Florida Lawmakers Advance Bill Aimed at Strengthening Sunshine Law Enforcement

1300 White Street might want to take notice.

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation supporters say would give new enforcement power to the state’s Sunshine Law, an effort framed as restoring accountability to Florida’s open-government system after years of complaints that violations often carry few consequences.

The proposal, which moved through legislative committees this month, would strengthen penalties and clarify enforcement mechanisms for violations of public records and open-meetings laws. Backers say the bill is designed to put real consequences behind requirements that already exist but are unevenly enforced across state and local government.

Under current law, Sunshine Law violations can be difficult to pursue, and critics have long argued that agencies and officials face little risk for delaying, denying or improperly withholding public records. Supporters of the legislation contend the bill would address those gaps by reinforcing oversight and compliance.

Open-government advocates have cautiously welcomed the proposal, noting that while Florida’s Sunshine Law remains one of the strongest in the nation on paper, enforcement has lagged as exemptions have grown and penalties have remained limited. They say stronger enforcement could deter violations and improve transparency, particularly at the local level.

The bill’s progress has drawn attention from cities and counties statewide, including Key West, where public records requests and Sunshine Law compliance have played a central role in oversight of City Hall. In recent years, access to emails, contracts and internal communications has shaped public debate over development, lobbying activity and ethics issues.

Transparency advocates say enhanced enforcement could have immediate local impact by encouraging faster responses to records requests and discouraging decision-making that occurs outside public view.

Supporters emphasize that the legislation does not restrict access to records or expand exemptions, but instead focuses on accountability when agencies or officials fail to follow existing law. They argue the measure reinforces the original intent of the Sunshine Law by ensuring violations carry meaningful consequences.

The proposal is expected to receive additional committee review before reaching the full Legislature later this session.

If approved, the bill would represent one of the most significant changes to Sunshine Law enforcement in years, with implications for how state and local governments, including Key West City Hall, handle public records and open meetings.