10 Tampa Bay
By: Josh Sidorowicz
Top Florida officials’ travel records are now sealed under legislation passed by lawmakers.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — From a nationwide book tour to a week-long international trip, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been on the move in recent months, but the details of his travel and costs to the state could soon be permanently sealed.
Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill exempting travel records for the governor, his family and other top state officials from public records requests.
DeSantis is expected to sign the bill into law.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is charged with the governor’s safety, has long made these records available, though the agency has been increasingly slow in turning over those requests.
10 Tampa Bay requested information from FDLE on the governor’s recent out-of-state trips, including cost and whether FDLE was reimbursed for any of these trips.
The newly approved public records exemption would apply to past and future travel. The measure would also keep from the public the names of people visiting the governor’s mansion on non-governmental matters.