Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO CONSIDER enactment of an Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
 
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ELECTION CAMPAIGN PRACTICES; CREATING A NEW ARTICLE V WITHIN CHAPTER 11 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE") ENTITLED "ETHICAL CAMPAIGN PRACTICES"; CREATING CODE SECTIONS 11-66 THROUGH 11-71; RENUMBERING AND AMENDING SECTION 11-4 OF THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
 

(Sponsored by Senator Steve Geller)
 

A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of February 12, 2019.

Amends the Broward County Code of Ordinances to create an Ethical Campaign Practices Committee.

On September 13, 2018 (Agenda Item 71), the Board directed the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance to establish a Committee that would, through nonbinding proceedings, adjudicate complaints involving unfair campaign practices. 

The proposed Ordinance would establish Ethical Campaign Practices Principles ("Principles"), which are substantially similar to the Statement of Ethical Campaign Practices presently contained within Section 11-4 of the Code. The Principles are nonbinding guidelines, condemning unethical campaign practices by those campaigning for elected office or by independent political committees. To enforce the Principles, the proposed Ordinance establishes the Ethical Campaign Practices Committee ("Committee"), comprised of representatives nominated by nonpartisan community organizations, honorary voting members, and nonvoting representatives of the major political parties. 
 
The Committee will be authorized to adjudicate complaints filed by candidates for elected office. The proposed Ordinance sets forth detailed procedures intended to ensure all adjudications are efficient, expeditious, and fair. Following a hearing where all parties will have an opportunity to be heard, the Committee may publicly censure those found to have violated the Principles.
 
The Committee's jurisdiction will be limited to races for Offices that have all or a majority of their constituency residing within Broward County, and the Committee will not have jurisdiction over any federal, judicial, or statewide office. 
 
Some, but not all, of the nominating organizations listed in the proposed Ordinance have confirmed their willingness to nominate. Any required changes in the listing of nominating organizations will be addressed via proposed amendment.

Joseph Jarone, Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600