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Clerks Bill Held Up In Committee -Call Legislators Today-
SB 640 by Senator Oelrich was temporarily passed due to a lack of time caused by heavy debate on the amendments Senator Storms’ offered that greatly minimize our concerns (Amendment #1; Amendment #2). Senator Storms, former County Commissioner from Hillsborough County, has filed to a strike-all amendment (which essentially conforms the bill to the House version) Senator Wise (Amendment # 750136) is running as a courtesy to Senator Oelrich for SB 640, relating to the Clerk of Court.
Senator Oelrich views these amendments as “hostile” amendments. He is aware of FAC’s position on the issue: FAC is opposed to the bill unless Senator Storms amendments are adopted. Please contact his office via e-mail to let him know you are in support of Senator Storms’ amendments and opposed to the bill without them. His office number is (850) 487- 5020 and district (352) 375-3555.
This bill will likely be placed on the agenda for next Thursday. In preparation please continue conversations with the below members of the committee. Committee members have been contacted by at least one clerk urging them to support the legislation. The impression many members are left with is “counties” support this because their “county” clerk does. Please clarify this for them! Click here for FAC’s talksheet.
The members of Senate Community Affairs include: Chairman Garcia; Vice Chairman Hill; Crist; Haridopolos; Storms; Villalobos; Wise; Dawson; Geller; Siplin
Senator Crist has agreed to support Senator Storms’ amendments and sees them as a compromise. Senator Crist is a co-sponsor to SB 640 and sits on the committee; therefore, his opinion is expected to weigh in heavily.
If Storms’ amendments do not pass:
- To say that charter counties are “exempt” from the changes found in this legislation is
misleading. If you are a charter county, at minimum, you ARE still affected by this
unless:
- your charter already specifically details what the Clerk of Courts’ responsibilities are;
- your charter already specifically provides who is the “Accountant” of the Board of County Commissioners
In the same way that the Board of County Commissioners would be affected by this legislation, so would all other elected Constitutional Officers, including the Sheriffs. To view Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats statement, click here. David Martin with the Auditor General’s office testified in committee on Thursday. Click here to view Mr. Martin’s statement.