The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Commerce and Tourism
BILL: SB 552
INTRODUCER: Senator Hooper
SUBJECT: Public Records/Broadband Opportunity Program
DATE: March 10, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Renner McKay CM Pre-meeting
2. GO
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 552 makes confidential and exempt from public record inspection and copying requirements
for certain information relating to communications services locations, project proposals, and
challenges submitted to the Department of Economic Opportunity under the Broadband
Opportunity Program.
The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will stand repealed on
October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
The bill provides a statement of public necessity as required by the State Constitution.
The bill creates a new public records exemption and, therefore, requires a two-thirds vote of the
members present and voting for final passage.
The bill may have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Economic Opportunity for
incurring costs related to the redaction of records in responding to public records requests.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.
II. Present Situation:
Access to Public Records - Generally
The Florida Constitution provides that the public has the right to inspect or copy records made or
received in connection with official governmental business.
1
The right to inspect or copy applies
to the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, including all three
1
FLA. CONST. art. I, s. 24(a).
REVISED: BILL: SB 552 Page 2
branches of state government, local governmental entities, and any person acting on behalf of the
government.
2
Additional requirements and exemptions related to public records are found in various statutes
and rules, depending on the branch of government involved. For instance, s. 11.0431, F.S.,
provides public access requirements for legislative records. Relevant exemptions are codified in
s. 11.0431(2)-(3), F.S., and adopted in the rules of each house of the legislature.
3
Florida Rule of
Judicial Administration 2.420 governs public access to judicial branch records.
4
Lastly, ch. 119,
F.S., known as the Public Records Act, provides requirements for public records held by
executive agencies.
Executive Agency Records – The Public Records Act
The Public Records Act provides that all state, county and municipal records are open for
personal inspection and copying by any person, and that providing access to public records is a
duty of each agency.
5
Section 119.011(12), F.S., defines “public records” to include:
All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films,
sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of
the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or
received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connections with the transaction
of official business by any agency.
The Florida Supreme Court has interpreted this definition to encompass all materials made or
received by an agency in connection with official business that are used to “perpetuate,
communicate, or formalize knowledge of some type.”
6
The Florida Statutes specify conditions under which public access to public records must be
provided. The Public Records Act guarantees every person’s right to inspect and copy any public
record at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the
custodian of the public record.
7
A violation of the Public Records Act may result in civil or
criminal liability.
8
2
Id.
3
See Rule 1.48, Rules and Manual of the Florida Senate, (2022-2024) and Rule 14.1, Rules of the Florida House of
Representatives, Edition 1, (2022-2024)
4
State v. Wooten, 260 So. 3d 1060 (Fla. 4
th
DCA 2018).
5
Section 119.01(1), F.S. Section 119.011(2), F.S., defines “agency” as “any state, county, district, authority, or municipal
officer, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other separate unit of government created or established by law
including, for the purposes of this chapter, the Commission on Ethics, the Public Service Commission, and the Office of
Public Counsel, and any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf
of any public agency.”
6
Shevin v. Byron, Harless, Schaffer, Reid and Assoc., Inc., 379 So. 2d 633, 640 (Fla. 1980).
7
Section 119.07(1)(a), F.S.
8
Section 119.10, F.S. Public records laws are found throughout the Florida Statutes, as are the penalties for violating those
laws. BILL: SB 552 Page 3
The Legislature may exempt public records from public access requirements by passing a
general law by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate.
9
The exemption must state
with specificity the public necessity justifying the exemption and must be no broader than
necessary to accomplish the stated purpose of the exemption.
10
General exemptions from the public records requirements are contained in the Public Records
Act.
11
Specific exemptions often are placed in the substantive statutes relating to a particular
agency or program.
12
When creating a public records exemption, the Legislature may provide that a record is “exempt”
or “confidential and exempt.” There is a difference between records the Legislature has
determined to be exempt from the Public Records Act and those which the Legislature has
determined to be exempt from the Public Records Act and confidential.
13
Records designated as
“confidential and exempt” are not subject to inspection by the public and may only be released
under the circumstances defined by statute.
14
Records designated as “exempt” may be released at
the discretion of the records custodian under certain circumstances.
15
Open Government Sunset Review Act
The provisions of s. 119.15, F.S., known as the Open Government Sunset Review Act
16
(the
Act), prescribe a legislative review process for newly created or substantially amended
17
public
records or open meetings exemptions, with specified exceptions.
18
The Act requires the repeal of
such exemption on October 2nd of the fifth year after creation or substantial amendment, unless
the Legislature reenacts the exemption.
19
The Act provides that a public records or open meetings exemption may be created or
maintained only if it serves an identifiable public purpose and is no broader than is necessary.
20
An exemption serves an identifiable purpose if it meets one of the following purposes and the
9
FLA. CONST. art. I, s. 24(c).
10
Id. See, e.g., Halifax Hosp. Medical Center v. News-Journal Corp., 724 So. 2d 567 (Fla. 1999) (holding that a public
meetings exemption was unconstitutional because the statement of public necessity did not define important terms and did
not justify the breadth of the exemption); Baker County Press, Inc. v. Baker County Medical Services, Inc., 870 So. 2d 189
(Fla. 1st DCA 2004) (holding that a statutory provision written to bring another party within an existing public records
exemption is unconstitutional without a public necessity statement).
11
See, e.g., s. 119.071(1)(a), F.S. (exempting from public disclosure examination questions and answer sheets of
examinations administered by a governmental agency for the purpose of licensure).
12
See, e.g., s. 213.053(2)(a), F.S. (exempting from public disclosure information contained in tax returns received by the
Department of Revenue).
13
WFTV, Inc. v. The Sch. Bd. of Seminole County, 874 So. 2d 48, 53 (Fla. 5
th
DCA 2004).
14
Id.
15
Williams v. City of Minneola, 575 So. 2d 683 (Fla. 5th DCA 1991).
16
Section 119.15, F.S.
17
An exemption is considered to be substantially amended if it is expanded to include more records or information or to
include meetings as well as records. Section 119.15(4)(b), F.S.
18
Section 119.15(2)(a) and (b), F.S., provides that exemptions required by federal law or applicable solely to the Legislature
or the State Court System are not subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act.
19
Section 119.15(3), F.S.
20
Section 119.15(6)(b), F.S. BILL: SB 552 Page 4
Legislature finds that the purpose of the exemption outweighs open government policy and
cannot be accomplished without the exemption:
It allows the state or its political subdivisions to effectively and efficiently administer a
governmental program, and administration would be significantly impaired without the
exemption;
21
It protects sensitive, personal information, the release of which would be defamatory, cause
unwarranted damage to the good name or reputation of the individual, or would jeopardize
the individual’s safety. If this public purpose is cited as the basis of an exemption, however,
only personal identifying information is exempt;
22
or
It protects information of a confidential nature concerning entities, such as trade or business
secrets.
23
The Act also requires specified questions to be considered during the review process.
24
In
examining an exemption, the Act directs the Legislature to question the purpose and necessity of
reenacting the exemption.
If the exemption is continued and expanded, then a public necessity statement and a two-thirds
vote for passage are required.
25
If the exemption is continued without substantive changes or if
the exemption is continued and narrowed, then a public necessity statement and a two-thirds vote
for passage are not required. If the Legislature allows an exemption to expire, the previously
exempt records will remain exempt unless otherwise provided by law.
26
Broadband Internet Deployment
High-speed broadband can be essential to innovation, economic opportunity, healthcare, and
civic engagement.
27
Access to a sufficient internet connection has only grown more important
during the COVID-19 pandemic, which required many Americans to connect to their family and
friends, schooling, work, and even medical appointments over the internet.
28
Broadband internet is a high speed internet that is faster than dial-up access and is always on; in
2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined broadband as 25/3 megabits per
21
Section 119.15(6)(b)1., F.S.
22
Section 119.15(6)(b)2., F.S.
23
Section 119.15(6)(b)3., F.S.
24
Section 119.15(6)(a), F.S. The specified questions are:
What specific records or meetings are affected by the exemption?
Whom does the exemption uniquely affect, as opposed to the general public?
What is the identifiable public purpose or goal of the exemption?
Can the information contained in the records or discussed in the meeting be readily obtained by alternative means?
If so, how?
Is the record or meeting protected by another exemption?
Are there multiple exemptions for the same type of record or meeting that it would be appropriate to merge?
25
See generally s. 119.15, F.S.
26
Section 119.15(7), F.S.
27
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 2020 Broadband Deployment Report, at 1 (April 24, 2020),
https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/2020-broadband-deployment-report (last visited
March 10, 2023).
28
FCC, Emergency Broadband Benefit Report and Order, at 2-3 (Feb. 26, 2021),
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-29A1.pdf (last visited March 10, 2023). BILL: SB 552 Page 5
second (Mbps), i.e., 25 Mbps (download rate) and 3 Mbps (upload rate).
29
Consumers can
receive Broadband internet through several different technologies, including a digital subscriber
line (DSL), a cable modem, fiber, wireless, satellite, and broadband over power lines.
30
While Florida’s urban areas are served at a fixed broadband coverage rate of 96 percent, its rural
areas are served at a rate of 78.6 percent.
31
This disparity is caused primarily by high per-unit
construction costs required to build broadband infrastructure across larger swaths of rural
geographic areas.
32
Florida’s Office of Broadband
In 2020 the Legislature created the Florida Office of Broadband (Office) within the Department
of Economic Opportunity (department).
33
The Office is tasked with developing, marketing, and
promoting broadband Internet service in the state.
34
Specifically, the Office must:
35
Create a strategic plan for increasing the availability and use of broadband Internet service in
Florida which must incorporate federal broadband initiatives and also include a process to
review and verify public input regarding transmission speeds and availability of broadband
Internet service throughout the state;
Build local technology planning teams representing, among others, libraries, schools,
colleges and universities, local health care providers, private businesses, community
organizations, economic development organizations, local governments, tourism, parks and
recreation, and agriculture in order to identify needs and resources to reduce barriers to the
deployment of broadband Internet services;
Encourage the use of broadband Internet service, especially in rural, unserved, and
underserved areas of the state through grant programs;
36
Monitor, participate in, and provide input in proceedings of the FCC and other federal
agencies related to the geographic availability and deployment of broadband Internet service
29
Congressional Research Service (CRS), State Broadband Initiatives: Selected State and Local Approaches as Potential
Models for Federal Initiatives to Address the Digital Divide, at 2-3 (Apr. 6, 2020),
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46307 (last visited March 10, 2023).
30
CRS, Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs, at 1 (Oct. 25, 2019),
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL30719.pdf (last visited March 10, 2023).
31
FCC, 2021 Broadband Deployment Report, at 58 (Jan. 19, 2021), https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-annual-broadband-
report-shows-digital-divide-rapidly-closing (last visited March 10, 2023). For purposes of this data, “fixed broadband
services” are measured at 25 megabits per second downstream and 3 megabits per second upstream.
32
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, American Broadband Initiative, Milestones Report, at 11
(Feb. 13, 2019), https://www.ntia.doc.gov/report/2019/american-broadband-initiative-milestones-report (last visited March
10, 2023). See also CRS, Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs, at 7.
33
Chapter 2020-26, Laws of Fla.
34
Section 288.9961(4), F.S. See also, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband, About Us,
https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/broadband/office-of-broadband (last visited March 10, 2023).
35
Section 288.9961(4), F.S.
36
Section 288.9961(2)(f), F.S., defines the term “underserved” to mean a geographic area of this state in which there is no
provider of broadband Internet service that offers a connection to the Internet with a capacity for transmission at a consistent
speed of at least 100 Mbps downstream and at least 10 Mbps upstream. Section 288.9961(2)(g), F.S., defines the term
“unserved” as a geographic area in which there is no broadband Internet service provider. BILL: SB 552 Page 6
as necessary to ensure that Florida’s rural, unserved, and underserved areas are best
positioned to benefit from federal and state broadband deployment programs; and
Administer Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program.
The department may apply for and accept federal grant funds, enter into necessary or useful
contracts, and establish any committee or workgroup to further the above goals. Additionally, the
department has rulemaking authority to implement sections 288.9961-288.9963, F.S., relating to
the Office.
37
In November 2022, the Office received $247.8 million from the U.S. Treasury for the Capital
Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Program. The Office was also awarded $2.4 million for
their Digital Equity Planning Grant, and $5 million for the BEAD 5-year action plan.
38
Broadband Opportunity Program
The Office administers the Broadband Opportunity grant program to expand broadband Internet
service to unserved areas of Florida.
39
Grant funds may not be used to provide broadband
Internet service to a geographic area where broadband Internet is already deployed by at least
one provider.
40
Applicants eligible for grant awards include corporations, limited liability
companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, political subdivisions, and Indian tribes.
41
An eligible applicant may submit a grant application to the Office which must include the
following:
A description of the project area;
A description of the kind and amount of broadband Internet service infrastructure that is
proposed to be deployed;
Evidence demonstrating the unserved nature of the project area;
The number of households and businesses that would have access to broadband Internet
service as a result of the grant;
A list of significant community institutions that would benefit from the grant;
The total cost of the project and the timeframe in which it would be completed;
A list identifying sources of funding or in-kind contributions that would supplement any
awarded grant; and
Any other information required by the Office.
42
At least 30 days before the first day grant applications may be submitted each fiscal year, the
Office must publish on its website the specific criteria and quantitative scoring system it will use
to evaluate or rank grant applications.
43
Within three business days after the close of the grant
application process, the Office must publish on its website, from each grant application
37
Section 288.9961(5), F.S.
38
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Office of Broadband, About Us, https://floridajobs.org/community-
planning-and-development/broadband/office-of-broadband (last visited March 10, 2023).
39
Section 288.9962(1), F.S.
40
Section 288.9962(2), F.S.
41
Section 288.9962(3), F.S.
42
Section 288.9962(5), F.S.
43
Section 299.9962(6)(a), F.S. BILL: SB 552 Page 7
submitted, the proposed unserved areas to be served as well as the proposed broadband Internet
speeds of the areas to be served, and a service map of the proposed project areas.
44
A broadband Internet service provider that provides existing service in or adjacent to a proposed
project area may submit to the Office, within 45 days after publication of the information, a
written challenge to an application.
45
The Office must evaluate each challenge and if the Office
determines that the provider currently provides, has begun construction to provide, or commits to
provide broadband Internet service in the proposed project area, the Office many not fund the
challenged project.
46
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill creates a public record exemption for certain information relating to communications
services locations, project proposals, and challenges submitted to the department under the
Broadband Opportunity Program.
Specifically, the bill provides certain information is confidential and exempt if such information
is not otherwise publicly available and the release of such information would reveal:
The location or capacity of communications network facilities;
Communications network coverage areas, including geographical maps indicating actual or
proposed locations of network infrastructure, facilities, or coverage;
The features, functions, and capabilities of communications network infrastructures and
facilities;
Security, including cybersecurity, of the design, construction, and operation of the
communications network and associated services and products;
Specific customer locations; or
Sources of funding or in-kind contributions for a project.
The bill provides a public necessity statement as required by article I, section 24(c) of the Florida
Constitution. The public necessity statement provides that the disclosure of sensitive information
relating to the location, capacity, features, functions, and security of communications services
providers could result in the identification of vulnerabilities in such networks and allow a
security breach that could damage the networks or disrupt the networks’ safe and reliable
operation, adversely impacting the public health and safety of the state.
The bill is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will be automatically
repealed on October 2, 2028, unless the Legislature reenacts the exemption.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.
44
Section 288.9962(6)(b), F.S. See also Rule 73C-50.004(1), F.A.C.
45
Section 288.9962(6)(c), F.S.
46
Section 288.9962(6)(e), F.S. BILL: SB 552 Page 8
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
Not applicable. The bill does not require counties or municipalities to take an action
requiring the expenditure of funds, reduce the authority that counties or municipalities
have to raise revenue in the aggregate, nor reduce the percentage of state tax shared with
counties or municipalities.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
Vote Requirement
Article I, s. 24(c) of the State Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the members
present and voting for final passage of a bill creating or expanding an exemption to the
public records requirements. This bill creates a new record exemption; thus, the bill
requires a two-thirds vote to be enacted.
Public Necessity Statement
Article I, s. 24(c) of the State Constitution requires a bill creating or expanding an
exemption to the public records requirements to state with specificity the public necessity
justifying the exemption. The bill creates a new public records exemption. Thus, the bill
includes a public necessity statement.
Breadth of Exemption
Article I, s. 24(c) of the State Constitution requires an exemption to the public records
requirements to be no broader than necessary to accomplish the stated purpose of the law.
The bill creates a public record exemption for information relating to communications
services locations, project proposals, and challenges submitted to the department under
the Broadband Opportunity Program. The exemption does not appear to be broader than
necessary to accomplish the purpose of the law.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified. BILL: SB 552 Page 9
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill may have a minimal fiscal impact on the department for incurring costs related to
the redaction of records in responding to public records requests.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
Currently, the Office is to publish on its website, from each grant application submitted, the
proposed unserved areas to be served and a service map of the proposed project areas. The bill
creates a public record exemption for, among other things, communications network coverage
areas, including geographical maps indicating actual or proposed locations of network
infrastructure, facilities, or coverage. It is unclear if this provision in the public record exemption
would conflict with s. 288.9962(6)(b), F.S. and Rule 73C-50.004(1), F.A.C.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.