An unusual victory over Florida government transparency

There is a faint glow of hope in the mountains of bad bills before the Florida Legislature this year. One of them is about the right to know what your government is doing, and it exists as lawmakers themselves slowly realize they don’t have the information they need to do their job.

That’s not to say that this perception caused a complete course change regarding freedom of information in the sunshine. The session, which aims to limit public access to government records, limit freedom of speech, or reduce government accountability, still has over 130 bills. However, one bill stands out as a rare initiative to reverse trends. SB1434 was submitted by Senator Daryl Luson. If passed, the bill would give Floridians an important tool to raise doubts on officials, demand transparency and hold the government accountable.

This push for small reform is not happening in a vacuum. It is driven by increasing frustration for both the public and lawmakers about how difficult it has become to obtain even the most basic government information. This was less obvious than the battle over surge in premiums.

For two years, the state insurance regulators had a report showing that property insurance companies were attracting billions. However, officials stopped requesting public records of the report until after lawmakers approved the industry relief package. When journalists from the Tampa Bay Times and other outlets finally revealed the truth, many lawmakers were furious and are now demanding answers from the insurance industry. They are just aware that the advocates of transparency have been warnings for a long time. Florida’s broken public record system is not only frustrating, but also actively undermine good governance.

Delays like filling insurance reports are no longer the exception. They are standard. Floridians have a constitutional right to access public records, but in reality, that right has been eroded. Agents routinely ignore requests, slap citizens overcharged fees for information, and delay responses indefinitely. result? A government with little surveillance and less cheques of power.

Therefore, supporters of the First Amendment and other public records worked to help prepare SB 1434. And Senator Luson answered the phone. Many politicians work quietly to hide their actions, talking about free speech and open government. Senator Luson does the opposite. His bill is one of the few bright spots at the 2025 legislative conference. It is a rare and meaningful effort to enhance access to public records and restore government accountability.

With SB 1434, the agent must grant public records requests within three business days and must cut off the endless waiting game. It also prohibits agents from charging fees if they do not respond in a timely manner and introduces penalties for those who refuse to comply. These are common sense reforms, but they are one of the most powerful attempts over the years to fix Florida’s dysfunctional public record system.

The First Amendment Foundation is proud to play a role in shaping the law and praise Sen. Luson for leading the charges. He understands that access to information is not merely a bureaucratic issue, but about power. It’s about enabling all Floridians, regardless of their background, to question their leaders and demand accountability. And as lawmakers become increasingly irritated by their inability to get information, reform momentum is being built.

However, the SB 1434 is far from certain. It is currently lacking in the family buddies and is facing a difficult battle in this session. The fact that it is on the table is a step in the right direction, but it won’t pass without public pressure. We cannot rely on lawmakers to do the right thing for themselves.

That’s where you come in. If we want to stop keeping the Florida slides secret, we have to act. Call, email and write to your state representative. They demand that they support SB 1434 and protect government transparency. The information held by the government is not belonging to politicians. It’s yours. Let’s fight to regain the light.

Bobby Block is the executive director of the First Amendment Foundation at www.floridafaf.org.