With ethics reform on the front burner for Republican leaders in both chambers, Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, on Monday became the first lawmaker to file ethics legislation for the upcoming session.
The bill (SB 272) would prohibit lawmakers from voting on issues that provide financial or personal benefit to themselves, their relatives, businesses or corporate affiliates.
Penalties range from censure to removal from office and may also include a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.
The measure was last filed in 2012 by former Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz have both made elections and ethics reform priorities of their respective two-year terms.
