However, the charter or bylaws need not be
filed if the annual report is accompanied by a sworn statement by the chair that no
changes have been made to such charter or bylaws since the last filing..
(b) l . Each committee of continuous existence shall file regular reports with the
Division of Elections at the same times and subject to the same filing conditions as are
established by s. 106.07(1) and (2) for candidates' reports.
2. Any committee of continuous existence failing to so file a report with the
Division of Elections pursuant to this paragraph on the designated due date shall be
subject to a fine for late filing as provided by this section.
(c) All committees of continuous existence shall file their reports with the Division
of Elections. Reports shall be filed in accordance with s. 106.0705 and shall contain the
following information:
1. The full .name, address, and occupation of each person who has made one or
more contributions, including contributions that represent the payment of membership
dues, to the committee during the reporting period, together with the amounts and dates
of such contributions. For corporations, the report must provide as clear a description as
.practicable of the principal type of business conducted by the corporation. However, if
the contribution is $100 or less, the occupation of the contributor or principal type of
business need not be listed. However, for any contributions that represent the payment of
dues by members in a fixed amount aggregating no more than $250 per calendar year,
pursuant to the schedule on file with the Division of Elections, only the aggregate amount
of such contributions need be listed; together with the number of members paying such
dues and the amount of the membership dues.
2. The name and address of each political committee or committee of continuous
existence from which the reporting committee received, or the name and address of each
political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party to which it
made, any transfer of funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers.
3. Any other receipt of funds not listed pursuant to subparagraph 1. or subparagraph
2., including the sources and amounts of all such funds.
4. The name and address of, and office sought by, each candidate to whom the
committee has made a contribution during the reporting period, together with the amount
and date of each contribution.
36
5. The full name and address of each person to whom expenditures have been made
by or on behalf of the committee within the reporting period; the amount, date, and
purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address, and office sought by, each
candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was made.
6. The full name and address of each person to whom an expenditure for personal
services, salary, or reimbursement for authorized expenses has been made, including the
full name and address of each entity to whom the person made payment for. which
reimbursement was made by check drawn upon the committee account, together with the
amount and purpose of such payment.
7. Transaction information from each credit card statement that will be included in
the next report following receipt thereof by the committee. Receipts for each credit card
.purchase shall be retained by the treasurer with the records for the committee account.
8. The total sum of expenditures made by the committee during the reporting
period.
(d) The treasurer of each committee shall certify as to the correctness of each report
and shall bear the responsibility for its accuracy and veracity. Any treasurer who willfully
certifies to the correctness of a report while knowing that such report is incorrect,. false,
or incomplete commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
775.082 or s. 775.083.
(5) No committee of continuous existence shall make an electioneering ~,
communication, contribute to any candidate or political committee an amount in excess
of the limits contained in s. 106.08(1), or participate in any activity which is prohibited
by this chapter. If any violation occurs, it shall be punishable as provided in this chapter
for the given offense. No funds of a committee of continuous existence shall be expended
on behalf of a candidate, except by means of a contribution .made through the duly
appointed campaign treasurer of a candidate. No such committee shall make expenditures
in support of, or in opposition to, an issue unless such committee first registers as a
political committee pursuant to this chapter and undertakes all the practices and
procedures required thereof; provided such committee may make contributions in a total
amount not to exceed 25 percent of its aggregate income, as reflected in the annual report
filed for the previous year, to one or more political committees registered pursuant to s. ~.
106.03 and formed to support or oppose issues.
(6) A11 accounts and records of a committee of continuous existence may be
inspected under reasonable circumstances by any authorized representative of the
Division of Elections or the Florida Elections Commission. The right of inspection may
be enforced by appropriate writ issued by any court of competent jurisdiction.
(7) If a committee of continuous existence ceases to meet the criteria prescribed by
subsection (1), the Division of Elections shall revoke its certification until such time as
the criteria are again met. The Division of Elections shall promulgate rules to prescribe
the manner in which such certification shall be revoked. Such rules shall, at a minimum,
provide for:
(a) Notice, which shall contain the. facts and conduct that warrant the intended
action.
(b) .Adequate opportunity to respond.
(c) Appeal of the decision to the Florida Elections Commission. Such appeals shall
be exempt from the confidentiality provisions of s. 106.25.
3'7
(8)(a) Any committee of continuous existence failing to file a report on the
designated due date shall be subject to a fine. The fine shall be $50 per day for the first 3
days late and, thereafter, $500 per day for each late day, not to exceed 25 percent of the
total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater, for the period covered by the late
report. The fine shall be assessed by the f ling officer, and the moneys collected shall be
deposited in the General Revenue Fund. No separate fine shall be assessed for failure to
file a copy of any report required by this section.
(b) Upon determining that a report is late, the filing officer shall immediately notify
the treasurer of the committee as to the failure to file a report by the designated due date
and that a fine is being assessed for each late day. Upon receipt of the report, the f ling
officer shall determine the amount of fine which is due and shall notify the treasurer of
the committee. The filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine due based upon
the earliest of the following:
1. When the report is actually received by such officer.
2. When the report is postmarked.
3. When the certificate of mailing is dated.
4. When the receipt from an established courier company is dated.
Such fine shall be paid to the filing officer within 20 days after receipt of the notice of
payment due, unless appeal is made to the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to
paragraph (c). An officer or member of a committee shall not be personally liable for
such fine.
(c) Any treasurer of a committee may appeal or dispute the fine, based upon
unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to file on the designated due date, and may
request and shall be entitled to a hearing before the Florida Elections Commission, which
shall have the authority to waive the fine in whole or in part. Any such request shall be
made within 20 days after receipt of the notice of payment due. In such case, the treasurer
of the committee shall, within the 20-day period, notify the filing officer in writing of his
or her intention to bring the matter before the commission.
(d) The filing officer shall notify the Florida Elections Commission of the repeated
late filing by a committee of continuous existence, the failure of a committee of
continuous existence to file a report after notice, or the failure to pay the fine imposed.
History.-s. 4, ch. 73=128; ss. 4, 16, ch. 74-200; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 42, ch. 77-175; s. 57, ch. 79-400;
s. 26, ch. 81-304; s. 5, ch. 85-226; s. 6, ch. 89-256; s. 28, ch. 90-315; s. 1, ch. 90-338; ss. 6, 12, ch. 91-107;
s. 1, ch. 95-140; s. 639, ch. 95-147; s. 6, ch. 97-13; ss. 3, 16, ch. 2004-252; s. 4, ch. 2006-300; s. 42, ch.
2007-30.
106.05 Deposit of contributions; statement of campaign treasurer.=All funds
received by the campaign treasurer of any candidate or political committee shall, prior to
the end of the 5th business day following the receipt thereof, Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays excluded, be deposited in a campaign depository designated pursuant to s.
106.021, in an account designated "(name of candidate or committee) Campaign
Account." Except for contributions to political committees made by .payroll deduction, all
deposits shall be accompanied by a bank deposit slip containing the name of each
contributor and the amount contributed by each. If a contribution is deposited in a
secondary campaign depository, the depository shall forward the full amount of the
38
deposit, along with a copy of the deposit slip accompanying the deposit, to the primary
campaign depository prior to the end of the 1st business day following the deposit.
History.-s. 5, ch. 73-128; s. 1, ch. 76-88; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 43, ch. 77-175; s. 7, ch. 89-256; s. 29,
ch. 90-315.
106.055 Valuation of in-kind contributions.-Any person who makes an in-kind
contribution shall, at the time of making such contribution, place a value on such
contribution, which valuation shall be the fair market value of such contribution. Travel
conveyed upon private aircraft shall be valued at the actual cost of per person commercial
air travel for the same or a substantially similar route.
History.-s. 44, ch. 77-175; s. 43, ch. 2007-30.
106.06 Treasurer to keep records; inspections.-
(1) The campaign treasurer of each candidate and the campaign treasurer of each
political committee shall keep detailed accounts, current within not more than 2 days
after the date of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure, of all contributions
received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the candidate or political
committee that are required to be set forth in a statement filed under this chapter. The
campaign treasurer shall also keep detailed accounts of all deposits made in any separate
interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit and of all withdrawals made therefrom to
the primary depository and of all interest earned, thereon.
(2) Accounts, including separate interest-bearing accounts and certificates of
deposit, kept by the campaign treasurer of a candidate or political committee maybe
inspected under reasonable circumstances before, during, or after the election to which
the accounts refer by any authorized representative of the Division of Elections or the
Florida Elections Commission. The right of inspection may; be enforced by appropriate
writ issued by any court of competent jurisdiction. The campaign treasurer of a political
committee supporting a candidate maybe joined with the campaign treasurer of the
candidate as respondent in such a proceeding.
(3) Accounts kept by a campaign treasurer of a candidate shall be preserved by the
campaign treasurer for a number of years equal to the term of office of the office to
which the candidate .seeks election. Accounts kept by a campaign treasurer of a political
committee shall be preserved by such treasurer for at least 2 years after the date of the
election to which the accounts refer.
History.-s. 6, ch. 73-128; s. 45, ch. 77-175; s. 3, ch. 79-378; s. 8, ch. 89-256; s. 30, ch. 90-315.
106.07 Reports; certification and filing.-
(1) Each campaign treasurer designated by a candidate or political committee
pursuant to s. 106.021 shall file regular reports of all contributions received, and all
expenditures made, by or on behalf of such candidate or political committee. Reports
shall be filed on the 10th day following the end of each calendar quarter from the time the
campaign treasurer is appointed, except that, if the 10th day following the end of a
calendar quarter occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the report shall be filed
on the next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Quarterly
reports shall include all contributions received and expenditures made during the calendar
quarter which have not otherwise been reported pursuant to this section.
39
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), following the last day of qualifying for
office, the reports shall be filed on the 32nd, 18th, and 4th days immediately preceding
the primary and on the 46th, 32nd, 18th, and 4th days immediately preceding the election,
for a candidate who is opposed in seeking nomination or election to any office, for a
political committee, or for a committee of continuous existence.
(b) Following the last day of qualifying for office, any statewide candidate who .has
requested to receive contributions from the IElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund or
any statewide candidate in a race with a candidate who has requested to receive
contributions from the trust fund shall file reports on the 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, and 32nd
days prior to the primary election, and on the 4th, 1 l th, 18th, 25th, 32nd, 39th, 46th, and
53rd days prior to the general election.
(c) Following the last day of qualifying for office, any unopposed candidate need
only file a report within 90 days after the date such candidate became unopposed. Such
report shall contain all previously unreported contributions and expenditures as required
by this section and shall reflect disposition of funds as required by s. 106.141.
(d) l . When a special election is called to fill a vacancy in office, all political
committees .and committees of continuous existence making contributions or
expenditures to influence the results of such special election shall file campaign
treasurers' reports with the filing officer on the dates set by the Department of State
pursuant to s. 100.111.
2. When an election is called for an issue to appear on the ballot at a time when no
candidates are scheduled to appear on the ballot, all political committees making
contributions or expenditures in support of or in opposition to such issue shall file reports
on the 18th and 4th days prior to such election.
(e) The filing officer shall provide each candidate with a schedule designating the
beginning and end of reporting periods as well as the corresponding designated due dates.
(2)(a) l . All reports required of a candidate by this section shall be filed with the
officer before whom the candidate is required by law to qualify. All candidates who file
with the. Department of State shall file their reports pursuant to s. 106.0705. Except as
provided in s. 106.0705, reports shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. of the day designated;
however, any report postmarked by the United States Postal Service no later than
midnight of the-day designated shall be deemed to have been filed in a timely manner.
Any report received by the filing officer within 5 days after the designated due date that
was delivered by the United States Postal Service shall be deemed timely filed unless it
has a postmark that indicates that the report was mailed after the designated due date. A
certificate of mailing obtained from and dated by the United States Postal Service at the
time of mailing, or a receipt from an established courier company, which bears a date on
or before the date on which the report is due, shall be proof of mailing in a timely
manner. Reports shall contain information of all previously unreported contributions
received and expenditures made as of the preceding Friday, except that the report filed on
.the Friday immediately preceding the election shall contain information of all previously
unreported contributions received and expenditures made as of the day preceding that
designated due date. All such reports shall be open to, public inspection.
2. This subsection does not prohibit the governing body of a political subdivision,
by ordinance or resolution, from imposing upon its own officers and candidates
40
electronic filing requirements not in conflict with s. 106.0705. Expenditure of public
funds for such purpose is deemed to be for a valid public purpose.
(b)1. Any report which is deemed to be incomplete by the officer with whom the
candidate qualifies shall be accepted on a conditional basis, and the campaign treasurer
shall be notified by registered mail as to why the report is incomplete and be given 3 days
from receipt of such notice to file an addendum to the report providing -all information
necessary to complete the report in compliance with this section. Failure to file a
complete report after such notice constitutes a violation of this chapter.
2. In lieu of the notice by registered mail as required in subparagraph 1., the
qualifying officer may notify the campaign treasurer by telephone that the report is
incomplete and request the information necessary to complete the report. If, however,
such information is not received by the qualifying officer within 3 days after the
telephone request therefor, notice shall be sent by registered mail as provided in
subparagraph 1. .
(3) Reports required of a political committee shall be filed with the agency or
officer before whom such committee registers pursuant to s. 106.03(3) and shall be
subject to the same filing conditions as established for candidates' reports. Incomplete
reports by political committees shall be treated in the manner provided for incomplete
reports by candidates in subsection (2).
(4)(a) Each report required by this section shall contain:
1. The full name, address, and occupation, if any of each person who has made one
or more contributions to or for such committee or candidate within the reporting period,
together with the amount and date of such contributions. For corporations, the report
must provide as clear a description as practicable of the principal. type of business
conducted by the corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is from a
relative, as defined in s. 112.312, provided that the relationship is reported, the
occupation of the contributor or the principal type of business need not be listed.
2. The name and address of each political committee from which the reporting
committee or the candidate received, or to which the reporting committee or candidate
made, any transfer of funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers.
3. Each loan for campaign purposes to or from any person or political committee
within the reporting period, together with the full names, addresses, and occupations, and
principal places of business, if any, of the lender and endorsers, if any, and -the date and
amount of such loans.
4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or other receipt not otherwise
listed under subparagraphs 1. through 3.
5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and other receipts by or for
such committee or candidate during the reporting period. The reporting forms shall be
designed to elicit separate totals for in-kind contributions, loans, .and other receipts.
6. The full name and address of each person to whom expenditures have been made
by or on behalf of the committee or candidate within the reporting period; the amount,
date, and purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address of, and office
sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was made. However,
expenditures made from the petty cash fund provided by s. 106.12 need not be reported
individually.
41
7. The full name and address of each person to whom an expenditure for personal
services, salary, or reimbursement for authorized expenses as provided in s. 106.021(3)
has been made and, which is not otherwise .reported, including the amount, date, and
purpose of such expenditure. However, expenditures made from the petty cash fund
provided for in s. 106.12 need not be reported individually.
8. The total amount withdrawn and the total amount spent for petty cash purposes
pursuant to this chapter during the reporting period.
9. The total sum of expenditures made by such committee or candidate during the
reporting period.
10. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by or to the committee or
candidate, which relate to the conduct of any political campaign,
11. A copy of each credit card statement which shall be included in the next report
following receipt thereof by the candidate or political committee. Receipts for each credit
card purchase shall be retained by the treasurer with the records for the campaign
account.
12. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing accounts or certificates
of deposit and identification of the financial institution in which such accounts or
certificates of deposit are located..
13. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly through a campaign
treasurer; pursuant to s. 106.021(3) for goods and services such as communications media
,placement or procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, and other expenditures
that include multiple components as part of the expenditure. The primary purpose of an
expenditure shall be that purpose, including integral and directly related components, that
comprises 80 percent of such expenditure.
(b) The filing officer shall make available to any candidate or committee a reporting
form which the candidate or committee may use to indicate contributions received by the
candidate or committee but returned to the contributor before deposit.
(5) The candidate and his or her campaign treasurer, in the case of a candidate, or
the political committee chair and campaign treasurer of the committee, in the case of a
political committee, shall certify as to the correctness of each report; and each person so
certifying shall bear the responsibility for the accuracy and veracity of each report. Any
campaign treasurer, candidate, or political committee chair who willfully certifies the
correctness of any report while knowing that such report is incorrect, false, or incomplete
commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
775.083.
(6) The campaign depository shall return all checks drawn on the account to the
campaign treasurer who shall retain the records pursuant to s. 106.06. The records
maintained by the depository with respect to such account shall be subject to inspection
by an agent of the Division of Elections or the Florida Elections Commission at any time
during normal banking hours, and such depository shall furnish certified copies of any of
such records to the Division of Elections or Florida Elections Commission upon request.
(7) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, in any reporting period
during which a candidate, political committee, or committee of continuous existence has
not received funds, made any contributions, or expended any reportable funds, the filing
of the required report for that period is waived. However, the next report filed must
specify that the report covers the entire period between the last submitted report and the
42
report being filed, and any candidate, political committee, or committee of continuous
existence not reporting by virtue of this subsection on dates prescribed elsewhere in this
chapter shall notify the filing officer in writing on the prescribed reporting date that no
report is being filed on that date.
(8)(a) Any candidate or political committee failing to file a report on the designated
due date shall be subject to a fine as provided in paragraph (b) for each late day, and, in
the case of a candidate, such fine shall be paid only from personal funds of the candidate.
The fine shall be assessed by the filing officer and the moneys collected shall be
deposited:
l . In the General Revenue Fund, in the case of a candidate for state office or a
political committee that registers with the Division of Elections; or
2. In the general revenue fund of the political subdivision, in the case of a candidate
for an office of a political subdivision or a political committee that registers with an
officer of a political subdivision.
No separate fine shall be assessed for failure to file a copy of any report required by this
section.
(b) Upon deternuning that a report is late, the filing officer shall immediately notify
the candidate or chair of the political committee as to the failure to file a report by the
designated due date and that a fine. is being assessed for .each late day. The fine shall be
$50 per day for the first 3 days late and, thereafter, $500 per day for each late day, not to
exceed 25 percent of the total .receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater, for the
period covered by the late report. However; for the reports immediately preceding each
primary and general election, the fine shall be $500 per day for each late day, not to
exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater, for the
period covered by the late report. For reports required under s. 106.141(7), the fine is $50
per day for each late day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures,
whichever is greater, for the period covered by the late report. Upon receipt of the report,
the filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine which is due and shall notify the
candidate or chair. The filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine due based
upon the earliest of the following:
1. When the report is actually received by such officer.
2. When the report is postmarked.
3. When the certificate of mailing is dated.
4. When the receipt from an established courier company is dated.
5. When the electronic receipt issued pursuant to s. 106.0705 or other electronic
filing. system authorized in this section is dated.
Such fine shall be paid to the filing officer within 20 days after receipt of the notice of
payment due, unless appeal is made to the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to
paragraph (c). In the case of a candidate, such fine shall not be an allowable campaign
.expenditure and shall be paid only from personal funds of .the candidate. An officer or
member of a political committee shall -not be personally liable for such fine.
(c) Any candidate or chair of a political committee may appeal or dispute the fine,
based upon, but not limited to, unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to file on
the designated due date, .and may request and shall be entitled to a hearing before the
43
Florida Elections Commission, which shall have the authority to waive the fine in whole
or in part. The Florida Elections Commission must consider the mitigating and
aggravating circumstances contained in s. 106.265(1) when determining the amount of a
fine, if any, to be waived. Any such request shall be made- within 20 days after receipt of
the notice of payment due. In such case, the candidate or chair of the political committee
shall, within the 20-day period, notify the filing officer in writing of his or her intention
to bring the matter before the commission.
(d) The appropriate filing officer shall notify the Florida Elections Commission of
the repeated late filing by a candidate or political committee, the failure of a candidate or
political committee to file a report after notice, or the failure to pay the fine imposed. The
commission shall investigate only those alleged late filing violations specifically
identified by the filing officer and as set forth in the notification. Any other°alleged
violations must be separately stated and reported by the division to the commission under
s. 106.25(2).
(9) The Department of State may prescribe by rule the requirements for filing
campaign treasurers'. reports as set forth in this chapter.
History.-s. 7, ch. 73-128; ss. 5, 15, 17, ch. 74-200; ss. 1, 2, ch. 75-8; s. 2, ch. 75-139; s. 1, ch. 77-
174; s. 46, ch. 77-175; s. 23, ch. 79-164; ss. 7, 8, ch. 79-365; s. 4, ch. 79-378; s. 58, ch. 79-400; s. 52, ch.
81-259; s. 27, ch. 81-304; s. 2, ch. 82-143; s. 11, ch. 83-251; s. 37, ch. 84-302; s. 6, ch. 85-226; s. 1, ch. 86-
134; s. 13, ch. 87-224; s. 9, ch. 89-256; s. 31, ch. 90-315; s. 2; ch. 90-338; s. 18, ch. 90-502; s. 7, ch. 91-
107; s. 2, ch. 95-140; s. 640, ch. 95-147; s. 15, ch. 95-280; s. 7, ch. 97-13; s. 6, ch. 2001-75; s. 29, ch. 2002-
17; s. 2, ch. 2002-197; s. 8, ch. 2003-1; ss. 17, 18, ch. 2004-252; s. 24, ch. 2005-286; ss. 5, 10, ch. 2006-
300; s. 29, ch. 2008-95.
'Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.0701 Solicitation of contributions on behalf of s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4)
organizations; reporting requirements; civil penalty; exemption.-
(1) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members of the Cabinet, state legislators,
or candidates for such offices who directly or indirectly solicit, cause to be solicited, or
accept any contribution on behalf of an organization that is exempt from taxation under s.
527 or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, which such individuals, in whole or in
part, establish, maintain, or control, shall file a statement with the division within 5 days
after commencing such activity on behalf of the organization. The statement shall contain
the following information:
(a) The name of the person acting on behalf of the organization.
(b) The name and type of the organization.
(c) A description of the relationship between the person and the organization.
(2) Failure to timely file the statement shall subject the person to a civil penalty of
$50 per day for each late day, payable from the personal funds of the violator.
(3) Upon filing a statement with the division, an individual subject to the
requirements of subsection (1) shall promptly create a public website that contains a
mission statement and the names of persons associated with the organization. The address
of the website shall be reported to the division within 5 business days after the website is
created.
(4) All contributions received shall be disclosed on the website within 5 business
days after deposit, together with the name, address, and occupation of the donor. All
44
expenditures by the organization shall be individually disclosed on the website within 5
business days after being made..
(5) The filing requirements of subsection (1) do not apply to an individual acting on
behalf of his or her own campaign or a political party of which the individual is a
member.
History.-s. 6, ch. 2006-300.
106.0703 Electioneering communications organizations; additional reporting
requirements.-In addition to the reporting requirements in s. 106.07, an electioneering
communications organization shall, within 2 days after receiving its initial password or
secure sign-on from the Department of State allowing confidential access to the
department's electronic campaign finance filing system, electronically file the periodic
campaign finance reports that would have been required pursuant to s. 106.07 for
reportable activities that occurred since the date of the last general election.
History.-s. 7, ch. 2006-300.
.106.0705 Electronic filing of campaign treasurer's reports.-
(1) As used in this section, "electronic filing system" means an Internet system for
recording and reporting campaign finance activity by reporting period.
(2)(a) Each candidate who is required to file reports pursuant to s. 106.07 with the
division must file such reports with the division by means of the division's electronic
filing system.
(b) Each political committee, committee of continuous existence, electioneering
communications organization, or state executive committee that is required to file reports
with the division under s. 106.04, s. 106.07, s. 106.0703, or s. 106.29, as applicable, must
file such reports with the division by means of the division's electronic filing system.
(c) Each person or organization that is required to file reports with the division
under s. 106.071 must file such reports with the division by means of the division's
electronic filing system.
(3) Reports filed pursuant to this section shall be completed and filed through the
electronic filing system not later than midnight of the day designated. Reports not filed
by midnight of the day designated are late filed and are subject to the penalties under s.
106.04(8), s. 106.07(8), or s. 106.29(3), as applicable.
(4) Each report filed pursuant to this section is considered to be under oath by the
candidate and treasurer or the chair and treasurer, whichever is applicable, and such
persons are subject to the provisions of s. 106.04(4)(d), s. 106.07(5), or s. 106.29(2), as
applicable. Persons given a secure sign-on to the electronic filing system are responsible
for protecting such from disclosure and. are responsible for all filings using such
credentials, unless they have notified the division that their credentials have been
compromised.
(5) The electronic filing system developed by the division must:
(a) Be based on access by means of the Internet.
(b) Be accessible by anyone with Internet access using standard web-browsing
software.
(c) Provide for direct entry of campaign finance information as well as upload of
such information from campaign finance software certified by the division.
45
(d) Provide a method that prevents unauthorized access to electronic filing system
functions.
(6) The division shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to
administer this section and provide for the reports required to be filed pursuant to this
section. Such rules shall, at a minimum, provide:
(a) Alternate filing procedures in case the division's electronic filing system is not
operable.
(b) For the issuance of an electronic receipt to the person submitting the report
indicating and verifying that the report has been filed.
(7) Notwithstanding anything in law to the contrary, any report required to have
been filed under this section for the period ended March 31, 2005, shall be deemed to
have been timely filed if the report is filed under this section on or before June 1, 2005.
History.-s. 19, ch. 2004-252; s. 45, ch. 2005-278; s. 8, ch. 2006-300.
106.0706 Electronic filing of campaign finance reports; public records
exemption.-
(1) All user identifications and passwords held by the Department of State pursuant
to s. 106.0705 are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the
State Constitution.
(2)(a) Information entered in the electronic filing system for purposes of generating
a report pursuant to s. 106.0705 is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the
State Constitution.
(b) Information entered in the electronic filing system is no longer exempt once the
report is generated and filed with the Division of Elections.
History.-s. 1, ch. 2004-253; s. 16, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2009-149.
106.071 Independent expenditures; electioneering communications; reports;
disclaimers.-
(1) Each person who makes an independent expenditure with respect to -any
candidate or issue, and each individual who makes an expenditure for an electioneering
communication which is not otherwise reported pursuant to this chapter, which
expenditure, in .the aggregate, is in the amount of $100 or more, shall file periodic reports
of such expenditures in the same manner, at the same time, subject to the same penalties,
and with the same officer as a political committee supporting or opposing such candidate
or issue. The report shall contain the full name and address of the person making the
expenditure; the full name and address of each person to whom and for whom each such
expenditure has been made; the amount, date, and purpose of each such. expenditure; a
description of the services or goods obtained by each such expenditure; the issue to which
the expenditure relates; and the name and address of, and office sought by, .each
candidate on whose behalf such expenditure was made.
(2) Any political .advertisement paid for by an independent expenditure shall
prominently state "Paid political advertisement paid for by Name and address of person
paving, for advertisement) independently of any (candidate or committee)."
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to novelty items having a retail value of $10 or
less which support, but do not oppose, a candidate or issue.
46
(4) Any person who fails to include the disclaimer prescribed in subsection (2) in
any political advertisement that is required to contain such disclaimer commits a
misdemeanor of .the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.-s. 47, ch. 77-175; s. 10, ch. 89-256; s. 4, ch. 2004-252.
106.075 Elected officials; report of loans made in year preceding election;
limitation on contributions to pay loans.-
(1) A person who is elected to office must report all loans, exceeding $500 in value,
made to him or her and used for campaign purposes, and made in the 12 months
preceding his or her election to office, to the filing officer. The report must be made, in
the manner prescribed by the Department of State, within 10 days after being elected to
office.
(2) Any person who makes a contribution to an individual to pay all. or part of a
loan incurred, in the 12 months preceding the election, to be used for the individual's
campaign, may not contribute more than the amount which is allowed in s. 106.08(1).
History.-s. 11, ch. 89-256; s. 32, ch. 90-315; s. 12, ch. 91-107; s. 641, ch. 95-147.
106.08 Contributions; limitations on.-
(1)(a) Except for political parties, no person, political committee, or committee of
continuous existence-may, in any election, make contributions in excess of $SOO to any
candidate -for election to or retention in office or to any political committee supporting or
opposing one or more candidates. Candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant
Governor on the same ticket are considered a single candidate for the purpose of this
section.
(b) l . The contribution limits provided in this subsection do not apply to
contributions made by a state or county.executive committee of a political party regulated
by chapter .103 or to amounts contributed by a candidate to his or her own campaign:
2. Notwithstanding the limits provided in this subsection, an unemancipated child
under the age of 18 years of age may not make a contribution in excess of $100 to any
candidate or to any political committee supporting one or more candidates.
(c) The contribution limits of this subsection apply to each election. For purposes of
this subsection, the primary election and general election are separate elections so long as
the candidate is not an unopposed candidate as defined in s. 106.011(15). However, for
the purpose of contribution limits with respect to candidates for retention as a justice or
judge, there is only one election, which is the general election.
(2)(a) A candidate may not accept contributions from national, state, including any
subordinate committee of a national, state, or county committee of a political party, and
county executive committees of a political party, which contributions in the aggregate
exceed $50,000, no more than $25,000 of which may be accepted prior to the 28-day
period immediately preceding the date of the general election.
(b) A candidate for statewide office may not accept contributions from national,
state, or county executive committees of a political party, including any subordinate
committee of a national; state, or county committee of a political party, which
contributions in the aggregate exceed $250,000, no more than $125,000 of which maybe
accepted prior to the 28-day period immediately preceding the date of the general
election. Polling services, research services, costs for campaign staff, professional
47
consulting services, and telephone calls are not contributions to be counted toward the
contribution limits of paragraph (a) or this paragraph. Any item not expressly identified
in this paragraph as nonallocable is a contribution in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the item and must be counted as allocable toward the contribution limits of
paragraph (a) or this paragraph. Nonallocable, in-kind contributions must be reported by
the candidate under s. 106.07, and by the political party under s. 106.29.
(3)(a) Any contribution received by a candidate with opposition in an election or by
the campaign treasurer or a deputy campaign treasurer of such a candidate on the day of
that election or less than 5 days prior to the day of that election must be returned by him.
or her to the person or committee contributing it and may not be used or expended by or
on behalf of the candidate.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c), any contribution received by a
candidate or by the campaign treasurer or a deputy campaign treasurer of a candidate
after the date at which the candidate withdraws his or her candidacy, or after the date the
candidate. is defeated, becomes unopposed, or is elected to office must be returned to the
person or committee contributing it and may not be used or expended by or on behalf of
the candidate.
(c) With respect to any campaign for an office iri which an independent or minor
party candidate has filed as required in s. 99.0955 or s. 99.096, but whose qualification is
pending a .determination by the Department of State or supervisor of elections as to
whether or not the required number of petition signatures was obtained:
1. The department or supervisor shall, no later than 3 days after that determination
has been made, notify in writing all other candidates for that office of that determination.
2. Any contribution received by a candidate or the campaign treasurer or deputy
campaign treasurer of a candidate after the candidate has been notified in writing by the
department or supervisor that he or she has become unopposed as a result of an
independent or minor party candidate failing to obtain the required number of petition
signatures shall be returned to the person, political committee, or committee of
continuous existence contributing it and shall not be used or expended by or on behalf of
the candidate.
(4)(a) Any contribution received by the chair, campaign treasurer, or deputy
campaign treasurer of a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate with
opposition in an election or supporting or opposing an issue on the ballot in an election
on the day of that election or less than 5 days prior to the day of that election may not be
obligated or expended by the committee until after the date of the election.
(b) Any contribution received by an electioneering communications organization on
the day of an election or less than 5 days prior to the day of that election may not be
obligated or expended by the organization until after the date of the election and may not
be expended to pay for any obligation arising prior to the election.
(5)(a) A person may not make any contribution through or in the name of another,
directly or indirectly, in any election.
(b) Candidates, political committees, and political parties may not solicit
contributions from any religious, charitable, civic, or other causes or organizations
established primarily for the public good.
(c) Candidates, political committees, and political parties may not make
contributions, in exchange for political support, to any religious, charitable, civic, or
48
other cause or organization established primarily for the public good. It is not a violation
of this paragraph for:
1. A candidate; political committee, or political party executive committee to make
gifts of money in lieu of flowers in memory of a deceased person;
2. A candidate to continue membership in, or make regular donations from personal
or business funds to, religious, political party, civic, or charitable groups of which the
candidate is a member or to which the candidate has been a regular donor for more than 6
months; or
3. A candidate to purchase, with campaign funds, tickets, admission to events, or
advertisements from religious, civic, political party, or charitable groups.
(d) An electioneering communications organization may not accept a contribution
from an organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code, other than a political committee, committee of continuous existence, or
political party, unless the contributing organization has registered as if the organization
were an electioneering communications organization pursuant to s. 106.03 and has filed
all campaign finance reports required of electioneering communications organizations
pursuant to ss. 106.07 and 106.0703..
(6)(a) Apolitical party may not accept any contribution that has been specifically
:designated for the partial or exclusive use of a particular candidate. Any contribution so
designated must be returned to the contributor and may not be used or expended by or on
behalf of the candidate.
(b)1. Apolitical party may not.accept any in-kind contribution that fails to provide a
direct benefit to the political parry. A "direct. benefit" includes, but. is not limited to,
fundraising or furthering the objectives of the political party.
2.a. An in-kind contribution to a state political party maybe accepted only by the
chairperson of the state political party or by the chairperson's designee or designees
whose names are on file with the division in a form- acceptable to the division prior to the
date of the written notice required in sub-subparagraph b. An in-kind contribution to a
county political party may be accepted only by the chairperson of the county political
party or by the county chairperson's designee or designees whose names are on file with
the supervisor of elections of the respective county prior fo the date of the written notice
required in sub-subparagraph b.
b. A person making an in-kind contribution to a state political party or county
political party must provide prior written notice of the contribution to a person described
in sub-subparagraph a. The prior written notice must be signed and dated and maybe
provided by an electronic or facsimile message. However, prior written notice is not
required for an in-kind contribution that consists of food and beverage in an aggregate
amount not exceeding $1,500 which is consumed at a single sitting or event. if such in-
kind contribution is accepted in advance by a person specified in sub-subparagraph a.
c. A person described in sub-subparagraph a. may accept an in-kind. contribution
requiring prior written notice only in a writing that is signed and dated before the in-kind
contribution is made. Failure to obtain the required written acceptance of an in-kind
contribution to a state or county political party constitutes a refusal of the contribution.
d. A copy of each prior written acceptance required under sub-subparagraph c. must
be -filed with the division at the time the regular reports of contributions and expenditures
49
required under s. 1.06.29_ are filed by the state executive committee and county executive
committee.
e. An in-kind contribution may not be given to a state or county political party
unless the in-kind contribution is .made as provided in this subparagraph.
(7)(a) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or accepts no more than one
contribution in violation of subsection (1) or subsection (5), or any person who
knowingly and willfully fails or refuses to return any contribution as required in `
subsection (3), commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
775.082 or s. 775.083. If any corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any
political party, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or electioneering
communications organization is convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any
provision punishable under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not
more than $10,000. If it is a domestic entity, it maybe ordered dissolved by a court of
competent jurisdiction; if it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to do
business in this state may be forfeited. Any officer, partner, agent, attorney, or other
representative of a corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or of a political
party, political committee, committee of continuous existence, electioneering
communications organization, or organization exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s.
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, who aids, abets, advises, or participates in a
violation of any provision punishable under this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the
first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or accepts two or more
contributions in violation of subsection (1} or subsection (5) commits a felony of the third
degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. If any
corporation, partnership, or other business entity or any political party, political
committee, committee of.continuous existence, or electioneering communications
organization is convicted of knowingly and willfully violating any provision punishable
under this paragraph, it shall be fined not less than $10,000 and not more than $50,000. If
it is a domestic entity, it may be ordered dissolved by a court of competent. jurisdiction; if
it is a foreign or nonresident business entity, its right to do business in this state may be
forfeited. Any officer, partner, agent, attorney, or other representative of a corporation,
partnership, or other business entity, or of a political committee, committee of continuous
existence, political party, or electioneering communications organization, or organization
exempt from taxation under s. 527 or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, who
aids, abets, advises, or participates in a violation of any provision punishable under this
paragraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
775.083, or s. 775.084.
(8) .Except when otherwise provided in subsection (7), any person who knowingly
and willfully violates any provision of this section shall, in addition to any other penalty
prescribed by this chapter, pay to the state a sum equal to twice the amount contributed in
violation of this chapter. Each campaign treasurer shall pay all amounts contributed in.
violation of this section to the state for deposit in the General Revenue Fund.
(9) This section does not apply to the transfer of funds between a primary campaign
depository and a savings account or certificate of deposit or to any interest earned on
such account or certificate.
50
(10) Contributions to a political committee or committee of continuous existence
may be received by an affiliated organization and transferred to the bank account of the
political committee or committee of continuous existence via check written from the
affiliated organization if such contributions are specifically identified as intended to be
contributed to the political committee or committee of continuous existence. All
contributions received in this manner shall be reported pursuant to s. 106.07 by the
political committee or committee of continuous existence as having been made by the
original contributor.
History.-s. 8, ch. 73-128; s. 6, ch. 74-200; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 48, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 78-403; s. 9,
ch. 79-365; s. 5, ch. 79-378; s. 7, ch. 85-226; s. 4, ch. 86-134; s. 12, ch. 89-256; ss. 33, 46, ch. 90-315; s. 9,
ch. 90-338; s. 11, ch. 91-107; s. 642, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 97-13; s. 8, ch. 99-355; s. 27, ch. 2002-17; s. 3,
ch. 2002-197; s. 1, ch. 2002-281; s. 68, ch. 2005-277; s. 46, ch. 2005-278; s. 25, ch. 2005-286; s. 1, ch.
2005-360; s. 9, ch. 2006-300; s. 44, ch. 2007-30.
106.087 Independent expenditures; contribution limits; restrictions on political
parties, political committees, and committees of continuous existence.- '
(1)(a) As a condition of receiving a rebate- of filing fees and party assessment funds
pursuant to s. 99.061(2), s. 99.092(1), s. 99.103, or s. 103.121(1)(b), the chair or treasurer
of a state or county executive committee shall take and subscribe to an oath or
affirmation in writing. During the qualifying period for state candidates and prior to
distribution of such funds, a printed copy of the oath or affirmation shall be filed with the
Secretary of State and shall be substantially in the following form:
State of Florida
County of
Before me, an officer authorized to administer oaths, personally appeared name , to
me well known, who, being sworn, says that he or she is the title of the (name of party,
(state or specified county,) executive committee; that the executive committee has not
made, either directly or indirectly, an independent expenditure in support of or opposition
to a candidate or elected public official in the prior 6 months; that the executive
committee will not make, either directly or indirectly, an independent expenditure in
support of or opposition to a candidate or elected public official, through and including
the upcoming general election; and that the executive committee will not violate the
contribution limits applicable to candidates under s. 106.08(2), Florida Statutes.
(Signature of committee officer)
Address
Sworn to and subscribed before. me this -day of ear , at County,
Florida.
(Signature and title of officer administering oath)
(b) Any executive committee found to have violated the provisions of the oath or
affirmation in this section prior to receiving funds shall be ineligible to receive the rebate
for -that general election year.
(c) Any executive committee found to have violated the provisions of the oath or
affirmation in this section after receiving funds shall be ineligible to receive the rebate
from candidates qualifying for the following general election cycle.
(d) Any funds not distributed to the state or county executive committee pursuant to
this section shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund of the state.
51
(2)(a) Any political committee or committee of continuous existence that accepts
the use of public funds, equipment, personnel, or other resources to collect dues from its
members agrees not to make independent expenditures in support of or opposition to a
candidate or elected public official. However, expenditures maybe made for the sole
purpose of jointly endorsing three or more candidates.
(b) Any political committee or committee of continuous existence that violates this
subsection is liable for a civil fine of up to $5,000 to be determined by the Florida
Elections Commission or the entire amount of the expenditures, whichever is greater.
History.-s. 5, ch. 97-13; s. 14, ch. 99-6.
106.09 Cash contributions and contribution by cashier's checks.-
(1) A person may not make or accept a cash contribution or contribution by means
of a cashier's check in excess of $50.
(2)(a) Any person who makes or accepts a contribution in excess of $50 in violation
of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes or accepts a contribution in
excess of $5,000 in violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree,
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History: s. 9, ch. 73-128; s. 48, ch. 77-175; s. 2, ch. 2002-281; s. 45, ch. 2007-30.
106.11 Expenses of and expenditures by candidates and political committees.-
Each candidate and each political committee which designates a primary campaign
depository pursuant to s. 106.021(1) shall make expenditures from funds on deposit in
such primary campaign depository only in the following manner, with the exception of
expenditures made from petty cash funds provided by s. 106.12:
(1)(a) The campaign treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer of a candidate or
political committee shall make expenditures from funds on deposit in the primary
.campaign depository only by means of a bank check drawn upon the campaign account
of the candidate or political committee. The campaign account shall be separate from any
personal or other account and shall be used only for the purpose of depositing
contributions and making expenditures for the candidate or political committee.
(b) The checks for such account shall contain, as a minimum, the following
information:
1. The statement "Campaign Account of (name of candidate or political
committee)."
2. The account number and the name of the bank.
3. The exact amount of the expenditure.
4. The signature of the campaign treasurer or deputy treasurer.
5. The exact purpose for which the expenditure is authorized.
6. The name of the payee.
(2)(a) For purposes of this section, debit cards are considered bank checks, if:
1. Debit cards are obtained from the same bank that has been designated as the
candidate's or .political committee's primary campaign depository.
52
2. Debit cards are issued in the. name of the treasurer, deputy treasurer, or
authorized user and state "Campaign Account of (name of candidate or,political
committee)."
3. No more than three debit cards are requested and issued.
4. Before a debit card is used, a list of all persons authorized to use the card is filed
with the division.
5. All debit cards issued to a candidate's campaign or a political committee expire
no later than midnight of the last day of the month of the general election.
6. The person using the debit card does not receive cash as part of, or independent
of, any transaction for goods or services.
7. All receipts for debit card transactions contain:
a. The last four digits of the debit card number.
b. The exact amount of the expenditure.
c. The name of the payee.
d. The signature of the campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer;. or authorized user.
e. The exact purpose for which the expenditure is authorized.
Any information required by this subparagraph but not included on the debit card
transaction receipt may be handwritten on, or attached to, the receipt by the authorized
user before submission to the treasurer.
(b) Debit cards are not subject to the requirements of paragraph (1)(b).
(3) .The campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer, or authorized user who signs the
check shall be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information on such
check and for insuring that such expenditure is an authorized expenditure.
(4) No candidate, campaign manager, treasurer, deputy treasurer, or political
committee or any. officer or agent thereof, or any person acting on behalf of any of the
foregoing, shall authorize any expenses, nor shall any campaign treasurer or deputy
treasurer sign a check drawn on the primary campaign account for any purpose, unless
there are sufficient funds on deposit in the primary depository account of the candidate or
political committee to pay the full amount of the authorized expense, to honor all other
checks drawn on-such account, which checks are outstanding, and to meet all expenses
.previously authorized but not yet paid. However, an expense may be incurred for the
purchase of goods or services if there are sufficient funds on deposit in the primary
depository account to pay the full amount of the incurred expense, to honor all checks
drawn on such account, which checks are outstanding, and to meet all other expenses
,previously authorized but not yet paid, provided that payment for such goods or services
is made upon f nal delivery and acceptance of the goods or services; and an expenditure
from petty cash pursuant to the provisions of s. 106.12 maybe authorized, if there is a
sufficient amount of money in the petty cash fund to pay for such expenditure. Payment
for credit card purchases shall be made pursuant to s. 106.125. Any expense incurred or
authorized in excess of such funds on deposit shall, in addition to other penalties
provided by law, constitute a violation of this chapter. As used in this subsection, the
term "sufficient funds on deposit in the primary depository account of the candidate or
political committee" means that the funds at issue have been delivered for deposit to the
financial institution at which such account is maintained. The term shall not be construed
53
tomean that such funds, are available for withdrawal in accordance with the deposit rules
or the funds availability policies of such financial institution.
(5) A candidate who withdraws his or her candidacy, becomes an unopposed
candidate, or is eliminated as a candidate or elected to office may expend funds from the
campaign account to:
(a) Purchase "thank you" .advertising for up to 75 days after he or she withdraws,
becomes unopposed, or is eliminated or elected.
(b) Pay for items which were obligated before he or she withdrew, became
unopposed, or was eliminated or elected.
(c) Pay for expenditures necessary to close down the campaign office and to prepare
final campaign reports.
(d) Dispose of surplus funds as provided in s. 106.141.
gIistory.-s. 11, ch. 73-128; s. 8, ch. 74-200; s. 48, ch. 77-175; s. 2, ch. 78-403; s. 10, ch. 79-365; s. 8,
ch. 85-226; s. 13, ch. 89-256; s. 14, ch. 91-107; s. 643, ch. 95-147; s. 25, ch. 2002-17; s. 4, ch. 2002-197.
106.113 Expenditures by local governments.-
(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 electioneering communication concerning an issue,
referendum, or amendment, including any state question, that is subject to a vote of the
electors. This subsection does not apply to an electioneering communication from a local
government or a person acting on behalf of a local government which is limited to factual
information.
(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.
106.12 Petty cash funds allowed.-
(1) Each campaign treasurer designated pursuant to s. 106.021(1.) for a candidate or
political committee is authorized, to withdraw from the primary campaign. account, until
the close of the last day for qualifying for office, the amount of $500 per calendar quarter
reporting period for the purpose of providing a petty cash fund for the candidate or
political committee.
(2) Following the close of the last day for qualifying and until the last election in a
given election period in which the political committee participates, the campaign
treasurer of each political committee is authorized to withdraw the following amount
54
each week from the primary depository campaign account for the purpose of providing a
petty cash fund for the political committee, and, following the close of the last day for
qualifying and until the election at which such candidate is eliminated or elected to
office, or the time at which the candidate becomes unopposed, the campaign treasurer of
each candidate is authorized to withdraw the following amount each week from the
primary depository campaign account for the purpose of providing a petty cash fund for
the candidate:
(a) For all candidates for nomination or election on a statewide basis, $500 per
week.
(b) For all other candidates and all political committees, $100 per week.
(3) The petty cash fund so provided shall be spent only in amounts less than $100
and only for office supplies, transportation expenses, and other necessities. Petty cash
shall not be used for the purchase of time, space, or services from communications media
as defined in s. 106.011(13).
History.-s. 12, ch. 73-128; s. 48, ch. 77-175; s. 9, ch. 85-226; s. 5, ch. 2002-197.
106.125 Credit cards; conditions on use.-Any candidate for statewide office or
any political committee created to support or oppose any candidate for statewide office or
to support or oppose any- statewide issue may obtain, and use in making .travel xelated
campaign expenditures, credit cards. The obtention and use of credit cards by any such
candidate or political committee shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1} Credit cards maybe obtained only from the same bank which has been
designated as the candidate's or political committee's primary campaign depository.
(2) Credit cards shall be in the name of the candidate or political .committee and
shall reflect that the account is a campaign account.
(3) Before a credit card may be used, a copy of the agreement or contract between
the candidate and the bank, or the political committee and the bank, and a list of all
persons who have been authorized to use the card shall be filed with the Secretary of
State.
(4) All credit cards issued to candidates or political committees shall expire no later
than midnight of the last day of the month of the general election.
(5) Each statement rendered by the issuer of a credit card shall be paid upon receipt.
(6) Campaign travel-related expenditures shall include transportation, lodging,
meals, and other expenses incurred in connection with traveling for campaign purposes.
This section shall not be deemed to preclude the use of advance payments by a check
drawn on the primary depository account for travel-related expenses. The treasurer shall
require an accounting of actual expenses and reconcile any overpayment or
underpayment to the original payee.
History.-s. 11, ch. 79-365; s. 2, ch. 86-134.
106.14 Utilities; deposits; prior authorization.-
(1) Utility companies providing utilities services to a candidate or political
committee shall charge a deposit sufficient to meet all anticipated charges during a billing
period.
55
(2) Authorization and payment for utilities used during the billing period must be
made by the candidate or political committee when the bill is received from a utility
company.
History.-s. 14, ch. 73-128; s. 48, ch. 77-175; s. S, ch. 78-403; s. 59, ch. 79-400; s. 2, ch. 85-63; s. 14,
ch. 89-256.
106.1405 Use of campaign funds.-A candidate or the spouse of a candidate may
not use funds on deposit in a campaign account of such candidate to defray normal living
expenses for the candidate or the candidate's family, other than expenses actually
incurred for transportation, meals, and lodging by the candidate or a family member
during travel in the course of the campaign.
History.-s. 49, ch. 77-175; s. 53, ch. 81-259; s. 644, ch. 95-147; s. 10, ch. 97-13.
106.141 Disposition of surplus funds by candidates.-
(1) Each candidate who withdraws his or her candidacy, becomes an unopposed
candidate, or is eliminated as a candidate or elected to office shall, within 90 days,
dispose of the funds on deposit in his or her campaign account and file a report reflecting
the disposition of all remaining funds. Such candidate shall not accept any contributions,
nor shall any person accept contributions on behalf of such candidate, after the candidate
withdraws his or her candidacy, becomes unopposed, or is eliminated or elected.
However, if a candidate receives a refund check after all surplus funds have been
disposed of, the check may be endorsed by the candidate and the refund disposed of
under this section. An amended report must be filed showing the refund and subsequent
disposition.
(2) Any candidate required to dispose of funds pursuant to this section may, prior to
such disposition, be reimbursed by the campaign, in full or in part, for any reported
contributions by the candidate to the campaign.
(3) The campaign treasurer of a candidate who withdraws his or her candidacy,
becomes unopposed, or is eliminated as a candidate or elected to office and who has
funds on deposit in a separate interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit shall,
within 7 days after the date of becoming unopposed or the date of such withdrawal,
elimination, or election, transfer such funds and the accumulated interest earned thereon
to the campaign account of the candidate for disposal under this section. However, if the
funds are in an account in which penalties will apply for withdrawal within the 7-day
period, the campaign treasurer shall transfer such funds and the accumulated interest
earned thereon as soon as the funds can be withdrawn without penalty, or within 90 days
after the candidate becomes unopposed, withdraws his or her candidacy, or is eliminated
or elected, whichever comes first.
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), any candidate required to dispose of
funds pursuant to this section shall, at the option of the candidate, dispose of such funds
by any of the following means, or any combination thereof:
1. Return pro rata to each contributor the funds that have not been spent or
obligated.
2. Donate the funds that have not been spent or obligated to a charitable
organization or organizations that meet the qualifications of s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
56
3 . Give not more than $10,000 of the funds that have not been spent or obligated to
the political party of which such candidate is a member, except that a candidate for the
Florida Senate may give not more than $30,000 of such funds to ,the political party of
which the candidate is a member..
4. Give the funds that have not been spent or obligated:
a. In the case of a candidate for state office, to the state, to be deposited in either the
Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund or the General Revenue Fund, as designated
by the candidate; or
b. In the case of a candidate for an office of a political subdivision, to such political
subdivision, to be deposited in the general fund thereof.
(b) Any candidate required to dispose of funds pursuant to this section who has
received contributions from the EElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund shall return all
surplus campaign funds to the EElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
(5) A candidate elected to office or a candidate who will be elected to office by
virtue of his or her being unopposed may, in addition to the disposition methods provided
in subsection (4), transfer from the campaign account to an office account any amount of
the funds on deposit in such campaign account up to:
(a) Twenty thousand dollars, for a candidate for statewide office. The Governor and
Lieutenant Governor shall be considered separate candidates for the purpose of this
section.
(b) Five thousand dollars, for a candidate for multicounty office.
(c) Five thousand dollars multiplied by the number of years in the term of office for
which elected, for a candidate for legislative office.
(d) Two thousand five hundred dollars multiplied by the number of years in the
term of office for which elected, for a candidate for county office or for a candidate in
any election conducted on less than a countywide basis.
(e) Six thousand dollars, for a candidate for retention as a justice of the Supreme
Court.
(fj Three thousand dollars, for a candidate for retention as a judge of a district court
of appeal.
(g) One thousand five hundred dollars, for a candidate for county court judge or
circuit judge.
The office account established pursuant to this subsection shall, be separate from any
personal or other account. Any funds so transferred by a candidate shall be used only for
legitimate expenses in connection with the candidate's public office. Such expenses may
include travel expenses incurred by the officer or a staff member, personal taxes payable
on office account funds by the candidate or elected public official, or expenses incurred
in the operation of his or her office, including the employment of additional staff. The
funds maybe deposited in a savings account; however, all deposits, withdrawals, and
interest earned thereon shall be reported at the appropriate reporting period. If a candidate
is reelected to office or elected to another office and has funds remaining in his or her
office account, he or she may transfer surplus campaign funds to -the office account. At
no time may the funds in the office account exceed the limitation imposed by this
subsection. Upon leaving public .office, any person who has funds in an office account
pursuant to this subsection remaining on deposit shall give such funds to a charitable
57
organization or organizations which meet the requirements of s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code or, in the case of a state officer, to the state to be deposited in the General
Revenue Fund or, in the case of an officer of a political subdivision, to the political
subdivision to be deposited in the general fund thereof.
(6) Prior to disposing of funds pursuant to subsection (4) or transferring funds into
an office account pursuant to subsection (5), any candidate who filed an oath stating that
he or she was unable to pay the election assessment or fee for verification of petition
signatures without imposing an undue burden on-his or her personal resources or on
resources otherwise available to him or her, or who filed both such oaths, or who
qualified by the petition process and was not required to pay an election assessment, shall
reimburse the state or local governmental entity, whichever is applicable, for such waived
assessment or fee or both. Such reimbursement shall be made first for the cost of petition
verification and then, if funds are remaining, for the amount of the election assessment. If
there are insufficient funds in the account to pay the full amount of either the assessment
or the fee or both, the remaining funds shall be disbursed in the above manner until no
funds remain. All funds disbursed pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the
qualifying officer. Any reimbursement for petition verification costs which are
reimbursable by the state shall be forwarded by the qualifying officer to the state for.
deposit in the General Revenue Fund. All reimbursements for the amount of the election
assessment shall be forwarded by the qualifying officer to the Department of State for
deposit in the General Revenue Fund.
(7)(a) Any candidate required.to dispose of campaign funds pursuant to this section
shall do so within the time required by this section and shall, on or before the date by
which such disposition is to have been made, file with the officer with whom reports are
required to be filed pursuant to s. 106.07 a form prescribed by the Division of Elections
listing:
1. The name and address of each person or unit of government to whom any of the
funds were distributed and the amounts thereof;
2. The name and address of each person to whom an expenditure was made,
together with the amount thereof and purpose therefor; and
3. The amount of such funds transferred to an office account by the candidate,
together with the name and address of the bank in which the office account is .located.
Such report shall be signed by the candidate and the campaign treasurer and certified as
true and correct pursuant to s. 106.07.
(b) The filing officer shall notify each candidate at least 14 days before the date the
report is due.
(c) Any candidate failing to file a report on the designated due date shall be subject
to a fine as provided in s. 106.07 for submitting late termination reports.
(8) Any candidate elected to office who transfers surplus campaign funds into an
office account pursuant to subsection (5) shall file a report on the 10th day following the
end of each calendar quarter until the account is closed. Such reports shall contain the
name and address of each person to whom any disbursement of funds was made, together
with the amount thereof and the purpose .therefor, and the name and address of any
person from whom the elected candidate received any refund or reimbursement and the
amount thereof. Such reports shall be on forms prescribed by the Division of Elections,
58
signed by the elected candidate, certified as true and correct, and filed with the officer
with whom campaign reports were filed pursuant to s. 106.07(2).
(9) .Any candidate, or any person on behalf of a candidate, who. accepts
contributions after such candidate has withdrawn his or her candidacy, after the candidate
has become an unopposed candidate, or after the candidate has been eliminated as a
candidate or elected to office commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775:083.
(10) Any candidate who is required by the provisions of this section to dispose of
funds in his or her campaign account and who fails to dispose of the funds in the manner
provided in this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,- punishable as
provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.-s: 50, ch. 77-175; s. 6, ch. 79-378; s. 60, ch. 79-400; s. 2, ch. 80-292; s. 54, ch. 81-259; s.
28, ch. 81-304; s. 1, ch. 82-404; s. 38, ch. 84-302; s. 10, ch. 85-226; s. 2, ch. 86-7; s. 2, ch. 86-276; s. 11,
ch. 87-363; s. 15, ch. 89-256; s. 34, ch. 90-315; s. 15, ch. 91-107; s. 645, ch. 95-147; ss. 15, 16, 53, ch. 97-
13; s. 6, ch. 2002-197; s. 20, ch. 2004-252; s. 70, ch. 2005-277.
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. IlT of the
State Constitution.
106.143 Political advertisements circulated prior to election; requirements.-
(1)(a) Any political advertisement that is paid for by a candidate and that is
published, displayed, or circulated prior to, or on the day of, any election must
prominently state: "Political .advertisement paid for and approved by (name of candidate,
(party affiliation), for (office sought)."
(b) Any other political advertisement published, displayed, or circulated prior to, or
on the day of, any election must prominently:
1. Be marked "paid political advertisement" or with the abbreviation "pd. pol. adv."
2. State the name and address of the persons sponsoring the advertisement.
3.a.
(I) State whether the advertisement and the cost of production is paid for or
provided in kind by or at the expense of the entity publishing, displaying, broadcasting,
or circulating the political advertisement; or
(II) State who provided or paid for the advertisement and cost of production, if
different from the source of sponsorship.
b. This subparagraph does not apply if the source of the sponsorship is patently
clear from the content or format of the political advertisement.
(c) Any political advertisement made pursuant to s. 106.021(3)(d) must be marked
"paid political advertisement" or with the abbreviation "pd. pol. adv." and must
prominently state, "Paid for and sponsored by (name of person pang for olitical
advertisement). Approved by (names of persons, party affiliation, and off ces sou ht in
the political advertisement)."
This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used by a candidate and the
candidate's supporters if those messages are designed to be worn by a person.
(2) Any political advertisement of a candidate running for partisan office shall
express the name of the political party of which the candidate is seeking nomination or is
the nominee. If the candidate for partisan office is running as a candidate with no party
59
affiliation, any political advertisement of the candidate must state that the candidate has
no party affiliation.
(3) It is .unlawful for any candidate or person on behalf of a candidate to represent.
that any person or organization supports such candidate, unless the person or organization
so represented has given specific approval in writing to the candidate to make such
representation. However, this subsection does not apply to:
(a) Editorial endorsement by any newspaper, radio or television station, or other
recognized news medium..
(b) Publication by a party committee advocating the candidacy of its nominees.
(4)(a) Any political advertisement,. including those paid for by a political party,
other than an independent expenditure, offered by or on behalf of a candidate must be
approved in advance by the candidate. Such political advertisement must expressly state
that the. content of the advertisement was approved by the candidate and must state who
paid for the advertisement. The candidate shall provide a written statement of
authorization to the newspaper, radio station, television station, or other medium for each
such advertisement submitted for publication, display, broadcast, or other distribution.
(b) Any person who makes an independent, expenditure for a political advertisement
shall .provide a written statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement to the
newspaper, radio station, television station, or other medium for each such advertisement
submitted for publication, ,display, broadcast, or other distribution. The advertisement
must also contain a statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement.
(c) This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used. by a candidate and
his or her supporters if those messages are designed to be worn by a person.
(5) No political advertisement of a candidate who is not an incumbent of the office
for which the candidate is running shall use the word "re-elect." Additionally,. such
advertisement must include the word "for" between the candidate's name and the office
for which the candidate is running, in order that incumbency is not implied. This
subsection does not apply to bumper stickers or items designed to be worn by a person.
(6) This section does not apply to novelty items having a retail value of $10 or less
which support, but do not oppose, a candidate or issue.
(7) Any political advertisement which is published, displayed, or produced in a
language other than English may provide the information required by this section in the
language used in the advertisement.
(8) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this section is subject to the
civil penalties prescribed in s. 106.265.
History.-s. 8, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 61-145; s. 21, ch. 65-379; s. 57, ch. 71-136; s. 30, ch. 73-128;
s. 52, ch. 77-175; s. 30, ch. 81-304; s: 16, ch. 89-256; s. 35, ch. 90-315; s. 16, ch. 91-107; s. 646, ch. 95-
147; s. 17, ch. 97-13; s. 18, ch. 99-318; s. 5, ch. 2004-252; s. 46, ch. 2007-30.
Note.-Former s. 104.37.
106.1435 Usage and removal of political campaign advertisements.-
(1) Each candidate, whether for a federal, state, county, or district office, shall make
a good faith effort to remove all of his or her political campaign advertisements within 30
days after:
(a) Withdrawal of his or her candidacy;
(b) Having been eliminated as a candidate; or
(c) Being elected to office.
60
However, a candidate is not expected to remove those. political campaign advertisements
which are in the form of signs used by an outdoor advertising business as provided in
chapter 479. The provisions herein do not apply to political ,campaign advertisements
placed on motor vehicles or to campaign messages designed to be worn by persons.
(2) If political campaign advertisements are not removed within the specified
.period, the political subdivision or governmental entity has the authority to remove such
advertisements and may charge the candidate, the actual cost for such removal. Funds
collected for removing such advertisements shall be deposited to the general revenue of
the political subdivision.
(3) Pursuant to chapter 479, no political campaign advertisements shall be erected,
posted, painted,. tacked, nailed, or otherwise displayed, placed, or located on or above any
state or county road right-of--way.
(4) The officer before whom a candidate qualifies for office shall notify the
candidate, in writing, of the provisions in this section.
(5) This provision does not preclude municipalities from imposing additional or
more stringent requirements on the usage and removal of political campaign
advertisements.
History.-s. 1, ch. 84-221; s. 20, ch. 84-302; s. 14, ch. 87-224; s. 647, ch. 95=147.
106.1437 Miscellaneous advertisements: Any advertisement, other than a
political advertisement, independent expenditure, or electioneering communication, on
billboards, bumper stickers, radio, or television, or in a newspaper, a magazine, or a
periodical, intended to influence public policy or the vote of a public official, shall clearly
designate the sponsor of such advertisement by including a clearly readable statement of
sponsorship. If the advertisement is broadcast on television, the advertisement shall also
contain a verbal statement of sponsorship. This section shall not apply to an editorial
endorsement.
History.-s. 36, ch. 90-315; s. 6, ch. 2004-252.
106.1439 Electioneering communications; disclaimers.
(1) Any electioneering communication shall prominently state: "Paid electioneering
communication paid for by Name and address of person payin for the
communication)."
(2) Any person who fails to include the disclaimer prescribed in this section in any
electioneering communication that is required to contain such disclaimer commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.-s. 7, ch. 2004-252.
106.147 Telephone solicitation; disclosure requirements; prohibitions;
exemptions; penalties.-
(1)(a) Any electioneering communication telephone call or any telephone call
supporting or opposing a candidate, elected public official, or ballot proposal must
identify the persons or organizations sponsoring the call by stating either: "paid for by
" (insert name of persons or organizations sponsoring-the call) or "paid for on
behalf of " (insert name of persons or organizations authorizing call). This
paragraph does not apply to any telephone call in which both the individual making the
61
call is not being paid and the individuals participating in the call know each other prior to
the call.
(b) Any telephone call conducted for the purpose of polling respondents concerning
a candidate or elected public official which is .apart of a series of like telephone calls that
consists of fewer than 1,000 completed calls and averages more than 2 minutes in
duration is .presumed to be a political poll and not subject to the provisions of paragraph
(a)
(c) No telephone call shall state or imply that the caller represents any person or
organization unless the person or organization so represented has given specific approval
in writing to make such representation.
(d) No telephone call shall state or imply that the caller represents a nonexistent
person or organization.
(e) Any electioneering communication paid for with public funds must include a
disclaimer containing the words "paid for by (Name of the government entity paying_for
the communication)."
(2) Any telephone call, not conducted by independent expenditure, which expressly
advocates for or against a candidate or ballot proposal requires prior written authorization
by the candidate or sponsor of the ballot proposal that the call supports. A copy of such
written authorization must be placed on file with the qualifying officer by the candidate
or sponsor of .the ballot proposal prior to the time the calls commence.
(3)(a) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this section commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082. or s. 775.083.
(b) For purposes of paragraph (a), the term "person" includes any candidate; any
officer of any political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political parry
executive committee; any officer, partner, attorney, or other representative- of a
corporation, partnership, or other business entity; and any agent or other person acting on
behalf of any candidate, political committee, committee of continuous existence, political
party executive committee, or corporation, partnership, or other business entity.
History.-s. 18, ch. 97-13; s. 31, ch. 2008-95.
106.1475 Telephone solicitation; registered agent requirements; penalty.-
(1) Any person or organization that conducts any business in this state which
consists of making paid telephone calls supporting or opposing any candidate or elected
public official must, prior to conducting such business, have and continuously maintain,
for at least 180 days following the cessation of such business activities in the state, a
registered agent for the purpose of any service of process, notice, or demand required or
authorized by law and must file with the division a notice of such registered agent. Such
registered agent must be an individual who is a resident of this state, a domestic
corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state. However, this
subsection does not apply to any person or organization already lawfully registered to
conduct business in this state.
(2) For purposes of this section, conducting business in this state as specified in
subsection (1) includes both placing telephone calls from a location. in this state and
placing telephone calls from a location outside this state to individuals located in this
state.
62
(3)(a) The division shall create and maintain forms for the notice required by
subsection (1), which, at a minimum, must elicit all of the following information:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the registered agent.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or organization
conducting business in this state as specified in subsection (1).
(b) The person or organization conducting business in this state as specified in
subsection (1) must immediately notify the division of any changes in the information,
required in paragraph (a).
(4) Any person or organization that violates this section commits a misdemeanor of
the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. .
History.-s. 19, ch. 97-13.
.106.15 Certain acts prohibited.-
(1) No person shall pay money or give ,anything of value for the privilege of
speaking at a political meeting in the furtherance of his or her candidacy, nor shall
anyone speaking for such a person pay money.or give anything of value for such
privilege.
(2) No candidate, in the furtherance of his or her candidacy for nomination or
election to public office in any election, shall use any state-owned aircraft or motor
vehicle, as provided in chapter 287, solely for the purpose of furthering his or her
candidacy. However, in the event a candidate uses any state-owned aircraft or motor
vehicle to conduct official state business and while on such trip performs any function in
the furtherance of his or her candidacy for nomination or election to public office in any
election, the candidate shall prorate the expenses incurred and reimburse the appropriate
agency for any trip not exclusively for state business and shall pay either a prorated share
of all fixed and variable expenses related to the ownership, operation, and use of such
aircraft or one-half of the total fixed and variable expenses related to the ownership,
operation, and use of such. aircraft, whichever.is greater. The reimbursement shall be
made from the campaign .account of the candidate.
(3) A candidate may not, in the furtherance of his or her candidacy for nomination
or election to public office in any election, use the services of any state, county,
municipal, or district officer or employee during working hours:
(4) No person shall make and no person shall solicit or knowingly accept any
political contribution in a building owned by a governmental entity. For purposes of this
subsection, "accept" means to receive a contribution by personal hand delivery from a
contributor or the contributor's agent. This subsection shall not. apply when a
government-owned building or any portion thereof is rented for the specific purpose of
holding a campaign fund raiser.
(5) Any. person violating the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of
the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
History.-s. 15, ch. 73-128; s. 9, ch. 74-200; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 54, ch. 77-175; s. 61, ch. 79-400; s.
3 1, ch. 81-304; s. 28, ch. 83-217; s. 2, ch. 83-304; s. 16, ch. 91-45; s. 17, ch. 91-107; s. 648, ch. 95-147; s.
2, ch. 97-223; s. 7, ch. 2002-197.
106.16 Limitation on certain rates and charges: No person or corporation
within the state publishing a newspaper or other periodical or operating a radio or
television station or network of stations in Florida shall charge one candidate for state or
63
county public office for political advertising in a county, or for political broadcasts in a
county, at a rate in excess of that charged another political candidate.
History.-s. 16, ch. 73-128; s. 55, ch. 77-175; s. 18, ch. 89-256.
106.161 Air time available at the lowest unit rate.-To the extent permitted by
federal law, all broadcast radio and television stations and all cable television stations
shall make air time available to candidates for public office at the lowest unit rate.
History.-s. 35, ch. 91-107.
106.165 Use of closed captioning and descriptive narrative in all television
broadcasts.-Each candidate, political party, and political committee must use closed
captioning and descriptive narrative in all television broadcasts regulated by the Federal
Communications Commission that are on behalf of, or sponsored by, a candidate,
political party, or political committee or must file a written statement with the qualifying
officer setting forth the reasons for not doing so. Failure to file this statement with the
appropriate qualifying officer constitutes a violation of the Florida Election Code and is
under the jurisdiction of the Florida Elections Commission. The. Department of State may
adopt rules in accordance with s. 120.54 which are necessary to administer- this section.
History.-s. 7, ch. 2002-281; s. 71; ch. 2005-277.
Note.-Former s. 98.122.
106.17 Polls and surveys relating to candidacies.-Any candidate, political
committee, committee of continuous existence; electioneering communication
organization, or state or county executive committee of a political party may authorize or
conduct a political poll, survey, index, or measurement of any kind relating to candidacy
for public office so long as the candidate, political committee, committee of continuous
existence, electioneering communication organization, or political party maintains
complete jurisdiction over the poll in all its aspects.
History.-s. 17, ch. 73-128; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 56, ch. 77-175; s. 32, ch. 81-304; s. 47, ch. 2007-30.
106.18 When a candidate's name to be omitted from ballot.-
(1) The name of a candidate shall not be printed on the ballot for an election if the
candidate is convicted of violating s. 106.19.
(2) Any candidate whose name is removed from the ballot pursuant to subsection
(1) is disqualified as a candidate for office. If the disqualification of such candidate-
results in a vacancy in nomination, such vacancy shall be filled by a person other than
such candidate in the manner provided by law.
(3) No certificate of election shall be granted to any candidate until all preelection
reports required by s. 106.07 have been filed in accordance with the provisions of such
section. However, no candidate shall be prevented from receiving a certificate of election
for failure to file any copy of a report required by this chapter.
History.-s. 18, ch. 73-128; s. 57, ch. 77-175; s. 11, ch. 85-226; s. 37, ch. 90-315; s. 3, ch. 90-338.
106.19 Violations by candidates, persons connected with campaigns, and
political committees.-
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(1) Any candidate; campaign manager, campaign. treasurer, or deputy treasurer of
any candidate; committee chair, vice chair, campaign treasurer, deputy treasurer, or other
officer of any political committee; agent or person acting, on behalf of any candidate or
political committee; or other person who knowingly and willfully:
(a) Accepts a contribution in excess. of the limits, prescribed by s. 106.08;
(b) Fails to report any contribution required to be reported by this chapter;
(c) Falsely reports or deliberately fails to include any information required by this
chapter; or
(d) Makes or .authorizes any expenditure in violation of s. 106.11(4) or any other
expenditure prohibited by this chapter;
is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
775.083.
(2) Ariy candidate, campaign treasurer, or deputy treasurer; any chair, vice chair, or
other officer of any political committee; any agent or person acting on behalf of any
candidate or political committee; or any other person who violates paragraph (1)(a),
paragraph (1)(b), or paragraph (1)(d) shall be ;subject to a civil penalty equal to three
times the amount involved in the illegal act. Such penalty may be in .addition to the
penalties .provided by subsection (1) and shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund of
this state.:
(3) Apolitical committee sponsoring a constitutional amendment proposed by
initiative which submits a petition form gathered by a paid petition circulator which does
not provide the. name and address of the paid petition circulator on the form is subject to
the civil penalties prescribed in s. 106.265.
History.-s. 19, ch. 73-128; s.'S7, ch. 77-175; s. 62, ch. 79-400; s. 12, ch. 91-107; s. 649, ch. 95-147;
ss. 24, 45, ch. 97-13; s. 8, ch. 2002-197; s. 11, ch. 2006-300.
106.191 Signatures gathered for initiative petition; effect of ch. 97-13.-Any
signature gathered on an authorized form for an initiative petition by a paid petition
,circulator which has been submitted prior to the effective date of this act may be kept and
counted, if otherwise valid, and that form is not required to have the name and address of
the. paid petition circulator, nor~is any such signature affected by the prohibition against
filing an undue burden oath in lieu of paying the fee to have signatures verified, as
provided by this act: However, any signature gathered on or after the effective date of this
act is subject to the provisions of this act and, if payment is made to any person to solicit
signatures after the effective date of this act, an undue burden oath may not be filed in
lieu of paying the fee to have signatures verified. In addition, any initiative petition form
approved by the Secretary of State prior to the effective date of this act may continue to
be circulated.
History.-s. 25, ch. 97-13.
106.21 Certificates of election not to be issued upon conviction.-
(1) If a successful candidate is convicted of violating s. 106.19(1) prior to the
issuance of his or her certificate of election, .such certificate shall not be issued, and a
vacancy shall be declared and filled as provided by law.
65
(2) If a successful candidate is convicted of violating s. 106.19(1) subsequent to the
issuance of a certificate of election but prior to taking- office, such certificate shall be
rescinded by the issuing body and declared void, and a vacancy in office shall exist and
be filled as provided by law.
History.-s. 21, ch. 73-128; s. 57, ch. 77-175; s. 650, ch. 95-147.
106.22 Duties of the Division of Elections.-It is the duty of the Division of
Elections to:
(1) Prescribe forms for statements and other. information required to be filed by this
chapter. Such forms shall be furnished by the Department of State or office of the
supervisor of elections to persons required to file such statements and information with
such agency.
(2) Prepare and publish manuals or brochures setting forth recommended uniform
methods of bookkeeping and reporting, and including appropriate portions of the election
code, for~use by persons required by this chapter to file statements.
(3) Develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system consonant with the
purposes of this chapter.
(4) Preserve statements and other information required to be filed with the division
pursuant to this chapter for a period of 10 years from date of receipt.
(5) Prepare and publish such reports as it may deem appropriate.
(6) Make, from time to time, audits and field investigations with respect to reports
and statements filed under the provisions of this chapter and with respect to alleged
failures to file any report or statement required under the provisions of this chapter. The
division shall conduct a postelection audit of the campaign accounts of all candidates
receiving contributions from the Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
(7) Report to the Florida Elections Commission any failure to file a report or
information required by this chapter or any apparent violation of this chapter.
(8) Employ such personnel or contract for such services as are necessary to
adequately carry out the intent of this chapter. .
(9) Prescribe rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Such
rules shall be prescribed pursuant to chapter 120.
(10) Conduct random audits with respect to reports and statements filed under this
chapter and with respect to alleged failure to file any reports and statements required
under this chapter.
History.-s. 22, ch. 73-128; s. 57, ch. 77-175; s. 13, ch. 79-365; s. 4, ch. 84-254; s. 3, ch. 86-276; s. 9,
ch. 90-338; s. 46, ch. 97=13; s. 7, ch. 2001-75; s. 72, ch. 2005-277.
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.23 Powers of the Division of Elections.-
(1) In order to carry out the responsibilities prescribed by s. 106.22, the Division of
Elections is empowered to subpoena and bring before its duly authorized representatives
any person in the state, or any person doing business in the state, or any person who has
filed or is required to have filed any application, document, papers, or other information
with an office or agency of this state or a political subdivision thereof and to require the
production of any papers, books, or other records relevant to any investigation, including
the records and accounts of any bank or trust company doing business in this state. Duly
66
authorized representatives of the division are empowered to administer all oaths and
affirmations in -the manner prescribed by law to witnesses who shall appear before them
concerning any relevant matter. Should any witness fail to respond to the lawful
subpoena of the division or, having responded, fail to answer all lawful inquiries or to
turn over evidence that has been subpoenaed, the division may file a complaint before
any circuit court of the state setting up such failure on the part of the witness. On the
filing of such complaint, the court shall take jurisdiction of the witness and the subject
matter of said complaint and shall direct the witness to respond to all lawful questions
and to produce all documentary evidence in the witness's possession which is lawfully
demanded. The failure of any witness to comply with such order of the court shall
constitute a direct and criminal contempt of court, and the court shall punish said witness
accordingly. However, the refusal by a witness to answer inquiries or turn over evidence
on the basis that such testimony or material will tend to incriminate such witness shall not
be deemed refusal to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(Z) The Division of Elections shall provide advisory opinions when requested by
any supervisor of elections, candidate, local officer having election-related duties,
political party, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or other person or
organization engaged in political activity, relating to any provisions or possible violations
of Florida election laws with respect to actions such supervisor, candidate, local officer
having election-related duties, political party, committee, person, or organization has
taken or proposes to take. Requests for advisory opinions must be submitted in
accordance with rules adopted by the Department of State. A written record of all such
opinions issued by the division, sequentially numbered, dated, and indexed by subject
matter, shall be retained. A copy shall be sent to said person or organization upon request.
Any such person or organization, acting in good faith upon such an advisory opinion,
shall not be subject to any criminal penalty provided for in this chapter. The opinion,
until amended or revoked, shall be binding on any person or organization who sought the
opinion or with reference to whom the opinion was sought, unless material facts were
omitted or misstated in the request for the advisory opinion.
History.-s. 23, ch. 73-128; s. 3, ch. 76-233; s. 58, ch. 77-175; s. 651, ch. 95-147; s. 47, ch. 97-13; s.
8, ch. 2001-75 .
106.24 Florida Elections Commission; membership; powers; duties.-
(1)(a) There is created within the Department of Legal Affairs, Office of the
Attorney General, a Florida Elections Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
commission. The commission shall be a separate budget entity and the agency head for
all purposes. The commission shall not be subject to control, supervision, or direction by
the Department of Legal Affairs or the Attorney General in the performance of its duties,
including, but not limited to, personnel, purchasing transactions involving real or
personal property, and budgetary matters.
(b) The commission shall be composed of nine members. The President of the
Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate,
and the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall each provide. a list of six
nominees to the Governor for initial appointment to the commission. The Governor may
appoint two members to the commission. from each- list. If the Governor refuses to
appoint two members from any of the respective lists, the Governor shall so inform the
67
nominating officer and the nominating officer shall submit a new list of six nominees
within 30 days. The new list must contain at least three nominees not included on the
prior nominating list. The ninth commission member, who shall serve as chair of the
commission, shall be appointed by the Governor. Each member of the commission is
subject to confirmation by the Senate. The chair of the commission shall serve for a
maximum term of 4 years., such term to run concurrently with the term of the appointing
Governor and until a future successor is appointed. Other members of the commission
shall serve for 4-year terms and until their successors are appointed. An individual who is
a lobbyist at the state or local government level may, not serve as a member of the
commission, except that this prohibition shall not apply to an individual who is a member
of the commission on July 1, 2002, until the expiration of his or her current term. A
member of the commission is prohibited from lobbying state or local government while
he or she is a member of the commission, except that this prohibition shall not apply to an
individual who is a member of the commission on July 1, 2002, until the expiration of his
or her current term.
(c) As the terms of members expire, excluding the chair, successors shall be
.appointed to 4-year terms and shall serve until their successors are appointed. Six months.
prior to the expiration of a commission member's term, the ranking officer of the political
party in the respective house originally nominating the commission member shall submit
a list of three nominees to the Governor. The Governor may appoint one of the listed
nominees to the commission. If no nominee is selected from the list, the Governor shall
so inform the nominating officer, who shall submit a list of three different nominees to
the Governor within 30 days. Vacancies on the commission shall expeditiously be filled
for the unexpired terms in the same manner.
(d) As the term of the chair of the commission expires or becomes vacant, a
successor shall be appointed in the manner of the original appointment, and shall serve
for a maximum of 4 years, such term to run concurrently with the term of the appointing
Governor and until. a future successor is appointed.
(e) In no event may any member of the commission serve more than two full terms.
Members of the commission shall be paid travel and per diem as provided in s. 112.061
while in performance of their duties and in traveling to, from, and upon same. Of the nine
members of the commission, no more than five members shall be from the same political
party at any one .time.
(2) No member of the commission shall be a member of any county, state, or
national committee of a political party; be an officer in any partisan political club or
organization; or hold, or be a candidate for, any other public office. No person shall be
appointed as a member of the commission who has held an elective public office or office
in a political party within the year immediately preceding his or her appointment.
(3) The commission shall convene at the call of its chair or at the request of a
majority of the members of the commission. The presence of five members is required to
constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the members present is
required for any action or recommendation by the commission. The commission may
meet in any city of the state.
(4) The commission shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve under the
direction, supervision, and control of the commission. The executive director, with the
.consent of the commission, shall employ such staff as are necessary to adequately
68
perform the functions of the commission, within budgetary limitations. All employees,
except the executive director and attorneys, are subject to part II of chapter 110. The
executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and be subject to part III
of chapter 110, except that the commission shall have complete authority for setting the
executive director's salary. Attorneys employed by the commission shall be subject to
part V of chapter 110.
(5) Hearings shall be held before the commission, except that the chair may direct
that any hearing be held before one member of the commission or a panel of less than the
full commission. The commission shall adopt .rules to provide for the filing of a report
when hearings are held by a single commissioner or a panel, which rules shall prescribe
the time for filing the report and the contents of the report.
(6) There is hereby established in the State Treasury an Elections Commission Trust
Fund to be utilized by the Division of Elections and the Florida Elections Commission in
order to carry out their duties pursuant to ss. 106.24-106.28. The trust fund may also be
used by the Secretary of State, pursuant to his or her authority under s. 97.012(14), to
provide rewards for information leading to criminal convictions related to voter
registration fraud, voter fraud, and vote scams.
(7) The commission shall develop a budget request pursuant to chapter 216
annually. The budget is not subject to change by the Department of Legal Affairs or the
Attorney General, but it shall be submitted by the Department of Legal Affairs to the
Governor for transmittal to the Legislature.
(8) The commission is authorized to contract or consult with appropriate agencies
of state government for such professional assistance as may be needed in the discharge of
its duties.
History.-s. 24, ch. 73-128; s. 10; ch. 74-200; s. 59, ch. 77-175; s. 63, ch. 79-400; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2,
ch. 83-265; s. 19, ch. 89-256; s. 36, ch. 89-338; s. 38, ch. 90-315; ss. 4, 14, 15, ch. 90-338; s. 5, ch. 91-429;
s. 1, ch. 93-262; s. 652, ch. 95-147; s. 48, ch. 97-13; s. 3, ch. 2002-281; s. 69, ch. 2005-277; s. 32, ch. 2008-
95.
106.25 Reports of alleged violations to Florida Elections Commission;
disposition of fndings.-
(1) Jurisdiction to investigate and determine violations of this chapter and chapter
1.04 is vested in the Florida Elections Commission; however, nothing in this section limits
the jurisdiction of any other officers or agencies of government empowered by law to
investigate, act upon, or dispose of alleged violations of this code.
(2) The commission shall investigate all violations of this chapter and chapter 104;
but only after having received either a sworn complaint or information reported to it
under this subsection by the Division of Elections. Such sworn complaint must be based
upon personal information or information other than hearsay. Any person, other than the
division, having information of any violation of this chapter or chapter 104 shall file a
sworn complaint with the commission. The commission shall investigate only those
alleged violations specifically contained within the sworn complaint. If any complainant
fails to allege all violations that arise from the facts or allegations alleged in a complaint,
the commission shall be barred from investigating a subsequent complaint from such
complainant that is based upon such facts or allegations that were raised or could have
been raised in the first complaint. If the complaint includes allegations of violations
relating to expense items reimbursed by a candidate, committee, or organization to the
69
campaign account before a sworn complaint is filed, the commission shall be barred from
investigating such allegations. Such sworn complaint shall state whether a complaint of
the same violation has been made to any state attorney. Within 5 days after receipt of a
sworn complaint, the commission shall transmit a copy of the complaint to the alleged
violator. If the executive director finds. that the complaint is legally sufficient, the
respondent shall be notified of such finding by letter, which sets forth the statutory
provisions alleged to have been violated and the alleged factual basis that supports the
.finding. All sworn complaints alleging violations of the Florida Election Code over
which the commission has jurisdiction shall be filed with the commission within 2 years
after the alleged violations. The period of limitations is tolled on the day a sworn
complaint is filed with the commission. The complainant may withdraw the .sworn
complaint at any time prior to a probable cause hearing if good cause is shown.
Withdrawal shall be requested in writing, signed by the complainant, and witnessed by a
notary public, stating the facts and circumstances constituting good cause. The executive
director shall prepare a written recommendation regarding disposition of the request
which shall be given to the commission together with the request. "Good cause" shall be
determined based upon the legal sufficiency or insufficiency of the complaint to allege a
violation and the reasons given by the complainant for wishing to withdraw the
complaint. If withdrawal is permitted, the commission must close the investigation and
the case. No further action maybe taken. The complaint will become a public record at
the time of withdrawal.
(3) For the purposes of commission jurisdiction, a violation shall mean the willful
performance of an act prohibited by this chapter or chapter 104 or the willful failure to
perform an act required by this ,chapter or chapter 104. Willfulness is a determination of
fact; however, at the request of the respondent, willfulness may be considered and
determined in an informal hearing before the commission.
(4) The commission shall undertake a preliminary investigation to determine if the
facts alleged in a sworn complaint or a matter initiated by the division constitute probable
cause to believe that a violation has occurred.
(a) When the investigator's report is completed, the executive director shall notify
-the respondent that the report is completed and shall send to the respondent a copy of the
investigator's report. The investigatory file and main complaint file shall be open for
inspection by the respondent and the respondent's counsel at that time, and copies maybe
obtained at no more than cost.
(b) The respondent shall be given not less than 14 days from the date of mailing of
the investigator's report to file with the commission a written response to the
investigator's report. This time period may be shortened with the consent of the
respondent, or without the consent of the respondent when the passage of time could
reasonably be expected to render moot the ultimate disposition of the matter by the
commission so long as reasonable notice under the circumstances is given.
(c) Counsel for the commission shall review the investigator's report and shall
make a written recommendation to the commission for the disposition of the complaint. If
the counsel for the commission recommends that the commission find probable cause, the
recommendation shall include a statement of what charges shall be at issue. A copy of the
recommendation shall be furnished to the respondent. The respondent shall be given not
less than 14 days from the date of mailing of the recommendation of counsel for the
70
commission to file with the commission a written response to the recommendation. This
time period may be shortened with the consent of the respondent, or without the consent
of the respondent when the passage of time could reasonably be expected to render moot
the ultimate disposition of the matter by the commission, so long as the recommendation
is furnished to the respondent within a reasonable period of time under the circumstances.
(d) The respondent and each complainant, their counsel, and the counsel for the
commission shall be permitted to attend the hearing at which the probable cause
determination is made. Notice of the hearing shall be sent to the respondent, each
complainant, and counsel for the commission at least 14 days before the hearing. This
time period may be shortened with the consent of the respondent, or without the consent
of the respondent when the passage of time could reasonably be expected. to render moot
the ultimate disposition of the matter by the commission, so long as the notice is
furnished within a reasonable period of time under the circumstances.
(e) The probable cause determination is the conclusion of the preliminary
investigation. The respondent and the counsel for the commission shall be permitted to
make brief oral statements in the nature of oral argument to the commission, based on the
investigator's report, before the probable cause determination. The commission's
determination shall be based upon the investigator's report, the recommendation of
counsel for the commission, the complaint, and staff recommendations, as well as any
written statements submitted by the respondent and any oral statements made at the
hearing. No testimony. or other evidence will be accepted at the hearing.
(f) At its meeting to determine probable cause, the commission may continue its
determination to allow further investigation; may order the issuance of a public report of
its investigation if it finds no probable cause to believe that there has been a violation of
this chapter or chapter 104, concluding the matter before it; may order a final, public
hearing of the complaint if it finds probable cause to believe that there has been a
violation of this chapter or chapter 104; or may take such other action as it deems
necessary to resolve the complaint, consistent with due process of law. In making its
determination, the commission may consider:
1. The sufficiency of the evidence against the respondent, as contained in the
investigator'. s report;
2. The admissions and other stipulations of the respondent, if any;
3. The nature and circumstances of the respondent's actions;
4. The expense of further proceedings; and
5. Such other factors as it deems material to its decision.
If the commission finds probable cause, the commission shall determine what charges
shall be at issue.
(g) If no probable cause is found, the commission shall dismiss the case and the
case shall become a matter of public record, except as otherwise provided in this section,
together with a written statement of the findings of the preliminary investigation and a
summary of the facts which the commission shall send to the complainant and the alleged
violator. A fmding of no probable cause by the commission is a full adjudication of all
such matters. The commission may not charge a respondent in a subsequent complaint
alleging violations based upon the same actions, nonactions, or circumstances wherein
the commission found no probable cause.
71
(h) If probable cause is found, the commission shall so notify the complainant and
the alleged violator in writing. All documents made or received in the disposition of the
complaint shall become public records upon a finding by the commission.
(i)1. Upon a commission finding of probable cause, the counsel for the commission
shall attempt to reach a consent agreement with the respondent.
2. A consent agreement is not binding upon either party unless and until it is signed
by the respondent.and by counsel for the commission upon approval by the commission.
3. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the commission from entering into a
consent agreement with a respondent prior to a commission finding of probable cause if a
respondent indicates in writing a desire to enter into negotiations directed towards
reaching such a consent agreement. Any consent agreement reached under this
subparagraph is subject to the provisions of subparagraph 2. and shall have the same
force, and effect as a consent agreement reached after the commission finding of probable
cause.
(j) If a consent agreement is reached between the commission and the respondent,
counsel for the commission shall send a copy of the signed agreement to both
complainant and respondent.
In a case where probable cause is found, the commission shall make a preliminary
determination to consider the matter or to refer the matter to the state attorney for the
judicial circuit in which the alleged violation occurred. Notwithstanding any .other
provisions of this section, the commission may,' at its discretion, dismiss any complaint at
any stage of disposition if it determines that the public interest would not be served by
proceeding further, in which case the commission shall issue a public report stating with
particularity its reasons for the dismissal
(5) Unless a person alleged by the Elections Commission to have committed a
violation of this chapter or chapter 104 elects, within 30 days after the date of the filing of
the commission's allegations, to have a formal or informal hearing conducted before the
commission, or elects to resolve the complaint by consent order, such person shall be
entitled to a formal administrative hearing conducted by an administrative law judge in
the Division of Administrative Hearings. The administrative law judge in such
proceedings .shall enter a final order subject to appeal as provided in s. 120.68.
(6) It is the duty of a state attorney receiving a complaint referred by the
commission to investigate the complaint promptly and thoroughly; to undertake such
criminal or civil actions as are justified by law; and to report to the commission the
results of such investigation, the action taken, and the disposition thereof. The failure or
refusal of a state attorney to prosecute or to initiate action upon a complaint or a referral
by the commission shall not bar further action by the commission under this chapter.
(7) Every sworn complaint filed pursuant to this chapter with the commission, every
investigation and investigative report or other paper of the commission with respect to a
violation of this chapter or chapter 104, and every proceeding of the commission with
respect to a violation of this chapter or chapter 104 is confidential, is exempt from the
.provisions of ss. 119.07(1) and 286.011, and is exempt from publication in the Florida
Administrative Weekly of any notice or agenda with respect to any proceeding relating to
such violation, except under the following circumstances:
(a) As provided in subsection (6);
72
(b) Upon a determination of probable cause or no probable cause by the
commission; or
(c) For proceedings conducted with respect to appeals of fines levied by filing
officers for the late filing of .reports required by this chapter.
However, a complainant is not bound by the confidentiality provisions of this section. In
addition, confidentiality may be waived in writing by the person against whom the
complaint has been filed or the investigation has been initiated. If a finding of probable
cause in a case is entered within 30 days prior to the date of the election with respect to
which the alleged violation occurred, such fmding and the proceedings and records
relating to such case shall not become public until noon of the day following such
election. When two or more persons are being investigated by the commission with
respect to an alleged violation of this chapter or chapter 104, the commission may not
publicly enter a finding of probable cause or no probable cause in the case until a finding
of probable cause or no probable cause for the entire case has been determined. However,
once the confidentiality of any case has been breached, the person or persons under
investigation have the right to waive the confidentiality of the case, thereby opening up
the proceedings and records to the public. Any person who discloses any information or
matter made confidential by the provisions of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of
the first degree, punishable as .provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(8) Any person who files a complaint pursuant to this section while knowing that
the allegations contained in such complaint are false or without merit commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(9) The commission shall maintain a database of all final orders and agency actions.
Such database shall be available to the public and shall be maintained in such a manner as
to be searchable, at a minimum, by issue, statutes, individuals, or entities referenced.
History.-s. 25, ch. 73-128; s. 11, ch. 74 200; s. 60, ch. 77-175; s. 3, ch. 78-403; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2,
ch. 83-265; s. 39, ch. 84-302; s. 20, ch. 89-256; ss. 5, 14, 15, ch. 90-338; s. 21, ch. 90-360; s. 18, ch. 91-
107; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 26, ch. 96-406; s. 49, ch. 97-13; s. 34, ch. 98-129; s. 21, ch. 2004-252; s. 48, ch.
2007-30.
106.26 Powers of commission; rights and responsibilities of parties; findings by
commission.-
(1) The commission shall, pursuant to rules adopted and published in accordance
with chapter 120, consider all sworn complaints filed with it and all matters reported to it
by the Division of Elections. In order to carry out the responsibilities prescribed by this
chapter, the commission is empowered to subpoena and bring before it, or its duly
authorized representatives, any person in the state, or any person doing business in the
state, or any person who has filed or is required to have filed any application, document,
papers, or other information with an office or agency of this state or a political
subdivision thereof and to require the production of any papers, books, or other records
relevant to any investigation, including the records and accounts of any bank or trust
company doing business in this state. Duly authorized representatives of the commission
are empowered to administer all oaths and affirmations in the manner prescribed by law
to witnesses who shall appear before them concerning any relevant matter. Should any
witness fail to respond to the lawful subpoena of the commission or, having responded,
fail to answer all lawful inquiries or to turn over evidence that has been subpoenaed, the
73
commission may file a complaint before any circuit court of the state setting up such
failure on the part of the witness. On the filing of such complaint, the court shall take
jurisdiction of the witness and the subject matter of said complaint and shall direct the
witness to respond to all lawful questions and to produce all documentary evidence in the
witness's possession which is lawfully demanded. The failure of any witness to comply
with such order of the court shall constitute a direct and criminal contempt of court, and
the court shall punish said witness accordingly. However, the refusal by a witness to
answer inquiries or turn over evidence on the basis that such testimony or material will
tend to incriminate such witness shall not be deemed refusal to comply with the
provisions of this chapter. The sheriffs in the several counties shall make such service
and execute all process or orders when required by the commission. Sheriffs shall be paid
for these services by the commission as provided for in s. 30.231.. Any person who is
served- with a subpoena to attend a hearing of the commission also shall be served with a
general statement informing him or her of the subject matter of the commission's
investigation or inquiry and a notice that he or she maybe accompanied at the hearing by
counsel. of his or her own .choosing.
(2) All witnesses summoned before the commission, other than on .the request of the
subject of a hearing, shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem at the
rates provided in s. 112.061. However, the fact that such reimbursement is not tendered at
the time the subpoena is served shall not excuse the witness from appearing as directed
therein.
(3) Upon request of any person having business before the commission, and with
the approval of a majority of the commission, the chair or, in the chair's absence, the vice
chair shall instruct all witnesses to leave the hearing room and retire to a designated
place. The witness will be instructed by the chair or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair
not to discuss his or her testimony or the testimony of any other person with anyone until
the hearing has been adjourned and the witness discharged by the chair. The witness shall
be further instructed that should any person discuss or attempt to discuss the matter under
investigation, with-him or her after receiving such instructions the witness shall bring such
matter to .the attention of the commission. No member of the commission or
representative thereof may discuss any matter or matters pertinent to the subject matter
under investigation with witnesses to be called before the commission from the time that
these instructions are :given until the hearing has been adjourned and the witness
discharged by the chair.
(4) The commission, when interrogating witnesses as provided herein, shall cause a
record to be made of all proceedings in which testimony or other evidence is demanded
or adduced. This record shall include rulings of the chair, questions of the commission
and its counsel, testimony or responses of witnesses, sworn written statements submitted
to the commission, and all other pertinent matters. A witness at a hearing, upon his or her
advance request and at his or her own expense, shall be furnished a certified transcript of
all testimony taken at the hearing.
(5) Before or during a hearing, any person noticed to appear before the commission,
or the person's counsel, may file with the commission, for incorporation into the record
of the hearing, sworn written statements relevant to the purpose, subject matter, and
scope of the commission's investigation or inquiry. Any such person shall, however,
74
prior to filing such statement, consent to answer questions from the commission
regarding the contents of the statement.
(6) Any person whose name is mentioned or who is otherwise identified during a
hearing being conducted by the commission and who, in the opinion of the commission,
maybe adversely affected thereby may, upon his or her request or upon the request of
any member of the commission, appear personally before the commission and testify on
his or her own behalf or, with the commission's consent, file a sworn written statement of
facts or other documentary evidence for incorporation into the record of the hearing. Any
such person shall, however, prior to filing such statement, consent to answer questions
from the commission regarding the contents of the statement. .
(7) Upon the consent of a majority of its members, the commission may permit any
other person to appear .and testify at a .hearing or submit a sworn written statement of
facts or other documentary evidence for incorporation into the record thereof. No request
to appear, appearance, or submission shall limit in any way the commission's power of
subpoena. Any such person shall, however, prior to filing such statement, consent to
answer questions from the commission regarding the contents of the statement.
(8) Any person who appears before the commission pursuant to this section shall
have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a witness appearing before a court of
competent jurisdiction.
(9) If the commission fails in any material respect to comply with the requirements
of this section, any person subject to subpoena or subpoena duces tecum who is injured
by such failure shall be relieved of any requirement to attend the hearing for which. the
subpoena was issued or, if present, to testify or produce evidence therein; and such failure
shall be a complete defense in any proceeding against such person for contempt or other
punishment.
(10) Whoever willfully affirms or swears falsely in regard to any material matter or
thing before the commission shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree and punished
as provided by s. 775.082, s. 775.083; or s. 775.084.
(11) At the conclusion of its hearings concerning an alleged violation, the
commission shall immediately begin deliberations on the evidence presented at such
hearings and shall proceed to determine by affirmative vote of a majority of the members
present whether a violation of this chapter or chapter 104 has occurred. Such
determination shall promptly be made public. The order shall contain a f nding of
violation or no violation, together with brief findings of pertinent facts, and the
assessment of such civil penalties as are permitted by this chapter or no such assessment
and shall bear the signature or facsimile signature of the chair or vice chair.
(12) The commission by rule may determine violations which constitute minor
offenses that can be resolved without further investigation by means of a plea of nolo
contendere and payment of a fine.
(13) The commission may not issue advisory opinions and must, in all its
deliberations and decisions, adhere to statutory law and advisory opinions of the division.
History.-s. 26, ch. 73-128; s. 12, ch. 74-200; s. 60, ch. 77-175; s. 4, ch. 78-403; s. 64, ch. 79-400; s.
1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 21, ch. 89-256; ss. 6, 14, 15, ch. 90-338; s. 74, ch. 91-45; s. 5, ch. 91-429;
s. 2, ch. 94-170; s. 1396, ch. 95-147; s. 50, ch. 97-13; s. 35, ch. 98-129.
106.265 Civil penalties.-
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(1) The commission is authorized upon the finding of a violation of this chapter or
chapter 104 to impose civil penalties in the form of fines not to exceed $1,000 per count.
In determining the amount of such civil penalties, the commission shall consider, among
other mitigating and aggravating circumstances:
(a) The gravity of the act or omission;
(b) Any previous history of similar acts or omissions;
(c) The appropriateness of such penalty to the financial resources of the person,
political committee, committee of continuous existence, or political party; and
(d) Whether the person, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or
political party has shown good faith in attempting to comply with the provisions of this
chapter or chapter 104.
(2) If any person, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or
political parry fails or refuses to pay to the commission any civil penalties assessed
pursuant to the provisions of this section, the commission shall be responsible for
collecting the civil penalties resulting from such action.
(3) Any civil penalty collected pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be
deposited into the lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any fine assessed pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter, which fine is designated to be deposited or which would
otherwise be deposited into the General Revenue Fund of the state, shall be deposited
into the lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund.,
(5) In any case in which the commission determines that a person has filed a
complaint against another person with a malicious intent to injure the reputation of the
person complained against by filing the complaint with knowledge that the complaint
contains one or more false allegations or with reckless disregard for whether the
complaint contains false allegations of fact material to a violation of this chapter or
chapter 104, the complainant shall be liable for costs and reasonable attorney's fees
incurred in the defense of the person complained against, including the costs and
reasonable attorney's fees incurred in proving entitlement to and the amount of costs and
fees. If the complainant fails to pay such costs and fees voluntarily within 30 days
following such finding by the commission, the commission shall forward such
information to the Department of Legal Affairs, which shall bring a civil action in a court
of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of such costs and fees awarded by the
commission.
History.-s. 61, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 4, ch. 86-276; ss. 7, 14, 15, ch. 90-338;
s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 51, ch. 97-13; s. 36, ch. 98-129; s. 3, ch. 2000-355; s. 22, ch. 2004-252.
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.27 Determinations by commission; legal disposition.-
(1) Criminal proceedings for violations of this chapter or chapter 104 may be
brought in the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. Any such action brought under
this chapter or chapter 104 shall be advanced on the docket of the court in which filed
and put ahead of all other actions.
(2) Civil actions may be brought by the commission for relief, including permanent
or temporary injunctions, restraining orders, or any other appropriate order for the
imposition of civil penalties provided by this chapter. Such civil actions shall be brought
76
by the commission in the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction, and the venue shall
be in the county in which the alleged violation occurred or in which the alleged violator
or violators are found, reside, or transact business. Upon a proper showing that such
person, political committee, committee of continuous .existence, or political party has
engaged, or is about to engage, in prohibited acts or practices, a permanent or temporary
injunction, restraining order, or other order .shall be granted without bond by such court,
and the civil fines provided by this chapter may be imposed.
(3) Civil actions maybe brought to enjoin temporarily the issuance of certificates of
election to successful candidates who are alleged to have violated the provisions of this
chapter or chapter 104. Such injunctions shall issue upon a showing of probable cause
that such violation has occurred. Such actions shall be brought in the circuit court for the
circuit in which is located the officer before whom the candidate qualified for office.
History.-s. 27, ch. 73-128; s. 13, ch. 74-200; s. 62, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; ss. 8,
14, 15, ch. 90-338; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 37, ch. 98-129.
.106.28 Limitation of actions.-Actions for violation of this chapter must be
commenced before 2 years have elapsed from the date of the violation.
History.-s. 28, ch. 73-128; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 22, ch. 89-256; s. 14, ch. 90-338.
106.29 Reports by political parties; restrictions on contributions and
expenditures; penalties.-
(1) The state .executive committee and each county executive committee of each
political party regulated by chapter 103 shall file regular reports of all contributions
received and all expenditures made by such committee. Such reports shall contain the
same information as do reports required of candidates by s. 106.07 and shall be filed on
the 10th day following the end of each calendar quarter, except that, during the period
from the last day for candidate qualifying until the general election, such reports shall be
filed on the Friday immediately preceding both the primary election and the general
election. In addition to the reports filed under this section, the state executive committee
and each county executive committee shall file a copy of each prior written acceptance of
an in-kind, contribution given by the committee during the preceding calendar quarter as
required under s. 106.08(6). Each state executive committee shall file the original and one
copy of its reports, with the Division of Elections. Each county executive committee shall
file. its reports with the supervisor of elections in the county in which such committee
exists. Any state or county executive committee failing to file a report on the designated
due date shall be subject to a fine as provided in subsection (3). No separate fine shall be
assessed for failure to file a copy of any report required by this section.
(2) The chair and treasurer of each state or .county executive committee shall certify
as to the correctness of each report filed by them on behalf of such committee. Any
committee chair or treasurer who certifies the correctness of any report while knowing
that such -report is incorrect, false, or incomplete commits a felony of the third degree,
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3)(a) Any state or county executive committee failing to file a report on the
designated due date shall be subject to a fine as provided in paragraph (b) for each late
day. The fine shall be assessed by the filing officer, and the moneys collected shall be
deposited in the General Revenue Fund.
77
(b) Upon determining that a report is late, the filing officer shall immediately notify
the chair of the executive committee as to the failure to file a report by the designated due
date and that a fine is being assessed for each late day. The fine .shall be $1,000 for a state
executive committee, and $50 for a county executive committee, per day for each late
day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater,
for the period covered by the late report. However, if an executive committee fails to file
a report on the Friday immediately preceding the general election, the fine shall be
$10,000 per day for each day a state executive committee is late and $500 per day for
each day a county executive committee is late. Upon receipt of the report, the filing
officer shall determine the amount of the fine which is due and shall notify the chair. The
filing officer shall determine the amount of the fine due based upon the earliest of the
following:
l . When the report is actually received by such officer.
2. When the report is postmarked.
3. .When the certificate of mailing is dated.
4. When the receipt from an established courier company is dated.
5. When the electronic receipt issued pursuant to s. 106.0705 is dated.
Such fine shall be paid to the filing officer within 20 days after receipt of the notice of
payment due, unless appeal is made to the Florida Elections Commission pursuant to
paragraph (c). An officer or member of an executive committee shall not be personally
liable for such fine.
(c) The chair of an executive committee may appeal or dispute the fine, based upon
unusual circumstances surrounding the. failure to file on the designated due date, and may
request and shall be entitled to a hearing before the Florida Elections Commission, which
shall have the authority to waive the fine in whole or in part. Any such request shall be
made within 20 days after receipt of the notice of payment due. In such case, the chair of
the executive committee shall, within the 20-day period, notify the filing officer in
writing of his or her intention to bring the -matter before the commission.
(d) The appropriate filing officer shall notify the Florida Elections Commission of
the repeated late filing by an executive committee, the failure of an executive committee
to file a report after notice, or the failure to pay the fine imposed.
(4) Any contribution received by a state or county executive committee less than 5
days before an election shall not be used or expended in behalf of any candidate, issue, or
political party participating in such election.
(5) No state or county executive committee, in the furtherance of any candidate or
political party, directly or indirectly, shall give, pay, or expend any money, give or pay
anything of value, authorize any expenditure, or become pecuniarily liable for any
expenditure prohibited by this chapter. However, the contribution of funds by one
executive committee to another or to established party organizations for legitimate party
or campaign purposes is not prohibited, but all such contributions shall be recorded and
accounted for in the reports of the contributor and recipient.
(6)(a) The national, state, -and county executive committees of a political party may
not contribute to any candidate any amount in excess of the limits contained in s.
106.08(2), and all contributions required to be reported under s. 106.08(2) by the national
78
executive committee of a political party shall be reported by the state executive
committee of .that political party.
(b) A violation of the contribution limits contained in s. 106.08(2) is a misdemeanor
of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A civil penalty
equal to three times the amount in excess of the limits contained in s. 106.08(2) shall be
assessed against any executive committee found in violation thereof.
History.-s. 29, ch. 73-128; s. 14, ch. 74-200; s. 62, ch. 77-175; s. 65, ch. 79-400; ss, 14, 33, ch. 81-
304; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 13, ch. 82-143; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 40, ch. 84-302; s. 23, ch. 89-256; s. 39, ch. 90-
315; ss. 10, 14, ch. 90-338; ss. 8, 12, ch. 91-107; s. 3, ch. 95-140; s. 653, ch. 95-147; s. 8, ch. 97-13; ss. 23,
24, ch. 2004-252; s. 26, ch. 2005-286; s. 2, ch. 2005-360.
106.295 Leadership fund.-
(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Leadership .fund" means accounts comprised of any moneys contributed to a
political party, directly or indirectly, which are designated to be used at the partial or total
discretion of a leader.
(b) "Leader" means the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the majority leader and the minority leader of each house, and any
person designated by a political caucus of members of either house to succeed to any
such position.
(2) Leadership funds are prohibited in this state. No leader shall accept any
leadership funds.
(3) This section applies to leadership funds in existence on or after January 1, 1990.
History.-s. 24, ch. 89-256.
106.30 Short title.-Sections 106.30-106.36 may be cited as the "Florida Election
Campaign Financing Act."
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276.
106.31 Legislative intent: The Legislature finds that the costs of running an
effective campaign for statewide office have reached a level which tends to discourage
persons from becoming candidates and to limit the persons who run for such office to
those who are independently wealthy, who are supported by political committees
representing special interests which are able to generate substantial campaign
contributions, or who must appeal to special interest groups for campaign contributions.
The Legislature further fords that campaign contributions generated by such political
committees are having a disproportionate impact vis-a-vis contributions from unaffiliated
individuals, which leads to the misperception of government officials unduly influenced
by those special interests to the detriment of the public interest. Furthermore, it is the
intent of the Legislature that the purpose of public campaign financing is to make
candidates more responsive to the voters of the State of Florida and as insulated as
possible from special interest groups. The Legislature intends ss. 106.30-106.36 to
alleviate these factors, dispel the misperception, and encourage qualif ed persons to seek
statewide elective office who would not, or could not otherwise do so and to protect the
effective competition by a candidate who uses public funding.
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 67, ch. 2001-40.
79
106.32 lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund.-
(1) There is hereby established in the State Treasury an 1 Election Campaign
Financing Trust-Fund to be utilized by the Department of State as provided in ss. 106.30-
106.36. If necessary, each year in which a general election is to be held for the election of
the Governor and Cabinet, additional funds shall be transferred to the lElection
Campaign Financing Trust Fund from general revenue in an amount sufficient to fund
qualifying candidates pursuant to the provisions of ss. 106.30-106.36.
(2) Proceeds from filing fees pursuant to ss. 99.092, 99.093, and 105.031 shall be
deposited into the lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund as designated in those
sections.
(3) Proceeds from assessments pursuant to ss. 106.04, 106.07, and 106.29 shall be
deposited into the lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund as designated in those
sections.
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 19, ch. 91-107.
'Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.33 Election campaign financing; eligibility.-Each candidate for the office of
Governor or member of the Cabinet who desires to receive contributions from the
Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund shall, upon qualifying for office, file a request
for such contributions with the filing officer on forms provided by the Division of
Elections. If a candidate requesting contributions from the fund desires to have such
funds distributed by electronic fund transfers, the request shall include information
necessary to .implement that procedure. For the purposes of ss. 106.30-106.36, candidates
for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket shall be considered as a single
candidate. To be eligible to receive contributions from the fund, a candidate may not be
an unopposed candidate as defined in s. 106.011(15) and must:
(1) Agree to abide by the expenditure limits provided in s. 106.34.
(2)(a) Raise contributions as follows:
1. One hundred fifty thousand dollars for a candidate for Governor.
2. One hundred thousand dollars for a candidate for Cabinet office.
(b) .Contributions from individuals who at the time of contributing are not state
residents may not be used to meet the threshold amounts in paragraph (a). For purposes
of this paragraph, any person validly registered. to vote in this state shall be considered a
state resident.
(3) Limit loans or contributions from the candidate's personal funds to $25,000 and
contributions from national, state, and county executive committees of a political party to
$250,000 in the aggregate, which loans or contributions shall not qualify for meeting the
threshold amounts in subsection (2).
(4) Submit to a postelection audit.of the campaign account by the division.
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 40, ch. 90-315; s. 20, ch. 91-107; s. 68; ch. 2001-40; s. 47, ch. 2005-278.
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.34 Expenditure limits.-
80
(1) Any candidate for Governor and Lieutenant Governor or Cabinet officer who
requests contributions from the lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund shall limit his
or her total expenditures as follows:
(a) Governor and Lieutenant Governor: $2.00 for each Florida-registered voter..
(b) Cabinet officer: $1.00 for each Florida-registered voter.
(2) The expenditure limit for any candidate with primary election opposition only
shall be 60 percent of the limit provided in subsection (1).
{3) For purposes of -this section, "Florida-registered voter" means a voter who is
registered to vote in Florida as of June 30 of each odd-numbered year. The Division of
Elections shall certify the total number of Florida-registered voters no later than July 31
of each odd-numbered year. Such total number shall be calculated by adding the number
of registered voters in each county as of June 30 in the year of the certification date. For
the 2006 general election, the Division of Elections shall certify the total number of
Florida-registered voters by July 31, 2005.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the term "expenditure" does not include the
payment of compensation for legal and accounting services rendered on behalf of a
candidate.
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 41, ch. 90-315; s. 21, ch. 91-107; s. 654,,ch. 95-147; s. 48, ch. 2005-278.
'Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.35 Distribution of funds.-
(1) .The division shall review each request for contributions from the l Election
Campaign Financing Trust Fund and certify whether the candidate is eligible for such
contributions. Notice of the certification decision shall be provided to the candidate. An
adverse decision may be appealed to the Florida Elections Commission. The division
shall adopt rules providing a procedure for such appeals.
(2)(a) Each candidate who has been certified to receive contributions from the
lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund shall be entitled to distribution of funds as
follows:
1. For qualifying matching contributions making up all or any portion of the
threshold amounts specified in s. 106.33(2), distribution shall be on a two-to-one basis.
2. For all other qualifying matching contributions, .distribution shall be on a one-to-
one basis.
(b) Qualifying matching contributions are those of $250 or less from an individual,
made after September l of the calendar year prior to the election. Any contribution
received from an individual who is not a state resident at the time the contribution is
made shall not be considered a qualifying matching contribution. For purposes of this
paragraph, any person validly registered to vote in this state shall be considered a state
resident. Aggregate contributions from an individual in excess of $250 will be matched
only up to $250. A contribution from an individual, if made by check, must be drawn on
the personal bank account of the. individual making the contribution, as opposed to any
form of business account, regardless of whether the business account is for a corporation,
partnership, sole proprietorship, .trust, or other form of business arrangement. For
contributions made by check from a personal joint account, the match shall only be for
the individual who actually signs the check.
81
(3)(a) Certification and distribution of funds shall be based on contributions to the
candidate reported to the division for such purpose. The division shall review each report
and verify the amount of funds to be distributed prior to authorizing the release of funds.
The division may prescribe separate reporting forms for candidates for Governor and
Cabinet officer.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 106.11, a candidate who is eligible for a
distribution of funds based upon qualifying matching contributions received and certified
to the division on the report due on the 4th day prior to the election, may obligate funds
-not to exceed the amount which the campaign treasurer's report shows the candidate is
eligible to receive from the IElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund without the funds
actually being on deposit in the campaign account.
(4) Distribution of funds shall be made beginning on the 32nd day prior to the
primary and every 7 days thereafter.
(5) The division shall adopt rules providing for the weekly reports and certification
and distribution of funds pursuant thereto required by this section. Such rules shall, at a
minimum, provide for:
(a) Specifications for printed campaign treasurer's reports outlining the format for
such reports, including size of paper, typeface, color of print, and placement of required
information on the form.
(b)1. Specifications for electronically transmitted campaign treasurer's reports
outlining communication parameters and protocol, data record formats, and provisions
for ensuring security of data and transmission.
2. All electronically transmitted campaign treasurer's reports must also be filed in
printed format. Printed format shall not include campaign treasurer's reports submitted by.
electronic facsimile transmission:
History -s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 25, ch. 89-256; s. 42, ch. 90-315; s: 22, ch. 91-107; s. 69, ch. 2001-40; s.
49, ch. 2007-30.
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.353 Candidates voluntarily abiding by election campaign financing limits
but not requesting public funds; irrevocable statement required; penalty.-
(1) Not later than qualifying for office, each candidate for the office of Governor or
member of the Cabinet who has not made a request to receive contributions from the
lElection Campaign Financing Trust Fund, but who wishes to voluntarily abide by the
applicable expenditure limit set forth in s. 106.34 and the contribution limits on personal
and-party funds set forth in s. 106.33, shall file an irrevocable statement to that effect
with the Secretary of State.
(2) Any candidate who files such a statement and subsequently exceeds such limits
shall ,pay to the 'Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund an amount equal to the amount
of the excess contributions or expenditures. Such penalty shall not be an allowable
campaign expense and shall be paid from personal funds of the candidate. However, if a
nonparticipating candidate exceeds the expenditure limit as described in s. 106.355, a
candidate signing the statement pursuant to this section may exceed the applicable
expenditure limit to the extent the nonparticipating candidate exceeded the limit without
being subject to a penalty.
History.-s. 23, ch. 91`-107.
82
1Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.355 Nonparticipating candidate exceeding limits.-Whenever a candidate
for the office of Governor or member of the Cabinet who has elected not to participate in
election campaign financing under the provisions of ss. 106.30-106.36 exceeds the
applicable expenditure limit provided in s. 106.34, all opposing candidates participating
in such election campaign financing are, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 106.33 or
any other provision requiring adherence to such limit, released from such expenditure
limit to the extent the nonparticipating candidate exceeded the limit, are still eligible for
matching contributions up to such limit, and shall not be required to reimburse any
matching funds provided pursuant thereto. In addition, the Department of State shall,
within 7 days after a request by a participating candidate, provide such candidate with
funds from the Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund equal to the amount by which
the nonparticipating candidate exceeded the expenditure limit, not to exceed twice the
amount of the maximum expenditure limits specified in s. 106.34(1)(a) and (b), which
funds shall not be considered matching funds.
History.-s. 24, ch: 91-107.
1Note.-The trust-fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(f), Art. III of the
State Constitution.
106.36 Penalties; Vines.-In addition to any other penalties which may be
applicable under the election code, any candidate who receives contributions from the
Election Campaigr Financing Trust Fund and .who exceeds the applicable expenditure
limit, except as authorized in ss. 106.353 and 106.355, or falsely reports qualifying
matching contributions and thereby receives contributions from the lElection Campaign
Financing Trust Fund to which the candidate was not entitled shall be fined an amount
equal to three times the amount at issue, which shall be deposited in the lElection
Campaign Financing Trust Fund.
History.-s. 1, ch. 86-276; s. 11, ch. 90-338; s. 25, ch. 91-107; s. 655, ch. 95-147.
'Note.-The trust fund expired, effective November 4, 1996, by operation of s. 19(fj, Art. III of the
State Constitution.
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