Under the Broward County Code of Ethics for Elected Officials, with limited exceptions not relevant here, elected officials are prohibited from accepting anything from lobbyists, principals of lobbyists, vendors, or contractors (collectively, "Lobbyists and Vendors") that has a value in excess of $5. With respect to gifts from other sources, elected officials may not accept anything in their official capacities that has a value in excess of $50. Florida law prohibits an elected official from accepting anything that has a value in excess of $100 from Lobbyists and Vendors. Florida law does not generally impose limitations on gifts from other sources, irrespective of whether such gifts are received in an elected official's official capacity.
The Florida Commission on Ethics has issued opinions finding that public service announcements can be considered gifts bestowing publicity on the participant.
Currently, elected officials are permitted to participate in public service announcements that are paid for and published or broadcast by their own governmental entity (e.g., on the entity's website) subject to filing any required state disclosure (Florida Commission on Ethics Form 10). The proposed amendment would permit a County elected official to participate in a public service announcement that is paid for, broadcast, or published by entities that are not Lobbyists or Vendors (including municipalities and subject to the filing of any required state disclosure) even though the value of any gift resulting therefrom may exceed $50.
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