HB 727 2025
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hb727-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to use of state resources to influence 2
statewide ballot initiatives; creating s. 100.372, 3
F.S.; providing a short title, legislative intent, and 4
definitions; prohibiting certain entities from 5
producing, disseminating, or funding specified public 6
service announcements during a certain timeframe; 7
providing construction; providing penalties; requiring 8
certain entities to maintain specified records and 9
make such records available to the public; providing 10
an effective date. 11
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13
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Section 1. Section 100.372, Florida Statutes, is created 15
to read: 16
100.372 Prohibition on public service announcem ent 17
publications or expenditures during a statewide ballot 18
initiative election period. — 19
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the "Public 20
Resource Election Neutrality Act." 21
(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT. —The Legislature finds that state 22
resources should not be used to influence the outcome of 23
elections, including those involving statewide ballot 24
initiatives. This act ensures that taxpayer -funded public 25
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
service announcements are not used to sway voters or create the 26
appearance of state agency endorsemen t or opposition to any 27
ballot measure during critical election periods. 28
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 29
(a) "Public service announcement" means any advertisement, 30
communication, or promotional material produced or disseminated 31
in any medium including television, radio, social media, print, 32
or digital funded in whole or in part by state revenues that is 33
intended to inform, educate, or influence the public. 34
(b) "State department or agency" means any department, 35
agency, board, commiss ion, or other entity under the 36
jurisdiction of the State of Florida, including those funded 37
wholly or partially by state revenues. 38
(c) "Statewide ballot initiative" means any proposed 39
constitutional amendment, referendum, or other measure that has 40
been certified for placement on the ballot in a general 41
election. 42
(4) PROHIBITED ACTS. — 43
(a) Beginning on the last day of certification of a 44
statewide ballot initiative and continuing through the 45
conclusion of the general election: 46
1. A state department or agency may not produce, 47
disseminate, or fund any public service announcement related to, 48
or which could reasonably be interpreted to support or oppose, a 49
statewide ballot initiative. 50
HB 727 2025
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2. Funds, resources, or personnel of any state department 51
or agency may not be used to directly or indirectly influence 52
the outcome of a statewide ballot initiative. 53
(b) This subsection does not apply to public service 54
announcements that are required to address: 55
1. Immediate threats to public health, safety, or welfare. 56
2. Routine governmental communications unrelated to any 57
statewide ballot initiative. 58
(5) PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT. — 59
(a)1. Any individual acting in their official capacity who 60
violates this section is subject to suspension, removal, or 61
disciplinary action as provided by general law. 62
2. Any state department or agency found to have violated 63
this section may have its future appropriations reduced by the 64
Legislature. 65
(b)1. The Florida Commission on Ethics may investigate 66
complaints of violations of thi s section. 67
2. Any individual or entity aggrieved by a violation of 68
this section may file a complaint with the Florida Commission on 69
Ethics or seek injunctive relief in a court of competent 70
jurisdiction. 71
(6) REPORTING AND TRANSPARENCY. —All state departments and 72
agencies shall maintain records of public service announcements 73
produced or funded during the 12 months preceding a general 74
election and make such records available to the public. 75
HB 727 2025
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 76