This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0385.CRM
DATE: 11/23/2021
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 385 Pub. Rec./Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel Offices
SPONSOR(S): Maney
TIED BILLS: HB 383 IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 598
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee Padgett Hall
2) Government Operations Subcommittee
3) Judiciary Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (CCCRC) was created by the Legislature in 2007 to
provide legal representation to indigent persons that are constitutionally entitled to court-appointed counsel.
The CCCRC primarily provides representation in three types of cases:
Criminal cases in which the public defender must withdraw due to a conflict of interest;
Dependency cases; and
Involuntary civil commitment cases involving a mentally ill person, sexually violent predator, or a person
with developmental disabilities.
In representing a defendant in a criminal case, the CCCRC performs similar functions to that of a traditional
public defender. To effectively represent a client in a criminal proceeding, both the public defender and
CCCRC employ investigators to research cases and conduct interviews with witnesses.
Section 320.025, F.S., authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to issue a
confidential registration certificate and registration license plate or decal under a fictitious name for a motor
vehicle or vessel owned or operated by:
A law enforcement agency of state, county, municipal, or federal government;
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; or
Any state public defender’s office.
All records relating to the registration application are exempt from disclosure under the public records
provisions in s. 119.07(1), F.S., and article I, section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution.
HB 383 (2022), to which this bill is linked, authorizes CCCRC to register a vehicle or vessel under a fictitious
name with DHSMV and receive a license plate or decal based on such fictitious name; providing CCCRC with
the same protections and confidentiality enjoyed by a public defender’s office. This bill expands the existing
public records exemption in s. 320.025, F.S., to exempt all records relating to the registration application made
by CCCRC to DHSMV from disclosure for as long as such information is retained by DHSMV.
This bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and stands repealed on October 2, 2027,
unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state or local governments.
The bill will become effective on the same date that HB 383 (2022) or similar legislation takes effect, if such
legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes law.
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the members present
and voting for final passage of a newly created or expanded public record or public meeting
exemption. The bill expands a public record exemption; thus, it requires a two-thirds vote for final
passage. STORAGE NAME: h0385.CRM PAGE: 2
DATE: 11/23/2021
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Public Records
Article I, section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution sets forth the state’s public policy regarding access to
government records. The section guarantees every person a right to inspect or copy any public record
of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The Legislature, however, may
provide by general law for the exemption of records from the requirements of article I, section 24(a) of
the Florida Constitution.
1
The general law must state with specificity the public necessity justifying the
exemption and must be no broader than necessary to accomplish its purpose.
2
Public policy regarding access to government records is addressed further in s. 119.07(1)(a), F.S.,
which guarantees every person a right to inspect and copy any state, county, or municipal record,
unless the record is exempt. Furthermore, the Open Government Sunset Review Act (Act)
3
provides
that a public record or public meeting exemption may be created or maintained only if it serves an
identifiable public purpose and the “Legislature finds that the purpose is sufficiently compelling to
override the strong public policy of open government and cannot be accomplished without the
exemption.”
4
In addition, the exemption may be no broader than is necessary to meet one of the
following purposes:
5
Allowing the state or its political subdivisions to effectively and efficiently administer a
governmental program, which administration would be significantly impaired without the
exemption;
Protecting sensitive personal information that, if released, would be defamatory or would
jeopardize an individual’s safety; however, only the identity of an individual may be exempted
under this provision; or
Protect trade or business secrets.
The Act also requires the automatic repeal of a public record exemption on October 2nd of the fifth year
after its creation or substantial amendment, unless the Legislature reenacts the exemption. When
considering reenacting an exemption, the Act directs the Legislature to carefully question the purpose
and necessity of reenacting the exemption. If continued and expanded, the exemption requires a public
necessity statement and a two-thirds vote of the members present.
When creating a public records exemption, the Legislature may provide that a record is “exempt” or
“confidential and exempt.” If records are designated as “exempt” the records’ custodian cannot be
compelled to disclose the record to another person.
6
However, if records are designated as
“confidential and exempt” the records’ custodian cannot be compelled to disclose the record and is also
prohibited from voluntarily disclosing the records except under circumstances specifically defined by
the Legislature.
7
Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel
1
Art. I, s. 24(c), Fla. Const.
2
Id.
3
S. 119.15, F.S.
4
S. 119.15(6)(b), F.S.
5
Id.
6
See Williams v. City of Minneola, 575 So. 2d 683, 687 (Fla. 5th DCA 1991).
7
See WFTV, Inc. v. The School Board of Seminole, 874 So. 2d 48 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004). STORAGE NAME: h0385.CRM PAGE: 3
DATE: 11/23/2021
The Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (CCCRC) was created by the Legislature in
2007 to provide legal representation to indigent persons that are constitutionally entitled to court-
appointed counsel.
8
The CCCRC primarily provides representation in three types of cases:
Criminal cases in which the public defender must withdraw due to a conflict of interest;
Dependency cases; and
Involuntary civil commitment cases involving a mentally ill person, sexually violent predator, or a
person with developmental disabilities.
In representing a defendant in a criminal case, the CCCRC performs similar functions to that of a
traditional public defender. To effectively represent a client in a criminal proceeding, both the public
defender and CCCRC employ investigators to research cases and conduct interviews with witnesses.
9
Confidential Motor Vehicle Registration
Section 320.025, F.S., authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to
issue a confidential registration certificate and registration license plate or decal under a fictitious name
for a motor vehicle or vessel owned or operated by:
A law enforcement agency of state, county, municipal, or federal government;
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; or
Any state public defender’s office.
10
To register a motor vehicle or vessel under a fictitious name, the law enforcement agency, Fraud
Control Unit, or public defender’s office must file a written application with DHSMV affirming the license
plate or decal will be used for activities that require concealment of the true owner of the vehicle and
listing individuals who are authorized to use the vehicle.
11
All records relating to the registration
application are exempt from disclosure under the public records provisions in s. 119.07(1), F.S., and
article I, section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution.
12
Effect of Proposed Changes
HB 383 (2022), to which this bill is linked, authorizes CCCRC to register a vehicle or vessel under a
fictitious name with DHSMV and receive a license plate or decal based on such fictitious name. This
provides CCCRC with the same protections and confidentiality enjoyed by a public defender’s office,
which performs a virtually identical function. This bill expands the existing public records exemption in
s. 320.025, F.S., to exempt all records relating to the registration application made by CCCRC to
DHSMV from disclosure for as long as such information is retained by DHSMV.
The bill provides the public records exemption is a public necessity because:
Investigations by CCCRC may be jeopardized if a vehicle was registered in the name of the
CCCRC or in the name of an investigator; or
A person under investigation may use registration information to retaliate against a CCCRC
office or its investigators.
This bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and stands repealed on October 2,
2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
The bill will become effective on the same date that HB 383 (2022) or similar legislation takes effect, if
such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes law.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 320.025, F.S., relating to registration certificate and license plate or decal issued
8
Ch. 2007-62, Laws of Fla.
9
S. 27.53(1) and (4), F.S.
10
S. 320.025(1), F.S.
11
Id.
12
S. 320.025(3), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h0385.CRM PAGE: 4
DATE: 11/23/2021
under fictitious name; application.
Section 2: Provides a public necessity statement.
Section 3: Provides that the bill is effective on the same date that HB 383 (2022) or similar legislation
takes effect.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNME NT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. The bill does not appear to affect county or municipal governments.
2. Other:
Vote Requirement
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the members present
and voting for final passage of a newly created or expanded public record or public meeting
exemption. The bill expands a public record exemption; thus, it requires a two-thirds vote for final
passage.
Public Necessity Statement
Article I, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a public necessity statement for a newly
created or expanded public record or public meeting exemption. The bill expands a public record
exemption; thus, it includes a public necessity statement.
Breadth of Exemption
STORAGE NAME: h0385.CRM PAGE: 5
DATE: 11/23/2021
Article 1, section 24(c) of the Florida Constitution requires a newly created or expanded public record
or public meeting exemption to be no broader than necessary to accomplish the stated purpose of
the law. The bill expands the public records exemption to include applications by CCCRC for
confidential registration certificates and license plates and decals for vehicles owned by CCCRC.
The CCCRC employees that are eligible to operate the vehicle must be specified in the application to
DHSMV. The exemption does not appear to be broader than necessary to accomplish the purpose of
the exemption.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
Not applicable.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES