Florida OKs Law Protecting DeSantis’ and Officials’ Travel Records from Public Access

Florida Legislature Approves Bill to Shield Travel Records of Governor DeSantis

Florida’s Republican-led Legislature has approved a bill that would protect the travel records of Governor Ron DeSantis and other elected officials from being made public. The bill, known as the “Public Records/Transportation and Protective Services” Act, passed the Republican-controlled Florida House in an 84-31 vote after clearing the Senate last month.

What the Bill Entails

• The bill provides an exemption from public records requirements for records held by a law enforcement agency relating to certain security or transportation services for DeSantis and other elected officials.
• It includes a retroactive clause that would block the release of many records of travels already undertaken by DeSantis.
• Information obtained by a law enforcement agency authorized by law to provide security or transportation services to officials should not be disclosed to the public if they may endanger the individual.

The bill will go into effect immediately after it is signed into law by DeSantis.

Why Republicans Argue the Bill is Necessary

Republicans argued that the disclosure of such records, including security, operational, and logistical plans, as well as personal information unrelated to official duties of the protected individuals, could pose a risk to the officials and hamper law enforcement security efforts if made public.

“Florida Statutes, as well as the safety and security of law enforcement agents and personnel providing the security or transportation services, outweigh any public benefit that may be derived from the disclosure of such records,” the bill states.

Why Democrats Disagree

While Republicans cited security and safety issues as reasons for the bill, Democrats argued that the measure will prevent the public from knowing with whom DeSantis met and what for, pointing to the fact that taxpayers are footing the travel bill.

Democrat state Rep. Ashley Gantt said public officials should maintain transparency with the general public. “Having a level of transparency on the amount that’s being spent, where it’s being spent, we owe the people we work for an answer to that,” Gantt said.