Government in
the Sunshine and
UNF Student
Government
What is Florida’s Sunshine Law?
The law consists of two areas:
The “Open Meetings Law” (Chapter 286,
Florida Statutes) which provides that
meetings of an elected board or
commission are open to the public; and
2. The “Public Records Law” (Chapter 119,
Florida Statutes) which creates a right of
access to records made or received in
connection with official business of a
public body.
1.
The Open Meetings Applies to:
All meetings of the Senate, or any of
its committees or members “at which
official acts are to be taken are
declared to be public meetings open
to the public at all times.”
--Florida Statutes, Chapter 286.011 (1)
What Constitutes a Meeting?


Any discussions or deliberations, formal or
casual, between two or more senators or
covered committee members about a matter
in which it is foreseeable that the Senate might
take action.
“Meetings” include any workshops, telephone
conversations, e-mail or text communications,
or other interactions where covered material is
exchanged, including social gatherings.
Requirements for Open Meetings
1.
Must Provide Reasonable Notice of the
Meeting;
That Notes be Taken; and
That the Meeting be Open to the
Public.
Section 286.011(1) and (2), Florida Statutes
Additional Open Meeting Requirements
 No
secret ballots, but no “roll call” is
required.
 All Senate or Committee members
attending a covered meeting must
vote, unless they declare a conflict of
interest.
 The minutes must reflect a vote for
each member.
While Open, No Right to Participate
While the public has a right to attend and
observe a public meeting, the law does not
provide the right for the public to participate
in the meeting.
 The Senate President or Committee Chair,
at his/her discretion, may permit members
of the public to address the Senate or
Committee; however, the Senate President
or Chair may limit the number of individuals
that speak and place time limits on how
long they are allowed to talk.

Providing Reasonable Notice
Must give notice at such time and in
such a manner that will enable
interested persons and the general
public a reasonable time to decide
whether to attend the meeting. As a
general rule, less than 48 hours
notice would not constitute
reasonable notice.
Who in SG does this Apply to?
Senate meetings
 Meetings of the 4 standing committees

1.
2.
3.
4.
Budget and Allocations
Constitution and Statutes
Student Advocacy
Elections, Selections and Appointments
Meetings of the Judiciary
 Any Appointed Advisory Committee

Who in SG Does this Not Apply to?

Meetings of the 4 Executive Agencies
1.
2.
3.
4.

Osprey Productions
Club Alliance
African – American Student Union
Volunteer Center
Meetings between the President and
his/her Cabinet
Public Records
“Public records means 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
connection with the transaction of official
business by any agency.”
--Chapter 119.011 (11), Florida Statutes
Florida’s Public Records Law has a
Very Broad Interpretation
Virtually, any document created,
received or maintained by Student
Government and its representatives
acting in their official Student
Government capacities is considered a
public record and is subject to inspection
by the public.
Public Records may be Accessed via a
“Public Records Request”
These requests can be:
 Verbal
 Written
 E-mailed
 Made by any person for any
reason.
What a Requestor is Entitled to
Chapter 119, F.S. creates a right of
access to records made or received in
connection with official business of a
public body.
 The requestor can inspect and copy any
public record which is not exempt from
disclosure.
 A requestor’s motive is irrelevant and
they do not have to tell you “why” s/he
wants the records.

If You Receive a Request for Public
Records, Do the Following:
Immediately notify the SG Advisor of the
request.
 Remember -- records custodian has a
“reasonable” time to respond so make
sure you know what to provide the
requestor.
 Determine whether exemptions apply to
the records requested.
 Determine whether there will be a need
to redact confidential information from
the records to be produced.

Additional Issues to Consider
Records custodian may charge for the cost
of duplication ($.15 per copy, $.20 for
double-sided copies and $1.00 per certified
copy) and if the request is voluminous, the
cost of labor for retrieving and redacting
records
 Whether the request may be subject to a
“special service charge”. For example,
most requests for email involve charging a
special service charge because of
extensive use of ITS resources.

Confidential Records That are Exempt
From Disclosure:
Student records under FERPA
 Social Security numbers
 Medical information
 Employee disciplinary records while
discipline is in process

What is Not Required When Responding to a
Public Records Request
No requirement to create records.
 No requirement to provide records in the
format requested.
 No requirement to meet requestor’s
“timetable”.
 No requirement to provide information
not in the records.
 No requirement to explain the records.

Record Retention Requirements
Must be maintained in accordance with
retention schedules promulgated by the
state librarian.
 The Secretary of State publishes a
handbook called “The Basics of Records
Management Handbook”

http://www.dlis.dos.state.fl.us/barm/handbooks/basics.pdf

Most records must be maintained for 3
years.
Questions?
Further information regarding Florida’s
Government-in-the-Sunshine law can be
accessed on UNF’s Office of the
General Counsel’s website in the FAQ
area. Also, feel free to contact Marc
Snow in the Office of the General
Counsel at 620-2866.