Florida Statutes
Fla. Stat. § 286.011 (2025)
Public meetings and records; public inspection; criminal and civil penalties.
✓ 2025 Florida Statutes — current through the 2025 Regular Session
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286.011 Public meetings and records; public inspection; criminal and civil penalties.—
(1) All meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, including meetings with or attended by any person elected to such board or commission, but who has not yet taken office, at which official acts are to be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times, and no resolution, rule, or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting. The board or commission must provide reasonable notice of all such meetings.
(2) The minutes of a meeting of any such board or commission of any such state agency or authority shall be promptly recorded, and such records shall be open to public inspection. The circuit courts of this state shall have jurisdiction to issue injunctions to enforce the purposes of this section upon application by any citizen of this state.
(3)(a) Any public officer who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a noncriminal infraction, punishable by fine not exceeding $500.
(b) Any person who is a member of a board or commission or of any state agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision who knowingly violates the provisions of this section by attending a meeting not held in accordance with the provisions hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(4) Whenever an action has been filed against any board or commission of any state agency or authority or any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision to enforce the provisions of this section or to invalidate the actions of any such board, commission, agency, or authority, which action was taken in violation of this section, and the court determines that the defendant or defendants to such action acted in violation of this section, the court shall assess a reasonable attorney’s fee against such agency, and may assess a reasonable attorney’s fee against the individual filing such an action if the court finds it was filed in bad faith or was frivolous. Any fees so assessed may be assessed against the individual member or members of such board or commission; provided, that in any case where the board or commission seeks the advice of its attorney and such advice is followed, no such fees shall be assessed against the individual member or members of the board or commission. However, this subsection shall not apply to a state attorney or his or her duly authorized assistants or any officer charged with enforcing the provisions of this section.
(5) Whenever any board or commission of any state agency or authority or any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision appeals any court order which has found said board, commission, agency, or authority to have violated this section, and such order is affirmed, the court shall assess a reasonable attorney’s fee for the appeal against such board, commission, agency, or authority. Any fees so assessed may be assessed against the individual member or members of such board or commission; provided, that in any case where the board or commission seeks the advice of its attorney and such advice is followed, no such fees shall be assessed against the individual member or members of the board or commission.
(6) All persons subject to subsection (1) are prohibited from holding meetings at any facility or location which discriminates on the basis of sex, age, race, creed, color, origin, or economic status or which operates in such a manner as to unreasonably restrict public access to such a facility.
(7) Whenever any member of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision is charged with a violation of this section and is subsequently acquitted, the board or commission is authorized to reimburse said member for any portion of his or her reasonable attorney’s fees.
(8) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), any board or commission of any state agency or authority or any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision, and the chief administrative or executive officer of the governmental entity, may meet in private with the entity’s attorney to discuss pending litigation to which the entity is presently a party before a court or administrative agency, provided that the following conditions are met:
(a) The entity’s attorney shall advise the entity at a public meeting that he or she desires advice concerning the litigation.
(b) The subject matter of the meeting shall be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation expenditures.
(c) The entire session shall be recorded by a certified court reporter. The reporter shall record the times of commencement and termination of the session, all discussion and proceedings, the names of all persons present at any time, and the names of all persons speaking. No portion of the session shall be off the record. The court reporter’s notes shall be fully transcribed and filed with the entity’s clerk within a reasonable time after the meeting.
(d) The entity shall give reasonable public notice of the time and date of the attorney-client session and the names of persons who will be attending the session. The session shall commence at an open meeting at which the persons chairing the meeting shall announce the commencement and estimated length of the attorney-client session and the names of the persons attending. At the conclusion of the attorney-client session, the meeting shall be reopened, and the person chairing the meeting shall announce the termination of the session.
(e) The transcript shall be made part of the public record upon conclusion of the litigation.
(9)(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a regional citizen volunteer advisory committee, created to provide technical expertise and support to the National Estuary Program established by Congress under s. 320 of the Clean Water Act, whose membership is composed of representatives from four or more counties may conduct public meetings and workshops by means of communications media technology as defined in s. 120.54(5)(b)2. An advisory committee member who participates in a public meeting or workshop by communications media technology is deemed to be present at the meeting or workshop. The use of communications media technology must allow for all persons attending the meeting or workshop to audibly communicate as if the person is physically present.
(b) The notice for a public meeting or workshop must state whether the meeting or workshop will be conducted using communications media technology, how an interested person may participate, and the location of facilities where communications media technology will be available during the meeting or workshop.
History.—s. 1, ch. 67-356; s. 159, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 78-365; s. 6, ch. 85-301; s. 33, ch. 91-224; s. 1, ch. 93-232; s. 210, ch. 95-148; s. 1, ch. 95-353; s. 2, ch. 2012-25; s. 1, ch. 2024-17.
Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 286.011
M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd§286.011(3)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESRENUMBERED. SEE REC # 9777
§286.011(3b)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESPUBLIC MEETING LAW VIOLATION
§286.011(3c)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESCONDUCT OUT OF STATE PUBLIC MEETING LAW VIOL
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 220
cases (19 in the last 5 years), 1969–2026 · leading case: Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998).
Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). “Section 286.011 provides that any meeting in which official acts are to be taken are to be open to the public, and no "resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.”
Krause v. Reno, 366 So. 2d 1244 (Fla. 3d DCA 1979). “" Based upon the foregoing, appellants appealed contending that: (1) a permanent injunction should not have been issued to force an advisory group or committee selected by the City Manager, which committee serves under the Manager's direction for the purpose of assisting him in…”
Wood v. Marston, 442 So. 2d 934 (Fla. 1983). “When Joseph Julin announced his retirement as the dean of the University of Florida College of Law, university president Robert Q.”
Town of Palm Beach v. Gradison, 296 So. 2d 473 (Fla. 1974). “" Fla. Stat. § 286.011 , F.S.A. The only question to be determined is whether the citizens planning commission composed of private citizens, which was established by the Town Council and the members thereof appointed by the Town Council, was subject to the government in the…”
City of Miami Beach v. Berns, 245 So. 2d 38 (Fla. 1971). “" We must first determine whether the provisions of Fla. Stat. § 286.011 , F.S.A., supersedes or repeals Fla.”
Neu v. Miami Herald Pub. Co., 462 So. 2d 821 (Fla. 1985). “The state attorney and the Miami Herald sought a declaratory judgment that a proposed meeting between the city council and its attorney to discuss pending litigation was subject to the open meeting provisions of the Sunshine Law, section 286.”
Monroe Cty. v. Pigeon Key Hist. Park, 647 So. 2d 857 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995). “See § 286.011, Fla. Stat. (1993). Injunctive relief is available to enforce the Open Meetings Law; actions taken in violation of the law are not binding.”
Grapski v. City of Alachua, 31 So. 3d 193 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). “Count Two, the open meeting claim, alleged violations of section 286.011, Florida Statutes (2006), known as the “Government in the Sunshine Law” or “open meetings” law; and article I, section 24(b) of the Florida Constitution.”
Occidental Chem. Co. v. Mayo, 351 So. 2d 336 (Fla. 1977). “[1] Occidental asks, alternatively, that we invalidate the Commission's entire decision because it was made in violation of Florida's so-called "Sunshine Law", Section 286.011, Florida Statutes (1975).”
Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Gov't v. City of Sarasota, 48 So. 3d 755 (Fla. 2010). “And section 286.011, Florida Statutes (2009), commonly known as the Government in the Sunshine Law, provides in part: All meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political…”
Turner v. Wainwright, 379 So. 2d 148 (Fla. 1st DCA 1980). “Hartwell, presiding, as follows: "Basically, the question before this Court is whether the investigative records, discussions and meetings of the Defendant Commission in the determination and granting of paroles is subject to Section 286.011, Florida Statutes, commonly referred…”
Hough v. Stembridge, 278 So. 2d 288 (Fla. 3d DCA 1973). “First, the court ruled that any action taken by the council as a result of discussions at meetings held on May 19, 1971 and June 1, 1971 were in violation of § 286.011 Fla. Stat., F.S.A., the Sunshine Law.”
— 286.011(1) — 67 cases
Monroe Cty. v. Pigeon Key Hist. Park, 647 So. 2d 857 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995). “See § 286.011, Fla. Stat. (1993). Injunctive relief is available to enforce the Open Meetings Law; actions taken in violation of the law are not binding.”
Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). “Section 286.011 provides that any meeting in which official acts are to be taken are to be open to the public, and no "resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.”
City of Sunrise v. News & Sun-sentinel, Co., 542 So. 2d 1354 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989).
Occidental Chem. Co. v. Mayo, 351 So. 2d 336 (Fla. 1977). “[1] Occidental asks, alternatively, that we invalidate the Commission's entire decision because it was made in violation of Florida's so-called "Sunshine Law", Section 286.011, Florida Statutes (1975).”
Frankenmuth Mut. Ins. Co. v. Magaha, 769 So. 2d 1012 (Fla. 2000).
— 286.011(1)(2) — 1 case
Lyon v. Lake Cnty., 765 So. 2d 785 (Fla. 5th DCA 2000).
— 286.011(2) — 12 cases
Grapski v. City of Alachua, 31 So. 3d 193 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). “Count Two, the open meeting claim, alleged violations of section 286.011, Florida Statutes (2006), known as the “Government in the Sunshine Law” or “open meetings” law; and article I, section 24(b) of the Florida Constitution.”
Monroe Cty. v. Pigeon Key Hist. Park, 647 So. 2d 857 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995). “See § 286.011, Fla. Stat. (1993). Injunctive relief is available to enforce the Open Meetings Law; actions taken in violation of the law are not binding.”
Daniels v. Bryson, 548 So. 2d 679 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989).
Tolar v. Sch. Bd. of Liberty Cnty., 398 So. 2d 427 (Fla. 1981).
Marston v. Gainesville Sun Pub. Co., Inc., 341 So. 2d 783 (Fla. 1st DCA 1976).
— 286.011(3) — 2 cases
Monroe Cty. v. Pigeon Key Hist. Park, 647 So. 2d 857 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995). “See § 286.011, Fla. Stat. (1993). Injunctive relief is available to enforce the Open Meetings Law; actions taken in violation of the law are not binding.”
Occidental Chem. Co. v. Mayo, 351 So. 2d 336 (Fla. 1977). “[1] Occidental asks, alternatively, that we invalidate the Commission's entire decision because it was made in violation of Florida's so-called "Sunshine Law", Section 286.011, Florida Statutes (1975).”
— 286.011(3)(b) — 1 case
Carlson v. State, Dep't of Revenue, 227 So. 3d 1261 (Fla. 1st DCA 2017).
— 286.011(4) — 12 cases
Cape Coral Med. Ctr. v. NEWS-PRESS Publ'g, 390 So. 2d 1216 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980).
Soud v. Kendale, Inc., 788 So. 2d 1051 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001).
Ribaya v. The Bd. of Trs. of the City Pension Fund for Firefighters & Police Officers in the City of Tampa, 162 So. 3d 348 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015).
Rhea v. City of Gainesville, 574 So. 2d 221 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991).
Anderson v. City of St. Pete Beach, 161 So. 3d 548 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014).
— 286.011(8) — 16 cases
Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). “Section 286.011 provides that any meeting in which official acts are to be taken are to be open to the public, and no "resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.”
Sch. Bd. of Duval Cty. v. Fla. Pub. Co., 670 So. 2d 99 (Fla. 1st DCA 1996).
Bruckner v. City of Dania Beach, 823 So. 2d 167 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002).
Brown v. City of Lauderhill, 654 So. 2d 302 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995).
Freeman v. Times Pub. Co., 696 So. 2d 427 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997).
— 286.011(8)(b) — 1 case
Bruckner v. City of Dania Beach, 823 So. 2d 167 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002).
— 286.011(8)(c) — 1 case
Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). “Section 286.011 provides that any meeting in which official acts are to be taken are to be open to the public, and no "resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.”
— 286.011(8)(d) — 2 cases
Zorc v. City of Vero Beach, 722 So. 2d 891 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). “Section 286.011 provides that any meeting in which official acts are to be taken are to be open to the public, and no "resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.”
City of Dunnellon v. Aran, 662 So. 2d 1026 (Fla. 5th DCA 1995).
— 286.011(8)(e) — 1 case
Maggy Hurchalla v. South Florida Water Mgmt. Dist. (Fla. 4th DCA 2019).
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