Title
Form 1 (B)
Explanation:
Financial disclosure is required of public officials and employees because it enables the public to evaluate potential conflicts of interest, deters corruption, and increases public confidence in government. All elected state and local public officers are required to file a financial disclosure form and many appointed board members also must file. There are certain state and local employees who are also subject to the disclosure filing requirement because of the position they hold or because they have purchasing authority that exceeds $35,000. [See Sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, Florida Statutes]
Financial disclosure is due July 1 of each year for the preceding calendar year. A grace period is in effect until September 1. If the disclosure is not filed or postmarked by September 1, an automatic fine of $25 per day will begin to accrue, and will continue to build until the disclosure is filed, or the fine reaches $1,500. Fines may be appealed to the Commission, which can waive or reduce the fine, if unusual circumstances prevented the filer from filing on time.