(1) The department may provide, contract for, or assist in conducting education programs, as its budget permits, for all newly elected or appointed members of district governing bodies. The education programs shall include, but are not limited to, courses on the code of ethics for public officers and employees, public meetings and public records requirements, public finance, and parliamentary procedure.
(2) An individual district governing body, at its discretion, may bear the costs associated with educating its members. Governing body members of districts which have qualified for a zero annual fee for the most recent invoicing period pursuant to s. 189.018 are not required to pay a fee for any education program the department provides, contracts for, or assists in conducting. 
